VP Sara leads nationwide distribution of ‘PagbaBAGo’ bags
BASIC SCHOOL NEEDS. Vice President Sara Duterte leads the distribution of “PagbaBAGo” bags at the Ma’had Norol Yaqeen Litahfidil Qur’an (Madrasah School) in Caloocan City on Friday (August 30, 2024). Each “PagbaBAGo” bag contains two notebooks, two pens, three pencils, a box of crayons, a sharpener, an eraser, a ruler, a plastic envelope, a raincoat, a bag tag, resealable plastic and dental kits, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. (Photo courtesy of OVP) MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday led the nationwide simultaneous distribution of “PagbaBAGo” bags to alleviate the impacts of financial challenges among Filipinos by providing basic school needs. In a statement, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said at least 3,500 bags were given to Grade 1 to Grade 4 learners nationwide. Each [...]
PCA eyes host country agreement with PH
POSSIBLE AGREEMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Permanent Court of Arbitration Secretary General Marcin Czepelak hold a meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday (Aug. 29, 2024). During the meeting, Czepelak expressed his intent to establish a host country agreement with the Philippines. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office) MANILA – Permanent Court of Arbitration Secretary General Marcin Czepelak on Thursday expressed his intent to forge a host country agreement with the Philippines to facilitate the international court's hearings in the country. Czepelak pitched the plan during his courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. “Czepelak expressed interest in exploring the potential for establishing a Host Country Agreement with the Philippines [...]
PH Coast Guard receives uncrewed surface vessel, first in SEA
An uncrewed surface vessel (USV) from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Maritime Crime Program is on display at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Port Area, Manila on Friday, August 30, 2024. (PHOTO FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) became the first maritime security organization in Southeast Asia to have an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), making it more equipped to collect data from the skies and the sea. This breakthrough comes after the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Program (GMCP) turned over a USV to the PCG. A turnover ceremony was supposed to be held at PCG headquarters in Manila on Friday, but it was canceled due to a conflict of [...]
CA extends freeze order on Quiboloy assets till Feb. 2025
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy The Court of Appeals has extended its freeze order on the bank accounts and properties of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy until February 2025. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said in a statement sent to GMA News Online that the CA issued the resolution extending the freeze order on August 20. The appellate court issued a 20-day freeze order last August 6 against the fugitive pastor’s 10 bank accounts, seven real properties, five motor vehicles, and one aircraft. Meanwhile, 29 members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)are facing obstruction of justice and direct assault complaints after 60 police officers were hurt implementing the arrest warrants against Quiboloy, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 said yesterday PRO 11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine [...]
China, PH ships collided near Escoda Shoal —Chinese exec
Screengrab from Chinese Coast Guard video A China Coast Guard (PCG) vessel and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship had a collision near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday, according to a Chinese official In a statement posted on social media platform Weibo, CCG spokesperson Gan Yu alleged that PCG vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño “illegally entered” the area without permission from China. The Chinese official also accused BRP Bagacay of “deliberately” colliding with a CCG vessel. “At 03:24, the Philippine ship No. 4410 (BRP Bagacay) ignored China's repeated solemn warnings and deliberately collided with China's 21551 boat, which was normally safeguarding its rights and enforcing the law in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a collision,” Gan said. Gan [...]
Med groups to hold protest at PGH to Philhealth funds transfer
Medical groups opposed to the transfer of Philhealth’s unused funds will hold a protest rally today at the Philippine General Hospital. Representatives from Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC), healthcare professional organizations and medical societies will gather at the Guazon Hall, Philippine General Hospital to press the Department of Finance to stop the transfer of the funds on August 21. Former Department of Health (DOH) consultant Dr. Anthony Leachon said the second tranche of funds from Philhealthworth PhP10B will be transferred to the National Treasury on August 21. In April, the DOF ordered PhilHealth to transfer PhP89.9 billion of its unused funds to the National Treasury. Of the P89.9 billion excess funds, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said P20 billion has been moved to the national treasury [...]
Nationwide job fair to be held in September — CSC
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will conduct a nationwide job fair from Sept. 2 to 6 for the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) celebration. The 2024 Government Job Fair is an on-site event aimed at providing individuals interested in pursuing a career in the public sector with an opportunity to interact with recruiters, exchange information on job vacancies, and submit applications and requirements to their selected government agencies. “The PCSA is a celebration not only of the CSC but also of all the government agencies and the 1.9 million civil servants across the nation,” said CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles. “Through the 2024 Government Job Fair, we are opening doors to a new batch of dedicated individuals who are eager to serve the public, ensuring that we continue to [...]
PH: Double time on repatriation
DANGER ZONE. Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Hamam last Saturday, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah. International mediators have been trying to reach a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas Palestinian militants, which diplomats say could help to avert a wider war in which Lebanon would be on the front line. Inset photo shows 15 Filipinos including three children who arrived in Manila after opting for voluntary repatriation from Lebanon. AFP/DMW FB page 15 Filipinos leave Lebanon as conflict between Israel, Hezbollah worsens — DFA The Philippine government is working to get more Filipinos out of Lebanon as the armed conflict between Israeli forces and the Hezbollah paramilitary group [...]
Marcos issues EO increasing salaries, benefits of gov’t employees
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the oath-taking of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Philippine Journalists–Samahang Plaridel Foundation Inc. in Malacañang on Aug. 2, 2024. Presidential Communications Office MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has issued an order increasing the wages and granting an additional allowance to government workers, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Saturday. Executive Order (EO) 64, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 2 by authority of Marcos, is effective immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation “Given the prevailing economic circumstances, including the erosion of purchasing power due to inflation, there is a need to update the salaries and benefits of government personnel in order to maintain a competent, committed, [...]
Illegal POGO workers deported number to 1,698: PAOCC
MANILA – Around 1,698 foreign nationals working in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) firms have so far been deported, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Friday. (File photo) “As far as the PAOCC is concerned, 1,698 na po ang ating napa-deport magmula noong (about 1,698 have been deported since) May 4, 2023,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview aired over state-run PTV-4. Casio said the latest batch of deported individuals included 27 illegal POGO workers. He said the initial number of foreign workers to be deported was 33, but a hold departure order was issued against six of them because of criminal charges. He said the illegal POGO workers who have already been deported could no longer return to the [...]
DFA puts Bangladesh under Alert Level 1 over ongoing unrest
Department of Foreign Affairs The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has placed Bangladesh under Alert Level 1 as a precautionary measure in response to recent political demonstrations and civil unrest in the country. The Foreign Affairs Department has warned m the “security situation can deteriorate without warning.” There are approximately 700 Filipinos residing in Bangladesh Under Alert Level 1, the DFA advises Filipinos in Bangladesh to exercise caution, restrict non-essential movement, remain vigilant, monitor and follow guidelines set by local authorities, always carry valid passports and residence visas, and register their details with the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka. For emergencies, Filipino nationals in Bangladesh can contact the Philippine Embassy through the following channels: • Email: dhaka.pe@dfa.gov.ph • Emergency hotlines: (+880) 190.540.0079 (SMS, Calls, WhatsApp & Viber) • Facebook/Messenger: [...]
Philippines, Vietnam to hold South China Sea exercises
This handout photo taken on March 23, 2024 and released by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (PCG/BFAR) on March 25, 2024 shows an aerial view of BRP Datu Pagbuaya as it sails from the Philippine-held Thitu Island sheltered port, in the Spratly Islands, in the disputed South China Sea. HANOI, Vietnam — A Vietnamese coast guard vessel is en route to the Philippines for joint training exercises, Hanoi said, the first such exchange between the countries in dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea but the Philippines, Vietnam and several other nations claim various islands, islets, reefs and shoals in the crucial strategic waterway. In a January visit to Vietnam by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, the two [...]
11 roasted in early morning Binondo fire
Philippine Red Cross / X Eleven persons died when a fire hit a residential-commercial area on Friday morning in Binondo, Manila. Based on the initial report of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection, the incident started at 7:20 a.m. at a canteen situated at the fourth floor of a building on Carvajal Street. It was learned from the report that the blaze was caused by a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) leak. The blaze was declared fire out at 10:04 a.m. of the same day. According to Kagawad Nelson Ty of Barangay 289, the 11 victims were trapped inside the building. Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna quickly responded by mobilizing the Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) to assist the families of the fire victims and provide [...]
More Damaged Schools To Delay Start Of Classes – DepEd
An estimated P630 million is needed to reconstruct the school infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. A volunteer and barangay worker assist in drying the school desks and chairs covered by mud at Malanday National High School in Marikina on July 27, 2024. Photo by Walter Bollozos, The Philippine STAR A total of 1,002 public schools nationwide cannot push through with the opening of classes on Monday due to damage and other adverse impacts of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon that hit the country last week, the Department of Education (DepEd) said. “The 1,002 schools mentioned will postpone their openings on July 29, for clean-up and rehabilitation activities. Flood-free schools with minimal damage will open as scheduled to avoid disrupting the education of our young [...]
US, Japan hit out at China and Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd L) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) pose with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (2nd R) and Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (R) at the start of the "Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) Meeting" at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on July 28, 2024. (Photo by David Mareuil / POOL / AFP) Tokyo, Japan—The United States and Japan hit out Sunday at Beijing’s “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea while also condemning Russia’s growing military cooperation with China and North Korea, following high-level talks in Tokyo. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Japanese counterparts “reiterated their strong objections to the PRC’s unlawful maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and threatening and [...]
Drainage capacity, overpopulation blamed for Metro Manila flooding
Residents from Bulelak Street in Malanday, Marikina City carry their pets, children, and belongings as they evacuate after the Marikina River breached the third alarm due to #CarinaPH and the southwest monsoon on July 24, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s overpopulation and the overcapacity of its urban drainage systems are to blame for the perennial flooding problem in the National Capital Region, an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday. DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral told the Saturday news forum that Metro Manila has exceeded its carrying capacity of water largely contributing to the recent extreme flooding during the onslaught of habagat and the tropical cyclones Carina and Butchoy. She emphasized the need to decentralize economic activity to prevent overburdening urban centers, giving Metro [...]
China Embassy, group donate relief goods to typhoon victims in Manila
RELIEF OPS. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian leads the relief drive for Typhoon Carina victims in Tondo, Manila on Saturday (July 27, 2024). The Chinese Embassy and the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. donated PHP3.5 million worth of relief goods to families affected by the onslaught of southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina. (Photo courtesy of Chinese Embassy in Manila) MANILA – The Chinese Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. donated on Saturday PHP3.5 million worth of relief goods to families affected by the onslaught of the southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina in Manila. The Embassy said at least 3,500 relief packages were given to the beneficiary families during the donation drive. Each package contains rice, canned [...]
Infrastructure spending hits P136 billion in May
Workers are seen at a construction site of MRT 7 station along Commonwealth in Quezon City on June 28, 2024. STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration jacked up its infrastructure spending in May by more than 31 percent to P136 billion primarily to fund the construction of roads, bridges and other buildings, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said. Based on the latest national government disbursement performance report of the DBM, state infrastructure expenditure and other capital outlays jumped by 31.4 percent to P136.4 billion in May from P103.8 billion in the same period last year. The DBM attributed this mainly to the more significant disbursements of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of roads, bridges, flood control structures, [...]
BI orders POGOs to downgrade visas of foreign workers
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Sunday, July 28, ordered all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to downgrade the visas of their foreign workers who should leave within 59 days from receipt of the directive. In a statement, Tansingco reminded that President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22, instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to have all POGO operations ceased by the end of this year. “Companies are expected to comply with this directive and file for the downgrading of their employees’ visas, who shall then leave the country within 59 days from the date of the downgrading order,” Tansingco said. Tansingco expects more than 20,000 foreigners working with POGOs to leave the country in the following months. [...]
OCTA: 83% of Filipinos back ban on POGOs; 85% support anti-online gaming political candidates
Most Filipinos support a nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOS), based on the OCTA Research’s Second Quarter of 2024 “Tugon ng Masa” survey conducted from June 26 to July 1. The survey results released on Sunday, July 28, revealed that 83 percent of Filipinos support a nationwide ban on POGOs, while only 12 percent oppose the measure. Among major areas, OCTA said Balance Luzon, or Luzon outside Metro Manila, has the highest agreement rating for banning POGOs, at 90 percent Meanwhile, the National Capital Region has the highest disagreement rating, with 20 percent opposed to the ban. Regarding socioeconomic class, OCTA said Class D has the highest agreement rating for banning POGOs, at 85 percent, while Class ABC has the highest disagreement rating, with 19 percent opposed [...]
OVP to prioritize assistance in underserved areas
Vice President Sara Z. Duterte (PNA file photo) MANILA – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) will prioritize underserved areas alongside assistance to teachers nationwide. "Hinahanap natin iyong mga underserved na areas doon sa iba't ibang satellite offices natin. Syempre nandyan pa rin iyong para sa kababaihan, para sa kabataan, at para sa LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender), and senior citizens natin (We are looking for the underserved areas in different various satellite offices. Of course, there’s the [programs] for women, for the youth, for the LGBT, and our senior citizens," Vice President Sara Duterte said in a media interview on Thursday. She said they are planning to launch another program called “Lawyers for Teachers” under OVP. "Ngayon na hindi na hati ang oras ko sa dalawang [...]
Fishermen press govt for food, jobs
AN alliance of small-scale and subsistence fishermen on Thursday held a rally at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City to call on the government to focus on providing the people with food and jobs, instead of allotting a huge budget for military spending. The members of Pangisda Pilipinas said the Marcos administration needs to address challenges in the agriculture and fishing sector to ensure the country attains food security. This can not be achieved if it continues to allot a huge chunk of the national budget to procuring military assets and prioritize its goal of solving the ongoing territorial disputes with China over parts of West Philippine Sea, they said "We are not belittling the West Philippine Sea issue, but this does not mean that our government [...]
Bong Go vows to question, probe PhilHealth fund transfer
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, July 19 vowed to look into the legality of the purported transfer of around P90-billion worth of funds representing unused government subsidy for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) back to the National Treasury. Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health said that as part of the oversight functions on the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, he will be seeking answers from PhilHealth, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Health (DOH) on the propriety and legality of the transfer such “excess” funds which is supposed to help finance the government’s health programs “Simple lang naman ang mga tanong ng mga kababayan natin: tama at legal ba ang ginawa ng DOF at PhilHealth? Kung [...]
Gov’t to prioritize Pag-asa airport
WPS BASTION. An aerial view taken on March 9, 2023 shows Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea. As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: ‘Leave immediately.’ AFP President underscores ‘big role’ Palawan plays in nat’l security The development of an airport on Pag-asa Island is among the priorities of the government, President Marcos said Thursday. Pag-asa, the largest island the Philippines controls in Spratlys, is at least 285 nautical miles off Palawan. Mr. Marcos also said the military runway project at the Balabac Island airbase is nearing completion. Balabac is a town in Palawan strategically close to Chinese fortifications in the West [...]
Duterte leaves DepEd with ‘heavy heart,’ Angara ‘hits ground running’
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has no regrets running the Department of Education (DePed) during her two year-stint as she turned over the reins to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara who "hit the ground running" on Thursday. "In fact, it is with a heavy heart that I will leave the Department of Education, minahal ko itong trabahong ito, minahal ko yung mga kasama ko sa DepEd, so, mayroon talaga akong regrets, dahil gusto ko talagang tapusin ang deliverables ng (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) administration (I loved this job, I loved my colleagues in DepEd, so I really have regrets because I would have wanted to finish the deliverables of the Marcos administration)," Duterte said in a chance interview with reporters after the turnover ceremony. Duterte said that [...]
Manila, Beijing elevate SCS emergency hotline
Department of Foreign Affairs The Philippines and China’s hotline on the South China Sea would soon be elevated to include the level of presidential representatives and top diplomats, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The DFA said the recently signed “Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms” would provide various “channels for communication” between the two countries, specifically on maritime issues. These avenues include one “through the representatives to be designated” by the Philippine and Chinese presidents. Another channel is between the DFA and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including at the secretary (foreign minister) and undersecretary (vice foreign minister) levels or through their designated representatives “The DFA is in discussions with the Chinese side on the guidelines that will govern the implementation of this Arrangement,” it [...]
‘Habagat’ to persist over some parts of the country
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday, July 13, announced that the southwest monsoon, or "habagat," may prevail over the western parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao "Kung saan ngayong araw ay magdadala pa rin ito ng mga malalakas na pag ulan, lalong-lalo na yan dito sa may kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao (Today, it will bring heavy rains, especially in the western parts of Visayas and Mindanao)," PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda in the weather report. Thus, PAGASA reminded the public to take precautions for the possibility of flooding and landslides in these areas. Meanwhile, despite not monitoring any low pressure areas, the state weather bureau is observing cloud clusters located in the western part of Palawan, outside the Philippine Area of [...]
China: US, EU should stop pushing PH from pursuing arbitration in sea row
MANILA, Philippines — China urged the United States and the European Union to refrain from encouraging the Philippines to pursue further arbitration. In a press conference on Friday, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of the arbitral ruling that favored Manila in its territorial dispute with Beijing on parts of the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said it was hypocritical to selectively apply international law with double standards. "This is hypocrisy, double standard, and selective application of international law. Second, the US and the EU disregard the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, act against the UN Charter, and misinterpret the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and other international laws," Lin said "Their position and proposition do not hold [...]
Gov’t urged to declare WPS ‘Victory Day’
Senator Risa Hontiveros The government must declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victor Day to mark the country’s historic triumph against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016, Senator Risa Hontiveros said yesterday as the country marked the 8th anniversary of the arbitral award. Hontiveros’ call followed the approval of the Palawan provincial board of an ordinance that declares July 12 as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day.” Palawan Liga ng mga Barangay President and Board Member Ferdinand Zaballa, who authored the measure, said that the arbitration tribunal’s decision is a “resounding affirmation” of the Philippines’ sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS. “The ruling definitively settled historic rights and maritime entitlements in the region, rejecting claims that exceeded the limits set by UNCLOS. It [...]
Senate issues arrest orders vs Alice Guo, several others
Senator Risa Hontiveros resumes the probe on Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s alleged involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) on May 22, 2024 MANILA, Philippines — After skipping the Senate investigation into the alleged criminal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the upper chamber officially ordered Saturday the arrest and detention of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven other individuals. The arrest order was signed on July 11 by Senate President Francis Escudero and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality. Guo was "ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms until such time that she will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges herself of that contempt." "The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby [...]
Makabayan bloc to field 12-member Senate slate
This photo shows Makabayan bloc lawmakers during a SONA rally. Makabayan bloc MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc will field a full 12-member senatorial slate in the 2025 elections, its representatives announced on Thursday, who also expressed willingness to work with non-Makabayan candidates with a "strong track record in standing up for the people." Branding themselves the "oposisyon ng bayan" (opposition of the people or the nation), the Makabayan coalition said its candidates will push for a comprehensive national program that will ensure progress for all, respect for human rights and national sovereignty. The Makabayan coalition is made up of five progressive partylists, namely the ACT Teachers partylist, Gabriela Women's party, Kabataan partylist, Bayan Muna partylist and Anakpawis. The first three have incumbent representatives in the House of [...]
Controlling inflation still the top concern for Filipinos – Pulse Asia
Inflation graphics. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Controlling inflation remains the top concern for Filipinos, a polling firm Pulse Asia survey a month before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) showed. A report from Pulse Asia released on Friday showed that 72 percent of Filipinos feel controlling inflation should be immediately addressed by the administration, which is followed by increasing the pay of workers (44 percent), reducing the poverty of Filipinos (32 percent), creating more jobs (30 percent), and fighting graft and corruption in the government (22 percent). Controlling inflation was also the top concern across all locales and financial classes — 67 percent of National Capital Region (NCR) residents considered it as a top issue, along with 74 percent of respondents from [...]
NSA: PH firm on protecting sovereignty vs. encroachment, coercion
Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre (PNA file photo) MANILA – The Philippines will remain steadfast in standing against any territorial encroachments that undermine its sovereignty. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año made this assurance as Manila marks the 8th anniversary of the historic Arbitral Award on the South China Sea on Friday. "For the Philippines — notwithstanding the challenges we face —we will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability," Año said in his speech at the Stratbase ADR Institute's forum titled "The 8th Year of the Arbitral Victory: A Collective Pursuit of Maritime Security in the West Philippine Sea" at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. "We will do [...]
VP Sara to skip PBBM’s 3rd SONA, names herself ‘designated survivor’
Courtesy: Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook Vice President Sara Duterte will skip the third State of the Nation Address of President Marcos on July 22, and “appointed” herself the “designated survivor.” “No, I will not attend the Sona,” Duterte said in an interview Thursday in Davao City. “I am appointing myself as the designated survivor,” she added. Lawmakers from both administration and opposition parties criticized the Vice President’s reference to the “designated survivor” — a US government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders are gathered as a continuity measure in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president. Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel likened her comment to a “bomb joke,” while Manila Rep. Joel Chua warned the security of the President is [...]
OWWA opens seafarers’ hub in Malate
SEAFARERS’ HUB. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) opened on Thursday (July 11, 2024) the Seafarers’ Hub in Malate, Manila. OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio said the hub is open 24 hours a day to all Filipino seafarers who are processing their papers. (Photo courtesy of OWWA) MANILA – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Thursday formally opened the Seafarers’ Hub where Filipino seafarers can hang out while waiting for their documents to be processed. The hub in Malate, Manila, which is closer to most seafarers' agencies, will be open 24 hours a day to accommodate seafarers awaiting their papers or interviews, or undergoing training, OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio said during the opening ceremony that was also attended by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Ignacio said [...]
Gov’t allots P10B in Calabarzon for PH development plan – Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office/Facebook) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government had allotted P10 billion for the Philippine Rural Development Plan in Region 4-A (Calabarzon) from 2023 to 2024. The President reported the budget was allocated to develop major projects and programs to boost the economy of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. “However, more than just these help and services, we continue to work to strengthen the economy of Calabarzon,” Mr. Marcos said. He highlighted ongoing projects, including the Taal Lake Circumferential Road, Lobo Malabrigo-San Juan Laiya Road, Quipot Irrigation Project, and Macalelon Irrigation Project President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government had allotted P10 billion for the Philippine Rural Development Plan in Region 4-A (Calabarzon) from 2023 to [...]
Marcos formalizes rice tariff cut
MB File Photo/Mark Balmores The rice tariff cut was formalized through Executive Order No. 62 which also ordered the modification of nomenclature and tariff rates on various products to ensure continuous supply of goods and to protect the purchasing power of Filipinos. By issuing the order, Marcos acknowledged the need for a new multi-year and comprehensive tariff schedule that will provide transparent and predictable tariff structure. The new tariff schedule, he said, will also allow businesses to engage in medium to long-term planning to improve productivity and competitiveness, facilitate trade and enhance consumer welfare. “The implementation of an updated comprehensive tariff schedule aims to augment supply, manage prices, and temper inflationary pressure of various commodities, consistent with the Philippine national interest and the objective of safeguarding the purchasing power [...]
Another big-time fuel price hike looms next week
Inquirer file photo Manila, Philippines — The motoring public may brace for another oil price increase next week due to geopolitical conflicts, with industry players projecting close to P2 upward adjustments per liter. In an advisory over the weekend, Unioil said fuel prices would climb anew from June 25 to July 1. It said the per-liter prices of diesel may go up by P1.70 to P1.90.Gasoline, meanwhile, may jump by P1.10 to P1.30 a liter. The estimates from the Department of Energy (DOE) also showed hefty price hikes. According to the DOE forecast, gasoline prices may increase by P0.85 to P1.15 a liter. Increases in the per-liter prices of diesel and kerosene ranged between P1.55 to P1.85, and P1 to P1.10, respectively. “Relevant news for the week that push [...]
Human trafficking raps filed vs. Guo, 13 others
GUO RAPS. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission led by Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz and PNP-Criminal Investigation Detection Group file a human trafficking complaint at the Department of Justice in Manila against Mayor Alice Guo, Dennis Cunanan and 12 other for their alleged involvement in the Bamban POGO operations. Norman Cruz Human trafficking charges were filed on Friday against Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and 13 others in connection with the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her municipality. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) submitted the complaints with the Department of Justice against Guo and her alleged conspirators. Her co-accused include former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, as well as 12 officers [...]
Ayungin clash not an armed attack, a ‘misunderstanding’ – Palace
Photo from Presidential Communications Office Palace says MDT invocation ‘not considered’ Malacañang said the attack on unarmed Filipino soldiers by China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels in Ayungin Shoal was a “misunderstanding” and does not require invoking a defense treaty with the United States. In a press conference held on Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the government does not consider the June 17 incident an armed attack. As such, the Philippines will not invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States yet, hoping the issue will be resolved after the National Maritime Council (NMC) laid out its recommendations to the President, he said. “We are not yet ready to consider this as an armed attack,” Bersamin told reporters when asked if Manila would ask [...]
Cavitex toll-free for 30 days
Construction of the CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 2 (R-1 Interchange). | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of CAVITEX / Google Earth Motorists using the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) Project will be enjoying toll-free access for 30 days—a move President Marcos hopes will ease the impact of rising fuel prices on motorists. “With all of these, we are creating a nation where Filipinos may easily access and traverse our communities and have a comfortable and productive time as they do it,” he said. Marcos made the remarks as he led the groundbreaking of the Cavitex-Calax Link and the Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B and the inauguration of the Cavitex C5 Link Sucat Interchange on Friday morning. He described these as “milestone projects” that will “transform the lives of millions of Filipinos” [...]
Leni Robredo urged to run for Senate in 2025
THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Friday "strongly urged" former vice president Ma. Leonor "Leni" Robredo to run for the Senate in the 2025 national and local elections. FFW's call came after Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman announced that Robredo could possibly run for mayor of Naga City in Camarines Sur, a government position her late husband Jesse held before he was appointed interior and local government secretary. "The nation and the common good need more women representation in the Senate to ensure that diverse perspectives are included in the decision-making process at the highest levels of government," FFW President Sonny Matula said in a statement Former vice president Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo According to Matula, a former senatorial candidate under Robredo's slate in 2022, the [...]
Village official indicted over death of dog
Manila, Philippines —The barangay tanod (village official) in Bato, Camarines Sur responsible for the death of a golden retriever has been indicted, an animal welfare group announced on Friday. In its Facebook page, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said this meant that the case was now "People of the Philippines vs Anthony Solares" of Barangay Santa Cruz. Back in March, PAWS filed a complaint against Solares before the Prosecutor's Office in Naga City over the death of Killua In a three-page resolution, Provincial Prosecution Service-Iriga Cityrosecutor Wilhenry Villar found probable cause for Solares to be charged with violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Villar likened the case to an 1855 case in the United States where lawyer-politician George Vest argued about pets being part of the family. "When [...]
8 Navy soldiers hurt in clash with Chinese
Maritime expert and Director of the University of the Philippines' Institute for Maritime Affairs and Laws on the Seas, Jay Batongbacal Guns seized, rubber boats punctured Chinese maritime forces injured eight Philippine Navy soldiers, one seriously, and seized their guns in a violent encounter in the waters surrounding Ayungin Shoal. The Filipino soldiers were part of a group delivering much-needed supplies to the crew of the marooned BRP Sierra Madre when their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) was rammed by a larger Chinese vessel. The military confirmed the incident hours after the media broke the story. It was unclear however whether the incident was the same one wherein the Chinese rammed a resupply boat headed for BRP Sierra Madre “A Philippine Navy personnel sustained severe injury after the CCG’s [...]
VP Sara Duterte steps down as member of Marcos cabinet
Screengrab from the live stream of Vice President Sara Duterte's press conference on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Courtesy: DepEd Philippines/Facebook) Vice President Sara Duterte has officially stepped down as member of President Marcos’ cabinet on Wednesday, June 19, leaving the Department of Education (DepEd) in a leadership vacuum effective next month. In a press conference held at her DepEd office, Duterte confirmed she has sought an audience with the President to formally submit her letter of resignation. She did not discuss the reasons behind it. “Earlier today, June 19, 2024, I sought an audience with the President and tendered my resignation as Secretary of Education effective July 19, 2024. I have given my 30-day notice to ensure the proper and orderly transition for the benefit of the next [...]
PH warned about being US ‘tool,’ urged to ‘engage China responsibly’
Manila, Philippines — United States intelligence and foreign policy experts said America was just using the Philippines to create the conditions of potential conflict with the Chinaz even if it knew it could not fight and engage China and win. "[The US] is using [the Philippines]. You are a tool, nothing but a tool. And when the tool ceases to be useful, we will discard you," says one of the experts, Scott Ritter, during an online media briefing early Thursday morning (Manila time) at the US National Press Club in Washington. "It's high time the Filipino people pressure their government to start sitting down and engaging the Chinese government responsibly...[because] China is not your enemy. China is your neighbor. China is your friend," said Ritter, former [...]
VP Sara favors gadget ban during class ‘subject to exceptions’
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has said she agrees with a Senate bill seeking to prohibit the use of electronic gadgets and mobile devices within school premises during class hours. However, the public official said the gadget ban should only cover personal use, with exceptions made for necessary cases like educational and emergency reasons. “We’re okay with the banning of gadgets for personal use, (but) subject to exceptions. I understand and have read the draft that there are exceptions, particularly if the gadget is used for learning and teaching,” Duterte told the media in Davao City on Wednesday. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian recently filed Senate Bill 2706 or the proposed Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act. The said measure covers teachers and students from kindergarten to senior high school [...]
Despite the risks, ‘Atin Ito’ hopes to navigate West Philippine Sea frequently without fear
Photo by Danny Pata The ‘Atin Ito’ coalition is aware of the risks attached to the expeditions it launched in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), but co-convenor Emman Hizon said they hope more civilians can go on these kinds of adventures without fearing for their safety. “We want to normalize civilian missions to WPS,” Hizon told broadcast journalist Howie Severino in a recent podcast. The two talked about the intense preparation that went into the recent tension-filled convoy of the group in the disputed waters. The ‘Atin Ito’ coalition organized a flotilla of over 100 Filipino civilian boats last May to navigate the perilous WPS under the shadow of the Chinese naval might. Their mission was to assert Philippine sovereignty over the waters by delivering essential supplies to [...]
LGUs pressed to pass ordinance banning Pogo
FILE PHOTO: Local government units (LGUs) is being urged by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to pass an ordinance banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) within their jurisdictions. | PHOTO: Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB Manila, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) have been urged by a senator to pass an ordinance banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) within their jurisdictions. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday offered this unsolicited advice to local chief executives as recent raids sparked speculations that local leaders may have been allowing the operations of illegal offshore gaming firms. “Ang payo ko sa ating mga local chief executives ay gumawa na ng ordinance para i-ban na ‘yung Pogos ng mga local government units dahil malalagay sila sa alanganin ‘pag nag-operate itong Pogo sa kanila eh,” he said [...]
PH, US Marines hold tactical combat care drills
TACTICAL COMBAT CARE. Philippine and US Marine personnel join the "tactical combat casualty care" (TCCC) exercises at the Bonifacio Naval Station Grandstand in Taguig City on June 12, 2024. The Philippine Marine Corps said Friday (June 14, 2024) the TCCC is part of this year's Marine Aviation Support Activity slated from June 3 to 21. (Photo courtesy of the PMC) MANILA – Filipino and United States Marines medical troops have conducted "tactical combat casualty care" (TCCC) exercises as part of this year's Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA), the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said on Friday. In a statement, PMC spokesperson Capt. Marites Alamil said the event was held at the Bonifacio Naval Station Grandstand, Taguig City on June 12. PMC regular troops and reservists took part in [...]
Latest police attempt to arrest Quiboloy fails
Fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has appealed to fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who again eluded a third attempt by the police to arrest him on charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse, to surrender and face the allegations against him. The PNP simultaneously served an arrest warrant against Quiboloy in several of his properties in Davao City on Monday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said at a press briefing in Camp Crame. While Fajardo could not immediately provide details, she said one of those properties included the Prayer Mountain in Barangay Tamayong. Quiboloy heads the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect, based in Davao City. “We appeal to Pastor Quiboloy… to turn himself into authorities so he can answer the charges against [...]
A first: China Navy holds drills within EEZ – AFP
This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on March 24, 2024 and dated March 23, 2024 shows Chinese and Philippine ships in waters where the Philippines said the China Coast Guard blocked their supply vessel and damaged it with water cannon, during a Philippine supply mission near Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines said the China Coast Guard blocked a Filipino supply vessel and damaged it with water cannon on March 23, causing injuries near a reef off the Southeast Asian country. —Agence France-Presse MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is conducting maritime exercises inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the first time, increasing to 146 the number of Chinese vessels, among them 22 [...]
146 Chinese vessels operating in West Philippine Sea, says PN officer
Chinese personnel onboard two RHIBs rush to take a food package airdropped by personnel of the AFP onboard two smaller rubber boats during a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal on May 19, 2024. (Photo by AFP) A total of 146 Chinese vessels have been monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the past week, a ranking officer of the Philippine Navy (PN) disclosed Tuesday, June 11. Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for WPS, said 22 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, 16 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and 108 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs) were spotted operating in the country’s waters from June 4 to 10. This was more than the 125 Chinese vessels (11 PLA Navy ships, nine CCG vessels, and 105 CMMVs) monitored during the [...]
Marcos commemorates 2024 Independence Day with a message of unity and resilience
Photo from PBBM's Official Facebook Page On this year’s Independence Day, President Marcos underscored the public’s crucial role in the nation’s progress and sovereignty. His message highlighted the steadfast spirit of freedom in farmers, fishermen, teachers, and soldiers, noting their essential roles in sustaining the nation and protecting its sovereignty. “While the times may be different our struggles remain the same. Still, we continue to witness the true spirit of freedom in every Filipino who fights fairly in their day-to-day lives,” President Marcos said. “We see it in the resilience of our farmers and fisherfolks as they provide us sustenance. We see it in the dedication of our teachers as they nurture the minds of the future generation. We see it in the tenacity of our [...]
Unite, help each other – Sara
Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to unite and help each other as the country celebrated Independence Day Wednesday. "Ito ay isa ring paalala sa atin na ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa tungo sa isang matatag, mapayapa, at maunlad na bansang Pilipinas (This is also a reminder to us to continue helping each other and be united towards a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Philippines)," Duterte said in her short Independence Day message at the Rizal Park in San Pedro Square, Davao City. Independence Day, she added, honors the great legacy left by the country's forefathers who displayed true courage, bravery and patriotism It also recognizes all Filipino heroes for their sacrifices for the country's freedom and independence. "We not only celebrate our liberation, but also place emphasis [...]
Tangere May 2024 survey: VP Sara is still highest-rated gov’t official despite declines in trust, satisfaction ratings
Vice President Sara Duterte Despite consecutive declines in her satisfaction and trust ratings for the second month in a row, Vice President Sara Duterte maintained the highest satisfaction and trust ratings among top government officials this month. Based on survey results released on Thursday, May 30, Duterte received a satisfaction rating of 52 percent and a trust rating of 60 percent in the May 22 to 25 survey conducted by Tangere, a technology application and innovation-driven market research company. Tangere noted that the Vice President experienced a 2 percent decrease in her satisfaction rating and a 4 percent decline in her trust rating from March to May However, she continued to draw significant support from Mindanao with a trust rating of 66 percent and a satisfaction rating of 63 [...]
NLEX toll fee hike takes effect June 4
MANILA – Motorists traveling to and from the northern part of Luzon would have to pay higher toll fees by next month. In an advisory on Wednesday, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said it has approved the second tranche of the North Luzon Expressway Corp. (NLEX Corp.) consolidated petitions from 2018 to 2020 for periodic toll adjustments starting June 4. Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional PHP5 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and sports utility vehicles), PHP14 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks), and PHP17 for Class 3 vehicles (big trucks). The open system is from Balintawak in Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan while closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, [...]
Covid FLiRT variants likely here – DoH
The highly transmissible Covid-19 subvariants called FLiRT could have entered the country, the Department of Health (DoH) said. In a statement, Department of Health spokesman and acting Assistant Secretary Albert Francis Domingo said the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine were doing sequencing efforts to determine the presence of such variants. "Whether or not sequencing shows variants flagged by global health agencies, the DoH assumes the flagged Omicron sub-variants are already likely here and notes that cases continue to be clinically mild and manageable," Domingo said. He added that they had yet to find evidence that the two variants cause severe to critical Covid-19. Several countries have reported spikes in the number of cases of Omicron subvariants KP.2 and KP.3, known informally as [...]
Church firm against divorce; Villar 8th senator opposed to it
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay Bill is ‘anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children’—CBCP The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines remained firm in opposing the proposed divorce law, warning lawmakers they are supporting a measure that is “anti-family, anti-marriage and anti-children.” “It’s a betrayal of their constitutional mandate to uphold marriage and the family,” said CBCP Spokesperson Father Jerome Secillano. The House of Representatives earlier approved on third and final reading the absolute divorce bill, but the measure is facing an uphill battle in the Senate. STRAW VOTE. An informal survey by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada shows an 8-7 vote so far against the divorce bill being shepherded by Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the 24-member Senate. The House has passed the measure with a 130-109-20 vote. On Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Villar [...]
Duterte highlights programs focusing on early childhood care
Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday, May 22, highlighted the country's commitment to improving Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs. (DepEd/ Manila Bulletin) “The Philippines took on the Presidency of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Council (SEAMEC) in February 2023,” Duterte said in her speech. She emphasized the theme of the presidency, "Transformation through Learning Exchange: Building Resilient Systems as a Region," which aims to strengthen cooperation in education, science, and culture among member countries. To achieve this, Duterte announced the launch of SEAMEC 7-7-7, a series of seven programs designed to address the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Council’s (SEAMEO) seven priority areas in education — one of these areas is “achieving universal early childhood care and education.” [...]
PH confirmed anew in IMO ‘White List’
FILIPINO VESSEL. Passengers board the passenger vessel/RoRo St. Michael Archangel in this undated photo. The Department of Transportation on Wednesday (May 22, 2024) announced the country's inclusion in the International Maritime Organization White List, proving the status of the country's seafarers in the international stage. (Photo courtesy of MARINA) MANILA – The Philippines is included again in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) White List, signifying that seafarers trained and certified in the country meet rigorous standards set by the IMO Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. This came after the IMO Maritime Safety Committee said the country has fully complied with the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention. In a statement on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the inclusion is aligned with the administration’s [...]
DOH: 55 new cases of HIV reported daily
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 55 new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are being reported daily. DOH chief Teodoro Herbosa, in an interview, expressed concerns over the growing number of daily HIV cases. “Our new cases are high, at 55 new cases a day, we have the highest in the world. That’s why we need to stop,” Herbosa said. Herbosa pointed out that the majority of the new HIV cases in the country were younger individuals, who are said to be more “experimental” and more exposed to the internet. “The ones that are being diagnosed are as young as 15 years, and positive for HIV,” Herbosa Herbosa, moreover, stressed that the DOH is coordinating with the Department of Education to educate [...]
PH 2+2 meets with Japan, US expected in Q3
MANILA – The Philippine government is expected to convene two foreign and defense ministerial dialogues or 2+2 meetings with Japan and the United States in the third quarter of 2024. In a lunch meeting in Manila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that his counterparts Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will conduct an official visit to the Philippines in the coming weeks. “We’re planned to have meetings with Japan on a 2+2… And also, there’s a possibility of a Philippine-US 2+2 meeting, this is also standard,” he told reporters. There is no specific date set yet, but the US-Philippines 2+2 is currently being planned in July or August. The date for the Japan-Philippines 2+2 is likewise yet to be finalized but Tokyo-based [...]
Hontiveros welcomes divorce bill’s progress at House: ‘Sana all!’
Sen. Risa Hontiveros | PHOTO: Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB Manila, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros gladly received news on the divorce bill’s progress at the House of Representatives. “Sana (I hope) all!” she said, reacting to House lawmakers’ approval of House Bill (HB) No. 9348, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act, on the second reading on Wednesday.Hontiveros then vowed “to continue to work in the Senate to pass [the] necessary though contentious legislation, despite the challenges we face.” “Panahon na [para] bigyan ng second chance sa pag-ibig at buhay ang mga Pilipinong babae, lalaki, bata, at pamilyang nangangailangan nito,” the chair of the Senate committee on women told reporters in a message on Thursday. (It’s time to give Filipino women, men, children, and families who need it a second [...]
‘Atin Ito’ supply mission a success despite relentless China threats
Volunteers from the 'Atin Ito' Coalition and allied organizations. (Photo by Akbayan Party/via Facebook) The flotilla of boats carrying fuel, food, and other essential supplies for Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc is now wrapping up their “solidarity regatta” mission after its advance team made it to at least within 25-30 nautical miles (NM) of the reef. Organizers from the ‘Atin Ito’ Coalition reported on Thursday that although their second civilian supply mission did not sail smoothly as they expected, there were things that went according to plan. The advance team was able to slip past the China blockade situated at 40 NM of Bajo de Masinloc. The non-government organization, which was trying to assert Philippine sovereign rights over the area, said they spotted a Chinese Navy vessel [...]
Chinese Coast Guard Shadows Filipinos Sailing Toward Disputed Shoal
The convoy was expected to reach the area of the shoal Thursday morning, May 16, the organizers said, adding they would seek to avoid confrontations but were ready for any contingencies A Chinese Coast Guard vessels shadows fishing boats carrying activists and volunteers belonging to Atin Ito coalition as they head towards Panatag or Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Miguel de Guzman, The Philippine STAR Chinese coast guard ships shadowed a group of Filipino activists and fishermen sailing on wooden boats toward a disputed shoal in the South China Sea which Beijing has fiercely guarded from what it regards as intruders. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed three patrol ships and a light plane to keep watch from a distance on the group of about 100 [...]
PH faces challenges in digitalizing healthcare – DOH chief
GLOBAL HEALTHCARE WEEK. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa looks at a graph at the Global Healthcare Week in Abu Dhabi in this undated photo. The event aims to bring global health leaders together to discuss the changes and challenges in global health. (Photo courtesy of the DOH) MANILA – The Philippines continues to face challenges in digitalizing healthcare, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said. The country's geography is one of the factors, with nearly 60 percent of households still lacking internet access. "About 12 percent of Filipinos lack electricity, hindering digital technology use, especially in isolated areas," Herbosa said during his talk at the Global Health Care Week from May 13 to 15 in Abu Dhabi. Herbosa said infrastructure remains inadequate outside the National Capital Region [...]
Comelec bans candidate substitution due to withdrawal after Oct. 8, 2024
(FILE PHOTO) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Wednesday banned the substitution of candidates after the last day of filing certificates of candidacy if the substitution will be made due to the withdrawal of the candidate, Comelec chairman George Garcia said “Unanimous po, pumayag ang ating Commission En Banc sa naging proposal ng inyong lingkod na wala nang substitution after ng last day ng filing ng candidacy, which is October 8 [2024], kung ang ground ay withdrawal ng candidacy,” Garcia said. (The Comelec en banc unanimously agreed with my proposal to ban substitution after the last day of COC filing if it will be made on the grounds of withdrawal of candidacy.) The filing of COC for the May 2025 midterm polls is scheduled from October 1 to 8. “Substitution is supposed to be allowed until November 15. Now, [...]
1 Atin Ito boat has engine problem but Panatag Shoal mission continues
One of the five main boats of the Atin Ito civilian mission to the West Philippines Sea (WPS) experienced an engine problem on Wednesday, according to organizers. The Atin Ito coalition said the pangulong boat has been fixed and continues to sail with the civilian mission. “The pangulong that had an engine problem was already fixed. It is still part of the civilian supply mission. All four pangulongs are committed to proceed to the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal),” the group saidAtin Ito said another pangulong boat was scheduled to participate only in the first part of the civilian mission and has already returned to land. Around 100 boats departed from Zambales on Wednesday to participate in the civilian mission, which aims to conduct a “peace and [...]
PH taps US space programs to monitor territorial waters
THE United States is helping the Philippines tap its space programs to monitor and document vessels in the country's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, agencies from both governments announced on Tuesday. In a joint statement, the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, the US National Space Council, and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said Earth observation is a priority area for bilateral cooperation. They agreed to consider the possible hosting in the Philippines of a US Geological Survey Landsat ground station. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Teresita Daza. AFP PHOTO The Philippines is also considering signing on to the Artemis Accords, which establish guidelines to ensure safety and responsible behavior in outer space as countries explore the Moon and beyond. The joint [...]
‘Hope for best, prepared for worst’: Scarborough civilian convoy starts
Small fishing boats assemble in the port of Barangay Matalvis in Masinloc town, Zambales, to participate in the civilian convoy in Scarborough Shoal. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza Masinloc, Zambales — The civilian convoy for the West Philippine Sea officially embarked on a voyage to Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal early Wednesday morning on a mission that may witness another attempt by China to disrupt the activity. Over a hundred fisherfolk, along with Atin Ito coalition volunteers, journalists, and foreign observers, all clad with life jackets, started to depart from the port here at Barangay Matalvis at 7:26 a.m. The journey was led by five indigenous mother boats called “pangulong,” where volunteers, foreign observers, and members of the media, including INQUIRER.net, are also aboard. About a hundred small fishing boats also participated [...]
PH deports 165 suspected scammers to China
Manila, Philippines — The Philippines said Wednesday it deported 165 Chinese citizens it accused of working in an online scam center based in the north of the country. The group was flown to Shanghai on Tuesday and forever barred from returning to the Philippines, the immigration bureau said in a statement. The deportees were among hundreds of employees, Filipino and foreign, rounded up by an anti-crime government task force in a raid of an office compound in the northern municipality of Bamban on March 14 The 165 were involved in "scamming activities" and did not have proper travel documents, making them "undesirable aliens", the immigration statement said. After the raid, the authorities said some of the workers were forced into it and "were controlled by having their passports confiscated [...]
Atin Ito’ sets sail for Bajo de Masinloc in ‘battle of narratives’ against China
Volunteers from the 'Atin Ito' coalition and allied organizations prepare for their voyage to Bajo de Masinloc on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Photo by Adia Lim/'Atin Ito') ‘Atin Ito,’ the non-government organization advocating for sovereign rights, asserted on Wednesday that China has already lost the battle of narratives concerning its actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This statement comes as the coalition officially starts its second civilian supply mission to Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag/Scarborough Shoal, which is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. “China’s narrative has significantly faltered. It is running a very bad script,” said Rafaela David, president of Akbayan Party and co-convenor of the ‘Atin Ito’ coalition in response [...]
Marcos’ Partido Federal Unites With Lakas-CMD
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Lakas-CMD were part of the UniTeam alliance that supported President Marcos and his then running mate Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte in the 2022 general elections President Marcos looks on as House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., Partido Federal ng Pilipinas president, shake hands after the signing of the alliance between the two political parties on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Manila Polo Club in Makati City. The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) led by President Marcos formalized its alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) on Wednesday, May 8, marking the revival of a UniTeam alliance for the 2025 midterm elections. Marcos witnessed the signing of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” between [...]
India calls Canada arrests over Sikh activist murder ‘political compulsion’
A mural features the image of late Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada [File: Chris Helgren/Reuters] Reacting to Indian nationals’ arrest, Trudeau acknowledges fear in Canada’s Sikh community but underscores ‘rule of law’. Canada’s investigation into alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver last year is a “political compulsion”, India’s foreign minister has said after three Indian citizens were arrested over the killing. Canadian police on Friday arrested the trio for the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, saying they were investigating their links to the Indian government, “if any”. He migrated to Canada in 1997 and acquired citizenship 18 years later. He was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder, the allegations he had [...]
DND, NSC to China: No more lies
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in a statement, called the alleged “new model” a “devious machination of China,” telling Beijing, “This charade must stop.” In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command agreed to a “new model” on the management of disputes over the waters, which was also supposedly approved by key Philippine officials, belonging to the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Security Council (NSC). China made the statement after the Philippines already denied the existence of any deal that would compromise the country’s rights over the West Philippine Sea. The embassy stressed that all “communication and negotiation on this subject matter is kept on record in every detail by [...]
Bank of America warns row with China may hurt PH economy
‘NOT ONLY SHOCKING BUT APPALLING’ A frame grab from video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows its ship, the BRP Bagacay, being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Also hit on its way to the shoal was the BRP Bankaw of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE MANILA, Philippines — A further deterioration in diplomatic relations between Manila and Beijing caused by escalating tensions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could inflict some serious economic damage to the Philippines, according to the Bank of America (BofA). BofA in a new report flagged the potential impact of heightened tensions on Chinese trade, tourism and investments in the Philippines. It retained its [...]
Farmers’ group decries rice tariffication law, claims P44B lost
INQUIRER PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE Manila, Philippines — A farmers’ group has called for the complete repeal of the rice tariffication law, or Republic Act No. 11203, despite the efforts by the House of Representatives to amend it, asserting it won’t resolve the persistently high prices of rice in the country and instead demanded for the enactment of a “new pro-farmer, pro-people rice development program.” “Congress created the problem that is the rice tariffication law. Lawmakers cannot simply undo the problem by tweaking parts and provisions of the despicable law,” Danilo Ramos, chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said in a statement on Sunday. According to KMP, the law has led to more than P344 billion in economic losses for rice farmers by clipping the powers of [...]
Book board reaches out to readers
THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) has formed a unified network that gathers readership advocacy groups and individuals from all over the country to boost readership. Daniel Mariano, head of the NBDB Readership Development Division, said the National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA) is a platform dedicated to nurturing a robust national reading culture. Mariano said NARA will "form a mesh of various readership campaigns" through an online community. It organized regular milestone meetings and conferences on the state of readership in the country He said besides consolidating readership campaigns from around the country, the alliance shall also aid in the cross-media adaptation of Philippine literary works, the creation of fan-based markets and help popularize homegrown literary characters. "With the decline of readership in nonschool books, it is high [...]
PBBM forms inter-agency body to create master list of gov’t lands
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA file photo by Joan Bondoc) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an inter-agency coordinating council to consolidate the master list of all government lands to ensure optimal use. In his Administrative Order (AO) No. 21 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on April 30, Marcos said one of the key strategies identified in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 to establish liveable communities “is the creation of a database containing a complete inventory of idle government lands.” “To ensure the efficient and effective allocation and utilization of land resources for the country’s national development goals, it is necessary to consolidate a comprehensive list of all government lands,” Marcos said in the AO. The coordinating council [...]
Route rationalization, modern PUVs, next steps in PTMP
MODERN JEEPNEYS. Golden Eagle Transport Service Cooperative unveiled its modern jeepney units that retain traditional designs at Araneta Center Jeepney Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, on Feb. 14, 2024. The Department of Transportation on Wednesday (May 1, 2024) said the consolidation component of the Public Transport Modernization Program is now over, with route rationalization and the modernization of public utility vehicles as the next steps in the program. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc) MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has moved onto the next stage in its Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), the proper assignment of routes and the purchase of modern public utility vehicles (PUV). Jonathan Gesmundo, Executive Assistant to the DOTr Secretary, said the consolidation phase of the PTMP is officially over with no [...]
PBBM order to review minimum wage gets backing from senators
The Philippine Senate building. (PNA file photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA – The directive by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to regional wage boards to review pay rates in their respective areas earned the Senate's support on Thursday. “I am one with our President in calling for the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards to do a regular review of our minimum wages and for the National Wages and Productivity Commission to ensure that the boards do so,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said. But Zubiri proposed that a legislated minimum wage hike would be the best gift President Marcos could give to the workforce. He is referring to the PHP100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act which was recently approved in the Senate. “In tandem with this, I also [...]
DFA summons Chinese exec over water cannon incident
DOCKED. The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Bagacay, which was bombed with water by the China Coast Guard while en route to Bajo de Masinloc, is now docked at Pier 13 in Manila South Harbor on Thursday (May 2, 2024). China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to the Philippine vessels conducting routine humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim) MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday summoned the Chinese Embassy of Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over another harassment of Philippine vessels conducting routine humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. In a statement, the DFA said the Philippines "protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other [...]
Fish catch down since Balikatan – group
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 17, which provided the guidelines for the issuance of certificate of necessity to import 25,000 MT of frozen pelagic fish for wet markets from Oct. 1 to Dec. 21, 2024. STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Fish catch around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal has decreased since the start of the Balikatan exercises, which may have prompted the Chinese to send more vessels to the area and continue harassing Filipino fishermen, a local fishers’ group said yesterday. “The bullying of the Chinese coast guard continues and their number increased right after the Balikatan,” New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association president Leonardo Cuaresma said in a radio interview. The 39th Balikatan joint military exercises kicked off on April 22, and will last until May [...]
Marcos tells Filipinos: Fight modern-day oppressors, uphold patriotism
President Marcos has called on Filipinos to rise against modern-day oppressors and uphold Lapulapu's legacy of patriotism that has been passed on for generations. Malacañang file photos Marcos said this as the country commemorates Lapulapu Day on April 27, the day he killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan at the Battle of Mactan in 1521. In his message, the President urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to continue embracing the ideals of Lapulapu and the wealth of the Philippine heritage as the country shifts to a "Bagong Pilipinas." "The challenge now for all, especially the youth, is to continue embracing his (Lapulapu) ideals and the wealth of our heritage as we realize a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that is built on the foundations of the liberty and freedom that he and all our [...]
Sara leads 2028 presidential poll
(UPDATE) VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte is the overwhelming choice for president in the 2028 elections, according to a survey by Oculum Research and Analytics. Duterte gained the nod of 42 percent of the 3,000 respondents ages 18 and above randomly selected nationwide by Oculum. Support for her was highest in Mindanao at 62 percent and lowest in Southern Luzon at 23 percent. She also got the highest support from respondents in the Class E socioeconomic bracket, with 44 percent, and the lowest from Classes A and B. TOP PRESIDENTIAL PICK IN 2028 (From left) Dr. Dennis Coronacion, Oculum chief political analyst; Dr. Racidon Bernarte, Oculum research head; and Felipe Salvosa II, moderator, present the results of a presidential survey to the media on Friday, April 26, 2024. The first-quarter [...]
Drought damage P4.3B; UN airs call to aid PH
CALAMITY Local technicians in South Cotabato assess crops wilted by the intense heat. The province was placed under a state of calamity on Friday. —PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT OFFICE-SOUTH COTABATO PHOTO The monthslong drought caused by extreme heat and lack of rain has bludgeoned the country’s crop and livestock production, with damage rising to P4.3 billion this week, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a bulletin posted on Friday, the DA said agricultural losses recorded on April 23 were higher than the P3.94 billion reported a week earlier. Rice was the crop most affected by the dry spell, accounting for 61.71 percent of the total damage, or 113,446 metric tons worth P2.71 billion from 50,511 hectares. High-value crops comprised 19.8 percent, or P869.34 million, of overall [...]
Marcos greenlights ‘MATATAG’ education agenda of VP Sara
PHOTO: BBM FB PAGE President Marcos approved on Thursday the proposed Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 and the MATATAG Agenda of the Department of Education (DepEd) led by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. This developed following the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting at the Malacañan Palace. Marcos did not object to the proposals of DepEd as he highlighted its importance to the country’s education system. “The [NEDA] board approves the adoption of the Basic Education Development Plan 2023 and MATATAG Agenda as a national policy and plan for basic education,” said Marcos, who also chairs the NEDA Board Duterte was present during the meeting to present her BEDP 2030 and the MATATAG Agenda of her department. The MATATAG Agenda comprises four [...]
Transport strike set for April 29 to May 1
Transport group PISTON on Saturday announced its three-day transportation strike from April 29 to May 1 in protest of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. The strike’s convergence areas in Metro Manila will include Agoncillo, Alabang, Anonas, Baclaran, Katipunan, Litex, Monumento, Novaliches, Philcoa, Sucat, and Taft. Members of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and party-list Bayan Muna are set to join the transport strike in solidarity as early as April 29 until it culminates through Labor Day demonstrations on May 1 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier this month said there would be no further extension of the said program’s April 30 deadline for the franchise consolidation. PISTON deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said although jeepneys that fail to consolidate beginning May 1 will [...]
1.7-M Pinoys affected by El Niño, agri damage at P3.9B
Some 1.7 million individuals have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon, which has resulted in close to P4 billion in damage and losses to the country’s agriculture sector. DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the affected individuals are in Regions 2, 3, Mimaropa, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 and the Cordillera Administrative Region. “The DSWD is distributing family food packs. This is part of the humanitarian response in areas affected by El Niño, especially for families experiencing lack of food due to severe drought,” she said. DSWD has already distributed more than P58 million worth of family food packs in the affected areas, Dumlao said. According to the Department of Agriculture, damage on rice crops accounted for more than half of the total losses or at [...]
Fight vs plastic: DENR to launch plastics collection competition among students on Earth Day
Earth Day Every Day Project, a plastics collection competition among students, will be launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the celebration of Earth Day on Monday, April 22. In a statement released on Saturday, April 20, the DENR said the project seeks to instill in young people the significance of recycling plastics and to promote an environmental consciousness consistent with scouting values The environment department said student scouts from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) from various schools will bring the plastic items they collected including plastic bottles and plastic bags for a weigh-in at SM Mall of Asia. “The class with the highest volume of plastic items will win a prize,” the agency said. The [...]
PH rejects China’s claim of ‘new model’ in WPS
THE Philippine government, through its National Security Council (NSC) on Saturday, rejected China's claim of a supposed "new model" to deescalate tension in the West Philippine Sea based on its agreement with the previous administration. Security Adviser Eduardo Año and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya insisted that any "agreement" reached between China and the Philippines in the previous administration, referring to then president Rodrigo Duterte, if it existed, has been rescinded and was not binding under the administration of his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "The President has been very clear: This administration is not aware of any secret or gentleman's agreement, and if there was such done under a previous administration, the same has been rescinded," Año said in a statement [...]
Phivolcs logs 3 ‘short-lived’ phreatic eruptions at Taal volcano
FILE PHOTO: Taal Volcano looks serene in this photo taken from Tagaytay City on September 25, 2023. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Saturday, April 20, 2024, reported the occurrence of phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano. PHOTO FROM THE TAGAYTAY CITY TOURISM OFFICE AND EVELYN GONZALEZ (UPDATED at 1:10 p.m., April 20, 2024, to reflect the latest information from Phivolcs.) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday recorded three “short-lived” phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano. According to the state seismologist, their Taal Volcano Network (TVN) logged the first two “phreatic or steam-driven eruption events” from 8:50 a.m. to 9:12 a.m. “The events lasted more than 2 minutes and produced up to 350 meter-tall steam plumes that drifted West-southwest and Southwest. Alert [...]
Labor Day job fairs set in 94 sites nationwide
JOB HUNT. Job seekers line up at the Mega Job Fair of the Manila City government at the SM City Manila on Jan. 18, 2024. The DOLE said Friday (April 19) it would hold simultaneous job fairs in 94 venues across the country on May 1, in commemoration of Labor Day. (PNA file photo by Yancy Lim) MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to hold simultaneous job fairs across the country in celebration of the 122nd Labor Day. In an advisory on Friday, the agency's Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) said these job fairs featuring local and overseas employment opportunities will be held in 94 sites mostly in malls on May 1. "DOLE is presenting a huge opportunity for all jobseekers. We [...]
Marcos calls for PH-wide energy-saving measures
TIGHT SUPPLY For the second straight day this week, the NGCP placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the Visayas grid from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m on Wednesday PHOTO FROM NGCP MANILA, Philippines — Electricity supply problems continue to hound Luzon and the Visayas as more than 30 power plants remain shut or are running below capacity due to intense summer heat being made more unbearable by the El Niño dry spell. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged the public to adopt energy-saving measures to cut electricity consumption as power supply problems continued to hound Luzon and Visayas on Wednesday after more than 30 power plants remain offline or operating at lower capacities. In a post on his Instagram account [...]
G7 calls out China over ‘intimidation, militarization’ in SCS
'DANGEROUS' MOVES. The civilian vessel Unaizah May 1 is harassed, blocked, and blasted with water cannon by a Chinese coast guard vessel while on a resupply mission to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on March 5, 2024. The Group of Seven (G7) on Friday (April 19, 2024) called out China over its militarization and “intimidation activities” in the South China Sea, particularly its “dangerous maneuvers” against Filipino vessels carrying out routine resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal. (Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) MANILA – The Group of Seven (G7) has called out China over its militarization and “intimidation activities” in the South China Sea (SCS), as it took note of Beijing’s "dangerous maneuvers” and water cannon use against [...]
Pagasa warns of dangerous heat index in 19 areas
(PNA file photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.) MANILA- The weather bureau warned of dangerous heat index levels in 19 areas across the country on Saturday. Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) 5 p.m. forecast on Friday, the following areas may have a heat index ranging from 42 C to 44 C on Saturday: Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 44 C Bacnotan, La Union – 42 C Aparri, Cagayan – 42 Tuguegarao, Cagayan – 42 C Clark Airport (DMIA), Pampanga – 42 C Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas – 42 C Coron, Palawan – 42 C Aborlan, Palawan – 44 C Virac (SYNOP), Catanduanes 42 C CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 43 C Roxas City Capiz – 43 C Iloilo City, Iloilo – 42 C Dumangas, Iloilo – [...]
3 Pinoys died in unprecedented UAE flooding
At least three Filipinos have died amid the flooding in the United Arab Emirates, the Department of Migrant Workers said on Thursday. “With extreme sadness, we report the death of 3 OFWs during the flooding in UAE,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said on X. “Two OFWs died due to suffocation inside their vehicle during the flood. One other OFW died due to a vehicular accident. We shall provide utmost support and assistance to their families,” he added. Two of the victims are females while one is male, Cacdac said “The department assures the families of the three OFWs of its fullest support and assistance,” DMW said. The DMW said Philippine offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were preparing to distribute relief goods and other essential items [...]
Solons eye Chinese presence in Cagayan
The Chinese embassy in Manila said: The unfounded accusation of our educational exchanges is yet another malicious sleight of hand to incite suspicion and hatred of China. Insightful people in the Philippines have not lost sight of this tendency by calling it ‘McCarthyism’ resurrecting in the Philippines. This deserves high vigilance and must be resolutely opposed. This came on the heels of a House Resolution filed by Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara for a probe into the alarming rise of Chinese students enrolled in higher institutions in his province in the northern tip of Luzon. “The Senate should look into the reported presence of Chinese nationals around EDCA sites. This is a national security concern that must be addressed,” Senator Risa Hontiveros said. Senate [...]
PBBM sees sustained peace, stability in SCS via PH-US-Japan alliance
STRONG PH-US TIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center, left panel) meets with United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III (center, right panel) at the Pentagon in Washington DC on Saturday (April 13, 2024, Manila time). During his meeting with Austin, Marcos emphasized the Philippines’ strong relations with the US. (Photo from PBBM’s official Facebook page) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed optimism on Saturday (Manila time) that the Philippines’ trilateral alliance with the United States (US) and Japan would usher in sustained peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS). During his meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at the Pentagon in Washington DC, Marcos said the result of his historic trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime [...]
Phivolcs reports five phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano
One of the four discrete phreatic or steam-driven eruption events, observed between 9:45 a.m. and 3:22 p.m. through the Taal Volcano Network (TVN) at the VTMC (Main Crater) observation station on April 12, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas exhibited increased volcanic activity with five phreatic eruptions occurring within a 24-hour period, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs reported that between 12 a.m. Friday and 12 a.m. Saturday, Taal experienced five phreatic eruptions, with one event lasting for 13 minutes. A phreatic eruption, according to Phivolcs, is a steam-driven explosion that occurs when water, either below the ground or on the surface, is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or fresh volcanic deposits. During the same monitoring [...]
Dangerous heat index forecast in 9 areas
MANILA – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of dangerous heat index levels in nine areas across the country on Saturday. Based on the weather bureau’s 5 p.m. forecast on Friday, the following areas may have a heat index ranging from 42°C to 45°C on Saturday: Laoag, Ilocos Norte – 42°C Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 45°C Aparri, Cagayan – 44°C Tuguegarao, Cagayan – 42°C Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 42°C Aborlan, Palawan – 42°C Masbate City, Masbate – 42°C CBPSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 42°C Catarman, Northern Samar – 42°C PAGASA said heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. The weather bureau advised the public to limit the time spent outdoors, especially [...]
Malaria cases surge by 90% in 2023 – DOH
MALARIA MOSQUITO. Malaria cases nationwide increased by 90 percent in 2023, according to Department of Health - Disease Intervention and Prevention Bureau medical officer Kim Patrick Tejano during a press briefing on Friday (April 12, 2024). Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes on people. (PNA file photo) MANILA – Malaria cases in the country almost doubled in 2023 and the Department of Health (DOH) believes that climate change contributed to the uptick. Latest data from the DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed that about 6,248 cases were recorded in 2023 or 90 percent higher than the 3,245 cases posted in 2022. Of these cases, 11 deaths were reported and still under investigation. "While the cases [...]
Fuel prices to rise anew as Gaza boils
The Department of Energy warned of another round of oil price hike next week by as much as P1 per liter due to the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Gaza Strip. This will be the fourth consecutive weekly increase for gasoline and the second weekly increase for diesel and kerosene. The DOE estimates the increase at P0.80 to P1 per liter for diesel and P0.85 to P1 per liter for kerosene. Prices of gasoline may remain steady or go up by P0.20 per liter. ”Another round of increase is expected next week as a result of an intensified geopolitical concerns in Gaza Strip wherein Israeli’s airstrikes killed 3 sons of a Hamas leader. However, inventory build up of crude and fuels in the US tempered the oil price increase.(These [...]
2 killed in Navy chopper crash in Cavite – AFP
This photo provided by Police Regional Office 4A shows the Philippine Navy helicopter that crashed near Cavite City Public Market on Thursday morning, April 11, 2024. Two pilots were killed in the incident, according to the military. | PHOTO: Police Regional Office 4A PAMPANGA, Philippines — A Philippine Navy (PN) helicopter crashed near Cavite City Public Market on Thursday morning, killing two pilots, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. “A PN Robinson R22 trainer helicopter conducted an emergency landing this morning in the vicinity near of Cavite City Public Market,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a Viber message. “The two navy aviators were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment but succumbed to their injuries,” she said. Padilla said families of [...]
DepEd Urged: Revert To Old School Calendar ASAP
The Department of Education eyes the full return to the old academic calendar in 2026, when classes would open in June. Additional electric fans have been set up inside a classroom of the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila on April 1, 2024, to keep students cool in the hot weather. Photo by Edd Gumban, The Philippine STAR The Department of Education (DepEd) must speed up the return to the old academic calendar amid widespread suspension of onsite classes due to extreme heat, teachers group Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reiterated on Friday, April 5. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, TDC national chairman Benjo Basas said the reversion to the old academic calendar – where classes run from June to March and school break from April to May – seemed [...]
Peace, security top Tri-Summit agenda
OFF TO WASHINGTON. President Marcos waves to well wishers before departing for Washington, D.C., where he will join US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the first Philippines-US-Japan Trilateral Summit. PPA POOL US, Japan, PH to assure freedom of navigation in WPS President Marcos on Wednesday flew to the United States to participate in a landmark trilateral meeting with the United States and Japan, which would also iron out the agreement between the three nations regarding peace and security in the West Philippine Sea. “This is essentially an agreement between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines on cooperation in terms of maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. That is the essence of it,” the President told reporters before leaving [...]
‘No backing down from challenges’—PBBM
Marcos heads to Washington for tri-summit As the nation marked the Day of Valor, President Marcos on Tuesday said the Philippines “must not back down from challenges that seek to threaten its peace, honor, and very existence.” Marcos made the statement during the 82nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, where he called on Filipinos to stand against oppression amid current challenges that threaten the country within its territory. The Day of Valor commemorates the heroism and sacrifice of Filipinos who fought in the Battle of Bataan during World War II. Meanwhile, the President is set to fly to Washington today (Wednesday) to participate in the historic trilateral leaders’ summit between the Philippines, Japan, and the United States. Mr. Marcos will [...]
Marcos hopes for unity amid diversity in Eid’l Fitr message
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File Photo) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called for unity amid Filipinos’ diversity in beliefs and philosophies as he joined Muslims here and abroad in the celebration of Eid’l Fitr or the Festival of Breaking the Fast. In his written message released by the Office of the President, Marcos emphasized the festival's significance for the spiritual renewal of Muslims after Ramadan's month-long observance of prayer, sacrifice, and penance. “Truly, the Festival of Breaking the Fast marks not only the culmination of Ramadan, but also the rededication of one’s journey towards a more disciplined, dignified, and gracious life,” Marcos said. “As you take to heart the insights from your devotion, may you become shining examples of humility, [...]
US, PH jet fighters in drills over Luzon
AIR Force pilots from the Philippines and the United States are set to conduct maneuvers over a wide area of Luzon during the Cope Thunder-Philippines military exercise that began Monday at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Air Force Public Affairs chief Col. Consuelo Castillo said that at least 12 US F-16 supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft and four FA-50s from the Philippines would participate in the reconnaissance and training maneuvers. A Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130J cargo aircraft will join the drills. The first iteration of Cope Thunder this year, taking place in the Northern Luzon Intensive Military Training Area, Basa Air Base and Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, involves about 700 airmen and will last until April 19. Castillo said the exercise would focus on expert exchanges, [...]
Dangerous heat index forecast in 8 areas — PAGASA
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned of dangerous heat index levels ranging from 42°C to 44°C in eight areas on Wednesday. Based on the weather bureau’s 5 p.m. forecast on Tuesday, the following areas are: Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 44°C Bacnotan, La Union – 42°C San Jose, Occidental Mindoro – 42°C Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 43°C Aborlan, Palawan – 43°C Roxas City, Capiz – 42°C Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 42°C Cotabato City, Maguindanao – 42°C Heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. The state weather bureau advised the public to limit the time spent outdoors, especially at noon, and drink plenty of water. Use umbrellas or wear hats and sleeved clothing [...]
AFP: Future multilateral drills depend on PH allies’ nod
MARITIME COOPERATION. The missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is one of the three Philippine Navy ships that participated in the April 7, 2024 multilateral maritime cooperative activity of the Philippines, the US, Japan, and Australia in the West Philippine Sea. The AFP on Wednesday (April 10, 2024) said the holding of future multilateral drills between Manila and its allies would depend on the approval of these nations’ respective governments. (Photo courtesy of the AFP) MANILA – The conduct of future multilateral maritime drills between the Philippines and its allies will depend on the approval of the governments of these nations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday. "Conducting MMCA (multilateral maritime cooperative activity) with allied countries in the coming days is feasible, provided that [...]
Inflation rises to 3.7% in March 2024 as food, transport get more expensive
(1st UPDATE) It is the second month in a row that inflation has risen since being on a downtrend for four straight months Manila, Philippines – The Philippines’ inflation rate rose to 3.7% in March, driven by higher food prices and transportation costs for the month. The 3.7% rate reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Friday, April 5, is higher than February’s 3.4%, but lower than the 7.6% recorded in March 2023. The 3.7% rate for March is near the top end of the government’s 2% to 4% target range for inflation. It also means that the inflation rate has risen for the second month in a row since being on a downtrend for four straight months March’s inflation rate was primarily driven by food and non-alcoholic [...]
Create heat risk action plan for workers, firms urged
SIZZLING. A worker does fencing work at the Alabang station of the Philippine National Railways on April 4, 2024. Companies are urged to adopt measures to mitigate the impact of sweltering temperatures on workers. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim) MANILA – A labor group on Friday urged companies to create a "heat risk action plan" in workplaces as the country continues to grapple with sizzling temperatures. In a statement, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on employers to come up with policies and practices that will protect the health and well-being of workers from heat exhaustion. "It is our shared moral responsibility, not only of workers who toil day in and day out not only at work but also in commuting to and from [...]
PBBM: PH will respond to actual sea situation
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from PBBM's Official FB Page ‘They can’t cover our eyes, pretend nothing happened’ President Marcos said the Philippines needs to “respond to the actual situation on the ground” in the West Philippine Sea even as it does not seek conflict with any other country. “They cannot cover our eyes and pretend that nothing happened,” Mr. Marcos told newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to the PhilippinesEndo Kazuya during the latter’s presentation of credentials in Malacañang. He said as a matter of foreign policy and geopolitics, the most important thing is to find a way to keep the West Philippine Sea at peace. “That is what the Philippines will always work for,” the President said. Mr. Marcos is set to participate in a historic trilateral cooperation meeting [...]
CPD: Family planning key to achieving demographic dividend
(Photo courtesy of Commission on Population and Development) MANILA – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) on Friday urged Filipino couples to observe and be educated about family planning despite the recorded drop of fertility rate in the country in the past few years, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. "Our prescription in the Commission on Population and Development is still family planning. The importance of planning when, where, how many ang gusto mong maging anak para makamit mo yung (children you want to have and achieve your) aspirations as a family," CPD Knowledge Management and [...]
PH to hold joint naval drills with US, Japan, Australia
(FILES) Philippine and Australian soldiers march in formation while a US marines V-22 Osprey hovers above during military exercise Alon (wave), a joint amphibious landing drill held at a naval base in San Antonio town in Zambales province, north of Manila on August 25, 2023. The Philippines will hold joint naval drills with the United States, Japan and Australia, two diplomatic sources told AFP on April 4, 2024, as the four countries deepen military ties to counter China’s expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP) Manila, Philippines — The Philippines will hold joint naval drills with the United States, Japan and Australia, two diplomatic sources told AFP Thursday, as the four countries deepen military ties to counter China’s expanding influence in the [...]
Conserve water, public urged as heat, lack of rain drain dams
The government on Tuesday urged the public — especially Metro Manila residents — to conserve water as dam levels continue to drop due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon and the dry season. El Niño Task Force spokesman, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, said that while Metro Manila was not yet experiencing a water crisis, the water level of Angat Dam, which supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila's potable water needs, could drop further because of increased consumption, lack of rainfall and evaporation due to the heat "For now, we don't see that there will be a problem or that the Angat Dam will drop below the critical level of 180 meters, but as the temperature gets warmer, the household consumption increases, and of [...]
DOH reports 49 pertussis deaths, assures continuous monitoring
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) continues to monitor cases of pertussis or whooping cough in the Philippines, as it logged a total of 49 deaths since the beginning of this year. As of March 23, the DOH has recorded at least 862 cases, most of whom are from Mimaropa (187), Metro Manila (158), Central Luzon (132), Central Visayas (121), and Western Visayas (72). Of the total pertussis cases, 79 percent were under 5 years old. At least 66 percent of these young children were either unvaccinated or did not know their vaccination history. Adults aged 20 and older account for only 4 percent of cases, the DOH said. "The DOH is cautious in interpreting trends as the number of cases may still change as there may be [...]
PBBM vows aid for affected Filipinos in quake-hit Taiwan
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File Photo) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended his sympathies to the people of Taiwan after it was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake early Wednesday. In a statement posted on social media, Marcos also assured assistance to all the Filipinos currently in Taiwan. “Our hearts are with the people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath of today's powerful earthquake,” Marcos said. “Rest assured, our Department of Migrant Workers is diligently ensuring the safety of the 159,480 Filipinos currently residing in Taiwan. We stand ready to assist and support our fellow Filipinos in Taiwan in any way possible during this difficult period,” he added. Taiwan was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake past 7 a.m., the strongest [...]
Nine dead, 900 injured in most powerful Taiwan quake in 25 years
This photo taken by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows emergency workers assisting a survivor after he was rescued from a damaged building in New Taipei City, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on Wednesday morning, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by CNA/AFP) At least nine people were killed and more than 900 injured Wednesday by a powerful earthquake in Taiwan that damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted. Dozens of people were believed safe but unreachable in areas cut off by massive landslides triggered by the quake—many in tunnels [...]
Backpackers of the Philippines conducts outreach program in Pag-asa Island
Backpackers of the Philippines conducted an outreach program to the residents of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan on March 26 to 30, 2024. Zcheeko Zacarias, one of the group's administrators, said that they had been planning the outreach program for two years, and they deemed this year as the right moment to execute it. "Seeing the genuine smiles on the faces of the people makes our efforts worth it. Although I had many chances to visit the island in past years, I decided that it would be best to bring our group and conduct the outreach together," Zacarias said. During the program, the group donated medicines, organized a feeding program, conducted storytelling sessions, distributed gifts, and arranged games for the children. They also provided programs for [...]
VP Sara vows prompt action on voucher issue
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has assured immediate action on the alleged discrepancies in the voucher program under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE). Duterte made the response in an ambush interview on the sidelines of her engagements in Cambodia as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) President on Thursday. Duterte mentioned establishing the Government Assistance and Subsidies Office (GASO) to look into the reported discrepancies in the billing issued by the private schools. “First of all, we are not issuing payments, we’re holding the payments,” she said. “Second, if it’s already paid and we see that it’s ineligible, either there’s a mistake or problem in the billing, we are asking for a refund [...]
Murder suspect Teves arrested in East Timor
Former Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (Photo courtesy of House of Representatives) MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed before midnight Thursday the arrest of ousted Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman and designated terrorist Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in Dili, East Timor. The DOJ news release posted on Facebook said Teves was nabbed at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar around 4 p.m. Thursday. Teves is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March 2023, and three others in 2019. "We already confirmed that the mastermind of my husband's murder has finally been captured by Timor Leste police. Words cannot express how it feels to finally see the man [...]
PCG condemns fresh Chinese intimidation in West Philippine Sea
Filipino marine scientists on Pagasa Island’s Cay 2. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday criticized China for employing what it described as “intimidation tactics” against Filipino scientists conducting research in the West Philippine Sea. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) were deployed Thursday to Pagasa Island Cay 1 and Cay 2, respectively. Carrying marine scientists, the two ships departed from Pagasa Island port at 10 a.m. and arrived at Cay 1 and 2 at 10:28 a.m.However, before arriving at Pagasa’s Cay 2, Tarriela said the MMOV 3003 experienced “dangerous maneuvers” from a China Coast [...]
DENR: All illegal structures in Chocolate Hills must be removed
Chocolate Hills (Photo grabbed from Department of Tourism Facebook page) MANILA – Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said Friday all illegal structures built in the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol, which has been declared a protected area, must be removed. Loyzaga said this in an interview over a radio program after an aerial inspection she conducted with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos. She said that aside from the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort, which has gone viral on social media and received negative comments from netizens, they discovered similar structures illegally built within the protected area. “Sa palagay ko, sa nakita ko, yes po, kailangan, ito yung ginagawa namin ngayon, ang tawag namin ay mitigation approach sa mga gawaing ganito (From what [...]
‘Strong, mature’ El Niño now in country; Damages now hitting P1.3 b — gov’t
The damage to agriculture due to the dry spell induced by the El Niño has reached P1.31 billion mark, according to the Task Force El Niño. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it was considering reducing the water pressure of concessionaires in Metro Manila due to the continuous decline of water levels in Angat Dam. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also made the same observation, saying El Niño has caused at least P1.31 billion worth of agricultural damage as of mid-March Task force spokesman Joey Villarama said the country was still experiencing “strong and mature” El Niño. Villarama pointed out, however, that this year’s damage caused by the drought was less than previous figures. “We are anticipating that we have seen [...]
Creation of ‘Forward Operating Bases’ to protect WPS pushed anew
MANILA - Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday reiterated his call for the creation of a "forward operating bases (FOB)" in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Benham or Philippine Rise amid the continued tension between the Philippines and China over the disputed waters. Tolentino made the call nine months after he filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 654 or An Act Institutionalizing the Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases in line with the Philippine Navy Strategic Basing Plan 2040. The FOB, he said, is smaller than a main naval and operating base and would not require the same budgetary allocation as a regular naval base. Tolentino said FOB would only serve as an outpost strategically located near the WPS and the Philippine Rise. “SB No. 654 identified strategic [...]
Huge boost to production expected under Salt Industry Development law
INDUSTRY BOOST. Workers harvest salt at Borlongan Aqua Salt Farm in Barangay Banog Norte, Bani, Pangasinan in this photo taken April 29, 2023. The Department of Agriculture on Monday (March 18, 2024) said the passage of Republic Act 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act will boost local production and income of salt farmers. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said the passage of Republic Act No. 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act poses favorable benefits to farmers amid efforts to boost local production. Among the key areas in the priority regions for implementation are Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the law enables [...]
McDonald’s to hire elderly, PWDs of Manila
MANILA – Senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) of Manila will soon have a chance to work at McDonald's, an American fast-food chain. The city government of Manila entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the personnel provider of McDonald’s for the implementation of a program that would provide jobs for senior citizens and PWDs. The agreement was signed last March 12 by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and J&F Food Corporation Training Consultant Sofia Loriega, with Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marlon Lacson as witnesses, and Manila's public employment service office head Fernan Bermejo in attendance. In a statement on Monday, Lacuna said the program aims to re-integrate the senior citizens and PWDs as "productive members of [...]
PBBM meeting Blinken amid incursions in WPS
As Marcos downplays Xi orders for China to prepare troops BERLIN—President Marcos said he will meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Manila on Tuesday (March 19) as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation amid the ongoing incursions of China in the West Philippine Sea. “The first item I will be seeing [is a] meeting with Secretary Anthony Blinken on Tuesday,” Mr. Marcos told reporters in an interview before leaving for Prague Wednesday evening. Mr. Marcos arrived at the capital of the Czech Republic, the second leg of his Central Europe tour, at 6:25 p.m. Prague time (1:25 a.m. in Manila). The President also shrugged off Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent order to his troops to prepare for conflicts in the East and South [...]
Marcos signs new law for online passport applications in Philippines
File photo shows a man holding a Philippine passport. The STAR / Edd Gumban, File Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the "New Philippine Passport Act," designed to modernize passport application processes nationwide. The law aims to greatly improve accessibility and streamline procedures, especially benefiting senior citizens, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and individuals with special needs or exceptional circumstances, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday. The recently enacted law, signed on March 11, replaced Republic Act No. 8239, also known as the Passport Act of 1996. "The new passport law now authorizes DFA to provide offsite and mobile passport services in areas outside of the consular offices and foreign service posts (FSPs)," the PCO said. "The DFA is also mandated by the new law to arrange accommodations for [...]
1,500 exhibitors show innovation in construction, design industries
Hundreds of exhibitors in construction and design sector are joining the WORLDBEX 2024 from March 14 to March 17 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center. About 1,500 local and international exhibitors are showcasing the latest innovation in construction and design sectors during the Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition. The exhibit, organized by Worldbex Services International (WSI), started on March 14 and will run until March 17 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center. WSI founding chairman Joseph Ang said this year’s theme “Drawn to Ascendency” encapsulates the collective journey of WORLDBEX towards progress and innovation in the word of building and design. “WORDLBEX has become the cornerstone of innovation and collaboration within the industry. As we explore [...]
DOH warns public vs. red tide in 6 Visayas, Mindanao areas
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned the public against consuming shellfish from six areas in the Visayas and Mindanao due to paralytic shellfish poison or toxic red tide. The DOH and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the advisory covers all types of shellfish, including mussels or tahong, oysters, clams, and alamang sourced from the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; San Pedro Bay in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; and San Benito in Surigao del Norte. "Bring patients with symptoms after eating unsafe shellfish to the nearest emergency room immediately. Prevention is the best: do not eat tahong, talaba, halaan, other shellfish, and alamang from [...]
PH eyes pharma-medical device ecozones within 2024
(File photo) MANILA — The Philippines is eyeing to launch the pharmaceutical-medical device (pharma-dev) economic zones within 2024, with four locations across the country already under consideration. At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga said PEZA is now in the site selection stage. “So, nasa site selection kami, establishment ng criteria. Mayroon sa Laguna, mayroon Bulacan, mayroon Tarlac, mayroon din sa Cebu (We’re now in site selection, establishment of criteria. There’s Laguna, Bulacan, Tarlac, and Cebu),” he said. In a separate interview, Panga said PEZA [...]
Nothing ‘legally wrong’ in Rody as KOJC administrator — lawyer
The former President, in a press conference in Davao City late Saturday evening, says only ‘stupid people’ would believe the claim that he is involved in any destabilization plot. Screengrabs from ANC, Facebook live There is nothing ‘legally wrong’ in the appointment of former President Rodrigo Duterte as administrator of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) properties. In a phone interview Sunday, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told Manila Standard that Duterte is now a “private person, a lawyer, and a member of the Bar in good standing.” On the other hand, he said KOJC is a juridical entity and a corporation sole, owned and occupied by a single person who appointed the former President, Topacio said He said almost all religious groups are corporation soles—or an [...]
Senate OKs Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act on final reading
The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2386 or the proposed Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA). With 23 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstentions, SB 2386 was approved by the Senate during its plenary session on Monday, March 11. The bill is another priority legislation of the Marcos administration Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the enactment of the bill into law will provide a respite for taxpayers of real property tax as it sets a two-year amnesty on interests and penalties for taxpayers with unpaid real property tax. “Waiving the payment of interests, penalties, and surcharges on unpaid or delinquent real property taxes through the amnesty component of RPVARA would encourage tax compliance later on and significantly enhance the government’s [...]
Comelec, Miru Systems sign contract for 2025 elections
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and South Korean company Miru Systems officially signed on Monday the P17.99 billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system (AES) for the 2025 National and Local Elections. The agreement covers 110,000 new automated counting machines; 104,345 ballot boxes; 2,200 consolidation and canvassing system (CCS) laptops and printers; ballot papers for 73.8 million voters; and ballot printing and ballot verification services. The awarding of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) project came more than two weeks after Comelec announced that it awarded the contract to Miru, the lone bidder for the project. Comelec Chairman George Garcia and Commissioner Rey Bulay led the signing with Miru President Chung Jin Bok. The election body noted that its joint venture with the South Korean [...]
Imee calls for restraint, more dialogues on WPS row
MISMATCH. A Philippine Coast Guard escort vessel (foreground) is blasted with water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard during the rotation and reprovisioning of troops for BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on March 5, 2024. In a radio interview Monday (March 11), Senator Imee Marcos on called for restraint and more dialogues amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of AFP Facebook) MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos on Monday emphasized the importance of upholding independent foreign policy through restraint and more dialogues amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a radio interview, the presidential sister said no one should bring up or discuss war and conflict. "Huwag tayo masyadong maanghang magsalita kung puros daldal lang. Eh mainam, tiisin natin kahit nakakapikon at [...]
FFCCCII launches coffee table book celebrating Filipino-Chinese heritage
Coffee table book. The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) launches its first coffee table book entitled ‘Dugong Tsinoy, Pusong Pinoy’ in Binondo, Manila. Leading the ceremonial turnover of the book are (from left) FFCCCII vice president Jeffrey Ng, book editor AA Patawaran, FFCCCII president Dr. Cecilio Pedro and FFCCCII board member and public information and media committee chairman Wilson Lee Flores. The book highlights the contributions of FFCCCII and the Tsinoy community across various domains including trade, philanthropy, commerce, charities, economy, education, volunteerism by Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigades, calamity relief efforts and socio-economic reforms. The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) launched its first coffee table book entitled “Dugong Tsinoy, Pusong Pinoy” on March 8 [...]
E-bike ban on major NCR roads starts April 15 – MMDA
GET OFF FROM NATIONAL ROAD. An electronic tricycle (e-trike) traverses Recto Avenue in Manila on Feb. 29, 2024. Starting April 15, e-trikes, e-bikes, and other electric motor vehicles are banned on major roads across the National Capital Region. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim) MANILA – The ban on e-bikes on major roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) will start on April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Monday. "Walang bago dito. I-eenforce na po ng MMDA ang prohibitions na ito dahil marami na tayo nakikitang insidente ng aksidente, paglabag sa mga traffic rules and regulations at 'di na po natin aantayin na dumami pa at lumala pa ang sitwasyon bago tayo kumilos (There is nothing new in this regulation. The MMDA will enforce the [...]
Standard Insurance joins DENR’s ‘Adopt-an-Estero’ program in Cavite
NAIC, Cavite—Standard Insurance, one of the leading insurers in the country, joined the “Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody” program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We are dedicated to the adoption of the rivers, actively advocating for their cleanliness and preservation. Our efforts will be directed towards enhancing the rivers’ health and ensuring the sustainability of their surrounding ecosystems,” said Standard Insurance Co. Inc. chairman Ernesto Echauz Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody is one of DENR’s priority programs being implemented nationwide through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). Private company partners commit to enhancing the environment of the waterway they’ve chosen to adopt under the program. This involves various initiatives such as routine cleanup endeavors, dredging, educational campaigns, community engagement efforts and training sessions for relevant stakeholders. Standard Insurance adopted the Kay-Alamang [...]
Metro Manila Subway on track for 2029 partial ops
MANILA – The first contract package (CP101) of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is 40 percent complete and is on track for partial operations by 2029, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday. In a press conference following a site visit and launch of tunnel boring machine (TBM) 4 at the MMSP’s North Avenue Station, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the project’s on-time completion would mostly depend on resolving right-of-way (ROW) issues. To date, he said some properties where stations are located are owned by private individuals, in addition to a Department of Education (DepEd) building that cannot be demolished due to its status as a heritage site. “Meron din issues like property owners na ayaw nila 'yung MMSP dumaan sa ilalim ng kanilang property (There are also [...]
Palawan tourism expected to sustain growth this year — business chamber
Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Palawan Chapter chairman Pan Ming Yuan PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan—Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Palawan Chapter chairman Pan Ming Yuan expects tourism in this province to sustain its growth this year as the economy continuously recovers from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. International visitor arrivals in the Philippines reached 5.45 million in 2023, which surpassed the target of 4.8 million set by the Department of Tourism. “Hotels and beach resorts are very good investments in the province,” said Pan, who is also the chairman of Filipino-Chinese Amity Club in Palawan Pan expressed hope the government would provide more assistance for the promotion of tourism such as the construction of roads and bridges to reach the remote tourism sites and providing lower water [...]
Research council assures support for Filipino inventions
Filipino scientists (Photo courtesy of Department of Science and Technology) MANILA – The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) on Thursday said it supports the discoveries and inventions of Filipino scientists nationwide. “In fact, sa kasalukuyan, ang pinopondohan namin ay ‘yung basic research. Pagdating sa application, may iba’t ibang ahensiya sa pamahalaan na iyan ang trabaho (currently, we fund the basic research. When it comes to application, there are different government agencies taking care of that),” NRCP Executive Director Dr. Bernardo Sepeda said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV4. He noted that the Department of Science and Technology conducts and funds research. “Upang, halimbawa, ang DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], ang DICT [Department of Information and Technology] o kaya even ang [...]
BDO to discontinue old banking app for iOS users on March 12
BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in the Philippines owned by the Sy family, said Friday it will discontinue its old banking app for Apple/iOS users starting March 12, 2024. The bank said in an advisory Apple/iOS users should download and switch to its new app for better access to the bank’s services. The new app has more upgraded features compared to the old one, it said It will allow users view and manage all their BDO accounts in an all-new interface. The app will automatically display all the active personal accounts of the users. BDO said it created a FAQ page to address user inquiries, which include steps to reset password, retrieve username and registration. BDO is a comprehensive universal bank in the Philippines that offers [...]
US court unseals arrest warrants for Quiboloy
STILL WANTED. This file photo shows the ‘Wanted’ poster issued by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation last year for Kingdom of Jesus Christ church founder Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing sex trafficking and other charges in a California court. A California judge has ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Kingdom of Jesus Christ church founder Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused, bringing the case a step closer toward extraditing the pastor, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, a New York-based lawyer said. Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants issued against Quiboloy and threeother accused for charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of [...]
PH to continue WPS operations
OPERATIONS in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will continue despite increasing harassment from China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and their maritime militia, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command said Thursday. "Our operations in the WPS will continue, along with our patrols and along with the exercise of our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction," Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said in Filipino, saying that the troops were "undeterred" and would not yield Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Westerm Command Chief, speaks during an interview with the media at a port in Palawan on March 6, 2024. The Philippines said on March 5 that China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four [...]
2 Filipino seafarers killed in Houthi attack
(UPDATE) THE government on Thursday confirmed the death of two Filipino seafarers in a missile attack Wednesday by Houthi rebels on their ship in the Red Sea. The attack set the Liberian-owned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze, about 50 nautical miles or 93 kilometers off the coast of Yemen's port of Aden. "We in the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sincerely extend our deepest condolences to the family and kin of our slain, heroic seafarers. For reasons of privacy, we are withholding their names and identities," the DMW said in a statement RESCUE This handout photograph taken on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, and released by the Indian Navy shows the rescue operation of crew members of a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier by the Indian Navy after an attack by Yemen’s [...]
Jobless Filipinos at 9.4 million in December 2023 —SWS
The number of jobless Filipinos increased to 9.4 million in December 2023 from 7.9 million in September 2023, according to the survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) The national survey conducted from December 8 to 11 last year said the 9.4 million unemployed represent 19.5% of the adult labor force. The figure was 2.6 points higher than the 16.9% jobless in September 2023. SWS defines the labor force as adults (18 years and above) presently with a job, and those looking for a job. According to the survey firm, the jobless consist of those who voluntarily left their old jobs; are seeking jobs for the first time; or lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control. The December 2023 survey also found the labor force participation rate at [...]
House committee okays Charter change resolution
MANILA, Philippines- The House of Representatives' Committee of the Whole on Wednesday approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 which seeks to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. The resolution was approved after the committee deliberations which started on March 4, 2024 and which were attended by resource persons. Like the RBH 6 filed at the Senate, RBH 7 covered Article XII (Section 11), Article XIV (paragraph 2 of Section 4), and Article XVI (paragraph 2 of Section 11). Both resolutions seek to add the words "unless otherwise provided by law" to these provisions. They also seek to add the word "basic" before the words "educational institutions" in the first sentence of paragraph 2, Section 4 of Article XIV. An approved committee report would have to be [...]
China rejects PH diplomatic protest, says actions in WPS will continue
China spurned the diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines, in connection with its recent actions in the West Philippine Sea, warning that it would continue despite Manila’s complaint arising from the latest China Coast Guard (CCG) cannon attack and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels. The Chinese embassy in Manila said it found nothing wrong when CCG blocked the path of a Philippine vessel and attacked the latter with a water cannon. The blockade led to a collision, which CCG described as just “mild” as well as the injury of four Filipino crew. China made the statement after Chinese Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong was summoned on Tuesday to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to shed light on the latest actions by the CCG in the [...]
DOH opens 1st urgent care, ambulatory service center in PH
BUCAS CENTER. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (left) leads the inauguration of the first Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) center in the Philippines in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga on Wednesday (March 6, 2024). He said the BUCAS center was inspired by the concept of the LAB For All project, headed by First Lady Atty. Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Health) MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday opened the first Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) center in the Philippines in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga. “The DOH was inspired by the concept of the LAB For All project, headed by First Lady Atty. Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos. We want to institutionalize the LAB For All concept through BUCAS [...]
China says US using Philippines as ‘pawn’ in South China Sea
This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a vessel identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as “Chinese maritime militia” during sunrise in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines said on March 5 that China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea. AFP BEIJING — China on Wednesday accused the United States of using the Philippines as a “pawn” in the South China Sea, as hostilities between the two Asian nations escalate over their territorial dispute in the region. “China urges the United States not to use the Philippines as a pawn to stir up trouble in the South China Sea. The Philippines should [...]
Government’s borrowings increased to P2.2 trillion last year
President Marcos took out slightly more loans last year to finance the government's operations and projects. Based on the Bureau of the Treasury's data, the national government's gross borrowings increased by 1.4 percent to P2.193 trillion between January and December 2023 from P2.163 trillion in the previous year. However, the actual borrowings were 0.6 percent lower than the administration's full-year target of P2.206 trillion The Treasury report indicated that the increase was mainly due to higher foreign financing despite decreased borrowings from local banks. Total domestic market financing dropped by 0.5 percent, or P9 billion, to reach P1.634 trillion in 2023, from P1.643 trillion in 2022. This is also below the P1.653 trillion target. The majority of local borrowings, making up 71.9 percent, were in the form of fixed-rate [...]
DBM injects P176 million into DOST initiatives for scholars, health research
The Department of Management (DBM) has recently approved fresh funding to bolster the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) health research and development initiative. Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the DBM has given the green light for the release of P179.9 billion to the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). This funding is earmarked to support the implementation of DOST-PCHRD’s grants-in-aid program, Pangadaman said in a statement on Sunday, March 3. Specifically, the allocated budget will be utilized for research and development, capacity building, financial assistance for researchers, organization of forums and conventions, provision of stipends for scholars, and offering financial support to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). “Investing in health research translates to investing in a healthier and more resilient future for our nation. With [...]
Gabriela ushers in Women’s Month with protest rally
THE Gabriela Women's Party kicked off the celebration of Women's Month with a protest rally against rising power rates and the proposal to amend the Constitution, especially for poor Filipino women. Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said the government continues to push for charter change amid increasing water and electricity rates. STARTING THEM YOUNG The youth sector of the Gabriela Women’s Group leads an anti-charter change protest on Mendiola in Manila, on Friday, March 1, 2024, at the start of Women’s Month. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Brosas said Filipino families are struggling to cope with increasing expenses, which would intensify if the government continued with its plan to open the economy to 100-percent foreign ownership. The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recently raised its rates by P0.5738 per [...]
First storm likely to hit PH in March, to be named ‘Aghon’
Manila, Philippines- The first storm would likely enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this March and would be named "Aghon," the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday. Weather specialist Benison Estareja said the northeast monsoon or "amihan" will bring light rains over Northern Luzon while the easterlies will affect the rest of the country. Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. advisory that amihan will affect Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora where partly cloudy to overcast skies would prevail. Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, would likely experience isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, it added.
China: PH-Australia pact destabilizes region
(UPDATE) HOURS after the Philippines and Australia signed an agreement to enhance maritime cooperation, China issued a warning against actions that undermine the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement is one of three signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Australia last Wednesday. The two others involve cyber and critical technology and effective competition policies. Malacañang said the maritime pact aims at building up civil-military cooperation and promoting international law and a rules-based order in the region. Mao Ning, deputy director of the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Information Department. AFP Photo In a statement shared by the Chinese embassy in Manila on Thursday night, Mao Ning, deputy director of the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Information Department, said the South China Sea "is generally stable. [...]
‘PH on the frontline of battle for peace’
AUSSIE ADDRESS. President Marcos addresses the Australian House of Representatives at the Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. AFP with PPO Pool Canberra—President Marcos told Australia’s parliament the Philippines was on the “frontline” of a battle for regional peace Thursday as he urged Canberra to join forces in facing the threats that disrupt peace, stability, and the rule of law. With Beijing’s warships loitering in waters off the Philippines’ coast, Mr. Marcos told Australian lawmakers he will remain firm in defending the country’s sovereignty, despite “formidable” challenges. “I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from thefirst day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by anyforeign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,” Mr. Marcos said. [...]
Marcos signs into law Tatak Pinoy Act, Expanded Centenarians Act
President Marcos has signed two landmark laws that aim to honor two key sectors of society and promote their rights and development — the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act and the Expanded Centenarians Act. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot) Marcos signed the two measures in a ceremony in Malacañan on Monday, Feb. 26. He was initially set to sign three laws, but Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Act was still "under further review." "It's my honor to sign into law two bills which do not only honor two key sectors of society but mandate measures that protect their rights and promote their development," he said in his speech. "Each of these laws encapsulates the merits that the Bagong Pilipinas upholds to [...]
Entire House Tackles Economic Cha-Cha Today
The committee will be convened to expedite discussions on the Resolution of Both Houses 7 or the House version of economic Cha-cha or Charter change, according to Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr Various groups march towards EDSA on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the people power revolution and oppose moves to amend the Constitution. Photo by Jesse Bustos, The Philippine STAR The House of Representatives will convene today, Feb. 26, the committee of the whole to deliberate on the proposed economic Charter change. The committee will be convened to expedite discussions on the Resolution of Both Houses 7 or the House version of economic Cha-cha, according to Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. “The conversion of the House into a committee [...]
Low-key series of events mark People Power
A front view of the Edsa Shrine’s calm facade, taken an hour before scheduled protests on February 25, 2024, at the historic site for the commemoration of the 38th People Power anniversary. (Photo by ZEUS LEGASPI / INQUIRER.net Manila, Philippines — While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may not have declared Feb. 25 a holiday, this did not prevent groups, including some government agencies, from commemorating the 38th anniversary of the first People Power Revolution that saw millions of people gathered for four days on Edsa, leading to the ouster of his father and namesake, and the restoration of democracy in the country. But unlike in previous years, no prominent personalities were at the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying rites held in the morning by the National Historical [...]
Ex-Pres Duterte urges against Cha-cha favoring present admin
Former President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend urged against amending the 1987 Constitution to favor the current administration, Unang Balita reported on Monday. In a prayer rally in Cebu, Duterte said the six-year term for the president is already enough. "Huwag baguhin ang Konstitusyon pabor sa kasalukuyang nakaupo at maghahangad pa ng karagdagang termino. Kumportable na tayo sa anim na taon. One term, let us stick to that," Duterte said in his native dialect. (Don't amend the Constitution to favor the president who would want an additional term. We are already comfortable with six years. One term, let us stick to that.) Duterte reportedly added that he is in favor of amending the economic provisions of the current Constitution or even changes in the term of the president as [...]
Bill to compel installation of rain collection systems
MANILA – Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday called for the approval of a bill he filed more than a year ago seeking mandatory installation of rainwater collection systems (RCS) in new residential and commercial buildings, particularly in urban or densely-populated areas. With the advent of the El Niño, the lawmaker from Mindanao is calling for the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 4837 mandating the installation of RCS, primarily to promote sufficient water supply during the extreme dry weather phenomenon and to reduce flooding in urban areas in times of La Niña. “The global extreme weather conditions apparently due to climate change prompted the idea of calling for the mandatory RCS installation in all residential, commercial and institutional buildings that would be built in the future,” [...]
Teodoro explores defense collaboration with UK, Vietnam
Manila, Philippines- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explored defense and security collaborations with the United Kingdom and Vietnam amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the South China Sea. Teodoro met separately with the UK's Trade Envoy to the Philippines, Richard Graham, and Vietnam's Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday to discuss defense and security matters Defense Spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro and Graham expressed interest in joint ventures with British investors and other forms of cooperation to support the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He said that Graham echoed the UK's desire for closer defense ties with the Philippines. "He reaffirmed the UK's commitment to collaborating with allies and partners under the Protect, Align, and [...]
FDA okays VAT exemption of 22 more vital drugs
Photo from the Facebook account of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manila, Philippines — Twenty-two more medicines for different diseases have been endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) to make them more accessible to consumers. Under FDA Advisory No. 2024-0329, signed by Director General Samuel Zacate, the regulatory body endorsed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the inclusion of 14 drugs for cancer, four drugs for hypertension, and four drugs for mental illness in the list of medicines exempt from the 12-percent VAT. The advisory was dated February 15 but was released on the FDA website only on Monday. The cancer medicines to be exempted from VAT are the following Sonidegib (as phosphate) 200 milligram (mg) [...]
World Bank: Emerging economies must grow ‘much faster’ to repay debt
The multilateral lender's latest warning comes as international bond sales from emerging market governments hit an all-time record of $47 billion in January, led by less risky emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Romania. LONDON, United Kingdom - The World Bank warned that high borrowing costs have "changed dramatically" the need for developing nations to boost sluggish economic growth. The multilateral lender's latest warning comes as international bond sales from emerging market governments hit an all-time record of $47 billion in January, led by less risky emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Romania. However, some riskier issuers have started to tap markets at higher rates. Kenya recently paid more than 10% on a new international bond - the threshold above which experts often consider borrowing unaffordable. "When it [...]
Oil rises 1% on signs of tightening supplies
FILE PHOTO: A flare burns excess natural gas in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S. November 23, 2019. Picture taken November 23, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant//File Photo NEW YORK — Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions raged on in the Middle East and traders assessed signs of near-term supply tightness. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) rose 87 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $77.91 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 69 cents, or 0.8%, to $83.03 a barrel. Oil contracts tied to near-term deliveries have been trading at their steepest premium to later-dated contracts in multiple months, a market structure known as backwardation and considered a sign of a tightly supplied market. Timespreads are showing markets tightening, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo [...]
PH, US launch P1.6-B higher education skills upgrade program
The Philippines and the US have launched a P1.6 billion program, first announced by leaders of both states in May 2023, to help Philippine higher education graduates become more globally competitive. Led by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the five-year US-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) program was rolled out on Tuesday, Feb. 20, to strengthen innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship in Philippine colleges and universities. According to the US Embassy in Manila, the program will bring together US universities, Philippine government agencies that are engaged in human capital development, and private sector partners to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions. That will be done through faculty and staff training, curriculum improvements, and increasing community outreach and technology transfer, the embassy said. [...]
DepEd resets end of school year to May, opening July
Manila, Philippines- The Department of Education moved the end of school year 2023-2024 to May 31, 2024, paving the way for the gradual return to the old school calendar. The directive under Department Order 003 series of 2024 signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte also set the date of the school break from June 1 to July 26, 2024. It was set initially on June 14 School Year 2024-2025 is set to begin on July 29, 2024 and end on May 16, 2025. Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa said the department order was their way of gradually shifting the school calendar without compromising the number of school days of learners. "You can see that our school calendar will gradually shift back to the usual April to [...]
Comelec distributes withdrawal forms for People’s Initiative
The Commission on Elections has approved the distribution of “withdrawal forms” to registered voters who wish to remove their signatures from the people’s initiative petition to change the 1987 Constitution. In a memo, the poll body said the withdrawal form was adopted during a referendum on Feb. 14. Comelec in its memo also directed its Education and Information Department to disseminate the information “while clarifying that the acceptance of withdrawal forms shall not be construed as formal action by the Commission on the signature sheets/petition for People’s Initiative.” Among the details asked for in the withdrawal form are the person’s name, address, precinct number, and reason for taking back their signature to the PI petition. Last month, the Comelec suspended all proceedings concerning the people’s initiative [...]
Marcos to PCG, BFAR: Stay put in disputed waters
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to continue its rotational deployment of ships in the West Philippine Sea in a move that "does not intend to provoke anybody" but will merely ensure that Filipino fishers are protected against China's harassment and incursions. The President's order comes as Chinese vessels moved to block access to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Saturday morning as Philippine ships conducted another Rotation and Resupply (RoRe) mission to Filipino troops stationed on board BRP Sierra Madre This photo taken on February 15, 2024 shows Filipino fishermen aboard their wooden boats queueing for free fuel beside the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Tamblot (L) as a Chinese coast guard ship (background R) monitors near the [...]
Most Filipino adults ‘not satisfied’ with how Marcos admin handles inflation, poverty — OCTA
Most Filipino adults expressed discontent with how the current administration manages inflation and reduces the existing poverty in the country. Photo courtesy of OCTA Research The OCTA Research on Saturday, Feb. 17, said the majority of adult Filipinos were "dissatisfied" with how the national government takes steps to help alleviate the lives of those in the lower sector of the economy. "A significant majority of adult Filipinos are dissatisfied with the national government’s performance in managing inflation (only 14% satisfaction) and reducing poverty in the country (only 6% satisfaction)," OCTA said. It also said "more" adult Filipinos are "dissatisfied" with the national government’s efforts in controlling the prices of basic goods or managing inflation at 75 percent; reducing poverty at 46 percent; ensuring food security or access to affordable [...]
‘China fishers used cyanide to destroy Bajo de Masinloc’
DANGEROUS MOVES. This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows an aerial view of a China Coast Guard vessel (upper) and China Coast Guard personnel on a rubber boat at Bajo de Masinloc. AFP PH accuses Chinese boats of ‘dangerous’ actions Chinese fishers have been using cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc to intentionally destroy the traditional fishing grounds of Filipinos, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources chief information officer Nazario Briguera said. Briguera said parts of the resource-rich area has been destroyed. The Philippines also accused Chinese coast guard ships of “dangerous” maneuvers after they repeatedly blocked a Filipino vessel delivering supplies to fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, on Thursday and Friday. Bajo de Masinloc has been a flashpoint between the countries [...]
PH to continue Scarborough deployment; denies ‘provocation’
MANILA – The Philippine government said Saturday it will continue its “rotational deployment” to the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) to support Filipinos fishing in the area. The statement came as it presented its initial deployment report, detailing how the operation was a “success” despite the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels’ dangerous maneuvers and shadowing activities to prevent government ships from engaging with the Filipino fisherfolk. “Sa kabila po ng mga hamon, matagumpay po ang ginawang paglalayag ng BRP Tamblot at ang mga gawain nito ay ayon po sa isinasaad ng ating batas at sumasakop na pandaigdigang batas katulad po ng UNCLOS (Despite the challenges, the deployment of the BRP Tamblot and its mission was a success and were all in line with domestic and [...]
DFA: No change in WPS policy; PH to defend sovereign rights
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday said there is no new directive to soften actions in asserting the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a media forum in Manila, the Filipino top diplomat said the Philippines has always and will maintain a policy to manage disputes diplomatically and peacefully while firmly defending its maritime rights over the area. “So, our position has not changed, it remains the same. I think that's how we will proceed in whatever future discussions we have,” he said. Manalo said the government would also sustain a policy of transparency in the WPS, noting that the country's actions have been consistently “hinged on international [...]
DepEd awaits World Bank study to determine due benefits for teachers
Department of Education spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa (PNA file photo) MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it is awaiting the result of a World Bank (WB) study to assess ideal benefits for public school teachers. “We are expecting preliminary results from the World Bank in a few weeks. They are just requesting additional data from DepEd which we are now processing,” DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message. Poa's remarks came after progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives filed House Bill 9920 on Tuesday, seeking to increase the entry-level salary of public school teachers to PHP50,000. He mentioned working with the WB to commission the study last year, even before the filing of the said proposal. Poa said [...]
Gov’t agencies, LGUs begin talks on regulating use of e-bikes
TALKS ON E-BIKES. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chair Don Artes (right), Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, and several other national and local government officials attend the discussions on having a unified regulation towards the use of e-bikes and other unregistered electronic vehicles nationwide, at the MMDA head office in Pasig City on Thursday (Feb. 15, 2024). Artes said the regulation is meant to control the proliferation of e-vehicles that have often been marketed by vendors as not requiring registration or license to operate. (Photo courtesy of MMDA) MANILA – Several national government agencies and local government units (LGU) on Thursday began discussions on regulating the use of e-bikes and other unregistered electronic vehicles (e-vehicles) nationwide. The [...]
PhilHealth vows to enhance benefit package, services
MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday committed to enhance their services and patients’ benefit package. PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. made the commitment during the hearing of the House health committee in response to the call of Speaker Martin Romualdez to expand the state-run health insurer's benefit packages for its members. “We are one we are one with Speaker Martin when he says we have to aggressively and continuously increase the case packages of PhilHealth across the board,” Ledesma said Ledesma said as part of PhilHealth's mandate, they would increase the benefit packages to make it easier for Filipinos to avail of healthcare services. He added that it would be better for the country and its healthcare system if Filipinos could enjoy significantly [...]
Coalition vs Charter change launched
A NUMBER of religious and civic organizations on Wednesday formed a coalition against attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution. The Koalisyon Laban sa Cha-cha (Coalition against Charter change) said revising the Constitution will not solve the country's problems, as claimed by its proponents. Among its founding members were Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Bishop Jonel Milan of the K4Philippines Intercessors Movement, Caritas Manila Executive Secretary Fr. Antonio Labiao, Ging Quintos-Deles of the Buhay ang EDSA Campaign Network, Minnie Anne Mata-Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Josua Mata of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, and members of Akbayan youth Religious and various group's launch ed Wednesday, February 14 at Knight's of Columbus, a coalition against a renewed push for Charter Change(Cha-Cha) which [...]
Japan, IOM launch $2.58-M project to rehab Mindanao ‘peace stations’
PEACE MISSION. International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines Chief of Mission Tristan Burnett (2nd from left) and Japanese Ambassador yoo the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko shake hands during the launch of the project “Enhancing and Sustaining Peace and Security Mechanisms in Mindanao" at the Dusit Thani, Makati City on Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2024). The Japanese government allotted USD2.58 million (PHP141.9 million) for the project that will rehabilitate four peace and security stations in Mindanao as a way to sustain the peace efforts in the region. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) MANILA – The Japanese government is funding a USD2.58 million (PHP141.9 million) project that will rehabilitate four peace and security stations in Mindanao as a way to sustain the peace efforts in the region. The [...]
NDRRMC: P738M infrastructure damage in Mindanao floods, landslides
In this handout photo from the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) taken on February 7, 2024 and received on February 8, 2024, shows responders conduct search and rescue operations in Maco, Davao de Oro. Handout / Armed Forces of the Philippines' Eastern Mindanao Command Manila, Philippines — Flooding and landslides in Mindanao caused around P738.6 million in infrastructure damage, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. According to the latest report from the NDRRMC, infrastructure damage in Caraga and Davao region was estimated at P473 million and 265.6 million, respectively. Relentless downpours triggered floods and landslides that damaged approximately 1,344 houses across Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Caraga. The NDRRMC reported that over 1.38 million people in the southern Philippines [...]
Southern seaports closely guarded vs human trafficking — BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has assured that it is watching closely the country’s southern international seaports against human trafficking. “Traffickers might think that there is less regulation in our southern ports, hence attempts to send out trafficking victims there,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said. “However, the IACAT’s (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) presence remains strong there, ensuring that victims are intercepted before departure,” he pointed out Last Jan. 22, Tansingco said immigration officers intercepted at the Zamboanga International Seaport (ZIS) three Filipinos who posed as tourists but were discovered to be human trafficking victims. Citing reports from the BI’s Immigration Border Protection and Enforcement Section (I-PROBES), Tansingco said the women were prevented from boarding a vessel bound to Sandakan, Malaysia after immigration officers found inconsistencies in their documents. The [...]
Labor groups laud move for P100 daily wage hike
LABOR groups lauded the Senate move toward a legislated nationwide P100 daily minimum wage increase as a step forward in fulfilling workers' long-standing clamor for a uniform minimum wage system throughout the country. "This Senate action renews hope among workers and their unions for a standardized wage increase across the country, paving the way for the potential establishment of a singular national minimum wage in the coming days. It highlights a pivotal concern within our present economic structure," the joint statement of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) and Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said A standardized wage structure, according to the labor groups, should be put in place as workers all over the country have the same needs regardless of their regional locations. Also, the labor groups pointed out that [...]
More than half of Filipinos ‘very happy’ with love life
LOVE BY THE NUMBERS. This graph by the Social Weather Stations shows the trends in romance among Filipinos through the decades. More than half of respondents polled by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said they were “very happy with their love life,” with the rest saying they “could be happier” or they had no love life. The noncommissioned survey conducted in December last year among 1,200 adults nationwide was released on Feb. 11 ahead of Valentine’s Day on Wednesday. SWS said the respondents were asked which of these phrases “describes your love life”—“very happy,” “could be happier” and “no love life.” “Fifty-eight percent of Filipinos were very happy with their love life, 23 percent could be happier, and 19 percent have no love life,” the polling [...]
PH commits to further efforts vs tobacco use
The Philippines has assured the international community that it will continue to undertake efforts against tobacco use in the country. Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic Guevara stated that the Philippines will continue to engage constructive dialogues, collaboration and share its experiences with fellow Parties of the Conference to overcome various challenges in realizing the goals of the Convention in terms of tobacco control. Guevara said President Marcos has underscored the importance of a tailored, multi-sectoral approach to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) implementation. Guevara, whose speech was delivered by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary for Digital Media and Communications Patricia Kayle Martin in Panama, said the Philippines welcomes the positive strides that parties have made, but also acknowledged the remaining challenges. [...]
Duterte: Secession a legal process, doesn’t mean going to war
Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday insisted that there was nothing illegal with his proposal for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines. In an interview with Atty. Salvador Panelo, Duterte said his proposal to secede doesn't mean going to war. "[My proposal] is a legal process that will be brought to the United Nations [akin to that of] Timor Leste," Duterte said. "They thought if you want to secede, it's going to be a war. No. We are going to do it the legal way," he added Told that secession was against the 1987 Constitution, Duterte said, "It is not against the Constitution. It is outside the Constitution. Mag-secede ka nga e." "It is based on the right of a free will of determination of the people," Duterte said. [...]
South Korean ‘fugitive’ arrested in Marinduque — BI
A fugitive South Korean wanted in his country for alleged telecommunications fraud and illegal drugs trafficking has been arrested in Marinduque, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, Feb. 9. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the foreigner as Sim Dongwoo, 43, who was caught last Tuesday, Feb. 6, by operatives of BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) in Buenavista, Marinduque. “We will deport Sim Dongwoo immediately so he could face trial for the crimes he allegedly committed,” Tansingco said. "Sim was already included in our blacklist and perpetually banned from re-entering the Philippines," he said. He also said that Sim was arrested pursuant to the summary deportation order issued by the BI board of commissioners over three years ago. Based on information received from the International Criminal Police Organization [...]
Sec Remulla reiterates: ICC has no jurisdiction over PH
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Friday, Feb. 9, reiterated that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute any person in the Philippines. “Our nation, as a sovereign entity, possesses the inherent right to determine our own legal framework and address internal matters without any interference from external bodies,” Remulla said. He reminded that the Philippines has already withdrawn as a part of the Rome Statute that created the ICC and the withdrawal took effect in 2019 “The country’s withdrawal from the ICC clearly showcases our unwavering commitment to upholding national sovereignty and preserving the integrity of our justice system,” he pointed out. “We have consistently demonstrated our preparedness, willingness, and capability to thoroughly investigate and prosecute crimes committed within our jurisdiction, ensuring [...]
Teodoro, German leader discuss defense requirements in WPS
Manila, Philippines - Leaders from Germany and Czech Republic on Thursday discussed with Defense Secretary c Jr. the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) defense requirements in dealing with the challenges to the country's maritime domain. Secretary Teodoro first met German Federal Parliament member Dr. Johann Wadephul at his office where the two discussed common security challenges affecting both countries, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong in a statement on Friday. Andolong said that Teodoro laid down the Philippine defense capability development priorities, highlighting area denial, maritime domain awareness, air defense, and cybersecurity in the AFP modernization program. Under the modernization program Horizon-3, the AFP intends to acquire more naval ships, attack aircraft, a submarine and other sophisticated armaments to boost defense and [...]
Safety concerns, high costs stall nuclear power progress
Safety concerns and high development costs are stumping nuclear power development in Asia, with new facilities unlikely to come online in the next decade, according to an international think tank. The Fitch Group, through its unit BMI, said in a report that nuclear power generation in the region would be limited to “a handful of markets,” particularly China, India, South Korea and Bangladesh. While nuclear power capacity in Asia is expected to grow to 185.8 gigawatts by 2033, BMI said the growth would only be driven by developments in China, which will account for 78 percent of the total projection. India will contribute 11 percent, while South Korea and Bangladesh will account for the remaining 11 percent. “The sentiment in Asia remains relatively against nuclear power reactors, reflected by [...]
PNP organizational reforms bill hurdles Senate
MANILA – The bill institutionalizing new organizational reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP) is one step closer to becoming a law after it was unanimously approved by the Senate on Monday. Voting 23 in favor, zero against and zero abstentions, the chamber passed Senate Bill (SB) 2449, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 and RA 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a former PNP chief and the sponsor of the bill, thanked his colleagues and those who have helped in crafting the measure. "After all these years, finally, the PNP organizational reforms we sought to introduce are being materialized. They are beginning to see the [...]
Popcom ‘deeply concerned’ about rise in teen pregnancies
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has raised the alarm on the considerable rise in teen pregnancies, as it called on lawmakers to pass a law that would help address the problem. Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), CPD, also known as Popcom, noted that a total of 3,135 adolescent girls younger than 15 years old gave birth in 2022—a 35.13 percent increase from the 2,320 recorded in 2021. “Although live births from adolescent girls, 14 years old and below, [are] just 0.22 percent of total live births recorded, CPD is still deeply concerned about the increase in adolescent pregnancy, especially among our very young girls,” CPD executive director Lisa Grace Bersales said in a statement on Monday. Registered live births by adolescent [...]
No rush to amend Charter – Zubiri
SENATE President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said Monday the senators would not set a deadline for amending economic provisions of the Constitution. Zubiri assured the public the Senate would carefully deliberate the amendment proposals and come out with "the best possible outcome for the people." "We must discuss this [proposed revisions] with all members of society, not just our learned luminaries here, as well as different sectors that will be affected by the most amendments of our Constitution," he said IT STARTS Senate President Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri listens to Sen. Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara during the hearing on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, on Resolution of Both Houses 6, which seeks to limit Charter amendments to economic provisions. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA The Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional [...]
DOTr allocates P14B, gets int’l financial support for PH airports modernization
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has allocated around P14 billion to rehabilitate and modernize as many regional airports, particularly those with access to major tourist spots of the country. DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the fund will come from the 2024 national budget and will be reinforced with airport development projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank. The P14 billion budget allocation covers improvements of the Catbalogan, Tacloban, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, lloilo, and 16 other airports nationwide. On the other hand, those which will be covered by the PPP are airports in Bohol, Siargao, Bacolod-Silay, Davao, and Iloilo. “Our goal is to make the Philippine archipelago more connected and [...]
PH inks 5-year rice importation deal with Vietnam
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS) Manila, Philippines – The Philippines will import up to 2 million metric tons of rice from Vietnam yearly for five years. The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and his Vietnamese counterpart signed the five-year trade memorandum of understanding (MOU) during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s trip to Vietnam. “Under the MOU, Vietnam agreed on a five-year trade commitment to supply, through its private sector, white rice to Philippine private sector, amounting to 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons per year at a competitive and affordable price,” said the PCO in a statement on Tuesday Laurel announced the prospective agreement in a Palace briefing earlier in January. The PCO said that [...]
VP Sara denies hand in Oplan Tokhang in Davao City
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday denied orchestrating "Oplan Tokhang" in Davao City during her term as mayor as accused by former Davao policeman Arturo Lascañas. In a video message, Duterte said her name is being dragged into the issue so that she will be included in the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the extrajudicial killings being linked to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. “Bago ang script na ito. Sa mga taon na nagsilbi ako bilang vice mayor at mayor ng Davao City, ni minsan ay hindi naugnay ang aking pangalan sa isyung ito,” Vice President Duterte said. “Maliban sa tiyempo, malinaw na sadyang pinilit lang na maidugtong ang pangalan ko sa isyung ito para ako maging akusado sa ICC,” she added. (This is a [...]
Rody calls for Mindanao to secede via sign campaign
Former President Rodrigo Duterte Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night called for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines through a process based on a signature campaign that would be presented to the United Nations. At a news conference in Davao City, Duterte said it was Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who first pushed for the secession. “It’s not a rebellion; it’s not sedition,” Duterte said. “There’s a process, I think, before the UN wherein you would gather signatures from all sorts of Mindanao verified under oath in the presence of so many people [to] decide that we want a separate [state],” Duterte said. “If you want to do it in Luzon and the Visayas, too, that’s up to you,” he added in Filipino. Duterte has [...]
‘ASEAN members can pursue bilateral sea Code of Conduct’
TOAST TO VIETNAM. President Marcos offers a toast to Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and First Lady Phan Thi Thanh Tam during the state banquet in his honor at the International Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday night. The Philippines signed a five-year deal with Vietnam to ensure a steady supply of affordable rice to the country as global prices of the staple continue to surge. PPA POOL President Marcos raised the possibility of pursuing a separate bilateral code of conduct in the South China Sea with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “What I was saying before about having an agreement, if we cannot finish the code of conduct with ASEAN and China, I said let us make it bilateral first with [...]
LPG prices up effective Feb. 1
Fuel firms on Thursday announced an upward adjustment in the retail prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In an advisory, Petron said it hiked its household LPG price by P0.95 per kilogram, effective 12 a.m. on February 1. The adjustment is equivalent to about a P10 increase in the price of a typical 11-kilogram LPG cylinder. “This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month of February,” Petron said. Solane, likewise, said it increased its LPG price by P0.91 per kilogram —translating to around P10 hike for an 11-kilogram LPG tank. The adjustment took effect on February 1 at 8 a.m. This is the second consecutive month of hikes in LPG prices since the beginning of the year, when a P3.40 per kilogram increase was implemented for the [...]
Farmers, fishers say ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ offers no solutions to their problems
Fishermen arrive to unload their catch for the day at a fish port in Paranaque, Metro Manila on July 12, 2023. AFP / Jam Sta. Rosa MANILA, Philippines — Peasant groups denounced Sunday the so-called “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) movement of the Marcos Jr. administration, saying this fails to address the root causes of their struggles and offers no real solutions to the country’s problems. The government will hold a rally this afternoon at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to launch the “Bagong Pilipinas” branding, which started in 2023. The Philippine Information Agency called the event a “historic gathering” that “aims to ignite hope and inspire participation in building a better Philippines through collective action.” But for Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), the administration’s rebranding will not [...]
President leads ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ kick-off rally in Manila
CALL FOR TRANSFORMATION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos lead the launching of "Bagong Pilipinas" at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday (Jan. 28, 2024) attended by more than 400,000 people. The President said "Bagong Pilipinas" is a call for the transformation of our idea of being a Filipino, of our economy, governance, and society. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday said the "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) is a new approach to governance that will benefit all Filipinos. "Bagong Pilipinas is not a political game plan that caters to a privileged few. It is a master plan for genuine development that benefits all people," Marcos said in his speech during the "Bagong Pilipinas" kick-off rally held [...]
VP Duterte attends Davao prayer rally after Bagong Pilipinas rally in Manila
Vice President Sara Duterte attends the Bagong Pilipinas rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer) Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Hakbang ng Maisug Prayer Rally on Sunday evening, hours after she briefly appeared at the “Bagong Pilipinas” kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. As seen in a Facebook Live on the official page of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president graced the Davao City event and expressed her gratitude to their supporters there. In an earlier post, the vice president said she would attend both events. “My fellow Filipinos, I will attend the Bagong Pilipinas Kickoff Rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The DepEd is also pushing for the 8-point Socioeconomic [...]
ASEAN to call out SCS tensions
ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to issue a statement expressing deep concern over the growing tension in the South China Sea, saying it threatens the safety of people, after their two-day meeting in Laos starting on Sunday. During the two days of meetings, the top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to discuss the South China Sea disputes, the Myanmar crisis, the North Korean threats, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel. While the foreign ministers will avoid mentioning the series alarming incidents between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards last year,they will express concern how the territorial face-offs were putting the safety of people in peril. The statement will likely be issued by the Laotian chair on behalf of the ASEAN ministers on [...]
SMNI suspension suppression of press freedom – Roque
FORMER palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the cease-and-desist order issued to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is an "outright suppression of the press freedom." "What they did to us is an outright suppression of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression. No doubts about it," Roque said at the "Business and Politics" program hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd. Swara Sug Media Corp., the mother company of SMNI, was first docked a 30-day preventive suspension order on Dec. 21, 2023, for alleged franchise violations. Former palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO On January 22, the NTC issued another suspension order against SMNI after receiving reports the media company was "still operating" in certain [...]
Duterte, allies lead anti-Charter change forum, prayer rally in Davao
NO TO CHA_CHA. Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio speaks at the Davao prayer rally against Charter change organized by allies and officials who served under her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on Sunday night, hours after her brother, Davao City Mayor Basti Duterte, called on President Marcos to resign. Local government officials and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday gathered to attend a leaders’ forum in Davao City ahead of a prayer rally against the signature campaign to push for Charter change. At the forum, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte expressed his frustration with President Marcos and the government, saying in closing in Cebuano: “If you don’t show love and aspiration for the country, better resign.” Duterte told supporters at the “Hakbang ng Maisug” forum he [...]
800 Filipino deportees arrive from Sabah
SECOND BATCH | About 800 Filipinos who had just arrived from Sabah await transport to a facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (Photo from the Zamboanga Peninsula Police Region Office) ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Some 800 deportees from Sabah arrived here on Thursday aboard a commercial vessel, social welfare officials said. This is the second batch of deportation this year as part of Malaysia’s continuing crackdown against illegal immigrants. Although the crackdown has been regularly done by Malaysian immigration authorities, these activities became intense following its legal dispute with the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu starting in 2019. The sultanate’s heirs secured a $14.9 billion award from a French arbitration court pertaining to Sabah, over which they lay a proprietary [...]
DOLE: No work, no pay on Chinese New Year
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday said the “no work, no pay” policy will be implemented during the Chinese New Year holidays on Feb. 9 and 10, which have been both declared as special non-working days. In Labor Advisory 01, series of 2024, the DOLE also advised employers to pay their employees the correct remuneration on those days. “On a special (non-working) day, ‘no work, no pay’ will be implemented unless the company has a policy or collective bargaining agreement that gives salary for that day,” it said in a statement posted on social media. The department explained that an employee who works on a special (non-working) day will be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily wage for the first eight hours of his [...]
PH rolls out governance brand
Bagong Pilipinas: Better govt services, big-ticket projects More than 200,000 people were expected to join today’s inaugural rally of “Bagong Pilipinas” governance brand led by President Marcos at the Quirino Grandstand, the Presidential Communications Office said on Saturday. PCO Undersecretary Gerald Baria said “big and long-term” projects will be rolled out by February, adding that “Bagong Pilipinas” is more than just a branding but a commitment to improve the lot of Filipinos “We will pursue big projects because these really benefit the people…This is like a declaration of commitment from the Philippine bureaucracy to elevate government services to reach our goal of Bagong Pilipinas,” Baria said. A coalition of businessmen, civic leaders and employers have likewise committed to support the initiative aimed at shoring up the economy. Led by [...]
Marcos to bring up maritime issues during Vietnam state visit next week
Photo from PBBM's Official FB Page President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to discuss maritime and regional issues with Vietnam during his state visit there next week, a Department of Foreign Affairs official said Friday. This developed as some 50 Chinese vessels were spotted near Ayungin Shoal ahead of the rotation and resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to BRP Sierra Madre, an American security analyst said. In a Palace briefing, DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said the President would start a discussion on various regional and international issues with Vietnamese leaders during his state visit from Jan. 29 to 30 “If it’s on the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the (Philippine and Vietnamese) Coast Guard, it’s a simple agreement on how both coast [...]
DepEd deloads teachers of administrative tasks
Manila, Philippines: The Department of Education (DepEd) removed certain administrative tasks of teachers, as part of Vice President Sara Duterte's Matatag education agenda. According to Department Order 002-2024 issued on Friday and signed by Duterte, administrative tasks, such as personnel administration, property and physical facilities custodianship, general administrative support, financial management, records management, and program management are now removed from the workload of teachers "without prejudice to the teacher ancillary tasks as defined by other DepEd issuances, "Accordingly, School Heads and non-teaching personnel shall have the sole responsibility to perform the administrative tasks [that were enumerated]," the order read. "School division offices may cluster deployed non-teaching personnel in accordance with the deployment parameters of the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development or hire contract of service or job [...]
Hefty oil price hike next week: P2.10/l for gas
Consumers can expect pump prices to go up again next week, with gasoline expected to rise by as much as P2.10 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world market for oil. Industry sources said that based on the four-day trading of the Mean of Platts Singapore, the pricing benchmark used by oil importers, domestic pump prices will increase by P1.95 to P2.10 per liter for gasoline, P0.65 to P0.85 per liter for diesel and P0.20 to P0.30 per liter for kerosene starting Jan. 30, 2024 Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero confirmed the impending oil price hike and attributed it to several international oil market developments. Romero said the reduction in the US crude stockpile, the issuance of a [...]
Imee Marcos convinced Romualdez’ office behind people’s initiative
Metro Manila, Philippines– Senator Imee Marcos believes the office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez is behind the funding and timeline planning of the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. Asked by reporters in a Friday press conference if she was convinced Romualdez was behind the signature campaign, she said: “Definitely, yung opisina niya yung nag-alok ng ₱20 million kada distrito, definitely nanggaling sa kanila yung very attenuated timeline na July 9 tapos na ang lahat.” [Translation: His office is the one that provided ₱20 million for each district, it also came up with the timeline which sought to conclude the initiative by July 9. “So definitely, that derived from his office with very clear numbers identifying the staff members and attorneys involved,” she added. Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa [...]
VP Duterte declares she’ll run again for office ‘in the next elections’
Vice President Sara Duterte —Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has declared she will run for office again “in the next elections.” Duterte revealed her political plan during a flag-raising ceremony in Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City on Monday. “Narinig ko na sinabi ng aking kapatid, si Mayor Baste (Sebastian Duterte), at ng aking mas matandang kapatid, si Congressman Pulong (Paolo Duterte), na hindi sila tatakbo. Baka hindi sila tatakbo sa susunod na eleksyon, kaya’t narito ako sa inyong harap dahil mangangampanya ako sa inyo dahil tatakbo ako sa susunod na eleksyon,” Duterte said in a speech in Bisaya. (I heard that my sibling, Mayor Baste, and my elder sibling, Congressman Pulong, mentioned that they won’t run. Maybe they won’t run in the [...]
Bill for ‘self-reliant’ PH defense posture gets final House nod
(MANILA BULLETIN/ Mark Balmores) The proposed Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program--one of four remaining bills on the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) list--has been overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. Embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 9713, the measure was passed during plenary session Tuesday, Jan. 23, or just the second session day of the year. The measure, which aims to boost the country’s national defense industry, garnered 194 affirmative votes during nominal voting. Only three House members voted in the negative, while there were zero abstentions. The three remaining LEDAC measures out of the list of 57 are the bill proposing amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which is under technical working group finalization; and Budget Modernization Bill [...]
Palace creates new offices for intel agency
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of a new office under the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) that will cover counterintelligence, cyber intelligence, and countering weapons of mass destruction in a bid to “adapt to the evolving threats to national security.” “There is a need to reorganize the NICA to ensure a more vigorous intelligence collection, intensify internal and external coordination, and prepare intelligence and security assessments and estimates using data analytics to ensure national security and promote the national interest,” Mr. Marcos said in Executive Order (EO) No. 54 The EO establishes an Office of the Deputy Director General (ODGG) for Cyber and Emerging Threats under NICA. “Cyber threats—that is really an emerging problem. We need to coordinate with our foreign and domestic counterparts for this,” [...]
LTO chief eyeing registration of all electronic bikes due to accidents
Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it is considering the mandatory registration of all kinds of electronic bikes or e-bikes. LTO chief Vigor Mendoza, quoted by Unang Balita, said this was due to the high number of accidents involving e-bikes “If the vehicle is running less than 25 kilometers per hour, you don’t have to register it with the LTO, although we’d like to deviate from that thinking,” Mendoza said. From January to November last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 556 accidents related to e-bikes in the National Capital Region (NCR). At present, e-bike drivers are not required to have a license. Mendoza said the LTO is coming up with a proposal that e-bikes should be registered regardless [...]
Senate releases manifesto vs ‘sinister’ people’s initiative
Metro Manila, Philippines— All of the country’s senators issued a manifesto on Tuesday rejecting the push for Charter change via people’s initiative as they warned of a no-election scenario and amendments that are seen to “erode the nation as we know it.” The manifesto signed by all 24 lawmakers at the upper chamber said senators respect and recognize the people’s right to demand changes in the 1987 Constitution, but warned against "any sinister and underhanded attempt to change the Constitution by exploiting our democratic process under the guise of a people's initiative. “This so-called ‘people's’ initiative (PI) proposes only one change: in acting as a constituent assembly, the Senate and the House shall vote jointly. While it seems simple, the goal is apparent -- to make it easier [...]
Marcos: ICC a threat to PH sovereignty
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the national government will "not lift a finger" to assist the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the tribunal a threat to sovereignty. "Let me say this for the 100th time, I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines. I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty, therefore, the Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation the ICC conducts," Marcos told reporters on Tuesday. "However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines pero hindi kami tutulong sa kanila [but we will not help them]. In fact, binabantayan namin sila [we're keeping an eye on them]," the president said when asked if the ICC agents were already in the country. [...]
DepEd to push for enhancing youth engagement, fostering peace in IDE 2024
For this year’s celebration of the International Day of Education (IDE), the Department of Education (DepEd) will highlight the urgent need to improve the engagement of Filipino youth in education. (DepEd file photo) Observed annually on Jan. 24, the IDE aims to underscore the important role of education in peace and development. In a Facebook post, DepEd announced that its External Partnerships Service-International Cooperation Office (EPS-ICO) will spearhead the celebration of IDE 2024 through a forum. With the theme “Education in the Transformative Times: Making Early Grade Learning Contribute to Lasting Peace,” DepEd said the “IDE 2024 Forum is a call for action to bring individuals, civil society, and policymakers to take solid steps towards ensuring that primary and secondary education is given to children, as well as improving [...]
PBBM expands aid plan for street dwellers
DSWD seeks to double beneficiaries to 5,000 this year President Marcos ordered the expansion of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s “Pag-abot” Program to ensure the effective delivery of services to disadvantaged and vulnerable street dwellers. “The Pag-abot Program is hereby institutionalized as a platform for an enhanced and unified delivery of services to vulnerable and disadvantaged children, individuals, and families in street situations, through provision of social safety nets and protection against risks brought about by poverty,” Mr. Marcos said in Executive Order No. 52 According to data released by DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay, the Pag-abot program was able to take 1,722 people out of the streets of Metro Manila from June to December 2023 out of 2,695 profiled individuals. Punay told Manila Standard the agency is [...]
Holy Mass kicks off Sinulog Festival
Cebu City: A Holy Mass kicked off the 2024 Sinulog Grand Parade Celebration held at the South Road Properties. The Sinulog Festival is an annual cultural and religious event celebrated on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City that serves as the focal point of the Philippines' observance of the feast of Santo Niño or the Child Jesus The Santo Niño de Cebu is the oldest Christian artifact in the Philippines, given to Rajah Humabon (baptized as Carlos) and his wife and principal consort, Hara Humamay (baptized as Juana), by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 in recognition of their Christian baptism. Photo by Moises Cruz The much awaited 17 contingents will participate in the grand parade this afternoon. For the Sinulog-based category these are: 1. Abellana [...]
Another oil price hike seen next week
Metro Manila, Philippines — Another increase in pump prices is expected next week, according to a forecast by Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. on Saturday. Unioil said gasoline may cost 90 centavos to ₱1.10 per liter more, while diesel may go up by 70 to 90 centavos per liter. The price adjustments are expected from Jan. 23 to 29, it addedThe Department of Energy's Jan. 16 data showed that the price movements have resulted in a year-to-date increase of 30 centavos per liter for gasoline, 60 centavos per liter for diesel, and a decrease of 40 centavos per liter for kerosene.
Metro Manila Traffic Ranked Worst In The World – 2023 Study
Metro Manila traffic is the worst in the world for a metropolitan area, according to a 2023 study. Photo: Philippine News Agency This study is by TomTom Traffic, a povider of detailed traffic information. It revealed that in 2023, the average travel time in Metro Manila was 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers, marking an additional 50 seconds from the 2022 recorded data of 24 minutes and 50 seconds. With a congestion level of 52 percent and an average speed of only 19 kph during rush hours, commuters in Metro Manila lose an average of 117 hours per year due to traffic. Following Metro Manila’s traffic congestion are Lima (Peru) with an average travel time of 24 minutes and 20 seconds per 10 km, and [...]
Jinggoy Estrada cleared of plunder, guilty of bribery
Metro Manila, Philippines — While the Sandiganbayan acquitted Senator Jinggoy Estrada of plunder in the multimillion-peso scandal involving discretionary funds for pet projects of lawmakers, the court found him guilty of direct and indirect bribery The anti-graft court handed down its verdict on Friday, almost a decade after the case was filed in June 2014. During an ambush interview after hearing the court's decision, Estrada said he was "elated" as he was exonerated from the major case slapped against him. "I'm not guilty of anything. I did not steal any money," Estrada told reporters. Two state witnesses, including an employee of businesswoman and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, implicated Estrada in the controversy. Napoles herself is serving time over the scam. The senator was accused of [...]
China, Philippines seek better communication, management of conflicts in South China Sea
National flags are placed outside a room where Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and China's Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng address reporters after their meeting in Beijing, China, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab BEIJING/MANILA- China and the Philippines agreed to improve maritime communication and to properly manage conflicts and differences through friendly talks in regards to issues around the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said in a statement. China Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong and Philippines Foreign Ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro held a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the situation while co-chairing the eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai, according to statements released by the Chinese and Philippine foreign ministries. In [...]
Manibela: We will not abandon drivers of unconsolidated PUVs
A jeepney driver gestures as he takes part in a protest against the jeepney modernisation plan in Manila on January 16, 2024. Philippine jeepney drivers staged a noisy protest in the capital Manila on January 16 over the government's plan to phase out the smoke-belching vehicles nationwide and replace them with modern mini-buses. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) Manibela on Wednesday vowed to storm the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRAB) should the agencies apprehend operators and drivers of unconsolidated franchises that continue to operate after the Jan. 31 consolidation deadline. Manibela president Mar Valbuena said: “We really do not know what will happen on Feb. 1. It is beyond our control if they still ply the streets [...]
Rice may hit P60/kilo, group says; DA pushes P1.3t for harvest tools
Prices of regular-milled rice could reach P60 per kilo, the watchdog group Bantay Bigas warned Wednesday as it urged the government to monitor the prices of the staple. Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said prices of regular-milled rice in large markets in the National Capital Region now range from P54-P55 per kilo “In other markets, P60 is already their cheapest (for well-milled). The premium varieties range from P65 to P68. But the P54 is already a heavy burden on the pockets of our kababayan,” she said in a radio interview. “Prices can increase even more given that we are facing an El Niño phenomenon,” Estavillo added. She appealed to the government to ensure that the price of regular-milled rice does not hit P60 per kilo. For his part, [...]
400 cities, municipalities received signed people’s initiative forms for Cha-cha – Comelec
Metro Manila, Philippines— Some 400 cities and towns nationwide have already received as of Wednesday signed forms seeking amendments to the 1987 Constitution under a people's initiative, the Commision on Elections (Comelec) said. “Actually po hindi lang po sa Mandaue…Ngayong araw na ito, apat na daan na siyudad at munisipyo sa buong bansa ang nakatanggap na ng mga signature forms at signature pages,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon. [Translation: Actually po, not just in Mandaue…As of this day, 400 cities and municipalities in the country have already received the signature forms and signature pages. He said the Comelec is currently trying to classify the submitted forms according to district. “Dahil premature po at this point eh, [kung 'yan] ay kabilang sa isang distrito o ilang [...]
P450 billion unprogrammed funds challenged before SC
In a 27-page petition for certiorari and prohibition, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and co-petitioners Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman argued that increasing the original amount of unprogrammed funds is prohibited under Section 25.1, Article 6 of the Constitution. Philstar.com / EC Toledo Manila, Philippines — Minority lawmakers are asking the Supreme Court to nullify the P449.5 billion in unprogrammed allocation in the national budget, saying the amount was way above the P289.1 billion originally proposed, making it unconstitutional. In a 27-page petition for certiorari and prohibition, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and co-petitioners Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman argued that increasing the original amount of unprogrammed funds is prohibited under Section 25.1, Article 6 of [...]
Canada issues travel advisory for PH over crime, terrorism, civil unrest
The Canadian government is advising its citizens who will travel to the Philippines to exercise a high degree of caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping in some areas. In its advisory dated January 10, the Canadian government told its citizens to “avoid all travel” in the following areas in the Philippines Basilan Sulu Tawi-Tawi Lanao del Sur Maguindanao Bukidnon Camiguin Lanao del Norte Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Cotabato Sarangani South Cotabato Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Sultan Kudarat With the “avoid all travel’ category, Canadians should not travel to these areas as their personal safety and security are at great risk. Citizens who are already in the area were advised to leave. Meanwhile, Canadians are also advised to “avoid non-essential travel” to the [...]
DepEd, SM Supermalls mull partnership on K-12 students’ immersion
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte met with officials of SM Supermalls to discuss the possibility of the retail chain giant offering an immersion program and employment for graduates of the country’s K to 12 program Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (center) tackles the possible partnership of the Department of Education (DepEd) and SM Supermalls on the immersion of K to 12 students. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook) In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Vice President shared photos of her recent meeting with SM Supermalls executives, headed by Hannah Sy, at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong City and expressed gratitude for the company’s plan to support K-12 graduates. “Napag-usapan din namin ang posibling partnership ng Department [...]
Taiwan’s multiple-entry visas now open for OFWs
Taiwan has allowed multiple visa entry for foreign workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based there According to a report by the Migrant Workers Office in Kaohsiung, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said that more than 150,000 OFWs could apply for these visas. MECO said that the multiple-entry individual visa allows the holder to travel to a country more than once and as often as preferred throughout the validity of the visa.MECO reminded OFWs who will leave Taiwan for vacation to inform their manpower agencies at least three weeks before their scheduled departure so that their resident certificate could be processed and be given the multiple-entry visa. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
LAWMAKERS TO HIGH COURT: ‘Void P449.5B excess funds’
SEVERAL members of the House of Representatives minority bloc filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the P449.5-billion unprogrammed funds in the 2024 budget. In a petition for certiorari and prohibition filed on Monday, Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay 1st District), Rep. Mujiv Hataman (Basilan Lone District), and Rep. Gabriel Bordado (Camarines Sur 3rd District) said the unprogrammed funds allocated by Congress constitute a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of congressional jurisdiction They claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. only proposed a ceiling of P281.908 billion for unprogrammed appropriations in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and that the constitution prohibits Congress from exceeding the ceiling of the appropriations proposed by the President. "[Th]e unprogrammed appropriations are used as a sanctuary for [...]
China tells Marcos: Don’t ‘play with fire’ over Taiwan issue
Metro Manila, Philippines — China warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to “play with fire” after his congratulatory remarks to Taiwan's President-elect and pro-sovereignty leader Lai Ching-te. “We would like to make it clear to the Philippines that it should refrain from playing with fire on the Taiwan question,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press conference Tuesday. The Chinese official also urged the Philippines to “stop the wrong words and deeds” regarding Taiwan-related issues as it may send the wrong signal to the separatists forces of Taiwan For Mao Ning, Marcos’ move violated Philippines’ political commitments to China and interfered into China’s internal affairs. Earlier that day, the spokesperson also said they have summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz on Tuesday for an explanation [...]
UN special rep for freedom set to visit country
FOR FREEDOM. A group of media practitioners, artists, and press freedom and freedom of expression advocates hold placards during a press conference. The group shares issues on attacks on freedom of expression and opinion in the country in time for the official visit of Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Manny Palmero United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan is set to make an official visit to the Philippines from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights website, Khan will examine, in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue, the situation of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the country The UNSR [...]
2025 budget eyed at ₱6.2 trillion – DBM chief
Metro Manila, Philippines– Next year’s National Expenditure Program (NEP) is being eyed at around ₱6.2 trillion, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. This is an increase of about ₱432 billion compared to the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) worth ₱5.768 trillion. “We’ll review the numbers again but as of now it’s ₱6.2 trillion,” Pangandaman said, referring to the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC). It is composed of the DBM, the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Office of the President, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Asked about the 2025 NEP priorities, Pangandaman said that it would be similar to the 2024 budget with a focus on health, education, and the administration’s infrastructure initiative dubbed Build Better More. She [...]
DepEd issues guidelines for Catch Up Fridays
Teachers watch their students walk along a corridor after a short break at the start of classes at a school in Quezon City, suburban Manila on August 22, 2022 as millions of children in the Philippines returned to school as the academic year started on August 22, with many taking their seats in classrooms for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. AFP / Ted Aljibe Manila, Philippines — The Department of Education has released the guidelines for the implementation of its “Catch Up Fridays” learning intervention program, which will be officially rolled out in public schools nationwide starting January 12. DepEd Memorandum 001 s. 2024 states that the “Catch Up Fridays” program will dedicate half of every Friday to reading and the other half to values, [...]
Imee Marcos reveals timeline for alleged plan to push for cha-cha via people’s initiative
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos revealed receiving a detailed timeline about the alleged plan to push to amend the 1987 Constitution, which even included the specific date when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will prepare for a plebiscite. Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Friday, Marcos said she initially received an unknown text before Christmas Day detailing a timeline for “Project PI.” “It was fairly detailed, Project PI ang tawag. Timeline, major activities 15 December to 3 January prepare petition, print proposition, signature sheets. Detalyado sya hanggang darating sa February, pag dumating sa February 12 hanggang sa 10 March verify signatures, 11 March and so on,” she said. [Translation: It was fairly detailed, it's called Project PI. Timeline, major activities on 15 December to 3 January [...]
Castro’s grave threats complaint vs. Duterte junked
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has junked ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro’s grave threats complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte for lack of sufficient evidence. Castro accused Duterte of threatening to kill her based on statements he made during two airings of his show “Gikan sa Masa” broadcast on the controversial Sonshine Media Network International. Duterte denied Castro’s accusations and was a no-show in both preliminary investigations over the case. He said his statements did not demonstrate actus reus, the actual utterance of threat, and mens rea, or intent to be taken seriously. He also said the lawmaker’s complaint was made for propaganda purposes by staunch critics of his administration. In a resolution obtained by CNN Philippines, prosecutors wrote: “This Office finds the evidence insufficient to indict [...]
Transformation of DND, AFP will go on—Teodoro
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Friday said transformation of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be sustain throughout 2024. Teodoro issued the statement as he led the traditional joint New Year’s Call of the DND) and the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo, marking the start of the working year In his message, Teodoro said that transforming the whole defense department, with its civilian bureaus and the AFP, will carry on in the new year. “We thank the whole defense family for the cooperation that they have shown last year in the midst of our attempts to transform our organization into a new defense organization with new skills, [...]
PH, Indonesia discussed South China Sea developments — Marcos
Photo by Anna Felicia Bajo/GMA Integrated News President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo met on Wednesday and discussed a range of regional issues, including developments in the South China Sea and closer cooperation among member states of the Southeast Asian bloc. In a joint press statement in Malacañang after the two leaders' bilateral meeting, Marcos said they had a fruitful and honest discussion about events in the South China Sea, saying that they both stood by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. ''President Widodo and I had a fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interest such as the developments in South China Sea and ASEAN cooperation and initiative,'' Marcos said. ''And speaking of ASEAN, as founding members [...]
Traslacion draws 6 million devotees after 3-year hiatus
Metro Manila, Philippines— The number of devotees participating in the Feast of the Black Nazarene reached more than six million, as the tradition returned after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The image of the Black Nazarene left the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park around 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday and reached the Quiapo Church after nearly 15 hours at 7:44 p.m., making it the shortest Traslacion or grand procession recorded in the recent years. The previous record was in 2016 when the procession took around 16 hours due to an early start and shorter route. But the procession in 2012 remains the longest in history after the image of the Black Nazarene took 22 hours to arrive at the church. Based on the accumulative count from midnight [...]
PH growth seen slowing this year
PHILIPPINE growth will likely slow this year but remain one of the highest among the Asean-6 economies that include Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, DBS Bank Ltd. said. In a January outlook for the six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries, the Singaporean multinational forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.3 percent for 2024, short of the government's target of 6.5-7.5 percent and moderating from the expected 5.8 percent for last year Full-year GDP results will be released at the end of this month. As of end-October, growth remained below target at 5.5 percent. "[T]he Philippines will stand out with slower 2024 expansion, dampened by the lagged impact of high interest rates, following the most aggressive monetary tightening cycle in the region," DBS said. GDP [...]
US, Chinese military officers resume talks as agreed by Biden and Xi
In this photo proved by the Defense Department, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia Michael Chase hosts delegates from China for the annual U.S.-PRC Defense Policy Coordination Talks at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. U.S. and Chinese military officers have resumed talks that were frozen after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. It’s a development U.S. officials have said is key to keeping the growing competition between the two great powers from turning into direct conflict. (Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Navy via A.P.) WASHINGTON — U.S. and Chinese military officers have resumed talks frozen after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in the summer of 2022, a development U.S. officials have said is key [...]
Meralco hikes power rate in January
Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) should expect higher electricity bills this month after the power distributor hiked its household power rate amid higher generation costs. In an advisory, Meralco said it adjusted its rate by 8.46 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for January, bringing the overall overall rate for a typical household to P11.3430 per kWh from P11.2584 per kWh in December. The upward adjustment could translate to an increment of P17 in this month’s bill of a residential customer consuming 200 kWh. Meralco attributed the rate increase to higher generation charge, which inched up by 11.36 centavos to P6.6468 per kWh from P6.5332 per kWh last month, “owing to higher cost of power from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).” In particular, WESM [...]
Rep. Duterte junks PI for Cha-cha
DAVAO CITY – Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte here has disagreed with the People’s Initiative for constitutional amendments. In a statement on Tuesday night, January 9, Duterte said that someone informed him that PBA party-list Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles is spearheading the PI in this city. “This so-called People’s Initiative for Charter change (Cha-cha) is nothing but pure PI,” Duterte said There has been a resurgence in the push for Cha-cha in the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to modify the Constitution’s perceived “restrictive” economic provisions. Cha-cha includes political and legal procedures for modifying clauses in the 1987 Constitution. Article 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that amendments cannot occur within five years of its ratification nor more frequently than once every five years after that. The Constitution [...]
BIR waives annual registration fee for business taxpayers
This photo shows a picture of people lining up at the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Manila to file their income tax returns. The STAR / File photo Manila, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced on Tuesday that it has scrapped its annual registration fee (ARF) paid by business taxpayers. According to an advisory signed by BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui on January 8, business taxpayers are no longer required to pay the P500 ARF starting January 22. The BIR said the change complies with the Republic Act No. 11976 or the "Ease of Paying Taxes Act,” signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 5. The Ease of Paying Taxes Act has simplified the tax payment process, enabling taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically [...]
PH, Indonesia tackle South China Sea, Myanmar, Gaza in ministerial meet
(Photo from DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo's Twitter account) Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines and Indonesia agreed to strengthen cooperation to address common challenges and global concerns at the 7th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Manila on Tuesday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi spearheaded the JCBC ahead of the arrival of Indonesian President Joko Widodo for his three-day official visit to Manila. The last JCBC meeting between Philippine and Indonesian foreign ministers was held in 2014 In a post-meeting statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the JCBC serves as the primary dialogue mechanism between the Philippines and Indonesia to review accomplishments on mutual collaboration initiatives. Participants in the JCBC discussed the progress of the Philippine-Indonesia Plan [...]
Philippines, US conduct 2nd joint maritime patrol in West Philippine Sea
This photo shows a sailing U.S. Pacific Fleet. US Navy Manila, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Wednesday their second maritime cooperative activity with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in the West Philippine Sea. According to an official statement from the AFP, this joint operation will involve a range of strategic exercises. They will conduct passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, Officer of the Watch maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations in conjunction with USINDOPACOM. "The 2nd maritime cooperative activity marks a significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States. It also demonstrates our progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-class armed force, as we carry out our mandate to protect the people and the state," AFP [...]
Pimentel to petition SC to nix P450b in unprogrammed funds
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said he would file a petition before the Supreme Court this week to challenge as unconstitutional the additional P450 billion in unprogrammed funds in the 2024 national budget. “The target is this week, but of course, it depends on the lawyers’ readiness,” Pimentel said about the timing of his petition. He also said he has been talking to a member of the House of Representatives who wants to join him in filing a case Earlier, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said he agreed with Pimentel on the “fatal defects” brought about by the unprogrammed funds, but the senator said it wasn’t Lagman he was talking to. Pimentel said the budget ran afoul of the Constitution on [...]
PH debt hit ₱14.5T in November 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines - The country’s debt has skyrocketed to ₱14.51 trillion as of November 2023, which is 0.19% higher than the ₱14.35 trillion logged in October 2023. In a statement, the Bureau of the Treasury said the rise was “primarily due to the net issuance of domestic securities. Of the total borrowings, 30.91% were sourced externally while 69.09% were from local sources. The country’s domestic debt stood at ₱10.02 trillion, which is 1.3% higher than the October figure of ₱9.79 trillion “due to the net issuance of government securities.” Meanwhile, the November foreign debt dipped to ₱4.48 trillion, or 2.06% lower than October’s ₱4.56 trillion, because of net repayment of foreign loans and favorable foreign exchange movements. Year-on-year, the country’s total debt ballooned by ₱864.56 billion.
China, US announce military patrols in disputed South China Sea
This aerial photo shows part of the Subi Reef and Chinese vessels identified by the Philippines as "maritime militia" near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea on December 1, 2023. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) Beijing and Washington both announced military deployments in the South China Sea on Wednesday, following heightened tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waterway. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it had “organised naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols” in the sea from January 3 to 4. The United States meanwhile announced that a carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson was conducting two days of drills with the Philippine Navy “The US Navy regularly conducts exercises like [...]
Phivolcs: No tsunami threat to Philippines from Japan quake
No tsunami threat to the Philippines has been detected following a massive earthquakethat hit central Japan and its western coast on Monday afternoon, Phivolcs said. In an advisory, the monitoring agency said that the 7.4 quake struck at 3:10 p.m. Philippines time (4:10 p.m. Japan time) near Honshu's west coast. According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the quake triggered waves of around 1 meter along parts of the Sea of Japan coast with a larger wave expected. The Japan Meteorological Agency, which measured a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama. Russia also issued tsunami warnings in its far eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka. — BM, GMA News
Major Japan quake prompts tsunami warning, residents told to run
TOKYO: A powerful 7.5 earthquake hit central Japan on Monday, the USGS said, prompting tsunami warnings and authorities to urge people in the area to move to higher ground. "All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground," national broadcaster NHK said after the quake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 p.m. (0710 GMT) Hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 kilometers (190 miles) of the quake's epicenter along the Japan coast, the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. A tsunami of 1.2 meters was confirmed to have arrived in Wajima city in Ishikawa prefecture. But a much higher tsunami of five meters was expected to arrive in Noto in the same region, the Japan Meterological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA said the Noto region, on the [...]
China warns PH against building permanent structure on Ayungin Shoal
Metro Manila, Philippines — Beijing has warned it will not sit idly by should Manila push through with its plan to build a permanent civilian structure on Ayungin Shoal, a disputed feature in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) which has seen heightened tensions between both sides this year. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told the press on Friday that such a “major move” by the Philippines would “severely infringe” on China’s sovereignty and would prompt the latter to take resolute measures. “Ren’ai Jiao is an uninhabited shoal,” Mao said, referring to the name China uses for Ayungin. “According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN countries, parties should keep Ren’ai Jiao uninhabited and facility-free. The official was citing [...]
Manalo, Blinken discuss stronger PH-US ties, tension in SCS
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken talked on the phone on Thursday and discussed strengthening cooperation between the Philippines and the US in the New Year 2024. The call came in the wake of a series of statements by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claiming that the Philippines committed provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea "Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty," the readout read. "Secretary Blinken and Secretary Manalo also exchanged ideas on how to reinforce U.S.-Philippines cooperation in the coming year, building on President Marcos’s official working visit to Washington, D.C., this past May," it added. "Secretary Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ abiding interest to protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, [...]
Go cites importance of Regional Speciality Center Law to close gaps in health services
Senator Christopher Go Senator Christopher Go said the newly-signed Republic Act No. 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Law will bridge the gaps in Philippine healthcare services. Go, in a statement, emphasized the need for the law, stating, “As the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the measure together with no less than Senate President Migz Zubiri, I have long recognized the need to bring specialized medical services to more poor and indigent Filipino patients, most of them living outside Metro Manila where most, if not all, of our national specialty centers are found. Go is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the law which was recently signed by [...]
Quiapo Church bares Black Nazarene route on Traslacion 2024
The Quiapo Church on Thursday bared the route for the 2024 Black Nazarene Traslacion procession on January 9. For the year’s celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the church will use the same route for the grand procession in 2020. The 400-year-old image will take the following route: From Quirino Grandstand Right to Katigbak Drive (left side) Right to Padre Burgos St. through Finance Road Straight to Ayala Bridge Left to Palanca St. Right to Quezon Boulevard Right to Arlegui Street Right to Fraternal Street Right to Vergara Street Left to Duque de Alba Street Left to Castillejos Street Left to Farnecio Street Right to Arlegui Street Left to Nepomuceno Street Left to Conception Aguila Street Right to Carcer Street Right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen [...]
BIR slaps 1% withholding tax on online merchants
In its latest revenue regulation, the BIR is imposing a withholding tax on gross remittances made by electronic marketplace operators and digital financial service providers to sellers or merchants for goods and services sold or paid through the former’s platform and facility. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has officially imposed a one percent withholding tax on online platform providers as part of government efforts to tap digital transactions for economic growth. In its latest revenue regulation, the BIR is imposing a withholding tax on gross remittances made by electronic marketplace operators and digital financial service providers to sellers or merchants for goods and services sold or paid through the former’s platform and facility. In April this year, the BIR had [...]
Poll: Pro-admin sentiment drops to 46% in Q3
There has been a “noteworthy shift” in pro-administration sentiment among Filipinos, which has declined from 50 percent in the third quarter of 2022 to 46 percent in the same period in 2023, the Pahayag End of Year survey showed. PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., which conducted the non-commissioned survey and released the results Thursday, also said anti-administration sentiment remained “stable” at 18%, while those adopting a neutral stance increased from 30% to 36% during the same period Economic concerns, including price inflation, joblessness, low wages, and a perceived lack of productivity, emerge as driving factors behind the changing political landscape, the survey said. These issues, left unaddressed by the administration, have prompted a notable migration of pro-administration voters toward neutrality, PUBLiCUS Asia said. In regional breakdowns, the National Capital Region (NCR) [...]
LTFRB sets conditions allowing unconsolidated PUV operators to ply roads until end-January 2024
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued new guidelines regarding the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program with only three days left for the consolidation deadline. Under Memorandum Circular no. 2023-052, "unconsolidated individual operators in routes with less than 60% consolidated NAU (number of authorized units) shall be allowed to operate until 31 January 2024." The LTFRB Board will issue a list of routes with less than 60% consolidated NAU, the order read. PUV operators in routes with no consolidated transport entities will also be allowed to ply roads until the end of January 2024. The LTFRB said its board and Regional Franchising Regulatory Offices will issue show cause orders during the period to the unconsolidated individual operators in compliance [...]
DOTr Gets 4 Proposals For P170.6-B NAIA Rehab
The winning bidder for the project will be given a concession period of 15 years, extendable by 10 years, to operate and maintain Ninoy Aquino International Airport and expand its passenger capacity to 62 million yearly, from 32 million at present The Philippine STAR file photo shows the façade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has received four proposals for the P170.6-billion privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Bidders Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC), Asian Airport Consortium, GMR Airports Consortium and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) SAP & Co. Consortium are affiliated with some of the most prominent conglomerates in the country. MIAC is composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global’s Infracorp Development Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development [...]
500,000 MT rice arriving from India, Taiwan
Workers store sacks of local premium rice at a rice mill warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan on September 8, 2023. STAR / Michael Varcas Manila, Philippines — Nearly 500,000 metric tons of rice from Taiwan and India will arrive beginning this month until February 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday. This is in preparation for the possible impact of the El Niño phenomenon on palay production. “We received reports that around 100,000 tons of imported rice have already arrived in the country. This is part of the 495,000 MT committed by import permit holders to (Agriculture) Secretary (Francisco) Tiu Laurel,” DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro said in a statement yesterday Meanwhile, a total of 20,000 bags – equivalent to 1,000 MT – delivered before Christmas Day constituted the [...]
DILG urges strict enforcement of fireworks ban
People watch fireworks illuminate the sky at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila on December 22, 2023. AFP / Jam Sta. Rosa Manila, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on cities and municipalities to strictly enforce their respective ordinances prohibiting the use of harmful fireworks to ensure safe New Year festivities. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos issued the call Wednesday as the number of fireworks-related injuries reached 75 just days before New Year's Eve. According to the DILG, at least 1,210 local government units (LGUs) have ordinances in place banning the use of harmful firecrackers "Make sure that these ordinances are enforced. Let's put teeth into these ordinances against dangerous fireworks," Abalos said in Filipino. "These policies are meaningless if we do not [...]
Ex-president top Senate bet in 2025
FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte is the top choice for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, a survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. showed. The polling firm said its Pahayag End of Year voting disposition survey showed that the former president got the "vote" of 48 percent of the respondents and an "impressive" trust rating of 59 percent Following closely is Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who secured a 44 percent voting predisposition and a parallel 44 percent trust rating. Dr. Willie Ong, the former vice presidential candidate and cardiologist, secured a substantial 43 percent voting predisposition and a commendable 50 percent trust rating. "Notably, Erwin Tulfo experienced a drop in support in Mindanao, sliding from 50 percent to 44 percent," the polling firm [...]
Holiday hopes drop, but 92% see much better 2024 — Pulse Asia
Manila, Philippines — While the number of Filipinos who expect their holiday celebrations in 2023 to be more prosperous than last year declined, an overwhelming majority remain confident that life in 2024 will be much better, according to a recent survey from Pulse Asia. Reports released by Pulse Asia on Friday showed that only 30 percent of respondents believe they would be having better celebrations in 2023 compared to 2022 — down from the 43 percent registered in November 2022. This accounts for a 13-point drop. Belief in better celebrations for 2023 decreased the most in Visayas, from 66 percent in 2022 to 42 percent in 2023 (-24 points), followed by Mindanao (from 46 percent to 31 percent), National Capital Region (NCR) (from 32 percent to 18 percent), [...]
No merry Christmas: Hefty oil price hike seen next week
Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau assistant director Rodela Romero said results of four-day trading showed potential increases of over P1 per liter for diesel, gasoline and kerosene next week. Philstar.com / Irra Lising,file Manila, Philippines — Hefty price increases at the pumps await motorists for the final week of 2023. Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau assistant director Rodela Romero said results of four-day trading showed potential increases of over P1 per liter for diesel, gasoline and kerosene next week. Specifically, prices of gasoline and diesel are both expected to rise by P1.40 to P1.60 per liter, while that of kerosene could go up by P1.60 to P1.80 per liter Romero said these come as oil prices surge amid growing avoidance of [...]
PH, U.S. in discussion for possible F-16 fighter jets procurement
Metro Manila, Philippines – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez has revealed that there are 'open discussions' on Manila’s possible procurement of F-16 fighter jets from Washington. The diplomat said that should the deal push through, it would be a big boost to the country's air defense capabilities. Security officials earlier said the Philippines is trying to build up defense capability, play catch up by modernizing its armed forces, and establish robust presence in the country's exclusive economic zone particularly in the West Philippine Sea where there is simmering maritime row with China. "Yung F-16 matagal na nating gusto yan ang ating Air Force hinihintay na nila," said Romualdez in an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday.. [Translation: Our Air Force has been wanting the F-16 fighter [...]
Vice President Sara reiterates stand vs ‘traitors’ CPP-NPA-NDF
Vice President Sara Duterte Inday Sara Duterte / Facebook page Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has again spoken strongly against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed component New People’s Army (NPA) as well as its political wing the National Democratic Front (NDF) following the death of a soldier in Batangas. In a video message posted on her official Facebook account Thursday night, Duterte described the CPP, NPA and NDF as “traitor,” “deceiving,” and “violent” enemies who wreak havoc in communities. “We wholeheartedly recognize and honor the bravery, heroism and service of Sgt. Jernell Ramillano,” Duterte said in Filipino [...]
Govt’s Charter change plans questioned
Manila, Philippines -The Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines questioned government plans to amend the 1987 Constitution, saying this would cost the people "time and money." "This will take away resources that could otherwise be used to address rising commodity prices, the education crisis, and new environmental and health threats," the LP said in a statement on Tuesday. "It can also be asked: Is the Constitution to blame on why investors are not approaching us?" they added. "When we open foreign ownership of businesses, are our infrastructures, manpower, and institutions ready for those changes?" They also ask if it is really just the economic provisions that needed to be amended in the Constitution and said the "cha-cha" should not be used to increase the country's bureaucracy. "When the amendment [...]
Online scams top list of 2023 cybercrimes
In a statement, PLDT president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said the telco company supports the passage of House Bill (HB) 7393 and Senate Bill (SB) 2039 seeking to imprison and penalize money mules. BW / File Manila, Philippines — More than half of cybercrimes documented this year were online scams, data from the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) showed. Based on the data, 19,884 cybercrimes were recorded from Jan. 1 to Dec. 7 this year, of which 11,071 cases or 55.67 percent represented online scams. A far second is illegal access in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Law, which has 3,181 cases or 15.99 percent There were 1,536 computer-related identity theft cases, which comprised 7.72 percent of the total cybercrimes documented. Online libel is at 6.74 [...]
Economy, inflation are Pinoys’ top concerns — survey
Metro Manila, Philippines — Economic concerns are still the biggest worry of Filipinos, according to an end-of-year survey by Publicus Asia Inc. The independent and non-commissioned "PAHAYAG" survey conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 showed economy and inflation are the top concerns on the macroscale for the majority 15% of respondents. Earlier this month, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the inflation rate continued its slowdown, dropping to 4.1% in November from 4.9% the month before. This brings the average inflation from January to November to 6.2%, still outside the government's target range of 2% to 4%. Publicus Asia said corruption and poverty are the next top concerns for Filipinos at 12% and 9%, respectively. "Notably, Corruption is least concerning to those with No Formal Education at 5%, while [...]
Marcos: ‘Paradigm shift’ needed in diplomatic efforts with China on WPS row
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines needs a "paradigm shift" in how it deals with China's aggressions in the West Philippine Sea as current diplomatic efforts with Beijing are going "in a poor direction. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos told Japanese media over the weekend that China's continued disregard of the Philippines' "traditional" diplomatic methods calls for a new approach. "Well, to this point, we have resorted to the traditional methods of diplomacy where, should there be an incident, we send note verbal. Our embassy will send a démarche to the Foreign Affairs (Ministry) office in Beijing, but we have been doing this for many years now, with very little progress," Marcos said. "We have to do [...]
OVP gets ISO-recertification; two satellite offices also certified
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Monday, Dec. 18, announced that it has received recertification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification 9001:2015, proving that its management system is at par with international standards. (Office of the Vice President/Facebook) In a Facebook post, the OVP said that the office underwent audit sessions last Dec. 6 for the ISO 9001:2015 recertification. Aside from the OVP recertification for the next three years, the OVP Satellite Offices in Davao and Panay and Negros Islands also got certified for the first time. “Ang ISO certification ay iginagawad sa mga organisasyong nagpapamalas ng kakayahan sa pagbibigay serbisyo na may magandang kalidad at sumusunod sa mga batas at regulasyon ng pamahalaan (The ISO certification is given to organizations that showed [...]
Proposed PH-Japan military access deal seen to help maintain peace in West PH Sea — Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines -President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan will help keep the peace in the West Philippine Sea as China continues to escalate tensions in the disputed waters. During his bilateral meeting with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the chief executive said the RAA will boost maritime cooperation between the two countries, and facilitate the procedures and set guidelines when Philippine forces visit Japan for training and joint exercises, and vice versa. "That is something that I believe is very, very significant and that it will bring to us greater capacity to maintain the peace in [the South China Sea],” Marcos said in his preliminary remarks during his talk with Kishida on the sidelines of the 50th Commemorative [...]
‘Kabayan’ makes landfall over Concepcion, Davao Oriental
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Kabayan (international name: Jelawat) made landfall over Concepcion, Davao Oriental at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 18. PAGASA said in its 8 a.m. bulletin that Kabayan is expected to traverse the rough terrain of Mindanao and emerge over the Sulu Sea between Monday afternoon and evening. Kabayan will then travel south of the Cagayancillo Islands across the Sulu Sea By Tuesday morning or afternoon, Dec. 19, the tropical storm is expected to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression. It will then re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea. Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, Kabayan may pass close to or over the Kalayaan Islands. As of 8 a.m., tropical cyclone wind [...]
PH trade deficit widened in October as exports fell sharply
Manila, Philippines -The Philippines posted a bigger trade deficit in October compared with a year ago on the back of a sharp contraction in exports while imports recorded a milder decline. The trade gap widened by 26 percent to $4.17 billion in October from $3.3 billion in the same month last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday. The latest reading was also larger than the $3.58 billion trade gap in September. A trade deficit happens when the country’s import bill is larger than its export sales. Exports plummeted 17.5 percent year-on-year to $6.36 billion during the month, with electronic products registering the steepest decline. The decline in imports was slower at 4.4 percent to $10.54 billion in October. According to the PSA, total external trade declined by [...]
DepEd to distribute P18,000 pay starting Tuesday
FILE PHOTO: Teacher Ann Mariel Foronda guides a kindergarten pupil in writing his name at Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City during the resumption of full in-person classes for public schools on November 2, 2022. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA Manila, Philippines – Qualified employees of the Department of Education (DepEd), including around 900,000 public school teachers, will each receive a special recognition incentive (SRI) of P18,000 starting Tuesday. In a memorandum dated Dec. 15, DepEd said schools division offices would begin processing the additional benefit on Monday, with distribution to follow the next day. The incentive to be given out in cash is in compliance with the Office of the President’s Administrative Order No. 12 which authorizes the “release of a one-time SRI at a uniform rate [...]
LPA may enter PAR within 24 hours — PAGASA
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday, Dec. 16, said the Low Pressure Area (LPA) being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) may enter the country within 24 hours In PAGASA's 4 a.m. live broadcast, weather specialist Obet Badrina said the LPA was seen 1,225 kilometers east of Southeastern Mindanao. Badrina added that PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility for the LPA to develop into a tropical cyclone. "Whether or not the LPA may develop into a tropical cyclone, starting tomorrow, it may still bring rains particularly in the eastern portion of Visayas and Mindanao," said Badrina. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or "amihan" may still bring isolated light rains in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley where partly cloudy to [...]
12 days of transport strikes set; PISTON, Manibela to join forces
TRANSPORT JUSTICE. Representatives of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, PISTON, Sanlakas, Oriang, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Move as One, and the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino stand to dramatize their demands to scrap the PUV Modernization Program in a press conference Friday in Quezon City. Manny Palmero Transport groups PISTON and Manibela on Friday announced they would give the public “12 days of strikes” for Christmas, with plans to launch another transport holiday from Dec. 18 to 29 to protest the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) The announcement comes on the second day of a two-day transport strike by PISTON, and with traffic in Metro Manila and nearby areas expected to worsen amid the Christmas holiday rush. “Today is just the start [...]
DepEd starts hauling math, science items from logistics firm
“Sometime in the first week of December 2023, the DepEd was in receipt of a letter from Transpac suddenly informing DepEd that it may now haul the goods stored in its warehouses,” the statement read. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The Department of Education’s regional and division offices have started hauling the learning resources from its previous logistics provider, Transpac Cargo Logistics, “for distribution to public schools nationwide,” DepEd said in a statement issued yesterday. “Sometime in the first week of December 2023, the DepEd was in receipt of a letter from Transpac suddenly informing DepEd that it may now haul the goods stored in its warehouses,” the statement read. “Therefore, our regional and division offices have immediately started hauling the goods. The DepEd aims to completely haul [...]
DOTr to study rehabilitating traditional jeeps instead of buying new units
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday said it gave a commitment to its stakeholders to study rehabilitating traditional jeepneys instead of requiring them to buy new units as part of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said this was one of the concerns raised by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) during the group’s dialogue with government officials on Thursday amid its two-day strike. “There were additional things that need to be further studied such as for example whether traditional jeepneys can be rehabilitated for purposes of complying with the standard step under the PUV modernization program and we of course gave our assurance that those additional concerns… [...]
ADB approves $2.1-B loan financing for Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project
The Philippine government’s P175-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is now closer to fruition after the project has secured loan financing from Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB). As early as July, the project implementer Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is eyeing to secure funding from the ADB to bankroll the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge. In a statement on Tuesday, the ADB said it approved financing of up to $2.1 billion for the construction of the 32.15-kilometer bridge that would connect the provinces of Bataan and Cavite across Manila Bay. The lender said the bridge project will be bankrolled through a multi-tranche financing facility, the first tranche of which will amount to $650 million. The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project is one of the Marcos administration’s flagship infrastructure [...]
Badoy, Celiz walk free from House detention
Metro Manila , Philippines — SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz will be celebrating Christmas and New Year with their families after a House panel agreed to release them from detention. Citing humanitarian grounds, the House Legislative Franchises Committee unanimously voted during a closed-door hearing on Tuesday to release the two hosts from Batasang Pambansa They were freed Tuesday night after undergoing a medical exam. Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, the committee chairman, clarified that the development has nothing to do with the writ of habeas corpus petitions filed by the spouses of the two hosts before the Supreme Court. "Sila po ay papalayain for humanitarian reasons dahil Kapaskuhan. May sulat naman tayo galing kay Ka Eric na sila ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa kanilang ginawa," Tambunting said. [...]
DepEd launches framework meant to equalize public, private schools
THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday launched a framework designed to decongest public schools and equalize the level of teaching between the public and private schools. Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said public schools can learn from private schools, adding that students’ good performance is attributable to the high level of support the teachers gave them. “One of the most important reasons why we did not regress during the pandemic is because of our teachers. That’s a very important factor,” he said The structure, dubbed Public-Private Education Complementarity Framework, was rolled out during the 2023 Private Education National Conference which sought to promote coherence in the development of a mixed education system in the country. Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte said every [...]
NSC: New national WPS strategy months in the making given various agencies involved
Metro Manila, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) said on Tuesday it took months before it was able to finalize with other agencies involved the new strategy that the country will implement in protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “It’s the entire government bureaucracy who’s involved… It took some time and given that we have regular ROREs (rotation and resupply), there’s always something that crops up so we make adjustments to the national strategy. Now that things have become very clear we are now preparing to make this presentation,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told CNN Philippines’ The Source During a briefing on Monday, Malaya said the government made a new national game plan on the WPS to reflect “some [...]
OCTA survey: Filipinos ‘most satisfied’ with gov’t response to quality education, infrastructure
(Arnold Quizol / Manila Bulletin) Majority of Filipinos are satisfied with the national government’s performance in providing quality education and infrastructure, based on the OCTA Research survey conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. The results of the 3rd Quarter 2023 Tugon ng Masa survey, released on Monday, Dec. 11, showed that Filipinos are satisfied with the government’s provision of quality primary and secondary education (72 percent) and quality tertiary and technical or vocational education (71 percent). Most Filipinos also approved of the government’s construction of public infrastructure (71 percent) The government also received majority ratings for protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (69 percent) and providing quality and affordable healthcare (69 percent), as well as responding to natural disasters (68 percent) and defending Philippine territory (64 percent). [...]
Transport groups to hold another strike
TRANSPORT groups led by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) will hold another nationwide strike this week to protest the government's December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation. In a press briefing on Monday, Piston announced that the strike will be from December 14-15. It said transport organizations based in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog will join the strike. The group said it would extend the strike if the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) does not change some of the provisions of Department of Transportation (DoTr) Order 2017-011 and lift the deadline for consolidation. The group said the mandatory franchise consolidation would lead to a phaseout of traditional jeepneys which will automatically take away the livelihood of drivers and operators. Drivers and operators [...]
Only Philippines has legitimate right over West Philippine Sea – Marcos
A video of the recent incident in Second Thomas Shoal is shown during a press conference about the recent Chinese aggression and harassment in Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, in Manila on December 11, 2023. The Philippines said it had summoned China's envoy on December 11 and flagged the possibility of expelling him following the most tense confrontations between the countries' vessels in years at flashpoint reefs in the disputed South China Sea. AFP / Earvin Perias DFA summons Chinese envoy MANILA, Philippines — Only Filipinos have the “legitimate right” to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos has asserted, stressing that the country would remain steadfast in the defense of its sovereignty amid China’s continued “dangerous actions against our [...]
‘Pinoys dissatisfied with gov’t efforts vs. inflation’
THERE was general dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of inflation and controlling prices of basic goods, a recent independent opinion survey showed. According to the non-commissioned study by the OCTA Research conducted on September 30 to October 4 this year, only 14 percent were satisfied with how the national government controlled inflation and reined in prices of consumer goods. Curiously however, 29 percent said they were contented with the government’s efforts to fight poverty, while 34 percent gave the thumbs up approval on hunger reduction. On non-economic issues, bigger number of the people indicated that the government was doing alright. Forty-three percent believed that the national government was on the right track in the fight against graft and corruption, 46 percent favored efforts to reduce [...]
‘He has done nothing’: Zubiri wants Chinese envoy sent home after multiple water cannon incidents
Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Sunday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to send China’s ambassador home, saying he has "done nothing" amid incidents where Chinese ships repeatedly fired water cannons at Philippine vessels. "I urge President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to send the current Chinese Ambassador home. He has done nothing to address the continued attacks of his government on our troops and on our people," Zubiri said in a statement. This comes after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Sunday morning that a commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG) On Saturday, Chinese ships repeatedly fired water cannons at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic [...]
AFP brass at Ayungin Shoal: ‘West Philippine Sea, atin ‘to!’
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last November told Chinese officials to uphold international law, and follow the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding areas of the South China Sea.—RF, GMA Integrated News Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday reiterated ownership of the West Philippine Sea, on board the BRP Sierra Madre which was ran aground along the Ayungin Shoal. “West Philippine Sea, atin ‘to (this is ours)!” exclaimed AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Western Command commander, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, and the military detachment stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) as seen on videos on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday This comes after the top officials personally witnessed China [...]
Price of regular-milled rice may hit P60/K—Bantay Bigas
Prices of regular-milled rice may reach up to P60 per kilogram amid rising prices in the international market, rice price watchdog Bantay Bigas said. Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said prices of regular-milled rice in some markets in Metro Manila now ranged from P52 to P54 per kilogram Even in rice-producing Aurora province, Estavillo said rice sells for P52 per kilogram. “That is the sad reality. And Christmas is just around the corner,” she said in a radio interview. “It is really scary. It might really hit P60 per kilo since the only solution of the government now is to import,” she added. Agriculture group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura chairman Rosendo So said rice prices in other countries are also rising, which may affect local rice [...]
Sara thanks Pinoys for trust in DepEd
Vice President Sara Duterte thanked Filipinos for their continued support for the Department of Education (DepEd). She expressed her gratitude after an OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey showed the department as the most trusted and top-performing government agency in the third quarter of 2023. Vice President Sara Duterte poses with students and Education officials during the culmination of the observance of National Children’s Month on Nov. 27,2023. "Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa mamamayang Pilipino para sa patuloy na tiwala at suportang ibinibigay ninyo sa DepEd (I give my heartfelt thanks to the Filipino public for their continued trust in and support for the DepEd)," the VP said. She said the result of the poll was an honor for the department and credited the achievement to [...]
PH, China vessels collide off Ayungin
WATER CANNONED, TOWED. This handout photo taken and released on Dec. 10 by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the M/L Kalayaan being towed after a Chinese coast guard ship unleashed its water cannon onto the vessel (inset), during a mission to deliver provisions at Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP Water cannons fired at supply ships anew A Philippine boat and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided near a hotly contested reef on Sunday, with both countries trading blame for the latest confrontation in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese ships also used water cannons on two supply boats and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel during a resupply mission to a tiny garrison on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the Spratly Islands, [...]
LPA, tropical cyclones may enter PAR in Dec
Manila, Philippines- A low pressure area (LPA) and six other weather systems are likely to affect the country, along with one or two tropical cyclones that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the month, the state-run weather agency said on Friday. This northeast monsoon, locally known as "amihan," is bringing overcast skies with light rains only in areas in Batanes and Babuyan Islands, according to weather specialist Robert Badrina of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) PHOTO FROM DOST PAGASA The easterlies, meanwhile, are affecting Metro Manila and the rest of the country where isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may prevail, especially in the afternoon or at night. "We could expect another generally-fair weather. In fact, based on reports from our various [...]
Go files bill for MedTech practice upgrade
In a bid to align the Philippine medical technology sector with global standards, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go filed on Tuesday a bill aimed at enhancing the existing framework governing the practice of medical technology in the country. Senate Bill (SB) 2503, also known as the "Philippine Medical Technology Act of 2023," seeks to update several decades-old laws, specifically Republic Act 5527 and 6138 and Presidential Decrees 498 and 1534. Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said that the current laws, dating back over half a century, might need to be updated to reflect the advancements and requirements of modern medical technology. "The landscape in medical technology education and profession has significantly evolved," said Go, emphasizing the need for a legal framework that keeps pace with [...]
Pag-IBIG: ‘Long overdue’ contribution hike to be implemented in January 2024
The Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund is all set to implement the deferred increase in members’ contribution starting January 2024. To recall, Pag-IBIG postponed the premium hike to next year in consideration of the “continuing effects of the pandemic to both the business community and our members. ”In a chance interview, Pag-IBIG CEO Marilene Acosta said, “Tuloy na (it’s a go).” “We are just waiting for PBBM’s (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.)… not his approval because the Board approved it already. We just informed PBBM,” Acosta said, noting that Pag-IBIG Fund sent a memorandum to the President in the last week of November. The Pag-IBIG Fund chief said so far there has been no opposition from Malacañang concerning the planned members’ contribution hike. “I think it’s good to go. [...]
Civilian group heads to Palawan for ‘Christmas convoy’ to WPS
Metro Manila, Philippines — More than 40 volunteers departed Manila for Palawan Friday morning for their planned three-day Christmas convoy to the disputed West Philippine Sea. Civilian group Atin Ito said the first batch of volunteers includes youth and student leaders, and fisherfolk representatives. "Loaded with essential donations and supplies, the group set sail for El Nido, Palawan, aboard a 150-capacity civilian marine vessel," it said in a statement Based on the photos forwarded to the media on Friday, a sculpture of a saint was seen as one of the things being carried on the ship. In El Nido, the group will be joined by 100 fishers, with 40 boats participating in the civilian convoy. The convoy, which aims to deliver Christmas gifts and supplies to Filipino troops assigned [...]
Spirit of Christmas: DepEd leads nationwide tree-planting initiative
As a "Christmas gift" to all Filipino children and future generations, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, Dec. 6, led the simultaneous conduct of a nationwide tree-planting activity. (Photo courtesy of DepEd) Dubbed “236,000 Trees – A Christmas Gift for the Children,” the project was participated in by public schools and field offices nationwide. DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley T. Poa, National Capital Region (NCR) Director Jocelyn Andaya, and Pasig Representative Roman Romulo led the main program conducted in Pasig Central Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of DepEd) Officials, teachers, and learners of DepEd likewise joined the program in their respective areas. DepEd said the said project was participated by approximately 47,678 public schools. As stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 69, series of 2023, Vice President [...]
PH Coast Guard eyes fleet base in Subic
Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is working toward the establishment of a fleet base in Subic, Zambales. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said they were currently identifying possible locations of port facilities that can accommodate bigger ships. "On the issue of a port facility for these bigger ships, we are working toward the establishment of our fleet base in Subic," Gavan said in an interview.. "And we are also looking at other areas" within Manila Bay, Gavan said. The PCG announced this as the country continues to face Chinese incursions into its territorial waters in the West Philippines Sea. Aside from a new Coast Guard fleet base, Gavan said they were also beefing up their personnel, with 4,000 recruited this year and another 4,000 expected next [...]
South Korea starts building ship for Philippine Navy
Keel laying for the Philippine Navy Corvette No. 1. dfa.gov.ph Manila, Philippines — South Korea is ready to partner with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its modernization, and a shipyard in that country has started building the Philippine Navy’s first Corvette. Philippine Navy chief Toribio Adaci Jr. visited the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan City for the keel-laying ceremony of Navy Corvette No. 1 and the steel cutting for Navy Corvette No. 2, the Philippine embassy in Seoul reported yesterday. The ceremony formally marks the beginning of the shipbuilding process In Manila, South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said his government is trying to take on a stronger role and responsibility in upholding and enhancing a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. [...]
ADB approves $450 million loan for Philippines healthcare program
This August 2007 file photo shows the facade of Asian Development Bank in Pasig City. (Eugene Alvin Villar/Wikimedia Commons) MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $450 million loan for the Philippines to fund its universal healthcare program, the multilateral lender said in a statement on Wednesday. The loan will help “the Philippines strengthen health policy reforms and further improve Filipinos’ access to medicines and health services”, the ADB said. — Reporting by Mikhail Flores
Imee Marcos agrees with VP Duterte’s stand on amnesty, peace talks
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos agreed with Vice President Sara Duterte urging the government to reconsider granting amnesty and reviving peace talks with communist groups. "Yes. That's the short answer," Marcos told reporters on Wednesday. "I'll give a statement when I'm ready," she added. Duterte, who's also vice chairperson of the government's anti-communist task force, made it clear on Monday that she does not agree with the new peace efforts with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Before her statement, there had been speculations about a rumored crack with her UniTeam alliance led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., after the House of Representatives stripped her of ₱650 million in confidential funds under the proposed 2024 national budget. But for the president's sister, the two top [...]
DOH confirms 4 cases of ‘walking pneumonia’
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed there are four cases of "walking pneumonia" in the country. "As of November 25, 2023, there are a total of four confirmed cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among reported Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases. These cases have been reported in the previous morbidity weeks 3, 30, 37, and 38, with one case each," the DOH said at a briefing. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children. It is treated by antibiotics, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The DOH added walking pneumonia is not a new pathogen and has been previously detected among other cases "This is not a notifiable disease globally. The DOH can scan but we [...]
PISA: Philippines 5 to 6 years behind
A father and his children wearing face masks walk on a pedestrian overpass to school during the opening of classes at a school in Quezon City, suburban Manila on August 22, 2022 as millions of children in the Philippines returned to school as the academic year started on August 22, with many taking their seats in classrooms for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. AFP / Ted Aljibe Manila, Philippines — The dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicates that students in the country are five to six years behind in learning competencies, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) “If we follow the computation (of PISA) with caveats, based on the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation [...]
ISIS claims deadly blast at Catholic mass in southern Philippines
ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion that ripped through a Catholic mass service at a university gym in the southern Philippines on Sunday. At least four people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the blast at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, according to authorities. In a communique, ISIS said its fighters “detonated an explosive device on a large gathering of Christian disbelievers in Marawi City,” according to the SITE Intelligence Group, a counterterrorism threat intelligence organization that tracks the online activity of extremist groups. Photos of the scene showed soldiers and emergency workers standing among debris in the gym. A section of the seating area was blown up, chairs strewn across the floor. Lanao del Sur province Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., told [...]
DOTr eyes MRT-3 fare hike in 2024
Metro Manila, Philippines— Commuters taking the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) may pay more by the end of the second quarter next year, nine years after the last fare hike, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday. The end-to-end fare of ₱28 from North Avenue to Taft Avenue stations may be adjusted to ₱34 and the minimum fare of ₱13 will increase to ₱16 if regulators approve the petition, Jorjette Aquino, DOTr MRT-3 officer-in-charge and assistant secretary for railways, said in a public briefing. Aquino said the train operator has yet to refile a notarized petition after the regulators disapproved the fare hike request, while approving the LRT Manila Light Rail Transit System fare adjustment in July. "Ang aming nire-request ay additional ₱2.29 boarding fare, at 21 centavos [...]
VP Sara tells Marcos peace talk with NDFP is ‘an agreement with the devil’
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Sara Duterte Manila, Philippines — In a rare move, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly disagreed with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., calling moves to make peace with National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) “an agreement with the devil.” She also criticized Marcos’ efforts to grant pardons to captured rebel groups through several proclamations. “Mr. President, the government’s statement with the NDFP in Oslo was an agreement with the devil,” said Duterte during the 5th Anniversary of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). Duterte argued past experiences indicated NDFP has no sincerity when it comes to peace and that the rebels will only betray government and the public. “Mr. [...]
House OKs bill on legal aid to OFWs
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill expanding the scope of legal aid extended to overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). A total of 246 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill (HB) 9035, a measure expanding the use of the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) and the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund to be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), respectively. “Our overseas Filipinos are our modern-day heroes. Their immeasurable contributions to our country, their families, and communities merit the utmost protection from the government. This measure aims to do just that: protect them at all stages of the legal proceedings, from investigation to trial proper and [...]
DepEd most trusted govt agency – OCTA
The Department of Education is the most trusted and best-performing government agency, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed. In its Third Quarter Tugon ng Masa survey held from September 30 to October 4, DepEd got a 79 percent trust rating, followed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at 75 percent, the Department of Health (DoH) at 74 percent, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 73 percent The DepEd got its highest trust rating in the Visayas and Mindanao — 88 percent — while its lowest is in Balanced Luzon at 70 percent. It also had the highest trust rating among socio-economic class D and E at 80 percent and 78 percent, respectively, while the lowest was [...]
Philippines’ budget deficit at $622 million in October
A worker counts dollars at a money changer (Reuters) MANILA — The Philippine government posted a 34.4 billion pesos ($621.95 million) budget deficit in October, the Bureau of the Treasury said on Wednesday. The deficit was narrower than the previous month’s 250.9 billion pesos gap and brought the year-to-date budget deficit to 1.018 trillion pesos Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty
Marcos signs ‘Caregiver Welfare Act’ into law
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 11965 or the Caregiver Welfare Act to protect the rights and welfare of the sector, the Presidential Communications Office announced on Friday. According to the law signed by Marcos on Nov. 23, the working hours of caregivers in the Philippines will be based on their employment contract. It also mandates overtime pay for work beyond eight hours daily. Caregivers who have rendered at least one month of service are also entitled to 13th month pay. They will be entitled to benefits such as Social Security System contributions, PhilHealth, and Pag-Ibig. It also gives caregivers the option to terminate their employment contract any time before expiration if they suffer physical, verbal, emotional abuse or inhumane treatment at the [...]
UN chief to COP28: Break ‘deadly cycle’ of global warming
UNITED NATIONS: The head of the United Nations on Monday urged world leaders to take decisive action to tackle ever-worsening climate change when they gather at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates starting this week. "We are trapped in a deadly cycle," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "The solutions are well known. Leaders must act to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, protect people from climate chaos, and end the fossil fuel age." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers remarks during a Security Council open debate on the maintenance of international peace and security at the UN headquarters in New York City on Nov. 20, 2023. AFP PHOTO Guterres spoke ahead of the summit, where 70,000 people are [...]
BI warns vs jobs in Myanmar
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reiterated its warning to Filipino workers against accepting high-paying job offers in Myanmar and other neighboring Asian countries. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the warning on Monday after four more Filipinos returned from Myanmar where they fell victim to illegal recruitment The victims, whose names were withheld for their protection, arrived in Manila from Yangon via a Thai Airways flight on November 21. "The best way to avoid these sad experiences is for you to go through the legal process that migrant workers should follow in applying for overseas jobs," Tansingco said. He said the experience of the repatriates should serve as a warning to other Filipinos that they should not be lured by promises of high-paying jobs from strangers and foreigners who will [...]
PH to import 21,000 MT of onions in December – DA
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is importing 21,000 metric tons of onions that are scheduled for delivery in December, the head of the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry said on Monday. DA-BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban told reporters that the imports of the bulbs should boost supply, easing the pressure on prices in the run-up to the Christmas holidays. "Medyo tumataas na siya, siguro P10, P20. But dahil kino-complement natin dahil halos paubos na stocks natin o baka hindi pa nailalabas, we are complementing it with the importation na sapat for the month," Panganiban said. [Translation: It's getting a little higher, maybe P10, P20. But because our stocks are almost down or maybe they haven't been released yet, we are complementing it with the importation that [...]
Public schools to plant 236,000 trees nationwide
In a Nov. 17 memorandum, Duterte said that 47,678 public schools would be in asynchronous mode for the tree-planting activity, in which one school would plant at least five trees. Inday Sara Duterte / Facebook page Manila, Philippines — Public schools in the Philippines will plant 236,000 trees on Dec. 6 as part of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Christmas project, according to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. In a Nov. 17 memorandum, Duterte said that 47,678 public schools would be in asynchronous mode for the tree-planting activity, in which one school would plant at least five trees. Duterte said the trees should be planted within school grounds but if space is scarce, schools may find alternatives in local parks, marine protected areas or any [...]
Gov’t gives go-ahead to Christmas convoy to WPS
Philippine Navy warships BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS15) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), along with the USS Gabriel Gifford (LCS 10) conduct tactical maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines) Manila, Philippines — A civilian group that earlier failed to get the government’s approval to bring Christmas presents and provisions to soldiers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) can now finally proceed with its plan. But it was not clear whether the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea has also allowed the Atin Ito coalition to stop over at BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded vessel that serves as a military outpost at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. According to the group, the task force has “agreed” to its [...]
VP Sara respects but disagrees with Marcos on possible return to ICC
Metro Manila, Philippines— Vice President Sara Duterte said she respects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to consider proposals for the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC). “We should respect the position of the president being the chief architect of foreign policy so ‘yun dapat ang position nating lahat [that should be the position of all of us],” Duterte, who also serves as Education chief, told reporters on Monday at the sidelines of a National Children’s Month event. Meanwhile, the vice president maintained her stance against cooperating with the ICC in its probe into alleged abuses that occurred throughout her father's anti-illegal drugs campaign. “Pero [but] we will continue to reach out to the Department of Justice regarding our position on this matter,” Duterte said. Last week, the [...]
‘Is House using the ICC to silence the Dutertes?’: Bato dela Rosa says people are asking
Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB Photo) Is the House of Representatives using the International Criminal Court (ICC) to silence Vice President Sara Duterte and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte? Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said this is what people are asking after the Lower House presented a resolution urging President Marcos to work with the ICC in the investigation into the alleged brutal war on drugs launched by the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Dela Rosa, who was the chief implementer of the Duterte’s campaign against illegal drug said he believes some members in the House “are being encouraged to file” probably to “silence the Dutertes” noting that it took them one and a half years before they decided to do so. “The timing [...]
Duterte: DepEd To Prioritize Last Mile Schools
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the DepEd has allotted a separate budget for last mile schools in the provinces, apart from the budget for construction of classrooms in regular schools. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivers a speech during her visit to Dororian National High School, a last mile school in Gigmoto, Catanduanes, on Nov. 23, 2023. OVP photo The Department of Education will prioritize the hiring of additional teachers and the construction of more classrooms in last mile schools or LMS, Vice President and concurrent DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said. LMS are schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Duterte said the DepEd has allotted a separate budget for LMS in the provinces, apart from the budget for construction of classrooms in [...]
Sara distributes gift packs in Pangasinan
BINALONAN, Pangasinan: Vice President Sara Duterte urged residents in this eastern Pangasinan town on Saturday, November 25, to rally behind the government to achieve peace and progress in the communities SMILE : Vice President Sara Duterte gamely takes a group selfie with residents of Binalonan, Pangasinan, where she distributed gift packs on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. PHOTO BY GABRIEL CARDINOZA "I urge everyone to support the government, the newly elected barangay officials, our local government here in Binalonan and Pangasinan province," said Duterte, who was here for a gift-giving activity. Some 1,500 residents from the different villages here received gift packs. Speaking in Filipino, Duterte said that the unity of the people leads to a peaceful and orderly community. "And what we want is a peaceful life, where we [...]
Philippines, Australia kick off joint air, sea patrols
JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE. The third day of the joint naval exercise called Samasama ’23 between the Philippines and the United States involved training on multiple shipboard operations including communications check and maritime domain exercise prior to the conduct of a visit, board, search and seizure drill by a combined boarding force from Philippine Navy’s BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902) and the U.S. Navy. The BRP Antonio Luna FF151 - PF and USS Dewey (DDG 105) performed Replenishment at Sea Approaches with supply ship. USNS Wally Schirra The Philippines and Australia started joint air and sea patrols as they seek to deepen their defense cooperation to counter China’s assertiveness in the region. The “maritime cooperative activity” came days after the United States held a similar exercise with the [...]
SWS: More Filipinos feel quality of life declining
A man pushes a trolley along a market in Manila on May 11, 2023. AFP / Jam Sta. Rosa Manila, Philippines — The number of Filipinos who reported a decline in their quality of life over the past year has increased in the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations. Results of the September 28 to October 1 survey showed that 30% of 1,200 adults said that their quality of life had worsened, compared to 22% in the previous poll conducted in June and July. Twenty-eight percent of respondents saw an improvement in their quality of life, while 41% said it remained the same, from 33% and 45%, respectively, in the previous survey. The latest survey resulted in a “net gainer” score of -2, classified by the [...]
Over 1 million affected by rain due to shear line, LPA — NDRRMC
This handout photo taken on November 21, 2023 and received from the Philippine Coast Guard on November 22 shows coast guard personnel evacuating a sick resident from a flooded home due to heavy rains at a village in Catarman town, Northern Samar, central Philippines. Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP Manila, Philippines — More than one million individuals were affected by the low pressure area and the shear line that triggered floods and landslides, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. A total of 254,160 families from Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga were affected by the shear line—a weather system formed when cold and warm winds converge—and a dissipated LPA. Over 81,110 people were displaced, [...]
IBM to train Filipinos on AI
Technology giant International Business Machines (IBM) has committed to train two million individuals in artificial intelligence (AI), mostly from under-represented communities through collaborations with the government and other universities. In a recent interview with The Manila Times, IBM Philippines President and country general manager Aileen Judan-Jiao said they intend to help under-represented communities, especially with many jobs going to be replaced by AI. The training will be done through IBM's SkillsBuild platform, a free education program that aims to help adult learners, high school and university students, and faculty to develop new skills and access career opportunities. SkillsBuild is an online platform that can be accessed anywhere through any device and offers 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing and many other technical disciplines. [...]
Gov’t urged: Use int’l ties for captive seafarers’ release
CAPTURED SHIP The Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Nov. 20, is shown two days later docked at a port on the Red Sea in the Yemeni province of Hodeida and flying Palestinian and Yemeni flags. The Bahamas-flagged, British-owned vessel operated by a Japanese firmbut with links to an Israeli businessman, was headed from Turkey to India when it was seized along with its 25-member crew, 17 of them Filipinos. The rebel group said the capture was in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas, sparked by the Oct. 7 attack of the Palestinian militants who killed 1,200 people and took around 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials. —AFP Lawmakers urged the government on Thursday to seek help from the international community and [...]
China accuses PH of ‘stirring up trouble’ with foreign forces in SCS
Metro Manila, Philippines — China's Ministry of National Defense (MOD) has accused the Philippines of enlisting foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea and stirring up trouble in the region. "Since November 21, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command Navy ship Yuncheng has conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea," the MOD said in a statement issued Thursday. "During this period, the Philippines enlisted foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea, stir up trouble, and hype up regional peace and stability, violating the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea." "The theater troops maintain a high degree of vigilance, resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China [...]
Dengue, flu-like cases up
These are in Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Central Visayas, where upticks in cases were logged from Oct. 1 to Nov. 11. Pixabay Manila, Philippines — Three regions have reported an increase in dengue cases, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday. These are in Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Central Visayas, where upticks in cases were logged from Oct. 1 to Nov. 11 The DOH said it recorded 179,444 dengue cases nationwide as of Nov. 11. It said dengue cases dropped by 10.96 percent or from 12,169 to 10,835 in the past two weeks. The DOH recorded 614 dengue deaths, a case fatality rate of 0.34 percent The department stressed the need to closely monitor the situation, saying cases may further increase due to late reports. Meanwhile, cases [...]
WHO wants data on outbreak of respiratory disease in China
BEIJING: The World Health Organization has asked China for more data on respiratory illnesses spreading in the north of the country, urging people to take steps to reduce the risk of infection. Northern China has reported an increase in "influenza-like illness" since mid-October when compared to the same period in the previous three years, the WHO said Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a children hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023. The World Health Organization has asked on November 23, 2023, China for more data on a respiratory illness spreading in the north of the country, urging people to take steps to reduce the risk of infection. China has reported an increase in "influenza-like illness" since mid-October when compared to the same period in [...]
Senate ends plenary debates on P5.768-T 2024 national budget
The Senate on early Tuesday morning ended the plenary deliberations on the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024. The session ended at 4:50 a.m. Tuesday. Among the highlights of the Senate plenary deliberations are the dropping of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education's proposed confidential funds for 2024 Other agencies that also dropped their request for controversial funds were the Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Meanwhile, the confidential funds of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) were decreased. The Senate deliberated on the 2024 spending plan for nine days. After the debates, the Senate finance committee, chaired by Senator Sonny Angara, will introduce amendments to the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). It [...]
Phivolcs allays fears of stronger quake due to sand fissures in Sarangani town
Manila, Philippines: THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday allayed fears of a possible stronger earthquake following the discovery of sand fissures or splitting in a town in Sarangani province where the November 17 magnitude 6.8 tremor occurred. "The people especially in the province (Sarangani) must not worry about this sand fissuring because it is a natural occurrence especially in an area where a strong earthquake took place," Phivolcs director Teresito "Toto" Bacolcol told The Manila Times via Viber. Bacolcol said that the sand fissures found in Barangay Padidu in the municipality of Glan, also in the same province, were produced by liquefaction. "Liquefaction usually happens in sandy areas near rivers and coastlines," he said. "This happens when during strong ground shaking, sand particles settle down [...]
Malaysian, 11 Pinoys caught ‘renting out’ 50,000 SIM cards
Arrested stock photo. Philstar.com / Jovannie Lambayan, file Manila, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Malaysian and 11 Filipinos for allegedly “renting out” SIM cards with verified GCash accounts, the NBI announced yesterday. In a series of operations in Quezon City, Manila and Parañaque from Nov. 9 to 10, the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested Lau Wen Xiang and 11 Filipinos. Aside from the 50,000 SIM cards, the bureau also confiscated 13 desktop computers, 40 GSM modems or text blasters, 57 cell phones and a laptop. The operations started with information about people on Facebook looking for GCash account holders with a P500,000 limit who are willing to have their accounts rented. Account holders were offered P2,000 as payment and an [...]
Go renews call for disaster resilience department
In an interview after the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Caraga, Davao Oriental on Saturday, Go renewed his advocacy for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate Photo Manila, Philippines — In the wake of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck parts of Southern Mindanao last Friday resulting in a significant loss of life and property, Sen. Bong Go has emphasized the need for a proactive approach to disaster management in the Philippines. In an interview after the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Caraga, Davao Oriental on Saturday, Go renewed his advocacy for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). “I will not lose hope. Maybe, at the proper time, we will be [...]
Philippines population may reach 115 million by yearend
Families spend quality time at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on June 4, 2023. STAR / Jesse Bustos Manila, Philippines — The Philippines’ population may reach 115 million by the end of the year, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said yesterday. “The Philippines, based on the 2020 census, has recorded 109 million Filipinos, and it is estimated that it will reach around 115 million by the end of 2023,” CPD deputy executive director Lolito Tacardon said in an interview with “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” program over government-run PTV. The number is based on the country’s population growth rate of 1.6 percent annually, according to Tacardon. The Philippines is now 13th among the most populous countries in the world. “Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines [...]
Sandiganbayan orders transfer of property from Marcos alleged crony to lumber workers
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has issued a writ of execution on a previous ruling that declared the employees of Lianga Bay Logging Co., Inc. (LBLCI) as rightful owners of the majority of the company’s shareholdings. In a resolution signed on Nov. 7, the anti-graft court’s 5th division said its July 18, 2023 decision is final and executory without any appeal or pleading by the defendant. “Let therefore, a Writ of Execution issue to enforce the Resolution promulgated on July 18, 2023,” the court said. A writ of execution is a court order that begins the transfer of assets following a judgment. The Sandiganbayan in July 2023 ruled in favor of the Diatagon Labor Federation (DLF), a union based in Mindanao, in its claim to 60% of LBLCI. [...]
DepEd to dedicate Fridays to reading starting 2024
Grade 7 students of Araullo High School along United Nations Avenue in Manila line up during school opening dry run. The STAR / Edd Gumban Manila, Philippines — All schools will be required to hold whole-day reading programs every Friday starting January as part of the Department of Education’s newest initiative to boost students’ literacy, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte announced on Tuesday. The DepEd secretary said that the department’s curriculum and teaching strand is currently crafting a policy that will guide schools in implementing “catch-up Fridays” beginning January 12. “This means that on Fridays, our sole focus will be on teaching children to read,” said Duterte, who made the announcement during DepEd’s culminating activity for the National Reading Month Under the “catch-up Fridays” program, [...]
Imee: Comelec probing ‘meeting’ of 2022 presidential bet’s camp, Smartmatic head
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is investigating the allegation that the camp of a 2022 presidential candidate had met with the president of Smartmatic, the poll service provider during the last national and local elections. Senator Imee Marcos disclosed this during the Senate plenary deliberations on the Comelec's proposed 2024 budget upon the inquiry of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. "There have been allegations that a certain camp of a certain candidate met with the owner of Smartmatic during the election period of 2022. Has this report reached the Comelec and [has] the Comelec investigated this report?" Pimentel asked. He pointed out that meetings between interested political camps with poll service providers should be prohibited. Marcos, in response, said the reported meeting "was also studied by the [...]
Pinoy Fishers To Sail Back To Panatag Shoal
Tropical Fish Gatherer Association president Joeffrey Elad expressed hope that talks between President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping will benefit fishermen currently experiencing bullying from Chinese ships A 300-meter-long floating barrier is installed by China to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering Panatag or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Inset shows a Philippine fishing boat being shadowed by the Chinese Coast Guard near resource-rich fishing ground on Sept. 22, 2023. Photos by Michael Varcas, The Philippine STAR Filipino fisherfolk will sail again to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to determine if the supposed meeting between President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco, California over the weekend will result in an improved situation in the area amid the harassment of Chinese coast guard and militia, according to [...]
Marcos: VP Duterte does not deserve impeachment
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected any talk of Vice President Sara Duterte's ouster, saying he does not want her out and she doesn’t deserve to be impeached. “Binabantayan namin nang mabuti [We are monitoring that closely] because we don’t want her to be impeached. We don’t want her to—she does not deserve to be impeached. So, we will make sure that this is something that we will pay very close attention to,” President Marcos said at a briefing with the media in Hawaii on Monday (PH time). Marcos added impeachment calls against government officials were not new. “So, I guess, a continuing evolution of that thinking na basta ayaw namin diyan, tanggalin natin, i-impeach natin. Well, meron naman sigurong dahilan kung hindi lang [...]
Bongbong Marcos: PH needs US, allies amid rising tension in West PH Sea
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Daniel Inouye Asia Pacific for Security Studies in Hawaii, on November 19, 2023. Screenshot of RTVM streaming Honolulu, Hawaii — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday (US time) said the Philippines needs the United States and other allies amid “heightening tension” in the West Philippine Sea, as he reiterated his vow not to give up an inch of the country’s territory. Speaking at the Daniel Inouye Asia Pacific for Security Studies here, the President cited the “critical role” of the US-Philippine alliance. “The United States is our, I would say, our oldest and most traditional partner and that has been in various forms, ongoing over a hundred years. And I think it [...]
Bong Go pushes for enhanced 2024 DOH budget, with focus on grassroots health services and health worker support
During the plenary debates for the 2024 budget of the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, November 15, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, emphasized the significance of the agency's budget for the nation's post-pandemic recovery. "I want to underscore the importance of the 2024 budget of the DOH in our path towards recovery," stressed Go, underscoring that now is a critical time to invest in the healthcare system to meet emerging challenges. Go inquired about the specifics of DOH's budget request, to understand the additional funding sought and the prioritization of various health programs. Senator Pia Cayetano, senior vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, responded that the Senate increased the DOH budget by [...]
Rice retail price up P6/kilo from last month
Farm workers check on their crops, spray organic pesticides, and remove unwanted weeds at a rice field in Tanay, Rizal on September 19, 2023. Ernie Penaredondo / The Philippine STAR Manila, Philippines — Retail prices of rice have increased by at least P6 per kilo compared to the prevailing price a month ago as cost of the grains continued its uptrend, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA). Based on latest price monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, local regular milled rice is sold to as high as P51 per kilo compared to P45 on Oct. 16, or P6 per kilo difference; local well-milled rice at P54 per kilo from a previous price of P48; local premium rice at P62 per kilo compared [...]
PH, US sign nuclear cooperation deal for more secure energy source
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States on Friday signed a historic civil nuclear cooperation deal, which is seen to help with the country's energy security by laying the legal basis for the transfer of nuclear equipment and material from the US to Manila. The two countries signed the “123 Agreement,” or the Philippines-United States Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco after less than a year of negotiations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the inking of the deal is another milestone “towards a more energy secure and green Philippines,” as he sees nuclear energy becoming part of the country’s energy mix by 2032 “We would be more than happy to pursue this path with the [...]
President Marcos to meet with China’s Xi
This handout photograph released by Philippine's Office of the Press Secretary and taken on January 4, 2023, shows Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (2L) shaking hands with China's President Xi Jinping (2R) during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. Philippines's Office of the Press Secretary / AFP Leaders aim to bring down sea tension SAN FRANCISCO — President Marcos said he wants to “bring down the temperature” in the West Philippine Sea, as he meets here today with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising cases of Chinese aggression in Philippine waters that risk escalating into full-scale hostilities. In a video statement, Marcos cited the need to discuss ways to prevent the escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.He said the matter would be [...]
Pimentel flags insufficient NFA rice buffer stock
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel on Wednesday questioned the National Food Authority (NFA) over the country's insufficient rice buffer stock. "I heard wala tayong buffer stock, isn't that the function of the NFA?" Pimentel said during Wednesday's deliberations on the Department of Agriculture's proposed budget for next year. The NFA did not specify the current buffer stock, but admitted it was not compliant with the 9-day amount mandated by law. Aside from maintaining sufficient rice buffer stocks sourced solely from local farmers, the agency must also be capable of managing the country's buffer stock within the next ten years. https://nfa.gov.ph/transparency/mandate-functions-name-of-official In response, NFA's Roderick Bioco argued that prices of palay are "too high" during planting season. He further explained that they already increased their [...]
DBM releases P70 billion bonus, cash gifts for state workers
Google Street View image shows the exterior of the Department of Budget and Management central office in Manila. Google Map Manila, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has started releasing nearly P70 billion in bonuses and cash gifts for government workers. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said qualified state personnel started receiving their yearend and cash gift bonuses yesterday in time for the Christmas season. Data showed that P45.3 billion have been earmarked for the yearend bonuses of qualified civilian personnel and another P15.2 billion for the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) in various government agencies Another P8.9 billion was appropriated for cash gifts under this year’s budget for the over 1.7 million civilian workers and MUP. This year’s bonuses and cash gifts are higher by six [...]
Marcos arrives in San Francisco for APEC Summit
President Ferdinand Marcos arrived at the San Francisco International Airport in California at 5:06 p.m. (9:06 a.m. Manila) with First Lady Atty. Louise Araneta-Marcos and the Philippine delegation for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related activities. Upon his arrival at San Francisco International Airport, President Marcos received a warm welcome from city government officials. This visit marks his third trip to the United States since taking office on June 30, 2022 Before the APEC Summit began, President Marcos met with the Filipino community at the San Francisco Conference Center. During the event, he presented the government’s initiatives and programs aimed at improving the lives and ensuring the welfare of Filipinos, including those working abroad. In his statement ahead of the APEC [...]
PCG: Biggest China fleet spotted near Ayungin Shoal
FILE PHOTO: Philippine Coast Guard’s air patrol spots Chinese vessels in the waters around Ayungin Shoal, following the February 6, 2023, laser “attack” on a PCG vessel in the area. Philippine Daily Inquirer/Niño Jesus Orbeta Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday said it has monitored a fleet of 38 Chinese vessels – the biggest so far – within the vicinity of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela disclosed that they spotted China’s fleet during the latest resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre on Friday, November 10, when the China Coast Guard (CCG) also drenched a military-commissioned boat using the water cannon. “As to the number of Chinese vessels who are present within the vicinity [...]
Bong Go bats for continuous support for Filipino healthcare workers
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB) Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has emphasized the critical need for ample government support for Filipino healthcare workers. He reminded the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, and other concerned agencies to ensure that allowances and benefits due to qualified HCWs are released in accordance with the law. During the Senate plenary session on Wednesday, November 8, Go questioned the delayed disbursement of the health emergency allowance and underscored its significance in providing immediate financial relief to healthcare frontliners “We passed Republic Act 11712 which grants continuing benefits and allowances to public and private healthcare workers during public health emergencies, like COVID-19. Last July, the state of public [...]
DILG chief, several lawmakers join Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
Metro Manila, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and nine members of the House of Representatives have been sworn in as new members of the political party that brought Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the presidency. Among those joining Abalos at the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) are 4th District Representative Richard Gomez, his wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez, and Senator Raffy Tulfo's son Congressman Ralph Tulfo. Marcos, the national chairman of the PFP, attended their oath-taking on Friday The other lawmakers who joined the president's party are: - Maria Jamina Katherin (Laguna, 4th District) - Francisco Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) - Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan, 6th District) -Florida Robes (San Jose Del Monte City) - Leody Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro) - Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan) [...]
Revised Maharlika IRR expands powers of board, President and lowers qualifications for top officers
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines— Malacañang on Saturday released the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act, which expands the powers of its board of directors and the President, and lowers the qualifications for the Maharlika Investment Corporation’s (MIC) top officials. The IRR, which is published on the website of the Official Gazette, showed changes to several sections in Rule VI which covers the governance of the MIF. Changes in Section 30 of the IRR now allows the President to either reject or accept recommendations made by the advisory body for nominees to fill the positions of president and chief executive officer (PCEO), regular, and independent directors of the MIC "In the interest [...]
More intelligence funds sought after latest Ayungin water cannon incident
This photo taken on Nov. 10, 2023 shows China coast guard personnel sailing aluminum hulled boats at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. AFP / Jam Sta Rosa Manila, Philippines — Lawmakers are urging Congress to promptly approve increased funding for agencies responsible for safeguarding the West Philippine Sea, especially in the wake of China's recent provocative actions China Coast Guard vessel 5203 reportedly blasted a boat carrying provisions to Filipino soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal last Friday, endangering lives in the process. "This incident should push Congress to finally approve a higher budget for the intelligence funds for agencies that defend our territories. When our frontliners in the West Philippine Sea become stronger, so will our national security," said Sen. [...]
China wants to mass-produce robots by 2025
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued an advisory for the mass production of humanoid robots by 2025. The country aims to secure the safe and effective supply of essential components for mass-producing androids. More importantly, it aims to lead a reliable industrial robot supply chain by 2027. Technology seems to be progressing faster than ever after the pandemic. Its end gave rise to the AI revolution sparked by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, the United States’ neighbor from the other side of the world wants to lead innovation in hardware instead of software. China’s ambitions to lead robotics globally may significantly transform our world soon. This article will discuss China’s robotics ambitions for the coming years. Later, I will cover the country’s other robot breakthroughs. On November 3, [...]
Gaza becoming a ‘graveyard for children,’ UN chief warns as calls for ceasefire intensify
Gaza is “becoming a graveyard for children,” the United Nations chief warned on Monday as the death toll rises and calls grow around the world for a ceasefire, one month into Israel’s assault on Hamas - the militant group that runs the enclave. “The nightmare in Gaza is more than a humanitarian crisis. It is a crisis of humanity,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters in New York, adding that the need for a ceasefire is becoming “more urgent with every passing hour. “The parties to the conflict – and, indeed, the international community – face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: to stop this inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said. His comments come four weeks after Israel declared war on Hamas, following the [...]
Go files bill on freelance work
SEN. Christopher "Bong" Go on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to support freelance workers as the Philippines secured its place as one of the top global remote work hubs. Thus, Go filed Senate Bill (SB) 2107, or the "Freelance Workers Protection Act," that seeks to establish safeguards and incentives for freelance workers, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging their rights and guaranteeing fair compensation for their services Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. Senate PRIB "In a world marked by unprecedented changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and other global crises, the way we work and where we work have evolved significantly. The rise of remote work is fast becoming a hub for freelance workers," said Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Labor. "Remote work has opened up opportunities for [...]
Jobless Pinoys hit 2.26M in September
Metro Manila, Philippines— The number of Filipinos with no work went up in September due to lack of available jobs and elevated inflation, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed Wednesday. In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa reported that those without jobs reached 2.26 million, up from August’s 2.21 million. This translates to a national unemployment rate of 4.5% The labor force participation during the period also dropped to 49.93 million from August’s 50.29 million, which the official contributed to schooling and the limited availability of jobs in the market. Mapa said this was reflected in unemployment data. “They are looking for work pero there’s no available. Bad weather contributed, but not that large. They’re waiting for rehire or job recall,” he said. Asked if the higher [...]
PH farm output down anew in Q3
FARM output contracted further in the third quarter (Q3) as livestock and poultry gains failed to offset a decline in crops and fisheries, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Wednesday. The value of agricultural and fisheries production fell by 0.3 percent in July to September, reversing from the 1.6-percent growth posted in the same period last year but narrowing from the 1.2-percent drop posted three months earlier At constant 2018 prices, production for the period amounted to P412.41 billion from the year-earlier P413.6 billion. Year to date, farm output remained positive with growth at 0.2 percent. This was down slightly, however, from the January-September 2022 uptick of 0.3 percent. Fisheries production, which accounted for 14.2 percent of total third-quarter output, posted a 6.1-percent drop to P58.72 billion. Thirteen of [...]
PH, US Marines in ‘Kamandag’ drills
Some 2,600 Philippine and US Marines will join this year’s edition of the “Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat” (Kamandag) exercises that aim to enhance the interoperability of both forces. Philippine Marine Corps deputy commandant and “Kamandag” exercise director Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida said about 1,732 Filipino Marines and some 902 US troops would participate in the exercises from Nov. 9 to 17 Also taking part in the exercises are 57 personnel of the South Korea Marine Corps and 50 personnel of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. South Korean and Japanese troops only joined as observers in the 2022 iteration of “Kamandag.” Eight personnel from the United Kingdom will observe the annual exercise for the first time. As this developed, a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by international [...]
Onion retail prices up by P30/kilo
Based on the DA’s latest monitoring, the retail prices of local red onions ranged between P80 and P220 per kilo; imported red onions, between P125 and P140 per kilo; local white onions, between P100 and P160 per kilo; and imported white onions between P80 and P200 per kilo. STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — The retail price of onions has increased by P30 per kilo, setting the price to as high as P220 per kilo in Metro Manila markets compared to the prevailing prices a week ago, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Based on the DA’s latest monitoring, the retail prices of local red onions ranged between P80 and P220 per kilo; imported red onions, between P125 and P140 per kilo; local white onions, between [...]
Gonzales, 2 other ex-PDP-Laban solons join Lakas-CMD
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales forged an alliance with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) along with two other lawmakers from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Gonzales was joined by fellow Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin and Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa in uniting with the 77-member Lakas-CMD, whose president is House Speaker Martin Romualdez. “We are very honored to welcome Senior Deputy Speaker Dong, Cong. Jon and Cong. Zaldy to our party,” Romualdez said in a statement on Wednesday The senior deputy speaker on Monday resigned from PDP-Laban over the remarks made by the political party’s chairperson, former president Rodrigo Duterte, against the lower chamber. In a TV interview in October, Duterte accused the lower chamber of corruption, even calling it the “most rotten institution” in [...]
Masinloc fishermen ‘hungry and angry’ with China sail a giant buoy effigy
Masinloc, Zambales – A group of fishermen here released on Monday morning a giant buoy effigy at the island of San Salvador to convey their anger and hunger to China as a result of their continued harassment and aggression at Scarborough Shoal. In a statement after the release of the buoy, the Association of Masinloc Fishermen shared the event that transpired – the release of the giant buoy with the inscription “Atin Ang Pinas” (The Philippines is Ours) as a sign of the fishermen’s claim of their source of livelihood According to Richard Pascual, village councilor and incoming barangay captain of the island of San Salvador, the island is dependent on the bounty of the ocean. Food, employment, brought about by their simple life in the [...]
House leader resigns from PDP-Laban, then calls out Duterte for ‘rotten institution’ tirade
House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., (left) former president Rodrigo Duterte (PPAB, Malacañang photo) Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. has named his party-mate, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as the one who has assailed the integrity of the House of Representatives. But just before doing so, Gonzales resigned from his party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). He was the erstwhile party treasurer. This took place on the plenary floor Monday, Nov. 6 during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, which involved all 227 House members present at that time. In a cordial exchange with independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman, Gonzales admitted to "feeling bad" when a certain personality called the House as [...]
Prices of agricultural products seen to go up during holidays
Despite assurances from the government that prices of commodities will remain stable, agriculture stakeholders forecast spikes in the cost of basic agricultural products like chicken and rice. Grains Retailers’ Confederation (GRECON) national spokesperson Orly Manuntag said there is an impending P2 to P3 increase per kilo of local rice, owing to the increase in the buying price of palay. “We expect this by mid-November. It might be an increase of P2 to P3 pesos kilo of rice in the market. Usually during the holiday season, our prices are stable and steady, however, we noticed that the increase in the buying price of palay is driving rice prices,” Manuntag said. According to him, the buying price of palay by the National Food Authority (NFA) has increase form [...]
New agri chief: ₱20/kg rice price not possible today
Metro Manila, Philippines— The newly appointed agriculture chief is still not seeing the realization of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise of ₱20 per kilogram of rice price within the near future as modernizing the sector will take “a little time. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday said that reducing the commodity’s price is an aspiration but he noted that the global market is facing a 15-year high in rice prices. He also said there are more “complicated” world problems that would make it difficult to achieve the target, such as climate change, El Niño, and if there would be other wars in other parts of the globe. “Today, that is not possible,” Laurel said of Marcos’ rice price goal. “We are getting ready [...]
Senate eyes ratifying proposed PH-Japan military access deal in 2024
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate on Monday said it hopes to approve the proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan next year. “We are looking at a timeline of a year, less than a year siguro (maybe). Maybe by the first half of next year they can take this to the Senate and we can already ratify,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told CNN Philippines’ The Source During Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the Philippines last week, he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed that Manila and Tokyo have started negotiating for the establishment of an RAA. This will be similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that will allow troops of one country to freely visit another temporarily. Some groups have protested [...]
66 provinces, 9 cities prone to tsunamis – Phivolcs
Metro Manila, Philippines — More than half of the country's provinces and nine cities in the National Capital Region are prone to tsunamis, according to state seismologists. "We have 66 out of 82 provinces in the country that face various tsunami risks," Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Teresito Bacolcol told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Friday. Bacolcol said these are low-lying provinces along the eastern seaboard facing the Philippine Sea. He added that coastal provinces bordering the West Philippine Sea are also vulnerable to local tsunamis from earthquakes coming from the Manila, Negros, and Sulu trenches. Aside from the 66 provinces, Bacolcol said nine cities in Metro Manila are also included. These are - Caloocan - Las Piñas - Manila - Makati - Malabon - Navotas [...]
No Destabilization Plot, Just ‘Passionate’ Officers – NSA
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. also denied saying that there is a plot to destabilize the government, saying his statement was “taken out of context.” File photo taken by The Philippine STAR’s Michael Varcas shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leading the change of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from Gen. Andres Centino to Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on July 21, 2023. There is no plot to destabilize the government, although there are “passionate” debates among retired military officers on the policies of the Marcos administration, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Saturday, Nov. 4. Reports quoted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as saying earlier that he had heard [...]
PH, Japan ink ₱570-M deal for maritime defense, disaster response
Metro Manila, Philippines — Japan is giving the Philippines ₱235 million for its maritime security, and another ₱334 million for disaster response in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM. The deals were signed after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who's on an official two-day visit in Manila. The Presidential Communications Office said the military aid—signed through Japan's Official Security Assistance or OSA—is intended to boost the efforts of the Department of National Defense "by securing coastal radars for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enhance their maritime domain awareness and security." Meanwhile, the agreement to mitigate the impact of flooding aggravated by climate change in the Bangsamoro region was signed under Non-Project Grant Aid or NPGA "Today, key [...]
House realigns P64.5-B budget to DA
The House of Representatives has realigned the biggest amount of budget increase to the Department of Agriculture (DA) with P64.5 billion under its approved version of the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024. Based on the list of amendments released by the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, the P64.5 billion increase to the DA budget is broken down to: frican swine fever vaccines (P1.5 billion) Rice subsidy for agri business and marketing services (P20 billion) Solar-driven pump irrigation (P15 billion) National irrigation system/communal irrigation system (NIS/CIS)(P25 billion) Massive planting/replanting program purchase of coconut seednuts and fertilization (P2 billion) Construction of fishery and post harvest facilities in Palawan and Kalayaan Group of Islands (P1 billion) The Health Department ranked second in terms of increases with P43.9 billion for [...]
‘No need for PH allies to join resupply trips’
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said there is no need for its allies, including the United States, to escort Philippine vessels delivering provisions to Filipino soldiers stationed on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal amid the growing number of maritime confrontations between China and Manila. "Our RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission is for us to undertake," said AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar in a briefing on Thursday This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. AFP PHOTO / POOL / RITCHIE B. TONGO RoRe [...]
New Zealand Navy ship here on 3-day visit
The Philippines has an unusual visitor from New Zealand—the naval vessel HMNZS Aotearoa – which dropped anchors for three days in Manila staring October 30 as part of its effort to “strengthen longstanding maritime and diplomatic ties between the two maritime countries.” Aotearoa is part of New Zealand’s Defence Force (NZDF)’s largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific. “This three-day ship visit is a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation shared between New Zealand and the Philippines and signifies New Zealand’s commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement Aotearoa’s port call built on the maritime alliance between the two countries, which was bolstered in November 2021 when foreign ministry officials of both sides met to [...]
Oil price rollback seen; Meralco rates may go up
File photo of gasoline refill. The STAR / File Manila, Philippines — Pump prices could see a rollback next week, potentially ending three straight weeks of price hikes for gasoline. “Based on the four-day trading, we will be expecting another round of rollback on prices of petroleum products,” Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau assistant director Rodela Romero said. Romero said the estimated amount of adjustments could be a possible decrease of P0.40 to P0.60 per liter for gasoline, P1 to P1.30 per liter for diesel and P0.80 to P1.05 per liter for kerosene An oil industry source, on the other hand, estimated potential price reductions ranging from P1.20 to P1.30 per liter for diesel and a possible decline of between P0.60 and P0.70 per [...]
US vows continued presence in West Philippine Sea
The US Navy assault ship USS America (LHA 6) docks at Pier 15 in Manila on August 27, 2023. STAR / Edd Gumban Manila, Philippines — The United States Navy will maintain its presence in the Indo-Pacific Region amid China’s “destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This was according to Capt. Claudine Caluori, Mission Commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Partnership 2023, when asked by reporters at a virtual briefing if the US would be doing more to help the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy deal with Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea. “While I cannot comment directly on US response, again I will say that the US will continue to fly, sail and operate safely [...]
PH, Japan begin talks for VFA-like agreement
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and Japan have opened negotiations for the establishment of a Reciprocal Access Agreement between troops of the two nations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida disclosed on Friday. The RAA is similar to a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allows troops from one country to freely visit another temporarily Japan currently shares RAAs with Australia and the United Kingdom, while the Philippines has a VFA with the United States and a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia. “I also would like to recall our commitment to work on a framework for our Status of Visiting Forces or proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan," Marcos said during the presentation of agreements between the two countries. "We are cognizant of the benefits [...]
Electricity rates surge on ‘early Christmas’ demand
MANILA -The early Christmas season frenzy in the Philippines triggered higher average prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the first two weeks of October, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (Iemop) said over the weekend. According to Iemop, the average spot market prices in the Luzon grid soared P7.58 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from only P4.87 per kWh in September as the approaching Christmas season pulled up consumer demand—an increase of 55 percent. Data from Iemop show that the average demand in Luzon in the first half of October went up to 9,638 megawatts (MW) from 9,377 MW the previous month.
Japanese PM Kishida, wife to visit PH for stronger ties
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (REUTERS) MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and wife Yuko are set to visit the Philippines later this week to forge stronger ties with Manila. The couple will be arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday at 3 p.m. for a two-day visit. Kishida is set to have a meeting with President Marcos on Friday and a visit to the House of Representatives on Saturday. Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria Garafil said Mr. Marcos and Kishida would hold a bilateral meeting to discuss security issues in the face of growing tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea, among other areas of mutual concerns such as political, people-to-people ties, economic and development cooperation.Garafil said the two leaders [...]
Duterte: Collaborations to boost semicon industry
Vice President Sara Z. Duterte Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said that the growth of the country’s semiconductor industry could be enhanced via collaboration between industry stakeholders and educational institutions. In a social media post on Tuesday, Duterte suggested that educational institutions could enhance their curriculum by collaborating with industry experts and stakeholders to ensure that they are always a step ahead of the evolving needs of the industry “By incorporating emerging technologies, industry-specific skills, and practical training opportunities, education can equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field by the time they [...]
LPG price to go up by P5.50 per 11-kilo tank
Workers arrange LPG tanks that are sold along Kamias Road in Quezon City, July 7, 2023. The Department of Energy (DOE) is now strictly implementing all LPG sellers to secure a License to Operate (LTO) before they can continue selling LPG products. The LTO is mandated under Republic Act No. 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act of 2021. The LTO is a requirement for all LPG sellers, regardless of their size or the volume of LPG they sell. It is intended to ensure the safety of LPG consumers by ensuring that LPG sellers are properly licensed and that they are following the necessary safety standards..MANNY PALMERO Oil companies will increase the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by P0.45 to P0.50 per kilo [...]
Filipinos flock to cemeteries for All Saints’ Day
Metro Manila, Philippines — Despite the drizzle, thousands of Filipinos start arriving in cemeteries Wednesday morning to remember their dead on All Saints’ Day. In the Manila North and Manila South cemeteries alone, there were already visitors at around 4 a.m., an hour before gates opened at 5 a.m. There were also those who camped out at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. Thousands of passengers even caught last-minute trips a few hours before Nov. 1. Cemetery authorities have said they are ready for the influx of large crowds this Undas. The number is expected to reach 80,000 at the Manila North Cemetery and 300,000 at the Manila South Cemetery. Those heading to these cemeteries were reminded visiting hours will only be until 5 p.m. but they can [...]
1-week BSKE transition sought
Comelec chairperson George Garcia The Commission on Elections (Comelec) wants a one-week transition period for the proclaimed winners of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) before they assume office. Comelec chairman George Garcia said Monday night this was the commission’s position in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision that found the postponement of the BSKE to October 30, 2023 unconstitutional “The Supreme Court said the start of term of office of those who will win the 2023 BKSE should start January 1, 2023, but that date has long passed,” Garcia said. “That means if they win and get proclaimed tonight, they should assume office tomorrow (Tuesday),” he added. Election boards started canvassing votes at around 8 p.m. last night and the Comelec expected [...]
TikTok, Snapchat and others sign pledge to tackle AI-generated child sex abuse images
Britain announces the joint statement - which also lists the United States, German and Australian governments among its 27 signatories - in the run up to a global summit hosted by the UK on AI safety this week LONDON, United Kingdom – Tech firms including TikTok, Snapchat and Stability AI have signed a joint statement pledging to work together to counter child sex abuse images generated by artificial intelligence. Britain announced the joint statement – which also listed the United States, German and Australian governments among its 27 signatories – at an event on Monday being held in the run up to a global summit hosted by the UK on AI safety this week. “We resolve to sustain the dialogue and technical innovation around tackling child sexual abuse in the age [...]
PH, Netherlands to boost trade, investment ties
STRONGER PH-NETHERLANDS PACT. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Foreign Affairs Minister of The Netherlands Hanke Bruin Slot sign a memorandum of understanding during Slot’s official visit to the Philippines. The two officials discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on other regional matters of mutual concern. Avito Dalan The Philippines and the Netherlands have forged an agreement to boost trade and investment relations to complement an already strong partnership on defense. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot on Monday pushed to designate a focal point to carry out both countries’ understanding of economic and technical cooperation Slot came to Manila for a bilateral talk with her Filipino counterpart, the first to be taken by a Dutch foreign minister in [...]
Farmers’ group laments lack of action vs onion hoarders
A market vendor shows the size comparison of the onion bought from local farmers and a giant onion that came from an undisclosed origin at the Marikina City Public Market on January 23, 2023. STAR / Jesse Bustos Manila, Philippines — Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura yesterday lamented the Office of the Ombudsman’s order to file charges against Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista, but excluding hoarders who profited from excessive onion prices last year “It is very unfortunate that Assistant Secretary Evangelista was first to be charged while… those already identified by the marathon hearings of Congress that hoarded and profited from excessive onion prices last year up to early this year remain untouched,” SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet said. “The government officials [...]
Potato price rises, but to normalize with harvest – DA
Stock image of potatoes. Image by Couleur from Pixabay Manila, Philippines — The price of potatoes has risen, but is expected to normalize because of the harvest, which is seen to augment the supply of the root crop, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa linked the higher prices of potatoes and other crops to recent typhoons that entered and hit the Philippines. “This (increase in the price of potatoes) may be attributed to the typhoons that hit the country during the months of July and August,” De Mesa said in a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office He added that the DA is looking into the situation, but is expecting the price to normalize because of the incoming supply. [...]
DFA chief defends PH abstention from UN resolution calling for Israel-Hamas ‘humanitarian truce’
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines— Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo explained why the Philippines abstained from voting in a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for "immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” between Israel and militant group Hamas In a media briefing on Monday, Manalo said the proposed resolution did not include the terrorist attacks last Oct. 7. "There was one issue that was not reflected and that was the mention of the terrorist attacks on October 7 where in our case, four Filipinos were confirmed to have been killed during the attacks," he said. Manalo explained the Philippine government felt that it was important for the resolution to include the terrorist acts since Filipinos were killed and two more [...]
Further expansion of PhilHealth coverage pushed
Manila, Philippines — A lawmaker urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to implement a 20 percent increase in its benefits coverage. In a statement on Sunday, AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee cited inflation as one of the reasons why PhilHealth must apply the said increase. Lee made the call during the 1st National Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Congress held in Cebu City last Tuesday, where he also thanked PhilHealth for listening to their appeal to increase the coverage of several benefit packages for its members, which include high-risk pneumonia and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.“Pero imbes na mga piling sakit lang ang dagdagan ng suporta ng PhilHealth, dapat magkaroon ng pagtaas sa lahat ng sinasagot nitong bayarin sa pagpapa-ospital ng mga miyembro,” he said. (But instead of increasing [...]
SLEX, MCX hike toll fees starting Nov. 3
South Luzon Expressway (Photo courtesy of SMC SLEX Inc.) MANILA – The toll fees at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) will increase starting Nov. 3, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said. In an advisory, the TRB said the toll increases in both expressways would be implemented in two tranches, this year and next year, "to protect the general welfare, curb existing inflationary situation and to mitigate the impact of the toll rate adjustments". For SLEX, this is the first periodic toll rate adjustment for SLEX since 2011, following the petitions for an increase last 2012 and 2014. Motorists traveling from Alabang to Calamba will pay an additional PHP10 for Class 1, PHP20 for Class 2 and PHP30 for Class 3. Those traveling from Calamba [...]
DENR to set up research station on Pag-asa Island
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is studying plans to set up a marine research station on Pag-asa Island in the remote town of Kalayaan in Palawan. Following her visit to the island, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the department and its partner groups discussed plans "to expand research and monitoring" on Pag-asa Island and nearby areas Loyzaga and a research team visited the research station of University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) on the island to check the crushed corals littered on the beach. "This further facilitated our discussion on the partnership between the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau and UP-MSI in establishing a DENR marine research station on Pag-asa Island," Loyzaga said in a statement. During her stay, Loyzaga met [...]
Ex-president Duterte leads bets for Senate
DESPITE his pronouncement that he has retired from politics, former president Rodrigo Duterte is the top choice as candidate for the Senate in a survey by the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI). The poll was conducted in select villages nationwide from October 2 to 8. Next to Duterte is former senator and boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, followed by Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. Incumbent senators Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos and Christopher "Bong" Go were in fourth and fifth spots, followed by former Senate leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto 3rd, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo. Sitting Senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Manuel "Lito" Lapid occupied the 8th to 10th slots, respectively In 11th to 20th place are Sen. Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano, [...]
Time to vote: All systems go for BSKE
An employee of the Quezon City Comelec office carries a ballot box for distribution to the 4th, 5th and 6th districts of the city yesterday ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. A total 550 jeepneys were hired by the Quezon City government alongside the 170 city-owned vehicles to provide transport during the distribution and retrieval of ballot boxes and election paraphernalia as well as shuttle teachers, poll clerks and relevant personnel. /Jesse Bustos 50,000 cops to ensure peaceful, orderly polls MANILA, Philippines — All roads lead to polling precincts today with the scheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) pushing through nationwide. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is 100 percent ready for the conduct of elections, including in barangays declared as [...]
Can new law help tackle Philippines’ teen pregnancy emergency?
MANILA - A new bill that could be a game changer in the battle against teen pregnancies in the Philippines is inching through Congress with activists hoping it could galvanise a wider campaign to tackle this "national social emergency". The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, which was passed by the House in September and has now moved to the Senate, aims to expand access to sexual and reproductive health services, like contraception, in this mainly Catholic country where early pregnancies, even among girls as young as 10, are rife and where the age of consent was only raised from 12 to 16 last year. The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, one of the groups campaigning for the bill, said it was only two steps away from a vote [...]
PH, US to ‘redouble’ bilateral coordination following China collision incident
The Philippines and the United States on Friday agreed to "redouble" bilateral coordination following the recent collisions incident involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. In a joint statement, Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his United States counterpart Lloyd J. Austin III said they discussed in a phone call China’s “dangerous and unlawful maneuvers” that led to the October 22 collisions. “The Secretaries reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries’ public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—to include the Coast Guard—anywhere in the Pacific to include the South China Sea,” the readout of their discussion said “Both Secretaries committed to redouble efforts to strengthen bilateral coordination, interoperability, and support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” they added. Teodoro [...]
Palace: Oct. 31, Nov. 3 won’t be declared holidays
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Palace on Thursday said that Oct. 31 and Nov. 3 would not be declared as holidays before the Undas long weekend. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the plan of declaring Nov. 3 as a holiday is “fake news.” Non-working holidays All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day fall on Wednesday, Nov. 1, and Thursday, Nov. 2, respectively. The Palace declared Monday, Oct. 30 as a non-working holiday to make way for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Japan eyes more big-ticket PH investments
Japan has pledged it will continue its investments in the Philippines' big-ticket projects as its ambassador in Manila noted the growing interests of Japanese investors in the country. Speaking at the Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said there is room for the Philippines and Japan's partnership "to grow even further" considering that both countries have "very strong, solid economic ties." In fact, he said, the presence of different chambers at the event on Thursday proved that there is "a big vote of confidence on the Philippine economy, and the region In his speech, the envoy noted the two "potent tools for success" of the Philippines-Japan economic relations. They are: accelerating investments and creating innovation. On accelerating investments, Kazuhiko [...]
DBM allots P101 B for nat’l health insurance
Over P100 billion will be spent on the government’s national health insurance Program next year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Friday, Oct. 27. Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said a total of P101.51 billion budget will be allocated to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in 2024,an increase of P1.28 billion from the previous budget. This amount will accommodate the expansion of beneficiaries and double the annual premium rate for persons with disabilities from P2,400 to P5,000 “Given the lessons from the pandemic, the Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget will continue to strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country, including medical assistance amounting to P22.26 billion to 1.31 million indigent and financially incapacitated patients who are unable to afford nor access quality healthcare services,” Pangandaman said. [...]
US Pentagon says Chinese jet came within 3 metres of bomber
Crew members signal to a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet preparing to take off for a routine flight on board the US USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during a routine deployment to the South China Sea, Mid-Sea, on Jan 27, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS/Joseph Campbell) The US military on Thursday (Oct 26) said a Chinese jet came dangerously close to a US bomber earlier this week over the South China Sea, part of what Washington has said is increasingly risky behaviour by Chinese military aircraft. The US military said that on Tuesday a Chinese J-11 jet came within 3m of the B-52 aircraft "During the night time intercept, the PRC (People's Republic of China) pilot flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner, demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled [...]
Taiwan reports 15 Chinese air force planes in its air defence zone
Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights TAIPEI - Taiwan's defence ministry said that it had detected 15 Chinese air force planes entering Taiwan's air defence zone on Thursday morning, including fighter jets and drones, accompanying Chinese warships carrying out "combat readiness patrols" and drills. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained over the past four years of Chinese military activity around the island. Reporting by Ben Blanchard Editing by Shri Navaratnam
PH ranks near bottom among East Asia, Pacific countries with weakest rule of law
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is still among the East Asia and Pacific countries with the weakest rule of law, ranking 13 out of 15 in the region, the World Justice Project (WJP) reported. According to the Rule of Law Index 2023, the Philippines fell three positions from 2022, placing 100 out of 142 countries worldwide. The independent and multidisciplinary organization added that the country had an overall score of 0.46, a 0.1 decrease from last year's ranking In 2021, the Philippines scored 0.46 and 0.47 in 2020, a notable change from its 0.53 score in 2015. New Zealand (8th globally) topped the region at 0.83 while Cambodia (141 globally) had the lowest score of 0.31. Data also showed that Denmark had the strongest rule of law across [...]
PH to file case vs. China over alleged coral harvesting in WPS
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippine government will file an environmental case against China over the alleged massive coral harvesting in the West Philippine Sea early next year, according to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla. Remulla on Thursday met with former Supreme Court justice and former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, international environmental law expert Antonio Oposa, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela to discuss the potential case against China "We were encouraged to pursue what we think is a good case," Remulla said. "Kasi ang apektado naman nito hindi lang yung bansa natin, ang apektado dito is yung buong mundo. Yung sinisira nila na pinapanganakan ng isda, hindi na babalik. Eh kung diyan manggagaling ang gamot sana." [Translation: We were [...]
US, Australia oppose ‘destab actions’ in SCS
THE United States and Australia opposed "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea (SCS), including the disruption of routine Philippines maritime operations around Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) mentioned the Philippines in a joint statement which touched on various topics, including their concern on peace and stability in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese toast before the start of the state dinner to the White House on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Biden and the first lady are hosting Prime Minister Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon for a state dinner. Tasos Katopodis/Gettyimages/AFP Biden and Albanese inaugurated a [...]
AFP ensures peaceful, orderly Oct. 30 polls
READY FOR POLLS. AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, delivers AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.'s message during the simultaneous multi-agency send-off and turnover ceremony of government forces for BSKE duty on Monday (Oct. 23, 2023) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Brawner also urged task force members to leave behind political affiliations and personal interests as they aim to create an environment where every Filipino can exercise their right to vote without fear and restriction.(Photo courtesy of the AFP) MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Monday said the military is determined to ensure that peace and order would prevail in the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) “The AFP stands together with our [...]
59 Filipinos in Lebanon request for repatriation
Metro Manila, Philippines— Almost 60 Filipinos in Lebanon said they want to return home amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Islamist group Hezbollah, the Philippine embassy said on Monday. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday placed the Middle Eastern country under Alert Level 3 due to the ongoing conflict there. This started after Palestinian militants fired shots from Lebanon, after Hamas launched a large-scale attack against Israel on Oct. 7. “On Sunday morning when we held our meeting with the FiIipino community leaders, we already received 59 applications,” Philippine ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat told CNN Philippines’ The Source. Of that number, the ambassador said three were from southern Lebanon where most of the exchange of fire between the Israeli forces and Lebanon-based militants has taken [...]
BI warns of fake eTravel websites that charge fees
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday urged the public to report fraudulent websites claiming to operate as electronic travel or eTravel sites “There are complaints received through socmed (social media) channels. (The public must) immediately report to CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center),” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told said in a Viber message, following reports of fake eTravel sites requiring charges from travelers. “The eTravel service is free of charge. Any website using the eTravel name and logo is fake and is a scam,” the BI said in an advisory. Sandoval warned that those behind the illicit scheme may face charges for violation of the Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to computer-related fraud. The public may send their complaints online via [...]
Israel promises ‘unrelenting attacks’ on Hamas; US, Obama urge caution
The Palestinian health ministry says the Gaza death toll in two weeks of air strikes had topped 5,000 Israel’s military said it was preparing for “unrelenting attacks” to dismantle Hamas while former US President Barack Obama warned that “any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human costs could ultimately backfire.” The Palestinian health ministry said the Gaza death toll in two weeks of air strikes had topped 5,000. Israel pounded hundreds of targets in Gaza from the air on Monday, October 23, as its soldiers fought Hamas militants during raids into the besieged Palestinian strip where civilians are trapped in harrowing conditions. Hamas on Monday said it had freed two Israeli women among the more than 200 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel in which the Islamist group [...]
Philippines files protest vs China; envoy no-show at DFA
Chinese coast guard ships (L and R) corral a Philippine civilian boat chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed South China Sea, on August 22, 2023. The Philippines accused a Chinese coastguard vessel of colliding on October 22, 2023 with a Philippine resupply boat as it travelled to a tiny garrison in the disputed South China Sea. AFP / Ted Aljibe MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest against China over last Sunday’s “dangerous blocking maneuvers” by its ships that led to one of them “slightly” colliding with a Philippine vessel carrying supplies and provisions for troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoa Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza [...]
DFA disassociates itself from Locsin’s tweet
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday "disassociated" itself from the view of Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. with regard to the Israel-Hamas war. Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. File Photo Locsin recently wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "That's why Palestinian children should be killed; they might grow up to become as gullible as innocent Palestinians letting Hamas launch rockets at Israel; not that they could stop them but that's no excuse." The DFA said that the post "was made in his strictly personal capacity." Locsin, a former DFA secretary, has deleted the controversial post. "I immediately deleted my sarcastic response to a tweet as I realized it could be misconstrued and retweeted to incite," he said. "My [...]
Marcos calls command conference on West Philippine Sea
President Marcos convenes a special command conference of national security and defense clusters at Malacañang yesterday, ordering the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct an investigation into China’s recent harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Top inset shows Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci giving updates during a press briefing on the collision involving Chinese and Philippine vessels. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos convened yesterday his security and defense officials for a command conference at Malacañang where they discussed the disruption by the Chinese of a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, wherein one of its ships slightly hit a Philippine Coast Guard vessel during a “dangerous and provocative” maneuver At the command conference, Marcos was reported to have expressed very serious concern about the incident [...]
SRA mulls SRP, warehouse inspection amid refined sugar overprice
A retailer arranges packs of sugars in Pandacan, Manila on January 18, 2023. Ernie Penaredondo MANILA, Philippines — The government is considering imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) and warehouse inspections as retail prices of refined sugar remained overpriced despite the downward trend in the farmgate price of raw sweeteners, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) administrator Pablo Azcona said yesterday In a radio interview, Azcona said the SRA is considering the imposition of an SRP as white sugar is sold as high as P110 per kilo compared to the P55 per kilo of farmgate raw sugar. “Our last target for the farmgate price of brown sugar is at P60 (per kilo) and for our consumer, it should be P85 (per kilo) for refined sugar. At present, the farmgate price [...]
DFA: Alert Level 3 raised in Lebanon
Metro Manila, Philippines —The Philippines has placed Lebanon under Alert Level 3 as border tensions increased between Israel and Islamist group Hezbollah, the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Saturday. This means that Filipinos are urged to leave Lebanon. De Vega earlier said the Philippine Embassy in Beirut will advise Filipinos there about the voluntary repatriation progra "We are doing this because the situation is rather tense and we already have seen it years ago in 2006 when we had to repatriate Filipinos from Lebanon," he told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Friday. There has been an ongoing exchange of fire between the Israeli forces and Lebanon-based militants, which led to the death of some Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters. The conflict between the two [...]
Kuwait deployment ban to end – Marcos
President Marcos chats with Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (left), who requested a short bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the Asean-GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia to discuss labor relations between the two countries. At right, the President meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, prime minister of Saudi Arabia, continuing the long-standing 54-year relationship between the two nations. Below, President Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez and members of the Cabinet join OFWs after addressing the Filipino community at the InterContinental Hotel in Riyadh late Friday night. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos said the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait would end “At that very quick, very short meeting, we agreed to continue to discuss some of the obstacles in our [...]
Oil prices seen to go up next week
Metro Manila, Philippines— Oil firms are expected to hike prices of petroleum products next week. In its forecast issued Saturday, Unioil said diesel will cost ₱1.30 to ₱1.50 more per liter, while the price of gasoline will go up by ₱0.90 to ₱1.10 per liter. Fuel companies usually announce the price movements every Monday for implementation the next day. Data from the Department of Energy showed that price adjustments already resulted in a year-to-date per-liter increase of ₱12.80 for gasoline, ₱10.40 for diesel, and ₱4.99 for kerosene.
Marcos abolishes NorthRail
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. abolished the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NorthRail) as the government-owned firm is "no longer achieving the objectives and purpose for which it was designed and created." The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 Memorandum Order 17, containing the abolition of NorthRail. In his order, the President said the Governance Commission for Government-owned and -controlled Corporations (GCG) determined that Northrail was "not producing desired outcomes," "no longer achieving the objectives and purpose for which it was designed and created," and "is not cost efficient and does not generate the level of social, physical and economic returns vis-a-vis the resource inputs. Northrail, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1995, was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bases [...]
Enforce genuine land reform, groups urge President Marcos
Farmers and members of militant groups stage a rally along Chino Roces Bridge in Manila yesterday to press for genuine land reform. Yesterday was the 51st anniversary of the signing of Presidential Decree 27 by Ferdinand Marcos Sr., which was replaced by Corazon Aquino’s comprehensive agrarian reform program law. / Edd gumban MANILA, Philippines — Around 500 farmers and members of militant groups staged a rally yesterday to call on the Marcos administration to enforce genuine land reform. Members of Anakpawis, Migrante, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Tanggol Magsasaka, Pamalakaya and Courage marched to Mendiola from the Mabuhay Rotonda at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila yesterday morning, according to the Manila Police District The protesters carried banners and placards urging the [...]
PAGASA announces onset of ‘amihan’ season
Metro Manila, Philippines – The state weather bureau on Friday announced the onset of the northeast monsoon season, known as “amihan,” which will bring wind and cold temperature surges in October to March. A week earlier, the bureau announced the end of ‘habagat,’ or the southwest monsoon season which brought warm, moist winds to the western portion of the country from May to September. “In recent days, strong northeasterly winds have prevailed over Northern Luzon due to the strengthening of the high-pressure system over Siberia,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. “Moreover, gradual cooling of the surface air temperature over the northeastern part of Luzon and increasing mean sea level pressure have been observed," it said. "These meteorological patterns indicate the onset of the northeast monsoon [...]
2023 Barangay, SK polls: Step-by-step guide to voting, do’s and don’ts
INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—In over a week, millions of Filipinos will again exercise their right to vote and choose leaders that will lead their communities in the long-delayed Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections. On October 30, over 93 million registered voters will cast votes for the barangay and SK polls, a crucial event that will determine the future of local communities across the country. The village and youth elections, as mandated by law, are supposed to take place every three years, but delays and postponements have resulted in officials holding office for up to five years. The last barangay and SK elections took place in May 2018. The next election was supposedly set for May 2020 but was moved to December 2022 after then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic [...]
Marcos says Maharlika not on hold, will be operational before yearend
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will be operational before the year ends despite his recent order to suspend its implementation. “The concept of the Maharlika Fund as a sovereign fund or an investment fund — the concept remains a good one and we are still committed to having it operational before the end of the year,” the President said in a speech before departing for a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia “I was a bit alarmed by the news reports early this morning that I read in the newspapers that we have put the Maharlika Fund on hold. Quite the contrary,” the President said. “The organization of the Maharlika Fund proceeds at a pace. And what I have done though is that [...]
Entrepreneurship pushed as high school subject
VICE President Sara Duterte and Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. "Joey" Concepcion 3rd are exploring ways of incorporating entrepreneurship as a subject in senior high school. In a meeting last October 17, Concepcion discussed with Duterte, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), ways in which entrepreneurship skills may be taught to students. One avenue is to have veteran and established entrepreneurs join Go Negosyo roadshows and teach the students at their schools Vice President Sara Duterte and Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. ‘Joey’ Concepcion 3rd CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Another is for students to observe actual mentoring with active and aspiring entrepreneurs. A third option is teaching students entrepreneurship through the help of private companies, specifically those in the agriculture sector. "Our idea is [...]
Gavan is the Philippine Coast Guard’s new commandant
Metro Manila, Philippines — Admiral Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan was sworn in on Thursday as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard. Gavan, who served as the PCG's Deputy Commandant for Administration, was also promoted from vice admiral to admiral when he took his oath before Transporation Secretary Jaime Bautista. He formally replaced Admiral Artemio Abu, who retired after 35 years of service, during the change of command ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Manila. Bautista lauded Abu for steering the country away from "any deterioration in the volatile situation at the West Philippine Sea" and expressed trust that Gavan would do the same. Bautista highlighted Gavan's introduction of the "Angels of the Sea," a group of female radio operators, to diffuse tension during sea conflict. In his speech, [...]
Marcos: Deals with Saudi Arabia worth $120M to benefit thousands of Filipinos
Metro Manila, Philippines— Thousands of Filipinos are expected to benefit from agreements with Saudi Arabia worth $120 million, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "The agreements that will be signed today are set to benefit more than 15,000 Filipinos in training and employment opportunities across a wide range of professions in the construction industry," Marcos said in a roundtable meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Investment on Thursday". I hope that this meeting has served as an excellent platform for building greater and closer partnerships between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the president added. Marcos said Saudi Arabia is "home" to about a million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as the largest community of Filipino professionals in industries like engineering, architecture, and healthcare. "I also [...]
Marcos off to Saudi Arabia for 1st ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit
INFO (1st UPDATE) President Marcos will attend the one-day ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh on Friday, October 20 MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left Manila on Thursday, October 19, to attend the inaugural summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia. This will be a short visit for the Chief Executive, who will fly back to Manila after the one-day event concludes on Friday night, October 20. “This Summit will serve as an important platform for the Philippines to highlight the need for cooperation in energy and food security, logistics, supply chains, digital [transformation], the free flow of goods, people, and services, as well as the enhancement and protection of the rights, of course, [...]
3 weather systems bring rain, thunderstorms in Luzon
THREE weather systems - the northeasterly surface wind flow, shear line and localized thunderstorms - are affecting most parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Thursday. Weather specialist Patrick del Mundo said that the shear line, where the cold and hot air converge, will bring overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Camarines Norte PHOTO From DOST PAGASA Meanwhile, the northeasterly surface wind flow or the wind coming from the north-east that brings mild temperatures, is affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga and Aurora where cloudy skies with rains will prevail, Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. advisory. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers [...]
Campaign for Barangay, SK polls starts today
Fewer residents queue to register for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in December 2022 at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office in Quezon City on July 8, 2022. The STAR / Miguel De Guzman MANILA, Philippines — The campaign period for the Barangay and Sangguiniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) officially begins on Thursday, October 19. According to the Commission on Elections, a total of 672,016 positions are to be decided for this year's election. A total of 294,007 slots are for members of Sangguiniang Barangay, while 42,001 are for barangay captains. The same number applies to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) aspirants. There are a total of 1,414,487 aspirants in the BSKE. For barangay captain, 96,962 slots will be filled; 731,682 for members of Sangguiniang Barangay; 92,774 aspirants for SK [...]
Musk’s X begins charging new users in Philippines, New Zealand
New users who sign up on the web version of X will now be required to pay an annual fee of P42.51 if they want to post content or interact with other users. STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — The social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Oct. 17 that it has begun charging new users in the Philippines and New Zealand to use basic features under its “Not a Bot” subscription method New users who sign up on the web version of X will now be required to pay an annual fee of P42.51 if they want to post content or interact with other users. The Elon Musk-owned platform said its “Not a Bot” subscription method should “bolster” existing efforts to reduce spam and “manipulation [...]
PH builds more ships to boost WPS patrol
THE Philippines will build more patrol vessels to further enhance the country's presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday, amid China's continued aggression in the disputed waters. In a chance interview on the sidelines of the 122nd anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard, the President said the PCG was expecting around 40 more vessels to be made in Cebu. PCG’s 122nd President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. salutes during the 122nd anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard in Port Area, Manila, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Photo by Rene Dilan "So we are continuing with the upgrading of the equipment, the training, and the capabilities of all our people, especially the Coast Guard, not only because they are on the frontline in [...]
VP Duterte calls for stop to ‘politicking’ after issues on confidential funds
Metro Manila, CNN Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte told her critics Wednesday that this is not the right time for “politicking” as Filipinos struggle with rising commodity prices, coupled with the potential impact of the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe on the local economy. After a panel from the House of Representatives dropped the confidential funds for several agencies, including the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) which she also leads, Duterte issued a statement thanking her supporters for backing her leadership. Duterte said she understands the “disappointment and anger” her supporters felt amid recent developments involving her proposed 2024 budget for both the OVP and DepEd. The official requested for ₱500 million for the OVP and ₱150 million for [...]
16 OFWs return home from Israel
This picture taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows an aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City. Israel declared war on Hamas on October 8 following a shock land, air and sea assault by the Gaza-based Islamists. The death toll from the shock cross-border assault by Hamas militants rose to 1,200, making it the deadliest attack in the country's 75-year history, while Gaza officials reported more than 900 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes. AFP / Yahya Hassouna MANILA, Philippines — The first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel has returned safely to the Philippines. According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), 16 OFWs and a baby were repatriated on Wednesday, [...]
Manila Bay reclamation projects seen to make P24 trillion in investments
The Manila Bay reclamation projects which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered suspended are expected to generate over P24 trillion in investments, the Philippine Reclamation Authority has said. In a presentation before the House Committee on Ways and Means on Monday, PRA Assistant General Manager Joseph John Literal said the direct investments on the vertical development side is expected to reach P23 trillion. Vertical development is expected to generate another P1.95 trillion for horizontal development. “P24 trillion, Sayang ito. Payagan na lang natin, basta tapusin nila in five years. We can align this to socialized housing,” Salceda said. (It would be such a waste to do nothing on that P24 trillion. We should allow this to proceed, as long as they finish the project within five years.) “A suspension [...]
Putin visits China, will meet Xi in show of no-limits partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. REUTERS/Wu Hong/Pool/File Photo BEIJING - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on a widely watched trip aimed at showcasing the deep mutual trust and "no-limits" partnership between China and its giant neighbor. Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning, according to Reuters video footage, in the Kremlin chief's first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year. Putin has traveled little abroad since the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March, accusing him of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. Putin visited Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, [...]
Opening of Egypt border for Pinoys in Gaza ‘could be any day now’ —DFA
The opening of the border in Egypt for the exit of Filipinos from Gaza amid Israel-Hamas war “could be any day now,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, citing an Israeli official Interviewed on Unang Balita, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Israeli and Egyptian authorities are still coordinating on the matter. “Nakikipag-ugnayan pa rin ang Israelis at Egyptians paano itong prosesong ito kasi ayaw din nilang lumabas iyong Hamas, lumabas ng Gaza at pumasok ng Egypt,” De Vega said. (The Israelis and Egyptians are still coordinating on the process because they do not want Hamas to leave Gaza and enter Egypt.) “Isang problema po iyan. So inaayos pa nila 'yung border arrangements. Pero tignan natin ito kasi sabi ng Israeli ambassador, it could be any day [...]
DTI eyes national warehouse database amid agri smuggling, hoarding
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intends to establish a registry of warehouses across the country for better monitoring under a three-year plan amid the ongoing issue on agricultural smuggling and hoarding. Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Monday, DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual said the government currently has no database of warehouses. This problem makes data collection more time consuming, he added Pascual said to address this, the DTI proposed a Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which the chief executive has approved. Under this, a warehouse registry will be developed. “Part of the Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda that we developed is the establishment of a warehouse registry so at the national level we know where the warehouses [...]
Hamas tried to infiltrate Philippines in 2018, 2022 – NSC
Rescue teams search for victims in the wreckage of a bus that exploded in Jerusalem on February 25, 1996. At least 23 Israelis were killed and more than 50 injured in the explosion, in the attack claimed by the Hamas. AFP / Menahem Kahana MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged operatives of the Hamas militant group now at war with Israel were in the Philippines and attempted to operate and ally themselves with local extremists in 2018 and 2022, according to the National Security Council. NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said one was a bomb expert who was arrested and deported five years ago“We saw there was intent by Hamas to launch activities in the Philippines. In fact, in 2018, there was a Hamas bomb maker that [...]
DA expects rice supply to be stable in Q1 2024
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said the supply of rice in the country will be stable in the first quarter of 2024 DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the peak of harvest for the wet season has already started this October, according to a Super Radyo DZBB report by Luisito Santos. The national stock inventory of rice is expected to last up to 77 days and up to 94 days at the end of the harvest this November, de Mesa added. Thus, the national stock inventory of rice is expected to reach up to 2.4 million metric tons at the end of the third quarter of 2024, which will last for about 60 to 90 days. The DA also expects the supply of rice to increase due [...]
Transport strike starts Monday
Abalos: 95% of transport groups to continue operations despite Monday strike Metro Manila, Philippines – Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday said 95% of transport groups will not participate in the transport strike on Monday, assuring that no transportation paralysis would occur. Transport group Manibela called for the strike amid the allegations of corruption in Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). President Ferdiand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III last week, but Manibela is bent on pushing through with the protest. “Ninety-five percent ng lahat ng transport groups ay kasama natin at sila ay hindi dadalo. Number two, nakaagapay ang kapulisan. Number three, may magandang plano rito. Ang central monitoring team will be MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority),” Abalos said during a meeting with [...]
‘Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program’ launched as flagship project
File photo of people lining up for food. The STAR / KJ Rosales, File photo MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Sunday that the government's food stamp program has been officially recognized as a flagship initiative. Malacañang issued Executive Order (EO) No. 44, formally introducing the "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program" as a flagship project of the national government. The EO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday, designated the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the primary government agency responsible for executing and overseeing the food stamp program “The DSWD shall undertake the necessary steps for the successful implementation and expansion of the Food Stamp Program including, but not limited to, the identification of eligible beneficiaries and collaboration with [...]
PH, Canada ink agreement vs ‘dark vessels’
THE Philippines signed an agreement with Canada that will allow Manila to access for free Ottawa's satellite-based technology to detect dark vessels or ships that turn off their location transmitter often to engage in illegal fishing. The Canadian Embassy in Manila on Saturday said the two states signed the deal during the 6th Canada-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Canada on Oct. 13, 2023 "Canada and the Philippines held bilateral talks in Ottawa this week. (They) signed an agreement to deploy Canada's Dark Vessel Detection program to enhance Philippine maritime domain awareness," Colin Townson, Canadian Embassy head of political affairs office, said in a statement. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman told reporters last month that Canada is prepared to deploy the system once the agreement [...]
Israel warns of new phase in war against Hamas, as Gaza civilians flee and Israeli troops gather near border
A new phase in Israel’s deadly war against Hamas is coming, Israeli forces said, warning that the past week of crippling airstrikes in Gaza could soon be followed by “significant ground operations.” Israeli troops and military equipment have massed at the border with Gaza as Israel prepares to ramp up its response to a deadly October 7 attack by the Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls the enclave. Warplanes continued to blast Gaza over the weekend, as civilians fled southward, following evacuation instructions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Several United Nations agencies have warned that mass evacuation under such siege conditions will lead to disaster, and that the most vulnerable Gazans, including the elderly and pregnant, may not be able to relocate at all. For days, Israel has [...]
PH net external exposure rises to P2.3 T
Philippines’ net external liability position increased by 14.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to P2.3 trillion as of end-March this year from P2 trillion in end-December due to the government’s higher net indebtedness, based on central bank data. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in a report said that besides the higher net external liability position of the general government, the lower net external asset position of the other depository corporations (ODCs) contributed to the higher external exposures. The report is based on the latest Balance Sheet Approach (BSA) statistics of the BSP which indicated that by sector, the general government as of end-March is the largest net debtor in the country The BSP said the government’s net financial liability position widened by 3.8 percent quarter-on-quarter to P8.5 trillion in the first [...]
Philippines orders mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Gaza
Mourners gather by the bodies of a man and a child who were killed in Israeli air strikes outside the morgue of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. AFP / Mohammed Abed MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered the mandatory repatriation and evacuation of Filipinos in Gaza after the Israel military announced that it is planning a coordinated offensive into the Palestinian territory by [...]
China backs PH action vs citizens in online gambling
THE Chinese Embassy in Manila reaffirmed its support for China-Philippine law enforcement cooperation, a day after 36 of its citizens were deported for their involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). "The Embassy will continue its support of China-Philippine law enforcement cooperation to safeguard social, economic, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement posted on its Viber account on Saturday, October 14 Prior to being deported on Friday, the 36 Chinese were arrested in Pasay City in August. The Chinese Embassy said that on August 1, a raid led by the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) was conducted on Rivendell Global Gaming Corp. Upon request from the Paocc, the Chinese Embassy in Manila verified the identity of the Chinese as [...]
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Firday confirmed that the systems of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were hacked “Dito sa DOST, we confirm na mukhang breaches nga ito. Initial report is that there are some experts' data, [personal identifiable information] ng mga experts,” DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy told Dobol B TV. (For DOST, we confirm possible breaches. Initial report is that there are some experts' data involved) “Meron din kasing report sa PNP, pero iyan ay sobrang luma naman iyan so kumbaga hina-hype lang nila pero lumang tugtugin na rin iyon,” added Dy. (There is also a report in PNP but that is so old. Hackers are just hyping it.) While the data breach is “dangerous” [...]
Philippines to declare Hamas as terrorist group —Año
The Anti-Terrorism Council will push for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist group following its attack on Israel, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday “In solidarity with the people of Israel, we will push for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization under RA 11479 as a priority agenda of the Anti-Terrorism Council,” Año said in a statement. He said his office “strongly condemns the terrorist assault by Hamas against the State and People of Israel and offer our condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have perished.” He called the Hamas attack a “deadly and barbaric terrorist assault” on Israel. Because the attack was supposedly targeting civilians, Año said Israel has the right to defend and protect itself from Hamas. [...]
Diokno: China’s slowdown affects PH exports
Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno admitted that China's economic slowdown would have a minor impact on the Philippines. At the ASEAN Roundtable in Marrakech, Morocco, the government's chief economic manager said that China's economic slowdown would have an impact on Philippine exports. However, Diokno pointed out that the negative effects on exports could be partially mitigated by the strong demand from the substantial domestic market “The Philippines is expected to be less affected by China’s slower economic growth given that the potential slowdown in exports could be partially mitigated by the demand from our large domestic market,” Diokno said. In July, China ranked as the Philippines' fourth largest export trading partner, accounting for 12.3 percent or $758.22 million of the total for that month. Leading multilateral lenders, including the [...]
Magnitude 5 earthquake jolts Calaca, Batangas
The epicenter of said rumbling was recorded southwest of Calaca, Batangas at around 8:24 a.m. and had tectonic origins. Released / Phivolcs MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:53 a.m.) — A strong magnitude 5 earthquake hit the province of Batangas on Friday morning, with state seismologists from Phivolcs fearing both damages and aftershocks. The epicenter of the rumbling was recorded southwest of Calaca, Batangas at around 8:24 a.m. and had tectonic origins Intensity V (strong) Lemery, Batangas Intensity IV (moderately strong) Cuenca, Bauan, Sta. Teresita, and San Luis, Batangas Tagaytay City, Cavite; Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila Intensity III (weak) Laurel, Batangas City, Batangas Tagaytay City, Cavite; Dolores, Quezon Intensity II (sightly felt) Talisay, and Rosario, Batangas; Magallanes, Cavite Boac, Marinduque City of Las Pinas, City of Pasay, Metro Manila Puerto Galera, Oriental [...]
Filipina nurse chose to stay with elderly ward as Hamas attacked Israel – diplomat
THE story of a Filipina nurse who died with her elderly ward after she refused to leave her even after Hamas militants attacked Israel has been posted on X (formerly Twitter) by some Israelis in a tribute to her courage in the face of death. Identified as Angeline, the Filipina could have escaped but chose to stay by her patient who was called "Nira" on Kibbutz Kfar, according to the posts Israeli troops search the scene of a Palestinian militant attack in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza on the border with the Gaza Strip on October 11, 2023. Thousands have died and the toll continues to climb dramatically five days after Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, which has responded with a massive bombardment of Gaza. [...]
Gov’t working to bring home remains of Pinoys killed in Israel-Hamas war
Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities are working on bringing home the remains of the two Filipinos who were killed in the attack on Israel by the Hamas militants, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “We are not sure if the families prefer to have them here but the process is ongoing,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Thursday The Philippine Embassy in Israel confirmed on Wednesday that two Filipinos were killed in the ongoing war between the Jewish state and Hamas. In a briefing on Thursday afternoon, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said the identities of the Filipinos would not be disclosed per families’ request. One of the fatalities was caregiver Paul Vincent Castelvi, 42, from Pampanga. His father Nick [...]
PH beefs up naval presence in WPS
(UPDATE) THE Philippines has deployed another warship to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to build up its presence in the volatile waters in the face of increasingly aggressive incursions by Chinese vessels. The Davao del Sur, a Tarlac-class landing platform, will join the Antonio Luna, a guided missile frigate, in patrolling the waterway BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602). Photo from Official Page of the Philippine Navy The Western Command (Wescom) said three warships stationed in Palawan have orders to stop foreign ships from conducting illegal activities in the WPS such as collecting corals and other marine resources. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. underscored the need to project a strong naval presence in the WPS. Brawner said there were no [...]
Meralco raises rates for October
Metro Manila, Philippines— Customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will pay 40 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) more this month, the power distributor announced on Wednesday. The adjustment brought the overall charge to ₱11.8198 per kWh from September's ₱11.3997 per kWh. It is equivalent to an increase of ₱84 for residential customers consuming 200 kWh Meralco pointed to higher generation charge for October, which went up by 30 centavos to ₱7.1267 per kWh from ₱6.8252 per kWh, in particular higher costs from independent power producers (IPPs) and power supply agreements (PSA). The utility company said charges from IPPs increased by 46 centavos to reflect higher cost of fuel utilized by First Gas plants. "Persisting supply restriction of the Malampaya natural gas field compelled the 1,000 MW First Gas-Sta. Rita and [...]
DMW: 23 Filipinos lined up for repatriation, pending Israeli gov’t approval
Metro Manila, Philippines — At least 23 Filipinos in Israel are waiting for approval from Israeli authorities to exit the Middle Eastern country and return to the Philippines, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). "Meron tayong nakalap na listahan ng 23 na inihahanay natin for repatriation subject to the approval of the proper Israeli authorities," DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac told the House committee on overseas workers affairs on Wednesday. "Kasi halimbawa, ang Ben Gurion International Airport, limited ang operation ngayon so kailangan may pagpapaalam. [Translation: We have a list of 23 Filipinos we are lining up for repatriation subject to the approval of the proper Israeli authorities because for example, the Ben Gurion International Airport, the operation is limited now so there needs to be permission.] [...]
Israel PM says ‘every Hamas member is a dead man’
JERUSALEM, Undefined - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday vowed to keep fighting Hamas, saying that every member of the Palestinian militant group was "a dead man". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu In his statement, Netanyahu for the first time clearly expressed Israel's intention to "destroy" Hamas following its surprise attack on Saturday. "Hamas is Daesh (Islamic State group) and we will crush them and destroy them as the world has destroyed Daesh," he said in a brief televised statement, the first delivered jointly with his war cabinet. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant added "we will wipe Hamas off the face of the earth". Netanyahu earlier temporarily settled his political differences and set up an emergency government including centrist former defence minister Benny Gantz for the duration of [...]
Senate swiftly approves OP’s proposed ₱10.7-B budget for 2024
Metro Manila, CNN Philippines — The Senate finance committee on Wednesday approved the proposed ₱10.7-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) in just 20 minutes. "There [are] no callings that means I think they have a vote of confidence in your budget, so we will favorably endorse your budget for plenary consideration," Senator Sonny Angara said during the deliberations Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who presented the OP's budget, said its department believes the proposed allocation would be enough for the president to meet the demands as head of government. "We crafted this budget within the parameters and processes set by the DBM from which we sought no special treatment," Bersamin said. Amante Liberato, the deputy executive secretary for finance and administration of the OP, said the proposed [...]
LOOK: Ombudsman asks Congress to reduce its confidential, intel funds from P51M to P1M
Ombudsman Samuel Martires has formally asked the Senate and the House of Representatives to significantly decrease the P51-million confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) allocated to his office to P1-million under the proposed 2024 national budget. “Consistent with my earlier pronouncement before your committee, I would like to officially request that notwithstanding its investigative functions, that the Office of the Ombudsman be appropriated the amount of P1-million for its confidential and intelligence fund (CIF) in FYs 2024 and 2025 or until the end of my term of office as Ombudsman,” Martires said. Martires said the same in his letter to Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizady Co. head of the House Committee on Appropriations. A copy of his letter was also sent to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and [...]
Ex-Pres. Duterte says he will demand a gov’t audit if Romualdez runs for president
Former president Rodrigo Duterte has declared if House Speaker Martin Romualdez decides to run for President, he would demand that an audit be made of how the fourth highest ranking official has spent public funds. (From left) Former president Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Photos from Malacañang, Speaker’s office) In an interview on SMNI on late Tuesday night, Oct. 10, the former chief executive revealed that Romualdez, a first cousin of President Marcos and the former campaign manager of Vice President Sara Duterte, wanted to run as president. However, he also alleged that Congress was “the most rotten institution” in the country, and that the public needs to demand a liquidation report to see how its members spent taxpayers’ money. “Walang limit ‘yun ano nila [...]
Sara tackles education, security with Turkish envoy
VICE President Sara Duterte discussed education and security with Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol when he paid her a courtesy call at her office in Mandaluyong City on Monday Vice President Sara Duterte receives Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol in her office on Monday, October 9. PHOTO FROM OVP COMMUNICATIONS In her Facebook page Tuesday, Duterte said that Turkey is offering scholarship privileges to Filipino students. It also offered to help in the Mindanao peace process through the Independent Decommissioning Body. She also shared her sympathy to the victims of the terrorist attack in Ankara last October 1, while Akyol thanked the Filipino people who offered prayers to those affected in the violence. "Our unity is proof of both countries' concern and friendship that won't be destroyed by challenges [...]
6 countries join PH in sea exercises
WARSHIPS from six countries joined the Philippine Navy in training maneuvers off the coast of Luzon in a show of solidarity and cooperation. The exercise, Samasama (Together) 2023, highlights the commitment of the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia to support an ally, the Philippines, Lt. Kim Paulo Lopez, director for Naval for South Public Affairs Office, said Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class frigate, BRP Antonio Luna FF151 - PF, together with foreign #Navy counterparts carried out Division Tactics (DIVTACS) and Publication Exercise (PUBEX) among others during the first day of Exercise Samasama 2023 Sea Phase in the Naval Forces Southern Luzon area of operations. Photo from Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Carl Thomas, commander of the US 7th Fleet, said the exercise allows participating [...]
QC is wealthiest city for 3rd straight year – COA
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — Quezon City emerged as the wealthiest local government unit in the country in 2022, according to data from the Commission on Audit (COA). Based on COA’s 2022 Annual Financial Report (AFR) for LGUs, Quezon City retained the top spot among the richest cities for the third straight year, even though its reported assets dropped by around ₱8 billion to ₱443.4 billion last year from ₱451 billion in 2021. Makati City was second richest with total assets amounting to P239.4 billion, followed by the City of Manila in the third spot with ₱77.5 billion. Meanwhile, Mandaue City in Cebu province overtook Cebu City by almost ₱4 billion. In 2021, Cebu City, the capital of the province, was richer than Mandaue by around ₱300 million. [...]
Local pork supply to fall short by yearend
Vendors sell fresh poultry and agricultural products at a public market in Lingayen, Pangasinan on September 30, 2023. STAR / Cesar Ramirez MANILA, Philippines — Local pork supply is projected to fall short in the fourth quarter of the year due to the expected surge in demand during the holiday season, requiring importation of the commodity to ensure adequate supply and stable prices, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday. The agency is projecting a supply shortfall on local pork of up to 10 days, DA Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa told journalists yesterday “The supply situation can be addressed by importation during the last quarter when demand for pork is high,” De Mesa said. “The shortage only covers local supply. That’s [...]
DFA: 2 Filipinos killed in Israel-Hamas war
Metro Manila, Philippines — Two Filipinos have been killed as the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas rages on, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said. Manalo confirmed this development in a social media post Wednesday. “The Philippines condemns the killing of two Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel,” he said. Manalo said the Philippine government was committed to cooperate with other nations for the “long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law.” The official also assured Filipino nationals currently entangled in the rising conflict that the national government would provide assistance. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed grief over the deaths. “My heart [...]
Oil firms announce huge rollback of pump prices
PHILIPPINE oil companies announced a huge rollback in prices of petroleum products starting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Shell Philippines and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will slash gasoline prices by P3.05 per liter, diesel by P2.45 per liter and kerosene by P3 per liter. The Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) said in a Viber message that the big rollback was due to high interest rates and a strong dollar. Based on the DOE's Oil Monitor Report oil companies rolled back prices of petroleum products on October 3 -- P2 per liter for gasoline, P0.50 per liter for kerosene but increased diesel by P0.40 per liter.
Afghanistan earthquake has killed more than 2,400, Taliban say
People are seen among the ruins of dwellings after earthquakes in Herat province, Afghanistan.Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan has risen sharply to more than 2,400 people, according to the Taliban government, as rescuers searched for survivors among the ruins of razed villages. A government spokesperson said that more than 10,000 had been injured,. “Many more people are still under the rubble” he told the Guardian. Saturday’s magnitude-6.3 quake – followed by eight strong aftershocks – jolted hard-to-reach areas 19 miles (30km) from the provincial capital of Herat, toppling rural homes and sending panicked city dwellers into the streets “Twelve villages in Zindah Jan and six in Ghoryan district are completely reduced to rubble. We expect the death toll will rise and [...]
7 of 10 Filipinos back reinstatement of ROTC – survey
Students attend their Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) training on January 28, 2023. Ernie Penaredondo MANILA, Philippines — More than 70 percent of the population, or seven out of 10 people, support the move to reinstate the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, a nationwide online survey conducted by research and analytics firm Capstone-Intel Corp. found. The survey conducted from Sept. 25-30 aimed to gather insights on the controversial issue and assess the knowledge and perceptions of Filipino adults on the topic “This favorable perception towards ROTC is evident across various age groups, with individuals aged 25-34 exhibiting the highest level of support at 77 percent. This is closely followed by the age bracket of 35 to 44, with a support rate of 73 percent, and individuals [...]
PCG: Oil tanker in West Philippine Sea collision now in Singapore
Handout photo taken on Tuesday and released by the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday shows personnel retrieving the body of one of three Filipino fishermen who died in Infanta, Pangasinan after their boat was rammed by a foreign oil tanker near Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. AFP MANILA, Philippines — The crude oil tanker that collided with a fishing boat in Pangasinan and resulted in the death of three Filipino fishermen is now in Singapore, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said yesterday. Balilo added that the Port State Control (PSC) in Singapore would give way to the maritime officials in Marshall Islands, where MT Pacific Anna is registered and sailing under its flag, to conduct the investigation. An investigation will determine if MT Pacific Anna [...]
Israel warns of ‘long, difficult war’ vs. Hamas
Jerusalem, Undefined—Israeli forces battled holdout Hamas fighters and pounded targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a “long and difficult” war ahead after the Palestinian militants launched a massive surprise attack. The Hamas attack came half a century after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, stunning Israel and sparking bitter recriminations inside the country on what was widely seen as an enormous intelligence failure Gun fights raged in towns and on highways as the Israeli army deployed tens of thousands of forces to secure southern desert regions near the coastal enclave, aiming to rescue Israeli hostages and then evacuate the entire region within 24 hours. “We’ll reach each and every community till we kill every terrorist in Israel,” vowed military spokesman [...]
P1 provisional jeepney fare hike starts
A jeepney conductor in Philcoa, Quezon City holds signage showing the new PUJ fare, an increase of P1 to the minimum fare, which took effect yesterday. Jesse Bustos MANILA, Philippines — The P1 provisional fare increase will provide at least P200 additional earnings for drivers of public utility jeepneys after it took effect yesterday, transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said. PISTON national president Mody Floranda added that drivers do not need to secure a new fare matrix as the increase is just temporary. “The drivers just need to post an announcement that the minimum is already P13 so that the passengers are aware,” Floranda said The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved a provisional increase of P1 for both [...]
‘Foreign aircraft expected in WPS resupply missions’
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday said the continued presence of foreign aircraft could be expected in future resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea. “We can expect that because I think that is also important,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a television interview. A foreign aircraft from an unknown country was spotted monitoring the Ayungin Shoal during the resupply mission of the military and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Wednesday last week. “What they are providing us is a view from above so that, as I’ve said, we will know what is happening on the ground. That is very important in the formulation of strategies, campaigns, or operational plans that will be effective only in providing additional capability, which we don’t have yet,” Aguilar [...]
Israel, Gaza reel as death toll soars above 1,100 in war with Hamas
Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike on October 8, 2023. AFP / Mahmud Hams SDEROT, Israel — Israel, reeling from the deadliest attack on its territory, declared war on Hamas Sunday as the conflict's death toll surged above 1,100 after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise assault from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu steeled the nation for a "long and difficult" war a day after Hamas fired a barrage of thousands of rockets at Israel and sent a wave of fighters who gunned down civilians and took at least 100 hostages. More than 700 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched its large-scale attack, according to the latest toll from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday -- [...]
95% of Filipinos spend more on food, but half of population is eating less
Manila, Philippines — A new Pulse Asia survey released on Thursday revealed that while 95 percent of Filipinos have increased their spending on food, more than half of the population has started eating less. The new survey revealed that compared to 89 percent in September 2022, food is now 95 percent of households’ expenditures within the past three months. “At the same time that nearly all adults (95 percent) report spending more on food in the previous quarter, a small majority of the adult population (53 percent) say they consumed less food in the same period,” said Pulse Asia. Among locations, Mindanao was noted to have reduced its food consumption the most at 65 percent, with Balance Luzon following at 56 percent. Meanwhile, 56 percent of Balance Luzon and [...]
Romualdez denies politicking after House removes Sara Duterte’s confidential fund
INFO 'That's a bit too much speculation,' Romualdez says, reacting to theories that the House's removal of Duterte's confidential fund is an early infighting move related to the 2028 presidential elections MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Martin Romualdez brushed aside suspicions that the House of Representatives’ decision to strip Vice President Sara Duterte of her confidential funds for 2024 was politically motivated.In a rare press conference on Thursday, October 5, Romualdez said observers who see the move as an early political maneuvering by him ahead of the 2028 elections are “reading too much into it.” “That’s a bit too much speculation,” Romualdez insisted. “Under the circumstances, we felt it would be best that [the funds] be realigned to agencies and departments or areas we consider a priority.” Romualdez even borrowed [...]
Philippine-held features in WPS need P9B for development, security —AFP chief
The Armed Forces of the Philippines needs P9 billion for the development and security of the features the country occupies in the West Philippine Sea, chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Thursday. “There are a lot of estimates... but it is at P9 billion for the development of our islands. I hope it will be included," Brawner told reporters after his visit to Pag-asa Island with Speaker Martin Romualdez and leaders of the House of Representatives. “The name of the game in the West Philippine Sea is effective presence. Ibig sabihin kung sino ang nandiyan, siya ay may control ng area na naroon," he added. (It means whoever is present in the area has control.) "We still have a lot of things to do, a lot [...]
VP Duterte defends confidential funds: ‘It should not be constrained by time’
Metro Manila, CNN Philippines— Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte defended her agencies' use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), saying ensuring the country's peace and order should not be constrained by time. "It matters not whether it takes one day or one year of spending; what truly matters is the safety and security of our people," she said during the 122nd police service anniversary of the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City on WednesdayThe Office of the Vice President (OVP) was heavily criticized by various groups, lawmakers, and the public after Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo revealed that its ₱125 million CIFs were spent in a span of 11 days. But for Duterte, CIFs will provide necessary resources to address unforeseen challenges – whether it be combating [...]
Medusa hackers release stolen PhilHealth data
Hackers have started exposing some of the data retrieved from ransomware attack against the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. after a ransom of $300,000 to unlock the data was not paid. Manila, Philippines — Filipinos should brace for a barrage of online scams in the coming days after hackers who stole data from state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) have leaked members’ information to online – and possibly criminal – groups. Reports coming from dark web informants showed that documents stolen from PhilHealth were publicized in online marketplaces like Telegram starting yesterday. Deep Web Konek, a group dedicated to publishing activities in the dark web, shared a screenshot showing large packets of files containing alleged information on PhilHealth members As such, the group warned that PhilHealth members should be vigilant [...]
Boat ramming accidental – PCG
(UPDATE) THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) clarified on Thursday that the ramming of a boat last Monday that killed three Filipino fishermen did not happen in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, as earlier reported, and that it was an accident. "We would like to clarify that this happened in the waters of Pangasinan and not in the immediate vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. I would like to correct the statement that we issued earlier," PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in an interview Tarriela said the incident happened 180 nautical miles off Agno, Pangasinan. "This is closer to Pangasinan compared to Bajo de Masinloc," he said. "Based on the statements made by the Filipino fishermen, the area was very dark due to the adverse weather conditions at that [...]
New LPA outside PAR likely to develop into tropical depression — Pagasa
A new low pressure area (LPA) is brewing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) which may enter the country over the weekend, the state-run weather agency said on Friday. Weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the weather disturbance was last spotted some 1, 950 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon (outside PAR) PHOTO FROM DOST PAGASA "We are closely monitoring this LPA which has a chance to enter PAR over the weekend," Aurelio said. Meanwhile, Typhoon "Koinu," ("Jenny" in the Philippines) continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as "habagat," even after leaving the country, according to the Pagasa forecaster The trough of Jenny still affects areas in Ilocos Norte, Batanes and Babuyan Islands, the state weather bureau [...]
Soaring food prices push inflation to 6.1% after rice prices climb to 14 year-high
At a briefing yesterday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said headline inflation, or the rate of change in average prices of goods and services typically purchased by consumers, rose to 5.3 percent in August from 4.7 percent in July. Philstar.com / Irra Lising Manila, Philippines (Updated 2:42 p.m.) — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the inflation rate for September 2023 climbed to 6.1%, primarily driven by sharp rises in food prices, especially rice, and the constant increase in transportation costs due to surging fuel prices. The inflation, which measures how much prices for everyday goods and services are going up, was faster last month than the 5.3% recorded in August but slightly lower than the 6.9% print in September 2022. Rice prices in September surged by 17.9% — higher than [...]
PCG: Foreign vessel that rammed PH boat off Bajo de Masinloc violated protocols
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Pangasinan on Thursday said the foreign vessel that rammed a Filipino boat and killed three fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Oct. 2 violated two international regulations. “It is mandated by convention na kung ano ‘yung pinakamalapit na barko, regardless kung sila ‘yung nakasagasa o hindi nakasagasa, sila ‘yung unang magreresponde at ire-rescue itong mga distressed persons sa pangyayari. Ito lang ‘yung initial na nakikita natin na violation nung barko,” PCG Pangasinan station commander Alex Corpuz told CNN Philippines’ The Source [Translation: It is mandated by convention that whatever ship is nearest, regardless of whether it was the one who rammed or not, it must be the first to respond and rescue distressed persons. This [...]
Senators eye realignment of DA’s ₱50-M confidential funds
Metro Manila, Philippines – Senators are considering the realignment of ₱50 million in confidential funds allotted to the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Upon questioning by Sen. Raffy Tulfo during the DA budget hearing on Thursday, agriculture officials told the Senate finance panel that the DA was allotted ₱50 million in confidential funds for surveillance against anti-smuggling operations and law enforcement “Nung lumabas ‘yung NEP [When the NEP came out], they (Department of Budget and Management) allocated ₱50 million confidential funds to be dedicated to surveillance operations for anti-smuggling operations,” DA Asec. James Layug said. Perplexed, Tulfo pointed out that surveillance of agricultural smugglers and law enforcement fell under the mandate of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of [...]
Marcos lifts rice price cap
Rice dealers display rice and their prices at New York Street, Cubao, Quezon City on April 16, 2023. STAR / Michael Varcas Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the immediate removal of the price ceiling on rice after about a month since its imposition. In a press conference on Wednesday, Marcos said that “as of today,” the government is “lifting the price caps on rice, both for the regular-milled rice and the well-milled rice.” This comes after the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry presented "positive" indicators to Marcos on Tuesday reportedly showing the effectiveness of the price cap, which was implemented on September 5 to arrest surging rice prices Executive Order No. 39 had imposed a P41 per kilogram [...]
3 Pinoy fishers killed in boat ramming incident
Handout photo taken on Tuesday and released by the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday shows personnel retrieving the body of one of three Filipino fishermen who died in Infanta, Pangasinan after their boat was rammed by a foreign oil tanker near Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. AFP Manila, Philippines — Three Filipino fishermen were killed while 11 others were injured when a foreign crude oil tanker rammed a mother fishing boat moored some 85 nautical miles off Panatag Shoal before dawn last Monday, according to authorities. In a report sent to the media yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the three fatalities as FFB Dearyn captain Dexter Laudencia, 47, and his crewmen Romeo Mejeco, 38, and Benedicto Olandria, 62, all from Barangay Calapandayan in Subic, Zambales The three reportedly [...]
Marcos vows justice for 3 dead fishermen
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to hold accountable those behind the death of three Filipino fishermen off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the disputed West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said at 4:20 a.m. on Monday, Pacific Anna, a crude oil tanker bearing the flag of the Marshall Islands, rammed into FFB Dearyn while it was moored to an anchored fish float 85 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc TRAGEDY The body of one of the three Filipino fishermen is transported to Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan on Tuesday Oct. 3, 2023. Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard Eleven crew members of the vessel survived using eight service boats. The survivors transported the deceased to Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan. "We are deeply [...]
Philippines’ ODA loan, grants portfolio reach $32.40B in 2022 —NEDA
The total amount of official development assistance (ODA) loans and grants received by the Philippines grew in 2022, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported on Tuesday. In its 2022 ODA Portfolio Review report, the socioeconomic planning agency said the country’s ODA portfolio reached $32.40 billion, up by 0.50% from $32.24 billion in 2021. The total ODA received by the Philippines last year consisted of 106 loans, which amounted to $30.20 billion; and 320 grants, which totaled $2.20 billion. In a statement, the NEDA said the 2022 ODA portfolio “reflected the government’s initiative to sustain a continuous rollout of programs aimed at addressing the socioeconomic scarring brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also seeking to secure assistance for enabling social and economic transformation beyond the pandemic.” The $32.40-billion [...]
Nobel prize for medicine goes to COVID-19 vaccine researchers
Healthcare workers get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the launch of the bivalent Pfizer vaccine at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on June 22, 2023. STAR / Michael Varcas STOCKHOLM – Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday for work on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology that paved the way for the groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccines. The pair, who had been tipped as favorites, “contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times,” the jury said. The World Health Organization declared COVID a pandemic in March 2020 and the mRNA vaccines were approved for use in December that year Billions of doses have been injected around the world since then. Together with other [...]
PH launches bid for seat in Intl Maritime Organization Council
The Philippines, highlighting its maritime credentials, has launched its candidacy for a seat in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for term 2024-2025. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a statement on Monday, said the country has been producing "competent maritime professionals" and is "one of the largest" shipbuilding countries in the world. Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (PNA photo by Joey Razon) Elections for the IMO Council will be held during the 33rd Session of the IMO Assembly from November 27 to December 6 in London, United Kingdom. The Department of Transportation said over 385,000 Filipino seafarers were deployed in 2022. The DFA co-hosted with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) a diplomatic reception last September 26 to launch the country' s bid for the [...]
Importation hurting local poultry industry, says DA
Importation in recent years has led to huge opportunity losses for the local poultry industry, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to reverse these losses and give the country better food security, an official said over the weekend. At the recent Poultry Forum 2023, Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to raise local livestock and poultry production by five times within the next five years He noted that chicken meat importation has been rising consistently over the last 15 years, from 45.772 million kilos in 2008, 67.264 million in 2009, 101.957 million in 2010, 127.227 million in 2011, to 411.069 million last year. United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) chairman Gregorio San Diego also said during the same forum that importation has [...]
NASECORE says graft case vs. Arroyo is solid
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The group suing former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over an alleged misuse of the Malampaya fund almost one-and-a-half decades ago said it has built a solid case against the lawmaker. Pete Ilagan, president of consumer group National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (NASECORE), said in an interview on Monday that the complaint may appear like it's resurrecting old arguments from a 2013 case that was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman, but this fresh pleading involves a bigger sum – ₱38.807 billion in royalties – that was not tackled in the 2013 graft case which covered only ₱900 million. Central to the argument was whether or not that multi-billion Malampaya fund was used as [...]
Philippines, US begin annual drills in disputed South China Sea
This handout photo taken on May 19, 2017 and received from the US Navy on May 25, 2017 shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (L) preparing for a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (R) in the South China Sea. The US warship USS Dewey sailed near a reef claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea on May 25, 2017, a US official said, the first such operation by US President Donald Trump's administration in the disputed waterway. The Chinese government charged later on May 25 that the US warship had entered its waters in the South China Sea "without permission", prompting China's navy to warn the vessel to leave. Kryzentia Weiermann / US Navy / AFP Manila, Philippines [...]
PH debt rises to ₱14.35T on weakening peso
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines’ outstanding debt went up again in August as the peso continued to depreciate against the dollar, the Bureau of the Treasury said Monday. In a statement, the agency said debt stock reached ₱14.35 trillion as of August, up by 0.7% or ₱105.28 billion from the prior month. “[It] was primarily due to the peso depreciating from 54.834 to 56.651 against the US dollar over the reference period,” the treasury said. Year-on-year, the debt ballooned by more than ₱1.32 trillion The majority or 68.2% of the borrowings were from local sources. Data showed that domestic debt stood at ₱9.79 trillion, a slight dip from a month ago “due to large retail bond maturities.” External debt, on the other hand, climbed by 2.9% to ₱4.56 trillion [...]
‘Jenny’ maintains strength; Batanes under Signal No. 2
Satellite image shows Typhoon Jenny (Koinu) on October 3, 2023. RAMBB Manila, Philippines — Batanes remained under Wind Signal No. 2, with Typhoon Jenny (international name: Koinu) maintaining its intensity over the Philippine Sea, the state weather agency said Tuesday morning. Jenny was last spotted 350 kilometers east of Basco in Batanes, with peak winds of 165 km per hour near the center and gusts of up to 205 kph. It was moving west northwest at 15 kph. PAGASA issued Signal No. 2 for Batanes, indicating the potential for minor to moderate effects from strong gale-force winds. Meanwhile, the following areas were placed under Signal No. 1: Cagayan including Babuyan Islands Northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Ilagan [...]
S weaponized global information space – China
China, through its foreign ministry, on Sunday claimed that it was the United States that "invented" how to weaponize the global information space. The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the remark in reaction to the US State Department report claiming that China invested billions of dollars to "spread disinformation globally. The report said that China seeks to reshape the global information environment to its advantage. Beijing has "invested billions of dollars to construct a global information ecosystem that promotes its propaganda and facilitates censorship and the spread of disinformation," the same report read. The US Department of State (DoS) report "is in itself disinformation as it misrepresents facts and truth," the MoFA said in a statement shared by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. "The relevant [...]
‘Pass-through’ fees suspension to lower prices of goods
Rina Papa, vice president of the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), said the suspension of fees for the use of national and other roads not constructed or funded by LGUs would benefit the public as it would mean less cost in the transport of goods. Philstar.com / Irra Lising Manila, Philippines — Consumers should expect a decrease in prices of basic commodities after President Marcos ordered local government units (LGUs) to stop collecting “pass-through” fees from motor vehicles transporting goods or merchandise, a truckers group said on Saturday Rina Papa, vice president of the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), said the suspension of fees for the use of national and other roads not constructed or funded by LGUs would benefit the public [...]
China debuts its first overwater high-speed train
China’s rail ambitions just keep growing. The latest addition to the country’s portfolio is a 277-kilometer (172-mile) high-speed train line along the southeastern coast, connecting the cities of Zhangzhou, Xiamen and Fuzhou, all three of which are in Fujian province. The maximum speed of the trains along this route is 350 kilometers (218 miles) per hour, according to China Railway, the state railway operator The first train on this line debuted on Thursday, September 28, departing from Fuzhou, the province’s capital, at 9:15 a.m. The new railway currently has 84 bridges and 29 tunnels, plus 20 km (12 miles) of track that goes over the sea, making it the country’s first over-water bullet train. China Railway says that it used intelligent robots and environmentally friendly corrosion-resistant steel to build [...]
Gibo plans reserve forces revamp
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Saturday expressed his intention to revise the current reserve forces paradigm structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In a radio dzBB report, Teodoro said the AFP’s current design might not be able to withstand the looming threats against the country. With the ongoing tension in the Philippines’ territorial waters, citizens might need to take up arms to protect the country from unknown incoming threats, Teodoro added. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. welcomed Teodoro’s plan to revise the armed forces’ structure. “Well, we welcome that revision because we see that the problems our country is facing now are really different from the problems we faced before,” said Brawner at the sidelines of the 44th National Reservist Week Culminating Activity [...]
Watersheds in Philippines are ‘in a state of crisis’ — report
This photo taken on November 24, 2022 shows a general view of the mountains as seen from the Masungi Georeserve in Baras. AFP/Jam Sta. Rosa Manila, Philippines — Watersheds in the Philippines are facing a dire crisis as over half of these vital basins remain unprotected from destructive activities such as large-scale mining and infrastructure development, a legal and policy research institution said Watersheds are vital for managing water resources, providing habitats for various species, and controlling floods, droughts and extreme climate events. Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that around 6.8 million hectares of watershed areas were assessed as vulnerable to deforestation, biodiversity loss, erosion, floods, landslides and water pollution, while 14.2 million hectares were identified as critical for the national irrigation [...]
Gov’t to release ₱5K cash aid to rice farmers amid El Niño
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a ₱5,000 subsidy to small-scale rice farmers – from a fund totaling ₱12.7 billion – to help them amid El Niño and other agricultural challenges, Malacañang said on Saturday. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos gave his go signal on Thursday, a move that would aid around 2.3 million beneficiaries of the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program. “[This would] help them cope with the increasing cost of production and sustain their productivity even in the face of challenges like the coming El Niño [phenomenon],” said Marcos, who is also Agriculture secretary. RFFA beneficiaries are farmers tilling below two hectares of land. The PCO said they include members of farm cooperatives associations, irrigators associations, agrarian [...]
BSP sees inflation rate to settle within 5.3%-6.1% in September
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expecting the inflation rate to continue its uptrend in September. In its month-ahead forecast released Friday, the BSP said it projects this month’s inflation to clock in within the range of 5.3% to 6.1%. The lower-end of the forecast range is the same level seen in August at 5.3% “Higher prices of fuel, electricity, and key agricultural commodities, as well as the peso depreciation are the primary sources of upward price pressures in September,” the central bank said. “Meanwhile, lower rice and meat prices could contribute to downward price pressures for the month,” it said. The BSP, following a Monetary Policy meeting on September 21, hiked its inflation outlook for 2023 to 58% from its previous forecast of 5.3%, and to 3.5% [...]
Guardians of WPS to get VP Duterte’s secret funds – House
Rep. Elizaldy Co | PHOTO: Official facebook page of Rep. Elizaldy Co Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives will realign part of the P650 million in confidential funds for 2024 requested by Vice President Sara Duterte, who also heads the Department of Education, to agencies protecting the country’s interest in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, the chair of the House appropriations committee, made the announcement on Wednesday, amid mounting criticism of the allocation of large secret funds to offices with no mandate for national security. The leaders of top political blocs in the chamber also separately called for the reallocation of the hard-to-audit funds to agencies with surveillance or intelligence-gathering requirements. “We will realign the confidential funds of various civilian agencies. [...]
Jenny now a tropical storm, may enhance Habagat
Tropical Depression Jenny has intensified into a tropical storm (international name: Koinu) and may enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), PAGASA said in its forecast on Saturday. At 4 a.m., the center of Jenny was estimated to be located at 1,145 km east of Central Luzon. Jenny has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near its center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa. The tropical storm is moving westward at 15 km/h From its center, strong to gale-force winds are extending outwards up to 330 km. PAGASA said it has not raised any tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) at this time. "Tropical Storm JENNY is not directly affecting the country at this time. However, due to the proximity of the track forecast to Extreme [...]
PH, EU against use of force in South China Sea
THE Philippines and the European Union urged countries with conflicting claims in the South China Sea to refrain from using force that fuels uncertainty in the region. They expressed serious concern over actions that endanger peace, security, and stability, and the rules-based international order, including recent incidents in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the appeal was made during the meeting of the first subcommittee on maritime cooperation under the Philippine-European Union partnership and cooperation agreement in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, September 27 Screengrab from Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows one of its vessels being fired on by a Chinese water cannon in the disputed South China Sea on August 5. AFP Photo The next meeting will take [...]
All regions to see wage hikes before year ends—DOLE
All regions will see an increase in daily minimum wages before the year ends, the Department of Labor and Employment said Friday. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the increases are being carefully reviewed and considered by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) Laguesma said the wage boards are conducting public hearings in three regions, which will be followed by wage deliberations and the issuance of wage orders. Recently, the National Capital Region wage board granted a P40 increase for minimum workers in Metro Manila. This brought the daily minimum wage in the region from P57 to P610 for the non-agriculture sector and from P533 to P573 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 [...]
Marcos speaks up on China’s barrier: ‘We are not looking for trouble’
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. | PHOTOS: PCO and PCG Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday stressed his commitment to continue to protect the Philippine territories following China’s installation of floating barriers in the West Philippine Sea. Marcos finally broke his silence about the issue on the floating barrier installed by Chinese vessels that surfaced last Sunday. The Philippine Coast Guard has removed the barriers on the orders of the Commander in Chief. “Hindi tayo naghahanap ng gulo,” the President stressed in an ambush interview with media in Surigao “Basta gagawin natin, patuloy nating ipagtatanggol ang Pilipinas, ang maritime territory ng Pilipinas, ang mga karapatan ng mga fishermen natin namangisda doon sa mga areas kung saan sila nangigisda daan-daang taon na,” he said. (We [...]
Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers approved
The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers with 14 affirmative votes, no abstention and no negative vote, in time for the celebration of the National Maritime Week. The measure aims to uphold the welfare of Filipino seafarers by mandating decent working and living conditions, standardizing terms and conditions of employment, regulating manning agencies, and incentivizing maritime stakeholders, among others. "I would like to thank my colleagues for their support for this measure, especially Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri who has been supportive of this bill from day one," said Sen. Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo, principal sponsor and one of the authors of Senate Bill 2221. Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo. Photo from Senate "I am equally thankful to the seafarers and their [...]
Support for Marcos administration slips
Sentiments favorable to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have slipped, while sentiments opposed to the Marcos administration have risen, a survey conducted by Publicus Asia found. In Publicus' third-quarter survey, the results of which were released recently, 43 percent of respondents expressed pro-administration sentiments, down from 48 percent in the second-quarter survey President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from PCO In a statement issued Thursday, the polling firm said the decrease indicated "that fewer individuals are aligned with the current administration as well as its priorities compared to the previous quarter." Anti-administration sentiments grew from 18 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent in the third quarter. The shift indicates that a "greater number of respondents" are opposed to or dissatisfied with the administration's leadership, [...]
China warns Philippines not to ‘stir up trouble’ over Scarborough
This satellite photo shows the damage on coral reefs in the Scarborough Shoal due to Chinese fishermen's harvesting of giant clams. AMTI, file Manila, Philippines — Beijing warned Manila on Tuesday not to "stir up trouble" after the Philippine Coast Guard said it removed a floating barrier at a disputed reef that was allegedly deployed by China to block Filipino fishermen from the area. Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea has long been a source of tension between the countries. China seized the ring of reefs from the Philippines in 2012 and has since deployed patrol boats. The latest spat was sparked by a 300-metre (328-yard) floating barrier that was found across the entrance of the shoal last week during a routine Philippine government resupply mission to fishermen [...]
Marcos thumbs down proposal to reduce imported rice tariff
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rejected the proposed tariff reduction on imported rice being pushed by his economic managers. “We decided with the agriculture and economic managers that it was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because the projection of world rice prices is that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs. Tariffs are generally lowered when the price is going up,” he said. His made the announcement shortly after a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday where the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) presented updates on the proposed tariff reduction. Earlier in the day, Senator Imee Marcos joined rallyists opposing the proposed zero tariff on imported rice as she expressed confidence that her brother would not [...]
DFA says removal of China’s barrier ‘consistent’ with PH position
Metro Manila, Philippines — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said the removal of a floating barrier installed by China in a disputed shoal was "consistent" with the position of the government on the West Philippine Sea. "Technically, we have a right to practice our sovereignty and our sovereign rights. So, it would have been consistent with our position but we're still waiting for the full report," he said in a chance interview on Tuesday. Speaking to lawmakers later that day, Manalo also said the government plans to file a diplomatic protest over the matter “Once we get confirmation sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), we, of course, will issue a protest to the Chinese Embassy here and we will cite the reasons why,” he said during a Senate [...]
House political leaders to reallocate intel, confidential funds to security agencies
Metro Manila, Philippines — Leaders of political parties in the House of Representatives have decided to realign confidential and intelligence funds to agencies tasked to ensure national security, days after China illegally put up a floating barrier in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the lawmakers said they view China's latest action in the disputed waters "with serious concern. They said not only did the floating barrier endanger Filipino fishermen and halt their livelihood, but it also triggered more conflict. "We extend our collective support to the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) swift and diplomatic actions in removing the barriers at Scarborough Shoal. We commend their dedication to safeguarding our nation's interests and standing up for the rights of our Filipino fishermen," the joint statement [...]
Recycling plastic not enough, warns UN body
WITH the production of plastic on the rise worldwide and creating ever more pollution, the UN environment chief warned that humanity cannot just recycle its way out of the mess, and she called for a total rethink about the way we use plastics. "There are different sort of onramps to the highway to solutions. But I think everybody recognizes that the status quo is just not an option," said Inger Andersen, director of the UN Environment Program, in an interview Thursday with AFP on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, speaks during an interview at UN headquarters in New York City on September 21, 2023. As plastic production increases, polluting the [...]
More farmers’ groups join calls to remove Diokno, Balisacan
Farm workers check on their crops, spray organic pesticides, and remove unwanted weeds at a rice field in Tanay, Rizal on September 19, 2023. Ernie Penaredondo / The Philippine STAR Manila, Philippines — More farmers’ groups joined the calls for President Marcos to remove Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan over their alleged preferential treatment on importation by moving to bring down tariffs on rice and other imported agricultural products. At least 20 more peasant organizations signed the petition to replace Diokno and Balisacan, after six groups initiated the campaign to axe the two members of the economic team. Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So vowed that more protest actions will be held in front of the Department of Finance building [...]
Sandbar near Pag-asa Island found full of dead, crushed corals
A sandbar near Pag-asa Island was found to be full of dead and crushed corals, which experts say is a common procedure done by China before it starts reclamation activities. As reported by Joseph Morong on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, Sandy Cay 2 was found to have been covered with piles of dead and crushed corals almost as high as a human—compared with Sandy Cay 1, where the sand is still uncovered. Sandy Cay 2 is one of four sandbars near Pag-asa Island in the town of Kalayaan, located in the West Philippine Sea. It is also said to be blocked by vessels of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels. Prior to entering the area, a ship of the China Coast Guard also attempted [...]
PhilHealth hackers demand $300,000 – DICT
Philhealth is the country's national health insurance system. The STAR / File Manila, Philippines — After the Medusa ransomware infected the systems of state health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Sept. 22, cyberhackers have demanded $300,000 or approximately P16 million, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) “They have already made a demand for $300,000 for them to do two things: One is to delete the data that they captured, and two, is so they would give us the key so we can decrypt the data that they encrypted,” DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy told The STAR yesterday. The stolen data from PhilHealth has been posted on the dark web, he added. The National Computer Emergency Response Team of the DICT Cybersecurity [...]
DepEd pilot tests MATATAG curriculum in Malabon
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday started the pilot implementation of the MATATAG K-10 program in Tinajeros National High School in Malabon City. The recalibrated program will be implemented in Grade 7 in the school, which comprises 19 sections with a total of 681 students. Present during the event were DepEd Undersecretary Gina Gonong, DepEd Malabon Superintendent Dr. Cecille Carandang, and Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval. Aside from Tinajeros National High School, four other schools from Malabon are part of the initial run of the decongested curriculum. These are Damapalit Integrated School, Santiago Syjuco Memorial School, Muzon Elementary School, and Santiago Syjuco Memorial Integrated Secondary School. Speaking to reporters after the flag ceremony, Sandoval said the selection of five pilot schools was "very challenging," [...]
China walls in Scarborough
Sets 300-m floating barrier to keep Filipino fishermen out of shoal Philippine officials and lawmakers on Sunday denounced China’s installation of a floating barrier in the southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough) Shoal, which prevents Filipino fishermen from entering the area to catch fish. The floating barrier, with an estimated length of 300 meters, was discovered by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) onboard the BRP Datu Bankaw, which conducted a maritime patrol mission on Friday, Sept. 22 in the vicinity of the shoal. Three Chinese Coast Guard boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installed the floating barrier upon the arrival of the BFAR vessel, the PCG said in a statement. Filipino fishermen note that the [...]
Marcos certifies as urgent bill imposing tougher penalties vs agri economic sabotage
A rice farmer works in a paddy field in Pulilan, Bulacan province on August 19, 2023. AFP / Earvin Perias Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has certified a measure imposing stiff penalties for agricultural economic sabotage as urgent, which expedites the bill’s passage in the Senate. Senate Bill 2432 seeks to repeal Republic Act 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform, has criticized the existing law as a “failure” due to the Bureau of Customs recording zero convictions over seven years The bill defines economic sabotage as an activity that “disrupts the economic by creating artificial shortage, promoting excessive importation, manipulating prices and supply, evading payment or underpayment [...]
VP Sara meets with South Korea education minister in Seoul
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday, September 21, 2023 meets with South Korean officials led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Ju-ho Lee in Seoul to discuss education-related topics. Duterte is in South Korea to attend the Global Education and Innovation Summit where she is one of the keynote speakers. IAN CRUZ/GMA Integrated News Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday met with Republic of Korea Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Ju-ho Lee in Seoul, South Korea to discuss education-related mattersDuterte said it was an opportunity to learn about the education system of different countries, considering that she serves as the concurrent secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd), and the president of the Southeast Asian Ministers [...]
South Korean shipbuilder offers submarines to Philippine Navy
Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipbuilding and offshore company, plans to participate in the Philippine Navy’s modernization efforts, focusing on submarines, high-speed crafts, and large landing ships. The company proposed an advanced underwater solution, the Jangbogo-III PN Submarine, as part of its Submarine Acquisition Project for the Philippine Navy The submarine is built upon the success of the Korean Navy’s Jangbogo-III submarines and offers unparalleled operational capability with the latest propulsion system, Sound Navigation and Ranging and Combat Management System, and Lithium-ion Battery Technology. Admiral (ret) Steve SK Jeong, Head of International Business of Hanhwa Ocean, former ROKN Submarine Force Commander, said the proposal will not only enhance the Philippines’ defense capability but also provide lifetime support for the Submarine Force of the Philippine Navy. He said this signifies [...]
Marcos called for civilian-led approach to Ayungin Shoal, NTF-WPS says
This photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows Chinese coast guard ships (L and R) corralling a Philippine civilian boat chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed South China Sea. AFP / Ted Aljibe Manila, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for a "civilianized" approach to managing the situation at Ayungin Shoal. Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the NTF-WPS, explained in an interview with ANC how to respond to the presence of China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels near Ayungin. "That is a decision that has to be made by higher authorities because we want to keep the tension low in the WPS," [...]
DepEd learning tools get budget hike
BUDGET Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Monday that the Department of Education's (DepEd) learning materials and education facilities got a major boost in the proposed 2024 national budget BUDGET Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. File Photo DepEd's Basic Education Facilities Program was given a significant 44-percent increase in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), amounting to P33.755 billion compared to its P23.417 billion allocation in 2023. "Through revitalized education, I aspire to provide every Filipino with a fighting chance to manage life's uncertainties so they can choose to achieve their full potential," Pangandaman said in a statement. The said program will focus on nine areas, including the construction of 7,879 new classrooms and technical vocational laboratories; the repair and rehabilitation of 10,050 classrooms; the procurement of 21,557 sets of school [...]
Marcos sets new palay prices
The National Food Authority (NFA) Council chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday set a new price range for buying palay in order to improve the income of farmers in the country. In a video message, the President said he called for a meeting with the NFA Council to discuss the price of palay, and it was decided that the buying price for dry palay would be P23 from P19 and for wet, P19 from P16. He said the move aimed to improve farmers' income and ensure sufficient supply of the staple. "We needed to look into the wet and dry palay because the situation changed," Marcos said. "So, they will now start earning. We also have a price cap to control the rice prices," he added. The [...]
China’s foreign minister holds talks with Russia’s Lavrov in Moscow
China’s foreign minister has held talks with his Russian counterpart in Moscow as the two countries inch closer amid fraying ties with the West over the Ukraine war and the militarisation of the Pacific. Wang Yi opened his talks with Sergey Lavrov by hailing “strategic cooperation” between the two countries and their shared commitment to a “multipolar world” and a “more just world order” “China and Russia, as leading global powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear special responsibility for maintaining global strategic stability and global development,” Wang said. The Moscow trip comes days after Wang held talks with United States President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta. Sino-US ties have deteriorated in recent years over issues ranging from trade to the Chinese [...]
Oil prices rise on supply deficit concerns
Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday for the fourth consecutive session, as weak shale output in the U.S. spurred further concerns about a supply deficit stemming from extended production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 90 cents, or 1 percent, to $92.38, by 0018 GMT, just under a 10-month high reached on Monday, while global oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $94.70 a barrel Prices have gained for three consecutive weeks. U.S. oil output from top shale-producing regions is on track to fall to 9.393 million barrels per day (bpd) in October, the lowest level since May 2023, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Monday. It will have fallen for three months in a row. Those estimates come [...]
Taiwan to set up bases in PH for academic exchange
The Taiwanese government is set to establish ten overseas bases, with the Philippines being the primary location, as part of its study and work program to boost the region’s workforce. The Ministry of Education plans to invest 5.2 billion New Taiwan dollars (P9.3 million) from 2024 to 2028 to promote international student enrollment and stay in Taiwan Dr. Lee Tien-Shang, President of Kun-Shan University (KSU), announced the plans to establish overseas bases in Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo, among other locations. The bases will serve as platforms for academic and industry-academia exchange and collaboration between Taiwan and the Philippines. Each location will promote high-quality Mandarin, cultural experiences, and preparatory courses, with the aim of deepening the international educational exchange and cooperation between universities in both countries. KSU will establish new [...]
SC asked to declare unconstitutional Maharlika Investment Fund Act
The Supreme Court (SC) was asked on Monday, Sept. 18, to declare unconstitutional the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023 under Republic Act No. 11954 that was signed into law by President Marcos last July 18 to be managed by the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) which now has a seed capital of P150 billion. In a petition, the SC was also asked to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) or preliminary injunction or status quo ante order (SQAO) to stop immediately the implementation of RA 11954, and to conduct oral arguments. The petition was filed by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, former congressman and Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Javier Colmenares, and former Bayan Muna congressmen Carlos Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite Named respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary [...]
Cops arrest 11 Chinese over alleged trafficking
The Southern Police District arrested 11 Chinese nationals in Paranaque City over alleged involvement in human trafficking. The police operation took place at Unit 1811, 18th Floor, SoleMare Parksuites in Barangay Baclaran following the issuance of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Jaime Guray of the Regional Trial Court, Parañaque City. One of the suspects was identified as Lin Shengjie, also known as “Boss Lin or Lin Wei,” 32, who faces complaints for violation of Republic Act 10591 and RA 9208. His accomplice, Xiao Ji, alias “Boss Kee” is currently at large and is now the subject of a manhunt operation. Those arrested also include Chinese nationals identified only by their aliases Weichao, Liulizhang, Honghualiang, Luyzhenggang, Zhangmingpeng, Pengke, Dengchaofan, Cai Deqiang, and Chujunyi, and their 48-year-old Filipino cohort [...]
Poll: Fewer Pinoys optimistic economy will improve
Shoppers flock to Divisoria for last-minute school supplies shopping on August 26, 2023. STAR / Ernie Penaredondo Manila, Philippines — Less than a majority of Filipinos now think that the Philippine economy will improve within the year, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed. Results of the July 22 to 26 survey released yesterday found that 46 percent of the respondents believed that the economy would be better in six months. Some 43 percent said it would remain the same, while six percent said it would worsen. Another six percent said they do not know Compared to a similar survey conducted in March, optimism in the Philippine economy dropped by four points from 50 percent. Pessimism stayed at six percent. In October 2022, those who believed that [...]
Gov’t inflation targets no longer feasible — ECOP
Employers expressed strong doubt that the targeted year-end inflation rate of four percent can still be achieved, saying a 5.6 percent rate is more likely given the rising cost of prices in the local market. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), issued his projection during the “Pandesal Forum” on Friday, Sept. 15, which gathered business leaders from other business groups such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), to discuss their opposition on the pending wage hike bill in the Senate. “Yung inflation target natin na four percent sana by end of the year di na mangyayari yun baka 5.6 percent siguro. Next year, yung target natin na [...]
Maharlika Fund gets P25 billion from DBP
The planned operationalization of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) before the end of the year became closer to fruition after it received fresh funding from state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) In a text message to GMA News Online on Friday, DBP president and CEO Michael de Jesus confirmed that the lender remitted to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) its mandatory contribution for the initial capital of the MIF —the country’s very first sovereign wealth fund. “Yes, we remitted P25 [billion] to BTR today,” de Jesus said. The DBP chief’s announcement came on the heels of Land Bank of the Philippines’s announcement that it remitted to Treasury its mandated P50-billion contribution to the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), pursuant to the Republic Act No. 11954, which created the MIF. [...]
Underwater surveys show reef damage in Rozul Reef, Escoda Shoal — Coast Guard
Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard shows damage to marine environment and coral reef. Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Monday that its surveys have revealed “extensive” damage to the marine environment and coral reefs in areas frequented by Chinese maritime militias in the West Philippine Sea. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea matters, said that the underwater surveys of the seabeds in Rozul (Iroquois) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal showed that the marine ecosystem there “appeared lifeless, with minimal to no signs of life.”Surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal also spotted visible discoloration of its seabed, which indicates that “deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain.” Tarriela added that the presence of [...]
Gasoline, diesel, kerosene prices up by at least P2/liter Tuesday
Oil firms are set to implement a major hike in pump prices of petroleum products on Tuesday, marking the tenth straight week of upward movement for gasoline and 11th for both diesel and kerosene In separate advisories, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex) and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said they will hike prices per liter of gasoline by P2.00, diesel by P2.50, and kerosene by P2.00. Cleanfuel will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which it does not carry. The adjustment will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 19, except for Caltex, which will hike prices at 12:01 a.m., and Cleanfuel at 4:01 p.m. the same day. Other firms have yet to make similar announcements for the week.
Rice products worth ₱40M seized in raids — BOC
Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities have seized smuggled rice products worth ₱40 million in two separate operations in Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Sunday. The rice products came from Vietnam, Thailand, and China, the BOC said. The owner was found to be selling a 25-kilo sack of rice from Vietnam at ₱1,320, or over ₱52 per kilo, exceeding the prescribed price ceiling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a nationwide price ceiling which capped the price of regular milled rice at ₱41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at ₱45 per kilogram. “Prior to this inspection, an extensive investigation, surveillance, and test purchases were carried out,” the BOC said in a statement. Authorities also granted the owner of the warehouse 15 days to submit documents, [...]
Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes around island
Taipei, Taiwan – More than 100 Chinese warplanes and nine navy ships were detected around Taiwan, authorities in Taipei said Monday, describing the number as a “recent high”. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary, and has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure in recent years as relations have soured. “Between the morning of September 17th to 18th, the Ministry of National Defence had detected a total of 103 Chinese aircraft which was a recent high and has posed severe challenges to the security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region,” it said in a statement. Beijing’s “continued military harassment can easily lead to a sharp spike in tension and worsen regional security,” the ministry said, as it called [...]
PH external debt climbs to $117.9B as of end-June
Metro Manila, Philippines— The country’s foreign debt went up by 9.5% at the end of June, one year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office. Based on preliminary data, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said late Friday that external debt reached $117.9 billion, higher than the $107.7 billion level in June 2022 The central bank attributed the increase to the $7.9 billion in net availments, and the change in the scope to include non-residents’ holdings of Peso-denominated debt securities issued onshore. “Meanwhile, the transfer of Philippine debt papers issued offshore from non-residents to residents of $1.3 billion and negative FX revaluation of $295 million partially tempered the year-on-year increase in the debt stock,” it added. However, the latest figure reflected a decrease of 0.8% from the $118.8 billion [...]
Comelec to BSKE candidates: No socmed posting until campaign period
Candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are strictly prohibited from promoting themselves on social media until the campaign period starts, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reminded candidates about Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits election campaigns or partisan political activity outside the designated period Under Comelec Resolution 10905, campaigning is not allowed between September 3 and October 18, 2023. The campaign period is from October 19 to 28. "Once nag-file ka ng certificate of candidacy, ikaw ay kandidato na. Bawal ang pag-post, bawal ang pangangamay, bawal ang pag-iikot, bawal ang pamimigay ng kung anu-ano dahil ikaw ay kandidato na," Garcia said in the latest episode of "The Mangahas Interviews.'' “At the same time, kung mayroon kang social media [...]
Marcos: PH has shown it will not give up territory
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines has made clear it will not give up any of its territory despite having a relatively small force compared to "others we encounter in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)," President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said in a speech before members of the military on Friday. Speaking at the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Palawan, Marcos saluted troops for "holding the line. "In comparison doon sa mga ibang nakakatagpo natin doon sa WPS ay kahit na maliit lang ang naihaharap natin na puwersa ay maganda naman ang nagiging resulta," the commander-in-chief said. "Dahil kahit papaano ay nagagawa natin na nagiging maliwanag, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas, kung hindi sa buong mundo na tayo ay di tayo papayag na kukunin sa [...]
Philippines losing over P100 billion yearly due to cancer
Stock photo of a peso money bill. Philstar.com / Jovannie Lambayan Manila, Philippines — The country is losing over P100 billion yearly due to cancer, a health economist said. Dr. Val Ulep, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, cited a recent study they published showing that the economic cost of cancer would reach around P110 billion annually, or around one percent of the country’s gross domestic product. “When you look at the total economic cost in the Philippines, out of that P110 billion, around P40 billion refers to the medical cost such as hospital expenses, and the rest, P70 billion, is the indirect cost,” Ulep said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday He explained that indirect cost covers their [...]
Pulse Asia: 4 in 10 dissatisfied with senior high school program
Only 41 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with the senior high school program, a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showed. Of the 1,200 respondents surveyed nationwide, over four in 10 or 42% were dissatisfied with the senior high school program under the K-to-12 curriculum, the poll noted Gatchalian said the survey reflects the Department of Education program’s failure to make graduates college-ready and work-ready. The DepEd, however, said it has created the National Task Force to review the implementation of the SHS program, and that the Bureau of Curriculum Development has also started its review of the senior high curriculum following the revision of the K-to-10 curriculum into the recently launched Matatag system. According to a 2020 discussion paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies [...]
Rice price ceiling to take effect on September 5
Rice prices in Baguio City increase on Aug. 10, 2023 due to a problem in supply caused by Typhoon Egay and the continuous rains in Benguet. The STAR / Andy Zapata Jr., File photo Manila, Philippines — The price cap on rice in the Philippines will take effect on Tuesday, September 5, according to the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). Executive Order 39, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 31, sets a price limit of P41 per kilogram for regular milled rice and P45 per kilogram for well-milled riceRice is essential for a population of 110 million in the Philippines. However, the country cannot produce sufficient rice for its needs, consistently ranking among the world's leading rice importers. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given [...]
Kalayaan optimistic of tourism boost after ‘expedition tours’ launch
File photo shows tourists wearing masks by the beach. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — Fancy exploring Philippine territory in the disputed West Philippine Sea as a tourist? For a year now, the municipal government of Kalayaan in Palawan has been offering week-long tours that attract travelers who seek adventure and long to see natural wonders – and has since boosted its local tourism. Among the first batch of tourists who visited the archipelago last April was 30-year-old Julie Ann Lope Lope shared with The STAR that she did not hesitate to join after a friend saw the tour on Facebook and recommended it to her. Onboard an expedition yacht where she and other tourists spent the night during the week-long excursion, the trip from the port of Buliluyan [...]
Zubiri says Senate ‘laser-focused’ on legislated wage hike, pushes passage before year-end
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday said he wants the Senate to pass the proposed ₱150 across-the-board wage increase before year-end or by December, adding senators are "laser-focused" on its passage. "The cost of living has increased all over the country and they need that decent wage para makabuhay sila nang disente, kaya itutulak talaga namin 'yan [so they will have decent living. That's why we will push for it]," Zubiri told reporters. "We are laser-focused on that," he added. "Marami lang issue na dumarating [It's just that many issues are surfacing]. We will take it up to the floor and pass it as a shared advocacy of the Senate." Last March, Zubiri filed Senate Bill 2002, or the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of [...]
Hanna to exit Philippines; monsoon rain to continue
Typhoon Hanna was monitored at 375 kms east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes and was moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, carrying maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. PAGASA MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains are forecast to continue in the next few days due to the southwest monsoon, even as Typhoon Hanna (international name Haikui) could exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by tomorrow, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Typhoon Hanna was monitored at 375 kms east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes and was moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, carrying maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. Hanna will make landfall over [...]
Petron hiking LPG price by P6.65/kg, others to follow
Petron Corp. said Thursday it is increasing its liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas prices by P6.65 per kilogram, or P73.15 per 11-kg tank, effective today to reflect the higher contract price of LPG in the world market. Petron said it will also increase the price of auto LPG by P3.70 per liter (VAT-inclusive) by 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 1 The country’s lone refiner said in its advisory the price hikes reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of September. Other LPG retailers are also expected to adjust prices. The price increase is higher than the forecasted P2 to P5 per kg by industry players last week. Sources concurred with the probable hike, which would translate to P22 to P55 per kg increase for every 11-kilo [...]
Rains to continue as three weather systems enhance southwest monsoon – PAGASA
Metro Manila, Philippines — Rains are expected to continue over the weekend as three weather disturbances enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday. “Itong si bagyong Saola (formerly Goring), Severe Tropical Storm Hanna, at isa pang severe tropical storm sa malayong parte ng ating Pacific Ocean ay nageehance po ng habagat o southwest monsoon lalo na dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon," PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a 5 a.m. briefing [Translation: Typhoon Saola, Severe Tropical Storm Hanna, and another severe tropical storm at the far part of the Pacific Ocean are enhancing the southwest monsoon especially in most parts of Luzon.] In the next three days, Estareja said monsoon rains are expected over the Ilocos Region, Abra, [...]
Marcos to join ASEAN Summit in Indonesia
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approves the Department of Trade and Industry’s Three-year Food Logistics Action Agenda aimed at revolutionizing the country’s food distribution system, reducing transport and logistics costs, and ensuring food supply chain efficiency. Presidential Communications Office Manila, Philippines — President Marcos is traveling to Jakarta next week to join the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit and related summits, where Manila is expected to push for statements on Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said Marcos would continue to promote a rules-based international order, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), especially in the South China Sea, during the summit set on Sept. 5 to 7. [...]
PH rejects, protests China’s expanded 10-dash line in South China Sea
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines filed a protest against China’s issuance of the 2023 version of its standard map showing its extended claim in the South China Sea. Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu confirmed in a Thursday briefing that Manila filed a diplomatic protest regarding the issue. Beijing released this week its updated standard map showing 10 dashes that form a U shape, claiming nearly the entire South China Sea as part of its territory. The area overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines as well as those of Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia In a statement on Thursday, the DFA said “[t]his latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under [...]
Law establishing specialty health centers nationwide signed
This March 8, 2020 photo shows the Manila Center for Infectious Disease Control located on the 10th floor of the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila. The STAR / Edd Gumban Manila, Philippines — President Marcos has signed into law a measure mandating the establishment of specialty centers in Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals and in government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCC) hospitals in the country. Signed on Aug. 24, Republic Act (RA) 11959 or the “Regional Specialty Centers Act” aims to ensure accessible and affordable health care services for all Filipinos. Under the law, the DOH is designated to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in GOCC specialty hospitals, prioritizing cancer care, cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care, [...]
P92.49 billion SSS premiums unremitted in 2022
Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that over P92.49 billion worth of premium collections to the Social Security System (SSS) were not remitted by 466,881 employers from all over the country last year. COA’s audit report indicated that SSS was only able to collect P2.48 billion, or less than three percent, of the P94.97-billion target as of the end of 2022. The COA added that the National Capital Region posted the lowest collection percentage at P383.78 million out of the target of P64.67 billion (0.59 percent), followed by the rest of Luzon at P747.59 million out of P22.33 billion (3.35 percent). The Visayas’ collection percentage was at P305.54 million out of P6.48 billion (4.72 percent) and Mindanao at P405.8 million out of P7.33 billion (7.42 percent). [...]
VP Sara, Viscom launch mobile e-learning hub in Cebu
E-LEARNING HUB. Vice President Sara Duterte delivers her speech during the launching of the mobile e-learning hub project of the Visayas Command and 3rd Civil Relations Group (3CRG) at the DepEd Ecotech Center Pavilion in Sudlon, Lahug in Cebu City on Tuesday (Aug. 29, 2023). The facility, a modified trailer truck with 20-foot container van equipped with 20 laptop computers, printers, Smart TV and internet connections, will be deployed in areas in Cebu province where the soldiers are conducting community support program activities. (Photo courtesy of Viscom PIO) CEBU CITY – The Visayas Command has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) in rolling out a mobile E-Learning Hub project that will serve learners in far-flung areas where internet and computer access is a challenge, a ranking Army [...]
Marcos OKs 3-year food logistics agenda
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) three-year Food Logistics Action Agenda aimed at revolutionizing the country's food distribution system, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang file photo) According to the PCO, Marcos approved the plan during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang with secretaries from different government agencies on Tuesday, Aug. 29. In a statement, the PCO said the creation of the three-year food logistics agenda was one of the directives of the President during the eighth Cabinet meeting in September 20222 to the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Trade and Industry (DTI), Transportation (DOTr), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to develop a food logistics [...]
PH should strengthen early childhood education – UNICEF
Metro Manila, Philippines— The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Philippines on Tuesday said there is still much work to do to strengthen early childhood education in the country. UNICEF Philippines' deputy representative Behzad Noubary said only 28% of Filipino learners aged three and four attend preschool, and about 78% for kindergarten. "If we could increase that, we can see immediate improvements in terms of the success of students in primary learning," he told CNN Philippines' The Final Word. Citing a UNICEF study, Noubary said preschool education gives Filipino students a better chance of success once they get to primary school. He added that preschool education may also help address the country's learning crisis. "There are some LGUs (local government units) where daycare centers are not available. This is [...]
Three cyclones, including ‘Hanna’, intensify southwest monsoon
Satellite image shows Super Typhoon Goring (Saola) and Severe Tropical Storm Hanna (Haikui) on August 31, 2023 PAGASA Manila, Philippines — Three tropical cyclones are enhancing the southwest monsoon, which will continue to dump rain over the western part of Luzon, the state weather bureau said Thursday morning. Severe Tropical Storm Hanna (international name: Haikui), Super Typhoon Saola (formerly Goring) and Tropical Storm Kirogi are currently strengthening the southwest monsoon (habagat). Saola and Kirogi are outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. According to PAGASA, the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring occasional to monsoon rain over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days. The agency warned that floods and landslides may occur in areas that are highly vulnerable to these hazards, and in places that have experienced significant [...]
PH strengthens naval ties with US, Japan
VISITING ALLY | A sailor from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force stands guard as JS Izumo docks at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila, on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. The JS Izumo is a multipurpose and multifunctional destroyer with a full flat deck capable of accommodating an F-35B stealth fighter jet. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer) Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is looking to strengthen cooperation between its naval fleet and its counterparts in the United States and Japan through activities such as joint training and capability development that will be “mutually beneficial” to the three forces, as Manila and its partners reinforce their alliance amid heightened tensions with China. US Navy 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas and Japan Self-Defense Fleet commander [...]
Brawner says joint exercises with China looks ‘murky’
(File photo of AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner) Metro Manila, Philippines — The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said China’s proposed joint military exercises and patrols with the Philippines are unlikely. The proposed joint military exercises with the Philippines was pitched in July. However, details are still indefinite. Gen. Romeo Brawner said the country’s memorandum of agreement on defense cooperation has been existing since 2004. Since then, the military has been sending over Filipino officers and enlisted personnel for schooling in China. Although given China’s aggression in the South China Sea, the government has halted sending over these officers. Brawner also said China should stop what he called coercive and dangerous tactics in the disputed waters when the military are resupplying their stations in islands and occupied [...]
Philippines most at risk from rising food, power prices
The index, covering 110 countries, showed that 50 of the most affected by food price surges are emerging market economies. Philstar.com / Irra Lising Among emerging Asian economies Manila, Philippines — The Philippines has emerged as the most vulnerable from rising food and energy prices among countries in emerging Asia, according to the Nomura Food Vulnerability Index (NFVI). The index, covering 110 countries, showed that 50 of the most affected by food price surges are emerging market economies. “A scatter plot of our NFVI scores against net oil imports of each country highlights that the most vulnerable to surging food and oil prices are small frontier economies; the larger ones include the Philippines and Pakistan,” Nomura said in its latest economic insights. Nomura assumed a 20-percent rise in [...]
Goring weakens; potential typhoon to enter Philippines
At a press briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said the eye of Typhoon Goring was located at 245 kilometers (km) east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 155 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph as it is moving north northeastward at 15 kph. PAGASA Manila, Philippines — Goring has weakened into a typhoon and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday while an approaching severe tropical storm is expected to enter PAR on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. At a press briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said the eye of Typhoon Goring was located at 245 kilometers (km) east northeast of [...]
Another increase in oil prices set this week
Metro Manila, Philippines— Pump prices will again go up starting Tuesday, several oil companies said Monday. In separate advisories, Seaoil, Jetti, Petron and Cleanfuel said the per liter cost of diesel will increase by 70 centavos while gasoline will rise by 30 centavos per liter. PTT, Phoenix, Petro Gazz, Flying V and Caltex also said they will implement the same oil price adjustments. The cost of kerosene will climb by 80 centavos per liter in fuel stations of Seaoil, Flying V and Caltex.
22.7m students troop back to school
On the eve of the school year’s opening today, close to 22.7 million public school students have enrolled, still short of the initial target of the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) target of 28.8 million. The department, however, expects the number of enrollees to rise during the first week of classes. “We are accepting late enrollees since it is usual that many students enroll on the first day of classes and the days that follow,” said DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa. As students prepare for their second year of face-to-face classes after the COVID-19 pandemic, they are stepping into classrooms devoid of decorations and “clutter,” as schools comply with an order issued by Vice President Sara Duterte, who concurrently serves as DepEd secretary. This academic year marks the final phase of [...]
Hundreds flee floods as super typhoon ‘Goring’ brushes past Philippines
Super Typhoon Goring has caused massive flooding in the town of Baggao in Cagayan Province. Baggao PS via Cagayan PIO Facebook Manila, Philippines — Hundreds of people fled their homes as floods unleashed by Super Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) swept through mainly rural villages in the northeastern Philippines, rescue officials said Sunday. Saola brushed past the northeast section of the main island of Luzon overnight Saturday, bringing its 185-kilometre-per-hour (115-mile-per-hour) central winds within 125 kilometres of Tuguegarao, a city of about 160,000 people. "The winds were not too strong but the rains were heavy last night," Ruelie Rapsing, a rescue official in Cagayan province, told AFP by telephone from Tuguegarao. The provincial government's press office released photos on its Facebook page of knee-deep floodwaters swamping homes in the municipality [...]
Super Typhoon ‘Goring’ keeps strength, begins loop over PH Sea
Metro Manila, Philippines — Super Typhoon Goring maintains its strength as it begins its loop northeastward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Sunday. In its 2 p.m. bulletin, The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm will turn northeastward and northward on Monday before it shifts northwestward on Tuesday. The towns of Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue, San Mariano and Ilagan City in Isabela remain under Signal No. 3. Signal No. 2 is up over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, the northern and central portion of Isabela, the extreme northern portion of Aurora and the eastern portion of Quirino. Meanwhile, Batanes, the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Isabela, Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, [...]
PH, Australia to hold joint patrols in WPS
As US lawmakers vow military support under MDT The Philippines and Australia will “soon” hold joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea where tensions have been high over increased Chinese incursions in the area. “We are working closely together. Doing joint sails is something that we’ve been keen to pursue now for some time. The two defense forces have been working together to make that happen and to do that in the most effective way,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense chief Richard Marles said. “We’re really pleased with the progress of the discussions. We expect the first of those joint patrols to happen in the not too distant future,” Marles added. US Congress’ commitment As this developed, visiting US lawmakers committed American military action to defend the Philippines [...]
Signal No. 1 up in four areas as Goring continues to intensify
Photo from PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over four areas as Tropical Storm Goring continued to intensify on Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA said. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 is raised over the following areas: Batanes the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Camiguin Island) the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri) the eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Ilagan City) Goring was located 225 kilometers east southeast of Basco, Batanes or 270 km east of Calayan, Cagayan packing a maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour and gustiness of up to 105 km/h. It was [...]
PH, Australia militaries hold first amphibious assault exercise in Zambales
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducted its very first combined amphibious assault exercise in San Antonio, Zambales on Friday, August 25, highlighting the evolving defense cooperation between the two countries amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel hold a combined amphibious assault exercise off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales on August 25, 2023 as part of Exercise Alon 2023. (Screenshot courtesy of PTV-4) The exercise witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed part of the Exercise Alon 2023 under the Indo-Pacific Endeavour activity for 2023 (IPE23), which is Australia’s flagship international engagement activity in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean region. “This mission is just a manifestation of where we [...]
P505m in smuggled rice seized at Bulacan depots
SMUGGLED RICE UNCOVERED. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (center), along with other lawmakers, joins the fact-finding mission of the Bureau of Customs in inspecting several rice warehouses in Bulacan as part of the exercise of the oversight powers of Congress. The inspection was conducted amid allegations that hoarding of rice supply is driving up the price of the staple grain. Ver Noveno Government agents seized smuggled rice worth P505 million on Thursday in an operation joined by lawmakers led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio at three warehouses in Bulacan. The warehouses, owned and operated by Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse, and FS Rice Mill Warehouse are located inside the Intercity Industrial Complex in San Juan, Balagtas in Bulacan, were [...]
Pandemic, surging inflation push 67.8 million Asians into poverty
The increased cost-of-living crisis sparked by surging inflation last year, combined with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, is continuing to push people in Asia and the Pacific into extreme poverty, the Asian Development Bank said in a report Thursday. It said 155.2 million people in developing Asia and the Pacific, or 3.9 percent of the region’s population, lived in extreme poverty as of 2022, based on Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2023. This was 67.8 million greater than it would have been without the pandemic and the increased cost of living crisis, according to the report. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 a day, based on 2017 prices and adjusted for purchasing power and inflation. “Asia and the Pacific is steadily [...]
PH’s military drills with US, Australia ‘extremely important’ amid region’s volatile conditions – Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippine military's training with major countries is “extremely important,” as the region’s security conditions remain volatile. Marcos was in Zambales on Friday morning to witness the amphibious assault exercise between the Philippines, Australia, and the US, where about 2,000 personnel participated. He said the joint training exercises are part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen the country’s military capability and create closer cooperation with neighbors around the region. “I think it’s an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region,” he said. “This strategic cooperation between countries in the region is extremely important,” Marcos added. The US and Australia have been supporting the [...]
Philippines, US, Australia troops to hold amphibious drills in Zambales
The Philippines, United States and Australia are set to conduct an amphibious landing military exercise on Friday in a simulation of retaking an island in Zambales, a Philippine Marines official said. The Philippines, United States and Australia are set to conduct an amphibious landing military exercise on Friday in a simulation of retaking an island in Zambales, a Philippine Marines official said. (Our main event is the amphibious landing. This is a simulation of island retaking involving landing forces from the Australian Defense Force, US Marines, and Philippine Marines.) The activity would also include a mock opposing force to make the simulation more realistic, according to Larida. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles are expected to personally witness the drill, Larida said. Considering that [...]
Senator pushes for increased PCG funds to enhance West Philippine Sea defense
The Philippine Coast Guard held a send-off ceremony for BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, which will patrol the West Philippine Sea and Sulu Sea. PCG / Released Manila, Philippines — Increasing hostilities from Chinese vessels and its threats to the safety of Philippine Coast Guard necessitate greater funding for their intelligence operations, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said. Hontiveros said that beefing up the PCG’s intelligence funds — discreet funds an agency uses to gather information — would help it better perform its mandate in patrolling the West Philippine Sea. She said this in her privilege speech on Senate Resolution 744, a recently filed resolution that calls for a Senate inquiry into measures that would strengthen the PCG and improve its role in protecting the country's maritime zones. Addressing her [...]
NSC: Proposed funding for building structures on Ayungin merits Congress discussion
Metro Manila, Philippines— The National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday said lawmakers should consider allocating funds for the establishment of a permanent structure on Ayungin Shoal under the 2024 budget. “That's a proposal that merits serious consideration from Congress. As we can see, the BRP Sierra Madre is not in a good state, it’s rusting and it’s dilapidated, and it really needs improvement,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told CNN Philippines’ The Source. BRP Sierra Madre, a US Navy ship used during World War II, has been on the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. It was intentionally grounded there to serve as a military outpost in the contested waters. In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, Sen. Francis Escudero said he would look into allocating ₱100 million for the [...]
‘Goring’ intensifies into tropical storm
Satellite image shows Tropical Storm Goring on July 24, 2023 RAMBB Manila, Philippines — Cyclone Goring intensified into a tropical storm Tuesday afternoon while moving over the Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA said. Goring was last spotted 265 kilometers east of Basco in Batanes, with peak winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. It was moving northwest at 10 kph. Goring may become a severe tropical storm in the next 36 hours, and may reach typhoon category by Saturday. PAGASA said “the inherent volatility of attaining the super typhoon category remains a possibility.” What to expect According to PAGASA, Goring is “less likely” to bring heavy rainfall over the country in the next three days. But it noted that any [...]
Anti-trafficking council OKs revised guidelines for overseas Filipino travelers
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has approved the revised guidelines for international-bound Filipino travelers. In a statement on Tuesday, the IACAT said the revision aimed to "combat the grave menace of human trafficking." Other than the usual travel requirements, the revised guidelines require self-funded travelers to present additional documents such as confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, proof of hotel booking or accommodation, financial capacity or source of income, and proof of employment. For overseas travels sponsored by a relative or non-relative, an individual is required to secure an affidavit of support and guarantee notarized by a Philippine Embassy, Consulate, or Honorary Consulate. Meanwhile, OFWs deployed for the first time also need to secure an OFW clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers as [...]
Manila hosts 3-day ASEAN-China meeting on SCS Code of Conduct
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China have resumed discussions on the long-planned Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea on Tuesday. Manila is hosting the three-day dialog that gathers diplomats from the region, including those from five out of six claimant counties in the SCS, namely China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. As this developed, Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian welcomed the appointment of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. as special envoy to China. Locsin’s appointment came on the heels of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing after a China Coast Guard ship fired a water cannon against Philippine Coast Guard vessels en route to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission. Huang likewise [...]
DA execs: P20/kilo rice not achievable in 2 years
A vendor at Commonwealth Public Market in Quezon City sells rice for P38 per kilo on August 22, 2023. STAR / Sheila Crisostomo Manila, Philippines — Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) admitted yesterday that the campaign promise of President Marcos to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo is unlikely to see fulfillment in the next two years. “Next two years? Baka mahirap po (I think it will be difficult),” DA Undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations Mercedita Sombilla said in response to questioning from Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel during yesterday’s hearing of the House committee on appropriations on the DA’s proposed budget of P167.5 billion in 2024. Marcos, concurrently DA chief, did not attend the hearing. For his part, Albay Rep. [...]
PH completes resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities on Tuesday confirmed that the latest resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre was "successfully conducted." "Notwithstanding attempts by China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Chinese Maritime Militia vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the supply mission, the Philippine supply ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2, escorted by PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, successfully completed their RoRe (Rotation and Resupply mission)," the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement. A CCG ship on Aug. 5 blocked and fired a water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard vessels escorting boats chartered by the AFP to deliver food and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre. This resulted in one Philippine vessel [...]
AFP not informed of US-Japan-Australia South China Sea drills
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they have yet to be officially informed of the naval drill, which would be held in waters claimed by China near the West Philippine Sea. AFP Manila, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday denied reports that it has declined to join a trilateral naval drill in the South China Sea (SCS) involving United States, Japanese and Australian forces. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they have yet to be officially informed of the naval drill, which would be held in waters claimed by China near the West Philippine Sea. He said the AFP is verifying relevant information with the US, Japan and Australia. “If there’s such an activity, then we’re not informed. It’s not true that [...]
Jeepneys, taxis ask for fare hike as oil prices rise
Jeepney operators will ask the government for a one-peso increase in minimum fares today amid spiraling fuel prices and rising inflation. The petition, Pasang Masda group president Roberto Martin explained in a television interview, would ask for a provisional increase of more than P1 for the first four kilometers and a scaled increase for every succeeding kilometer. Traditional jeepneys charge a minimum P9 fare while modern or e-jeepneys charge P11 minimum. They were briefly at P12 and P14 minimum, respectively, until the government ordered the fares rolled back in April. “To our commuters, we ask for your understanding. We hope you empathize with the plight of our members in the transport sector,” Martin said. Meanwhile, taxi operators again petitioned the government to raise the flag-down rate from P40 to [...]
As rice prices soar, senators dare NFA: Prove your worth
BUYER’S CHOICE | Prices of assorted varieties of rice are displayed at Trabajo Market in Sampaloc, Manila, in this photo taken on Aug. 10, 2023, to guide consumers on a tight budget. Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. warned that the price of the staple would increase until the mid-September harvest amid the continued hike in the buying price of palay. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer) Manila, Philippines — As a farmers’ group called for the abolition of the National Food Authority (NFA) over its supposed preference for rice imports, two senators on Monday challenged the agency to prove its worth by helping farmers and buying their produce at higher prices. “If the NFA is filling up its buffer [...]
Trilateral naval drills in SCS set
But PH ‘cancels’ participation in joint exercises with US, Australia, Japan Japan, the United States and Australia are set to conduct naval drills in the South China Sea on Wednesday. Kyodo News, citing multiple sources, said the trilateral exercise comes on the heels of increased tensions between Beijing and Manila after a China coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea earlier this month. The Japanese news agency said the Philippines, which will host the vessels from the three countries before the naval exercises, “cancelled” its participation. “The Philippine forces have canceled their participation in the joint drill since the three other nations’ aircraft are too large to land on the decks of Philippine warships, according to [...]
Pimentel hits Kalayaan officials’ declaration of Chinese envoy as ‘persona non grata’
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (MANILA BULLETIN) Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III doesn't agree with the municipal government of Kalayaan's move of declaring Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian a "persona non grata". In a statement Monday, Aug. 21, Pimentel said that such actions by the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalayaan in the province of Palawan in Western part of the country should be "avoided as much as possible". "The ambassador of a foreign country to the Philippines is the representative of that country to our country. We should go slow in declaring foreign ambassadors as personas non grata. Avoid this as much as possible," said the veteran legislator from Mindanao. "All grievances related to ambassadors and foreign relations must be coursed through our [...]
Another price hike: Gasoline by P1.10, diesel by P0.20
In separate advisories yesterday, oil companies said prices would rise by P1.10 per liter for gasoline, P0.20 per liter for diesel and P0.70 per liter for Philstar.com / Irra Lising Manila, Philippines — The cost of petroleum products continues to go up, with oil firms implementing another round of pump price increases today. In separate advisories yesterday, oil companies said prices would rise by P1.10 per liter for gasoline, P0.20 per liter for diesel and P0.70 per liter for kerosene. These extend the price increases for diesel and kerosene to a seventh consecutive week, and gasoline to a sixth straight week. The upward adjustments will take effect at 6 a.m. today for most companies, except for Caltex which implemented the price movements at 12:01 a.m. and Cleanfuel which [...]
Biden to ramp up three-way Japan, S.Korea ties in sign to China
Washington, United States -- US President Joe Biden on Friday will announce new security cooperation at a first-of-a-kind three-way summit with the leaders of Japan and South Korea, hoping to send a message of strength to China which has already made clear its displeasure. The summit at the Camp David presidential retreat in the mountains west of Washington would have been unimaginable until recently, with the two treaty-bound US allies at loggerheads for decades over the legacy of Japan's harsh 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean peninsula. But South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, taking political risks at home, has turned the page by resolving a dispute over wartime forced labor, instead calling Japan a partner at a time of high tensions with both China and North Korea. Biden, Yoon [...]
Marcos admin urged to pair media literacy project with concrete solutions to fight political disinformation
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets crowds at a UniTeam campaign rally in Zambales in March 2022. UniTeam / Released Manila, Philippines — The government’s highly publicized media literacy campaign should be paired with concrete safeguards to prevent politicians from capitalizing on the spread of disinformation, several groups of media literacy advocates and researchers said. In a joint statement, nine non-government organizations advocating for media and information literacy, along with several disinformation researchers, pointed out that politicians and platforms continue to reap financial and political gains from mis- and disinformation. The groups called on the Marcos administration to go beyond its media literacy project with social media platforms and pursue “deeper structural solutions, such as promoting transparency and accountability in campaign finance and political advertising.” “Likewise, independent audits [...]
Rice supply shrinks locally, PSA reports
There was less rice available in the country at the beginning of April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. Based on the PSA’s latest report, the rice inventory was 1.843 million metric tons at the beginning of that month, a decrease of 26.5 percent compared to 2.506 million metric tons in the same period last year. Out of the total inventory, households had 1.015 million metric tons of rice, which accounted for 55.1 percent. This is a decline of 26 percent from 1.373 million metric tons last year. Commercial warehouses stored about 728,730 metric tons of rice, which is a decrease of 26.9 percent from 997,420 metric tons last year. This represents 39.5 percent of the overall inventory. The National Food Authority (NFA) depositories held 99,030 metric tons of [...]
Nearly ₱7M, 24,000 SIM seized in POGO hub
Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities on Thursday seized several items, including almost ₱7 million in cash, in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pasay City that was raided early this month. Also confiscated were 24,000 pre-registered SIM, over 9,000 cellphones, passports, credit cards, and documents like contracts from 32 vaults in SA Rivendell Gaming Corporation, an alleged scam hub fronting as a POGO. Winston John Romero Casio, senior technical adviser and liaison officer of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), said most of the SIM were not yet opened. He added that they already reached out to the telecommunication firm involved, which was also clueless on how the SIM were pre-registered. Hundreds of workers were found operating illegal activities such as love scams, illegal gambling, and cryptocurrency [...]
New military outpost eyed to guard Philippine Rise
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) Manila, Philippines — Plans are afoot in Isabela province to build a naval outpost in the coastal town of Divilacan to keep watch over Philippine (Benham) Rise, an undersea region in the country’s eastern seaboard that is believed to contain huge natural gas deposits, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The defense chief said Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III was keen to build such a facility for “joint use” with the United States in his province, which hosts one of four new sites under Manila’s Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with Washington. “[Albano] is here and he wants to post a stronger military presence not just inside Isabela but along the coastline, in [...]
Blacklisting Chinese infra contractors may cause project delays – Diokno
Metro Manila, Philippines – Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno has warned the Senate that severing ties with Chinese contractors may cause delays in infrastructure projects in the wake of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's call to blacklist Chinese contractors. “Potential impact on the economy for possible delays in the projects that will be affected and of course we have to shift to the financing for those projects that have been requested from China,” Diokno said Wednesday. According to Diokno, among those that will be affected are projects funded by Official Development Assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the World Bank. “When it’s ADB project, any member country can compete in the bidding of the project," he said. "If the Chinese contractor wins, we cannot do [...]
PBBM: Help ready for Maui Pinoys
The government is ready to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by the deadly wildfires that struck the island of Maui in Hawaii, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday night. Mr. Marcos issued the statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, as he assured the public that he is closely monitoring the condition of Filipinos residing in Hawaii. About 388,000 individuals in Hawaii identify themselves as Filipino or part-Filipino, according to the 2020 US state census. Around 200,000 of the 388,000 have parents who are both Filipinos but only 16 percent are Philippine passport holders. “With the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers, we are trying to get the number of Filipinos affected by the wildfires in Hawaii),” he said. Mr. [...]
Singapore arrests 10 foreigners, seizes S$1 bln assets in money laundering probe
A view of the skyline in Singapore, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights SINGAPORE- Singapore police have arrested 10 foreigners for alleged money laundering and forgery offences, in a case involving about S$1 billion ($737 million) of cash, properties, luxury cars and other assets. The police conducted simultaneous raids on Tuesday across the city-state to arrest the suspects, their statement said on Wednesday. Prohibition of disposal orders were issued against 94 properties and 50 vehicles, with a total estimated value of more than S$815 million. Other seizures included bank accounts, cash, luxury bags, jewellery, watches, electronic devices and some documents with information on virtual assets. The foreigners were aged between 31 and 44, and their nationalities include Chinese, Turkish, Cypriot, Cambodian and Ni-Vanuatu, Singapore police said. [...]
Locsin tapped as China envoy
Palace: Move to boost bilateral ties President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin as special envoy to Beijing, days after the Chinese embassy in Manila called on the Philippines to meet it halfway over maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. “[Ambassador Locsin’s appointment] is to boost bilateral relations between the two countries,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said, adding that Locsin will serve as concurrent Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong earlier said Beijing and Manila are neighbors that “can’t move away from one another,” thus disputes between both countries should be managed through dialogue and consultations. “China has repeatedly expressed its willingness to resolve differences with the Philippines through [...]
Office of the President travel expenses up by 995 percent
President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos depart from the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for his state visit to China on January 3, 2023. STAR / KJ Rosales Manila, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday justified President Marcos’ travels, saying they allowed him to check on government projects and encourage businesses to invest in the Philippines. The Palace statement was issued after the Commission on Audit (COA)’s latest report showed the Office of the President (OP) incurred P403.088 million in travel expenses in 2022, up by a whopping 995.6 percent or P366.296 million from P36.792-million total travel expenses in 2021. Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said with the opening of the economy and the lifting of mobility restrictions last year, Marcos has begun going around the [...]
DSWD encourages senior citizens to register in NCSC database
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday, Aug. 16 urged those 60 years of age and older to register in the database of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) in support of the ongoing nationwide registration for all Filipino seniors. The NCSC is currently conducting a nationwide registration of all senior citizens using an improved data form, adding some vital features to include the senior’s source of income, if applicable, skill set, and health profile. The form can be accessed through NCSC’s official website. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the nationwide database of senior citizens will be a great baseline for policy formulation and program development for the protection and promotion of the older person sector. “The national database of the senior citizens, [...]
Escudero seeks ₱100M for Ayungin Shoal structure
Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the Philippines should now build its own structure on Ayungin Shoal as China continues to harass Philippine vessels and fishermen. "During the budget deliberations, I will propose the inclusion in the budget of an item to build a structure already on that island," Escudero told CNN Philippines' The Source. The senator said he will push for ₱100 million for the structure, which can include accommodation for Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre – a World War II-era ship intentionally grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as the country's outpost in the West Philippine Sea. Escudero pointed out that China was the first to build structures in the contested area. "Kami naman magpapagawa sa sinasabi naming [...]
P10-M grant to help expand dragon fruit plantation in Guimaras
ILOILO CITY – The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) High-Value Crops Development Program will help the province of Guimaras expand its dragon fruit plantation by 15 hectares to 20 hectares through a PHP10 million grant. “It’s part of our intervention from the high-value crops. It’s for the expansion,” Jonifer Frades, DA high-value crops regional coordinator, said in an interview on Tuesday. Frades said they would give inputs, including planting materials, fertilizers, and capability building or training to members of the Guimaras Dragon Fruit Farmers Association. He said the grant is part of their pipeline projects next year, and in January they will start with the selection and validation of areas where the crop could be planted. “Currently, they are only at 14 hectares based on the PSA [...]
Palawan prov’l execs to plant coconut trees on Kalayaan Island
PRECIOUS REAL ESTATE. Several Palawan provincial board members are set to plant coconut trees on Kalayaan Island on Aug. 22, 2023. The gesture is meant to highlight and assert the Philippines' territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of the Western Command) Puerto Princese, Palawan – A Palawan provincial board member on Tuesday announced that he and some colleagues are scheduled to travel to the West Philippine Sea to join the military and coast guard in planting coconut trees on Pag-asa Island, the main seat of government of Kalayaan town. Board Member Aris Arzaga stated that the trip to Pag-asa Island on Aug. 22 is for a symbolic coconut planting [...]
DFA chief says PH-China still committed to peaceful resolution
Metro Manila, Philippines— Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said he is "hesitant" to answer on statements of "act of war" in the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that Manila is still committed to China to resolve disputes peacefully. In a budget briefing of the House of Representatives for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel asked the secretary if it was “wise” that the Philippines is on a “war footing” after the recent incursion in the contested waters. Manalo answered that the country is “not on a war footing.” “I hesitate to answer what would be an act of war,” he said when further pressed on the department’s perspective on the matter. “The general understanding among all countries is to try [...]
OVP to aid DepEd in preparing for school opening
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has teamed up with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the week-long nationwide school maintenance program to prepare for the official start of classes on August 29. The agencies, both headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, have partnered for the Brigada Eskwela 2023, which will be conducted from August 14 to 19. The OVP said its ten satellite offices in Dagupan, Isabela, Region 5, Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban, Davao, Surigao, Zamboanga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will participate in the activity. On Monday, August 14, the OVP is set to assist in the maintenance of East Central Integrated School in Dagupan; Cauayan South Central School in Isabela; Gogon Central Elementary School in Legazpi; Labagon Elementary School in Cebu; St. [...]
Southwest Monsoon to bring rain showers over most parts of the country
The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on Monday and will bring rain showers over several areas, PAGASA said in its weather forecast. The Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Palawan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the monsoon. Flooding or landslides may occur due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the monsoon and localized thunderstorms. During severe thunderstorms, flash floods or landslides may possibly occur. Coastal waters will be moderate to rough in the seaboards of Luzon, and slight to moderate in Visayas and Mindanao. Sunrise was at 5:42 a.m. while sunset [...]
High-level unrest, eruption in Mayon likely—Phivolcs
Mayon Volcano in Albay is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In the past 24-hour period, a slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed the established lava flows on the Bonga (southeastern), Mi-isi (south), and Basud (eastern) gullies, Phivolcs also said. The lava flows maintained advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers, 2.8 kilometers, and 1.1 kilometers from the crater. Rockfall and pyroclastic density currents or PDCs generated by collapses of the lava flow margins as well as of the summit dome deposited debris still within four kilometers of the crater. The Mayon Volcano Network recorded a total of 221 [...]
NFA warehouses tapped for distribution of smuggled sugar
Rex Estoperez, DA assistant secretary and deputy spokesperson, said in an interview that a memorandum of agreement was already signed by both agencies, noting that the NFA has warehousing and logistics capabilities as well as branches nationwide. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will tap the warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) in the distribution of the 4,000 metric tons or 80,000 bags of smuggled sugar in Kadiwa stores nationwide. Rex Estoperez, DA assistant secretary and deputy spokesperson, said in an interview that a memorandum of agreement was already signed by both agencies, noting that the NFA has warehousing and logistics capabilities as well as branches nationwide. The DA and Bureau of Customs have signed a separate MOA for the formal turnover [...]
Marcos OKs 5-yr. national security policy
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a fresh five-year national policy which his administration said would help address security challenges by aligning all related strategies. Executive Order (EO) No. 37, signed by Marcos on Thursday and released on Saturday, states that the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028 would “provide guidance and a comprehensive approach to improving security sector governance.” According to the National Security Council, it contains the statement of principles that set the current administration’s policy goals and objectives to protect national interests, including sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president directed all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including local government units, to adopt the NSP in formulating and implementing their security-related programs. “There is a need to harmonize the national security efforts of the Government [...]
Only 30.5 percent of national budget utilized – DBM
Stock photo of a peso money bill. Philstar / Jovannie Lambayan DICT, DMW lowest spenders MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) were the lowest spenders in 2023. The information surfaced during Thursday’s hearing on the proposed P5.768-trillion budget for 2024 by the House committee on appropriations attended by the administration’s economic managers. Responding to a question from Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the average “obligation rate” of the national government as whole was 30.5 percent as of March 31. “Obligation rate” pertains to the percentage of the budget already utilized by the government. The data for the second quarter of the year was not yet available as these were only submitted by agencies [...]
‘Diplomacy’ top measure to further assert PH territorial rights – OCTA survey
Metro Manila, Philippines— Most Filipinos believe the Marcos administration should engage in “diplomacy or other peaceful methods” to further assert the country’s territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea, according to an OCTA survey published on Saturday. The study conducted from July 22 to 27 found that 70% of the 1,200 participants want a peaceful resolution in the territorial dispute. Filipinos also opted for other top priority measures, including the use of military action (65%) and modernizing and strengthening the Philippine military’s capability to protect the country’s territory (61%). The non-sponsored survey has a ± 3% error margin at 95% confidence level. The Senate earlier adopted a resolution condemning China’s continued harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and persistent incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Last Aug. 5, a China Coast [...]
Habagat to bring scattered rain over most of the country
The southwest monsoon or Habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers over the country on Saturday, PAGASA reported. The Visayas, Mindanao, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and the northern portion of Palawan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. Flooding or landslides could occur in these areas due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms with the possibility of flash floods or landslides occurring during severe thunderstorms. The wind speed forecast for Luzon is moderate to strong moving in the southwest to west direction while coastal waters will be [...]
Pag-asa fishermen nix plan to recruit them into militia
Fishermen on Pag-asa Island on Friday said they opposed a military plan to train them to become part of a reserve force in the face of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In an interview over radio dzBB, Larry Hugo, the president of the Pag-asa Island Fisherfolk Association which operates about 36 fishing boats, said they would prefer to simply report any untoward incident in the area. “That would be difficult for us fishermen,” he said of the military plan in Filipino, adding that their group of 36 boats would not agree to carry firearms. On Thursday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they are considering putting up a maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen their presence in [...]
China says no point in showing proof of Ayungin Shoal deal if Marcos already rescinded it
Metro Manila, Philippines— China has responded to the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that there was no agreement between Manila and Beijing to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. On Wednesday, the President even went as far saying that even if there was an agreement, he was rescinding it. CNN Philippines spoke to some diplomatic sources from China and asked if they are willing to show proof of the said promise. “What’s the point [of us doing] that if any agreement will be rescinded,” a diplomatic source said. China maintained that the Philippine government committed to remove the World War II-era ship from Ayungin Shoal. “Over this matter, China had repeatedly made representations to the Philippines and renewed the same demand,” according to a white position paper [...]
Marcos seeks PH-Vietnam maritime deal
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the planned Philippine-Vietnam maritime pact will be “a very big step” for the two countries amid woes in the South China Sea. In a statement, Malacañang said outgoing Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung paid a farewell call on Marcos on Thursday, during which they discussed the signing of the maritime agreement. “Now that we are going to start discussions on the agreement that we have between the Philippines and Vietnam, I think it is a very, very important – it will be a very, very important part of our relationship and it will bring an element of stability to the problems that we are seeing now in the South China Sea,” the president said. The realization of the [...]
‘Water cannons on Philippine Navy ship an act of war’
Teams from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group intercept a coast guard vessel used as a mock illegal vessel transporting drugs during an in-ter-agency exercise dubbed ‘Alalayan’ (provide support) in Manila Bay yesterday. The exercise, witnessed by representatives from US and European embassies, was held to test protocols and demonstrate capability in identifying maritime threats within the area of responsibility. Edd Gumban Manila, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner made this clear yesterday as the military prepares to resume deploying AFP ships to escort vessels carrying provisions for a Marine outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. A resupply mission on Aug. 5 was cut short after the CCG hosed down one of the civilian supply ships. One of [...]
PBBM to Galido: Transform Army into world-class force
NEW PH ARMY CHIEF. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (left) shakes hands with newly appointed Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during the change of command rites led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (Aug. 7, 2023). Galido served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command before being named Army chief. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured that his administration is committed to supporting the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including the Philippine Army (PA). Marcos made this remark as he challenged the new Army chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, to work on building [...]
Senate approves automatic income classification bill on final reading
The Senate has approved on Monday, August 7, the proposed law that seeks to institutionalize the automatic income classification of provinces, cities, and municipalities on third and final reading. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito principal author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2165, thanked his colleagues for supporting the measure. The bill received 22 affirmative votes, two negative votes and no abstentions. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sen. Risa Hontiveros both voted against the measure. “Through constructive collaboration and thorough deliberation, we have ensured that this legislation upholds the principles of transparency, accountability, and balanced governance, all for the welfare and safeguarding the interest of our local government units (LGUs),” said Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government. The House of Representatives has approved [...]
P4 diesel price hike set, kerosene up P2.75 too
The country’s oil firms raised pump prices by P4 per liter for diesel, kerosene by P2.75 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 per liter effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rino Abad said over the weekend diesel increase may hit P4 per liter. Abad said the increase in pump prices was driven by cut in production from Russia and Saudi Arabia. Diesel prices have increased by around P10 per liter for the past five weeks, while gasoline prices have already risen by P5 per liter for the same period. This week’s adjustments came on the heels of after a major pump price hike of P3.50 for diesel, P2.10 for gasoline, and [...]
Sara on intel fund: Education intertwined with national security
Vice President Sara Duterte. STAR / Jesse Bustos Manila, Philippines — Pointing out that the education sector is “intertwined with national security,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte yesterday defended the Department of Education (DepEd)’s requested P150-million budget for confidential expenses in 2024. In a chance interview with reporters on the sidelines of the DepEd’s Balik Eskwela 2023 national kick-off ceremony at Tarlac National High School in Tarlac City, Duterte said she is leaving it up to Congress to decide on the DepEd’s request, but maintained that the agency needs a confidential fund to play its role in national security. “Because education is intertwined with national security. Napakahalaga na (It’s very important that) we mold children who are patriotic, children who will love our country and will defend our country,” she [...]
PH summons China envoy
PBBM: DFA fires off note verbale to protest latest WPS mess The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Beijing’s envoy Monday to protest the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. “Our secretary of Foreign Affairs summoned Ambassador Huang (Xilian) today and gave him a note verbale including pictures (and) video about what happened and we are awaiting their reply,” Mr. Marcos told reporters. “The position of China, of course, is they say ‘this is ours so we are defending it’ and we, for our part, are saying ‘no, we own it so we are defending it’. So that becomes a gray area that we are discussing.” ANATOMY OF A BLOCKADE. These screengrabs of videos shared [...]
PH-US finalizing joint patrols in WPS – NSC official
Metro Manila, Philippines — Manila and Washington are ironing out the final details of their joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea which may happen in the next few months, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Friday. “Of course meron pang mga logistical issues na nire-resolve. May mga ina-iron out na mga issues but I don't think these are insurmountable,” Malaya said. [Translation: There are logistical issues being resolved. There are some issues being ironed out.] "I would think before the end of the year there will be a formal announcement by the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] and relevant authorities. Pero [But] as of now I can't disclose yet," he added. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez earlier said the joint patrols were [...]
DOE lauded for pushing energy efficiency, conservation
PE2 president Alexander Ablaza lauded the DOE’s multi-sectoral interventions to accelerate EE&C implementation. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance Inc. (PE2) has welcomed the Department of Energy (DOE)’s ongoing push for energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) across sectors. PE2 president Alexander Ablaza lauded the DOE’s multi-sectoral interventions to accelerate EE&C implementation. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has cited the effective implementation of EE&C measures as an equally important aspect or pillar of the government’s energy program. He said EE&C’s effective implementation would bring down overall energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce intensity in the production of goods and services. “This is not just simply a gut feel reaction to the high prices in fuel, but the direction that we must take as [...]
Philippines condemns China’s use of water cannons at its vessels
Handout photo from the Philippine Coast Guard showed a Chinese Coast Guard vessel firing a water cannon. Philippine Coast Guard Manila, Philippines — The country’s coast guard and military condemned on Sunday what they called the China Coast Guard’s “dangerous” actions after it fired water cannons at Philippine vessels, the latest of Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. “The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemns the CCG’s dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels escorting the indigenous boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the PCG said in a statement. The incident happened Saturday as the Coast Guard escorted boats carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies for military personnel stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The PCG [...]
Rice production zones proposed
Zubiri shares idea with PBBM to boost output, cut imports Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has proposed the idea of “rice production zones” (RPZs) to boost the country’s rice output to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is concurrent Agriculture chief. In a statement on Saturday, Zubiri said RPZs would also help lessen the country’s dependence on imported rice, as he discussed his proposal with Mr. Marcos during a dinner hosted by the President for senators last Wednesday. The Chief Executive found the senator’s idea “very interesting,” Zubiri added. The immediate goal is to replenish the country’s rice stocks that were lost when two storms hit Regions 1, 2 and 3 over the last fortnight, the Senate leader said. These regions – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon – [...]
Highest paid government officials in 2022 — COA
Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BS) governor Felipe M. Medalla was the highest paid government official as of Dec. 31, 2022 with P34.17 million in salaries and allowances. Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno was at second place with P28.78 million based on the 2022 Report on Salaries and Allowance (ROSA) released by the Commission on Audit (COA). The report stated that Diokno, who used to hold Medalla’s position, received P41.811 million in 2021. The amount was more than double than what he received in 2020 with P19.79 million. It also stated that the third to the 14th slot in the ROSA were from the BSP. They were Monetary Board members Anita Linda R. Aquino and Victor Bruce J. Tolentino, Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier, Members Peter B. Favila and [...]
Social infra, agri top 2024 budget
Spending plan handed to Congress President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is seeking to increase the funding for his administration’s infrastructure and agricultural programs next year, the P5.768-trillion spending plan for 2024 submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to Congress shows. In his budget message, the President said that under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the “Build Better More” program would focus on social infrastructure. “This program, which seeks to continue and expand the Golden Age of Infrastructure of the country, will receive a total of P1.418 trillion. This is equivalent to 5.3 percent of GDP (gross domestic product),” Marcos said. TURNOVER. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (left) submits the 2024 National Expenditure Plan to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who promised next year’s proposed national budget would [...]
Saudi Arabia extends oil production cut even as US gas prices hit nine-month highs
New York — OPEC leader Saudi Arabia is extending its oil production cut for at least another month in a move that threatens to drive gasoline and other energy prices even higher. An official source from the Saudi Ministry of Energy told state-run news agency SPA Thursday that the kingdom will extend this voluntary cut of one million barrels per day for the month of September. The source told state media the cut could be extended further and the move is aimed at supporting the stability and balance of oil markets. It’s the second time the kingdom has extended the cut, which was first announced in June after a meeting of the alliance between Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other smaller producers. At almost the same [...]
China relaxes visa, urban residency rules to boost economy
A China Cargo Airlines Boeing 777-F is seen on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, on July 26, 2023. AFP / Daniel Slim Beijing, China — China will allow some foreigners to obtain visas on arrival and rural residents to settle more easily in cities as part of a series of measures aimed at boosting its flagging economy. The relaxations aim to "promote the free movement" of "people, vehicles, information and data", an official from the Ministry of Public Security said Thursday. China's post-Covid recovery has run out of steam in recent months, dragged down by sluggish consumption and a real estate sector in crisis. GDP growth increased by just 0.8 percent from the first to second quarter of the year, [...]
Inflation cools anew, but recent typhoons pose threats
Metro Manila, Philippines — The rate of price increases in the Philippines maintained its downtrend for the sixth straight month in July, but a government official said the onslaught of recent typhoons may affect the slowdown. In a briefing on Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation last month was cooler at 4.7% from the 5.4% recorded in June. July’s inflation rate is within the 4.1% to 4.9% forecast range of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the month. National Statistician Dennis Mapa said last month’s inflation was the slowest since March 2022’s 4%. The PSA attributed the deceleration to a slower increase in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; food and non-alcoholic beverages; and transport. Food inflation likewise showed a drop from 6.7% in June to [...]
SWS: More Filipino families experienced hunger in June 2023 survey
About 10.4% of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger, that is, being hungry and not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months, according to the latest Social Weather Survey (SWS). The SWS reported that the June 2023 Hunger figure was higher than the 9.8% in March 2023. However, it was lower than the 11.8% in December 2022. The SWS presented the results of a survey conducted from June 28 to July 1, 2023, using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The hunger rate of 10.4% was the sum of 8.3% who experienced Moderate Hunger and 2.1% who experienced Severe Hunger. Moderate Hunger as defined by the [...]
Duterte sees Marcos to discuss meeting with Xi Jinping
Metro Manila, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday visited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Palace said. "They also discussed other issues. The former President likewise gave some good pieces of advice to President Marcos," Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. Last July 17, Duterte met with Xi in Beijing. There is no information yet on who extended the invitation to Duterte and in what capacity he represented the Philippines. On July 12, the Philippines commemorated the seventh anniversary of the arbitral ruling that recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone and invalidated China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea. More governments around the world also reaffirmed their support for the landmark [...]
US invites new Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to Washington
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi poses as he meets Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (not seen) in Ankara, Turkey, on Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: Stringer/Pool via REUTERS) Washington— The United States has formally invited China's newly reappointed foreign minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, the US State Department said on Tuesday (Aug 1), after Wang's predecessor was abruptly removed from his post by Beijing. China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang last week, replacing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for more than month - a mysterious absence after just seven months in the job that has raised questions about transparency. China's foreign ministry has only said Qin was off work for unspecified health reasons. The invitation to Wang was extended on Monday during a meeting at [...]
Donald Trump indictment: Ex-president charged for efforts to overturn 2020 election
Former US President Donald Trump has been criminally charged over his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. He is accused of four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens. The indictment caps an inquiry into events surrounding the riot two-and-a-half years ago at the US Capitol. Mr Trump, 77, who is running for president again, denies wrongdoing. He is already charged in two other cases: with mishandling classified files and over a porn star's hush-money payment. The election investigation has focused on Mr Trump's actions in the two-month period between his loss and the riot in Washington DC, where supporters of his stormed Congress as lawmakers certified Democratic President Joe Biden's victory. The man leading the [...]
Philippine sovereign debt rises further to P14.5 trillion
The country’s sovereign debt stock swelled to a new record high as of end-June as the government boosts borrowing efforts to support its financing requirement, latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed Tuesday. The national government’s total outstanding debt stood at P14.15 trillion, up 0.4% from P14.10 trillion as of end-May. The month-on-month increase was attributed “primarily due to the net issuance of domestic securities,” according to the Treasury. Of the total debt balance, 68.6% were sourced locally while the remaining 31.4% were from foreign sources. Broken down, domestic debt totaled P9.70 trillion, up.2% from as of end-May. “For the month, domestic debt growth amounted to P114.32 billion due to the net issuance of government bonds driven by the national government’s financing requirements,” the BTr said. [...]
5 Agri officials suspended over Kadiwa onions
Ombudsman Samuel Martires has meted out a six-month preventive suspension on several officials of the Department of Agriculture and the Food Terminal Incorporated over an ongoing probe into the purchase of onions for the Kadiwa Food Hub project. In an order, Martires slapped the preventive suspension without pay against DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista, DA Administrative Officer V Eunice Biblanias, DA OIC-Chief Accountant Lolita Jamela, FTI Vice President for Operations John Gabriel Benedict Trinidad III and FTI Budget Division Head Juanita Lualhati. While Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and FTI President Robert Tan were included in the complaints for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial, they were not covered by the suspension order. ‘’It appears that the evidence of guilt [against] respondents Evangelista, Biblanias, Jamela, Trinidad [...]
Senate OKs option of taking West Philippine Sea to UN Assembly
This March 22, 2021 aerial photo shows Chinese vessels still present in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Armed Forces of the Philippines Resolution strongly condemns China intrusions at sea MANILA, Philippines — Crossing party lines, senators adopted yesterday a strongly worded resolution condemning China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea and providing the executive department with several options to deal with the matter, including raising it before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 718, which was largely based on SR 659 of Sen. Risa Hontiveros and SR 707 of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. After the chamber moved to adopt SR 718, Zubiri clarified that the original points raised [...]
Government to import 1.3 MMT of rice
Rice dealers display rice and their prices at New York Street, Cubao, Quezon City on April 16, 2023. STAR / Michael Varcas Manila, Philippines — The government is planning to import 1.3 million metric tons (MMT) of rice as President Marcos expressed concerns over the combined impact of Typhoon Egay, the El Niño phenomenon and Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain initiative on the country’s supply of the grain, an official said yesterday. During a Palace briefing, Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla said they have yet to set the dates of importation, but noted there are pending applications for sanitary and phytosanitary certificates. “I think the President will have to discuss or consult the private sector for help. I think we need the help of the private sector in [...]
US Embassy expresses concern over ongoing Manila Bay reclamation projects
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The US Embassy on Tuesday expressed concerns over ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, including issues involving the environment. In a statement, US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said they are in constant communication with the Philippine government about how the projects could potentially negatively impact the environment, the resilience of Manila Bay and nearby areas to hazards, as well as commerce. It also raised concerns over the involvement of a Chinese company in the projects. "We are also concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co., which has been added to the US Department of Commerce's Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea," the embassy said. [...]
Deposit machines bring P12.5M worth of coins back in circulation
A mall shopper uses the coin deposit machine deployed at the SM Store in North Edsa, Quezon City on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer) Manila, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was able to bring back into circulation a total of P12.5 million in various coins through 10 coin deposit machines (CODMs) that were launched in select shopping malls since June 20. The rollout of CODMs throughout the past six weeks started with two units installed at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and one each at Robinsons Place Ermita (Manila) and Festival Mall in Muntinlupa City. The rest were spread out across SM City San Lazaro, SM City Bicutan, SM City Bacoor, Robinsons Place Galleria Ortigas, [...]
Falcon intensifies further, Habagat to bring rains over western Luzon
Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun) intensified further on Monday while moving north northwestward over the Philippine Sea. It continues to enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) which will bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days, PAGASA said in its bulletin. At 4 a.m., the center of Falcon was estimated to be located at 1,070 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon. Falcon has maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 950 hPa. The typhoon is moving north northwestward at 15 km/h. From its center, strong to typhoon-force winds are extending outwards up to 750 km. Rainfall, winds PAGASA said rainfall will generally be higher in elevated or mountainous areas. "Under [...]
Marcos sees rice prices going up due to El Niño impact
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted growing concerns about the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, particularly on the prices of the country’s staple grain. (Keith Bacongco/File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN The Chief Executive also expressed his worry on the country’s rice supply stock as he starts to consider India as possible import source. “I’m thinking about the national supply of rice,” the President told officials in Tuguegarao City on Saturday, July 29, while there to assess the devastation caused by Typhoon ‘Egay’ (international name Doksuri). “Everybody is preparing for El Niño, lahat ng nasa Southeast Asia, sabay-sabay nagbibilihan (all in Southeast Asia have been buying simultaneously),” Marcos, who also serves as the Agriculture chief, noted. “Kaya ninenerbyos ako dahil tataas na naman ang presyo kahit mag-import tayo (That’s [...]
New Wave, Malaysia firm eye $50-million renewable energy investment in Philippines
Key officials of Philippine-based private equity investor New Wave Strategic Holdings Inc. and Malaysian state-backed fund Emissary Capital Partners Sdn Bhd present their proposed $50-million investment to help boost the development of the country’s renewable energy sector during President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s three-day Malaysian state visit last week. Photo: New Wave and Emissary Capital Private equity investment firm New Wave Strategic Holdings Inc. and Malaysian government-backed investment fund Emissary Capital Partners Sdn Bhd are eyeing to invest $50 million into the Philippines’ renewable energy market. In a joint news release, the companies said the planned investment can help generate as much as 1,000 megawatts (MW) of bankable capacity in the country. The investment proposal was presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his three-day state visit in [...]
‘AFP not closed to joint exercises with China, Vietnam’
The 185 new personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division are to perform anti-COVID-19 frontline missions. Philstar.com / John Unson MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is not closing its doors on the conduct of joint military exercises with China and Vietnam, two countries with overlapping territorial claims on areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and South China Sea, according to AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. “Again, we are not closing our possibilities, our prospect according to our President is that we are friends to all, enemies to none,” Brawner said in an interview on radio station dzBB yesterday. Brawner said that while the AFP is exploring all possibilities to boost the country’s patrolling activities in WPS, there are no arrangements or [...]
Senate resolution to list WPS row options
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he will file a draft resolution condemning China’s incursion into Philippine territory and its harassment of Philippine Coast Guard personnel and Filipino fishermen. The document will no longer limit the call only to asking the government to bring its case to the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The original resolution proposed by Senator Risa Hontiveros had called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring the issue to the UNGA for a vote, but some senators had questioned the wisdom of this move, saying it could weaken the Philippine position if the vote goes the wrong way. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reacting to the Hontiveros resolution, also said that it is the executive branch, not the legislature, that sets foreign policy. Zubiri said the [...]
DepEd to issue guidelines on reducing teachers’ admin tasks
The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to release interim guidelines for the reduction of the administrative tasks of teachers, an official said Wednesday. At the post-SONA discussion on poverty reduction, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the guidelines would be issued in a "few weeks' time.'' “Isang napakalaking reklamo ng ating teachers is ‘yung napakaraming admin tasks. That’s why in a few weeks time, we will be issuing interim guidelines in reducing kaagaran ‘yung admin tasks ng ating mga teachers,” he said. (One of the teachers’ biggest concerns is that there are a lot of administrative tasks. That’s why, in a few weeks' time, we will be issuing interim guidelines to reduce them.) “Ibibigay na natin siya sa non-teaching personnel. That’s why we’re also very aggressive in hiring non-teaching [...]
Lawmakers file bill declaring July 12 West Philippine Sea Day
The Philippine Coast Guard installs a navigational buoy at Balagtas Reef in the West Philippine Sea in May 2023. PCG/File photo A bill designating July 12 as West Philippine Sea Day to mark the country’s unprecedented international court victory against China has been filed in the House of Representatives. The Makabayan bloc filed the measure under House Bill 8583 which designates July 12 as West Philippine Sea day to celebrate the decision, issued on that day in 2016, by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that upheld the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea, outlawed Chinese aggression in common fishing ground areas and ultimately rejected China’s expansive nine-dash-line claim of the entire South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the Hague ruling to [...]
Deactivated SIMs may reach up to 55M — DICT chief
AT A GLANCE DICT estimated that up to 55 million Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) cards have been deactivated after the extended SIM registration officially ended on July 25. Unregistered SIMs are given a five-day grace period for reactivation. Latest data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that the SIM registrants reached 105,917,844. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy on Wednesday, July 26 estimated that a total of 55 million Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) cards have been deactivated after the extended SIM registration officially ended. Photo credit to Pixabay “The others that are no longer active as of today are the SIMs that we called ‘active but are non-revenue generating’, meaning this were SIMs that either was used only once or perhaps twice. [...]
Senators to discuss raising sea row to UN
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri makes a press statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023 into law a week before he delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, 2023. Mong Pintolo / The Philippine STAR Manila, Philippines — The Senate will discuss behind closed doors a proposed resolution urging the Marcos administration to seek support from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in protecting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for a caucus on July 31. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and presidential adviser on West Philippine Sea Andres Centino will be invited. Cayetano earlier blocked the Senate’s adoption of a resolution [...]
‘Egay’ to exit PAR Thursday, new LPA expected to enter
Metro Manila, Philippines— Typhoon Egay is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, but another low pressure area (LPA) is seen to intensify and enter the country's weather monitoring area. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Egay was last spotted 195 kilometers (km) west of Basco, Batanes. It had maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, down from 185 kph. The bureau said the typhoon is expected to leave the PAR by Thursday morning or afternoon and is forecast to cross the Taiwan Strait and make landfall in the vicinity of Fujian, China on Friday morning. PAGASA, however, warned that there is still a moderate to high risk of storm surge, [...]
DOTr lifts Covid-19 restrictions in all public transportation
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lifted on Sunday, July 23, the existing health safety protocols in all public transportation system after President Marcos issued a presidential proclamation that set aside Covid-19 protocols as part of the move for the normalization. DOTR Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the lifted Covid-19 protocols include the wearing face masks and physical distancing in passenger jeepneys, buses and mass transportation system. “The President’s proclamation rescinds the mask requirement in public transport. All passenger vehicles can continue to operate at full capacity,” said Bautista. “This new development is a significant step towards normalizing public transportation and supporting economic recovery,” he added. The Covid-19 protocols were strictly implemented since March 2020 and has been gradually eased in the past two years as the number fo infections [...]
Ease of doing business tops business sector’s wish list in SONA
Ease of doing business to reduce corruption in government topped the wish list of the business sector that they want President Marcos to commit in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, July 24. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President George T. Barcelon said that top of mind in the business sector’s wish list for the President’s SONA is the ease of dong business in government agencies and especially at the local government unit (LGU) level. According to Barcelon, the Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is doing its job, but it cannot do it alone. He said the bigger part lies on LGUs to further ease doing business. “It is best to impose a target for LGUs to achieve ease of doing business to facilitate [...]
PBBM reports to nation today
READY FOR THE REPORT. A giant banner of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) hangs at the entrance of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will deliver his second SONA on Monday. Joan Bondoc President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today —a progress report after a year in power in which he says the country made significant strides as he acknowledged that his governance has a long way to go. “That’s what I want to explain to people — that we have made significant progress. We can see the difference now, not only in terms of how the systems work, how the government works. It is also how we are seen or judged [...]
Philippines, US hold maritime dialogue in Washington
“The US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are the modern-day legacy of the shared sacrifice borne by our veterans,” she said yesterday. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have agreed to step up maritime policy and operational cooperation amid tensions in the South China Sea. At the second Philippines-US Maritime Dialogue on July 21 in Washington, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for maritime and ocean affairs Maria Angela Ponce underscored that “the rising tensions and critical situation in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea and the persistent and evolving challenges to the rules-based international order drive us to enhance ways to respond faster, and in a more coordinated and effective manner.” Ponce led the [...]
Egay intensifies into a typhoon; Signal No. 2 over part of Catanduanes
Typhoon Egay as of 11:10 p.m., July 23, 2023. PAGASA Severe Tropical Storm Egay has intensified into a typhoon as it moves over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said late Sunday. In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said that the center of Typhoon Egay's eye is estimated to be 490 km east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, or 620 km east of Baler, Aurora. It is moving west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and a central pressure of 975 hPa. "Strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 550 km from the center," PAGASA said. Storm Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over the northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, [...]
‘Egay’ intensifies into severe tropical storm — PAGASA
Satellite photo shows Severe Tropical Storm Egay (international name: Doksuri) on July 23, 2023 at 10:40 a.m. PAGASA Manila, Philippines — Cyclone Egay (international name: Doksuri) has intensified into a severe tropical storm, and will bring heavy rain to parts of the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday. The cyclone's peak winds increased to 95 kilometers per hour near the center and its gusts increased to up to 115 kph, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin. Egay is forecast to reach typhoon category within 24 hours and may become a super typhoon on Tuesday. Weather forecasters said that rapid intensification may happen within the next 72 hours due to favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Egay is expected to remain offshore for most of the forecast period, but PAGASA [...]
Rody, Bato told: Limit travel
Remulla: PH to ‘stop engaging’ with ICC despite probe Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who initiated a bloody war on drugs that killed thousands of suspects during his term, should stay away from countries where the International Criminal Court (ICC) has influence, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Wednesday. Remulla said the same holds true for Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who led the war on drugs when he was Duterte’s national police chief. Both are subjects of an ICC investigation triggered by charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed under Duterte’s leadership. Remulla also said the Philippines will stop engaging with the ICC as he will advise the Office of the Solicitor General to stop engaging with the court. “They are citizens of the republic who also need our protection [...]
ICC can now issue arrest warrants over drug deaths
The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court in The Hague will rule today on the Philippine government’s appeal for the prosecutor not to proceed with the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed in the war on drugs under former president Rodrigo Duterte and ex-PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has made it clear authorities would not cooperate with ICC prosecutors. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court can now apply for the issuance of arrest warrants at the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber. The Philippine government has said it will not implement any arrest warrant from the ICC. “At this stage, the prosecutor can actually already decide who he might charge with crimes against humanity, which is [...]
PBBM okays P170-b pitch to rehab NAIA
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a P170-billion proposal to rehabilitate and expand the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Wednesday. The project is one of three additional infrastructure projects the President approved as part of the administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, Balisacan said. Balisacan said that the proposed NAIA rehabilitation project, which will be undertaken through a public-private partnership, aims to improve the annual airport capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers and enhance air traffic movement and overall passenger experience. The project is expected to begin in 2024. Meanwhile, Balisacan said the P267-billion unsolicited offer of the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) was considered closed after the NEDA Board approved [...]
Economy slowed in Q2 on weaker consumption
Streaks of lightning strike through the night sky behind condominium buildings in Manila on July 1, 2023. STAR / Miguel De Guzman Manila, Philippines — The Philippine economy likely posted slower growth of 5.6 percent in the second quarter on weaker consumption, analysts said. During the First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) briefing yesterday, University of Asia and the Pacific economist Victor Abola said he saw a 5.6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the second quarter, slower than the 6.4 percent growth posted in the first quarter. Abola said consumption spending is expected to have slowed down in the second quarter. “It is really the carryover of the inflation into the second quarter. Even though it is lower, people have become more reluctant,” he said. Headline inflation [...]
LPA to bring rain showers to most of PH
The low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao is expected to bring rain showers to most of the country and strengthen into a tropical depression in the coming days, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, July 20. PAGASA weather specialist Patrick Del Mundo said scattered light to occasional heavy rains may prevail over Visayas, Romblon, Sorsogon, Masbate, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. It warned of possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rainfall in these areas. Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the trough or extension of the LPA. LPA likely to become tropical depression [...]
Marcos: Gov’t to keep pursuing public transpo projects
At the inauguration of new light rail transit (LRT-1) trains, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government will keep pursuing public transportation projects in the country. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate) Marcos cited his pronouncement in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he emphasized the integral role of infrastructure development such as the construction of agricultural roads and improvement of railways systems in the country's socio and economic progress. "In line with this, I am one with the general public in eagerly anticipating the full operations of the LRT-1 Cavite extension for 2027," the President said during the inauguration ceremony held in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 19. "I assure you that this administration will continue to pursue more public transportation projects [...]
SC affirms dismissal of ₱1-B ill-gotten wealth case vs. Marcoses, cronies
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the dismissal of the government's ₱1.05-billion civil case against the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, his widow Imelda Marcos, and their cronies who allegedly acted as their dummies to accumulate ill-gotten wealth. In a ruling promulgated on March 29 but released to the media only on Wednesday, the high court affirmed the September 2019 decision of the Sandiganbayan, which dismissed the case filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) due to lack of evidence. In October 2019, the government filed a motion for reconsideration, but the Sandiganbayan denied this for lack of merit. This prompted the government to file a petition in June 2020 asking the SC to review the anti-graft court’s verdict. The SC said “there is [...]
‘LPA outside PAR may develop into typhoon’
Manila, Philippines — A new low-pressure area (LPA) has developed outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the eastern section of Mindanao and may soon develop into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. “At 2 p.m. in the afternoon (of July 16) the cloud clusters outside PAR have developed into a low-pressure area and may develop into a typhoon within 24 to 48 hours,” PAGASA weather specialist Adlczar Aurelio said. He added that the LPA will be named “Egay” once it turns into a typhoon. Aurelio said that as of 3 p.m. on July 16, Severe Tropical Storm Dodong (international name Talim), now outside PAR, was located 565 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte or 710 km west of Basco, [...]
Maynilad suspends water service interruptions in some areas
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines— Maynilad Water Services has suspended service interruptions in some areas beginning Sunday as the rains brought by Tropical Storm Dodong have increased the water level in Ipo Dam. "Pansamantang isususpinde ang scheduled daily water service interruptions sa ilang bahagi ng Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, Quezon City at Valenzuela simula ngayon hanggang sa susunod na abiso," the West Zone water concessionaire said in an advisory. [Translation: Scheduled daily water service interruptions in some areas in Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, Quezon City and Valenzuela are suspended from today until further notice.] "Ang mga pag-ulan nitong nakalipas na araw dulot ng #DodongPH ay nakatulong mapataas ang water elevation sa Ipo Dam, dahilan kung bakit patuloy naming natatanggap mula sa portal ang 2,400 MLD (million liters per day) [...]
At least 45,000 Metro Manila drivers, operators to join 3-day transport strike – Manibela
FILE PHOTO Metro Manila, Philippines — Transport group Manibela said from 45,000 to 50,000 drivers and operators from Metro Manila are expected to participate in the three-day nationwide "tigil-pasada" that will begin on July 24. In an effort to draw President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s attention to the government's lack of urgency in addressing their concerns about the PUV modernization program, the transport strike will coincide with his second State of the Nation Address. "Siguro nasa 45,000 to 50,000 po ang kasama dito dahil ilang cities na po ang naikutan natin simula noong maghayag tayo ng tigil-pasada," Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend. [Translation: Maybe around 45,000 to 50,000 people will participate because we have already gone around several cities since we announced the transport strike.] [...]
‘Bagong Pilipinas’ set as new governance, leadership brand
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the adoption of a new brand of governance and leadership campaign characterized by a “principled, accountable and dependable government.” In a three-page memorandum circular dated July 3, 2023, the President also approved the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) logo. Mr. Marcos directed all national government agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), to adopt the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign in their programs, activities and projects. “Bagong Pilipinas is the overarching theme of the administration’s brand of governance and leadership, which calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and fosters the state’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery,” read the memorandum. Mr. Marcos also ordered that the campaign [...]
No more laughs: P3-M Pagcor logo draws calls for probe
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO You’ve laughed at the parodies. Now comes the serious part. Two days after being unveiled, the new logo of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) continued to draw scrutiny not only for its design and rationale, but also for its P3-million price tag and other issues. Members of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the “questionable” contract awarded by Pagcor for the rebranding project. The lawmakers noted that the contract was awarded to Printplus Graphic Services, an entity enrolled in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) just last month and registered in the Department of Trade and Industry in March 2021 with “only a barangay scope for its business name.” Filed [...]
NIA lays out El Niño water plans; Rain, floods paralyze traffic in NCR
WATER CONTRAST. Long lines form on the southbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway as flooding in Bicutan, Paranaque stalled traffic on Thursday. Gutter-deep waters also plague a motorcycle rider in Manila after day-long rains– while ironically the water levels of Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, and Bustos Dam, all in the province of Bulacan, continue to drop. Joan Bondoc, Danny Pata, and Norman Cruz The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said Thursday it is prepared for the El Niño phenomenon as its field office nationwide has action plans that include water delivery schedules, alternate wetting and drying technology, crop diversification, and the use of early maturing drought-resistant crop varieties. Meanwhile, day-long rains owing to the southwest monsoon led to flooding —and huge traffic jams—in portions of Metro Manila [...]
LTO to roll out e-driver’s license
Manila, Philippines — To address the shortage of plastic cards, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be issuing a digital or electronic version of the driver’s license this month, an official announced yesterday. LTO officer-in-charge Hector Villacorta said the e-driver’s license is in line with the agency’s digitalization efforts and to ensure the efficient administration of the licensing system. “The digital driver’s license is a valid, secure and an alternative form of identification for persons driving motor vehicles,” Villacorta said. It will replace the paper-based official receipt that serves as a temporary driver’s license, which is traditionally printed on a plastic card. LTO’s Memorandum Circular No. HAV-2023-2410, which outlines the rules for the digital license will be effective starting July 26. Villacorta said motorists can present the e-driver’s license [...]
UN says ‘end of AIDS’ still possible by 2030
Geneva, Switzerland - "The end of AIDS" is still possible by 2030, the United Nations insisted Thursday, but cautioned that the world's deadliest pandemic could only be halted if leaders grasped the opportunity. "AIDS can be ended by 2030," the UNAIDS agency said as it outlined a roadmap of investment, evidence-based prevention and treatment and tackling the inequalities that are currently holding back progress. UNAIDS said that ending the pandemic was, above all, a political and financial choice. "Success is possible -- in this decade," said executive director Winnie Byanyima. The UN first set out in 2015 the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Byanyima said the greatest progress on HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- was being made in the countries and [...]
Signal No. 1 raised as TD Dodong makes landfall in Isabela
Metro Manila , Philippines — Storm signals are raised over areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Dodong makes landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela early Friday morning, the state weather bureau reported. According to its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Dodong has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 55 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northern portion of Pangasinan, the northern and central portions of Aurora, and the northern and eastern portions of Polillo Islands. PAG-ASA warns of heavy rainfall and potential flooding and landslides in those areas. It added that wind impacts in [...]
LIST: Metro Manila areas with water service interruptions beginning July 12
Metro Manila, Philippines— Customers of Maynilad Water Services in Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, Quezon City, and Valenzuela will encounter water service interruptions for at least nine hours beginning July 12. The service interruptions are an offshoot of lower water allocation from Metro Manila's only source — Angat Dam — from 50 cubic meters per second (cms) to 48 cms in light of declining reservoir level below the 180-meter minimum operating mark. The service interruption will affect around 591,000 connections beginning 7 p.m. The west zone concessionaire advised customers to stock up on supply as water hoarding will result in higher bills. In a press briefing on Monday, Ronald Padua, Maynilad Water Supply Operations head, said supply will normalize beginning 4 a.m., but some remote and elevated barangays will have [...]
MAP: Addressing education crisis should be prioritized
Students from the City University of Pasay gather yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center for their graduation ceremony. Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano was among the attendees. Ernie Peñaredondo Manila, Philippines — Business group Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is urging the country to prioritize the easing of the current education crisis, emphasizing the need to transform the country’s education system to allow it to better adapt to a changed workplace in a technology-driven world. “We in the MAP believe that easing the education crisis should be one of the country’s top priorities, and we call on all sectors to actively participate in addressing it,” MAP president Benedicta Du-Baladad said in a statement on July 10. Du-Baladad said that the time has come for a public-private partnership [...]
Metro Manila Subway to be fully operational in six years – DOTr
Manila, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday projected that the 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2029. The subway has 17 stations stretching from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City. Six of the stations interconnect with Metro Rail Transit. These stations are Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit – Line 1 (LRT-1), MRT-7, LRT-2, FTI Terminal and North–South Commuter Railway. “Our new timeline is 2029. Full operations iyon. Our challenges, of course, was (were) COVID – the effect of pandemic, and based sa unang approval with NEDA, initially only 13 states. Nadagdagan. Naging 17,” said DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said in a press conference. (Our new timeline is 2029. That’s full operations. Our challenges, of [...]
AFP actively monitoring Kalayaan Islands after swarming of Chinese vessels
Metro Manila, Philippines – The military is closely monitoring the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea after a swarm of over 48 Chinese fishing vessels were reported near the Iroquois Reef, south of the Recto bank, on June 30. “The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) in coordination with other government agencies under Area Task Force (ATF)-West is actively monitoring developments in the Kalayaan Island Group,” the AFP told CNN Philippines. “The case is being handled by the NTF-WPS [National Task Force-West Philippine Sea],” it added. The ATF-West falls under the task force. It said three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and two People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were also seen “regularly loitering” at Sabina Shoal. Created in 2016, the NTF-WPS is chaired by the National Security Adviser. [...]
PH, US start 2nd ‘Cope Thunder’ air drills
The Philippines and the United States on Friday opened the second iteration of their air forces’ joint “Cope Thunder” exercise at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. A total of 1,272 airmen are participating in the bilateral exercise: 687 troops from the Philippine Air Force and 585 from the US Pacific Air Force, according to PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo. Maj. Gen. Augustine Malinit, commander of the PAF Air Defense Command, noted the significance of the air drill as “an opportunity to assimilate forces and augment interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.” The first phase of the exercise was held in May, following its revival after over three decades. Washington and Manila first held the Cope Thunder drills in 1991. Malinit said the second Cope Thunder this [...]
Gov’t resumes Armed Forces modernization
President Marcos wants military to catch up, be back on track in 2 yrs amid security threats President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the Armed Forces of the Philippines to modernize faster and catch up with the rest of the world following the setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Kung ano ‘yung schedule natin, medyo naatras lang nang kaunti because of the pandemic. But now, we are proceeding back to our established schedule,” the President told reporters during the graduation rites of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course “Gaigmat” Class 58-2023 in Taguig City. “Hopefully, we will catch up and, in a year, maybe two, we will already be back to where we were supposed to be at that time before the pandemic,” he said. The AFP modernization program involves [...]
PCG to keep exposing China Sea aggression
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Amid the reported presence of Chinese ships in disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has vowed to continue to “expose” the alleged aggression of China. Previously, the PCG reported that its two ships were “constantly followed, harassed and obstructed” by China Coast Guard vessels during a resupply mission for the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal last June 30. The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (AFP-WESCOM) also revealed that it saw around 52 Chinese military and fishing boats around Del Pilar (Iroquois) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, who speaks for the government’s task force on the West Philippine Sea, said 48 of them were Chinese maritime militia vessels, three China Coast [...]
Angat Dam water level now below 180 meters; NCR water allocation cut takes effect
Metro Manila, Philippines– The water allocation cut for Metro Manila takes effect as the water level of Angat Dam fell below its minimum operating level, authorities said. National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said the 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) water allocation for concessionaires and 20 CMS for the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) are now being implemented, as the water level in Angat Dam dipped to 179.99 meters early Saturday morning. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) dam information, Angat Dam’s minimum operating level is 180 meters, while its normal high water level (NHWL), or spilling level, is 210 meters. The NWRB on Thursday said it will reduce the water allocation for Metro Manila to 48 cubic meters per [...]
DA: 66 areas likely to be hit by El Niño
MANILA , PHILIPPINES— Some 66 areas in the country may experience dry condition, dry spell and drought until the end of the year due to El Niño. In its advisory issued on Thursday, the Department of Agriculture - Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Section (DA-DRRMC) said a total of 28 areas in the country may experience dry condition -- three in Luzon, five in the Visayas and 20 in Mindanao. Meanwhile, dry spell is looming in 36 areas -- 32 in Luzon and four in the Visayas. It added that the provinces of Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte may experience drought. “El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country,” it said. [...]
17% of 564 food products contain high trans fat – study
Michael Pelagio, a science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Chemical Laboratory, said that oils and fats such as sesame oil and mayonnaise, unsalted butter, all-purpose cream, and bread and pastry products such as cookies and doughnuts had TFA content of more than two grams per 100 gram serving. STAR / File MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A chemical analysis of 564 food products sold in local markets found that 17 percent of the products or brands had high trans fatty acid or TFA content posing health risk to consumers. Michael Pelagio, a science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Chemical Laboratory, said that oils and fats such as sesame oil and mayonnaise, unsalted [...]
Filipinos split on Maharlika fund’s benefits – SWS
Metro Manila, Philippines— Filipinos are divided on the potential benefits of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) that now awaits President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature, according to a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey conducted in March. The poll showed 51% of respondents said they expect little or no benefit from the MIF, while 56% expect much benefit from it. There were also differing opinions on their level of confidence that the sovereign wealth fund will not become corrupt – with 31% saying they have a lot of confidence, 29% have little confidence, and 38% unsure. The survey found that only 20% believe they were sufficiently informed about the MIF. On the other hand, 22% said they have little knowledge about the fund, while the majority or 47% expressed they have [...]
Marcos to sign agrarian emancipation act today
President Marcos witnesses the ceremonial signing of the inter-governmental energy board circular on the joint award of petroleum service and coal operating contracts in the Bangsamoro region at Malacañang yesterday. STAR / File MANILA, PHILIPPINES — President Marcos will sign into law today the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which will officially condone at least P58 billion in arrears incurred by more than 600,000 farmer-beneficiaries from his late father’s land reform program under Presidential Decree 27, including agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the late former president Corazon Aquino. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said that Marcos will also lead the simultaneous nationwide distribution of at least 31,831 land titles to 23,699 agrarian reform beneficiaries after the signing of the New Agrarian [...]
PCG waiting for possible diplomatic action after China’s latest aggression in WPS
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it has already reported to authorities details of the Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) "dangerous maneuvers" to block the resupply mission of Philippine ships on June 30, and is now awaiting government's next steps regarding the incident. Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the completed report on the incident was immediately submitted to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was also notified about the matter, he added. “As to the diplomatic action that has to be carried out by the DFA, I know they’re going to have one but as to what that is in particular, it's for the DFA to probably [...]
Inflation slows down for 5th straight month in June
The Philippines’ inflation rate slowed for a fifth month in a row in June on the back of slower movements in food, transport, and utility prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday. At a press briefing, National Statistician and PSA chief Claire Dennis Mapa reported that inflation — the rate of increase in the prices of consumer goods and services — eased to 5.4% last month from 6.1% in May, bringing the year-to-date rate to 7.2%. This is the fifth time that inflation slipped from a peak of 8.7% in January. Last month's inflation rate falls within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' forecast range of 5.3% to 6.1%. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
Monday was the hottest day ever as global temperatures rise
Global temperatures hit a record on Monday, underscoring the dangers of ever-increasing carbon emissions generated from burning fossil fuels. The average worldwide temperature was 17C (63F), just above the previous record of 16.9C reached in August 2016, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The new high underscores the extremity of 2023’s summer in the northern hemisphere. “This is not a milestone we should be celebrating, it's a death sentence for people and ecosystems,” said Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. “Worryingly, it won't be the hottest day for a long time.” The El Niño weather phenomenon is set to break more records this year, she said. The heat this summer has already put millions of people [...]
Commuter hotline for transport concerns, complaints launched
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has opened a central hotline that the public can call for concerns and complaints on transport issues. The commuter hotline, 0920-964-3687, will receive calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, according to a news release on Wednesday. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the hotline is the agency's channel to receive complaints and reports of red tape from citizens within its offices and attached agencies. "We established this hotline because we recognize the public’s role in creating a clean and efficient DOTr,” Bautista said. “We urge our fellow Filipinos to report your concerns via the commuter hotline that require full attention of the DOTr and its attached agencies."
Speaker, House transmit Maharlika bill to Senate for President to sign
PRE-LEDAC GAB. House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri listen to other lawmakers as they lead the pre-LEDAC meting in Makati City late Monday to discuss priority measures for the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress. Ver Noveno Speaker Martin Romualdez and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco have signed the Maharlika Investment Fund bill and transmitted the signed copy to the Senate on Monday. The latest version of the bill that was approved by Congress was earlier signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri while he was in the United States on June 21. Romualdez, the principal author of the bill, earlier said the amendments introduced to the measure, specifically the inclusion of more safeguards against possible abuse and fraud, were “our way [...]
Marcos orders probe into hoarding, smuggling of agricultural products
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the smuggling of onions and other agricultural products, saying the act was equivalent to economic sabotage. "I have just given instructions to the DOJ and the NBI to initiate an investigation into the hoarding, smuggling (and) price fixing of agricultural commodities. And this is stemming from the hearing that we've conducted in the House, specifically by Congresswoman Stella Quimbo and the findings that they came up with," said Marcos. In May, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, the vice chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, alleged that Lilia "Lea" Cruz engineered the artificial spike in onion prices late last year until the early part of 2023 through companies involved in all levels of the value chain. Cruz [...]
US thanks Philippines for thriving partnership
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson expressed her gratitude to President Marcos for highlighting such friendship and how it will be sustained. STAR / File MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The United States yesterday thanked the Philippines for the continuing and growing friendship between the two nations as friends, partners and allies. US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson expressed her gratitude to President Marcos for highlighting such friendship and how it will be sustained. “This Philippine-American Friendship Day, we commemorate the deep bond between our nations built on shared values and aspirations. May our thriving partnership continue to bring strength and prosperity to both our peoples,” Carlson said in a Twitter post. She also shared a tweet by Marcos himself where the latter acknowledged the strong alliance and partnership between the Philippines and the [...]
CHR urges better protection for media workers after latest attack
Commission on Human Rights in Quezon City (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned on Monday the recent attacks against journalists, including the gun attack on photojournalist Joshua Abiad and the death threats against a fact-checking organization Vera Files. Such incidents, which erode press freedom, should serve as a reminder for the government to take proactive measures that protect media workers, the CHR said in a statement. “CHR expresses solidarity with the media community in strongly condemning the gun attack of Remate Online photojournalist Joshua Abiad and his family, and the death threats against fact-checking media organization VERA Files,” the CHR said. “CHR continues to reiterate that acts of violence and intimidation against media [...]
Barangay, SK officials to get shorter terms following SC ruling on grassroots elections
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, PHILIPPINES—With the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) that declared unconstitutional the law that rescheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, originally set for Dec. 5, 2022, to Oct. 30, 2023, the winners of the October elections will have a shorter term. Last year, Republic Act (RA) No. 11935 was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., giving sitting barangay and SK officials almost a year of extended office, but the law was assailed at the SC. The SC later declared that the free and meaningful exercise of the right to vote, as protected and guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, required the conduct of “genuine periodic elections,” which should be held at intervals not excessively long. The village and youth elections, as mandated [...]
Philippines stays as lower-middle income economy —World Bank
The Philippines has remained a lower-middle income economy under the latest World Bank (WB) classification, which saw it trailing behind some of its neighbors in Southeast Asia. Data from the international lending agency showed the Philippines gross national income (GNI) in 2022 at $3,950. The country's GNI per capital fell within the WB's bracket for lower-middle income economies of $1,136 - $4,465. The income bracket was raised from $1,086 - $4,255 a year ago. Calculated using the World Bank Atlas method, for the current 2024 fiscal year, low-income economies are defined as those with a GNI per capita of $1,135 or less in 2022; lower-middle income economies are those with a GNI per capita between $1,136 and $4,465; upper-middle income economies are those with a GNI per capita between [...]
MRT firm files petition for P2 fare increase
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said the management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has re-filed a petition for a fare increase before the agency’s Rail Regulatory Unit. Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said no fare adjustment was approved for the MRT-3 for the last eight years. Earlier, MRT-3’s fare hike petition was deferred due to “infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure.” MRT 3 filed for an additional P2.29 boarding fare and P0.21 distance fare per kilometer to finance its operating expenses. “Therefore, P148 is the indicative subsidy by the government for every passenger for every end-to-end trip,” Chavez said in a mix of English and Filipino. Chavez said the LRT-1 operators had also asked for a fare increase since 2016. The LRT-1 runs from [...]
Zubiri softens, now open to P100 wage hike
LABOR DEMAND | Employees of hospitals and other medical facilities hold a noise barrage in front of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City to demand a higher entry salary for all health workers. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he was looking at modifying his proposal for a legislated P100 wage increase instead of the P150 across-the-board hike he had earlier proposed. Zubiri said he would be willing to modify Senate Bill No. 2002, even if the Senate Committee on Labor had already prepared its report endorsing the P150 daily hike. “So what we could do is amend it and come up with the committee report, propose a P100 minimum wage increase — [...]
DOT ends contract with ad agency behind controversial ‘Love the Philippines’ video
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has terminated its contract with the ad agency which handled the “Love the Philippines” slogan following the controversy that emanated from the use of stock footage of scenic views reportedly taken from other countries. In a statement, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the department was outraged and extremely disappointed with the DDB Philippines’s use of stock footage that was supposed to help the Philippines sell its tourism market abroad. The audio-visual presentation (AVP) for the “Love the Philippines” was prepared, produced, and published by DDB Philippines as a component of the launch of the enhanced tourism branding campaign for the country. But it was heavily criticized in social media after it turned out that some of the footage used were purportedly taken from other [...]
Marcos lauds Air Force’s ‘essential’ maritime patrols to secure PH
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rallied members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to brace themselves for “geopolitical changes” as he underscored the importance of maritime air patrol missions in upholding territorial integrity. “The days ahead will not be easy and will demand every ounce of your strength and resilience. The winds of change signal geopolitical changes around our region and other parts of the world that have yet to affect us,” Mr. Marcos said during the PAF’s 76th founding anniversary at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Monday. “The Philippine Air Force’s maritime air patrol missions are thus essential in upholding our territorial integrity and safeguarding Philippine maritime zones,” added the commander-in-chief. AIR FORCE’S 76TH. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. salutes the line befor speaking in the 76th founding [...]
QC to launch ‘care card’ for LGBTQ+ couples
The Quezon City (QC) government is set to launch the country’s first “care card” that would authorize LGBTQ+ couples to make medical decisions for their partners. QC Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday announced the local government will launch the “Right to Care Card” for residents on Saturday, June 24 in time for the annual Pride Festival, which culminates activities for the celebration of Pride Month. “Dito sa care card na ito, ang isang LGBT couple na matagal nang nagmamahalan, through a Special Power of Attorney, will be able to have authority over the healthcare decisions na dapat gawin o kailangang gawin para sa isang partner,” Belmonte said in a digital show. (Under this care card, LGBTQ+ couples may authorize their partners to make healthcare decisions for their partner under [...]
New Zealand to ease migration rules to lure more skilled workers
Several developed economies have boosted annual migration numbers or eased visa rules to help key businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic brought tighter border controls and kept foreign workers out. SYDNEY, Australia - New Zealand said on Wednesday it would free up its annual intake of highly skilled migrants and chart a faster route to giving them permanent residency, as rich nations compete to lure the best global talent. Several developed economies have boosted annual migration numbers or eased visa rules to help key businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic brought tighter border controls and kept foreign workers out. "The changes ... to ensure there is no cap on skilled migrants removes an artificial constraint in the old system," Immigration [...]
Marcos OKs ₱5.768-T budget for 2024
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the proposed ₱5.768-trillion national funding for next year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Friday. The proposed budget reflects a 9.5% increase from 2023’s ₱5.268 trillion, the DBM said in a statement. “Guided by our Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the proposed national budget will continue to prioritize expenditures outlined in the administration's 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and cater to the objectives of PDP 2023-2028,” DBM chief Amenah Pangandaman was quoted as saying in the statement. “It shall continue to reflect our commitment to pursue economic and social transformation to address the scarring effects of the pandemic, as well as the impact of inflation, by prioritizing shovel-ready investments in infrastructure projects, investments in human capital development, and sustainable agriculture and food security, [...]
Senators grill local airlines over ‘systemic’ flight delays, other inconveniences
Cebu Pacific representatives (left to right) Chief Corporate Affairs officer Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Candice Iyog, and Chief Commercial Officer Alexander Lao during the Senate hearing on the Airline Passengers' Complaints Against Cebu Pacific in Pasay City on June 21, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News MANILA (UPDATE) -- The Senate on Wednesday began its probe into the "numerous passenger complaints" against local airlines, with senators and regular passengers sharing their "nightmarish" flight experiences. The Senate resolution filed by Sen. Nancy Binay only specified Cebu Pacific's issue with overbooking and offloading but the Senate Committee on Tourism also invited representatives from Philippine Airlines and Air Asia. "Aside from the power outages in our airports, airline passengers continue to complain of overbooking, offloading and [...]
Solon says Pinoy kids should learn world’s top 3 languages
MULTILINGUAL. Senator Pia Cayetano (2nd right) during the Senate hearing on the status of the mother tongue education for young learners on Wednesday (June 21, 2023), emphasizes that policymakers must prepare the youth for the future which requires being able to speak the top languages of the world. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano) Manila, Philippines – A lawmaker urged on Wednesday parents and guardians to secure their children's future with 21st century skills which include communication, collaboration, being able to work in different environments and the ability to adapt. Senator Pia Cayetano said to acquire these skills, learning to speak different languages would matter a lot. During the Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing on the status of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Mother Toungue - [...]
Junk food, softdrinks tax eyed
Gov’t aims to curb people’s poor diet, raise funds for vital projects The government will push for the passage of new revenue measures that include additional taxes on sweetened beverages and junk food within the year, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. The target would be to have the new tax measures take effect in 2024, so they would have until the end of the year to push for their passage, Pangandaman said. Aside from generating additional revenues to be used for vital government projects, the higher taxes would result in better health for the people, she said. In a statement, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Health (DOH) are jointly pursuing a junk food and sweetened beverage tax “as a [...]
Labor groups seek P100 wage hike in NCR
Manila, Philippines – Labor groups on Wednesday asked the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) - National Capital Region (NCR) for a PHP100 wage increase during the public hearing in Pasay City. (File photo) According to the Partido Manggagawa (PM), organizations from the workers’ sector are pushing for the approval of the wage petition filed by the Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (Kapatiran) last December 6. "As of January 2023, workers have lost P88 in the value of the PHP570 minimum wage due to inflation. Thus, PHP100 is necessary to recover the purchasing power of workers’ wages," said PM Secretary General Judy Miranda in a statement. "This wage hike demand is merely wage recovery. We are not yet even [...]
Duterte, Ong, Tulfo top choices for senator in 2025 midterm polls
Former President Rodrigo Duterte again topped a list of preferred candidates for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, according to the Pahayag 2023 second-quarter survey conducted by Publicus Asia from June 7 to 12. Based on the “voting predisposition” of 1,500 respondents, the survey saw Duterte ranked first with 51%, followed by health expert Dr. Willie Ong and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who both got 44%. Ong was a losing vice presidential bet in the 2022 elections as the running mate of erstwhile Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. Former President Rodrigo Duterte The survey results also showed that the top national issue this quarter is the need to use renewable energy, surpassing the perennial concerns on the affordability of basic commodities, wages, livelihood, sourcing more funds [...]
Philippines improves to 16th place in gender equality
Individuals cross a rainbow pedestrian lane in Araneta City, Cubao on May 31, 2023. STAR / Michael Varcas Manila, Philippines — The Philippines climbed three places and remained among the leading countries in East Asia and the Pacific in terms of gender equality in this year’s Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Released yesterday, the report showed the Philippines climbed to 16th place with a gender parity score of 0.791 this year from the 19th spot and a score of 0.783 last year. A score of one indicates full parity. The latest result means the country has achieved 79.1 percent gender parity. “Despite an improvement of three positions and 0.88 percentage points since last year, this is only a partial recovery towards its 2018 parity [...]
Zubiri signs Maharlika Investment Fund bill
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines— Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill on Wednesday in Washington D.C. in the United States. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug brought a copy of the bill to Washington D.C. where Zubiri is currently on a working visit. The bill will be brought to House Speaker Martin Romualdez before being transmitted to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature. When asked about the errors in the bill, Zubiri said these were addressed. "I believe the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group, including the letter of correction sent by Senator Mark Villar," Zubiri added. The senators approved the MIF bill on May 31. Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted against the proposed measure while Sen. [...]
PH falls by four spots in global competitiveness ranking
This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2019, shows a general view of the Manila skyline. (File photo by TED ALJIBE / Agence France-Presse) Manila, Philippines — The Philippines dropped by four spots in the yearly global competitiveness report by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), amid a number of global uncertainties ranging from inflation to geopolitical issues. According to the 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) by IMD, the Philippines ranked 52nd this year out of 64 countries included in the report, down four spots from 48th place last year. Compared to its peers in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines continued to stay in 13th place out of 14 countries for six consecutive years. Professor Arturo Bris, director of the World Competitiveness Center, said this year’s results [...]
Bill seeks return of June-to-March school calendar
The Makabayan bloc on Monday filed a bill that seeks to mandate the return of the June-to-March school calendar. House Bill (HB) 8550 will amend Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 7797 as amended. RA 7797 was titled "An Act To Lengthen the School Calendar From Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days." "The August-to-May school calendar has proven to be detrimental to the education sector, with students and teachers struggling with prolonged and intensified exposure to heat during the summer months. This has resulted in decreased productivity, poor student performance, and even health problems," ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said. Under the proposal, the school year will start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last [...]
Universal health care tops Herbosa’s priorities at DOH
Teodoro Herbosa —LYN RILLON Manila, Philippines — Newly appointed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Monday outlined an eight-point “action agenda” for the Department of Health (DOH) under his term, led by the provision of universal health care. Sworn into office by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 6, Herbosa formally took over on Monday from Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who served as DOH officer in charge for a year. At his first flag-raising ceremony, Herbosa said the other priorities for the DOH would include providing safe, quality and caring service; using technology for more efficient health services; crisis readiness; disease prevention; promotion of mental and emotional health; promotion of the welfare and rights of health workers; and protection against another pandemic. Herbosa noted that providing universal health care [...]
Gov’t looking to surpass 100% rice self-sufficiency: PBBM
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File photo) Manila, Philippines – The government may surpass 100-percent rice self-sufficiency with its agricultural initiatives, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his weekly vlog released Saturday. Marcos said his administration is pushing for various projects and programs that would help Filipinos overcome poverty and hunger, such as farm mechanization to help exceed the government’s rice self-sufficiency target. “Sapat at murang pagkain pa rin ang siyang tanging magpapalaya sa atin sa gutom. Kung kaya’t walang tigil ang paglulunsad ng mga ganitong programa sa ating mga (Having a sufficient and affordable food will free us from hunger. That’s why we are relentless in our efforts to launch programs like this in our) agricultural regions,” he said in the video uploaded on his [...]
PH set to sail ‘Layag-WPS’
P80-m livelihood program to help over 370,000 fishermen in EEZ The Marcos administration will launch its “Layag WPS” project or the Livelihood Activities to Enhance Fisheries Yield and Economic Gains (Layag) from the West Philippine Sea aimed at protecting Filipino fishermen as well as state floating assets amid continuing incursions of Chinese vessels in the area. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources spokesman Nazario Briguera said the government has about P80 million to give comprehensive support to fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. “BFAR will launch our Layag WPS project in the next few days. We are planning to package this as a special project for this year,” he said in a press briefing on Saturday. Briguera’s announcement came days after a Chinese Navy ship tailed a BFAR multi-mission [...]
AFP deploys marine amphibious force to Palawan
FORCE BUILD-UP. Troops belonging to the Marine Amphibious Ready Unit of the Philippine Marine Corps arrive in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Saturday morning (June 17, 2023). Their presence will beef up the Armed Forces of the Philippines' strength in the island province. (PNA photo by Issa Reynoso) Puerto Princesa, Palawan – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday deployed Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT-9) to Palawan to bolster its military strength in maintaining security, peace, and progress. The troops, forming the first Marine Amphibious Ready Unit (MARU) of the Philippine Marine Corps, arrived in the morning aboard the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Tarlac. With the arrival of MBLT-9, there are now three battalions securing Palawan. The Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 is stationed [...]
House bill seeks anti-bullying policies at workplace
With this in mind, Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo filed House Bill 8446, which seeks to institutionalize anti-bullying policies in government and private offices and business establishments. STAR / File Manila, Philippines — For two members of the House of Representatives, anti-bullying policies should not only exist in schools but in workplaces as well. With this in mind, Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo filed House Bill 8446, which seeks to institutionalize anti-bullying policies in government and private offices and business establishments. They said in a statement that while Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act has already been enacted, this covers only acts of bullying in elementary and secondary schools. Office bullying, they noted, is commonly overlooked by [...]
PH, US, Japan nat’l security advisors commit to deepen trilateral defense ties in 1st meeting
Metro Manila, Philippines — The national security advisors (NSAs) of the Philippines, the United States, and Japan met for the first time in Tokyo on Friday, reaffirming their countries’ commitment to advance trilateral defense cooperation in response to regional security challenges. In a joint statement, Philippine NSA Eduardo Año, along with his US and Japanese counterparts Jake Sullivan and Akiba Takeo, said they discussed concrete plans to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, “especially given unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.” Part of their discussions was on the disputed South China Sea, where more tense encounters between Manila and Beijing have occurred in recent months over what the Philippine Coast Guard had described as China’s “aggressive tactics.” Tensions in the East China Sea, [...]
June 28, 2023 a holiday to observe Eid’l Adha
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. declared June 28, 2023, a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Marcos made the declaration through Proclamation No. 258. The holiday will be observed throughout the country. Eid'l Adha is one of the two important holidays in the Muslim calendar, the other being Eid'l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. During Eid'l Adha, Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cows, and camels to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command. According to Proclamation No. 258, Eid’l Adha is one of the greatest feasts of Islam being celebrated by worldwide. “Following the 1444 Hijrah Islamic Lunar Calendar, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos has recommended that 28 June 2023, Wednesday, be [...]
European country that eradicated ASF offers help to PH
(Unsplash) The southern European country of Portugal has offered to help the Philippines get rid of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF), the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez bared on Wednesday, June 14. The offer was relayed to Romualdez by Portuguese non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, Maria Joào Falcào Poppe Lopes Cardoso, when she paid him a courtesy call at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City. “These propositions are of great mutual interest to both countries,” said Romualdez, who committed to endorse the matter to the concerned agencies of the executive department for appropriate action. Romualdez is also looking at possible initiatives to expand bilateral trade and cooperation with Portugal in areas of technology and defense. According to the envoy, who is the concurrent Portuguese [...]
OCD preparing for long-term Mayon response action
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is preparing for a long-term response action amid the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano which could last for “three months or more.” Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. speaks during a situational briefing on the status of Mayon Volcano and the government's response on June 14, 2023 in Legazpi City, Albay. (Screenshot courtesy of RTVM livestream) This was revealed as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led a situational briefing on the status of Mayon Volcano and the government’s response in Legazpi City, Albay on Wednesday night, June 14. Civil Defense Operations Service Director Cesar Idio said that the OCD identified four tactics to respond to the ongoing restiveness of Mayon. First is to prepare for a long-term response action for three [...]
Phivolcs: Mayon Volcano unrest intensifies
The Mayon volcano, known for its breathtaking beauty and occasional fiery temperament, has recently alerted residents and authorities as it continues exhibiting signs of unrest. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/Jay Carolino and Arren Christian Ventura) Manila, Philippines — State seismologists on Wednesday said Mayon Volcano’s unrest has intensified after an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes and rockfall events. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Mayon Volcano recorded seven volcanic earthquakes from 5 a.m. on Tuesday until 5 a.m. on Wednesday and 309 rockfall events. On the other hand, the sulfur dioxide flux decreased to 149 tonnes a day. Previously, Phivolcs said the volcano only saw one volcanic earthquake and 221 rockfall events with 723 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux. Phivolcs classified Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3 since last [...]
Chinese Navy ship open for public tour until June 16
VISITING SHIP. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy training ship Qi Jiguang docks in Manila at past 9 a.m. on Wednesday (June 14, 2023). Interested visitors only need to present a valid identification document to board the vessel. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in Manila MANILA – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy training ship currently on a goodwill visit in Manila will be open to the public starting Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila announced. Chinese PLA Navy Training Ship Qi Jiguang docked at Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor on the morning of June 14 and will be in the Philippines until June 17. The embassy said interested visitors only need to present a valid identification document to board the vessel on the [...]
Sara Tops Survey On Successor To Marcos
Former LPGMA party-list congressman and Republic Gas Corp. president Arnel Ty commissioned the national survey conducted last April 15 to April 18. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte A commissioned survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) has shown Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte as likely to succeed President Marcos when his term ends in 2028. Sen. Raffy Tulfo and former vice president Leni Robredo ranked second and third, respectively, among the 10 names mentioned by survey respondents when asked who they preferred to be the country’s next leader. Marcos was eighth in the list. Former LPGMA party-list congressman and Republic Gas Corp. president Arnel Ty commissioned the national survey conducted last April 15 to April 18. Survey respondents were asked the question “Ayon sa [...]
Marcos: Philippines won’t be subservient to any external force
President Marcos salutes uniformed personnel during a civic and military parade highlighting the celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday. Top photo shows employees of various local government units and national government agencies joining the Boy Scouts of the Philippines during the ceremonial flag-raising in Rizal Park Miguel De Guzman MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines will no longer be subservient to any external force, President Marcos said yesterday as the nation marked the country’s 125th Independence Day. Marcos – accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos and their children Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro, Simon and Vincent – led the Independence Day rites in Rizal Park and Quirino Grandstand in Manila despite light rainfall. In his speech, the President also vowed to address [...]
VP seeks support for education sector
(UPDATE) VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to boost support for the education sector to enable the youth "to break free from the dangers of armed struggle" and realize their full potential. "Let us rally behind our education sector to enable our children and youth to break free from the dangers of armed struggle so that they can realize their full potential and serve as agents of positive change in society," she said in her Independence Day speech. Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN The vice president had been vocal about her resolve to help the government eradicate the country's decades-old insurgency problem by preventing so-called communist terrorist groups from recruiting in schools. Duterte, who concurrently serves as Education secretary, said that Filipino [...]
AFP vows to protect PH amid challenges
As the nation commemorates its 125th Independence Day today, June 12, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. vowed that his department will continue to "strive for the protection and betterment of our motherland" amid growing challenges in the Southeast Asian region. "The Department of National Defense is one with Filipinos in the desire to foster a safe, peaceful, united and prosperous Philippines," Teodoro said in Filipino in his Independence Day message. Defense Secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro Jr. speaks during his first press briefing at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE "May we continue to be worthy heirs of our heroes' legacies and responsible stewards of the next generation's birthright. Amid current and emerging challenges, [...]
BFAR ship goes on Independence Day journey to Pag-asa
BFAR yesterday said the voyage will coincide with the celebration of the 125th year of Philippine Independence. AFP MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’s offshore civilian patrol vessel will embark on a journey today to Pag-asa Island to provide assistance to fisherfolk amid the tension at the West Philippine Sea (WPS). BFAR yesterday said the voyage will coincide with the celebration of the 125th year of Philippine Independence. According to BFAR, BRP Francisco Dagohoy will depart Oyster Bay Naval Base in Barangay Macarascas, Puerto Princesa for the mission. It will bring fishing gear and post-harvest equipment to the beneficiaries in Pag-asa Island. “The fishing equipment will be turned over to the fishing community in Pag-asa Island on Thursday,” BFAR said. BFAR national director and lawyer [...]
PhilHealth now covers cervical cancer tests
Acting PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. said the agency provides coverage for cervical cancer screening through the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) primary care package and cervical cancer treatment through the Z Benefits. “We are glad that your PhilHealth has been able to extend medical care benefits to those women suffering from this dreaded disease, Ledesma said. Indeed, the state health insurer is always looking into the welfare of its members and always doing its best to provide financial risk protection whenever and wherever Filipinos need quality health care,” he added. In response to their call to expand coverage of the Z benefits package for cervical cancer and even include HPV Screening in the soon-to-be introduced Konsulta Plus Package, Ledesma said they are determined to [...]
Over 10K families eyed to be evacuated due to restive Mayon Volcano – Albay gov’t
Metro Manila, Philippines— The local government of Albay plans to move out this weekend over 10,000 families or 40,000 locals living inside the danger zone of the erupting Mayon Volcano. The provincial government said 2,094 families or 7,365 individuals are now staying in temporary shelters. In a briefing in Albay on Saturday, Eugene Escobar, research division chief of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, said they plan to evacuate 10,000 families — particularly those living inside the volcano's 6-kilometer permanent danger zone and the 7-kilometer extended danger zone. This covers villages in Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi, Ligao, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Tabaco. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday, Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman said preemptive evacuation efforts started in Camalig and Guinobatan as they are [...]
PAL to move int’l flights to T1 starting June 16
Philippine Airlines (PAL) international flights will begin to operate at Manila Airport's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 by June 16, 2023, while domestic flights will remain in Terminal 2. The transfer is part of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) terminal reassignment initiative to ease passenger congestion at all terminals. PAL's International flights that will depart from and arrive at Terminal 1 are: Bangkok Beijing Brisbane Busan Fukuoka Guangzhou Tokyo (Haneda) Hong Kong Jakarta Jinjiang Osaka (Kansai) Kuala Lumpur Macau Melbourne Nagoya Tokyo (Narita) Perth Port Moresby Seoul (Incheon) Shanghai Sydney Taipei Xiamen PAL, meanwhile, encouraged passengers to arrive at least four hours before their international flight and three hours for their domestic flights. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Philippines to begin shipping fresh mangoes to Australia
“Within the week, we are expecting to dispose one million kilos. That’s 100 metric tons,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told reporters. File Photo Manila, Philippines — Beginning this June, the Philippines will ship fresh mangoes to Australia where residents have grown to enjoy the fruit in the past couple of years. The Philippine Embassy in Canberra said shipping arrangements are overseen by Sydney-based e-commerce and logistics provider FastboxPH and cross border trade and fulfillment services 1Export. Also assisting in the efforts are the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, also in Sydney, and the Bureau of Plant Industry-National Plant Quarantine Services Division (BPI-NPQSD) of the Department of Agriculture. According to the BPI-NPQSD, protocols for the export of mangoes to Australia and the Specific Commodity Understanding (SCU) have been in place since 2016. The SCU is an [...]
‘Chedeng’ enhances habagat while moving away from Philippines
Chedeng's center was last located the typhoon's center 990 kilometers away from the east of extreme northern Luzon, moving north-northeastward at 20 km per hour with winds up to 130 kph near the center and gusts of 160 kph. Facebook / PAGASA MANILA, Philippines — Despite moving away from the Philippines and being on track to leave the country’s monitoring area, Typhoon Chedeng (international name: Guchol) is expected to continue enhancing the southwest monsoon in the coming week. According to an advisory issued at 5 a.m., the state weather bureau last located the typhoon's center 990 kilometers away from the east of extreme northern Luzon, moving north-northeastward at 20 km per hour with winds up to 130 kph near the center and gusts of 160 kph. PAGASA weather [...]
Fish prices feared to rise amid BFAR order
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 266 issued in 2020 by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources requires all commercial fishing operators to install a vessel monitoring system (VMS) so that they can be tracked and for them to report their catch. The STAR / Michael Varcas, file Manila, Philippines — The cost of fish could soar to “astronomical” levels should a controversial regulatory measure targeting commercial fishing operators is implemented, an industry leader has warned. Roderic “Jon” Santos, director at Inter-Island and Deep Sea Fishing Aaosocation (ISDFA), was referring to Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 issued in 2020 by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which requires all commercial fishing operators to install a vessel monitoring system (VMS) so that they can be tracked and [...]
‘No reason’ to open peace talks with CPP-NPA — Defense chief
Metro Manila, Philippines — There will be no peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) under the leadership of new Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. "I've never considered it. Why? Because if they want to return to the fold of law, they will be rehabilitated. They will be taught skills. They will be resettled. There is no reason whatsoever to [reopening] talks with the CPP because it undercuts and undermines the democratic process," Teodoro told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Wednesday. The Defense chief also said the left-leaning group’s ideologies mainly lead to gaining political power, and key members of the CPP could legally run for office if they wanted to. "What we cannot tolerate is legitimizing their [...]
Alert Level 3 raised over Mayon, eruption possible
Mayon volcano spews white smoke in Legaspi City, Albay province on June 7, 2023. AFP / Charism Sayat Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Thursday the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 and warned there is an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.” “This means that Mayon is exhibiting magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within weeks or even days,” Phivolcs said in a bulletin. Just this Monday, the institute placed Mayon under Alert Level 2 due to increasing unrest. What to do Phivolcs recommended the evacuation of people living within the six-kilometer permanent [...]
Defense chief to China: Earn our trust
CHINA should earn the trust of Filipinos, newly-appointed Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. said on Thursday, as the Asian superpower becomes more aggressive in asserting its claims in the South China Sea. Teodoro made the statement after the Philippine Coast Guard questioned China for its alleged "contradicting" words and actions when it comes to the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a green military-grade laser light from a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. PHOTO BY THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA AP "As a stronger country, it has a bigger obligation to be magnanimous and show trust and to earn the trust of the Filipino people by conforming its activities to recognize [...]
SSS eyes higher monthly pension to help retirees build bigger nest egg
Metro Manila, Philippines — The state-run Social Security System (SSS) is crafting a new pension scheme that will allow its members to build a bigger nest egg come their retirement. Once approved by the SSS policy-making body of commissioners, the monthly retirement pension will breach the current ₱20,000 ceiling, its top official said on Tuesday. The plan will not need an executive order from Malacañang or any congressional approval. "The pension will be increased from the current say 5 [thousand pesos], 10 [thousand pesos], to as high as 30,000… 40,000," SSS President Rolando Macasaet told reporters. The SSS has set a timetable of two to three months to roll out the larger pension program, but the chief executive officer clarified that the higher pension scheme is voluntary. "Voluntary lang [...]
BI: New immigration law needed to digitalize, improve services
MODERNIZING IMMIGRATION. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac expresses his gratitude to the lower house for approving the BI Modernization Act on its third and final reading during the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday (June 6, 2023). If the bill shall be passed into law, he said it will help the BI to digitalize and improve its services. (Screengrab) MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday underscored the need for the BI modernization bill to be passed into law to further digitalize and improve its services. The BI made the remark after the House of Representatives approved on its third and final reading House Bill No. 8203 or the proposed BI Modernization Act. During the Laging Handa public briefing, BI deputy spokesperson [...]
Gibo Teodoro, Ted Herbosa named as DND, DOH secretaries
Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday appointed lawyer Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) and Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa as Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). The appointments of Teodoro and Herbosa were announced after President Marcos met with Teodoro and DND Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, and Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire in separate meetings in Malacañang on Monday afternoon. Teodoro was the former congressman of the First District of Tarlac and also served as the Secretary of Defense during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He also served as the chairperson of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) during his tenure as Secretary of Defense. [...]
LPA becomes storm Chedeng
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that despite its intensification, Chedeng is unlikely to directly bring heavy rainfall over any part of the country in the next few days. PAGASA MANILA — Tropical cyclone Chedeng could intensify into a storm over Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and may continue to intensify into a typhoon by tomorrow. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that despite its intensification, Chedeng is unlikely to directly bring heavy rainfall over any part of the country in the next few days. Chedeng was monitored 1,150 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon and is almost stationary. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. PAGASA said [...]
Marcos launches eGov Super App
Mobile platform to boost ease of doing business, lessen corruption in gov’t MOBILE ONE-STOP-SHOP. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the launching of the eGov Super App at the Palace on Friday, June 2, 2023. In his speech, Mr. Marcos said the online platform would eliminate corruption and make public transactions easier and more convenient. Joey Razon The government on Friday launched the eGov Super App, a one-stop-shop platform for national and local government services that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said will provide the public with hassle-free transactions and curb corruption. “This is what we are pushing for. This is what e-governance is about — to bring it all together, to make it simple and available and accessible,” President Marcos said as he congratulated the Department of Information and [...]
China warns ‘NATO-like’ alliances could lead to conflict in Asia-Pacific
US President Joe Biden (C) speaks alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) at a press conference during the AUKUS summit on March 13, 2023, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego California. AUKUS is a trilateral security pact announced on September 15, 2021, for the Indo-Pacific region. AFP / Jim Watson SINGAPORE — China's defense minister warned Sunday against establishing NATO-like military alliances in the Asia-Pacific, saying they would plunge the region into a "whirlpool" of conflict. Li Shangfu's comments came a day after US and Chinese military vessels sailed close to each other in the flashpoint Taiwan Strait, an incident that provoked anger from both sides. "Attempts to push for NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific is a way of [...]
PH receives first batch of donated bivalent vaccines
THE Philippine government, through the Department of Health (DoH), over the weekend received more than 390,000 doses of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines from the Lithuanian government. Airline personnel unload the shipment of donated bivalent vaccines. Contributed photo The cargo arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with DoH Assistant Secretary Leonita Gorgolon, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and officials from the Lithuanian Consulate and European Union present for the turnover ceremony. The Health department said the donated bivalent vaccines will boost the Philippines' campaign to control the spread of infection. Bivalent vaccines provide better protection against the original Covid-19 strain, SARS-CoV-2, and Omicron sub variants BA.4 and BA.5. "It is with great pleasure that we have received such generous donations from the Lithuanian government and [...]
PH eyes more allied nations’ participation in Balikatan
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines is thinking of making the annual Balikatan exercises with the United States a multilateral event to include other allies, Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Saturday. In the past years, smaller groups of soldiers from Australia have joined Philippine and US troops in the joint military training, and delegations from other countries, such as Japan, have been sent as observers. The Philippines has a visiting forces agreement with only two countries – the US and Australia. “We really explore possibly expanding the bilateral Balikatan exercises into a multilateral exercise,” Galvez said during the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue, an inter-governmental security conference held in Singapore. “In the future, we might be expanding it with other allied nations,” he [...]
PH to launch 2 cubesats this weekend
(Photo grabbed from STAMINA4SPACE Facebook page) MANILA – The country's Maya-5 and Maya-6 cube satellites (cubesats) will be launched to the International Space Station this weekend, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) shared on its Facebook page Friday. The launch is scheduled on June 4 at 12:34 a.m. (PST) or June 3 at 2:34 p.m. (EDT), aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9. Both cubesats were developed under the STAMINA4Space (Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement) Program through the support of the Department of Science and Technology, UP Diliman, PhilSA, and Kyushu Institute of Technology of Japan. According to the STAMINA4Space website, Maya-5 has the same mission payload with Maya-2; while Maya-6 has the experimental on-board computer mission payload that controls the attitude determination and control system and hentenna mission. Launched [...]
US says talks with China ‘essential’ to curb chance of conflict
Dialogue between the United States and China is “essential” and will help avoid miscalculations that could lead to conflict, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday, after Beijing declined an invitation for a formal meeting between him and his Chinese counterpart. Austin and Li Shangfu shook hands and briefly spoke for the first time at the opening dinner of the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore the night before, but the interaction fell short of the Pentagon’s hopes for a more substantive exchange. The US defence chief is on a tour of Asia that previously took him to Japan and will also include a visit to India — part of a push by top American officials to shore up alliances and partnerships in the region to help counter Beijing. [...]
Robredo’s Angat Buhay launches website
FORMER vice president Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo's nongovernment organization (NGO) has launched its official website. In an announcement on its social media platforms on Friday, the Angat Buhay NGO announced that it now has a website that can be accessed at angatbuhay.ph. "Angat Pinas Inc. (commonly known as Angat Buhay) is a Filipino non-profit organization that aims to empower Filipinos to become communities of active citizens by mobilizing the largest volunteer network in implementing Bayanihan programs," the organization was described on the site. Included are the organization's mission and vision, as well as its advocacy pillars, namely public education, public health, disaster relief and rehabilitation, community engagement and empowerment. "Angat Buhay operates nationwide, implementing programs, projects, and activities with partners and volunteers from different parts of Luzon, Visayas and [...]
Philippines may have up to 15 cyclones until October, PAGASA says
Vehicles pass along a flooded street as a cyclist makes their way through the water in Manila on October 29, 2022, following heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Nalgae. Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae whipped the Philippines on October 29 after unleashing flash floods and landslides that officials said left at least 45 people dead. AFP / Jam Sta Rosa MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Around 10 to 15 tropical cyclones may enter or form within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) from June to October 2023, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported on Saturday. Weather specialist Benison Estareja shared the prediction in a public weather forecast issued on Saturday, a day after PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season in the Philippines. According to Estareja, some of the cyclones may [...]
China willing to discuss territorial dispute with PH, says official
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: China is willing to discuss with the Philippines the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea without interference from outsiders, its Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said. Sun made the statement in a meeting with Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba in Beijing on May 26, 2023. Mamba himself disclosed this on Saturday during an interview with The Manila Times following the arrival of participants in the first leg of a nationwide peace caravan here in the capital city of Cagayan. China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong AFP FILE PHOTO China and the Philippines have conflicting claims over parts of the South China Sea which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea as it falls within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippines has long insisted [...]
Thai firm to invest $2.5B in agri technology devt
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the commitment of a Bangkok-based firm to pour around $2.5 billion in agricultural technology development in the country. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that officials of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P. Group), led by its chairman Soopakij Chearavanont, paid a visit to Malacañang last Tuesday to discuss their company's plans to bring in new technology meant to boost the local agriculture industry. The C.P. Group plans to invest $2.5 billion from 2023 to 2027 for technology to be used in farming swine ($1.3 billion), poultry ($280 million), shrimp ($800 million), and other food products ($120 million). "We're very impressed with the new technologies that you use. I remember you told me that each plant farm you build is different from the last one [...]
US, Japan coast guard ships arrive for trilateral maritime exercises off Bataan
This handout photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows USCGC Stratton and Japan Coast Guard ship Akitsushima at the Port of Manila on June 1, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard Facebook page MANILA, Philippines — Ships of the US and Japanese coast guards sailed into Manila on Thursday for joint exercises with their Filipino counterparts on maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection. The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement that Akitsushima (PLH-32) and USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) arrived at the Port of Manila on Thursday morning for the week-long Kaagapay Trilateral Exercise, which will be held in waters off Bataan. The ships were welcomed to Manila by coast guard personnel waving flags of the US and of Japan. The PCG will be deploying BRP Melchora Aquino [...]
‘Betty’ leaves PAR
This satellite photo taken 5:21 p.m. on June 1 shows the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Betty continues to move farther away from the country. RAMMB MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Betty exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday afternoon, state weather bureau PAGASA said. In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Betty was last spotted at 685 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near center and gustiness of up to 115 kph. Betty continues to weaken and may be downgraded to tropical storm category on Saturday. It is moving north northeastward at 15 kph. While outside Philippine jurisdiction, Betty is forecasted to continue to gradually accelerate northeastward until Friday morning before it turns east northeastward over the waters near [...]
69% of Filipino adults find job hunting difficult now – SWS
Metro Manila, Philippines — Around 69% of Filipino adults said they find it hard to get a job these days, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has reported. According to the SWS survey released on Thursday, only 11% of the respondents said job hunting is easy now. It also found that 16% said it was neither easy nor hard and 4% said they don't know. "Finding a job has always been hard since 2011," the pollster said in its graphic card. Meanwhile, half of the respondents were found to be optimistic that that there will be more jobs in the next 12 months. The SWS reported that 26% believed there will be no changes while 10% said there will be fewer work vacancies. The remaining 14% said they do [...]
Senate set to approve 4 admin priority measures
The Senate is expected to approve at least four key priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) days before the 19th Congress adjourns next week. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, in a statement, said the priority measures are the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, and the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, which has been certified as urgent by Malacañang. Apart from the said priority bills, the Estate Tax Amnesty Act is also set to be approved on third reading, Zubiri said. “With the Senate being composed of twenty-four republics, we have to hear everyone’s perspectives out, toward the betterment of our measures. Thankfully, we have all developed a great working relationship with one another, and we have been able to give due [...]
Signals raised as Betty maintains strength
Image from Pagasa shows the path of Super Typhoon Betty as of yesterday. STAR / File MANILA — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has started to raise tropical cyclone wind signals over parts of northern Luzon as Super Typhoon Betty makes its way closer to the country. The state weather bureau said that Betty (international name Mawar) was monitored 1,055 km east of Central Luzon, carrying maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h. It will remain as a super typhoon over the weekend and short-term intensification was not ruled out last night. Signal No. 1 has been raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, northern and central Abra, Kalinga, eastern [...]
Economic development in Asia still faces many challenges, China minister says
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao says the Asia-Pacific region has many disturbances and challenges when it comes to economic and trade development. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo BEIJING - Economic and trade development in the Asia-Pacific still faces many disturbances and challenges, China's commerce minister Wang Wentao said. Wang made the comments at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, where he met with several leaders and exchanged views on multilateral and bilateral economic and trade issues amid wider global trade rifts and uncertainties. Wang said he recognized the difficulties faced by the region, but added that China, as a major developing country, was willing to make due contributions. "The Asia-Pacific region has always been the region with the most growth vitality, development potential and economic resilience in the [...]
G7, QUAD back Marcos call for ‘rules-based order’ in Indo-Pacific
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s position to adhere to rules-based international order in the South China Sea and to maintain peace and stability in the region has earned support from the member states of Group of Seven (G7) and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), Malacañang said. The expression of support was relayed to Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko through a letter sent to her on May 20. Garafil said the letter contains Koshikawa's report on the outcome documents of the recently-concluded 2023 G7 and QUAD summits hosted by Japan. In the letter, Koshikawa reported the fruitful culmination of the twin summits with "consequential decisions encompassing matters related to the Philippines." Koshikawa said that the G7 leaders reaffirmed their determination to meet global challenges [...]
Signal No. 1 up in parts of Cagayan, Isabela as Super Typhoon Betty keeps strength
Metro Manila, Philippines— The state weather bureau on Saturday morning raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of Cagayan, including Babuyan and Camiguin Islands, and parts of Isabela as Super Typhoon Betty maintained its strength. In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 1 – an alert for “strong winds” – has been hoisted over the eastern portion of Cagayan, particularly Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey, and Babuyan and Camiguin Islands. In Isabela, the affected areas are the eastern portion of the province, namely Maconacon, Divilacan, Dinapigue, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, San Pablo, and Cabagan. Signal No. 1 means there is minimal to minor threat to life and [...]
Super Typhoon Mawar even stronger as it roars closer to PAR border
MANILA, Philippines — Super Typhoon Mawar has slightly intensified as it advances closer to the border of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. Mawar packs a mean punch with 215 kilometers per hour (kph) winds near its core, with gusts charging at 260 kph. Currently positioned 1,705 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, the typhoon is moving westward at 20 kph. Upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Betty will be locally renamed. The weather bureau forecasts that Mawar will enter the PAR as a super typhoon between Friday night and Saturday morning, moving west-northwest towards Luzon by Monday or Tuesday. Mawar is unlikely to make landfall, but a slight change in its course could put northern [...]
PH, US to construct 14 projects in four new EDCA locations
The Philippines and the United States are eyeing 14 projects on the four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday. “On the new sites, identified na rin yung mga projects to be constructed in those areas. So we’re looking (at) mess hall, rehabilitation of runway, construction of additional billeting facilities, acquisition of generators, installation of electrical system, (and) construction of pier with water supply,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said in an interview. The four additional EDCA locations were the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan. Also included in the proposed projects are the construction of humanitarian and assistance disaster [...]
Gov’t launches free ‘The Philippine Gazette’ newspaper
THE PHILIPPINE GAZETTE. “The Philippine Gazette” was launched by the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) attached agency, the Bureau of Communications Services (BCS), on Wednesday (May 24, 2023) to increase public awareness about the Marcos administration’s policies and programs. The PCO-BCS led the free distribution of the Philippine Gazette in select areas in Metro Manila. (Photo courtesy of the PCO) MANILA – The Marcos administration has launched “The Philippine Gazette,” a printed newspaper that will be distributed to the public for free to raise awareness about its policies and programs. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said its attached agency, the Bureau of Communications Services (BCS), led the free distribution of the Philippine Gazette on Wednesday. “Inilunsad ng Presidential [...]
PH to get $4-B grant from ADB for socio-economic, infra dev’t
TOP SOURCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa at the regional development bank's headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday (May 23, 2023). The ADB was the Philippines’ top source of active Official Development Assistance among 20 development partners in 2022. (Photo from Office of the President FB page) MANILA – The Philippines will receive a USD4-billion funding grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the implementation of the Marcos administration's socio-economic and infrastructure development plans for 2023, Malacañang announced on Tuesday. This developed after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa at the regional development bank's headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. [...]
ES: Sugar imports aboveboard amid ‘very alarming’ tight supply
SUGAR PROBE. Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban (right) is joined by NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan and Executive Secretart Lucas Bersamin (left) during a Senate probe on the sugar importation order. Lino Santos Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban on Tuesday told a Senate hearing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the importation of sugar “through selected importers.” But when pressed repeatedly by senators, Panganiban backtracked and clarified: “Let’s import. Yan lang ang sinabi sa akin (That’s only what he told me).” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who was present in the same hearing, told senators he was the one who approved the importation as the President was busy at a foreign trip at that time. “There was guidance from the President. But I confirmed that I was the one who [...]
SOGIESC equality bill gets House panel nod
Metro Manila, Philippines— The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality has approved the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) bill. The panel's approval was confirmed by Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas on Tuesday after the committee deliberated on the technical working group report. The report consolidated House Bills No. 222, 460, 3418, 3702, 4277, 5551, 6003, and 7036, and other proposed measures aiming to ban discrimination of people on the basis of their SOGIESC. "This is a step towards the long-overdue enactment of legislation which will prohibit all forms of discrimination and harassment against the LGBTQIA+ community," Brosas said in a statement. "Naninindigan kami na karapatan ng bawat miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ na makatamasa ng pantay na karapatan sa edukasyon, trabaho, serbisyong kalusugan, [...]
PAGASA: Super Typhoon Mawar less likely to make landfall in PH
Metro Manila, Philippines— While Super Typhoon Mawar is less likely to make landfall in the country, storm signals may still be raised once it enters the country’s weather monitoring area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday. “Sa ating pagtaya po nananatiling mababa ang tsansa, o less likely, na mag-landfall ito sa anumang bahagi ng ating bansa pero patuloy po nating mino-monitor dahil posible rin tayong magtaas ng mga warning signal,” PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda told CNN Philippines. [Translation: Based on our projection, it is less likely to make landfall in any part of the country but we are monitoring because we may still raise warning signals.] The state weather bureau said Mawar was last located 2,215 kilometers east of Visayas, packing maximum [...]
No survivors in Chinese fishing vessel capsizing — initial probe
This photo shows Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028. North Pacific Fisheries Commission website BEIJING, China — There were no survivors after a fishing vessel carrying 39 crew members from China, Indonesia and the Philippines capsized last week in the Indian Ocean, according to an initial government probe released on Tuesday. The Chinese vessel overturned on May 16, with 17 Chinese, 17 Indonesians and five Filipinos on board. "From an analysis of the ship's capsizing... it is preliminarily judged that there are no survivors from the ship," Beijing's transport ministry said in an official social media post. The boat capsized within Australia's vast search-and-rescue region, 5,000 kilometres (2,700 nautical miles) to the west of Perth, the state capital of Western Australia. Chinese state media reported on Monday that seven bodies [...]
‘Destab moves nipped in the bud’
House of Representatives Speaker, Martin Romualdez. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Sunday order has been restored in the House of Representatives, and that "moves to destabilize" the chamber had been "nipped in the bud." "The House of the People is in order. This same level of order is what allowed us to approve on third and final reading at least 29 of the 42 bills that comprise the legislative agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," Romualdez said in a statement. Last week, the House elected Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. as senior deputy speaker, replacing Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was relegated to deputy speaker. The shakeup followed reports that Arroyo was [...]
PH insufficient in rice, other food commodities
A worker carries sacks of sugar at a retail store in Marikina City, on Tuesday, May 16 2023. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the importation of an additional 150,000 metric tons of sugar on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to stabilize prices and bolster the nation's supply. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE The Philippines has not achieved sufficiency in rice, onion, chicken, and other commodities such as corn, coffee, garlic, peanut and mongo, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said. The country, however, has a surplus of bananas, pineapple, mango, shrimps and prawns, and crabs, which are ideal for export, the FAO said in its Rapid Assessment of the Philippine Agri-food Systems. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the estimated palay production for January to [...]
Restoring forests holds the key to a sustainable future
Preserving the world forests will generate new jobs and mitigate climate change. Revitalizing degraded forest is critical for meeting the United Nations target of increasing global forest area by 3 per cent, in time for the 2030 deadline. Doing so would also help countries create new jobs, prevent soil erosion, protect watersheds, mitigate climate change and safeguard biodiversity. It is estimated that two billion hectares of degraded land worldwide could potentially be restored. The sustainable management of the world’s forests took center stage last week at the UN Forum on Forests at the UN Headquarters in New York. Forests cover 31 per cent of the Earth’s land area, contain over 80 per cent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and store more carbon than the entire atmosphere. “Forests are one [...]
PH still open to exploration of untapped gas fields
MALAMPAYA GAS FIELD. The Malampaya gas field in Palawan. There are still many potential areas in the country, not just Malampaya, that have huge gas deposits, Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday (May 20, 2023). (File photo courtesy of Wescom) MANILA – The Philippines is open to exploring the potential gas fields that remain untapped, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Saturday. In a bid to meet the energy requirements, DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the doors are still open for investors interested in tapping the country's potential power resources. "Ang more important thing dito ay 'yung signaling natin din, that ang oil and gas exploration po sa Pilipinas ay bukas (The more important thing is the [...]
Fire razes Manila Central Post Office
(photo: Manila Fire Station) Metro Manila, Philippines — Fire hit the Manila Central Post Office in the country's capital late Sunday night. The Manila Fire Station said the fire started past 11 p.m. Sunday. It was placed on the highest fire alarm level, which is general alarm, at 5:45 a.m. Monday. Mark Laurente, chief of staff of the post master general, said letters and parcels are stored in the central post office. He assured that national identification cards are safe as those are stored in another city.
TS outside PAR could intensify into super typhoon next week, warns PAGASA
Metro Manila, Philippines— A tropical storm (TS) east of Mindanao could intensify into a super typhoon and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by next week, the state weather bureau warned on Saturday. The storm was last spotted 2,525 kilometers east of Mindanao, outside of the PAR, and embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – an area where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge to form clouds and rains, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. “Hindi natin inaalis yung possibility na lalakas pa ito [We are not ruling out the possibility that it will intensify] either by typhoon or super typhoon,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) [...]
PH Navy unveils warfare tools, tech glitch mars SAM test
Inset photo shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., joined by Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and Defense acting Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on board BRP Davao Del Sur to witness the naval exercises. Ver Noveno and Joey Razon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., onboard the BRP Davao del Sur, witnessed a simulation exercise of the Philippine Navy that showcases tbe country’s latest warfare naval assets on Friday off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales. A technical problem with a target drone, however, prompted the Naby to scrub the demonstration of the country’s first surface-to-air missile system. “I am very happy to be able to join the brave men and women of our Philippine Navy on this important day as we conduct [a] test fire [of] our country’s first surface-to-air [...]
AFP seeks additional funds to improve Pag-asa Island security
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday asked the government for funds to better secure Pag-asa Island against hovering foreign ships and planes in the area. advertisement According to a "24 Oras" report by Mav Gonzalez, the Senate Committee on National Defense and the AFP Chief of Staff inspected Pag-asa Island to determine what else should be funded. About 4-5 Chinese fishing vessels approach Pagasa Island every week in addition to the Chinese Coast Guard, said the Philippine Navy. “As much as possible kung tayo unang nakakita, we conduct initial challenge. Our ships, sea captains, and pilots are advised to keep a safe distance. We document all the exchanges of challenges to have references for filing of diplomatic protests," said Naval Force Commander Commodore Alan Javier. Among the [...]
China calls PH an important partner
Beijing called Manila an "important partner" amid calls from some senators to investigate the performance of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) which is partly run by China. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remark when asked to comment on the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he would investigate the NGCP ownership. NGCP is 40 percent owned by the State Grid Corp. of China while the remaining 60 percent belongs to a group of Filipino businessmen led by Henry Sy Jr. and Robert Coyiuto Jr. "The Philippines is a friendly neighbor and important partner of China," Wang said in a press briefing on Wednesday. The Chinese Embassy in Manila shared his statement. "China supports Chinese companies in [...]
Agri trader tagged as alleged operator of ‘biggest onion cartel’ in PH
Metro Manila, Philippines — After nine hearings of the House of Representative's Committee on Agriculture and Food, two ranking lawmakers have zeroed in on an agricultural trader previously tagged in the smuggling of basic commodities as the supposed operator of the "biggest onion cartel" in the country. Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, vice chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, alleged that Lilia "Lea" Cruz engineered the artificial spike in onion prices late last year until the early part of 2023 through companies involved in all levels of the value chain. Cruz established the Philippine Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association (PhilVIEVA), which Quimbo claimed is being used for operating the alleged onion cartel. "Leah Cruz operates the biggest onion cartel in the country. She does this through [...]
Sara Duterte leaves Lakas-CMD, hints at ‘political powerplay’
Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has resigned irrevocably as member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), dubbed as the ruling political party in the House of Representatives. Duterte, who serves as the party’s chairperson, said the resignation is effective Friday. She did not provide a specific reason for her decision to quit the party, but hinted at "powerplay" as the rationale behind it. “I am here today because of the trust of the Filipino people...This cannot be poisoned by political toxicity or undermined by execrable political powerplay,” Duterte said, without elaborating further. Last February, Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez—a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—reassumed their roles as chairman and president of the Lakas-CMB, respectively. “I am grateful to all the [...]
Australia unveils defense, ODA packages for PH
Australia on Thursday disclosed a package of new maritime cooperation initiatives for the Philippines, including the turnover of drone equipment and other technology to strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness, as Canberra sees Manila as a “vital security partner” in maintaining a “peaceful, stable and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. This came after Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong held a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on how to elevate both countries’ partnership from “comprehensive” to “strategic.” “We discussed today ways in which we will enhance our cooperation (and) this includes Australia providing drone equipment, training and other technology to strengthen your Coast Guard in maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities,” she said in a press conference. Wong also disclosed that Australia would provide AU$89.9 [...]
Marcos eyes revival of Philsucor
President 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. STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA — 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. In a video message released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos said revitalizing PHILSUCOR was one of the suggestions made during his meeting yesterday with stakeholders of the sugar industry in Malacañang. “It’s financing for farmers, especially for cooperatives and farmers’ associations. They were not able to work that much [...]
LPA spotted outside PAR
MANILA – A low-pressure area (LPA) was spotted 2,200 km. east of Mindanao, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau said Thursday. (Image courtesy of PAGASA) The LPA, which would likely develop into a weak tropical depression in the next two to three days, is forecast to enter the PAR next week, Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. "But this will remain far from the landmass and unlikely to directly affect the country's weather condition," Estareja said, noting that the LPA could change its track. Meanwhile, high chances of thunderstorms are expected over the western section of Luzon, and the Visayas due to the southwesterly wind flow on Thursday. The rest of the country will continue to experience [...]
‘Onion prices could spike anew to P500-P700/kilo’
A porter pushes a cart loaded with red onions in Binondo, Manila on May 16, 2023. STAR / Ernie Penaredondo MANILA — 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. In an interview with The STAR, SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet said the upward trend in the retail prices of onions will continue as prices have reached as high as P200 per kilo. Cainglet added that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) should inspect cold storage facilities to determine inventories. He also noted that the DA and BPI have yet to issue an actual [...]
Coming years ‘critical’ to slash plastic pollution
This illustration picture shows a plastic bag drifting in the botnia Gulf on May 3, 2023 near Pietarsaari, during the late spring as the sea-ice is slowly melting. Olivier MORIN / AFP PARIS— The world must halve single-use plastics and slash throwaway consumption to stem the tide of environmental pollution, according to a UN report on Tuesday that warns the next few years are critical. Concern is growing about the impacts of plastics, with microplastic fragments found from the deepest oceans trenches to the top of Mount Everest. In humans, they have been detected in blood, breast milk and placentas. The report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) comes two weeks before negotiators from nearly 200 countries meet in Paris for a new round [...]
China towing ship, 2 others parked in Ayungin Shoal
According to Marine AIS (Automatic Identification System), a huge Chinese towing ship with shipboard number 19016 is parked in northwest side of Ayungin Shoal, waiting for further instructions. It is accompanied by two Chinese fishing vessels. A China Coast Guard ship is also nearby. China claims that the Philippine retired warship BRP Sierra Madre illegally grounded and occupied the Shoal since 1999. The Philippines maintains that Ayungin Shoal is part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the country.
Transport groups slam exorbitant LTO service fees on LTMS platform
Drivers and operators belonging to the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC) on Sunday hit the new foreign-made information technology platform of the Land Transportation Office’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) for charging “enormous service fees” to the motoring public. At a media interview, NPTC national convenor Ariel Lim said the LTO charges drivers, vehicle owners, auto dealers and operators a minimum of P75 per transaction when paying through the LTMS. The service fees are allocated for the online portal’s accredited payment gateway, Paynamics. Instead of providing convenience, the LTMS has become an added financial burden to the motoring public, especially to the low-income public utility vehicle drivers, Lim lamented. Since the government owns the LTMS, the public must not be charged additional fees, he said, citing the system could [...]
P2,000 fertilizer eyed by DA overpriced?
Rosendo So, president of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), warned of another fertilizer scam in the offing as he criticized the timing of Memorandum Order No. 32, issued by DA Undersecretary for rice industry development Leocadio Sebastian. Philippine Star / Kriz John Rosales MANILA — The Department of Agriculture has come under fire after a farmers’ group revealed that the biofertilizer being pushed by the DA for distribution is overpriced at P2,000 per bag as the University of Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) offers it at only P500 per bag. Rosendo So, president of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), warned of another fertilizer scam in the offing as he criticized the timing of Memorandum Order No. 32, issued by DA Undersecretary for rice industry development Leocadio [...]
PCG installs 5 sovereign markers in ‘critical areas’ in WPS
Metro Manila – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has installed five additional sovereign markers, or navigational buoys, in “critical areas” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the agency said Sunday. Sovereign markers were installed in Patag Island, Kota Island, Panata Islands, fishing ground in Balagtas, and Juan Felipe Reef from May 10 to 12. It plans to install six more this year. In May 2022, the PCG installed five sovereign markers near the Likas Island, Parola Island, Lawak Island, and Pag-asa Island. According to the PCG, the installation of buoys with the Philippine flag signifies the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “It underscores our adherence to global statutes, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which acknowledges coastal [...]
VP Sara: Health system should be strengthened
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday stressed the importance of strengthening the country's public health system to provide Filipinos, especially the poor, access to medical services. In her keynote speech at the Philippine College of Surgeons Midyear Convention in Davao City, Duterte said that the country's journey throughout the pandemic was an "eye-opener" to put premium priority on public health. She said that the unavailability of basic health services in marginalized communities inspired the Office of the Vice President to establish a medical assistance program. "I learned that there should be satellite offices in different areas to ensure that our countrymen would receive our help," Duterte said. The OVP has eight satellite offices outside Metro Manila. These are in the cities of Cauayan, Isabela, Dagupan, Bacolod, Tacloban, Cebu, Davao, [...]
LTO to simplify driver’s license exams to combat fixers
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo "Jay Art" Tugade (PNA photo) MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is looking to shorten its driver’s licensure exams in a bid to simplify transactions and lessen the public’s reliance on fixers. In a statement on Thursday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade said “lengthy procedures” is one of the reasons why many license applicants resort to paying for fixers -- third-party unauthorized agents who process LTO transactions for a fee. “The instruction I gave to our committee was to compress the exam. This exam reportedly takes about an hour. The agency is now studying how to shorten the exam. I believe that by reducing the exam duration, our applicants will not seek out fixers and [...]
China opposes ‘meddling’ in disputed waters amid PH-US defense guidelines
Metro Manila— The Chinese government expressed its strong opposition to what it called “meddling” in the South China Sea issue following the release of Philippines-US bilateral defense guidelines, seeing it to inflict “harm” on its sovereignty rights and interests. “China firmly opposes any country’s move to meddle in the South China Sea issue to harm China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests by citing the guidelines,” its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told during a press conference Thursday when asked for his comment on the issued defense guidelines. She also claimed that the “concerted efforts” of nations in the region have “maintained overall stability” in the contested waterway, despite earlier reports of bullying and aggressive tactics from some Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Just [...]
Attacks vs. US, PH ships, aircraft in Pacific, SCS to trigger MDT
US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (left) and Department of National Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. (right) (File photo) MANILA – The Bilateral Defense Guidelines between the United States and the Philippines have emphasized that an attack in the Pacific, including any part of the South China Sea against public vessels, aircraft or armed forces of the two nations will result in the invocation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) commitments. "The guidelines reaffirm that an armed attack in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, on either of their public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces – which includes their Coast Guards – would invoke mutual defense commitments under Articles IV and V of the 1951 US-Philippines MDT," it added. The guidelines were established on [...]
The 1st West Philippine Sea Festival officially opens
KALAYAAN, PALAWAN— The first West Philippine Sea Festival officially opens Thursday, May 4. Torch parade was held at 5 o’clock in the morning where the local government units, residents of Brgy. Pag-asa, Western Command personnel, and tourists joined. The parade was followed by performances of the different departments of the local government, honoring rites at Coloma Shrine, and opening ceremony. Honorable Mayor Roberto Del Mundo, Honorable Vice Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, WESCOM Island Commander Lt. Rey Tibay, and Chief of Police Alfredo Baclagon were present during the event. Photos from Municipal Government of Kalayaan Province of Palawan, Philippines Facebook page/ Jeorgie Erika Villamor Yesterday, kick-off activities were held such as the 2nd Kalayaan Mayor’s Cup Fishing Tournament and trainings on t-shirt printing, massage, souvenir making, and immersion [...]
Labor Day woes: Flights canceled, delayed due to NAIA Terminal 3 power outage
As of 8:10 am on May 1, 40 flights have already been canceled due to the power outage at NAIA Terminal 3, with more expected to be delayed MANILA – The Philippines’ main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), was again crippled by a power outage on a holiday, this time on Labor Day, May 1. The NAIA Terminal 3 experienced the power outage at about 1:05 am on May 1. The cause of the power outage is still under investigation. “Pinagaaralan nga namin bakit nagkaroon ng mga ganitong problema ulit. Tinitignan nila kung nagkaroon ng power surge ang MERALCO (We’re studying how this problem happened again. We’re checking with MERALCO if a power surge happened),” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in an [...]
PBBM to appoint ‘competent personalities’ who lost in 2022 polls
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is considering appointing politicians who lost in the May 2022 polls after the one-year ban is lifted this month. In an interview with the media onboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 001 on Sunday, Marcos said he would strengthen the Cabinet by adding more members during the beginning of the second year of his term. “Marami namang magaling na hindi nanalo sa eleksyon na gustong tumulong (There were a lot of competent personalities who didn't win in the elections that want to help). So we will certainly look into that in different positions,” Marcos said. Under the 1987 Constitution, the losing candidates are barred from assuming positions in the government within a year after the [...]
Four missing after dive boat sinks at Tubbataha Reef
Dream Keeper. Photo from Philippine Coast Guard Rescuers were searching for four people Sunday after a boat carrying more than a dozen scuba divers sank at a World Heritage-listed marine sanctuary in the Philippines, authorities said. The Philippine Coast Guard said 28 people were rescued after "Dream Keeper" went down on Sunday morning in the pristine waters at Tubbataha Reef off the western province of Palawan. Four Chinese were among those on board the dive boat. The owner of the vessel, a dive master and two guests were still missing, coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said. A coast guard vessel and about 10 dive boats were searching the waters. "It's full of diving enthusiasts now, and it's on their bucket list. It's a dream [...]
Marcos arrives in Washington for 5-day official visit
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Washington, D.C. on Sunday for a five-day official visit aimed at reaffirming the special relationship between the Philippines and the United States. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the PR 001 flight carrying Marcos and his official delegation landed at the Joint Base Andrews at 4:55 p.m. Sunday Washington, D.C. time (4:55 a.m. Philippine time). Aside from strengthening political ties with US during his working visit, Marcos said he would also advance the administration's economic agenda, particularly agriculture, power, infrastructure, and new technologies. “That’s on the economic level... on the political level, it will still be centered around the relationship between the Philippines and the [...]
Housing program for OFWs set up
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar The OFW party-list and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) have joined hands in establishing a housing program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). OFW Rep. Marissa Magsino and DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Sunday signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the Pambansang Pabahay Program para sa mga OFWs. The MoA includes the allocation of housing units in the department's housing projects to OFWs, returnees and family members. The DHSUD will provide the details of housing projects that are in the pipeline, and the party-list can match them with OFWs who want to be beneficiaries. The department will manage the assessment and prequalification of validated and endorsed beneficiaries. Magsino said that before she became a [...]
10,000 workers to demand wage hike on Labor Day
More than 10,000 workers from various labor groups will troop to Mendiola near Malacanang on Monday, Labor Day, in what they said was a display of solidarity. This is intended to demand an increase in wages, an end to contractualization and the full recognition of the right to freely unionize, according to the All Philippine Trade Unions (APTU). It said it would gather more than 10,000 workers to march from España to Mendiola in the morning of May 1 to collectively air their demands. Also, the Department of the Interior and Local Government tapped local chief executives in Metro Manila and the Philippine National Police to begin preparations to ensure peace and order during the Labor Day celebration on May 1. FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS. Members of various unions and [...]
DOH denies mandatory masking in Metro Manila, issues clarification on alert levels
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila— The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday refuted a viral online post on the supposed return of the mandatory COVID-19 face mask policy in Metro Manila, saying that restrictions in the capital region “remain to be in the status quo.” A social media card announcing that masks “should be worn at all times” in Metro Manila has circulated in the past days, but the DOH said the information is “incorrect.” “The department continues to remind the public to be mindful of the information we share and source information from reputable sources such as the official platforms and pages of the department, other national government agencies and institutions, as well as known news outlets among others,” the agency said in its advisory. “The [...]
SIM registration extended for 90 days: Here’s what you need to know
The SIM card registration period is extended for 90 days, but users who still have unregistered SIMs may lose access to social media or calls as the new deadline approaches MANILA – The registration of SIM cards has been extended by 90 days from the April 26 deadline, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy announced on Tuesday, April 25. “We all had extensive deliberation on that. We feel that 90 days is more than enough time for everybody to register,” Uy said in a press conference. He emphasized that this was the public’s last chance to register their SIM cards as the law sets a hard limit for extensions. After SIM cards are deactivated following the extension period, Uy warned that the user will [...]
DICT eyes limiting social media access, other SIM services within 90-day registration extension
Metro Manila— The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is in talks with telecommunications firms about halting some SIM services during the 90-day extension of SIM registration so consumers will experience the consequences of failing to list their numbers. In a media briefing on Tuesday, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said there was an increase in the number of registrants near the end of the original April 26 deadline, which he believes reflects the bad habit of deferring compliance to the last minute. “In the last two weeks, we were averaging a million SIM registration a day. That goes to show that the issue is not really limited ID or anything. It’s just bad habit of delaying to the last minute the compliance to the [...]
BIR: President Marcos cannot avail himself of estate tax amnesty
The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., meanwhile, said it is still waiting for an official statement from the Department of Finance and BIR on the deferment. The STAR / Krizjohn Rosales, File photo MANILA — President Marcos cannot avail himself of the tax amnesty program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for his family’s alleged P203 billion in unpaid estate taxes. This was the assurance given by BIR Assistant Commissioner Ma. Luisa Belen during yesterday’s hearing of the House committee on ways and means, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, on House Bill (HB) 7409, which seeks to extend the June 14 deadline of the estate tax amnesty. Upon questioning by House Deputy Minority leader France Castro of ACT Teacher partylist, Belen said there is [...]
‘Papel na muna’: LTO to issue temporary driver’s license amid low supply of plastic cards
Photo of LTO chief Jay Art Tugade holding a print out of an official receipt of a driver's license, April 20, 2023 (Video grab from the Facebook page of the Land Transportation Office - Philippines) MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed an ongoing "shortage" in plastic driver's license cards in the Philippines — a situation which has lead them to decide on simply issuing temporary licenses printed on a mere piece of paper. LTO chief Jay Art Tugade informed the media of the problem on Thursday, April 20. According to him, this was a result of a department order they recieved in January, stating that all procurement involving P50 million and above should be conducted by the Derpartment of Transportation central office. "To those who will [...]
PH detects first Arcturus case
New Covid subvariant now in 33 countries Some citizens are seen wearing facemasks while other choose not to wear one, along Ilaya Street in Binondo, Manila. Health Officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire does not see the need to reimpose more stringent restrictions such as mandatory masking even if cases of Covid-19 continue to increase in the country. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO) The Philippines has detected its first case of the Arcturus or XBB.1.16 subvariant, the Department of Health (DoH) said Tuesday. The subvariant was found in a sample from Western Visayas and is one of the 89 samples that had Omicron subvariants during the latest sequencing run of the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and San Lazaro Hospital from April [...]
Farmers: Rice, veggie prices to spike with El Niño; gov’t fixing water supply
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has warned of a possible spike in the prices of local vegetables and rice due to El Niño. Meanwhile, the government has stepped up efforts to convert the country’s dependence on water supply from underground water to surface water, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday. FFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor, a former Agriculture secretary, said the lack of water during El Niño will adversely affect the production of crops, including vegetables. “That will really depend on how severe the dry spell will be. A severe El Niño will have a critical effect on vegetables. However, a mild El Niño will have a lesser impact on crops,” Montemayor said. The group said the Department of Agriculture – currently headed by the President as concurrent DA [...]
PH plots land, air, sea exits for OFWs in conflict-hit Sudan
The Department of Migrant Workers is looking into possible temporary employment in Saudi Arabia for displaced OFWs MANILA – The Philippine government is set to evacuate through land, air, and sea the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who sought assistance to flee clashes in Sudan, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Tuesday, April 25. “We are looking at three exit points. One would be from Khartoum, by land, and exit via Aswan into Egypt. That’s a land trip. The second one would be by land to Port Sudan and then by ship to Jeddah. The third one would be by air through Djibouti in cooperation with the US government, because they have a US base in Djibouti,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople in a [...]
PAGASA: Heat reaches dangerous levels around the country
Metro Manila– The heat reached dangerous levels in many locations around the country on April 22 (Saturday) and is expected to maintain scorching temperatures into next week, the state weather bureau warned. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded high Heat Index levels which it classified as dangerous in the following areas around the country: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, 42°C; Catarman, Northern Samar, 42°C; Clark Airport, Pampanga, 42°C; Dagupan City, Pangasinan, 43°C; Davao City, Davao Del Sur, 43°C; Iba, Zambales, 42°C; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, 42°C; Legazpi City, Albay, 43°C; Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City, 42°C. PAGASA defined the Heat Index as the temperature that the human body feels. Based on the agency’s Heat Index scale, temperatures from 42°C to 51°C are considered in [...]
Masking in rail systems mandatory, says DOTr
LRT passengers browse through their cellphones while commuting in Manila on March 13, 2023. STAR / Miguel De Guzman MANILA — The public is advised to wear face masks in trains and railway facilities at all times as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reimposed the safety protocol amid the rise in COVID-19 cases nationwide. DOTr Assistant Secretary for rails Jorjette Aquino said passengers are required to wear face masks inside trains of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR). In her statement over the weekend, Aquino cited how “medical professionals in the railways sector stressed that the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains present in our trains as they are enclosed spaces.” Masking will also be required inside stations of the MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2. [...]
Marcos names Benjamin Acorda Jr as new PNP chief
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday named Police Major General Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the new chief of the Philippine National Police. Acorda will replace outgoing PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who is set to retire on Monday. Marcos will grace the change of command ceremony at Camp Crame on Monday morning. Prior to his appointment as next PNP chief, Acorda was the PNP director for intelligence. A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Sambisig" Class of 1991, Acorda hails from Ilocos Norte, the home province of Marcos. 'Dark horse' A press statement from Malacañang said Acorda was considered as the real "dark horse" in the race for the next overall head of the national police by his peers and subordinates. Acorda finished elementary at the [...]
PAF personnel briefed on American Patriot missile system
960th Air and Missile Defense Group personnel pose with the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, US Army and their missile launcher. (Photo courtesy of PAF) MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has been briefed on the operations and other specifications of the American-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system. In a statement over the weekend, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said it was made possible during the air and missile defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) conducted by the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the United States Army at Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19. "During the learning session, subject matter experts from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade discussed the operations, role, various specifications, capabilities, and key [...]
El Niño alert likely by May
NOWHERE TO HIDE. Commuters wait for a ride under intense heat along Elliptical Road in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon (April 20, 2023). Experts advise awareness on the symptoms of heat stroke like heavy sweating, cold skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, and dizziness or headache. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc) MANILA – The El Niño alert may be officially released by May as the chances of its occurrence continue to rise. The phenomenon, characterized by warmer than average temperatures, will be initially felt in Mindanao in October and will progress to the Visayas and Luzon, according to Marcelino Villafuerte, chief of the Climate Impact Assessment and Application of the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division under the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and [...]
Marcos, Biden to hold second bilateral talks in US on May 1
Metro Manila — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with his American counterpart Joe Biden in Washington on May 1 for their second bilateral talks, the White House said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed in a statement Thursday that during the meeting, Biden is expected to “reaffirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines.” Earlier, the two nations issued a joint statement following their 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, where they expressed strong objections to China’s “unlawful maritime claims” and other aggression in the disputed waters. In addition to boosting security relations, the White House press secretary said the meeting would also involve discussions on strengthening “economic cooperation and promote inclusive prosperity, expand our nations’ special people-to-people ties, invest in [...]
Millions of farmers, workers to lose SIM access if registration not extended, says KMP
Farmers in Nueva Ecija harvested and sold sacks of onion at P50 per kilogram on a Thursday afternoon, March 30, 2023. Meanwhile, with the farmgate price of onions dropping to P47 per kilo, a farmers’ group urged President Bongbong Marcos in early March to intervene as farmers fear that the price will plummet to P10 per kilo. Philstar.com / Anj Andaya MANILA — Peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) is appealing to the government to extend the April 26 deadline of the mandatory SIM registration to prevent the disenfranchisement of millions from using their mobile devices in the coming days. Telco companies SMART Communications and TNT on April 18 reiterated its support for the extension of the SIM registration deadline after only 55.1% of their subscribers [...]
Austria opens labor market to Filipinos
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, together with DMW senior officials, meets with Austrian Ambassador His Excellency Johann Brieger to discuss labor cooperation initiatives on the recruitment of Filipino nurses to Austria, during the latter’s courtesy call, today, April 18 at the DMW Office in Mandaluyong City. Photo from Department of Migrant Workers Austria is opening its labor market to Filipino professionals and skilled workers across all industries, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. A high-level delegation from Austria led by Professor Gunther Wiesinger visited Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople to discuss employment opportunities for Filipino workers in Austria. The delegation relayed to Ople that Austria will need 60,000 to 75,000 health care professionals and 200,000 more across different industries. "In the course of the next [...]
SRA amends rules to allow seized smuggled sugar to be sold at Kadiwa stores
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has amended several rules to authorize the donation of confiscated smuggled sugar to Kadiwa stores and allow its sale to the general public. SRA Board Member Pablo Azcona said the agency’s governing body, the SRA Board, held a regular meeting on Tuesday to discuss issues concerning the industry. “Another thing that was urgently taken up was amendments to some of the memorandum circulars of the SRA that will involve the seized sugar. How to treat the seized sugar because, in the SRA, the treatment is either for sale through bidding or destruction,” Azcona told reporters in a Zoom interview on Wednesday. “We now amended it to allow donations to Kadiwa as well as the sale of these by Kadiwa,” he said. The SRA Board [...]
DFA: Australian trade minister to visit PH; boost economic ties
Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell (Photo courtesy of the Australian Ministry for Trade and Tourism) MANILA – The Philippines is preparing to welcome Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, who will be in the country on a working visit from April 20 to 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. Farrell will be meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno to discuss “issues of mutual concern,” the DFA said. The official will be flying to Manila following a visit to Vietnam. Prior to his trip, Farrell said Australia is looking to identify opportunities to further strengthen economic ties with [...]
De Lima lawyers oppose DOJ plea to reopen her trial before RTC
MANILA – The camp of former senator Leila De Lima is asking the Muntinlupa court trying her for narcotics-related charges to turn down the motion of prosecutors for the reopening of the trial against her. In a five page motion, De Lima's defense counsels led by Teddy Esteban Rigoroso urged the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 to deny the government prosecution panel's motion for reconsideration to reopen the trial against the embattled former lawmaker. The parties both agreed last April 17 to terminate the proceedings and to submit the case for decision of the court. The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, subsequently sought a reopening of the proceedings to allow the testimony of Public Attorney Office (PAO) lawyer Demiteer Huerta as rebuttal evidence. Huerta had [...]
DFA: US allots $18M more for EDCA sites
Metro Manila— The US government has earmarked an additional $18 million for the construction of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) projects, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed. At a Senate inquiry on Wednesday regarding the issues surrounding EDCA, Manalo said the US government committed to providing additional funding that would cover “existing and new agreed locations.” This was decided during the third US Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington last week, he noted. The new funds are on top of the $100 million earlier secured from the US. Manalo also said there has been “significant progress” in EDCA projects, with six of them set for completion “within 2023,” including the runway project at Pampanga’s Basa Air Base and storage facilities in Mactan Air Base. The government earlier this month identified [...]
IBP to launch free legal aid portal
MANILA — As part of its response to the Supreme Court (SC)’s call for lawyers to make free legal aid more accessible to poor Filipinos, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) will launch today its first-ever web-based legal aid platform that intends to make pro bono lawyers and law firms available to people in need. Dubbed the IBP Pro Bono Portal (PBP), the platform was designed by Justice Connect, an Australia-based non-profit that supports similar organizations in various countries, including Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Germany. The platform’s launch follows the SC’s push for reforms in the judiciary, including accessibility to justice, which the high court views as a fundamental pillar in any democracy. Access to legal aid has been a longstanding issue among poor [...]
Store water, avoid dengue, DOH urges public
Residents of Bgy. 101 in Tondo, Manila line up their plastic containers to collect water as Maynilad Water Services Inc., announced daily water service interruptions across Metro Manila starting on March 28 and 29, 2023, to conserve water as the El Nino phenomenon looms. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA — It’s bad enough to deal with a water shortage without having to worry about falling ill with dengue. Amid the limited water supply induced by the dry season, health authorities reminded the public to properly cover their water containers to prevent a further rise in cases of dengue, a disease caused by mosquitoes that breed in water. “The usual cause [of an increase in dengue cases] will be the water [...]
LTO ends med exam requirement
Any holder of a driver’s license with either a five-year or a 10-year validity is no longer required to go through a prescribed periodic medical examination, the Land Transportation Office said Sunday. LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade issued a directive to amend LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2285 or the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10930. Under the memorandum, apart from the regular medical examination as a requirement for application of a new or renewal of a driver’s license, those issued with a five-year or a 10-year valid driver’s license must undergo a PME. In the prevailing guidelines, for one with a driver’s license that carry a five-year validity, a PME is conducted on the third year of the date of birth after the license was issued. On [...]
Marcos liable if new EDCA sites cause war – expert
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Contributed Photo Political analyst Romulo "Bobby" Tuazon said on Saturday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be held accountable in the event the Philippines was dragged into the Taiwan Strait conflict resulting from the country's hosting of more American military installations under its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States. "I don't believe in the statement of Bongbong Marcos that the EDCA sites will not be used against China because, in fact, he also said that if the Philippines needed help then the EDCA sites can be used, which means that any time those sites can be used not only over the tensions in the Taiwan Strait against China but also the maritime disputes in the South China Sea also [...]
PH, US forces hold amphibious raid exercise in Palawan
AMPHIBIOUS RAID EXERCISE. The Philippines and US forces hold amphibious raid exercises at the at the beachhead of Barangay Samariñana in Brooke’s Point, Palawan on April 14, 2023. This year's "Balikatan" started April 11 and is scheduled to end on April 28. (Photo courtesy of Naval Forces West) MANILA – Naval Forces West (NFW) has announced that joint Philippines and US forces on April 14 have successfully conducted the amphibious raid exercise of this year's "Balikatan" in Palawan. In a statement Saturday, NFW chief Commodore Alan M. Javier said the exercise was done at the beachhead of Barangay Samariñana in Brooke’s Point, Palawan. "Following the arrival of the surface assets in Palawan (on April 14) an amphibious raid exercise was performed at the beachhead of [...]
Sara highlights efforts to improve education
Vice President and Education Secretary Sarah Duterte FILE PHOTO Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday highlighted the thrust of the Marcos administration to provide quality, accessible, relevant, liberating and resilient education for Filipino learners in her opening statement during the meeting between the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) and DepEd (Department of Education). Duterte also acknowledged the move of Edcom 2 commissioners to push for transformative, complete and targeted reforms to address the learning crisis. Edcom 2, which was established through Republic Act 11899, evaluates the performance of the education sector. The vice president had earlier acknowledged that most senior high school graduates since 2016 struggled to find employment without a college or university education. Only a little more than 10 percent of [...]
DOH sounds alarm over ‘continuous’ rise of HIV infections in PH
The Philippines is currently seeing a continuous increase in the number of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cases are projected to reach 364,000 by 2030, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said. HIV epidemic is one of the public health concerns worldwide, said Noel Palaypayon, unit head and supervising health program officer of the National HIV & STI Surveillance and Strategic Information Unit of the DOH's Epidemiology Bureau. In 2021, there were 38.4 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, 1.5 million individuals were “newly infected,” and 650,000 people died from “AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)-related illnesses,” said Palaypayon as he cited data from the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). “But what's good to hear is that with all the interventions and efforts of [...]
P441.25M lost in 22 fishing days due to Mindoro oil spill, BFAR says
Some P441.25 million in income has been lost in 22 fishing days due to the Mindoro oil spill, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Saturday. In a briefer sent to media, the BFAR said more than 26,000 fishermen were directly affected by the oil spill as of March 31, and they suffered P714 in daily income lost. "Data from DA-BFAR showed that there were 26,719 FishR registered fisherfolks directly affected by the oil spill as of March 31, 2023. They incurred an average daily income loss of Php714.00 on current PSA estimates, with almost Php20M daily losses—which translated to a total income loss of PhP441,253,428.00 in twenty-two (22) fishing days," BFAR director Demosthenes Escoto said. "Meanwhile, the damage or losses in terms of inputs and produce, [...]
France promulgates disputed pension reform into law
French President Emmanuel Macron has promulgated his controversial pension reform into law, including raising the retirement age to 64, according to a text published in the country's Official Journal early Saturday. The publication of the law in the official journal -- France's gazette of record in which the appearance of legislation means it has been enacted into law -- comes after the country's constitutional court approved Macron's plan on Friday.
China tells PH to oppose ‘Taiwan independence,’ warns anew vs. EDCA sites
Metro Manila, Philippines — China has advised the Philippines to oppose “Taiwan independence” amid ongoing regional tensions as it issued anew a warning against the United States’ expanded military access in the country. Speaking at a forum on Friday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian claimed the US “intends to take advantage” of the new sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) — a deal between Manila and Washington — to supposedly “interfere” in the situation in the Taiwan Strait. “The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs [overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan],” Huang said in his speech. "Obviously, the [...]
Philippines won’t allow U.S. access to military sites for offensive moves
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | REUTERS Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the four new sites that the U.S. can access under an expanded defense agreement are intended to bolster the Southeast Asian nation’s capability to defend its territory, and not for any offensive moves. “We will not allow our military bases to be used for any offensive action,” Marcos said Monday ahead of the start of the two allies’ annual joint military exercises. “It is only meant to help the Philippines, when the Philippines is in need of help,” he said, according to a statement from his communications office. The president last week identified the additional sites, namely a naval base and an airport in Cagayan province and a military camp in Isabela province — all near Taiwan — [...]
Climate change: Treasury report says NZ economy well placed to cope
Flooding after the Ngaruroro River in Hawke's Bay burst its banks during Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: Supplied / Dawson Bliss A new Treasury report says New Zealand's economy as a whole is resilient and well-placed to weather the climate change storm. However it said the "modest" change predicted to gross GDP in the coming decades masked the huge impact it would have on some sectors and households, and one expert is questioning its conclusions altogether, saying it is radically underestimating the costs. Cutting emissions to meet New Zealand's climate targets may cause some sectors to shrink or even disappear, particularly those whose only way to reduce emissions is by reducing output. Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism were particularly exposed, as were the regions where these industries dominate or the [...]
LPA off Catanduanes develops into Tropical Depression Amang
Tropical Depression Amang is the Philippines' first tropical cyclone for 2023 MANILA – The low pressure area (LPA) that the weather bureau has been monitoring developed into a tropical depression at 2 am on Tuesday, April 11. It was given the local name Amang, as the Philippines’ first tropical cyclone for 2023. Tropical Depression Amang was last spotted 475 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h) before dawn on Tuesday. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. In a bulletin issued at 5 am, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Signal No. 1 for the following areas, warning of strong winds: Catanduanes northern part of Eastern Samar (Taft, Can-avid, [...]
China ends Taiwan war games aimed at ‘sealing off’ island
China's latest war games were launched in response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week. This handout photo taken on Apr 9, 2023 shows a fighter plane taking off from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in Pacific Ocean waters, south of Okinawa prefecture. (Photo: AFP/Japan's Ministry of Defense/Handout) PINGTAN— China declared it had "successfully completed" three days of war games around Taiwan on Monday (Apr 10), capping a show of force that saw it simulate targeted strikes and practise a blockade of the self-ruled island. Beijing's exercises were a response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week, an encounter it had warned would provoke strong countermeasures. After three days of exercises, the [...]
Dalai Lama apologises for asking boy to suck his tongue
In this file photo taken on Dec 29, 2022, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama waves during his first day of teaching session at the Kalachakra Ground in Bodhgaya. (Photo: AFP/Sanjay Kumar) NEW DELHI— The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama apologised on Monday (Apr 10) after a video which showed him asking a boy to suck his tongue triggered a backlash on social media. The video, which has gone viral, shows the Dalai Lama, 87, planting a kiss on the boy's lips as he leaned in to pay his respects. The Buddhist monk is then seen sticking his tongue out as he asked the child to suck it. "Can you suck my tongue," he is heard asking the young boy in the video. The video is from an [...]
Tensions across strait have great impact on PH security, expert says
Instability in the Taiwan Strait caused by Chinese military drills will have a great impact on Philippine security, an expert on security said Monday. “We are hosting American military facilities and if the US decides to use these military facilities to act in any military contingencies in Taiwan, then surely the Philippines will be a target of possible China’s military action also,” said Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for Intelligence and Security Studies, on ANC’s “Headstart” TV program. Banlaoi said the Philippines must pay serious attention to the developments in Taiwan Strait, focusing on the need to avoid military conflict and promote the peaceful management of ongoing tensions there. China launched the military drills on Saturday, in what it called a “stern warning” to the self-ruled island’s [...]
US warship cruises near China outpost in West Philippine Sea
TESTING FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69), deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations, conducts underway operations at an undisclosed location in the South China Sea in this handout picture released on April 10. —US NAVY PHOTO MANILA — A United States Navy guided-missile destroyer cruised near a Chinese man-made military outpost in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, drawing condemnation from China, which described the warship’s entry into the waters as an “illegal” intrusion. The USS Milius conducted a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles or 22 kilometers of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, a Chinese military base located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and “upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea,” according to the [...]
‘Unlimited pork import causing ASF’
An agriculture business group said the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country is due to the “unlimited” and “untested” importation of pork into the Philippines. In a statement, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director Jayson Cainglet said the government should provide aid for local hog raisers and farmers, as there is no indemnification being given. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte meanwhile called on the Bureau of Animal Industry to mull over the implementation of a nationwide immunization drive to contain ASF. “It will not matter if you impose movement protocols and biosecurity measures in local farms and transport of live hogs if we continue to have an unlimited entry of untested imported pork at the port of first entry,” Cainglet, quoted by GMA News, [...]
SIM card registration figures still ‘far from the target’ says DICT
Noting that the current figures are still “far from the target,” the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) continued to urge the public to register their SIMs before the deadline set this month to avoid the deactivation of SIM cards. DICT / MANILA BULLETIN “The DICT emphasizes that there will be no extension for the deadline, and strict implementation will be in effect,” DICT said in a statement issued on April 9. DICT has set April 26 as the deadline for SIM card registration. The department also warned that “failure to register will result in the deactivation of SIM cards, rendering them unusable for voice calls, text messaging, and mobile data services.” The current registration figures, DICT said, are “far from the target” --- with numerous SIMs remaining [...]
At Easter vigil, Pope Francis encourages hope amid ‘icy winds of war’
Pope Francis presides over the Easter Vigil in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, April 8, 2023. (REUTERS) VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis led the world’s Roman Catholics into Easter at a Saturday night vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, decrying the “icy winds of war” and other injustices. The 86-year-old Francis skipped an outdoor event on Friday night because of unseasonably cold temperatures in Rome. His doctors ordered prudence after he was hospitalized last week for bronchitis. Francis appeared to be well during the Easter Vigil service, during which he baptized eight adult converts to Catholicism. After starting the service in the rear of the church with the traditional lighting of a large paschal candle, he was taken in a wheelchair to the front to preside [...]
Angara: Funds available for govt cancer program
Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. File Photo Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara on Saturday said there are funds available under the national budget for cancer patients seeking treatment at government hospitals. "As chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, we have always ensured that there is funding for programs and projects to help our people who are afflicted with cancer, particularly those who cannot afford expensive treatments," he said in a statement. Angara's statement came after the head of the Philippine General Hospital's (PGH) Cancer Institute, Dr. Jorge Ignacio, was quoted as saying that they are "bracing for the worst" in the next two to three years as more cancer patients flock to them to seek treatment. Ignacio explained that cancer patients who were sidelined during the [...]
3 Chinese arrested for illegal detention in Parañaque
Members of the Parañaque Police Tambo substation arrested three Chinese men for illegally detaining their compatriot on Friday, April 7. According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspects identified as Wang Dingding, Ying Jian and Yong Jin Ong were arrested at around 2 p.m. at a casino resort and hotel in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. The SPD said the victim identified as Zhou Qing, 33, called his girlfriend Anne Rose Valenzuela Burca, claiming that he was detained by the suspects after losing P500,000 from a casino. The victim told Burca that he will be sold to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company if he fails to fulfill the suspects’ demands of paying the P500,000. Burca immediately sought assistance from the casino security guards, wherein Qing [...]
3,000 PCG personnel deployed at ports
In a statement, the PCG said 2,688 frontline personnel were dispatched to its 15 districts offices to inspect vessels and motorized boats. AFP / Ted Aljibe MANILA — Around 3,000 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel have been deployed at various ports to ensure the safety of passengers returning for work after the Holy Week break. In a statement, the PCG said 2,688 frontline personnel were dispatched to its 15 districts offices to inspect vessels and motorized boats. The PCG said it monitored 8,749 outbound passengers and 7,719 inbound passengers yesterday. Early last week, more than 90,000 inbound and outbound passengers were monitored at various ports. “The PCG placed its districts, stations and substations on heightened alert to manage the influx of port passengers during the Holy Week from [...]
Bill creating PH ‘disaster map’ passes first reading in Congress
A BILL mandating the issuing of a national disaster map of the Philippines has passed first reading at the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 7278 or the National Hazard Mapping Act directs several departments to work together in creating a national disaster map that would help prevent the loss of lives and property during calamities. Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde According to the bill’s principal author, Quezon City First District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, having a disaster map is beneficial for a more effective and anticipatory approach to natural disasters. “No one can predict or prevent natural disasters, but we can most certainly prepare our countrymen for them,” said Atayde. The House Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Bohol First District Rep. Edgar Chatto, unanimously approved [...]
Hefty price hike: P2.50 for gasoline, P1.50 for diesel
Cleanfuel said diesel and kerosene prices are seen rising by more than P1.50 this week, and gasoline prices by more than P2.50. STAR / KJ Rosales, file MANILA— Hefty increases in pump prices await motorists after the long Holy Week break, according to an oil industry source. Cleanfuel said diesel and kerosene prices are seen rising by more than P1.50 this week, and gasoline prices by more than P2.50. Oil firms are expected to announce the price hikes tomorrow but the actual adjustments are to take effect the following day. It was the announcement of Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers last week of further reduction in output by 1.16 million barrels per day that sparked the latest hikes in pump prices across the globe. This week’s forecasted [...]
PH assures control of bases under EDCA pact
Philippine and US troops hold 'Salaknib' 2023 in Nueva Ecija on Friday, March 31, 2023. The live fire exercises were performed at the AAR Long Range Precision Firing Area, Canantong, Laur. The military activity, which aims to build readiness and increase interoperability among allies, precedes the annual 'Balikatan' or shoulder-to-shoulder exercises which will be conducted in April this year. PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN The Department of National Defense (DND) reiterated on Saturday that the Philippines retains its sovereignty and control over the facilities identified under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States. The Defense department issued the statement after the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and Bayan Muna criticized certain provisions in the agreement that they claim allow the US military to have [...]
Pagasa: LPA off Mindanao may enter PAR by Easter Sunday
MANILA — The low pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday and could stay linger within the country’s territory until Friday next week, the state weather bureau said. As of 4:00 a.m. on Good Friday, the LPA was spotted some 1,620 kilometers east of Southern Mindanao, according to Benison Estareja, weather specialist of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). “Makikita po natin over the weekend, mabagal ang pagkilos nito palapit ng ating kalupaan papunta sa Mindanao at inaasahang papasok ng ating Philippine area of responsibility pagsapit ng linggo,” Estareja said. (Over the weekend, the LPA will move slowly towards our landmass to Mindanao, and is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday.) 2 possible [...]
Secret US documents on Ukraine war plan spill onto internet — report
Soldiers work on a Challenger 2 main battle tank during during the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers’ training exercise called "Iron Challenge" at the Longmoor training area, near Bordon, Hampshire, on March 14, 2022. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Secret documents that provide details of US and NATO plans to help prepare Ukraine for a spring offensive against Russia have spilled onto social media platforms, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The Pentagon said it is assessing the reported security breach. "We are aware of the reports of social media posts, and the Department is reviewing the matter," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said. The documents were spread on Twitter and Telegram, and reportedly contain charts and details about weapons deliveries, battalion strengths and [...]
Holy Week message: humility, selfless love
VISITA IGLESIA. The Catholic faithful flock to the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Maundy Thursday (April 6, 2023) to pray and recite the Stations of the Cross. Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition during Holy Week which involves visiting 7 or 14 churches to pray or meditate on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim) MANILA – With the celebration of Holy Week, various traditions practiced in the country resurfaced, especially now with the easing of most Covid-19 restrictions. However, it seems that many are forgetting the real message of the occasion, the ‘mandatum’ or command left by Jesus Christ himself, of loving one another without expecting anything in return, and serving others with a humble heart. In an [...]
Prices of rice seen going up
Retail store attendant arrange sacks of rice at storage in Marikina city (September 21, 2022). STAR / Walter Bollozos MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Retail prices of rice are expected to go up in the next few weeks due to low buffer stock, high farmgate prices of palay amid the dry season and the rising cost of imported rice, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday. DA Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the agency is projecting an increase of up to P5 per kilo of rice. “During the dry harvest season, prices normally shoot up because the rice is already dry. Plus, the fact that our inputs are also increasing,” Estoperez said. He cited the high price of rice procurement at P22 to P23 per [...]
11 Latin American nations announce inflation battle plan
(FILES) This handout picture released by the Mexican Presidency shows Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaking during a press conference in Mexico City on March 28, 2023. (Photo by Mexican Presidency / AFP) MEXICO CITY — The leaders of 11 Latin American nations, including its two biggest economies, Brazil and Mexico, announced on Wednesday a plan to work together to address rampant inflation. The initiative was unveiled after a virtual meeting convened by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He said the aim was to give people access to “food and basic products at better prices” through steps such as removing import tariffs and other trade barriers. The priority is to reduce “the cost of these products for the poorest and most vulnerable,” according to a statement released [...]
More Filipinos support cha-cha; many unfamiliar about the Constitution – survey
The number of Filipinos who support amendments of 1987 Philippine Constitution reached 41%, up by 10-percentage points, according to a poll conducted by Pulse Asia. The pollster, on Tuesday, March 4, revealed that 44% of Filipino adults admit knowing little about the Constitution and 34% have almost or completely no knowledge about it. Meanwhile, 45% of survey participants are still against the proposal of changing the Constitution, while 31% of Filipinos do not see the need for charter change now nor at any other time in the future. The poll, conducted from March 15 to 19, found that most Filipino adults (53% to 76%) are not in favor of seven proposed changes to the Constitution. The Pulse Asia survey also showed that Filipinos are split regarding the [...]
18MT of Davao durian shipped to China for the 1st time
FIRST SHIPMENT. Boxes of Davao durian are being prepared at the Davao International Airport as the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) ships 18 metric tons of durian to China on Thursday (April 6, 2023). The historical event was made possible after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping during his visit in January 2023. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.) DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China on Thursday. In an interview, Emmanuel Belviz, president of the Durian Industry Association of Davao City, said China has opened a huge market for their produce with the Puyat, D-101, Cob and Duyaya as exported varieties. "This is what we [...]
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday that a new low pressure area (LPA) will likely enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday. However, this weather disturbance still has a slim chance to directly affect the country, according to weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo. He told The Manila Times that the ridge or extension of the high pressure area (HPA) is affecting Northern Luzon over the next 24 hours. An opposite of LPA, HPA indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings and formation of clouds is usually suppressed, thus, less chance of rains, Pagasa said. Most likely, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have overcast skies and isolated rain showers as well [...]
PH warship sent to patrol mineral, gas-rich island off Aurora
The BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) docks at the Manila South Harbor Pier 15, on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, during the Philippine Navy's arrival ceremony for the Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.0 on board the multi-mission capable frigate. The NTG participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2022 in Hawaii. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The Philippine Navy (PN) has sent one of its most capable warships, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), to patrol the Philippine Rise off the coast of Aurora Province. According to Acting Philippine Navy Commanding Officer Commodore Jim Aris Alagao, BRP Antonio Luna carried out maritime patrol to intensify naval presence in the Philippine Rise, the 13-million-hectare undersea volcanic ridge located east of Luzon. Alagao said this is part of the government's [...]
Israeli police attack worshippers in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli police have attacked and arrested Palestinian worshippers in a violent raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem at dawn, according to witnesses. At least 400 Palestinians were arrested on Wednesday and remain in Israeli custody, according to local officials. They are being held at a police station in Atarot, in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces used excessive force including stun grenades and tear gas, causing suffocation injuries to the worshippers, and beatings with batons and rifles. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported there were 12 injuries, including three people who were transferred to hospital. It also said in a statement that Israeli forces prevented its medics from reaching Al-Aqsa. (Al Jazeera) The raids continued until Wednesday morning when Israeli forces were once again [...]
Jacinda Ardern delivers final speech to NZ parliament
Outgoing New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern gives her valedictory speech in parliament in Wellington on April 5, 2023. AFP / Mark Coote WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern bowed out of parliament Wednesday, ending a career marked by empathetic leadership during times of crisis even as she faced escalating abuse online. Ardern shocked New Zealand earlier this year when she announced she was stepping down as prime minister and retiring from politics, saying she no longer had "enough in the tank." The 42-year-old, once the youngest woman leader in the world, said in her final speech to parliament that she never expected to take the nation's top job. "It was a cross between a sense of duty to steer a moving freight [...]
US Ambassador Carlson visits Morong
Bataan Provincial Board Member Jorge Estanislao personally welcomed US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson and her contingent during a recent visit to his town of Morong. He thanked the US diplomat on behalf of Bataan Governor Joet Garcia and Morong Mayor Cynthia Estanislao. Estanislao said it is a privilege to see the top US official stationed in the Philippines setting foot in their town. Carlson graced a ceremony in the municipality for the newest batch of US Peace Corps Philippines Volunteers who are planting mangroves in coastal Barangay Mabayo. The US envoy was in Morong with US Peace Corps Country Director Jenner Edelman and three HQ staff from Washington DC — EMA Chief of Operations David Reside, Placement Directors Itzel Schlopiz and Connie Lee, and Training Manager [...]
17,600 PH, US troops to join Balikatan 2023
Over 17,600 American and Filipino soldiers will participate in the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) Exercises to be held from April 11 to 28 in various provinces including Palawan, Batanes and Zambales. This year's iteration will be the biggest yet, the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday. "This year marks the 38th iteration of the exercise, incorporating training activities throughout the Philippines," the embassy said on Tuesday in a statement. About 5,400 Filipino soldiers and 12,200 US military personnel will train shoulder-to-shoulder, developing interoperability and improved capability in the areas of maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, and urban and aviation operations. "Together, the United States and the Philippines are committed to promoting regional peace and stability," the embassy said. The participants will also train on cyber defense, counterterrorism, [...]
Double pay for workers on April 6, 7, 10: DOLE
File photo MANILA – Employees in the private sector who will render work on April 6 (Maundy Thursday), April 7 (Good Friday), and April 10 (Araw ng Kagitingan), all regular holidays, are entitled to receive 200 percent of their daily salary. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in Labor Advisory 7 released on Wednesday, said for work done during the regular holiday, the employer shall pay a total of 200 percent of the employee's wage for that day for the first eight hours (basic wage x 200%). "For that employee who did not report to work, the DOLE said the employer shall pay 100 percent of the employee's wage for that day, provided that the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence [...]
Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records
Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business records in Manhattan criminal court Tuesday afternoon. The indictment against Trump alleges that the former president sought to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election. Prosecutors alleged Trump was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including an illegal payment of $130,000 that was ordered by the defendant to suppress the negative information that would hurt his campaign. The reason Trump committed the crime of falsifying business records was in part to “promote his candidacy,” the indictment alleges. The former president’s voice was measured in the courtroom. He walked in slowly scanning the reporters in the courtroom and looked at the judge when he was speaking. Trump had arrived at the [...]
WHO says infertility affects 1 in 6 globally, calls for more consistent data
FILE PHOTO: Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends an ACANU briefing on global health issues, in Geneva, Switzerland, December 14, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse About one in six adults globally have experienced infertility at least once in their life, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report on Monday (Apr 3), urging countries to actively collect more consistent data on the disease. The report analysed existing studies conducted from 1990 to 2021 and showed that about 17.5 per cent of adults across the world were affected by the inability to have a child. WHO officials said the report takes into account several research approaches. "The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure [...]
Filipinos 3rd top socmed users in the world
FILIPINOS spend an average of 554 minutes or 9 hours and 14 minutes every day browsing the internet. File Photo Filipinos spend an average of 554 minutes or 9 hours and 14 minutes every day browsing the internet, placing them third behind South Africans and Brazilians, according to a virtual private network app provider. Atlas VPN reported that based on data it gathered in 2022, the global daily average for internet usage was 397 minutes (6 hours and 37 minutes). That translates to around 2,415 hours yearly, or nearly 30 percent of an average person's time, Atlas VPN said. Ranked number one were South Africans, described by the report as the "most internet-addicted," averaging 578 minutes (9 hours and 38 minutes) spent online each day, [...]
US: 4 new EDCA sites to boost ‘interoperability’ of American, Filipino troops
The United States, through the Pentagon, said the four new locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the Philippines will "strengthen the interoperability" of American and Filipino soldiers. In a statement shared by the US Embassy in Manila, the Pentagon said the additional EDCA sites will "allow us to respond more seamlessly together to address a range of shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters." The US Department of Defense (USDoD) on Monday said it will work "in lockstep" with its Philippine counterpart and the Armed Forces of the Philippines "to rapidly pursue modernization projects at the EDCA sites." The US said it "stands steadfastly in support of the Philippines" as it announced the EDCA expansion to include the Naval Base Camilo Osias [...]
US to open embassy in Vanuatu as it seeks to counter China in the Pacific
The says it US is planning to open an embassy in Port Vila, Vanuatu, amid China’s increasing influence in the Pacific region. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesThe United States plans to open an embassy in Vanuatu, the state department has confirmed, as Washington moves to boost its diplomatic presence in the Pacific to counter China’s growing influence. The United States plans to open an embassy in Vanuatu, the state department has confirmed, as Washington moves to boost its diplomatic presence in the Pacific to counter China’s growing influence. “Consistent with the US Indo-Pacific strategy, a permanent diplomatic presence in Vanuatu would allow the US government to deepen relationships with Ni-Vanuatu officials and society,” the department said in a statement. “Establishing US embassy Port Vila would facilitate areas of potential [...]
CHED to work with MARINA, maritime schools to raise training standards
The Maritime Industry Authority held its first oath-taking ceremony for new Marine Deck and Engineer Officers into their new official ranks on March 23, 2023. Facebook / Maritime Industry Authority MANILA — The Commission on Higher Education said that it is ready to work with other agencies to improve the education and skills training of Filipino seafarers to better meet international standards. This comes after the European Commission ruled it will continue recognizing seafarer certificates issued by the Philippines to masters and officers after the country "made serious efforts to comply with requirements." The announcement effectively saved the jobs of around 50,000 Filipinos working on EU-flag vessels. "CHED is ready to work with Marina and the maritime [higher educational institutions] to fully implement the needed reforms based on the areas identified by [...]
MIAA expects 1.2-M passengers at NAIA during Holy Week
(PNA photo by Avito Dalan) About 1.2 million passengers in the terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are expected over the next 10 days beginning Saturday, April 1, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said. In a press conference, MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong said they are anticipating about 140,000 passenger traffic daily in the upcoming holidays, as border restrictions have been lifted globally since the COVID-19 pandemic. Chiong assured sufficient manpower and equipment for the influx of passengers “to give the riding public a seamless travel experience at NAIA.” He also advised passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure for international flights and two hours before departure for domestic flights to avoid possible delays. The official also stressed that in order [...]
BI to stop using departure forms under expanded eTravel scheme
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will discontinue the use of paper-based departure cards starting May 1. In an advisory, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they are expanding the eTravel system to lessen the requirement for departing passengers. The setup—initially launched in December—harmonizes and consolidates data collection processes at ports of arrival. “The eTravel platform will soon be used for both arriving and departing passengers,” Tansingco said. “Travelers no longer have to fill out departure cards, and instead may log in the online portal prior to their flight,” he added. The system is an initiative of a sub-technical working group (TWG) of the Inter-Agency Task Force, chaired by the BI. It is a joint project of the agency with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of [...]
Billions needed to avert unrest, starvation: UN food chief
This picture made available by the World Food Program on Nov 2, 2021, shows a mother giving supplementary nutrition products to her 6-month-old daughter in Ankilimanondro, Atsimo-Andrefana Region, Madagascar. (Photo: AP/WFP/Tsiory Ny Aina Andriantso) UNITED NATIONS— Without billions of dollars more to feed millions of hungry people, the world will see mass migration, destabilised countries, and starving children and adults in the next 12 to 18 months, the head of the Nobel prize-winning UN World Food Program warned Friday (Mar 31). David Beasley praised increased funding from the United States and Germany last year, and urged China, Gulf nations, billionaires and other countries “to step up big time”. In an interview before he hands the reins of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation to US ambassador Cindy McCain next [...]
No ban: EU to continue recognizing PH seafarers’ certificates
FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, September 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman MANILA — The European Union (EU) will continue recognizing the certificates of Filipino seafarers, noting its “constructive cooperation” with Philippine authorities in upgrading the maritime workers’ training program and accreditation system. In February last year, the EU urged the Philippines to improve its efforts to comply with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention, dangling a threat to withdraw recognition of Filipino seafarers’ qualifications in EU flag-carrying vessels if it finds that the concerns it raised years ago remain unresolved. The Department of Migrant Workers said the country had not been able to pass the European Maritime Safety Agency’s (Emsa) evaluation since 2006. “Since then, the [...]
Stampede at Ramadan food distribution centre kills 11 in Pakistan
Women and children die when people panic and push each other to collect food in Karachi, officials say. Women leave with their free sack of wheat flour at a distribution point in Lahore, Pakistan [File: KM Chaudary/AP] A stampede at a Ramadan food distribution centre in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi has killed at least 11 people, all women and children, according to police and rescue officials. Several people were also injured in Friday’s incident, which happened when hundreds of people panicked and started pushing each other to collect food outside a factory. Some of them fell into a nearby drain, police official Mughees Hashmi said. Residents said a wall also collapsed near the drain, injuring and killing people amid the stampede. Local media reported that eight women and [...]
At least 13 dead after falling into well in India when temple floor collapsed
People stand around a structure built over an old temple well that collapsed on Thursday.Photograph: AP At least 13 devotees were killed and more than a dozen people have been rescued after they fell into a well at a Hindu temple in India, officials have said. More than 25 worshippers plunged into the stepwell – a stair-lined communal water source – after the floor covering it collapsed on Thursday in the central city of Indore. “Police recovered 11 bodies from the well and two people succumbed to their injuries at the hospital,” said Narottam Mishra, the home minister of Madhya Pradesh state. Mishra said an investigation had been launched into the tragedy and the families of the dead people would be compensated. Police official Manish Kapuriya said rescue [...]
Government revises departure protocols after complaints vs immigration officers
Passengers line up to go through immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on March 4, 2023. Philstar.com MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Immigration procedures are undergoing revisions following complaints over the apparently overly strict implementation of departure protocols for travelers leaving the Philippines, the Department of Justice said on Thursday. In a statement, the DOJ said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking is "in the process of revising the departure formalities to better reflect current trends and plug the gaps that arose along the way." IACAT, chaired by the DOJ, serves as the coordinating and monitoring mechanism on all anti-human trafficking efforts of the government. Several travelers have complained on social media about missing their flights or being offloaded after fielding probing questions by Bureau of Immigration [...]
Taiwan, China must do ‘everything possible’ to avoid war: Former president Ma
Former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou visits an exhibition on how China fought against COVID-19, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in handout picture released on Mar 30, 2023. (Photo: Ma Ying-jeou's Office/Handout via Reuters) TAIPEI— Taiwan and China must do everything possible to avoid war and it is the responsibility of both sides' leaders to ensure peace, former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou told a senior Chinese official on Thursday (Mar 30). Ma arrived in China on Monday, the first time a former or sitting Taiwanese president has visited the country since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists. Meeting Song Tao, head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, Ma said [...]
Philippines, China pursuing joint energy exploration in West Philippine Sea
This March 22, 2021 aerial photo shows Chinese vessels still present in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Armed Forces of the Philippines MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Despite their still unresolved maritime rift, the Philippines and China remain open to the prospect of joint oil and gas explorations in contested waters. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed the scenario and emphasized that any talks or discussions on the matter would be based on the country’s laws. “In any negotiation on oil and gas, the Philippine position has always been that we will be guided by the constitutional requirements. And that’s how we will proceed in the next round,” he said in a report on GMA7 Wednesday night. [...]
CPP-NPA peace talks a trap, DepEd chief warns
VICE President Sara Duterte. Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Fb page Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the Marcos administration to "not fall into the trap" of holding peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This is in response to Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers) party-list Rep. France Castro's comments that the Education chief should focus on resolving the education crisis without resorting to "red-tagging." In a statement, Duterte said that Castro's remarks confirmed the ACT Teachers' party-list as "a fake representative of learners, educators, and other members of the education sector in Congress with her continued refusal to publicly and explicitly condemn the New People's Army's violence in Masbate." Classes in six towns in Masbate have [...]
Ex-US President Donald Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury
Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter — the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges. The indictment has been filed under seal and will be announced in the coming days. The charges are not publicly known at this time, one source told CNN. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office will reach out to Trump's attorneys to discuss his surrender to face an arraignment. CNN has reached out to Trump's attorneys for comment. The DA's office has been investigating the former president in connection with his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up involving adult film star Stormy Daniels that dates to the 2016 presidential election. The [...]
Marcos to Pag-IBIG: Help DHSUD address housing backlog
HOUSING BACKLOG. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) graces the Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman’s Report for the unveiling of the Agency’s 2022 performance and the dividend rates on the members’ savings at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 28, 2023). Marcos called on the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to assist concerned agencies in addressing the housing backlog of more than 6.5 million. Also in photo are Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar (center) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marilene C. Acosta. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the Pag-IBIG Fund to assist concerned agencies in addressing the country’s housing backlog of more than 6.5 million. “I [...]
House bill to restructure senior citizens discount
Senior citizens. File Photo A bill filed at the House of Representatives seeks a graduated system for the senior citizens' discount on certain goods and services. House Bill 7487 was filed on March 7, 2023 by Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes. "This bill seeks to reformulate the senior-citizen discounts we provide by restructuring it to become more dynamic to the needs of our senior citizens. It seeks to increase the discounts available to those senior citizens who are older and in need [of] discounts the most," the bill's explanatory note stated. If passed into law, it will amend Republic Act (RA) 9994. RA 9994 granted additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending RA 7432 (An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens [...]
Chinese ships sighted off Pag-asa Island
More Chinese military ships have been monitored in areas near islands in the South China Sea that are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to defense and security expert Raymond Powell, based on their automatic tracking system or ATS, at least seven Chinese maritime militia ships were sighted 3 to 5 nautical miles off Pag-asa (Thitu) Island while the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Melchora Aquino is anchored off the island. "Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Melchora Aquino should get a good view when the sun comes up, assuming they remain within 3 to 5 nm (and well within Pag-asa's territorial sea)," Powell posted on Twitter on Tuesday. Fifteen probable China maritime militia and/or fishing ships were visible in Iroquois Reef, which is inside the [...]
Marcos: PH ending all involvement with ICC
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government has no other recourse than to disengage from any contact with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the tribunal rejected the Philippines' request to suspend the investigation into the Duterte administration's war on drugs pending a ruling on Manila's main appeal against the resumption of the probe. "We don't have a next move. That is the extent of our involvement with the ICC. That ends all our involvement with the ICC," Marcos told reporters on Tuesday, saying "the appeal has failed." "There is nothing more that we can do in the government and so at this point we essentially are disengaging from any contact, from any communication I guess with the ICC," he said. "We cannot cooperate with [...]
Taiwan told to ‘pack up and leave’ Honduras after ties severed
The flags of Taiwan and Honduras flutter in the wind at a park in Tegucigalpa, Honduras March 26, 2023. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez TEGUCIGALPA — Taiwan must vacate its embassy in Honduras within 30 days, a senior Honduran official said on Monday, after President Xiomara Castro severed ties with Taiwan in favor of China in a bid for more investment and jobs from the Asian giant. Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio Garcia issued the order on local television on Monday, following the government’s announcement over the weekend that it had opened formal diplomatic relations with Beijing while simultaneously ending its decades-long relationship with Taiwan. Castro’s main conservative opposition later announced it would reverse the opening to China if it regains power. China has long-argued that democratically ruled Taiwan is part of [...]
Biden signs executive order restricting use of commercial spyware
A woman checks the website of Israel-made Pegasus spyware at an office in the Cypriot capital Nicosia in July 2021 [File: Mario Goldman/AFP] United States President Joe Biden has signed an executive order restricting the government’s use of commercial spyware technology that has been utilised to target political dissent around the globe. The move on Monday comes more than a year after the Biden administration imposed sanctions on the Israeli spyware manufacturer NSO Group, which has been at the forefront of global discussions of spyware abuse. Its Pegasus software has been linked to the surveillance of hundreds of political figures, journalists and human rights advocates. “Misuse of these powerful surveillance tools has not been limited to authoritarian regimes,” the White House said in a statement. “Democratic governments also [...]
DOH cautions against heat exhaustion, reminds public to stay hydrated
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash The Department of Health has cautioned the public against heat exhaustion now that summer is officially here in the Philippines. According to Sam Nielsen's report on DZBB Super Radyo, heat exhaustion occurs when exposed to high temperatures and is usually accompanied by dehydration. Some symptoms to look out for include dark-colored urine, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, pale skin, excessive sweating, and rapid heartbeat. Left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke, which in turn can damage the brain and other parts of the body and cause death. To prevent heat exhaustion, drink lots of water, go to a cool place, rest, stop any activity, and ask for emergency help if needed.
3 Chinese, 1 Vietnamese held for allegedly kidnapping, killing Tsinoy
MANILA — Four foreign nationals — three Chinese and one Vietnamese — were arrested by the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-AKG) for their alleged abduction and murder of a Chinese-Filipino businessman in Quezon City. The PNP-AKG said the body of 62-year-old Mario Uy was recovered in the municipality of Tanza, Cavite province, on March 22, four days after he was kidnapped on March 18. The suspects—Chinese nationals Bei Huimin, Jielong Shen and Sun XiaoHui, and Vietnamese Hong Puc Le—were arrested on March 23 in an operation led by the Anti-Kidnapping Group after the three Chinese suspects withdrew the ransom money at a bank in Parañaque City. The Vietnamese national, whose bank account was used for the deposit of the P560,000 in ransom money given by [...]
US dictates the terms of EDCA – Bayan Muna
Metro Manila— The Marcos administration has been misleading the Filipinos on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) by letting the United States dictate the terms, Bayan Muna said on Sunday. The EDCA expansion has allowed the creation of four new US troop bases in the Philippines on top of the existing five. Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares cited two articles of the EDCA that are allegedly disadvantageous to the Philippines. According to Article 4, “the prepositioned materiel of the US forces shall be for the exclusive use of the US forces, and full title to all such equipment, supplies and materiel remains with the US. US forces shall have control over the access to and disposition of such prepositioned materiel.” Colmenares pointed out that Article 4 lets the US store [...]
Government prepares for possible rice shortage amid El Niño
In a radio interview yesterday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the DA treats El Niño just like other calamities as its effects on agricultural production could be similar to typhoons. STAR / File MANILA — The government is preparing for the worst-case scenario on the country’s rice supply amid the threat of El Niño phenomenon, a ranking official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. In a radio interview yesterday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the DA treats El Niño just like other calamities as its effects on agricultural production could be similar to typhoons. “The impact could be similar if we have calamities like typhoons as it could affect our rice production. The NFA (National Food Authority) is tasked to [...]
Resigned SRA chief must speak the truth – senator
David John Thaddeus Alba STAR / File MANILA — Resigned Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief David Thaddeus Alba should come out and tell the truth about the sugar importation issue or he might end up “holding the bag,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday. But Alba, in a statement, insisted he resigned for “purely health-related reasons.” Hontiveros said insiders claimed the SRA is only being used as a rubber stamp to legitimize the preferential treatment for favored importers. “We urge former administrator Alba to come out and speak his truth. We urge others to come out if they have information as well. If not, you will be left holding the bag,” she added. “I am also urging Malacañang to strengthen the value chain of agricultural development, not the value [...]
‘God, guns and Trump’: Thousands turn out for Texas rally
EPA/A Donald Trump fan dresses up as the former president at the rally Donald Trump may be facing a possible arrest in New York, and posting increasingly menacing statements about "death and destruction" on his social media website, but at a Trump campaign rally on a sunny afternoon in Waco, Texas, it was business as usual. Thousands of the former president's supporters wandered through Trump merchandise tents, where they bought t-shirts emblazoned with "God, guns and Trump" and "Trump won". Then they packed onto the asphalt tarmac of the local airport hours before Mr Trump's expected arrival. They waited in the heat as songs by Abba, Frank Sinatra and Bon Jovi blared on the loudspeakers and cheered as a litany of familiar Trump supporters took turns warming-up the crowd. [...]
Du30 tops Pahayag poll of possible Senate candidates in 2025 elections
If senatorial elections were held today, former President Rodrigo Duterte would top the race if he were a candidate – as indicated in a survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, which released the results this week. In a statement, the polling firm said its Pahayag Quarter 1 2023 voting disposition survey contained 34 names and showed that the former President got 55 percent of respondents to top the would-be Senate list. The list is also composed of reelectionists, new names, and “balik Senado” (returning senators). The next senatorial elections are in year 2025. Duterte, who stepped down as President in May last year, received high support from Mindanao (66%) and among 30 to 39-year-olds (68%). Dr. Willie Ong, a candidate for vice president in 2022 and the Senate in 2019, [...]
PSA: Fishers, farmers, rural folk still poorest
Fisherfolk, farmers, children, and persons living in rural areas remained the poorest sectors in terms of poverty incidence in 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. Based on the data released by the PSA on Friday, fisherfolk had the highest poverty incidence in 2021 at 30.6 percent, followed by farmers at 30%, children at 26.4%, and individuals residing in rural areas at 25.7%. These sectors also recorded the highest poverty incidences in 2015 and 2018, and “had the highest proportion of individuals belonging to families with income below the official poverty thresholds compared to the other basic sectors,” the agency said. This developed as the economy remains the main concern in both the macro and micro issues in the Pahayag Quarter 1 (PQ1-23) survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, with [...]
19 killed in US strikes on Iran-linked groups in Syria: new toll
BEIRUT, LEBANON— The death toll from retaliatory US strikes on Iran-linked groups in Syria following a deadly drone attack has risen to 19, a war monitor said Saturday, as Washington insisted it is not seeking conflict with Tehran. Further rocket attacks by Iran-backed militias took place late Friday, prompting more strikes by coalition warplanes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Washington carried out the initial strikes after the Pentagon said a US contractor died -- and another contractor and five military personnel were wounded -- by a drone "of Iranian origin" that struck a US-led coalition base near Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that, at President Joe Biden's direction, he had ordered the "precision air strikes... in eastern Syria against [...]
DoH launches anti-tuberculosis drive
The Department of Health (DoH) has launched a multi-sectoral action plan to combat tuberculosis with the aim of increasing the number of Filipinos getting treatment for the chronic lung disease. Called the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB), it also aims to provide wider access to health services, improving education and public information programs and even social and labor protection, with the goal of eradicating the bacterial disease in 2030. Acting Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said TB remained a pressing concern not just for the health sector but for the country in general, and the Philippines remained far from reaching targets of key indicators in the fight against TB in the country. The Philippines is among the eight countries in the world that accounts for two-thirds [...]
PH, China agree to manage differences over SCS through diplomacy
MANILA – The Philippines and China have agreed to manage their differences and handle emergencies on the South China Sea (SCS) through “friendly consultations,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday. In a statement, the DFA said both sides explored ways to advance maritime cooperation “directed at confidence-building and managing tensions” during the 7th Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) in Manila. “During the BCM, the Philippines and China reaffirmed their adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and their commitment to peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it said. “Both sides recognized their obligations under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and stressed their resolve to finalize an effective and [...]
US access to EDCA sites ‘not unlimited’
Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga (Courtesy of Radyo Pilipinas) MANILA – The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States does not carry unlimited access to agreed locations, the Department of National Defense (DND) clarified Saturday. DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the use of EDCA sites must be mutually agreed upon by both countries. “There are constant consultations with the Mutual Defense Board and Security Exchange Board wherein the US side and the Philippine side are in discussion to plan out activities and these activities determine when the sites are going to be used, how they will be used, what can be brought in, and what they will do in the sites, so it’s not unlimited,” he said at the Saturday News Forum [...]
TikTok attacked for China ties as US lawmakers push for ban
TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi faced relentless questioning by US lawmakers for more than five hours, over the app's alleged ties to China and its harmful content to teens. TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on "TikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy and Protect Children from Online Harms," on Capitol Hill, Mar 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP/OLIVIER DOULIERY) WASHINGTON— US lawmakers on Thursday (Mar 23) battered TikTok's chief executive about potential Chinese influence over the platform and said its short videos were damaging children's mental health, reflecting bipartisan concerns over the app's power over Americans. CEO Chew Shou Zi's testimony before Congress did little to assuage US worries over TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance and added fresh [...]
China, PH assess ties as sea row deepens
Theresa Lazaro (L), Philippines' Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asian Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, shakes hands with China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong prior to the start of the Philippines-China Foreign Ministry consultation meeting in Manila on March 23, 2023. TED ALJIBE / POOL / AFP Senior Chinese and Filipino diplomats met in Manila on Thursday to review their relations amid thorny issues, including Beijing's alarm over a Philippine decision to allow the United States military to expand its presence to a northern region facing the Taiwan Strait and escalating spats in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro led the talks aimed at assessing overall relations on Thursday. The discussions would focus [...]
Philippines facing water crisis – Marcos
President Marcos speaks during the opening of the sixth edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition in Pasay City. Ernie Peñaredondo MANILA — President Marcos has signed an executive order creating a water resource management office (WRMO) as part of efforts to address what he called a “water crisis” threatening the country. “When they say water is life, it’s not just a cliché, it’s a truism. And it is something that we must always keep in mind especially now. And that’s why... I just signed an executive order wherein we have created the Office of Water Management,” the President said yesterday at the opening of the sixth edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition in Pasay City. He said a water supply problem would have a “debilitating” [...]
25 nations to join world’s first green travel mart in PH
FILE PHOTO: The 405-hectare Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area is in the heart of 3,667-hectare Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands, designated as internationally important under the criteria of the Ramsar Convention. (DENR Central Luzon photo) MANILA — Twenty-five nations are expected to participate in the International Ecotourism Travel Mart (IETM) in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday. The DOT will be co-hosting the IETM in Silang, Cavite from March 29 to April 2. In a statement, the agency said it is set to promote the country’s ecotourism destination during the IETM exhibit. “A key event in the IETM is the two-day ecotourism forum where participants learn about best practices, do’s and don’ts about authentic ecotourism to protect nature and biodiversity while ensuring that [...]
‘Game over’: Gatchalian wants permanent ban on POGOs
INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA— “It’s game over for the POGO industry,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said during the Senate plenary session on Wednesday. Gatchalian, chair of the ways and means panel, was presenting his report on the findings of his committee in its inquiry into the socio-economic impact of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Based on the committee findings, he said: “The Filipino people stand to lose more than they will gain from allowing POGOs to continue operating in the Philippines. In light of this, we recommend the permanent banning of offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.” ‘Unstable’ business model The business model of POGOs is “inherently unstable due to the outsized foreign regulatory and political risks involved,” Gatchalian said. He noted that the panel had found enough ground [...]
Ex-US diplomat gets 15 years for sexual abuse of Philippine minors
This undated file photo shows children playing. UNICEF / Joshua Estey, File MANILA — A former United States diplomat who sexually abused minors while working in the Philippines was sentenced to 15 years in prison last Friday. The US Department of Justice said Dean Edward Cheves, 63, who served at the US embassy in Manila from 2017 to 2021, was found guilty of illicit sexual conduct with minors in the Philippines. From December 2020 to March 2021, Cheves used a messaging application installed in his cell phone to chat with a young Filipino, then aged 15 to 16, whom he paid to create and send to him sexually explicit images. In February 2021, Cheves engaged in sex acts on two separate occasions with another 16-year-old he met online. The Justice Department also said that Cheves used [...]
‘P85/kilo sugar is economic sabotage’
Workers organized different kinds of repacked sugar at a store in Quezon City on August 11, 2022. STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA— Selling sugar at P85 a kilo is nothing less than large-scale agricultural smuggling and economic sabotage and is outrageous, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday. At a press conference at the Senate, Hontiveros lamented that selling sugar at P85 a kilo could mean a P32 per kilo profit, which she described as “nothing short of outrageous. It’s like winning the lottery 50 times on the super lotto without even putting a bet.” “You can actually buy refined sugar wholesale for P25 per kilo in Thailand. If you are a sensible importer, you know that you would already get a decent profit if you sell sugar at P61, including [...]
‘Unlimited possibilities’: Key takeaways from Putin-Xi summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after speaking to the media during a signing ceremony following their talks at The Grand Kremlin Palace, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Mikhail Tereshchenko, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) MOSCOW— Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for two days of closely-watched talks on Monday (Mar 20) and Tuesday. Here are five key takeaways from the Putin-Xi summit: "A NEW ERA" The two days of talks at the Kremlin were heavy on pomp and ceremony as Putin and Xi hailed a "new era" in the two countries' relationship. The Russian leader said that bilateral cooperation "has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects" and toasted the "prosperity" of Russian and Chinese people at [...]
Padilla to push for political changes in 1987 Constitution in 2024
MANILA— Senator Robin Padilla will push for amending the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution in 2024, a year ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. Currently, Padilla is focusing on changing the Charter’s economic provisions “to allow foreign businesses to directly invest in a more conducive landscape.” The senator was asked in an ANC interview on Tuesday whether or not he is prioritizing amending the political structure. “Isusulong ko ‘yan sa 2024 para sa 2025 [elections],” Padilla, Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes chairperson, replied. (I will push for that in 2024 for the 2025 elections.) Padilla, along with his party the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan, wants a federal form of government in the country. Padilla held hearings on Charter change (Cha-cha) in the Senate [...]
US shows sea supremacy in visit of warship
The amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, the USS America (LHA-6), is seen docked at the Manila South Harbor pier, Sunday. The USS America patrols the Indo-Pacific region as part of the America Ready Group, while carrying MV-22B Ospreys, F-35B Lightning multirole aircrafts, attack/support helicopters, and part of the Marine expeditionary unit. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA In a show of supremacy in the seas, a US warship, considered the first of the America-class amphibious assault ships and the fourth warship to bear this name, made its first port call in Manila but clarified that it was here for "rest and recreation" for its servicemen. The USS America (LHA 6), with 1,100 on board, is docked at Pier 15 of the Manila South [...]
Villar urges Senate to pass the Maharlika Investment Fund bill
The Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill, Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund, is designed to catalyze economic development by mobilizing government financial assets that are otherwise limited in use by current legal frameworks. "With the Fund’s dual objectives of optimizing financial returns and accelerating the development of infrastructure and other priority projects in key sectors, this will be an important instrument to generate consistent and stable investment returns to advance the Philippines’ long-term development goals,’’ Senator Mark A. Villar said in his sponsorship speech seeking the passage of the MIF bill by Congress. In his speech, Villar, chairman of the Senate trade committee, said the MIF would support the administration’s economic goals set in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the eight-point Socioeconomic Agenda, and the Philippine Development Plan [...]
Bill allowing married women to retain maiden name gets House nod
MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said the final reading approval of a measure allowing married women to retain their maiden surnames is a "relevant and timely" move to prove the commitment of the House of Representatives to promoting equality of men and women before the law. “It is not enough that our jurisprudence says that a married woman has an option, but not a duty, to use the surname of the husband. It is important that we institutionalize that they can decide to retain both their maiden name and surname,” Romualdez said. With an overwhelming 277 votes, the chamber approved on the third reading House Bill 4605, which seeks to amend a portion of the country’s 72-year-old New Civil Code (NCC). The bill seeks to [...]
Divorce bill to make PH conform to global norm: solon
PNA art by Meyo de Jesus MANILA – The committee approval of the bill reinstituting absolute divorce for plenary debates will put the country at the "threshold of joining the universality of absolute divorce in the community of nations", a lawmaker said on Tuesday. Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the divorce bill will give spouses, especially wives, the option of getting out of an "irremediably broken marriage" and a chance to start over as the House Committee on Population and Family Relations gave its thumbs up to the proposal. "While it is said that marriages are solemnized in heaven, the fact is some marriages plummet into hell because of human frailty and imperfections. The Divorce Act seeks to redeem couples, particularly the abused or abandoned wives, [...]
Tuberculosis is afflicting young Filipinos – expert
A health expert expressed concern over the rising incidents of tuberculosis (TB) among young Filipinos. Department of Health Disease Prevention and Control Bureau TB adviser Dr. Ronald Allan Fabella said 12 percent of the total number of TB patients in the country are young Filipinos. "Only by detecting and treating TB cases will stop transmission and bring down the number of cases," Fabella told The Manila Times. Fabella said diagnosing TB for patients under 15 is a challenge because children can't produce sputum for confirmatory tests. The World Health Organization estimates that around 741,000 Filipinos have tuberculosis, or around 650 TB cases per 100,000, with the high number due to delayed reporting brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fabella said that while the number of diagnosed Filipinos with TB [...]
PH, US troops to hold rocket system live fire drills on April 1
Photo courtesy of Philippine Army MANILA – Filipino and American troops participating in this year's "Salaknib" exercises are set to join a rocket system live fire exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 1. "(Army Artillery Regiment) AAR's (Multi-Launch Rocket System) MLRS Battery personnel and their US counterparts are set to conduct a rocket system live-fire exercise on April 1, 2023, at the regiment's long-range precision firing exercise area in Fort Magsaysay," Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad in a statement Sunday night. Last March 16, the personnel from the AAR's MLRS Battery together with the US Multi-Domain Task Force commenced the rocket system subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) at AAR headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Trinidad said the rocket system SMEE is geared [...]
Rice, vegetables, meat top wasted foods in PH
Vegetables. File photo. Rice, vegetables, and meat are the three most wasted foods in Filipino households, a study by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DoST-FNRI) showed. The 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey found that households with the highest rice consumption were more likely to have rice wastage than households with low consumption. The highest rice wastage was found in households with five or more members, those residing in rural areas, and in households with a head whose age ranges from 50 to 69 years old. Households with the highest vegetable consumption are also likely to have a bigger vegetable wastage than those with the lowest consumption. "This implies that households incur more wastes when higher quantities are purchased, which most probably are [...]
P17.7-B allocated to support PH tourism infra dev’t – DBM
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (Courtesy of the DBM Facebook page) MANILA , PHILIPPINES— A total of PHP17.7 billion has been allocated in this year’s national budget to fund the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Thursday. In a press release, the DBM said this amount is PHP602 million higher than the PHP17.087 billion from last year’s budget. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized the importance of providing funding support to vital infrastructure projects, which serve as the backbone of the economy. "President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been very consistent with his pronouncements that infrastructure development is a priority under this administration. And so we, at DBM, shall do all we can to support the realization of [...]
PH agri climate resilience project gets P2.2B in UN funding
COMPOSITE IMAGE: Daniella MARIE AGACER FROM INQ STOCK PHOTOS MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines—named the most disaster-prone country in the world—has been recently granted a P2.2 billion investment to help adapt agricultural systems to climate change. The World Risk Risk Report 2022 ranked the Philippines as the most disaster-prone among 193 countries, with a very high vulnerability score of 54.81. This is based on the susceptibility of populations to damage from extreme natural disasters events or the negative impacts of climate change. In the Philippines, which is expected to experience increasingly more frequent and catastrophic extreme weather events, nearly 10 million people work in the agriculture sector. Previous studies revealed that the impact of climate change on Philippine agriculture is devastating. The country incurred P290B in agricultural damages in the past [...]
Oil spill affects 61 tourism sites, DOT raises alarm
The Department of Tourism on Wednesday raised the alarm over 61 tourism sites—including beach resorts—that are affected by the massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco raised this concern during the Tourism Stakeholders’ National Summit on Wednesday. “It’s an ongoing collaborative effort to manage the situation that is led by the DENR (Department of the Environment and Natural Resources) and we are here to assist our tourism workers,” she added. The oils spill from the sunken tanker MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, has already affected 70 barangays in the region, and will surpass the devastation caused by the 2006 Guimaras oil spill, said Senator Cynthia A. Villar. She pushed for assistance to residents who are affected by the oil spill [...]
Philippines express support for AUKUS as it promotes ‘regional peace, stability’
US President Joe Biden (C), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) hold a press conference during the AUKUS summit on March 13, 2023, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego California. AUKUS is a trilateral security pact announced on September 15, 2021, for the Indo-Pacific region. AFP / Jim Watson Noting the importance of partnerships and collaboration within the region, the Philippines expressed appreciation to AUKUS partners – composed of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – for the reassurance that recent developments will help ensure regional peace and stability. The statement comes just days after Australia announced plans to purchase up to five US nuclear-powered submarines in the next years and work with the UK and the [...]
Padilla sets Cha-cha public forum, Speaker pushes economic reform
The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of laws will conduct a public hearing on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6, which calls for a constitutional convention that would propose changes to the Charter’s economic provisions. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, for his part, said the 301 lawmakers who voted to amend the restrictive provisions of the Constitution are “in a rush.” “If we do our jobs quickly, this is because the people’s interest is at stake. Not politics but the country’s economy. Not election, but the mission to lift fellow Filipinos out of poverty,” Romualdez said. “When did working quickly for the country become a sin?” he added. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, who chairs the House constitutional amendments committee, said his Senate counterpart Robinhood Padilla [...]
Marcos: ₱20/kilo rice price goal eyed ‘ASAP,’ but weather a factor
Metro Manila, Philippines — The government aims to fulfill the promise of lowering rice prices to ₱20 per kilo "as soon as possible," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday, but noted how some factors, including weather, have become an issue. Marcos made the remark when asked about his administration's timetable for the goal, one of the aspirations he floated during his presidential campaign. "Lahat ng timetable ko, yesterday if not sooner. Lahat 'yan, ASAP. We'll see," Marcos said in a chance interview with reporters in Camarines Sur. "Kasi minamalas din tayo sa weather eh, kaya hindi mo matiyak kung ano 'yung magiging production, ano 'yung magiging supply," he added. "We'll keep working on it." [Translation: All of my timetable, it's yesterday if not sooner. All of them, ASAP. We'll see. Because [...]
P175-B bridge to shorten travel from Cavite to Bataan
A 32-KILOMETER-LONG interisland bridge that will cut travel time between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite from more than three hours to just 20 to 30 minutes will break ground later this year, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced Tuesday. DPWH Secretary Bonoan said the Department of Public Works and Highways informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday that the project will be implemented this year, with its detailed engineering plan already 70 percent completed. "The detailed engineering is now ongoing; it's about 70 percent complete. We told the President it would be ready within the year to ground break the implementation of this very significant bridge," Bonoan told reporters at a Palace press briefing. The construction of the bridge, to [...]
House bill seeks P750 wage hike
A BILL filed in the House of Representatives seeks to raise the salaries of private sector workers by P750. House Bill 7568 was filed on Monday by Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel. Granting a P750 across-the-board nationwide increase "in the salary rates of private sector workers becomes extremely urgent to close the gap between the current minimum wage and the calculated family living wage across regions," the bill's explanatory note stated. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA The bill mandates all private sector employers, "whether agricultural or non-agricultural," to pay an across-the-board wage increase of P750 "regardless of the employment status and position of workers and regardless of the industry classification and location of the enterprise." The [...]
DoE to Filipinos: Conserve energy
ENERGY Secretary Raphael Lotilla. File Photo Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has urged Filipinos to observe efficient use of electricity to help ensure the availability of sufficient power during the dry season when higher temperature triggers an increase in demand. On the sidelines of Makati Business Club's event in Makati City Monday, Lotilla said that based on the available supply and the scheduled maintenance of different power generation plants, yellow alerts are expected especially during the dry season. Based on the Department of Energy's power outlook for the year, the first yellow alert is expected to occur in March in the Luzon grid. Data from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) showed that for March 14, the Luzon grid will have an operating margin of [...]
PH gov’t campaigns for media literacy as tool vs fake news
Pixabay PHILIPPINES— The Marcos admin is set to carry out a digital media literacy campaign to equip the most vulnerable communities with knowledge and tools "to be discerning of the truth," a Palace Communications official said. Communications Undersecretary Cherbett Karen Maralit said this during the CyberSafe Against Fake News: Being Smart, Being Safe and Staying Ahead! Ensuring Women and Girls a Safe Online Experience, a side event to the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) in New York. In her remarks, Maralit noted that the Philippine Congress had tasked the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to address the growing concern about misinformation and disinformation, especially in the digital landscape. "Backed by the budgetary support from the Philippine Congress and its [...]
EDCA site in Pampanga Basa base set for $24-M rehab
MANILA, PHILIPPINES— The United States Embassy in Manila said a USD24-million airstrip extension and rehabilitation project will break ground at the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on March 20. ENHANCEMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (2nd from left) graces the joint acceptance, turnover, and blessing of land and air assets acquired by the Philippine Air Force at the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga in November 2022. The base will undergo a USD24-million airstrip extension and rehabilitation project beginning March 20, 2023 under the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. (PNA file photo) The military base is one of the five previously identified sites where future facilities and structures would be built under the 2014 Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The four other “agreed locations” [...]
Overstaying Chinese arrested for presenting PH passport
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at Boracay Island gateway Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (Caticlan) in Malay, Aklan intercepted a male Chinese national who attempted to depart for Taiwan using a Philippine passport. In a news release on Sunday, the BI said Zhou Jintao, 24, presented himself before BI officers using a passport under the name Janssen Gonzales Tan. Apart from his passport, he presented a Philippine person with disability, postal and tax identification number identification cards, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and birth certificate indicating that he was born in Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur to a Filipino mother and a Chinese father. However, upon inspection, the officer noted that Zhou was unable to speak Filipino or any local language. During the interview, he admitted that [...]
19,000 families affected by oil spill; DSWD to continue giving food packs —Sec. Gatchalian
An aerial view shows the oil spill from the sunken fuel tanker MT Princess Empress on the shores of Pola, Oriental Mindoro on March 8, 2023. Citing information from experts, Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz said the cleanup may take six months to a year. REUTERS/ Eloisa Lopez The number of families affected by the oil spill from from the sunken MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro has reached 19,000, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Saturday. "'Yung bagong tala ni [Oriental Mindoro] Governor [Humerlito 'Bonz'] Dolor, 'yung provincial level, nasa 19,000," Gatchalian said in an interview on Dobol B TV. Gatchalian said the DSWD started giving food packs to affected families. "Nagsimula kami sa food packs. 10,000 na apektadong pamilya, pero recently umakyat [...]
BSP mandates full adoption of Philippine QR Code standard by July 1
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is mandating the full adoption of the Philippine QR Code standard by July 1, 2023. In a statement on Friday, the BSP said its policy-setting Monetary Board has approved the guidelines that will facilitate the full transition of all quick response (QR) code-enabled payment services to the National QR Code Standard, or “QR Ph.” QR Ph is the country’s QR code standard, based on the Europay-Mastercard-VISA (EMV) standard, a global standard for secure payments. It was developed to standardize the use of QR codes. The BSP said the guidelines mandate BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) acting as payment service providers (PSPs) and offering QR code-enabled payment services to use and display QR codes on their internet and mobile channels starting July 1, 2023. The [...]
P1.20 hike in gas pump price seen; Meralco rates up
Pump prices may go up on Tuesday by up to P1.20 per liter for gasoline and P0.35 per liter for diesel based on the first four days of global oil trading data. The estimate by one industry source dovetailed with a statement from the director of the Oil Industry Management Bureau of the Department of Energy, Rodela Romero, who said they expect an increase in the prices of gasoline and diesel and a minimal rollback or no adjustment for kerosene. Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said its customers would experience higher rates this month by P0.5453 per kWh, bringing the overall rate for a typical household to P11.4348 per kWh from P10.8895 per kWh in February. Meralco said for residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment is equivalent [...]
NEDA approves 194 high-impact projects
NEDA meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presides over the NEDA board meeting in Malacañang on Thursday, March 9, 2023. During the meeting, 194 priority projects were approved. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the helm, has green-lighted 194 high-impact priority projects under the Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs). It also approved amendments to the 2013 Joint Venture (JV) Guidelines that are seen to further strengthen the government's "Build Better More" program. NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan said the new IFP list and the amendments to the JV guidelines will improve the country's competitiveness and make it a prime investment destination in the region. The new IFP list mentions 194 projects totaling around P9 trillion, the bulk of which are [...]
Beijing chides US for ‘discrediting’ PH-China economic ties
MANILA , PHILIPPINES – The Chinese Embassy in Manila called out Washington DC on Friday for “discrediting” China’s economic relations with the Philippines. The statement is in response to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report citing State Department Undersecretary Victoria Nuland questioning whether Beijing’s “promises” in the past had actually generated jobs for Filipinos. “China and the Philippines are natural partners for the geographical proximity, close kinship, and complementary advantages,” the embassy said. “In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and the Philippines have deepened the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the ‘Build, Build, Build’ and ‘Build Better More’ programs of the Philippines,” it added. Further, it touted the various government-to-government cooperation projects and recently signed agreements between Beijing [...]
Rise in ocean plastic pollution ‘unprecedented’ since 2005
Paris, France— Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached "unprecedented levels" over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste. Ocean plastic pollution is a persistent problem around the globe -- animals may become entangled in larger pieces of plastic like fishing nets, or ingest microplastics that eventually enter the food chain to be consumed by humans. Research published on Wednesday found that there are an estimated 170 trillion pieces of plastic, mainly microplastics, on the surface of the world's oceans today, much of it discarded since 2005. "Plastic pollution in the world's oceans during the past 15 years has reached unprecedented levels," said the study, published in open-access journal PLOS One. The [...]
WHO fires Manila-based regional director over allegations of misconduct
Metro Manila, Philippines— The World Health Organization (WHO) has dismissed the regional director for its Western Pacific office headquartered in Manila over allegations of misconduct. In a statement dated March 8, the WHO said the accusations covered the latter half of 2021 and 2022. It did not directly name Dr. Takeshi Kasai in the statement, only referring to him by his title. “In line with the Organization’s policy of zero tolerance for abusive conduct, the allegations were investigated and subsequently reviewed in accordance with the normal procedures applicable to all WHO staff members,” the WHO wrote. “These procedures resulted in findings of misconduct,” it added. The WHO did not elaborate on the claims made against Kasai, but the Associated Press (AP) reported last year that dozens of staffers have accused [...]
PH-US defense, foreign ministerial meet set in April
The Defense and Foreign ministerial meetings (2+2) between the Philippines and the United States have been scheduled for April 2023, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) bared Wednesday. The announcement came days following a meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland in Manila. The DFA said both sides agreed to expand the scope of the 2+2 to include broader security considerations, such as food security, energy, cybersecurity, telecommunications and supply chains. The upcoming meet will be hosted by the United States and will be co-led by the Philippine Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defense and the US Departments of State and Defense. Manalo and Nuland who met last March 6 had underscored the importance of the Philippine-US alliance [...]
Palace bares new set of appointees in gov’t
MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday announced the latest appointments in several departments under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released to reporters a document containing a list of names as of March 6. Among the appointees was former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, who was named National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general. Malaya has served in nine government agencies during his stint in public service, including the Office of the President, the Department of Education and the Office of the Solicitor General. Former Quezon City councilor Diorella Maria "Lala" Sotto-Antonio was reappointed as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). She was first appointed in July 2022 which is [...]
PUV strike over, trips resume
Manibela, Piston declare end of protest after Palace meeting Transport groups Manibela and PISTON have ended what should have been a week-long nationwide transport strike after a meeting at the Palace on Tuesday. Public utility vehicles will resume plying their routes today (Wednesday) following a two-day strike. Manibela head Mar Valbuena and PISTON president Mody Floranda met yesterday with Palace officials, including Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, a former chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. “There will be no phaseout of jeepneys. The king of the road will remain,” Valbuena told Manila Standard in an interview. He said this was based on the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as relayed by the Palace officials they met at the Office of the Executive Secretary. “For traditional jeepneys [...]
Sara meets with Lao, Czech envoys
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte deliver a speech during the 52nd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) conference in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.February 8, 2023. STAR / Jesse Bustos Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday met with ambassadors from Laos and Czech Republic to discuss ties between the Philippines and their respective countries. During her meeting with Lao Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay, Duterte said they committed to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Duterte said Vannaxay identified education and healthcare as among Laos’ areas of interest in the Philippines. The Vice President said her meeting with Czech Republic Ambassador Jana Šedivá focused on the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines [...]
Gov’t eyes new work hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Government agencies may soon adjust their office hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays with work-from-home setups on Fridays, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Tuesday. In a Palace press conference, Diokno revealed that the Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to implement daylight saving time within its agency to save electricity and promote energy efficiency. He said this will be part of the government’s short-term interventions to mitigate high inflation in the country. Diokno said this proposal was presented before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a Cabinet meeting at Malacañan Palace earlier in the day. “We also presented to the President that it’s important to address energy because there are complaints that energy cost in the Philippines is expensive,” he said. “One of the [...]
PCG says a month not enough for oil spill cleanup
Metro Manila, Philippines— Cleaning up the oil spill from the motor tanker that sank in the waters off Oriental Mindoro would likely take more than a month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday. PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu cited the lack of manpower and equipment as the main challenges in cleanup operations. “Let us be honest and candid about it. One month time? Hindi ganun kadali ‘yan [It’s not that easy],” Abu said. Authorities are rushing to contain the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress, as they warn of its impact on the environment and on the health of residents in Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas. The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said toxic chemicals from the spill can cause skin and lung complications, aside from [...]
House approves con-con bill on second reading
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading House Bill 7352 which sets the composition of the constitutional convention (con-con) which will amend the 1987 Constitution. House Bill 7352 or the con-con bill, which is the implementing bill of Resolution of Both Houses 6 calling for a con-con to amend the 1987 Constitution, also provides delegates a P10,000 per day of attendance compensation during con-con proceedings. The con-con bill also provides that the con-con delegation will be composed of around 316 members, 80% of whom would be elected from congressional districts while 20% would be appointed by the President. Con-con delegates’ terms of office would run from December 1 this year to June 30, 2024. Aside from the P10,000 per day of attendance remuneration, each con-con delegate [...]
Gov’t debt now stands at P13.7 trillion
Government debt jumped in the first month of the year owing to higher domestic borrowings and weakening of the peso against the US dollar, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed. As of January 2023, the national government’s outstanding debt stock stood at P13.698 trillion, up 14 percent from P12.029 trillion a year ago. Month-on-month, it also rose by 2.1 percent from P13.418 trillion last December. As of January 2023, the national government’s outstanding debt stock stood at P13.698 trillion, up 14 percent from P12.029 trillion a year ago. Month-on-month, it also rose by 2.1 percent from P13.418 trillion last December. Based on the Treasury data, 68.5 percent of the total debt portfolio of the government were domestic borrowings, while 31.5 percent was sourced overseas. At end-January, domestic [...]
PH can now export dried pili nuts to EU’s 27 member states
The Philippines can now export dried pili nuts to European Union’s (EU’s) 27 member states, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Tuesday, March 7. In a statement, the DA said the issuance of the European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/267, signed on Feb. 8., allows dried pili nuts to be added to the Union’s list of novel foods that may be placed on the EU market after meeting the EU’s food safety and labeling requirements. photo: Department of Agriculture The agriculture department welcomed the EU issuance, which opens up new markets for the country’s pili industry. “The export of pili nut, which is considered a novel food or those that have not been significantly used for human consumption in the EU before May 1997, has been temporarily stopped following [...]
MMDA suspends number coding for Monday amid transport strike
(File photo) Transport strike The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority over the weekend announced the suspension of the expanded number coding scheme for Monday. In an advisory, the MMDA said the suspension of the Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) will be suspended on March 6, as jeepney operators and drivers start the week-long transport holiday to protest the public utility vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. “Nakahanda naman ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority para magbigay ng libreng sakay sa mga pasahero na posibleng ma-stranded ng isang linggong tigil pasada simula sa Lunes,” it said. (The MMDA is ready to provide free rides to passengers who could possibly be stranded due to the week-long transport strike starting Monday.) The agency is mandated to implement programs, policies, and procedures to achieve public [...]
44 Chinese vessels swarm Pag-asa Island – PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday, March 4, spotted 44 Chinese vessels – including one each from their navy and coast guard – anchored near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) which serves as the seat of the local government of Kalayaan town in Palawan. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard / PCG In a statement, the PCG said People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessel “UBN,” a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5203, and 42 suspected Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were spotted approximately 4.5 to eight nautical (NM) miles from Pag-asa Island which are “clearly inside the land feature’s 12 nautical mile territorial sea.” “The PLA Navy vessel and CCG 5201 have been observed to be slowly loitering within the [...]
Divorce bill awaits committee approval
Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman. Photo from House of Representatives of the Philippines A consolidated substitute bill reinstating absolute divorce in the Philippines was approved on Thursday, March 2, 2023, by a technical working group (TWG) led by Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman. "I am elated to report that the Philippines is at the threshold of joining the community of nations upholding the universality of divorce," Lagman said in a statement on Friday. House Bills 78, 1021, 1593, 2593, 3843, 3885, 4957 and 4998, which seek to reinstate divorce as a mode of dissolving marriages and strengthening the civil effects of Church annulment, were previously approved in principle by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations, which is headed by Isabela Third District Rep. Ian Paul [...]
Galvez: EDCA meant for defense; US-Japan-PH trilateral deal sought
The Philippines’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States is aimed at improving the country’s defensive capabilities and is not meant for war, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said. In a statement Thursday night, Galvez emphasized that the bilateral agreement does not seek to interfere with the domestic affairs of other nations. “The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day. Our projects under EDCA and our other defense partnerships are not intended for aggression. We are not preparing for war, rather we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security,” he added. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim believes it will be beneficial for all the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if the organization takes [...]
VP Sara: ‘We must continue empowering, inspiring other women’
WOMEN FOR WOMEN. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivers her speech during the “Gamhanang Buwak: Flower Power” art exhibit on Wednesday (March 1, 2023). Duterte urged the women artists to continue inspire and empower other women. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President) MANILA , PHILIPPINES— The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday underscored upholding women’s rights as Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte urged women to provide inspiration and help empower other women. In a Facebook post, the DepEd said it supports programs for women. “Ngayong National Women’s Month, kaisa ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa pagsisiguro na ang karapatan ng kababaihan ay mapahahalagahan sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng mga proyekto at programa sa layuning ito(This National Women’s Month, the Education department supports [...]
Falun Gong Founder Mr. Li Hongzhi Publishes ‘How Humankind Came To Be’
How Humankind Came To Be I would like to first pass along my greetings to everyone on the advent of the Chinese New Year. New Year’s would normally be a time for sharing a few pleasant remarks about the occasion. But I am seeing imminent danger approaching humanity, and have been called upon by divine beings to pass along, for this reason, several things to everyone in this world. Each of what I am about to disclose is a higher, closely guarded secret, and these are being shared to provide a true picture of affairs, and to give people another chance at salvation. First is the question of how humankind came about. From the dawn of its creation to its final days, the universe has gone through an exceptionally [...]
PH formulating guides on joint patrols in WPS
The government is drawing up guidelines for joint patrols with allies in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of increasingly aggressive behavior by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Operational details, including the possible engagement of other regional partners, will be part of talks between the Philippines and the United States, which have a mutual defense treaty, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. Last month, defense officials said they were considering joint patrols with the United States, Japan and Australia, but the DFA did not provide any details this week on which countries would take part in them. The DFA said the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) mechanism with the US draws up activities that will be undertaken by the [...]
Transport strike to push through
RARE RIDE Commuters wait for a ride in Pasay City on Thursday, March 2, 2023, as the country braces for a nationwide transport strike that will start on March 6. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Mar Valbuena, leader of the Manibela transport group, said on Thursday that drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys and UV Express will push through with their strike to protest the government's PUV Modernization Program. The transport strike, with participants in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Cagayan de Oro, will start on March 6 at 7 a.m. and will last until March 12. "Tuloy ang tigil pasada (The transport strike will push through)," Valbuena told The Manila Times. He said they will only call off the strike if the Land Transportation [...]
DOTr, LTFRB urged: Fix the system, other loopholes in jeepney modernization first
The Senate Committee on Public Services on Thursday, March 2 urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to first address the issues hounding the implementation of the government’s jeepney modernization program. Sen. Grace Poe calls for measures to address the concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers as the government goes full steam ahead with its modernization program during the Senate Committee on Public Services’ hearing on Thursday, March 2, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo) During the public hearing, Sen. Grace Poe said it is clear that despite the government’s insistence to pursue the Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Modernization Program, many of the stakeholders in the jeepney industry, particularly drivers and operators, are not prepared to comply. Earlier, [...]
Oil slick spreads to most of marine protected areas in 10 Oriental Mindoro towns
Metro Manila, Philippines— The oil spill off Oriental Mindoro has affected 80% of the 34 marine protected areas in 10 municipalities, the local government reported Friday. “Mayroon tayong total na 26 marine protected areas down to Bulalacao from Naujan na affected ng oil spill,” a provincial agriculture official said in a press conference. [Translation: We have a total of 26 marine protected areas down to Bulalacao from Naujan that were affected by the oil spill.] The 10 city and towns are: Calapan City, Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao. The spill has also affected the livelihood of over 10,000 fisherfolk in Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, and Mansalay, she added. As of Thursday, the slick was seen 10 kilometers from the shoreline of Mansalay. According to the [...]
Marcos to AFP: Focus on South China Sea
This photo taken on February 6, 2023 shows anchored Philippine fishing boats (front) before a group of Chinese vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea. STR / AFP President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the main mission of the military has changed to ensure the protection of the country's territory as disputes with China and US-China rivalry intensify. He stressed the urgency of shifting the military's focus to external defense in a speech before troops Monday afternoon. He spoke two weeks after summoning China's ambassador to protest the use of a military-grade laser by the Chinese coast guard that briefly blinded some of the crew of a Philippine patrol vessel in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines condemned the February 6 incident in one of [...]
Senators call to maximize Anti-Hazing Act implementation
MANILA – Lawmakers from the Upper Chamber expressed on Wednesday their concern over the death of John Matthew Salilig, an Adamson University student who was recently found dead in Imus town, Cavite province. According to the initial investigation of the police, Salilig was attending the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in Laguna province on Feb. 18 and was later reported missing that day. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa urged the fraternity and the school administration to initiate additional measures in protecting students against hazing. "I am not for banning fraternities but they should police their ranks. The school administration is very crucial kasi(because) the police cannot be around every square-inch of the directorate. So in the ranks ng (of) fraternity and sorority organizations, they have to police themselves. [...]
PNP to integrate water patrol unit with Navy, PCG
To strengthen the government’s maritime law enforcement capability, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to integrate its maritime units with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, with a focus on the country’s boundaries with Malaysia and Indonesia. The country’s southern borders are considered porous and are usually the routes of smuggling and human trafficking activities. PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said their maritime units’ patrols will focus near the country’s shorelines and help in the ongoing campaign against smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes. “We wanted to have a memorandum of understanding with (the PCG and Philippine Navy) to secure our waters against contrabands and including the campaign against human trafficking,” he told reporters after the presentation and blessing of newly procured police equipment [...]
Philippines eyes resumption of free trade deal talks with EU
Sto. Tomas, Batangas — The Philippines is eyeing to return to the negotiating table for the possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Wednesday. Last week, members of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (EP DROI) went on a three-day visit to the Philippines, during which they made a courtesy call on Pascual where he followed up on the renewal of the country’s Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) trade agreement with the EU. The EU GSP+ agreement grants the Philippines zero duties on 6,274 locally-made products, as long as the country meets the requirements regarding human and labor rights, the environment, and good governance. Pascual, however, said that as the Philippine government is working towards making the country an [...]
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim arrives in PH for official visit
Metro Manila, Philippines— Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday for a two-day official visit. Anwar’s plane landed at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City past noon. He is the first head of government to visit the Philippines since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year. The two leaders are set to meet in the afternoon for a bilateral meeting. They are expected to tackle various areas of partnership, including political, security, and economic cooperation.
Marcos taps Kadiwa programs to make food more affordable
No more hungry Filipinos. That’s what President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to achieve by the end of his administration as he expanded his program making food prices affordable to poor families. Marcos reiterated his earlier pronouncement during the expansion of Kadiwa ng Pangulo program in Manila and Batangas province on Wednesday, March 1. President Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Noel Pabalate/MANILA BULLETIN) “Kailangan talaga namin gawin ‘yan, dahil hindi natin pababayaan ang ating mga kababayan. At sinabi ko na, ilang beses ang aking pangarap sa aking administrasyon ay sana ay wala ng gutom na Pilipino (We really have to do that. We will not neglect our countrymen. I have said many times [...]
Biden says he does not ‘anticipate’ China providing weapons to Russia
US President Joe Biden said Friday that he does not “anticipate a major initiative” from China to provide weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine. His comments come days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS that China was “considering providing lethal support” to Moscow ranging “from ammunition to the weapons themselves” — which Beijing denied. In a wide-ranging television interview with ABC News — covering his bid for re-election and the war in Ukraine — that aired Friday evening, Biden appeared to backtrack on Blinken’s comments. “I don’t anticipate — we haven’t seen it yet — but I don’t anticipate a major initiative on the part of China providing weaponry to Russia,” he said. Biden explained that in a conversation he had with Chinese President Xi [...]
Palace: PBBM admin to upskill PH workers as foreign investors come to PH
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is preparing for the entry of more foreign investors in the country, particularly by ensuring that the Philippines has a pool of well-educated and highly-skilled workforce, Malacañang said. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULELTIN) In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that the DOLE is paying attention to resolving job mismatch issues by upskilling Filipino workers. Citing Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Garafil added that the upskilling of workers must be industry-led and demand- and market-driven so they can find employment that suits their skills. In a press briefing, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the government needed to boost its efforts to digitalize available jobs so workers would have the chance to choose where they want to work and the type of [...]
Go reiterates need to support farmers
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB) SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go emphasized the importance of improving the competitiveness and safeguarding of local farmers and industries following the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Go said that the government should provide more interventions and support to local farmers to make them more competitive, especially rice farmers. "First of all, it is important that our farmers are protected, especially in Nueva Ecija which is known as the rice granary of the Philippines," he said. "Let's make our farmers more competitive. Meaning, the government must come in for more intervention, more support for them." Explaining his affirmative vote on the ratification of the agreement, Go said he believes that with open competition as a result of RCEP, [...]
Cancer third leading cause of death in PH: health expert
MANILA -- Cancer is now the third leading cause of death nationwide, with lung cancer ranking number one in mortality, a health expert said Friday. File photo courtesy of World Health Organization During a media forum at the sidelines of the National Cancer Summit, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology president Dr. Rosario Pitargue noted there are 184 cases diagnosed in 100,000 patients and that 96 deaths related to cancer are reported daily. During a media forum at the sidelines of the National Cancer Summit, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology president Dr. Rosario Pitargue noted there are 184 cases diagnosed in 100,000 patients and that 96 deaths related to cancer are reported daily. “In terms of death, lung [cancer], it would [...]
17 provinces in PH among at risk of environmental damage due to climate change – report
Philippines — At least 17 provinces in the country are among the top 100 areas in the world that are most vulnerable to climate change driven disasters, according to a report. These are Aurora, Cagayan, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Sur, Leyte, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Samar, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Sur, Sulu, Tarlac, and Zambales. The study conducted by Cross Dependency Initiative (XDI) measures the impact of eight climate change hazards on the built environment of different states, provinces, and territories around the world. These hazards include riverine and surface flooding, coastal inundation, extreme heat, forest fire, soil subsidence (in drought), extreme wind (synoptic and tropical cyclones), and freeze thaw. A total of 2,600 areas around the world were analyzed in the report. A [...]
PCG says best way to counter Chinese ‘bullying’ in WPS is to publicize aggressive acts
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) believes that making the Filipino people and the international community aware of China’s “bullying behavior” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is an effective way to counter their aggression. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducts a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over Ayungin Shoal and Aabina Shoals in the West Philippine Sea on Feb. 21, 2023. (Photo: National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea) Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG adviser of the Commandant for maritime security and PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea, said publicizing China’s numerous aggressive actions in the WPS was the “difference-maker” under the current administration. “The difference ng mga nakaraang taong circumstances na nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea at sa mga nakaraang linggo (The difference of the previous years’ [...]
PH, Australia in sea patrol talks
PBBM: Aussie official’s visit ‘important part of response’ to Chinese acts The Philippines and Australia confirmed Wednesday they are discussing possible joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)—an arrangement that Manila is also exploring with the United States and Japan. SHARED SECURITY CONCERN. Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles (left) and Philippine Secretary of Defense Carlito Galvez Jr attend a joint press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on February 22, 2023 where they announced both countries are exploring the possibility of joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea. AFP President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the visit of Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles “‘will be an important part of the response’ to the recent acts by the Chinese Coast Guard in the [...]
PBBM eyes digitalization of farmer registry, food balance sheet
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday sought to fast-track the digitalization of database of farmers and food balance sheet (FBS) to strengthen the country’s agricultural industry. DIGITALIZATING AGRICULTURE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council’s Agriculture Sector Group at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday (Feb. 23, 2023). Marcos wants the speedy digitalization of farmers’ registry and food balance sheet to develop the country’s agricultural industry. (Screenshot from Radio Television Malacañang) This developed after Marcos met with the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) Agriculture Sector Group at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. Garafil said Marcos welcomed the PSAC’s proposal to digitize the farmer registry and the FBS, as he [...]
PNP allows 18 European Parliament members to visit De Lima
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has accommodated 18 members of the European Parliament in their visit to former Sen. Leila de Lima at her detention facility at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday, Feb. 23. PNP chief information officer Col. Redrico Maranan said the members of the European Parliament were properly escorted to de Lima’s detention facility in accordance with the existing rules of the Custodial Center where de Lima is currently detained. This includes, he said, the observance of minimum public health standards. “The PNP followed the court orders in connection with the visit to the former senator. Our personnel escorted them inside as part of the protocol being observed at the Custodial Center,” Maranan told the Manila Bulletin. The court orders were signed by two judges [...]
Palace moves EDSA holiday to Feb. 24 but wants its historical significance maintained
Pursuant to the principle of holiday economics, Malacañang has declared Feb. 24, 2023, a special nonworking holiday in celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary, which falls on a Saturday this year. Proclamation No. 167 declares Feb. 24, 2023, a special nonworking holiday in celebration of the 37th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary (File photos) The Palace released Proclamation No. 167 on Thursday evening, a day before the new holiday date. The Proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and confirmed by Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil in a text message. Based on Proclamation No. 167, Malacañang moved the celebration of the EDSA holiday to “enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics.” However, the Palace [...]
PH to start exporting durian to China in March
MANILA – The Philippines is poised to ship an initial 7,500 metric tons of durian to China in March, Malacañang announced on Thursday. (File Photo) The scheduled shipment of durian to China was reported to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) in a meeting at Malacañan Palace, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. “In its (DA-PBM) presentation, the agency said there is an initial volume of 7,500 metric tons of durians ready to be sent to the Asian country, which will be sourced from 59 different farmers or producers covering some 400 hectares of production area,” Garafil said. To recall, Marcos’ [...]
Four-day work week more productive – study
LONDON— A four-day working week is more productive for most staff and companies than the traditional five days, one of the biggest trials of its kind conducted in the UK reported on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). Over 60 firms in Britain took part in the six-month experiment allowing almost 3,000 employees to work one day less per week while retaining the same salary. Conducted between last June and December, it was organized by nonprofit group 4 Day Week Global alongside the think tank Autonomy, the University of Cambridge and Boston College in the United States. It has been described as the world's biggest trial of a four-day working week. The study found more than nine out of 10 firms will continue with the shortened working week or plan to do [...]
BBM won’t invoke PH-US defense treaty vs China
TROOPING THE LINE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. troops the line in Borromeo Field during the 2023 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming at the PMA Grandstand in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on Saturday (Feb. 18, 2023). The Philippine Military Academy serves as the country’s premiere military institution and training ground for aspiring future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias) (UPDATE) BAGUIO CITY— Despite the laser-pointing incident at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he is not keen on invoking the country's Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States as it would only escalate tensions with China. Speaking to reporters, Marcos said that activating the MDT which, he said, was under [...]
‘PH won’t lose an inch of its territory,’ says Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines— Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will not relinquish any of its territory and will uphold its sovereignty. "This country will not lose one inch of its territory. We will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our Constitution and with international law," Marcos said in a speech before Philippine Military Academy alumni on Saturday. "We will work with our neighbors to secure the safety and security of our people," he added. China has continually defied the 2016 Hague Ruling which nullified Beijing's claim over the West Philippine Sea, and has taken numerous actions against Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard within Philippine maritime territory. "The country has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals [...]
PH has ‘good’ justice system, won’t cooperate with ICC: PBBM
MANILA – The Philippines will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it has a "good" justice system, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday. 'GOOD' JUSTICE SYSTEM. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. says in an interview in Baguio City on Saturday (Feb. 18, 2023) that the Philippines has a "good" justice system. Marcos said the country would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court in investigating the past administration’s anti-narcotics campaign. (PNA photo by Christopher Lloyd Caliwan) Marcos issued the statement in response to the ICC's decision to resume its investigation into the deaths associated with the anti-narcotics campaign waged by his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Speaking to reporters in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, Marcos said the ICC has no jurisdiction over [...]
LTFRB set to issue order on distribution of 100K TNVS slots
MANILA – The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be coming up with an order regarding the distribution of 100,000 slots for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) applications nationwide. (File Photo) “The board will issue a memorandum circular detailing the distribution,” said Engr. Riza Paches of the LTFRB at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City but did not specify a date. “But right now, the board through its divisions under the LTFRB are considering how this is going to be rolled out operationally,” she added. The LTFRB board member noted that providing additional slots will not only generate employment but also address the problem of public transportation. “The bottom line as expressed by the [...]
DSWD, UN explore opportunities to strengthen future partnerships in ending hunger, responding to disasters
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian discusses his plans for the DSWD, particularly its efforts to end hunger and improve disaster response operations, with United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Philippines Gustavo González during a meeting held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City. (DSWD PHOTO) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian discussed with United Nations (UN) representatives to the Philippines potential opportunities to further strengthen their partnership for the government’s social protection programs in a meeting held at the DSWD Central Office on Feb. 10. Gatchalian discussed with the UN representatives, led by UN Resident Coordinator to the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez, his plans for the DSWD to explore partnerships and further improve the agency’s [...]
Cyclone Gabrielle: New Zealand declares state of emergency
GETTY IMAGES New Zealand has declared a state of emergency due to Cyclone Gabrielle, the third such alert in its history. The Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, signed the national declaration into place Tuesday morning. It will apply to the Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Hawkes Bay regions and streamline the government's response to the disaster. At least 38,000 homes were without power on Tuesday morning. In New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, authorities earlier evacuated people from 50 homes around a 30m-high tower that was in danger of collapse, local media reported. Dozens of evacuation centres have also been set up in the city. Mr McAnulty described the storm as "an unprecedented weather event". He said the state of emergency will allow for federal co-ordination [...]
China Coast Guard ship points ‘blinding’ laser at PCG vessel
A China Coast Guard ship (CCG) directed a military-grade laser light at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, West Philippine Sea recently, causing temporary blindness to a Filipino coast guardian. Photo: Philippine Coat Guard / PCG PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said CCG vessel with bow number 5205 pointed the laser light towards BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) in Ayungin Shoal past 6 p.m. on Feb. 6 while it was supporting a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission of the Philippine Navy (PN). “As BRP Malapascua reached a 10 nautical mile distance from Ayungin Shoal, the CCG vessel was monitored approximately four nautical miles of the ship’s dead ahead maneuvering from the portside heading starboard side,” Balilo said in a statement Monday, Feb. 13. “The Chinese ship [...]
PH eyes tripartite pact with US, Japan
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Screengrab from RTVM Facebook Live TOKYO— The Philippines is considering a tripartite agreement with its two close allies, the United States and Japan, amid the "dangerous situations" the country faces, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said. Interviewed by Japan's Kyodo News Friday, the President said one of the "many other issues" raised by the Philippine delegation during his visit to Tokyo was creating alliances with its long-time partners. "It is something that we certainly are going to be studying upon my return to the Philippines. I think just part of the continuing process of strengthening our alliances because in this rather confusing," he said. Marcos mentioned "dangerous situations" threatening the country. "I'm not talking only about the South China Sea, I'm not only talking [...]
US holds drills in South China Sea amid tensions with China
An E/A-18G Growler aircraft launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, as Nimitz in U.S. 7th Fleet was conducting operations. The 7th Fleet based in Japan said Sunday that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been conducting “integrated expeditionary strike force operations” in the South China Sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Calabrese/U.S. Navy via AP) BEIJING— The United States Navy and Marine Corps are holding joint exercises in the South China Sea at a time of heightened tensions with Beijing over the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon. The 7th Fleet based in Japan said Sunday that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group [...]
CCC to boost partnerships for more climate-resilient agriculture
CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRI. Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director (VCED) Robert Borje and CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera on Monday (Feb. 13, 2023) met with the farming community in Barangay Rayuray in Batac town, Ilocos Norte province to discuss their observations on environment and climate-related concerns in the area. During their meeting, Borje vowed to continue boosting cooperation with various sectors to help the country achieve climate-resilient agriculture practices. (Photo courtesy of CCC) MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Monday vowed to continue boosting cooperation with various sectors to help the country achieve climate-resilient agriculture practices. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director (VCED) Robert Borje made this remark following his meeting with the farming community in Barangay Rayuray in Batac town, Ilocos Norte [...]
Chinese balloon capable of gathering intelligence – US official
A suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that the US shot down this week was able to collect communications signals, a US official has said. It was equipped with multiple antennas capable of "intelligence collection operations", a senior State Department official said in a background briefing. On Thursday, US lawmakers passed a non-binding resolution condemning China for the balloon. China has denied the balloon was used for spying purposes. It has said the balloon was a weather device blown astray. The US, however, believes the balloon is part of a wider fleet of surveillance balloons that has spanned five continents. House of Representatives lawmakers called the balloon a "brazen violation of United States sovereignty" as the body voted 419 to 0 on Thursday morning to condemn its use. Its appearance in [...]
Hope fades for survivors as Turkey-Syria earthquake toll passes 20,000
A view shows the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Emilie Madi Death toll is over 17,000 in Turkey, more than 3,000 in Syria Hundreds of thousands left homeless in middle of winter First U.N. aid convoy enters northwest Syria from Turkey Two-year-old pulled from rubble in Turkey 79 hours after quake ANTAKYA, Turkey/JANDARIS, Syria, Feb 9, (Reuters) - Cold, hunger and despair gripped hundreds of thousands of people left homeless after the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria three days ago as the death toll passed 20,000 on Thursday. The rescue of a 2-year-old boy after 79 hours trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, Turkey, and several other people raised spirits among weary search crews. But hopes were [...]
China dominates Australian, New Zealand leaders’ talks
CHINA CONCERNS New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hold a joint news conference at Parliament House in Australia’s capital Canberra on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. AP PHOTO CANBERRA— The prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand met on Tuesday to talk about China's importance to their national economies, resolving to voice their disagreements with their most important trading partner that is becoming more assertive in their region. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made Australia the destination of his first overseas trip as his government's leader since his predecessor Jacinda Ardern announced her surprise resignation in January. The visit to Australia's Parliament House comes two weeks after Hipkins assumed office on January 25. He used a joint news conference with his Australian [...]
Two Filipinos hurt in Turkey quake — PH Embassy
Metro Manila, Philippines — Two Filipinos sustained injuries due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Turkey, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara confirmed Tuesday. The embassy said the two Filipinos are now doing fine. In a separate statement, it said embassy personnel are continuously contacting "as many of the 248 Filipinos as possible" in the affected areas, including Gaziantep, Hatay, Adana, Mersin, and Sanliurfa. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing over 5,000 people and injuring tens of thousands more. On Wednesday, the Philippines is set to deploy to Turkey around 85 rescuers along with relief goods and necessities for quake survivors. The embassy has yet to determine the exact casualty figures among the Filipino communities affected by the quake. "The embassy has been receiving confirmed [...]
LTFRB memo on extension of old jeepney franchises out soon
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is still drafting the memorandum circular outlining the details of its recent approval of the extension of franchises of traditional public utility jeepneys nationwide. Commuters queue up for bus and jeepney rides along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Monday (Jan. 23, 2023). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) During a press briefing at the LTFRB office in East Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano said the exact parameters of the extension are being studied. “We will just wait for the final date up to when the extension of their authority to operate will be. This will be part of the new memorandum circular that we will issue very soon,” Bolano said. The franchises [...]
Land titling project benefits over 16K farmers: DAR
MANILA – A total of 16,888 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide have received their individual electronic land titles and have benefited from the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling or Project SPLIT. (File photo) In a press release on Tuesday, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III assures that despite the tedious and rigorous process of subdividing collective certificates of land ownership awards (CCLOAs), the DAR is slowly but steadily making some progress in Project SPLIT. DAR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Joey Sumatra, concurrent SPLIT national director, said a total of 18,802 e-titles covering 23,898 hectares of agricultural lands nationwide have been distributed. He said that DAR has already validated around 522,688 hectares [...]
Marcos wants to ‘rationalize’ AFP promotion system
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he wants to “rationalize” the promotion system in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). PROMOTION SYSTEM. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. poses for a photo opportunity with newly sworn in Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) generals and flag officers at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (Feb. 7, 2023). Marcos said he wants to “rationalize” the AFP promotion system. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President) He made this remark after administering the oath of office to 77 newly appointed and promoted AFP generals and flag officers at Malacañan Palace on Monday. This is the first time that happened since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020. “‘Yung promotion, SOP [standard operating procedure] na ‘yan(Promotion [...]
UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Tidball-Binz visits PH for 3 days as forensic expert
Dr. MorrisTidball-Binz United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz will be in the Philippines starting Monday, Feb. 6, for a three-day visit. But Dr. Tidball-Binz’s visit will be not be in his official capacity as UN Special Rapporteur but as an expert in forensic pathology “to help capacitate our current doctors,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said. Remulla said that Tidball-Binz will “pave the way for forensic pathologists and enhance their practice to achieve international standard practices” as well as help the Philippines “identify the intricacies of wrongful death tragedies.” “We need more capable doctors in our country to assist our law enforcement agencies in their work. This is an enormous step towards that goal,” he said. “I invited Dr. Tidball-Binz because his [...]
House bill seeks longer paternity leave
PHILIPPINES— A bill filed at the House of Representatives seeks to increase the number of days that the law grants for paternity leave. House Bill (HB) 4430, filed on September 5 last year by Quezon City Fourth District Rep. Marvin Rillo, will increase the period of paternity leave with pay from seven days to 30 days. It also expands the coverage of the Paternity Leave Act (Republic Act 8187) to include "unmarried fathers who cohabit with the mother without legal impediment to marry." RA 11210, or the "Expanded Maternity Leave Law," allows female workers to allocate up to seven days of their maternity leave benefits to the child's father, whether or not he is married to her. Under HB 4430, a child's father who is legally married to and [...]
Lakas-CMD elects new officers
Sara Duterte, Vice President of the Republic of The Philippines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) elected its new set of national officers on Friday. The holding of the election was contained in a resolution approved by party members and confirmed by incumbent officers led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Vice President Sara Duterte. Romualdez and Duterte reassumed the positions of president and chairman, respectively. The installation of the new officers "will strengthen and reinvigorate our party in support of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Agenda for Prosperity and socioeconomic roadmap," Romualdez said in a statement Sunday. "We hope to further grow our membership with new recruits who share our ideals, programs and goals, and aspirations for our people and our [...]
China expresses strong dissatisfaction after the US shot down suspected spy balloon
China accused the United States of "seriously violating international practice" after it shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon on Feb 5, 2023. (Photo: Brian Branch via AP) SHANGHAI— Beijing on Sunday (Feb 5) blasted the Pentagon's decision to shoot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon spotted flying over North America, accusing the United States of "clearly overreacting and seriously violating international practice". "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and protests against the use of force by the United States to attack the unmanned civilian airship," Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it would "reserve the right to make further necessary responses". The craft spent several days flying over North America, ratcheting up tensions between Washington and Beijing, before it was brought down by a missile shot from [...]
NEDA: 206 PBBM flagship projects up for vetting
GOV'T PROGRAMS. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon speaks at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City Feb. 4, 2023. She discussed the programs that the government could undertake until 2028 through various schemes such as public-private partnership, grants, and government allocation. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is vetting a total of 206 major projects and is expected to come up with a final list by the end of the first quarter, a ranking official said Saturday. NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said this initial 206 are only the administration’s “flagship projects” included in a much longer list of about 3,000 more programs that span up until 2028. In the Saturday News Forum at the [...]
Japan says it has addressed Filipino comfort women’s concerns
Japan said concerns being raised by the Filipino “comfort women” have been addressed by its government, including recognition of the Imperial Japanese Army’s atrocities and reparation claims. In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila made remarks on the various calls made by the surviving Filipino comfort women—or those who were sent to sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II—before Tokyo was due to present its human rights report for the Fourth Cycle of the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights. According to the embassy, the Japanese government already expressed in 1993 “sincere apologies and remorse, recognizing this issue was severely injured the honor and dignity of a large number of women.” “The Government has since expressed its sincere apologies and remorse to the [...]
Framework for waste-to-energy technologies pushed
MANILA – Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has filed a bill seeking to establish a national energy policy and regulatory framework for facilities using waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies that would address solid waste management problems, and provide an alternative source of energy. In his Senate Bill (SB) 1746, or the “Waste to Energy Act,” Zubiri noted that as the country develops, the population increases rapidly along with more improvements in our way of life, increasing the volume of waste created. Citing the assessment of the Environment and Management Bureau, the country is projected to generate 92 million tons of waste from 2022 to 2025. “Unfortunately, our solid waste disposal system is yet to keep up with the continuously increasing amount of household and domestic wastes that we produce. This bill [...]
NEDA approves 6 more ‘high-impact’ projects
HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (right) announces more NEDA-approved projects during the Palace press briefing on Friday (Feb. 3, 2023). The NEDA board has approved seven "high-impact" projects to attain the Marcos administration’s social and economic transformation goal. (PNA photo by Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos) MANILA – Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Friday said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved six other key projects, including the proposal to raise the fund for the rehabilitation of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). This, after the NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., gave its greenlight to the seven projects. On Thursday, Malacañang already announced that the first public-private partnership (PPP) project [...]
PH gives US more access to bases
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd at Malacañang on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. PPA Pool The United States and the Philippines announced a deal Thursday to give US troops access to four more local military bases. The agreement to expand cooperation in "strategic areas of the country" was made during a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd. It comes as the countries seek to repair ties that were fractured in recent years — previous president Rodrigo Duterte favored China over the US, but the new administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been keen to reverse that. Beijing's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building of bases in the disputed South China Sea have also given fresh impetus to Washington and Manila to [...]
PBBM gives DepEd a year to revise K to 12 curriculum
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave the Department of Education a year to complete its review of the K to 12 curriculum, DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said in a television interview. “The President gave us a timeline of around a year to finish the review,” Poa told CNN Philippines’ The Source. He said the review for the curriculum for kinder to Grade 10 has been concluded while the review for the senior high school grades has just started. “We are trying to decongest our curriculum to focus on the essential subjects and the basics, like math, reading, science,” he said. “We want to really look at literacy in a way that we’ll be able to inculcate not just foundational literacy but also functional literacy,” Poa added. Vice President and Education [...]
Austin in PH to discuss bigger US presence
Mindanao landing US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd visits the Western Mindanao Command at Camp Don Basilio Navarro in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Photo courtesy of WestMinCom US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in the Philippines Wednesday for talks about deploying US forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps to ramp up deterrence against China's increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea. Austin flew Tuesday night to Manila from South Korea, where he met his counterpart. Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. welcomed Austin in Mindanao. The officials discussed the continued support [...]
Garlic price also shoots up
PHILIPPINES— While consumers are still grappling with the high prices of onions, the retail price of local garlic has increased to P400 per kilo even if there was no shortage of the pungent bulbs. "We don't have a shortage of garlic. We have a small supply of local garlic, a small supply as the preference of our consumers is the big [imported] garlic," Department of Agriculture (DA) deputy spokesman Rex Extoperez told The Manila Times. He said that the country is only producing four percent of its garlic requirement. "I visited Occidental Mindoro and I found out that many garlic farmers shifted to onions as consumers prefer imported garlic," he added. Estoperez said the Philippine weather is not conducive to planting garlic. "Some farmers in Occidental Mindoro tried to [...]
7 pacts to be inked during Marcos trip to Japan next week
MANILA, Philippines — At least seven agreements covering various areas of cooperation will be signed between the Philippines and Japan during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official working visit to Tokyo next week, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Malacañang, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said the trip, scheduled from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12, will include a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and an audience with Emperor Naruhito. “The DFA considers the President’s visit to Japan as consequential. Japan is the first country with which the Philippines has forged a strategic partnership and is only one of two strategic partners of the Philippines, the other one being Vietnam,” he added. Japan, according [...]
Taiwan activates defenses vs China army operations
DEFENSE DRILL Taiwanese Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi along a runway during a drill at an air base in the city of Hsinchu, northwestern Taiwan on Jan. 11, 2023. AP FILE PHOTO TAIPEI— Taiwan scrambled fighter jets, put its navy on alert, and activated missile systems in response to nearby operations of 34 Chinese military aircraft and nine warships that are part of Beijing's strategy to unsettle and intimidate the self-governing island. The large-scale Chinese deployment comes as Beijing increases preparations for a potential blockade or outright attack on Taiwan that has stirred major concerns among military leaders in the United States, the East Asian island democracy's key ally. In a memo last month, US Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan instructed officers to be prepared for a US-China [...]
‘P5M for removal from BI blacklist’
An anti-crime watchdog on Tuesday bared reports of a new modus involving online offers for the removal from the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) blacklist in exchange for as much as P5 million. “We received reports of advertisements offering to lift immigration blacklist for a fee of P1 million to P5 million were circulating in Chinese social media platforms,” Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) Chairperson Ka Kuen Chua said during a hearing of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee yesterday. “These kinds of anomalies in the Bureau of Immigration must be investigated and those responsible must be removed from service,” Chua said. Chua said based on the information they have gathered, illegal safehouses and slave labor dens were “under the protection of authorities.” “There are [...]
Inflation in Jan. seen to heat up further to 8.3%
Inflation in January 2023 likely accelerated to as high as 8.3 percent from the 14-year high of 8.1 percent in December on the back of higher prices of electricity, fuel and food items, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday. In a statement, BSP projected the January 2023 inflation to settle within the range of 7.5 to 8.3 percent. “Upward price pressures for the month are expected to emanate from higher electricity rates, approved water rate rebasing, higher domestic petroleum prices, uptick in the prices of key food items, and the annual increase in sin taxes,” it said. The BSP, however, said Filipinos might have found relief last month from lower LPG prices and the strengthening of the Philippine peso. The BSP said it is prepared to “adjust its [...]
CHED seen obstructing PH education progress
The Manila Times Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante A. Ang Photo by Mike Alquinto The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is the stumbling block to quality education in the country, The Manila Times Chairman Emeritus Dante A. Ang said on Tuesday. In an economic forum conducted by this paper in partnership with Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Ang spelled out some underlying issues that the education and other sectors need to address. He said that CHEd has been lacking in terms of supervising and providing quality education in all state colleges and universities. "Quality education is expensive. If we want quality education, we must invest in faculty training, quality facilities and equipment," Ang pointed out. Moreover, he reiterated that CHEd is of the mistaken notion that "it [...]
Rex Gatchalian gets DSWD post
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administers the oath of office to Valenzuela 1st District Rep. Rex Gatchalian at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday. Screengrab from the Presidential Communications Office President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Valenzuela City First District Rep. Rexlon "Rex" Gatchalian as the new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Gatchalian took his oath of office before Marcos in Malacañang on Tuesday, January 31, the Presidential Communications Operations Office said. He was accompanied by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. during the oath-taking ceremony. Gatchalian replaced Erwin Tulfo, who left his post last December after his appointment was bypassed twice by the Commission on Appointments over his libel [...]
Marcos to meet US defense chief this week – envoy
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when he visits Manila this week, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed on Tuesday. "It is really more of getting to know each other. It is an ongoing relationship that we have with the United States. As President Marcos pointed out — it is evolving," the ambassador said in a press briefing. Romualdez added that Austin has also requested a meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr. He said Austin's visit aims to reinforce key agreements between Manila and Washington — including the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA, and the Visiting Forces Agreement. 'Unwavering commitment' Austin's trip comes amid ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China in [...]
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins: ‘Still a very challenging time’ for Auckland
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. File photo Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says Auckland is still facing much uncertainty, with more heavy rain forecast for the city. Further downpours overnight led to five more rescues of people trapped by floodwaters and landslips, and a significant landslip in Titirangi. Chris Hipkins said Auckland has a big clean-up ahead from the torrential rain that began on Friday causing unprecedented flooding around the city. "And then of course we've got the uncertainty of what the weather's going to do over the next few days still ahead of us ... so it's still a very challenging time for Auckland." There has been criticism of Auckland mayor Wayne Brown's initial response as the emergency unfolded, but Hipkins would not be drawn [...]
Germany’s Scholz denounces ‘bidding war’ over jets for Ukraine
Chancellor’s comments follow repeated requests by Ukrainian politicians for fighter aircraft after battle tanks were pledged for the war against Russia. Ukraine officials have urged Germany to provide its Tornado fighter jets [File: Katia Christodoulou/EPA] Chancellor Olaf Scholz has again pushed back against demands in Germany and from Ukrainian officials for fighter jets to repel Russia’s invasion, urging Western nations not to join a “bidding war” for sophisticated weapons. Last week, Germany announced it will deliver its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine after weeks of pressure from NATO and European Union allies. “The fact we’ve only just made a decision [on sending tanks] and already the next debate [fighter jets] is firing up in Germany – that just seems frivolous and undermines people’s trust in government decisions,” said [...]
COVID-19 no longer public health emergency, says DOH adviser
INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA — COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency although it remains a global concern, going by the assessment of Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert and adviser to the Department of Health (DOH). Solante, chair of San Lazaro Hospital’s adult infectious diseases and tropical medicine unit and a member of the DOH vaccine expert panel, said he believed that the world was no longer in an emergency situation because there were several tools, mainly vaccines, to combat COVID-19. “We have all these interventions now compared to three years ago. We have a lot of these antiviral agents that can really prevent severe infections,” he said in a television interview. He added that there was no reason for the World Health Organization (WHO) to [...]
Bayan opposes US defense chief’s visit to Philippines
In a statement, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said his group views the EDCA’s implementation as “the return of US bases in our country, a means to allow the indefinite stationing of US troops in the Philippines.” STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan has expressed its opposition to the upcoming visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and plans to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the Philippines. In a statement, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said his group views the EDCA’s implementation as “the return of US bases in our country, a means to allow the indefinite stationing of US troops in the Philippines.” “This is a throwback to the Cold War era where countries like the Philippines were used for US [...]
Philippines willing to deport alleged robbery ringleader to Japan
MANILA— The Philippines is willing to deport Yuki Watanabe, alias "Luffy," a suspected mastermind behind a string of robberies in Japan who is now in detention in the Southeast Asian country, once a local case against him is cleared, officials said. A Philippine government source had earlier told Kyodo News that the local case against Watanabe complicated the possible handover. As Japan and the Philippines do not have an extradition treaty, that case must first be cleared before he can be deported. Watanabe has been charged with violating a law on violence against women and children, according to a local court. An investigative source said that Watanabe maybe hopes the case will be a "way to avoid" being sent back to Japan. It was not clear when the case [...]
Over 500 women in Japan used overseas sperm bank as demand grows
TOKYO— More than 500 women in Japan made use of a major Denmark-based sperm bank in the roughly three and half years through last October, a recent report by the company showed, highlighting growing domestic demand for the service. Cryos International, the world's largest sperm bank with around 1,000 registered donors, has sold sperm to single women, sexual minorities and women with infertile husbands in Japan since officially launching local consultation services in March 2019. Supplied photo shows Hiromi Ito, the head of Cryos International's Japan operations, at an academic conference on fertility treatments in Kobe, western Japan, in November 2019. (Kyodo) With only around 150 clients in Japan tallied in November 2020, recipients have jumped more than three-fold in the roughly two years to October 2022. A [...]
Bill allows President to stop PhilHealth premium hikes
A bill filed at the House of Representatives seeks to empower the president to suspend the increase in premiums of direct contributors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). House Bill 6772 was filed by Speaker Martin Romuldez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingog Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre. The bill seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act 11223 (the Universal Health Care Act), which provides the schedule of the premium rate increase. If the bill is passed into law, the president "may, upon the recommendation of the PhilHealth Board, suspend and adjust the period of implementation of the scheduled increase of premium rates during national emergencies or calamities, or [...]
Tulfo bats for total deployment ban in Kuwait
Metro Manila, Philippines– Following the gruesome death of a Filipina domestic helper in Kuwait last week, Senator Raffy Tulfo on Saturday proposed a total labor deployment ban in the Gulf state. Tulfo wants to gradually pull out overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait and send them instead to work in places where they are properly compensated and treated with respect, like Guam. “Guam is a new market for OFWs currently needing thousands of skilled workers. In fact, Guam, a United States Territory, reportedly prefers to hire more Filipino workers,” he said in a statement. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople earlier dismissed calls for a deployment ban, saying it might hurt international relations with other countries. “If you impose a deployment ban, you are sending a message [...]
U.S. four-star general warns of war with China in 2025
Crew members signal to a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet preparing to take off for a routine flight on board the U.S. USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during a routine deployment to the South China Sea, Mid-Sea, January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Joseph Campbell/File Photo WASHINGTON- A four-star U.S. Air Force general said in a memo that his gut told him the United States would fight China in the next two years, comments that Pentagon officials said were not consistent with American military assessments. "I hope I am wrong," General Mike Minihan, who heads the Air Mobility Command, wrote to the leadership of its roughly 110,000 members. "My gut tells me will fight in 2025." The letter was dated Feb. 1 but had been sent out on Friday. The general's views do [...]
P9.49M worth of ‘smuggled’ onions seized in Zamboanga City
Agents of the Bureau of Customs seized P9.49 million of onions believed to have been smuggled into the country through the waters of Zamboanga City. In a statement, the BOC said the confiscation was based on two separate operations in Barangay Labuan on Jan. 22 and in Barangay Cawit the following day. The Jan. 22 operation involved motorized wooden watercraft marked as TIMZZAN. The vessel contained 1,624 mesh bags of imported fresh red onions, amounting to P2,598,400. The second operation involved 4,308 mesh bags of imported fresh red onions worth P6,892,800 in a jungkong-type cargo watercraft marked as MJ MARISSA. The BOC said eized onions have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Plant Industry which is in violation of the Customs Modernization [...]
Solon taps LGU help to combat illiteracy
MANILA – A recent education summit in Baguio City revealed that only four out of 10 students in Grades 4 to 7 aged 9 to 12 can properly read or write in English, based on the results of tests done from 2021 to 2022. BATTLE VS. ILLITERACY. Quezon City Public Library staff Rosalie Teologo reads stories to children in Kamuning, Quezon City in this undated photo. A World Bank study released in June 2022 said learning poverty has increased by a third in low- and middle-income countries, with an estimated 70 percent of 10-year-olds unable to understand a simple written text. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) The same tests showed that less than half of learners from Grades 3 to 7 aged 8 to 9 could [...]
Marcos OKs VAT Refund Program for foreign tourists
VAT REFUND PROGRAM. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector Group at Malacañan Palace on Jan. 26, 2023. During their meeting, Marcos approved the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 to boost tourist arrivals in the country. (Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos Facebook page) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 to boost tourist arrivals in the country. In a news release on Sunday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that Marcos approved the VAT Refund Program following the “Quick Wins” recommendations of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector Group. Marcos also approved the PSAC recommendation to roll out [...]
Marcos Jr.: PH may continue to file diplomatic protests vs China if WPS incursions continue
This photo taken during an aerial patrol by the AFP Western Command in the West Philippine Sea on November 23, 2022 shows 12 Chinese fishing vessels around the eastern part of Sabina Shoal. Maj. Cherryl Tindog, AFP Western Command/handout/file MANILA, PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines may continue to file diplomatic protests against China if incursions and alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea continue despite a verbal agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month. While Marcos and Xi met in Beijing in the first week of January, the Filipino leader noted that the 2 countries “haven’t come to that compromise yet” with regard to issues surrounding the disputed waters. “If the timing of what we refer to as [...]
Imported onions start to arrive
Big bulbs A vendor shows off big onions from an undisclosed origin at the Marikina City Public Market on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Photo by John Orven Verdote The first shipments of imported onions have arrived as part of the government's strategy to bring down the bulbs' soaring prices. Agriculture deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez told The Manila Times on Monday that 5,000 metric tons (MT) of onions are being unloaded in select ports in the country. The onion shipments will be limited to the ports of Manila, Subic, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro City. Estoperez said the importation negates the efforts of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives to delay the onion shipments. The bloc had filed House Joint Resolution 18 calling on the Marcos [...]
DepEd to launch a ‘new call to action’ to resolve issues in PH basic education
As it prepares to present the current state of the country’s basic education, the Department of Education (DepEd) is set to launch a “new call to action” to address the challenges faced by schools, teachers, and learners. (Photo from DepEd Facebook page) In a statement issued Monday, Jan. 23, DepEd said that it will “launch a new call to action for all Filipinos” anchored on Basic Education Report (BER) 2023 to be conducted by the end of this month. “It’s really to give the public an idea of the steps that this administration will take and also the direction of this administration towards resolving issues in basic education,” DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said. DepEd is set to conduct BER on Jan. 30. It will be delivered by Vice [...]
Justice vowed for OFW slain in Kuwait
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople. File Photo The Department of Migrant Workers (DWM) has vowed justice for the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was slain in Kuwait. Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople said she has spoken with the family of Jullebee Ranara and extended the department's and her condolences. The Kuwaiti media has reported that the burned remains of the 35-year-old Ranara were found in the desert Sunday night. Ople said her agency is waiting for the official report on the incident from Kuwaiti authorities. "The DMW is closely monitoring developments on this case alongside the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) in working with Kuwaiti authorities," the official said in a statement on Monday. "Secretary Ople and the entire DMW condemns this heinous crime and urges [...]
Marcos: No plan to privatize anything
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government has no plans to privatize "anything," especially the country’s airports. "We have no plans of privatizing anything, rather the opposite," Marcos said on Monday at a media briefing. In December, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the administration was pursuing the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. However, Marcos said the transport chief may have misspoken. "You cannot privatize an airport, to begin with. A private firm cannot own the airport," Marcos clarified. Marcos said that during their trip to New York, they met the group that was running Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom and asked if they could come to the country to help with the NAIA. "They were here last week to look at the [...]
France gripped by strikes, protests against pension reform
A protestor holds a placard which reads as ‘retirement before arthritis’ during a rally in Lyon, south-eastern France on January 19, 2023, as workers go on strike over the French President’s plan to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. – A day of strikes and protests kicked off in France on January 19, set to disrupt transport and schooling across the country in a trial for the government as workers oppose a deeply unpopular pensions overhaul. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP) PARIS, France — More than a million people marched in France on Thursday to protest pension reforms, with some demonstrators clashing with police in Paris, as strikes disrupted public transport, schools and much of the civil service. The interior ministry put the total [...]
Gov’t urged to give more support to small salt farmers
MANILA — Government should provide more support to the country's small salt farmers, the Philippine Association of Salt Industry Networks said Friday. Gerard Khonghun, the group's president, told ANC's Rundown that while there were some salt producers that went out of their way to upgrade their technology for iodization, some small salt producers could not catch up to changes. "It's not just technology or equipment or training, it also involves some change in distribution. Since it costs more you would have to have the consumer want to buy more expensive salt so that they could get proper iodine in their salt," he said. "I think this is where we need more support for the small salt farmers." The salt iodization law, passed in 1995, mandated the addition of iodine [...]
Salceda: Onion prices to go down to P50 a kilo
MANILA (UPDATED) — Consumers and businesses can soon find relief from skyrocketing prices of onions as the cost of the produce is expected to fall to P50 a kilo, a lawmaker predicted Friday. "'Yung 600 [pesos per kilo] na 'yan... it will fall to 50 pesos, it's natural price," Rep. Joey Salceda, chairperson of House committee on ways and means, told ANC's Headstart. "Everything will normalize. You can cut all my 5 fingers if it doesn't go back 50 pesos," he said. The price of onions even reached P700 per kilo in some public markets in Metro Manila during the holiday season. Salceda said anew that cartels were mainly behind the high prices of onion in the country. "Pagpasok dito, may mga mafia who has in control of the [...]
Galvez says rumblings within military merely ‘tampo’ over new law on fixed terms
Metro Manila, Philippines — Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said more than anything else, the “rumblings” within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are just feelings of “tampo” from soldiers who are unhappy over the new law on fixed three-year terms for top officials. The Department of National Defense (DND) clarified this in a statement on Friday, three days after Galvez admitted in a Senate hearing that there are rumblings within the military. “We are listening to the concerns of our men and women in the AFP, who are understandably anxious over the perceived uncertainty in their careers under the new law,” the DND quoted Galvez as saying. Republic Act No. 11709, or the Act Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP, which took effect in July last year, aims to [...]
Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand’s prime minister
PM says she doesn’t have ‘enough in the tank’ to stand for reelection in October. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with fellow MPs after announcing her resignation | Kerry Marshall/Getty Images New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will resign from the top job “no later” than February 7, she announced on Thursday at a press conference at her party’s annual caucus meeting, saying she didn’t have “enough in the tank” to continue. Ardern, who became the youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 aged 37, confirmed New Zealanders will head to the polls for a national election on October 14 this year, and that she would not stand for reelection. “It’s time,” Ardern said on Thursday of her plans to step down as prime [...]
Egg supply down
A worker at the Marikina Public market sorts out trays off eggs on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Egg sellers said the high price of feeds and bird flu have caused a shortage in supply of eggs which, in turn, jacked up market prices. PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN (UPDATE) THE bird flu outbreak in Luzon, coupled with the high cost of feeds, has been blamed for the shortage of eggs that causes prices to soar. The bird flu led to the culling of 7 million chickens, drastically cutting egg production, the Philippine Egg Board said. In an interview with The Manila Times, Batangas Egg Producers Association (BEPA) President Dr. Jesus Medina admitted that egg production and prices were affected by the avian influenza outbreak. "There is [shortage of [...]
PH won’t concede territorial claims in SCS: PBBM
MANILA – The Philippines will not relinquish its territorial claims in the hotly-contested South China Sea (SCS), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. maintained on Tuesday (Zurich time). In an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Marcos emphasized that pursuing diplomatic talks with China to settle the maritime dispute is not tantamount to abandoning the Philippines' claims to the SCS. "We cannot concede any of the territorial claims that are being made against our established territory. That is the red line," Marcos said. "That is something that will not move. It's something that we cannot cross because it's a very slippery road from there," he added. This, as Marcos admitted that breaking the stalemate between the Philippines and China was "difficult" because [...]
Marcos Explains New Appointments Amid Destabilization Rumors
President Marcos said Gen. Andres Centino’s reinstatement as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief was meant to “rationalize” the seniority in the military. President Marcos departs from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photo by KJ Rosales, The Philippine STAR ON BOARD PR 001 – President Marcos explained his surprising decision to reinstate Gen. Andres Centino as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), revealing that the move was meant to address some concerns and lift the morale of military officers. Earlier this month, Centino took his oath as military chief, replacing Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who had succeeded him last August. Rumors of a military destabilization plot swirled following the unusual change [...]
Climate activist Greta Thunberg detained by police in Germany at coal mine protest
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been detained by German police at a protest over the expansion of a coal mine in the west German village of Lützerath. This is the second time Thunberg has been detained at the site, police spokesperson Christof Hüls told CNN Tuesday. She was part of a large group of protesters that broke through a police barrier and encroached on a coal pit, which authorities have not been able to secure entirely, Hüls said. After the group advanced on the coal pit, police were concerned that the “masses of protesters” could set the ground in motion after it had been softened by rainfall during the last few days. Officers intervened, removing people from the “danger area” and detaining them, one of whom was Thunberg, according [...]
Shear line to bring rains over Metro Manila, parts of Luzon: PAGASA
MANILA -- A shear line over the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas will bring rains to parts of Luzon on Wednesday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. In its latest 24-hour public weather forecast, PAGASA said cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are possible over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Aurora due to the shear line. Flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains are likely in these areas, said state meteorologists. Meanwhile, Apayao and Cagayan Valley may have cloudy skies with rains due to the northeast monsoon or amihan. The rest of Luzon will also be affected by the amihan on Wednesday, PAGASA noted. The rest of the country, meanwhile, may face partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers [...]
Philippines mangrove loss ‘second worst’ in Southeast Asia: UP scientists
A fisherman rides his canoe at the Wawa River in Nasugbu, Batangas on June 20, 2020, as other boats are tied to mangroves along the stream bank. Domcar C. Lagto, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — The Philippines suffered the "second worst" loss of mangroves in Southeast Asia over a 2-decade period, scientists from the University of the Philippines said. Philippine mangroves saw a 10.5 percent decline between 1990 and 2010, researchers said in their review of 335 studies, said to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The disaster-prone Philippines "is surpassed only by Myanmar, which suffered a 27.6 percent loss between 2000 and 2014," according to the study by UP PhD Biology student Maria Elisa Gerona-Daga and Institute of Biology Associate Professor Dr. Severino Salmo III. [...]
VP Duterte seeks closer PH-China ties based on ‘mutual respect’
Despite territorial conflicts between the Philippines and China, Vice President Sara Duterte is hopeful that both countries will enjoy “closer” bilateral ties based on “mutual trust and mutual respect.” VP Sara Duterte delivers a message to the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s celebration of the Chinese New Year on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (Photo from Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian via Facebook) During her Chinese New Year video message to the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s celebration on Monday, Jan. 16, the official took note of what the New Year and the recent state visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. meant for the countries’ relationship. “With the President’s successful and substantive state visit to China earlier this month, I look forward to having closer bilateral ties between the Philippines and [...]
Vietnamese president resigns amid corruption scandals
ISTANBUL -- Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stepped down on Tuesday, taking responsibility for alleged violations committed by his ministers with regard to Covid-19 response management. Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc The ministers were found to have “committed violations in connection with Covid-19 test kits and repatriation flights,” according to the Vietnam News website. Phuc stepped down after the 13th-tenure Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam decided Tuesday “to relieve Nguyen Xuan Phuc of all duties, including the presidency, Politburo, and Party Central Committee membership, and chairman of the National Defense and Security Council for the 2021-26 term.” Acknowledging that Phuc made “many efforts in leading the national Covid-19 response and achieved important accomplishments,” the party said: [...]
Marcos: Asia-Pacific countries can prosper without them ‘taking sides’
ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on Asia-Pacific countries to start charting their own destiny far from the intense geopolitical rivalry in the region. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo) Marcos said this during a luncheon hosted for him and Filipino business leaders by the economic team in Davos. The President is in Switzerland for the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF). In his speech, President Marcos said Asia-Pacific countries face pressure to take sides due to intense geopolitical tension in the region. However, he said the region should not embrace the Cold War mentality, which dictates that they must choose sides. The Cold War forced countries to choose whether to be under the Soviet Union or the United States spheres of influence. “I [...]
7 PH biz tycoons in Davos to support PBBM
ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s participation in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) has gotten the backing of seven of the country’s most prominent businessmen, Malacañang said. Aboitiz President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz speaks at the luncheon with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and other Filipino business leaders in Davos, Switzerland. Marcos is in Switzerland for the 2023 World Economic Forum. (Malacañang photo) In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the following business tycoons joined the President and his official delegation in Davos: Sabin Aboitiz (Aboitiz) Kevin Andrew Tan (Alliance Global) Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group) Lance Gokongwei (JG Summit Holdings) Ramon Ang (San Miguel Corp.) Teresita Sy-Coson (SM Investments) Enrique Razon (International Container Terminal) President Marcos and his official delegation, composed of government officials [...]
6 cold storage facilities to be built in onion-producing regions
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) will build six cold storage facilities in four onion-producing regions starting this year in support of local farmers. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) Each facility with a capacity of 20,000 bags will cost up to PHP40 million and will rise in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Mimaropa regions. “Tayuan po ng mga storage facility nang sa gayon during peak season ngharvest, malagyan na. Hindi po sagot ang importation. Napakalaking potensyal po ng lugar namin (Let’s build storage facilities so that during peak harvest season, we can utilize it. Importation is not the answer. Our place has a big potential),” San Jose, Occidental Mindoro agriculturist Romel [...]
Unrest in military appeased ‘for now’
FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN Former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales (center) talks to Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd (right) and columnist and former senator Francisco ‘Kit’ Tatad (left) on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, on the recent controversial appointments by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., especially in the return of Gen. Andres Centino as Armed Forces chief, and its possible impact on the establishment and the government. In the foreground are reporters Kristina Maralit and Franco Barona. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA THE naming of a new Defense chief and National Security Adviser (NSA) by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. may have quelled the growing unrest within the military "for now," but other crucial matters require further attention, a former defense official said. Norberto Gonzales, who [...]
Lower tax, higher salary under TRAIN law
MANILA – Middle-income earners will have lower income taxes this year and thus, higher take-home pay, under Republic Act No 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. (PNA photo by Rico H. Borja) Taxpayers earning more than PHP250,000 a year but not over PHP8 million will be subject to lower income tax rates ranging from 15 percent to 30 percent, from the previous 20 percent to 32 percent. Those with annual taxable income of PHP250,000 or below will continue to be exempt from paying income taxes. “Inaasahan natin na lalo pang lalakas ang domestic consumption na may malaking kontribusyon sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya. Dahil sa pinababang buwis, mas [...]
Diokno introduces PH sovereign fund to economic leaders in Switzerland
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) — Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday presented to economic leaders in Switzerland the Marcos administration’s plan to establish a sovereign fund “to support the goals set” for the Philippines. According to Malacañang, Diokno told attendees of the luncheon gathering in Davos, Switzerland that the Philippines is taking its first steps toward launching the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). “The fund, which will be established in keeping with the highest standards of accountability and sound fiscal management, aims to diversify the country’s financial portfolio,” the Finance chief said. Diokno also said he looks forward to discussing the proposed MIF during the World Economic Forum (WEF). “May the next few days bring forth more intensive collaboration and cooperation towards genuine economic transformation," he added. President [...]
BBM off to Davos for World Economic Forum
DAVOS AND DSWD Economist Ramon Orosa (left) talks about the importance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this coming week. Department of Social Welfare and Development Officer in Charge Eduardo Punay discusses the agency’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as part of the administration’s poverty reduction strategy, cash assistance or ayuda to the disadvantaged, educational assistance to poor students, relief operations in natural disasters, and livelihood generation activities for the marginalized at the Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City on Saturday, Jan. 14 2023. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will present the Philippines' economic performance and his administration's priorities when he joins other world leaders in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland next week. Marcos, [...]
Año is new National Security Adviser
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Eduardo Año as the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Malacañang announced on Saturday. NEW CHIEF. Eduardo Año (center), accompanied by his wife, Jean, is sworn in as the new National Security Adviser by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Saturday (Jan. 14, 2023). Año, the former Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Duterte administration, replaced Clarita Carlos who transferred to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives. (PCO photo) Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed Año’s appointment after the oath-taking at the Palace on Saturday. “Former DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Secretary Eduardo Año took his oath [...]
Gov’t studying China’s proposal to tie up with PH fishing villages
National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said on Friday that the government was looking into China’s proposed partnership with Filipino fishing villages. “We are strengthening people-to-people exchanges. China is proposing a partnership between fishing villages, and we are looking into it,” she said in Filipino in a televised briefing. Carlos said the discussions between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing went well as the dialogue on West Philippine Sea issues continued. The Philippines had filed multiple diplomatic protests over China’s alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, for his part, said the South China Sea can become “a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation” as long as Beijing and the Philippines find a “common ground” in resolving disputes. [...]
Roque to SolGen: Appeal SC decision on joint exploration deal
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Office of the Solicitor General should file a 'convincing' appeal on the Supreme Court decision that invalidated the joint maritime exploration in the West Philippine Sea, a former Malacañang official said on Friday. Harry Roque, former presidential spokesperson and founder of the Center for International Law, said the high court decision over the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) between the Philippines, China, and Vietnam in 2005 could potentially worsen disputes in the West Philippine Sea. "That decision is wrong, it simply is wrong. You do not apply the Constitution to one area which is described as forming part of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," said Roque in a speech during a media event organized [...]
Japan to release treated Fukushima water this year
DEADLY LIQUID This file picture, taken on March 5, 2022, shows an employee conducting a tritium measurement on a sample of contaminated water at the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture. Japan plans to start releasing more than a million tons of treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean this year, a top government spokesman said on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. AFP PHOTO TOKYO— Japan plans to start releasing more than a million tons of treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean this year, a top government spokesman said Friday. The plan has been endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but the government will wait for "a comprehensive report" [...]
Abalos: 95% of top cops have submitted courtesy resignation, still waiting for remaining 50 officers
Metro Manila, Philippines— Around 95% of top officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have submitted their courtesy resignation, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday. In a briefing, the PNP said this translates to 904 of the 954 full colonels and generals expected to tender their resignation in a bid to cleanse their ranks of illegal drug links. “Wala pa naman sinasabi,” Abalos said when asked about the possible reason of the remaining 50 police officials who have not yet submitted their courtesy resignation. “Kasi ‘yong iba diyan mga magre-retire na, alam mo ‘yong mga one month to retire may mga gano’n e,” he explained. [Translation: They have not yet said why. There are those that are nearing their retirement, there are cases that they have one month left before [...]
VP Sara to discuss challenges, action plans in education report
MANILA – Vice President and Education secretary Sara Duterte will present to the public the challenges and target action plan for the Basic Education Report (BER) on Jan. 30, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). (PNA file photo) In an interview, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa stressed the education chief's presentation intends to uphold transparency and inclusivity for stakeholders across all sectors, particularly in the disclosure of educational status in the Philippines. "Ang daming challenges ng basic education. Iisa-isahin natin. Ilalahad natin kung ano po yung challenges ng basic education. Aside from that, syempre nalatag natin yung challenges, ang department ay maglalatag ng [...]
Review of K to 12 curriculum still ongoing: DepEd
The review of the K to 12 curriculum is still ongoing, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, Jan. 11, said. DepEd / MB Visual Content Group In a Viber message, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters that the “review is still ongoing” for the K to 12 basic education curriculum. DepEd, in a statement dated Jan. 10, said that the is set to conduct the Basic Education Report 2023 (BER) on Jan. 30, 2023. “The BER 2023 aims to present the state of basic education in the country, and the plans and initiatives of the Department to fulfill its mandate,” DepEd said. DepEd added that also intends to “provide a broad report about the basic education sector” which will include updates on the ongoing review of the [...]
Next food concern: DA sets price watch on eggs
FOR CLOSE MONITORING | The Department of Agriculture is reactivating a price monitoring committee and tapping several advisory groups in the poultry sector to focus on the demand-and-supply situation in the egg industry. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Another important food commodity is adding to price woes that the Marcos administration must now grapple with: eggs, which are a key source of protein for many Filipinos. Based on the price monitoring report of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the selling price for a single, medium-sized egg in markets in Metro Manila ranges from as low as P6.90 to as high as P8.70 as of Wednesday, higher than the price range of P5 [...]
Cost-of-living crisis biggest global risk: Davos study
Pedestrians on their way to work, cross London Bridge in central London on October 12, 2022. – Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank in August after slender growth the previous month, hit by the cost-of-living crisis and rocketing energy bills, official data showed Wednesday. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) London, United Kingdom— The cost-of-living crisis will be the biggest global risk over the next two years, a survey by the World Economic Forum warned Wednesday ahead of its Davos meeting next week. Global inflation remains at sky-high levels after energy and food costs rocketed last year following the invasion of agricultural powerhouse Ukraine by major oil and gas producer Russia. Supply constraints caused by the Covid pandemic have also contributed to decades-high consumer prices. “Conflict and geo-economic tensions have triggered [...]
LRT-1, LRT-2 fare hike looms after LTFRB approves petition
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved proposed fare increases in both the LRT-1 and the LRT-2. According to Joseph Morong's exclusive report on "24 Oras", the LTFRB okayed the additional P2.29 boarding fare and 21 centavos for every kilometer on both LRT lines. Fare between the Roosevelt and Balintawak stations on LRT-2 will be P15 for those using stored value cards or P20 for those using single journey tickets. Fare between Recto to Legarda stations on LRT-1 will be P12 for stored value card users or P15 for single journey ticket users, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista needs to approve the fare increases for them to be in effect. “Sang-ayon naman po kami doon sa P2 na increase nila. We also checked on the needs of the [...]
SC declares illegal the joint SCS oil survey by PH, China, Vietnam
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared as unconstitutional the 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) among China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp. (PETROVIETNAM), and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) covering 142,886 square kilometers in the South China Sea. Voting 12-2 with one associate justice abstaining, the SC resolved to declare JMSU as unconstitutional “for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to participate in the exploration of the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution.” The en banc decision penned by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan was not immediately available, but the SC Public Information Office released the summary of the ruling. This came a day after the Department of Energy said it [...]
Ukraine says PH yet to respond to proposed Marcos-Zelensky talks
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Ukrainian government on Wednesday said it has been waiting for the Philippines' response to its proposed phone conversation between the presidents of the two countries. In a press briefing, the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia, which also has jurisdiction in the Philippines, said a formal request was made in June last year for a phone meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but Manila has yet to reply. "We are requesting for a phone call with the president of Ukraine and at that time we haven't got a reply from the presidential office yet. No response yet, we have been following it up regularly, twice a month," said Denys Mykhailiuk, Chargé d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy. Ukraine said it hopes both sides can [...]
DILG: 60% of PNP officials submitted courtesy resignations
At least 60% or more than 500 high-ranking police officials have submitted their courtesy resignations as part of the internal cleansing in the Philippine National Police (PNP), Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Monday. “Right now, I would like to thank those who have already given their resignations. We’re nearing 60 percent,” Abalos said in an interview on CNN Philippines. “Marami po kaming nare-receive na magagandang comments dito talagang yung mga support from the regional commanders, different services na lalabas at lalabas din ito. I would like to thank you, lahat po ng taong sumasama sa panawagang ito,” he added. Last week, the Interior Secretary appealed to all PNP full colonels and generals to submit their courtesy resignation as part of the government's efforts to rid the police force of [...]
1,000 Filipino nurses affected by strike vs. 2 New York City hospitals
Filipino nurses join others in a strike on Monday, January 9, 2023, after the management of two hospitals in New York City - the Montefiore Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital - and the New York State Nurses Association had a deadlock in negotiation regarding staffing implementation. DAVE LLAVANES JR. NEW YORK CITY - Around 1,000 Filipino nurses were affected by a strike conducted by nurses from two hospitals in New York City. More than 7,000 nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan staged the strike after the management of the two hospitals and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) did not come to an agreement regarding additional staffing. The nurses conducted the strike starting at 6 a.m. Monday, affecting the [...]
P11-M project seen to boost Mt. Province coffee production
BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES— The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved a PHP11.12 million project for a coffee consolidation enterprise in Mountain Province that is expected to further boost its production of the high-value commodity. AMONG THE BEST. The Cordillera Administrative Region produces one of the best coffee in the country based on coffee cupping competitions farmer-growers attended. The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project had been supporting endeavors aimed at improving the quality of the products like the recently approved coffee enterprise of a cooperative in Mountain Province where a provision for a processing facility, equipment, capital for consolidation, and transport for hauling was recently approved. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot) “Our farmers in the Cordillera do not have hectares of land to plant coffee on [...]
PNP chief sees no AFP ‘destabilization’ plot
Metro Manila, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. is convinced that there is no destabilization plot in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “As far as the destabilization is concerned, I don’t think there is one,” Azurin said in a press briefing Monday. The police chief also clarified that the AFP B150 helicopter shown hovering over Camp Crame in a photo was only undergoing a regular maintenance check-up. “I also talked to the newly installed chief of staff Sir Andres Centino last night, and he gave the assurance that the PNP and the AFP will work hand-in-hand in ensuring that the Marcos administration will be very stable,” he added. ‘Fake memo’ Over the weekend, a memorandum signed by Lt. Col. Dexter Ominga – a [...]
Marcos visit to test ‘how truthful’ China is to pledges – analysts
This handout photograph released by the Office of the Press Secretary and taken on Jan. 4, 2023, shows China’s President Xi Jinping (left) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr reviewing an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. (Photo from the Office of the Press Secretary via Agence France-Presse) MANILA, PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s three-day state visit to China last week would “test the waters and examine how truthful China can be on its words and promises,” according to analysts. According to Marcos, his visit generated $22 billion in investment pledges, “some of [which] have already started.” The Philippines and China also entered into 14 bilateral agreements on such areas as agriculture, tourism, energy, and maritime security. The president in [...]
90% of people in China province infected
Patients with Covid-19 coronavirus rest in a hallway at Fengyang People's Hospital in Fengyang County in east China's Anhui Province on January 5, 2023. Noel Celis / AFP BEIJING, CHINA— Almost 90 percent of people in China's third most populous province have now been infected with Covid-19, a top official said Monday, as the country battles an unprecedented surge in cases. Kan Quancheng, director of the health commission for central Henan province, said that "as of January 6, 2023, the province's Covid infection rate is 89.0 percent." With a population of 99.4 million, the figures suggest about 88.5 million people in Henan may now have been infected. Visits to fever clinics peaked on December 19, Kan said, "after which it showed a continuous downward trend." China is battling a [...]
Metro Manila Subway construction begins
SUBWAY LAUNCHING President Marcos leads the launching of the 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project in Valenzuela City on Monday. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The tunnel works for the first contract package (CP) of the 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) started on Monday, following the launching of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) at its depot in Valenzuela City. “Today’s start of tunneling work signifies a point of no return. We are going full speed ahead to complete the country’s first subway,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the launching ceremony. CP 101 includes the construction of a depot in Valenzuela City, Quezon Highway (QH) station, Tandang Sora (TS) station and North Avenue (NA) station. It was awarded in 2019 to the joint venture of Shimizu Corp., Fujita Corp., Takenaka [...]
Galvez accepts appointment as Defense secretary
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. as the new head of the Department of National Defense (DND). A statement from Presidential Communications Office OIC Cheloy Garafil on Monday confirmed that Sr. Usec. Jose Faustino Jr. has resigned from his post, and that Marcos offered Galvez the DND position. The Palace did not give a reason for Faustino's resignation. "It is with deep regret that the President has accepted the resignation of DND OIC Sr. Usec. Jose Faustino Jr. The President has offered the position of DND Secretary to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. and he has accepted,” the statement read. Faustino, who served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines [...]
Unemployed Filipinos reach 2.18M in November
Metro Manila , Philippines — The number of jobless Filipinos hit 2.18 million in November, a decrease from the 2.24 million estimated a month prior, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday. This is equivalent to a national unemployment rate of 4.2%. Businesses were expected to hire seasonal workers during the fourth quarter as it is their strongest period amid the holiday spending. Higher prices, however, still haunted Filipino consumers, with the inflation rate spiking to 8% in November.
Durian, PH fruits’ entry into China to help cut trade gap
NEW MARKET The Davao region, the country’s main source of durian, has reason to cheer, according to the President. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO BEIJING—It may well be one of the most tangible results of President Marcos’ state visit to China—and it “stinks.” China has pledged to import durian, along with a host of other tropical fruits, from the Philippines as part of efforts to narrow the wide trade deficit between the two countries, Mr. Marcos said. Manila and Beijing have been finalizing the rules and regulations for the importation of Philippine fruits, notably including the pungent-smelling but tasty durian, “to balance the trade situation that we have,” the President said. “There has been created what we are now calling the ‘Durian Protocol’ because they are opening their trade to [...]
Marcos’ China visit reaps $22.8B in investment pledges
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that his meetings with Chinese businessmen during his trip to Beijing yielded a total of $22.8 billion (over ₱1.2 trillion) in investment pledges. "There has been an overwhelming response from the Chinese business community on the investment and trade opportunities in our economy," Marcos said during his arrival speech in Manila after his Jan. 3 to 5 state visit to China. "When realized, these investments will support our country's economic recovery efforts and create more jobs for Filipinos," he added. According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), the commitments include $13.76 billion for renewable energy, $7.32 billion for electric vehicle and mineral processing, and $1.72 billion for agribusiness. On renewable energy, the OPS noted that interest is [...]
Marcos, PH delegation unscathed from China visit
No one from the Philippine delegation tested positive for Covid-19 as they returned from Covid-stricken China on Thursday, Jan. 5. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate) Around 200 Filipinos, who were part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s state visit to China, were able to return to the country unscathed over Covid-19 threat in the foreign land. This was according to the antigen test results of the entire delegation upon arriving at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Malacañang said. All members of the Philippine delegation were tested for Covid on Wednesday night before departing Beijing the next day. The delegation was also required to present a negative RT-PCR test before departing the Philippines onboard the presidential plane PR 001. Upon arrival on Jan. 3 in Beijing, [...]
84% of Filipinos believe PH should work with US to defend WPS – survey
Eighty-four percent of Filipinos believe that the current administration should team up with the United States (US) in strengthening security cooperation to defend the country’s national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, results of the latest survey of Pulse Asia revealed on Thursday, Jan. 5. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate) Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes released the survey results during a forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute and the United States Embassy. The survey was conducted on November 27 to December 1, 2022, and was commissioned by Stratbase. According to the pollster, aside from the US, 52 percent of Filipinos also believe that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should also work with Japan, 25 percent with Australia, 24 percent with the United Kingdom, [...]
Foreigners now banned from buying homes in Canada
GETTY IMAGES Canada's largest cities - Toronto and Vancouver - rank among the most unaffordable housing markets in the world A two-year ban on some foreigners buying homes in Canada has come into effect. The ban aims to help ease one of the most unaffordable housing markets in the world. As of this summer, the average home price in Canada is C$777,200 ($568,000; £473,700) - more than 11 times the median household income after taxes. Some have been critical of the ban, saying it is unclear what impact it will have on Canada's housing market. Non-Canadian residents make up less than 6% of homeowners in Ontario and British Columbia, where national statistics indicate home prices are the highest. As of 1 January, the ban prohibits people who are not [...]
European weather: Winter heat records smashed all over continent
EPA Spain has seen unseasonably warm weather over the Christmas period Temperatures for January have reached an all-time high in a number of nations across Europe. National records have fallen in eight countries - and regional records in another three. Warsaw, Poland, saw 18.9C (66F) on Sunday while Bilbao, Spain, was 25.1C - more than 10C above average. The mild European weather comes as North America faces more severe storms, days after a deadly winter cold snap left more than 60 dead. Heavy snow and freezing rain have been forecast for parts of the northern Midwest while severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are expected in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. But on the European side of the Atlantic, the weather has been balmy for many places at the start [...]
Some Chinese travelers positive for COVID, placed in isolation
A few travelers from China tested positive for COVID-19 and were now in isolation, the director of the Bureau of Quarantine said Tuesday, but he added that only the partially vaccinated or unvaccinated were tested upon entering the country. “Many Chinese have arrived, but we only require antigen tests for those who were partially vaccinated,” said the bureau’s director, Roberto Salvador Jr., speaking in Filipino to GMA News. Salvador did not say how many had tested positive but said there were only a few of them. Foreign travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to present a negative test result from an antigen or RT-PCR test before traveling or upon arrival in the Philippines. Unlike a growing number of countries, the Philippines has not imposed stricter [...]
PH debt still at record high in November at ₱13.64T
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines got some relief from the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar, as the national debt only slightly rose in November to hit ₱13.64 trillion. However, the country's debt remained at a record high level, increasing by 0.02% or ₱3.15 billion from October, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said Tuesday. The latest data also showed an increase of ₱1.92 trillion, or a 16.33% hike, from 2021's debt pile. The majority of the outstanding obligations were still raised from local sources. Domestic debt increased by 0.78% to ₱9.43 trillion. Loans from foreign sources, on the other hand, were slashed by 1.62% to ₱4.22 trillion, mainly owing to the ₱106.98 billion impact of the peso appreciation. According to the bureau, the local unit gained [...]
Marcos: PH-China ties entering ‘new chapter’
RANGE OF ISSUES | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos board the plane to Beijing on Tuesday afternoon for his three-day state visit to China. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to China on Tuesday for a three-day state visit, as he seeks to open what he called Manila’s “new chapter” with Beijing even amid lingering tensions due to political and security issues in the West Philippine Sea. In a speech before boarding his flight at Villamor Air Base, the president said he was looking forward to discussing “political-security issues of a bilateral and regional nature” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “The issues between our [...]
President suspends PhilHealth premium rate hike, income ceiling
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to suspend the increase of its premium rate and income ceiling for the calendar year 2023, the Palace announced on the eve of Mr. Marcos’ trip to China. This was confirmed by the Office of the Press Secretary and the Office of the Executive Secretary. The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, refers to the “scheduled increase of the premium rate from 4 percent to 4.5 percent, and income ceiling from P80,000 to P90,000 for CY (Calendar Year) 2023 under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223.” “In light of the prevailing socio-economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide financial relief to our countrymen amidst these difficult times, please be informed [...]
PBBM off to China for three-day trip, sea issues up in talks with Xi Jinping
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to raise important issues affecting bilateral ties between the Philippines and China—including maritime concerns in the West Philippine Sea—as he leaves at 1 p.m. today (Tuesday) for a three-day state visit to Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Mr. Marcos, who will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, will also witness the signing of 14 bilateral agreements on trade and investments, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties. “We do not wish to preempt or second guess what the president will say, but the president will raise important issues affecting our bilateral relations… The president has said the maritime issues don’t define the totality of our relationship with China, but he acknowledges the importance of [...]
Trough of LPA brings rain in Visayas, Mindanao, Palawan
The low pressure area (LPA) that is in the boundary but still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) may enter the country but has a less chance to develop into a tropical depression. This is according to weather specialist Obet Padrina of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) who told The Manila Times that its trough is affecting many areas in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as Palawan. "There is still that possibility that the LPA may enter PAR but it is less likely to develop into a tropical depression. In fact, it has a bigger chance of dissipating in [the] coming days," Badrina said. The state-run weather agency said Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Cagayan Valley, Aurora, and Bicol Region [...]
Australia helicopter collision: Four dead in mid-air incident over Gold Coast
Four people have died after a mid-air collision between two helicopters near Sea World on Australia's Gold Coast. Queensland Police say initial investigations suggest the crash happened as one aircraft was taking off and the other was landing. Those who died were travelling in the same helicopter. Three other passengers are in a critical condition. Two UK citizens were among those killed in the crash, a foreign office spokesperson told the BBC. They added that officials were supporting the families of the two victims - who have not been named - and would remain "in contact with the local authorities". Five of the six people on the other aircraft, which made an emergency landing, suffered minor injuries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country had been left shocked by [...]
Third of world in recession this year, IMF head warns
REUTERS/International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva A third of the global economy will be in recession this year, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. Kristalina Georgieva said 2023 will be "tougher" than last year as the US, EU and China see their economies slow. It comes as the war in Ukraine, rising prices, higher interest rates and the spread of Covid in China weigh on the global economy. In October the IMF cut its global economic growth outlook for 2023. "We expect one third of the world economy to be in recession," Ms Georgieva said on the CBS news programme Face the Nation. "Even countries that are not in recession, it would feel like recession for hundreds of millions of people," she added. The [...]
Researchers hope to build New Zealand’s biofuel industry
A Rotorua company is hoping to end the country's reliance on fossil fuels. (file picture) Photo: 123RF New Zealand could be making its own biofuel within the next five years. Scion, a Rotorua-based research institute, hopes to end the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels by establishing a bio-energy industry here. Integrated bio-energy portfolio leader Paul Bennett said his team had already made significant progress. "We're looking at ways of converting [organic materials] into useful energy products, whether they're solids, liquids, or gaseous. "We are able to produce liquids from wood, and those liquids are getting closer and closer to the sort of fuels that are used in the market at the moment." Scion's wood-based aviation fuel was its most promising product, and would likely be the first to [...]
Gov’t to update PH energy plan, including nuclear power use — Palace
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Marcos administration is eyeing to expand the country’s energy sources by updating the Philippine Energy Plan with the use of nuclear power as one of its priorities, Malacañang said on Sunday. The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the Department of Energy (DOE) will be the agency responsible for updating the Philippine Energy Plan to guide the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) and the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC). “The use of nuclear power is also an important part of the energy mix that the DOE is eyeing,” the OPS said in a statement. Marcos has been vocal about his interest in revisiting policies on nuclear energy use and in building nuclear power plants in the country. During the last quarter [...]
LIST: Canceled flights due to NAIA air traffic system woes, January 2
Here are affected flights on Monday, January 2 This page will be updated as advisories come in. MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of flights have been affected since Sunday, January 1, when technical issues hounded the air traffic management system of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Philippine airport officials announced the cancellation of the following flights as of 9:30 am, Monday, January 2: International Cebu Pacific 5J 845 Manila-Dubai 5J 760 Jakarta-Manila 5J 502 Kula Lumpur-Manila 5J 804 Singapore-Manila Domestic Cebu Pacific 5J 885 Manila-Cotabato 5J 504 Manila-Tuguegarao 5J 891 Manila-Caticlan 5J 625 Manila-Puerto Princesa 5J 6055 Caticlan-Manila 5J 447 Manila-Iloilo 5J 381 Manila-Cagayan de Oro 5J 473 Manila-Bacolod 5J 963 Manila-Davao 5J 785 Manila-Butuan 5J 627 Manila-Dumaguete 5J 451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila 5J 383/384 Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila 5J 561/562 [...]
What you need to know about Marcos’ state visit to China
From ‘durian diplomacy' to the latest issues in the West Philippine Sea, here’s what you need to know about the Philippine president’s first state visit outside Southeast Asia MANILA, Philippines – Despite concerns over the renewed spread of COVID-19 in China, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will push through with his state visit to the regional economic giant from January 3 to 5, 2023. “May mga pagbisita talaga na hindi natin puwede i-postpone (There are some visits that we cannot postpone),” Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial told media during a briefing on Thursday, December 29. The importance and urgency of the trip is understandable. According to Imperial, the visit will “set the tone of bilateral relations between the next five to six years.” Why [...]
Marcos Jr. rings in New Year with unity call: ‘Bayanihan’ will keep us going
FROM FILE PHOTOS MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to “embody the true meaning of solidarity” in 2023 as he stressed that the spirit of “bayanihan” will keep the nation going amid all challenges. In his New Year message, Marcos said he “[joins] the entire Filipino nation with hope and optimism in welcoming the New Year.” “As we reflect on the events that transpired in the previous year, I hope that we will draw strength and inspiration from what truly binds us together–our genuine love for our fellow Filipinos and country,” he said. Marcos pointed out that “this is the essence of our call for unity and the impetus for [...]
Australian government announces mandatory Covid-19 testing for China travellers
Travellers from China will be required to prove a negative Covid-19 test prior to visiting Australia. Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP From 5 January, travellers from China to Australia will be required to have a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test, and New Zealand says it is now assessing the health risks. China has seen skyrocketing Covid case numbers, and a range of other countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and France have also imposed testing requirements. NZ government duty minister Stuart Nash said tonight that New Zealand is currently assessing the situation. "I've been informed today that Australia has announced pre-departure testing for travellers arriving from China. This measure is being taken in response to the rapidly unfolding situation in China. "New Zealand has a public health [...]
Putin says in New Year message West is using Ukraine to destroy Russia
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference in Minsk, Belarus December 19, 2022. Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Kremlin via REUTERS/ Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday (Dec 31) his country would never give in to the West's attempts to use Ukraine as a tool to destroy Russia. In a New Year's video message broadcast on Russian state TV, Putin said Russia was fighting in Ukraine to protect its "motherland" and to secure "true independence" for its people. In a nine-minute message - the longest New Year's address of his two-decade rule - Putin accused the West of lying to Russia and of provoking Moscow to launch what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. "For years, Western elites hypocritically assured us of their peaceful intentions," he [...]
More nations wary of China Covid threat
BEIJING: Spain, South Korea and Israel on Friday joined nations imposing Covid tests on travelers from China after Beijing dropped foreign travel curbs despite surging cases. Despite its hospitals and morgues being overwhelmed — and international concern over the low official figures on infections and deaths there — China insisted Friday that it had been transparent in sharing its Covid-19 data. THREAT TO ELDERLY Medical workers help a 101-year-old Covid-19 patient surnamed Li as she leaves the Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, on Nov. 26, 2022. XINHUA PHOTO On Wednesday, a senior US health official said Beijing had provided only limited data to global databases about variants circulating in China, and its testing and reporting on new cases had diminished. On Thursday, the [...]
Sara to Filipinos: Aim higher in 2023
Vice President Sara Duterte. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to march on and aim for a better life in 2023. "With our deep faith in the Almighty and humble determination to aim higher, let us look forward to a more prosperous 2023 filled with dynamic opportunities for inclusive and lasting growth where no one is left behind," the Vice President said in her New Year's message. Duterte said 2023 marks a new and promising season of growth for every Filipino across diverse sectors and segments of society. "Let us unwaveringly embody our collective resolve and fortitude to begin anew amid the difficulties this past year may have brought our social, economic, and civic pursuits," she said. Duterte added that the country's [...]
PH must be wary of Covid-19 surge in China: solon
MANILA – Now that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is open to imposing additional restrictions on travelers from China following a new surge of severe Covid-19 cases, a senator said the situation must be treated seriously. PRECAUTION. A medical worker takes a swab sample from a child for nucleic acid test in Liangjiang New District, Chongqing, China on Aug. 24, 2022. China will cancel nucleic acid tests for international arrivals starting Jan. 8, 2023 whle those with with an abnormal health status declaration or fever symptoms will receive an antigen test. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Business as usual is not an option, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday. In a statement, she suggested that the Inter-Agency Task Force study and review restrictions now that there is an [...]
Oil prices seen to jump in first week of 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines— The first week of 2023 will likely be met with another round of fuel price hikes. According to a Unioil forecast on Saturday, diesel will increase by ₱2.30 to ₱2.50 per liter while gasoline will go up around ₱2.50 to ₱2.70 per liter in the week of Jan. 3 to Jan. 9. Pump prices also increased in the past Christmas week. The Department of Energy's latest oil price monitor as of Dec. 28 reported a net year-to-date increase of P14.90/liter for gasoline, P27.30/liter for diesel, and P21.30/liter for kerosene. This story will be updated.
Trump tax returns show China bank account as six years of records released
Returns date from 2015 to 2020 and span nearly 6,000 pages as former president rails against effort by ‘radical left Democrats’ Donald and Melania Trump arrive for a speech at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP Six years of Donald Trump’s tax returns were made public by a congressional committee on Friday, ending the former president’s long-running effort to break precedent and keep them secret. The documents, dating from 2015 to 2020, offer insights into the complex finances and foreign bank accounts of a man who was accused of abusing the presidency for personal profit and who has already announced another bid for the White House. A House of Representatives report released earlier this month analyzed the documents and showed Trump and his wife Melania paid no federal [...]
Close watch on Chinese arrivals
Quaratine protocols intensify amid dramatic surge of COVID in China Health officials on Friday said they would intensify quarantine protocols in handling travelers from China as COVID-19 cases there continue to surge. In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) said it has ordered the Bureau of Quarantine to heighten surveillance of all respiratory symptoms in travelers coming from China. Infected and symptomatic passengers should be reported during arrival, it said. The DOH issued the statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suggested requiring travelers from China to be tested for COVID-19. The DOH said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) was discussing last night the guidelines on border control for travelers from China. “The IATF will discuss on the guidelines on how to [...]
PH eyes to boost trade with China
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDE The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to enhance the country's bilateral trade with China. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to China early next year is a recognition that it is an important trading and investment partner of the Philippines, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement. Despite soaring Covid-19 cases in China, the President will still push through with his state visit to Beijing next week, from January 3 to 5. The state visit is upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "The visit will pave the way for further strengthening of our trade and investment relations, particularly as we work to recover from the pandemic and position the Philippines as a regional hub [...]
SWS: 95% of Filipinos entering 2023 with hope
Metro Manila, Philippines— With 2023 just around the corner, a large majority of Filipinos, or 95%, are entering the new year "with hope rather than fear," according to a poll released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Friday. "This is two points above the 93% recorded in 2021 and similar to the pre-COVID 96% in 2019," said SWS. Only 5% of respondents dread the incoming year - down two points from the 7% logged in 2020 and 2021. The poll also showed 74% of Filipinos said they will change for the better next year, while 20% said they will stay the same. The remaining 6% had no answer. The survey was conducted from Dec. 10 to 14 among 1,200 adults - 300 each from Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the [...]
NAIA privatization to push through
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). File Photo The government will push through with the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has announced. "We have worked with the Asian Development Bank for the preparation of the terms of reference for the privatization of the Manila International Airport," Bautista said during a briefing Wednesday. He said he hopes the terms of reference (TOR) will be ready by the first quarter of 2023 "so we can entertain proposals from interested parties." Included in the TOR is the rehabilitation of NAIA, which Bautista acknowledges is overdue. One of the improvements is to allow public utility vehicles to service passengers, especially in Terminal 3, which caters to domestic flights. Bautista said there are areas that can be redeveloped, [...]
Inflation in Dec. may go up as high as 8.6%—BSP
PHILIPPINES— Inflation in December 2022 likely accelerated to a high of 8.6 percent from 8 percent a month ago due to higher food prices and power rates, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Thursday. In a statement, BSP projected this month’s inflation rate to settle within a range of 7.8 to 8.6 percent. “Upward price pressures for the month are expected to emanate from higher electricity rates, an uptick in the prices of agricultural commodities, elevated meat and fish products, and higher LPG prices. Meanwhile, the reduction in petroleum and rice prices as well as the peso appreciation could contribute to easing price pressures for the month,” it said. The BSP said it is closely monitoring the emerging price developments to enable timely intervention that could help prevent [...]
Protection for Kalayaan Group’s seas pushed
Kalayaan Island Group The passage of a measure in the House of Representatives that seeks to declare the waters around the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Scarborough Shoal as a marine protected area will be a boon for Filipino fishermen in the area. The benefits from the enactment of House Bill (HB) 6373 were explained by Palawan Third District Rep. Edward Hagedorn in an interview with The Manila Times. Hagedorn said there will be more fish as long as spawning and breeding sites, which are located within three nautical miles of the Kalayaan and Scarborough Shoal, are safeguarded. "Former Justice Antonio Carpio's experience in marine science enabled him to assist me in conceptualizing the bill," he said. Hagedorn said he shares Carpio's advocacy "to maintain and preserve Philippine territorial [...]
Over 10 bilateral agreements eyed between PH, China during Marcos’ state visit – DFA
Metro Manila, Philippines– Over 10 bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China on Jan. 3-5, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) bared during a Malacañang media briefing Thursday. “During the state visit, about 10 to 14 bilateral agreements are expected to be signed in the areas of trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, development cooperation, people-to-people ties, and maritime security cooperation,” DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said, adding that fostering economic cooperation is one of the primary goals of the trip. Marcos is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China. The DFA gave a rundown [...]
Bongbong Marcos vows to expand internet services to remote areas
President Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos, Jr. | PHOTO: official facebook page of the Office of the President President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has reiterated his administration’s commitment to put up the Broadband ng Masa (BBM) and Free Wi-Fi for All Programs in far-flung areas for the country’s progress in terms of technological advancements.The President was the surprise guest at the online “kamustahan” (meet-and-greet) for BBM program recipients that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) hosted on Christmas Eve. In the excerpts of the Zoom videoconference that the Palace released on Monday and Tuesday, Mr. Marcos said he decided to be a “gate-crasher” at the event to see for himself how the DICT was implementing the BBM program.“Our new connection is good, many places already have internet and [...]
LPA to bring rain showers over Palawan, Visayas, 4 other regions
A low pressure area (LPA) located east of Surigao del Sur will bring rain showers over Palawan, Visayas, and four other areas on Wednesday, PAGASA said in its weather forecast. At 3 a.m., the LPA was estimated to be located at 475 km east of the municipality of Hinatuan. "'Yung low pressure area ay medyo malapit na po sa Mindanao. Kasalukuyang nasa dagat pa ito. Bumaba ang tsansa na maging bagyo ito pero hindi natin inaalis ang posibilidad na maging bagyo ito dahil nasa dagat pa ito," PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said in an interview on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita. (The low pressure area is near Mindanao. Currently it is still at sea. Its chance of becoming a tropical depression is low but we are not ruling out [...]
Marcos names Usec. Punay as DSWD officer-in-charge
Malacañang confirms the appointment of DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay as officer-in-charge of the agency, adding an announcement will soon be made regarding Secretary Erwin Tulfo, who was twice bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. (Photo from Edu Punay Facebook page) Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Eduardo Punay as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the agency, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday. Office of the Press Secretary OIC Cheloy Garafil confirmed the development, which came several days after DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo’s designation was bypassed for the second time by the Commission on Appointments (CA). The CA deferred Tulfo's appointment due to his four libel convictions as a columnist and questions over his citizenship after he served in the United States [...]
Medical company researching whether single vaccine can prevent both Covid-19 and flu
Getty Picture Alliance NEW ZEALAND—A Wellington medical company is researching a combined flu and Covid-19 vaccine. P3 Research is looking for people aged between 50 and 80 years old to take part in the clinical trial, which is investigating whether a single vaccine can effectively prevent both illnesses. The company conducts research on behalf of a range of pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca - two major Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers. Covid-19 and influenza were among the more common viruses leading to severe illness and hospitalisation in older adults, P3 Research said, and currently individual vaccinations provided the best protection against each disease. As well as the age requirement, it was looking for participants who were in good health, and were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (with or without the [...]
Putin bans Russian oil exports to countries that impose price cap
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday delivered Russia’s long-awaited response to a Western price cap, signing a decree that bans the supply of crude oil and oil products from Feb. 1 for five months to nations that impose the cap. The Group of Seven major powers, the European Union and Australia agreed this month to a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil effective from Dec. 5 over Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. The decree, published on a government portal and the Kremlin website, was presented as a direct response to “actions that are unfriendly and contradictory to international law by the United States and foreign states and international organizations joining them.” “Deliveries of Russian oil and oil products to foreign entities and individuals are banned, on the [...]
Taiwan to extend military conscription to one year, citing threat from China
Beijing has been ramping up pressure on the island it claims as its own, prompting Taiwan officials to increase compulsory service from four months starting in 2024. TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan will extend compulsory military service to one year from four months starting in 2024 due to the rising threat the democratically governed island faces from its giant neighbor China, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday. The move, which had been well-flagged ahead of time, comes as China ramps up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island over the past three years. Tsai, speaking after a national security council meeting of senior security officials, said Taiwan wanted peace but needed to be able [...]
Retail price of onions soars to P520 per kilo
An official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said that the retail price of red onions reached P520 per kilo amid tight supply. During the Laging Handa briefing, Agriculture deputy spokesman Rex Estoperes reiterated that the DA has no plan to import as the harvest is expected to start in January 2023. "This morning, we went to the markets. The retail price of small [red] onions is P480 [per kilo], very small in size while those that are bigger cost P520 [per kilo]. When I asked the vendor if consumers still buy despite the price. She said there are some who still buy despite the high cost," Estoperez said. Farmers in Tarlac have started to harvest, but the farm gate price of red onions remains high at [...]
Covid in China: People rush to book travel as borders finally reopen
EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK Chinese people have rushed to book overseas travel after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month. Passport applications for Chinese citizens wishing to travel internationally will resume from 8 January, the immigration administration said. It follows an announcement on Monday that ended almost three years of strict quarantine rules for arrivals. Travel sites have since reported a spike in traffic. But Chinese tourists will not have unfettered access to all countries. Japan - one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers - has announced that all travellers from China must show a negative Covid test on arrival, or quarantine for seven days, because of the surge in cases there. India has also said travellers from China (as well as some other countries) must show a [...]
Most parts of PH to still experience rains due to shear line, northeast monsoon
Weather satellite image from Pagasa’s website MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Rain will continue to pour over most parts of the Philippines on Monday due to the shear line and the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the shear line is the convergence of cold and warm winds. “Nakakaranas po ng maulan na panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Kabisayaan, sa ilang lalawigan ng Mindanao at kasama na rin ang lalawigan ng Palawan. ‘Yan po ay dulot ng shear line,” Pagasa weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said during the public weather forecast. (A huge part of Visayas, some provinces in Mindanao, and Palawan are experiencing rainy weather. That’s due to the shear line.) “Nakakaranas po ng malamig na simoy ng hangin na [...]
P8.6-B assistance up for informal sector workers
PHILIPPINES— The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has distributed more than P8-billion worth of emergency employment and cash assistance that benefited almost 2 million informal sector workers who were badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as calamities that hit the country. In DoLE's year-end report, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the aid was released under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad), a community-based aid that provides emergency employment to displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers. Tupad funded the emergency employment provided to 1.971 million informal sector workers whose source of income were wiped out due to the effects of the pandemic. The Tupad program provides workers in the informal sector a 10-day emergency employment, but not exceeding 30-day depending on the work to be performed, [...]
PAL to resume regular flights to China in Jan 2023
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to resume regular flights to mainland China next month after suspending the route for nearly three years due to pandemic-induced border restrictions. In a recent statement, the flag carrier said passengers could book Manila-Xiamen flights starting Jan. 13, 2023. The Lucio Tan-led airline will open the route with one flight per week operating every Friday. But frequencies are expected to increase over time with further easing of mobility restrictions. “The reopening of our Manila-Xiamen service is a happy development as we welcome the new year, and a good start for the restoration of our flights to and from the Chinese mainland. [PAL] is continuously working toward flying back to more cities in China, with our goal of operating the largest network of flights between [...]
US blizzard kills 18, leaves hundreds of thousands without power
At least 18 die from exposure and car crashes as fierce storm brings rain and snow across much of the US. A fierce winter storm has knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the United States and left at least 18 people dead due to exposure and car crashes on icy roads. The “bomb cyclone” storm, one of the most powerful in decades, also forced the cancellation of more than 3,000 US flights on Saturday, stranding thousands of travellers who were making last-minute dashes for Christmas. (Al Jazeera) The storm, now in its third straight day, was nearly unprecedented in its scope, stretching from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. The plummeting temperatures brought the coldest [...]
Floods displace thousands in E. Samar, N. Mindanao on Christmas Eve
Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines —Thousands of families in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental were forced to seek refuge in evacuation centers because of floods on Christmas Eve. Gingoog City Administrator Enrique Guevarra said in a phone interview that incessant rains on Dec. 24 caused floods which submerged 16 out of 79 barangays in waters up to four feet high, prompting local authorities to evacuate residents. The local government said 6,615 families or more than 33 thousand individuals were affected by the floods. Guevarra said they did not expect the intensity of the rains. Intermittent rains are still being experienced as of Sunday. Gingoog City has requested assistance from the Regional Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cagayan de Oro City for those affected by the floods. [...]
Philippines eyes $40 billion worth of assistance, loans in 2023
The Philippine government on Sunday unveiled plans to secure nearly $40-billion worth of assistance and loans from development partners and bilateral lenders next year, with the running debt stock at a fresh record high as of end-October. According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), the government is set to secure $19.1-billion worth of official development assistance (ODA) in 2023, following the $85.5-million worth of grants and technical assistance implemented this year. The administration also eyes $9.2-billion worth of loans from multilateral development partners, and $9.8 billion in loans from bilateral lenders in the coming year. Latest data available from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) shows that the outstanding debt stock stood at P13.64 trillion as of end-October, up by 0.92% or P123.92 billion from the end-September [...]
Lower income tax rates to take effect in 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines — People who earn purely through compensation may anticipate higher take-home pay next year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced on Friday. Those earning up to ₱250,000 are still exempt from paying personal income tax, while those earning from ₱251,000 to ₱8,000,000 will have lower tax rates ranging from 15% to 30% by 2023. "With the said reduction in the annual income tax rates, individuals earning purely compensation Income will have lower withholding tax deductions from their monthly salary, thereby increasing their take-home pay," said BIR chief Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. However, those earning over ₱8,000,000 will have a 35% increase of tax rate from the previous 32%. Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, the tax rate adjustment will take effect on [...]
China stages ‘strike drills’ around Taiwan, citing provocation
China has conducted unprecedented military drills around Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island. (File photo: AFP/Hector Retamal) BEIJING— China's military said it had conducted "strike drills" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Sunday (Dec 25) in response to unspecified "provocation" from the democratically-governed island and the United States. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained of repeated Chinese military activity nearby over the past three years or so as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty. China staged war games around Taiwan in August following a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and on Saturday it condemned the United States for a new defence authorisation law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan. In [...]
Zhejiang province in China has 1 million daily COVID-19 cases, expected to double
People register to collect medicine donated by merchants and residents for free at a public service center in Tonglu, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on Dec 23, 2022. AFP/STR BEIJING— China's Zhejiang, a big industrial province near Shanghai, is battling around a million new daily COVID-19 infections, a number expected to double in the days ahead, the provincial government said on Sunday (Dec 25). Despite a record surge of cases nationwide, China reported no COVID-19 deaths on the mainland for the five days through Saturday, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday. Citizens and experts have called for more accurate data as infections surgedafter Beijing made sweeping changes to a zero-COVID policy that had put hundreds of millions of its citizens under relentless lockdowns [...]
Marcos’ 5 foreign trips yield $23.6B in investment pledges
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visits have generated $23.6 billion in investment pledges, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported on Friday. The pledges were made during his visits to Indonesia, Singapore, United States, Cambodia, and Thailand this year. According to DTI’s year-end report, the numbers show that the administration is “aggressively” attracting more foreign businesses to come to the Philippines. The recent report excludes Marcos’ Belgium trip, where officials said he lured around ₱9.8 billion worth of investment pledges. Marcos is set to visit China in early January 2023. During his press briefings, the President has been vocal in his call to continue oil and gas exploration in West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid the territorial dispute with China. In 2016, an international arbitral [...]
Kiwi fugitive pornographer on FBI’s most wanted list arrested in Spain
The FBI is offering more than $15,000 for information that will lead to the location and arrest of a fugitive New Zealand man accused of sex trafficking and producing child pornography. Photo: FBI Spanish police have arrested a child pornographer who is one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives. New Zealander Michael James Pratt, 40, had been sentenced to life in prison for child pornography, sexual exploitation and sexual assault in the United States. It is understood he was staying at a hotel in Madrid under a false identity. Police said he was involved in the audiovisual production of pornography, recruiting underage girls and young women through deception between 2012 and 2019. He earned more than $17 million with those activities. Only 57 criminals on the FBI's [...]
Power rate hike looms as Malampaya shuts down in Feb 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines — Coupled with the continuous rise in commodity prices, Filipino consumers might have to brace for potential electricity rate increases by early next year as the Malampaya gas production facility will undergo a 15-day maintenance shutdown in February. In a briefing on Friday, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the Malampaya facility has a scheduled downtime for maintenance works on Feb. 4 to 18, 2023. The Malampaya field, which supplies 40% of Luzon's power needs, is located off the coast of Palawan and is near the West Philippine Sea, an area believed to be rich in oil deposits. "During this period, the supply temporarily stops and power plants needs to switch to alternative sources of fuel," Lotilla said. While shifting to alternative fuels may trigger higher costs, [...]
Go pledges continued support for cancer patients
Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reiterated his commitment to support more cancer patients as he continues to push for government programs and measures to help ease their burden as they overcome their medical condition. On Tuesday, December 20, Go and former president Rodrigo Duterte visited Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City where they personally provided assistance to cancer patients getting treatment at SPMC's Children's Cancer Institute and House of Hope. "To the patients, do not lose hope. There's the Lord, and He loves us. It is important that you get well. My wish for all is a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year ahead of us. I hope that we [...]
DA improves ties with Japan for agri value chain
IMPROVING VALUE CHAIN. Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban (left) signs discussion amendment for the Market Driven Enhancement of the Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MVC2), withJapan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative to the Philippines Sakamoto Takema on Friday (Dec. 23, 2022). The leaders hoped the move would help improve the country's agricultural value chain, beneficial for farmers and consumers. (Photo courtesy: Department of Agriculture) MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) signed Friday the Minutes of the Meeting to Amend the Records of Discussion for the technical cooperation project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Both parties signed the modified project, particularly for the Market Driven Enhancement of the Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MVC2), which was started earlier in 2022. During the meeting, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said [...]
PBBM OKs grant of gratuity pay to COS, JO gov’t workers
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the grant of gratuity pay for contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government for fiscal year 2022. Marcos on Friday inked Administrative Order (AO) 3, authorizing the release of a one-time gratuity pay not exceeding PHP5,000 for all government personnel working under COS and JO schemes. AO 3 covers all workers whose services are directly engaged through COS and JO by national government agencies (NGAs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local water districts. Based on the latest order, COS and JO workers who have rendered a total or an aggregate of at least four months of actual satisfactory performance of service, as stipulated in their respective contracts, as of Dec. [...]
LPA, ‘amihan’ may continue to bring rains over parts of PH
The low pressure area (LPA) and northeast monsoon or “amihan” may continue to bring rains over some parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 4 p.m. forecast on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Cloudy skies with rains brought by amihan are expected in Cagayan Valley and Apayao while Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains. The state weather bureau warned of possible flash floods or landslides in low-lying areas caused by moderate to at times heavy rains. Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to prevail in eastern Visayas and Caraga due to the LPA. The rest of the country may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with [...]
PBBM orders importation of over 64 MT of refined sugar amid high inflation
President Marcos has ordered the importation of more than 64 metric tons of refined sugar in a bid to stabilize the price of sugar in the country. In a memorandum order dated Dec. 20, Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban ordered the convening of the department’s Minimum Access Volume Advisory Council to expedite the importation of 64,050 metric tons of refined sugar. The memorandum was issued to Jocelyn A. Salvador, executive director of the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) Secretariat. The memorandum cited the Latest Summary Inflation Report Consumer Price Index for November this year that was released early this month as the basis for the importation. “Based on the latest Summary Inflation Report Consumer Price Index (2018=100): November 22 released on Dec. 6, 2022, the annual increment for [...]
Japan’s dairy farming industry struggling amid rising costs and production cuts
A dairy facility in Kamishihoro, Hokkaido. A growing number of dairy farmers are quitting the business as they struggle to deal with higher feed prices and milk production cuts. | KYODO Japanese dairy farmers are in an increasingly tough situation, hit hard by rising production costs blamed partly on higher prices of formula feed for milk cows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Also battered by production cuts for raw milk after past oversupply, a growing number of dairy farmers are quitting the business. An industry organization in Hokkaido, one of the biggest production areas for dairy goods in Japan, has decided to cut production for 2023, stoking concerns over impacts on local dairy farmers. According to data from the agriculture ministry, the number of dairy producers across the nation [...]
Marcos vetoes 3 budget items
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Photo from Office of the Press Secretary President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. vetoed three provisions in the P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget, Malacañang said on Wednesday. One of the vetoed provisions is the use by the Department of Education of the revolving fund of DepEd TV. DepEd TV served as the agency's platform for multimedia classes at the height of the coronavirus pandemic when learning shifted strictly online. It also aired quick tips, updating students on Covid-19 safety protocols. Marcos said there is no law authorizing the agency to establish a revolving fund for the said purpose. "DepEd TV is not a business-type activity of the DepEd, which may be considered within the contemplation of the General Provision on Revolving Funds in the FY (Fiscal [...]
US to provide Patriot missile system to Ukraine
A Patriot air defence system fires a missile during an exercise in Taiwan in 2006. (Photo: AFP/Sam Yeh) WASHINGTON— The United States said on Wednesday (Dec 21) it would provide Ukraine with the advanced Patriot air defence system to help counter Moscow's relentless aerial attacks. The system is part of US$1.85 billion in assistance unveiled in parallel with a visit to Washington by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his first trip outside the country since Russia invaded in February. The announcement is a significant victory for Kyiv, which had repeatedly pushed Washington for the Patriot system, and a strong sign of US support for Ukraine. "Today's assistance for the first time includes the Patriot Air Defence System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at [...]
Breast cancer breakthrough: NZ-led research finds way to reduce risk without surgery
In New Zealand, around one in every 250 women inherits one of the mutations looked at in the study. Photo: 123RF A global study led by the University of Otago has discovered a gene that, when modified, could reduce the risk of breast cancer. Finding the new gene also opens the door to developing a drug that reduces the risk of cancer. The research involved 26,000 women known to have the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations of the breast cancer genes, the largest study of its kind. "The discovery came after looking at thousands of women around the world," said associate professor Logan Walker, who led the study. "It allowed us to look at genetic changes; these genetic changes pointed us in a direction where we could see that [...]
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy plans US visit; first trip abroad since war began
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hands out awards during his visit in the eastern frontline city of Bakhmut - he is now expected to head to the United States. (Photo: AFP/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/Handout) WASHINGTON— Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit Washington on Wednesday (Dec 21) for a possible meeting with Joe Biden and an address to Congress, United States media reported - his first trip abroad since Russia invaded in February. The potential White House meeting could feature an expected announcement from Biden of a new arms package for Kyiv including Patriot missiles, according to the reports. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meanwhile told members of Congress in a letter on Tuesday that they should be in attendance the following night. "Please be present for a very special [...]
BSP chief: Strong dollar period is over
Metro Manila, Philippines— As the peso continued to come off its record lows to stay within the ₱55-per-dollar range, a weak local currency stoking inflation has become less of a headache for Philippine monetary authorities, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla said on Tuesday. Five days before Christmas, the peso extended its rally to close Tuesday's trading at ₱55.24 per dollar, its best finish in four-and-a-half months or since Aug. 5, according to data from the spot currency market. That's a far cry from the record low ₱59-per-dollar it hit last October. "The worst is over for the strong dollar," Medalla told reporters in a briefing held on Tuesday. Higher US interest rates to combat inflation have propelled the dollar in recent months as investors sought safe haven [...]
Corn complex to rise in Region 2
CITY OF ILAGAN, PHILIPPINES— The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) and the city government here had agreed to establish an I-Corn Complex worth P196.7 million. The agreement was reached after a consultation meeting led by DA Region 2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo, Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension Roberto Busania, Corn Program Regional Coordinator Paul Vincent Balao and Ilagan City Agriculturist Moises Alamo. Edillo said the DA will provide P107 million while the city government of Ilagan will provide P89.7 million for the said complex. It will serve as a one-stop agri-commercial center. "The I-Corn Complex will serve corn farmers not only those from the City of Ilagan but also Isabela and the Cagayan Valley," he said, adding that this will solve problems in corn production, [...]
Chinese embassy hits US for ‘driving a wedge’ between China, PH
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday accused the United States of trying to "stir up troubles and drive a wedge" between China and the Philippines. "The US keeps meddling in the South China Sea disputes and trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability," the embassy said. The remark came after the US State Department issued a statement calling on China to "respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling." The Chinese Embassy condemned the US statement, claiming that the South China Sea situation has remained stable due to [...]
All Nation Seminary celebrates its 28th Ministers Fire Summit
General Bishop Herbert R. Gadian, of Jesus For All Nations proudly announced the successful celebration of the 28th Ministers Fire Summit held at the De Luxe Hotel last December 5, 2022 in Cagayan de Oro City. The highlights of the celebration is the recognition and awarding of Degree by All Nations Seminary , an education department of the Jesus For All Nations & Network International which operates very differently from any traditional seminaries. Dr. Herbert R. Gadian,DD General Bishop of Jesus For All Nations Network, Intl said that the professors and teachers of the seminary are those pastors and teachers in their respective churches. While the students are the members who are willing to know more of the ministry of Jesus Christ , people who have the calling from [...]
Twitter’s suspension of journalists draws global backlash
Critics say the episode is evidence that Twitter’s new billionaire owner is eliminating speech and users that he personally dislikes. Twitter boss Elon Musk appeared briefly in a Twitter Spaces audio chat hosted by journalists, which quickly turned into a contentious discussion before being abruptly cut off [File: Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters] Twitter’s unprecedented suspension of at least five journalists over claims they revealed the real-time location of owner Elon Musk has drawn swift backlash from government officials, advocacy groups and journalism organisations across the globe. Officials from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the European Union condemned the suspensions, with some saying the platform was jeopardising press freedom. The episode, which one well-known security researcher labelled the “Thursday Night Massacre“, is being regarded by critics as new [...]
Marcos signs ₱5.268-T nat’l budget for 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed on Friday the ₱5.268-trillion government budget for 2023, the first full one-year spending plan under his administration. Marcos approved the 2023 General Appropriations Bill during a ceremonial signing in Malacañang. This came less than two weeks after Congress ratified the proposed spending plan. The 2023 budget, which is 4.9% higher than this year's, seeks to support the current administration's goal of economic transformation, with the infrastructure and education sectors securing the largest shares. In his speech, Marcos attributed the swift passage of the proposed budget to the "full" support of the legislature. "We did it in record time, that's a significant achievement," he said. Marcos also said the legislature "has been very cooperative" as the Philippines implements structural changes, which he [...]
PH needs to import 3M MT of rice to address looming shortage
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS The Philippines will have to import as much as 3.4 million metric tons (MT) of rice next year to meet the anticipated shortage of the staple. “We will need to import between 3 [million MT] [and] 3.4 million [MT] of rice next year to end up with a 90-day carryover stock by year end of 2023,” said the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) in a report by its chair Leonardo Montemayor. Based on its projections, the ending stock is pegged at negative 427,000 MT by the end of the third quarter of 2023. “By year end, it will be a measly 321,000 tons, good for only nine days,” it said. “As early as July 2023, there will already be upward pressure on prices, because the [...]
P31.5M meat products from China seized
Photo from Bureau of Customs The Department of Agriculture (DA) said at least P31.5 million smuggled frozen meat products from China were confiscated at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement James Layug said that his office received information on Dec. 13, 2022, on the suspicious shipment at the MICP. Layug said based on the inspection of the members of the DA and the Bureau of Customs, the three forty-footer container vans contained banned frozen pork and chicken products but were declared as frozen prawn balls. The products were registered under the name of Victory JM Enterprise. "This may be considered as technical smuggling under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10845)," Layug said. The products were registered under the name [...]
New Zealand paying premium for big-ticket projects
Transmission Gully. (Source: 1News) Budget blowouts and lengthy delays have become part and parcel of just about any large-scale project in Aotearoa, and a new report out today confirmed the country's approach to big builds is inefficient and expensive. The research by the Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga compared how New Zealand's infrastructure costs stacked up against other high-income countries. It showed the cost to build railway stations, power lines, wind farms and hospitals were on par. But while this country's construction workers were paid less, big-ticket items like motorways, tunnels and underground rail came at a premium. The commission's director of economics, Peter Nunns, said that was partly because equipment, land and construction materials were pricier here. But he said it was made worse with poor planning. "We [...]
Malaysia campsite landslide kills at least 21, including children
At least 21 people were killed in the landslide in Selangor state, Malaysia as they slept in their tents at an unlicensed campsite. Photo: AFP A landslide killed at least 21 people, including children, while they slept in their tents at an unlicensed campsite in Malaysia on Friday, officials say. Search teams are continuing to scour thick mud and downed trees for survivors. The landslide in Selangor state bordering the capital, Kuala Lumpur, occurred before 3am local time, tearing down a hillside into an organic farm that officials said was operating the campsite illegally. Among the victims were five children and 12 women, according to the fire and rescue department. The disaster struck about 50km north of Kuala Lumpur in Batang Kali, just outside the popular hilltop area [...]
36K learners, teachers to receive school supplies: DepEd
PARTNERSHIP FOR RECOVERY. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lauds the move of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation on Friday (Dec. 16, 2022), as it turned over school supplies and printing resources to the Department of Education. Duterte noted that the BPI's partnership with the DepEd helps the sector to push for the learning recovery. (Screengrab) MANILA – Around 35,000 learners and more than a thousand teachers are expected to benefit from the school supplies donation of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday. In a video message, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lauded the BPI Foundation’s initiative [...]
Marcos OKs national development plan for 2023-2028
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday approved the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 which aims to bolster deep economic and social transformation in order to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) (Courtesy of OPS) "I'm happy to announce that today, at the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) board meeting, we approved the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 and this sets out the framework of the development plan for the Philippines and we have included all of the priority areas," President Marcos said in his message. Marcos called on government agencies to employ a whole-of-nation approach in the implementation of the PDP 2023-2028 and steer toward the "same direction." "This will facilitate the [...]
Marcos asks EU to help PH, other countries vulnerable to climate change
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday asked European Union (EU) leaders and businessmen to help vulnerable countries like the Philippines cope with the effects of climate change. Marcos stressed that the Philippines is "regarded as probably one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.” "Since that seems to be the case and that is what we are facing in the Philippines, we are very much in need of the assistance of Europe, of all the first world countries, and to be able to adjust our economy, our communities to the onset of the effects of climate change," he said during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) working luncheon in Belgium. The chief executive [...]
‘Last chance’: Marcos orders new body on seafarer issues
PINOY CHEERS IN BRUSSELS | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., joined on stage by some Cabinet members, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, addresses members of the Filipino community at the Events Lounge in Brussels on Monday. The president is in the Belgian capital for the Asean-European Union Commemorative Summit. (RTVM Screen GRAB) BRUSSELS — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered the creation of an advisory council not only to avert possible job losses of some 50,000 Filipino seafarers in European Union (EU) vessels due to the Philippines’ deficiencies in local training and education but also to address other concerns of about 600,000 Filipino seafarers worldwide. The president issued the directive during his meeting with international maritime employers and various shipowners here. [...]
Biden signs into law same-sex marriage bill, 10 years after his famous Sunday show answer on the issue
US President Joe Biden signed into law Tuesday landmark new federal protections for same-sex and interracial couples, capping both a personal and national evolution on an issue that's enjoyed growing acceptance over the past decade. Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act before thousands of invited guests on the South Lawn at an event the White House said reflected the importance of the moment. "Marriage is a simple proposition. Who do you love? And will you be loyal to that person you love?" the president asked from the South Lawn. "It's not more complicated than that." Biden said the law he was about to sign recognizes that "everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves without the government interference," and secures the federal "protections that come [...]
China faces ‘tough’ zero-COVID exit, says WHO
A woman wearing a mask exits a subway station in Beijing, China on Dec 13, 2022. (Photo: AP/Andy Wong) GENEVA: China is facing a "very tough" time as it dismantles its rigid "zero-COVID" policy and allows people to live with the virus, posing challenges preparing hospitals and ensuring people are sufficiently protected, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Beijing abruptly dropped its zero-tolerance stance last week after protests against its COVID-19 lockdowns. The shift, welcomed by many inside the country, has also stoked concerns that infections could spike. Asked about the policy changes, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told a Geneva press briefing on Tuesday (Dec 13) that China faced a "very tough and difficult time". "It's always very difficult for any country coming out of a situation where [...]
Japan to join U.S. efforts to tighten chip exports to China
A technician checks on a stack of wafers at the Applied Materials facility in Santa Clara, California. | BLOOMBERG Japan and the Netherlands have agreed in principle to join the U.S. in tightening controls over the export of advanced chipmaking machinery to China, according to people familiar with the matter, a potentially debilitating blow to Beijing’s technology ambitions. The two countries are likely to announce in the coming weeks that they’ll adopt at least some of the sweeping measures the U.S. rolled out in October to restrict the sale of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, according to the people, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The Biden administration has said the measures are aimed at preventing Beijing’s military from [...]
U.S. makes nuclear fusion breakthrough in quest for clean energy
Washington— A U.S. national laboratory has achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology by producing more energy than was used to derive it, the government said Tuesday, raising hopes for its potential as a clean power source. Fusion energy is produced when light atomic nuclei are merged to form a heavier nucleus. Fusion powers the sun, and scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have sought for decades to induce fusion in a lab setting using lasers. Noting that it is the first time such a net energy gain has been achieved in a laboratory anywhere in the world, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said, "(Fusion) ignition allows us to replicate for the first time certain conditions that are found only in the stars and the sun." [...]
New Zealand imposes lifetime ban on youth buying cigarettes
A man sits while smoking in the city of Auckland, New Zealand on Dec. 9, 2021. AP FILE PHOTO WELLINGTON: New Zealand on Tuesday passed into law a unique plan to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes. The law states that tobacco can't ever be sold to anybody born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. It means the minimum age for buying cigarettes will keep going up and up. In theory, somebody trying to buy a pack of cigarettes 50 years from now would need an ID to show they were at least 63 years old. But health authorities hope smoking will fade away well before then. They have a stated goal of making New Zealand smoke-free by 2025. The new [...]
Harness skills, gain micro-credentials: TESDA
MANILA – An official of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Tuesday urged the public, especially the workers, to harness their skills and gain micro-credentials. "Our countrymen, especially the overseas Filipino workers, need to enhance the skills and knowledge that they gained. Through micro-credentialing, as well as partnership with various industries, we could expand the skills of the people," TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III said at a public briefing. He noted that TESDA has been offering many courses, including ladderized program and three-year diploma courses on electrical engineering and agricultural technologies. "After finishing the three-year course, they could receive a minimum of 21 NCs (national certificates) and they are job ready. We are also coordinating with other countries. We recently had a talk with [...]
Financial illiteracy slows PH insurance growth
INSURANCE TALKS (Clockwise from upper left) The Manila Times editor Dafort Villaseran, Pru Life UK Chairman Imelda ‘Ida’ Tiongson, Allianz PNB Life Chief Marketing Officer Gino Riola, Times editor Conrad Cariño, and Insurance Commission Deputy Commissioner Ferdinand ‘Bong’ Florendo during the forum ‘Insurance Truth and Consequence’ held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. TMT SCREENGRAB Poor financial literacy among Filipinos has slowed the growth of the Philippine insurance industry, an official of the Insurance Commission (IC) said on Tuesday. During the The Manila Times forum "Insurance Truth and Consequence," IC Deputy Commissioner Ferdinand George "Bong" Florendo, citing a report on Sept. 9, 2022, which cited a World Bank report, said the Philippines lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of financial literacy. The Philippines had a 25 percent rating, [...]
Expect rise in vegetable prices as Christmas approaches
HEALTHY OPTIONS. A consumer chooses from a vegetable stall inside the Sta. Monica Market in Novaliches, Quezon City in this undated photo. The Department of Agriculture said prices are expected to increase as Christmas approaches. (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez) MANILA – The prices of vegetables are expected to increase less than two weeks before Christmas, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, DA deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said they have received information that prices of some vegetables have gone up, which he said is a normal occurrence during the Holidays. “Mayroon kaming impormasyon na iyong atin pong mga gulay, galing doon sa northern area, nagtaasan din, lalung-lalo na sa panahog natin sa pansit. Pero base doon sa informationnatin, [...]
Canada to increase military presence in Indo-Pacific region including West Philippine Sea
In a virtual town hall hosted by Filipino Canadian Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez, Canadian officials gave members of the Filipino community a broad outline of the country’s new Indo-Pacific strategy. This aims to invest $2.3 billion over the next five years in what is seen as the world's next fastest growing region. Along with increased trade with the 40 Indo-Pacific countries, Canada also plans to beef up its military presence in the region and invest in cyber security. Minister of International Development, Harjit Sarjjan, spoke about 'Operation Projection'. "That's an operation for the military to have naval presence within the region consistently. And what this strategy does is actually even increase our presence. So [National Defence] Minister [Anita] Anand will be authorizing greater ships within the region," Sarjjan [...]
TD “Rosal” maintains strength as it moves over the Philippine Sea east of Aurora
Tropical Depression “Rosal” has continued to maintain its strength as it moved over the Philippine Sea east of Aurora. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said so far, the center of the tropical depression was estimated 330 kilometers east of Casiguran. It is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kph and a gustiness of up to 35 kph. It is moving north northeastward at 20 kph. According to PAGASA, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Mimaropa. In the next 24 hours, the surge of the northeast monsoon partly enhanced by the tropical depression may bring occasional gusts over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and a strong breeze to near-gale strength over Ilocos Norte, the northern and eastern portions of Cagayan, eastern [...]
Baguio to launch project ECHO to help breast cancer patients and kin
BAGUIO CITY— Aimed at addressing breast cancer and improving the health care outcomes of its constituents, the city government will formally launch Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) on Wednesday, December 21, at City Hall spearheaded by the City Health Services Office (CHSO). CHSO deputy head Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said the city will affirm its steadfast commitment to delivering quality, affordable and accessible medical, health and wellness care to its community members by collaborating with Roche Philippines Inc. and the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology. Project ECHO is a unique learning model founded by Dr. Sanjeev Arora at the University of New Mexico where participants engage in a virtual community with their peers where they share support, guidance and feedback. "As a result, our collective understanding of how [...]
Coco waste materials open livelihood opportunity
INNOVATIVE CRAFT. Jeeff De Asis (center), a coco craft maker holds his "hantic" or red ant coconut lampshade that won the Most Innovative Product during the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique's Panublion Heritage Fair in Iloilo City on Nov.20, 2022. Also in the photo are Acting Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal and Trade and Industry Development Specialist Wilson Alian. (PNA photo courtesy of DTI Antique) SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – A craft maker has found a living through making use of coco waste materials. Jeeff De Asis, a coco craft maker from Barangay Carit-an in the municipality of Patnongon shared on Friday how he began his journey of producing crafts out of coconut [...]
Agro-solar power farm to rise in General Santos
A 150-megawatt (MW) agrovoltaic solar power plant, touted as a "pioneering" renewable energy project in the country, will be built by a foreign-backed homegrown company in General Santos City.Yan Amante, president and chief executive officer of Embrace Nature Power 1 Corp. (ENPC-1), said they are preparing for the construction of a solar farm and power plant in a 120-hectare property spanning portions of Conel and Mabuhay villages.Amante said they are investing around $285 million or roughly P16 billion in the project, which is set to break ground in the third week of January."We will be employing 1,500 workers for the construction phase, which will be completed in 12 months," Amante said in her presentation to the city council last Tuesday.She added that ENPC-1, which is based in Purok Guadalupe [...]
PBBM opens Malacañang to supporters
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave his supporters an early Christmas gift on Saturday: A meeting at Malacañang Palace. THANK YOU. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes his supporters at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Saturday (Dec. 10, 2022). In a Facebook post, he thanked them for their continued trust and confidence in him. (Courtesy of BBM official Facebook) Marcos shared in his official Facebook page several photos taken during the meet and greet event. “Maagang regalo ang hatid sa atin ngayong Pasko nang ating makasama muli ang ilan sa ating mga taga-suporta ngayong araw (Meeting some of my supporters today is an early gift this Christmas),” he said. Marcos expressed gratitude for their continued trust and confidence in him. He hopes that with the help [...]
Inflation, wages among Filipinos’ top concerns
A shopper looks at canned goods inside a supermarket in Manila on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority inflation jumped from 7.7% to 8% in November 2022, the highest recorded since the 9.1% in November 2008. The PSA attributed the spike to the high prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose to 10% in November from 9.4% in October. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO CONTROLLING inflation, improving wages, and access to affordable food are the top three major concerns the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must address, according to a survey by OCTA Research. In OCTA's non-commissioned survey conducted from October 23 to 27, 57 percent of respondents said the Marcos administration should focus on controlling the rise in prices of basic goods and [...]
Apple workers in Australia plan Christmas strike
A customer stands underneath an illuminated Apple logo as he looks out the window of the Apple store located in central Sydney, Australia,. REUTERS/David Gray/File photo SYDNEY – Hundreds of Apple workers in Australia are preparing to go on a strike ahead of Christmas to demand better working conditions and wages, union leaders and staff said, a move likely to hurt the iPhone maker’s sales and services in the country. The less than two-day strike by about 200 of Apple’s roughly 4,000 employees in Australia comes as the U.S. tech giant faces disruptions due to worker unrest in its main iPhone plant in China. Members of Australia’s Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) are asking Apple Inc for fixed rosters, known hours of work, weekends of two consecutive [...]
Bill seeks 13th month pay for contractual workers
Workers at the construction site.PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR A bill that seeks to grant 13th month pay to contractual and job order personnel in the government has been filed at the House of Representatives. "For the benefit of job order and contractual personnel working in the government amid the rising prices, approval of this measure is immediately sought," Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar said in filing House Bill 6541. The bill covers those who have "completed at least one contract (minimum of three months) with the government before July 1 of the current fiscal year, prior to the granting of the 13th-month pay." "The minimum amount of the 13th-month pay for contractual and job order personnel shall not be less than one-half of the monthly salary by [...]
PH remains hotspot for child sexual exploitation – UN rapporteur, DOJ chief
Metro Manila, Philippines— The country remains a “source and destination” for various forms of child abuse, especially sexual exploitation, a United Nations special rapporteur disclosed on Thursday. Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, recognized the efforts by the Philippine government to address sexual abuse and exploitation on children. However, she noted that more should be done to protect the children in the country. “The Philippines has made noteworthy efforts to improve the policy, legal and institutional framework in view of protecting children against the many forms of sexual abuse and exploitation and sale of children,” said Singhateh during a presentation of her preliminary findings. “The Philippines remains a source and destination country for child trafficking, sale, sexual abuse, forced marriage, among [...]
China, Saudi Arabia cement ties with deals including Huawei
Chinese President Xi Jinping hails ‘new era’ in relationship with Gulf as he meets Saudi crown prince, king. Saudi King Salman meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 8, 2022 [Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman have signed a series of strategic deals, including one involving Chinese tech giant Huawei, as part of a visit expected to bolster political and economic ties. Xi’s three-day visit to the kingdom includes Arab and Gulf summits and is being closely watched by the United States as Washington’s relations with Riyadh are at a low point. On Thursday, Xi and King Salman signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement” after he was escorted to Yamamah Palace by the Saudi Royal Guard, who were [...]
Iranian forces shooting at faces and genitals of female protesters, medics say
Exclusive: Men and women coming in with shotgun wounds to different parts of bodies, doctors say A protest in Tehran days after the death of Mahsa Amini. One medic said he treated a woman ‘deliberately’ shot in the genitals and thighs. Photograph: Social media/Rex/Shutterstock Iranian security forces are targeting women at anti-regime protests with shotgun fire to their faces, breasts and genitals, according to interviews with medics across the country. Doctors and nurses – treating demonstrators in secret to avoid arrest – said they first observed the practice after noticing that women often arrived with different wounds to men, who more commonly had shotgun pellets in their legs, buttocks and backs. While an internet blackout has hidden much of the bloody crackdown on protesters, photos provided by medics to [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern says China has become ‘more assertive’
Reflecting on her five years as New Zealand's leader, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said China has undoubtedly become more assertive in the region over that time but cautioned that building relationships with small Pacific nations shouldn't become a game of one-upmanship. PM Jacinda Ardern and China's President Xi Jinping at APEC. (Source: 1News) In a joint interview with The Associated Press and the Australian Associated Press, Ardern said China has changed in recent years under President Xi Jinping. "I think if I stand back and look at the region as a whole and some of the changes that we’ve seen within our region, you do see a more assertive China," Ardern said. "And look, there'll be a whole host of reasons for that. Their integration into the regional economy, [...]
US aims for ‘top line’ deal on aid to three Pacific island countries
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Micronesia's President David Panuelo, Palau President Surangel Whipps and Marshall Islands President David Kabua. Photo: AFP/Sarah Silbiger The United States hopes to reach agreement on "top line" numbers for assistance to three Pacific island countries by the year's end, a State Department official told Reuters, part of negotiations critical to shoring up US strategic interests in a region courted by China. The Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Palau are sovereign nations that agreed Compacts of Free Association, or COFAs, in the 1980s, under which the United States retained responsibility for their defence and exclusive access to huge swaths of the Pacific. COFA provisions will expire in 2023 for the Marshall Islands and FSM, and in 2024 for Palau [...]
Bali hotels won’t ask for proof of marriage under new criminal code: Tourism chief
Premarital sex and cohabitation will become criminal offences in three years' time. Tourists enjoy Bali's beach on Aug 21, 2022. (Photo: CNA/Kiki Siregar) JAKARTA: Bali’s tourism chief Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun said that foreigners should not be deterred from visiting the island after the Indonesian parliament passed a Bill criminalising premarital sex and cohabitation. Under the new criminal code passed on Tuesday (Dec 6), people who have sex outside of marriage or cohabit can be reported to the police. However, those who break the law can only be reported to the authorities by their parents, spouses or their children. Taking effect in three years' time, the punishment for premarital sex would be a maximum of one year in jail or a fine of 10 million rupiah (US$640). For cohabitation, the [...]
LAMP expand on agri project partners
Dr. Fritz Cobrado, Director of the nongovernmental organization LAMP Foundation International, said during a group discussion among their participants that the LAMP’s thrust is on agriculture emphazing their capability to extend their assistance to farmers. Dr. Cobrado explained further that organic farming, also known as ecological farming, is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Shown on this photo are Bishop Fritz Cobrado, Director of LAMP Foundation International and some participants, on their way to Lanao, Misamis Occ. Pagadian & Lapuyan Zamboanga del Sur to conduct ocular inspection, empowerment, coaching and mentoring to LAMP Scholars in different schools and various farming projects. LAMP - Operation ABBA [...]
Putin acknowledges Russia’s war in Ukraine could be a long one
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the 19th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, Russia, on October 27, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS LONDON/KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that his army could be fighting in Ukraine for a long time, but for now there will be no second call-up of soldiers. Putin has rarely spoken about the duration of a war that he began more than nine months ago but told loyalists in a televised meeting on Wednesday it could go on for some time yet. “This can be a long process,” he said. Russia has been forced into a series of significant retreats in the face of Ukrainian counter-offensives, waged with increasing stocks of Western weaponry, in the east and [...]
PH must provide ‘enabling environment’ for digital economy — VP Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, Dec. 7, recognized the need for the government to provide an “enabling environment” where digital economy will thrive to open opportunities for Filipinos to participate in the digital economy. Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Chinese Embassy in Manila) In a recorded speech for the National Cybersecurity Talent Framework Analysis Report by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON), the official thanked both agencies “for implementing various initiatives to improve the digital ecosystem of the Philippines.” “Our counterpart efforts shall be focused on providing for the enabling environment for digital infrastructure to become efficient, reliable, and facilitative of a thriving digital economy,” she said. “We shall look into policy reforms and consider risk-based cyber-protection planning [...]
Ardern weighs spending priorities and Cabinet line-up ahead of election year
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up are part of Labour's plan to reset the political landscape for the start of 2023 - election year. The political headwinds are significant: a cost-of-living crisis only set to worsen; waning support for the governing party and its high profile leader; the murky dynamics of disinformation and social disunity swirling below. "You're right to characterise it as a challenging year," says Jacinda Ardern, settling into a chair looking out over the sunny backyard at Premier House in a suitably festive red Juliette Hogan trouser suit. It's a sharp contrast to the year the prime minister is here to reflect on, and the troubling times New Zealanders are warned to expect over the next few years. "I'm also reminded [...]
Marcos confident there won’t be recession in PH
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday that despite rising inflation, he is optimistic that the Philippines would not experience recession because of the continuous drop in the country’s unemployment rate. Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Marcos acknowledged that inflation in the country hit a 14-year high of 8 percent in November but pointed out that the jobless rate in October eased to 4.5 percent, its lowest record since the same period in 2019. “Ang balita na tumaas ang inflation rate na hanggang 8 percent last November. Mayroon naman kasabay na mas magandang balita na bumaba ang unemployment rate sa four-and-a-half percent mula sa 5 percent (The news is that inflation rate increased to 8 percent last November. But it [...]
Marcos to attend APEC summit next year in US, envoy says
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in the United States in November 2023, the Philippine ambassador to the US said on Thursday. "President Marcos will be coming in November for the APEC meeting in the West Coast. I am confirming that President Marcos will be attending together with all the leaders who have been invited to APEC," Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez told CNN Philippines. Romualdez said Marcos is expected to meet with American business groups to discuss possible investments in the country. By then, Romualdez said the government would be “ready to show the economic reforms and economic programs” to entice investors. The summit will be held on the week of Nov. 12 in San Francisco, California, US [...]
Indonesia passes criminal code banning sex outside marriage
GETTY IMAGES/ There were protests against the new code on Monday Indonesia's parliament has approved a new criminal code that bans anyone in the country from having extramarital sex and restricts political freedoms. Sex outside marriage will carry a jail term of up to a year under the new laws, which take effect in three years. The raft of changes come after a rise in religious conservatism in the Muslim-majority country. Critics see the laws as a "disaster" for human rights, and a potential blow to tourism and investment. Several groups of mainly young people protested against the legislation outside parliament in Jakarta this week. It is expected the new laws will be challenged in court. They apply equally to locals and to foreigners living in Indonesia, or visiting holiday [...]
China’s Xi visiting Saudi Arabia amid bid to boost economy
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a memorial for the late former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who passed away on Nov 30 at the age of 96, held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2022. (File Photo: Pang Xinglei/Xinhua via AP) BEIJING: Chinese leader Xi Jinping is attending a pair of regional summits in Saudi Arabia this week amid efforts to kick-start economic growth weighed down by strict anti-COVID-19 measures. The Foreign Ministry said Wednesday (Dec 7) that Xi will attend the inaugural China-Arab States Summit and a meeting with leaders of the six nations that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. His state visit to Saudi [...]
China announces nationwide loosening of COVID-19 restrictions
BEIJING: China announced Wednesday (Dec 7) a nationwide loosening of COVID-19 restrictions following protests against the hardline strategy that grew into calls for greater political freedoms. Under the new guidelines, some asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 can now quarantine at home, ending a requirement that all positive cases be isolated in centralised government facilities. Most of the cases are asymptomatic infections and mild cases, with no special treatment required, the National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement. "Asymptomatic persons and mild cases can be isolated at home while strengthening health monitoring, and they can transfer to designated hospitals for treatment in a timely manner if their condition worsens," the NHC added. The frequency and scope of PCR testing will also be reduced, the National Health Commission (NHC) said. Mandatory [...]
DOH denies hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said there was no declaration of an outbreak of the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the National Capital Region after posts circulated online about a possible outbreak in certain areas in the region, particularly in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The DOH recorded 155 cases of HFMD in Metro Manila from October to December, mostly among children aged 11 years old and below. "Wala po tayong dinedeklarang outbreak para sa hand, foot, and mouth disease. Hindi po siya nangyari nang isahan lang, nangyari siya over a span of two to three months. Dito saNCR (National Capital Region) we are seeing an increase in cases pero wala pang trigger or wala pa tayong enough basis for our local governments to [...]
Stats NZ confirms drop in household climate emissions during 2020 Covid lockdown
A car-free Auckland motorway on the first day of a Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook New data confirms the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020 caused a drop in household climate emissions. Stats NZ information shows the amount of greenhouse gas pollution from peoples' consumption and lifestyle choices was lower because people were forced to leave the car in the garage. The carbon footprint of households decreased by 6.3 percent in 2020 - with a full quarter of that (26 percent) from lower transport emissions. Of that, pollution caused by making and getting fuel to New Zealand, as well as from peoples' personal flights, public transport and taxis trips nearly halved dropping by 43 percent. The change saw transport, usually the largest share of household [...]
BuCor execs face plunder charges
BUREAU of Corrections Officer in Charge Gregorio Catapang Jr.. File Photo BUREAU of Corrections Officer in Charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. vowed to file plunder charges against BuCor officials involved in the release of funds for the upgrading of prison facilities. Catapang said he discovered that 95 percent of the budget for the modernization of three of BuCor's seven prisons and penal farms have been released, but only 60 percent of the projects have been completed. Aside from the Iwahig and Davao prisons, BuCor's other operating units include the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, Abuyog Penal Colony in Leyte, Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City. Each of the prison [...]
Phivolcs: Taal Volcano registers small phreatomagmatic burst in last 24 hours
MANILA, Philippines — A small phreatomagmatic burst was recorded in Taal Volcano in the last 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday. In its monitoring from 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Phivolcs said the phreatomagmatic burst recorded in Taal lasted for a minute. The volcano also exhibited a weak emission of plumes reaching up to 600 tall that drifted to the southwest. Phivolcs said 2,115 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were also released from the volcano on Tuesday, December 5. Slight inflation was also observed on the Taal Volcano Island and Western Taal Caldera, while deflation was seen on Eastern Taal Caldera. Alert Level 1 was placed over Taal Volcano, meaning there is “low-level unrest.” Under Alert Level 1, entry to Taal [...]
PH jobless tally eases to 2.24M in October; underemployment rate also down
Metro Manila, Philippines — The number of jobless Filipinos fell to 2.24 million in October, with the unemployment rate dipping to its lowest in two years, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday showed. The PSA said the national unemployment rate that month was at 4.5%, down from 5% in September when the estimated unemployment tally was 2.5 million. This is the country’s lowest percentage of Filipinos out of work since October 2019, PSA chief Dennis Mapa said in a press briefing. “Last quarter kasi, medyo marami tayong mga economic activities because of the holiday season, so expected naman ito na bumaba ‘yung ating unemployment rate, nasa 4.5% na lang. And we hope that this will continue,” Mapa explained. [Translation: Last quarter, there were a lot of [...]
Magnitude 5.3 earthquake jolts Metro Manila and other Luzon areas
BREAKING NEWS— Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon. According to Philvocs, it hit around 1:05pm with the epicenter reported in Vinzons, Camarines Norte. No damages are reported as of now.
PBBM, VP Sara, Cabinet officials get ‘high’ approval, trust ratings in survey
Vice President Sara Duterte (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) (OVP) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and current Cabinet officials received “high” approval and trust ratings in a nationwide survey conducted by non-government organization RP-Mission and Development Foundation, Inc. (RPMD). The results of the “Boses ng Bayan” survey released on Monday, Dec. 5, showed that 83 percent of respondents were satisfied with President Marcos’ job performance, while 81 percent expressed approval of Vice President Duterte, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Education. Likewise, both President Marcos and Vice President Duterte received a high trust rating of 87 percent. The independent and non-commissioned survey was conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 with 5,000 adult respondents nationwide. RPMD noted that the performance [...]
PH inflation jumps 8% in November
Inflation quickened to 8.0 percent in November from 7.7 percent in the previous month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The latest inflation reading also accelerated from 3.7 percent in November 2022.
Violent protests in Greece after Romany boy shot by police
About 1,500 people take part in protest march in Thessaloniki with teenager in critical condition Fires burning on road outside hospital in Thessaloniki on Monday. Photograph: Dimitris Tosidis/AP Violent protests have broken out in Greece’s second-largest city over the police shooting of a Romany teenager after he allegedly filled his vehicle at a fuel station and drove off without paying. The 16-year-old boy was being treated at a Thessaloniki hospital where he was in critical condition. The officer who allegedly shot him in the head was arrested and suspended from duty, police in the northern city said. About 1,500 people took part in a protest march organised by leftwing and anarchist groups in central Thessaloniki on Monday night. Some smashed shops and threw molotov cocktails at police, who responded [...]
New Zealand opens inquiry into Covid response
DOING THEIR DUTY Technicians in protective gear take samples at a community coronavirus testing center in the city of Auckland, northern New Zealand on Dec. 28, 2021. NEW ZEALAND HERALD FILE PHOTO VIA AP WELLINGTON— New Zealand is launching a wide-ranging inquiry into whether it made the right decisions in battling the coronavirus, and how it can better prepare for future pandemics. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that Covid-19 had posed the greatest threat to the nation's health and economy since World War 2. Now is an appropriate time to examine the government's response with the highest level of independent inquiry, she added. Among the questions will be whether New Zealand took the right approach initially by imposing strict lockdowns and border quarantine restrictions in order to try [...]
Bong Go vows to help more Filipinos
Sen. Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said his high trust rating will serve as his inspiration to further help Filipinos. Based on the Tugon ng Masa (TNM) 2022 fourth quarter survey by OCTA Research, Go posted a 74 percent overall trust rating in October 2022, which is 24 percent higher compared to his December 2021 rating of 50 percent. The senator, in a statement on Monday, said he welcomes his higher trust and satisfaction ratings. He thanked Filipinos for allowing him to serve them and reaffirmed his commitment to continue helping more vulnerable sectors nationwide. "Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo. At naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos (My vice is to serve. I believe that the service to people [...]
Auckland Airport travel warning due to job vacancies
More than 500 airport system roles have been filled after a job fair at Auckland Airport in July this year. In a statement, the airport said while it's pleased 17% of the roles have been filled, 1600 remain vacant. As a result travellers may experience longer wait times when flying this summer, the airport said. The fair involved around 4000 job seekers connecting with 30 major airport employers who had around 3000 jobs on offer at the time. The vacant roles are across several departments including cabin crew, security, warranted government officers, retail assistants, chefs, baristas, and cleaners, Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said. “These are all crucial roles that help keep the airport ecosystem running smoothly. Travel has rebounded strongly after the borders re-opened and these businesses [...]
Congress ratifies ₱5.268-T nat’l budget for 2023
Metro Manila, Philippines— Both houses of Congress on Monday gave the green light to the bicameral conference committee report on the ₱5.268-trillion national budget for 2023. The budget measure is now up for signing into law by the President. The final version, ratified separately by the Senate and the lower chamber, restored several controversial provisions, including the Department of Education’s (DepEd) ₱150-million confidential fund (CIF) and the ₱10-billion funding for the government’s anti-communist task force. The amended appropriations also included the ₱12-billion increase for the budget of the House of Representatives, giving it a total allocation of ₱28.8 billion for next year. According to Senate finance panel chairperson Sonny Angara, the increased House budget included funding for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, fuel subsidies for public transportation vehicle [...]
At least 27 killed in Colombia landslide: President
Aerial view of a landslide that engulfed a bus and other vehicles, killing 27 people in northwest Colombia. (Photo: AFP/Stringer) BOGOTA: At least 27 people were killed when a landslide engulfed a road in northwest Colombia, trapping people in a bus and other vehicles, said President Gustavo Petro on Monday (Dec 5). "It is with sadness that I must announce that, so far, 27 people, including three minors, have lost their lives in the tragedy" that struck on Sunday in a remote area of the Pueblo Rico municipality, Petro wrote on Twitter. On Sunday evening, the president reported three dead, as dozens of rescue workers searched for survivors. One survivor said the driver of the bus managed to dodge the worst of the landslide. "Part of it was [...]
DBM chief to private sector: Help us advance public service
Amenah Pangandaman (PNA file photo) MANILA – Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Thursday called on the private sector to help the government in improving public services to fast-track the country's economic recovery. Pangandaman made the call in a video message delivered to the Public Sector Quality and Productivity Improvement Forum (PSQPIF) organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines. "Today’s event is anchored on the Government Quality Management Program which aims to ensure citizen satisfaction through government-wide quality improvement and building capacities across public sector organizations. In other words, it is designed to steer the bureaucracy towards a more ‘citizen-centered service delivery’," she said in her keynote speech. "I want my message to revolve around the main stakeholders that will help us advance [...]
Russia rejects $60 oil price cap, warns of response
Ukraine’s Western allies approve oil price cap to starve Russia of revenues as Kyiv pushes for a lower cap as the war continues. Under Friday's agreements, insurance companies and other firms needed to ship oil would only be able to deal with Russian crude if the oil is priced at or below the cap [File: Gaetano Adriano Pulvirenti/AP Photo] Russia has rejected a $60 price cap on its oil set by Ukraine’s Western allies and warned of a response as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was “quite comfortable” for Moscow amid a push from Kyiv for a lower cap. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that Russia would not accept the price ceiling, adding that it needed to analyse the situation before deciding on a specific response. The [...]
New Malaysian Cabinet led by Anwar Ibrahim sworn in at the national palace
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) poses with Deputy Prime Ministers Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) and Fadillah Yusof (left) after the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed cabinet ministers at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 3, 2022. (Photo: AFP/Pool/HASNOOR HUSSAIN) KUALA LUMPUR: The new Malaysian Cabinet led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in on Saturday afternoon (Dec 3). The Cabinet line-up includes two deputy prime ministers - Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Fadillah Yusof. Mr Anwar also holds the finance portfolio, while Mr Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz of BN is the new trade minister. Speaking to reporters after taking his oath of office, Mr Ahmad Zahid called on all sides to set aside their political differences so that the new unity government [...]
Renewables best option for cheap energy in Mindanao
POWER SOURCES | The placid Lake Lanao before the Marawi siege in 2017, has been a cheap source of energy in Mindanao through the Agus hydropower plants. (Photo by ERWIN MASCARIÑAS) (Last of two parts) DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), loves to remember the time, not so long ago, when electricity rates in Mindanao hovered at P6 per kilowatt-hour, the lowest in the country. This was when hydroelectricity generated from the waters of Agus and Pulangi rivers made up the bulk of the region’s energy supply. The Agus and Pulangi plants had a combined installed capacity of 1,001.1 megawatts. Pulangi IV in Maramag town, Bukidnon, has three generating units at 85 MW each, while [...]
Marcos eyes skills upgrade for OFWs
‘ONE’ WORKSHOP Migrant Workers Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople announces on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, that the department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will convene its first strategic planning workshop, titled ‘We A.C.T. As One,’ with all labor attaches in Tagaytay City from December 12 to December 15. PHOTO BY BENEDICT ABAYGAR JR. PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday pushed for better welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as he expressed hope that working abroad would eventually become "a choice rather than a necessity." In his message during Go Negosyo's Kabayan Awards 2022 in Pasay City, Marcos promised better support and training for OFWs to ensure their skills are at par with global standards. "As President, I assure you that the national government will continuously work to ensure the [...]
DepEd to include ‘peace building’ in curriculum, hold ‘mandatory toothbrush drill’
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte speaks to reporters in San Pedro City, Laguna on Dec. 1, 2022. Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News LAGUNA - The Department of Education (DepEd) is working to include "peace building" in the K to 12 curriculum, according to Vice President and Education Sec. Sara Duterte on Thursday. Duterte said this will be dubbed as the "National Culture of Peace". "Ginagawa pa namin siya ngayon. And once we are ready, iko-consult muna namin sa aming mga partners and stakeholders. And then once it's ready, ipresenta namin sa lahat," she said in a chance interview during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in San Pedro City. The official previously mentioned in a TV interview that the move will help solve insurgency problems and the alleged [...]
Turkish president says will ‘definitely’ complete 30-km-deep security corridor
ANKARA—President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Türkiye will complete the 30-kilometer-deep (18.6-mile) security strip along its southern border. Speaking at a meeting in southern Sanliurfa province, Erdogan said that attacks will not deter the country from its determined stance on securing its southern border. "We will definitely complete the 30-kilometer-deep security corridor that we are establishing along our southern borders, attacks will not dampen our resolve," he said. Since 2016, Türkiye has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019). The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the European Union, and the US, and is [...]
China says ‘Europe bleeding’ but US ‘made fortune’ out of Ukraine crisis
Foreign Ministry spokesman says Washington introduced Inflation Reduction Act 'for own interests, ignoring impact on other countries' ISTANBUL China on Friday accused Washington of benefitting from the crisis in Ukraine as Europe suffers from sky rocketing inflation and energy crisis in winter. “The US has made a fortune in the Ukraine crisis, while Europe is bleeding and paying for higher energy prices due to inflation,” said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry. He was commenting on the US Inflation Reduction Act, legislation signed in August for urgent investments to lower prescription drug costs, health care costs, and energy costs. Zhao said the US introduced the law “for its own interests while ignoring the impact on other countries, including its so-called allies and partners.” “This is another example [...]
Govt hospital to rise in Limay, Bataan
LIMAY, Bataan: A groundbreaking ceremony was held here on Friday, December 2, for the building of a P400-million government hospital. Hausland Group President Willy Tan donated 2,000 square meters of lot at Seabreeze in Barangay St. Francis 2 for the hospital. His son, lawyer Ryan Tan, attended the groundbreaking on his behalf. Gov. Jose Enrique "Joet" Garcia 3rd said the hospital is a realization of a project he started when he was still a congressman of the second district of Bataan. He authored House Bill 8759, or an "Act establishing in the municipality of Limay in Bataan, a general hospital to be known as the Limay General Hospital." Second District Rep. Albert Garcia, the former Bataan governor, said that in about a year, the Limay hospital will be serving [...]
Elon Musk releases Twitter files on Hunter Biden ‘scandal’
Twitter file photo HOUSTON, United States – Twitter CEO Elon Musk promoted a series of tweets Friday that revealed old files that old management buried or blocked involving Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal story during the 2020 US presidential election. In a lengthy thread, independent journalist Matt Taibbi said he received "thousands of internal documents" from Twitter sources pointing to the suppression of the Biden laptop story on Twitter in which the company controversially blocked people from tweeting and direct-messaging about the story. "Twitter took extraordinary steps to suppress the story, removing links and posting warnings that it may be ‘unsafe.’ They even blocked its transmission via direct message, a tool hitherto reserved for extreme cases, e.g. child pornography," Taibbi tweeted. A 2020 [...]
₱30M worth of ‘smuggled’ onions seized – DA
Metro Manila, Philippines— Authorities have intercepted some ₱30 million worth of yellow onions "smuggled" into the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed on Saturday. The sacks of the produce — pegged at 100,000 kilograms — were discovered in four large container vans earlier this week, the DA said in a statement. The items were declared as packages of bread and pastries. “The discrepancy in the import documents of said shipments presupposes that it did not undergo any food safety regulations,” the department said. “This poses a great risk to our consumers.” The DA did not mention where the operation took place, but noted it was carried out with other agencies including the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). It said it will submit a recommendation to [...]
Pentagon unveils first strategic bomber in over 30 years to counter China
The nuclear-capable B-21 Raider is set to become a key component in US’s effort to match the Asian country’s military build-up The B-21 Raider is a new high-tech strategic bomber developed for the US air force.Photograph: Us Air Force/Reuters The Pentagon unveiled its first new strategic bomber in more than 30 years on Friday, a nuclear-capable bat-wing plane that will become a central component of the US effort to counter China’s military build-up when it enters service around 2027. Almost every aspect of the B-21 Raider is classified, but in a tightly-controlled unveiling at the Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, currently home of Lockheed-Martin’s legendary Skunk Works, the new strategic plane was briefly shown to the public. “This isn’t just another airplane,” Lloyd Austin, the defence secretary, [...]
PBBM leads Christmas tree lighting, parol-making awarding rites
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañan Palace, kicking off the Yuletide season. CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Dec. 3, 2022) leads the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan Palace. (Screenshot from Radio Television Malacañang) "I’m very happy to have been able to do this [Christmas] Tree Lighting and it really is a different feeling," Marcos said in his speech. "And so with the lighting of the tree, it is official. The official Christmas season has begun," he added. This is the first time Marcos led the annual lighting of Christmas tree at the Palace. Ecstatic over the switch-on ceremony, Marcos said the occasion gives Filipinos [...]
US signals shift to slower interest rate increases
REUTERS The head of the US central bank has said authorities may start to ease up on interest rate hikes as soon as this month, after racing to raise borrowing costs earlier this year. The Federal Reserve has made four hefty 0.75 percentage point rises since June in a bid to curb inflation, which is the rate at which consumer prices rise. Fed chairman Jerome Powell said "it makes sense" to slow down to assess the impact of the moves. Markets soared following the comments. In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 2%, while the S&P 500 surged 3% and the Nasdaq jumped 4.41%. The dollar fell, while other global exchanges also jumped. The US has been driving a global shift, as central banks raise [...]
Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage but raises rights issue
GETTY IMAGES/Same-sex marriage campaigners welcomed the ruling despite the ban being upheld A Tokyo court has upheld a ban on same-sex marriage in Japan, but also said that the ban was a violation of human rights. The compensation case was brought by four couples who claimed the law was discriminatory. Japan is currently the only G7 nation that does not recognise same-sex marriage. Campaigners have welcomed the ruling as an indication to the government that it needs to change the law. "This is actually a fairly positive ruling," said Nobuhito Sawasaki, one of the lawyers involved in the case. "While marriage remains between a man and a woman..., (the court) also said that the current situation with no legal protections for same-sex families is not good, suggesting something must [...]
US Senate staff members visit De Lima at PNP Custodial Center
VISIT TO DE LIMA. Staff members of US Senator Dick Durbin and the US Embassy visit undergo security procedures during their visit to detained former senator Leila de Lima at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame on Thursday (Dec. 1, 2022). The visit began at 9:40 a.m. and ended at 10:20 a.m. (Photo courtesy of PNP) MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Staff members of an American senator on Thursday visited former Senator Leila de Lima in her quarters at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center. In a press statement, the PNP Public Information Office said de Lima, a person under PNP custody, was visited by Chris Homan, senior adviser on national security and foreign policy of US Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, and three others assisted by US Embassy [...]
Hontiveros: Nuclear energy a magnet for terrorist groups
FILE PHOTO Metro Manila, Philippines— The use of nuclear energy in the Philippines may put the country in danger of terrorist groups, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. “Radioactive waste will be a target, a magnet for the so-called nuclear terroristic groups that are scouting around the world for these wastes, or even just the raw nuclear energy to use in the production of nuclear weapons,” Hontiveros told CNN Philippines’ The Source. She also said that nuclear energy in the country “would be taking steps backward into the past, not forward into a sustainable and peaceful future for the world.” In an earlier statement, Hontiveros maintained that safety issues surrounding nuclear energy, including the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) remain unanswered. "Radioactive waste will outlive not just all of [...]
Marcos backs creation of Maharlika Wealth Fund — Diokno
Metro Manila, Philippines— The creation of the sovereign wealth fund has secured the green light from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., according to the country's finance chief. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on Wednesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF), with seed money of over ₱200 billion to jumpstart the incorporation, has been "an imprimatur of the president." The official also said the MWF is being prepared by an inter-agency working group composed of the Department of Finance, the Department of Budget and Management, the National Economic and Development Authority, and government financial institutions. Earlier this week, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and senior deputy majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos filed a bill seeking the establishment of a sovereign [...]
China softens tone on COVID-19 severity after protests
Barriers form a security checkpoint in the Haizhu district in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong province on Nov 11, 2022. (AP Photo) BEIJING: China is softening its tone on the severity of COVID-19 and easing some coronavirus restrictions even as its daily case toll hovers near records, after anger over the world's toughest curbs morphed into protests across the country. Several cities in the world's second-largest economy, while still reporting infections, are breaking with past practice by lifting district lockdowns and allowing businesses to reopen. In making those announcements, health authorities did not mention the protests, which ranged from candle-lit vigils in Beijing to clashes with the police on the streets of Guangzhou on Tuesday (Nov 29) and at an iPhone factory in Zhengzhou last week. The demonstrations [...]
Marcos wants PH-China joint exploration to proceed
President Ferdinand "Bongbong"Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippine government will find "other ways" for the joint exploration with China in the area of the West Philippine Sea to proceed if the government-to-government (G2G) talks would not work.Speaking to reporters in Quezon City, Marcos said that the oil exploration is just a "small thing" for China but something important for the Philippines. The West Philippine Sea, which is a part of the South China Sea, is also being claimed by Beijing. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016 upheld the Philippines' claim and dismissed China's argument that the territory belonged to them by virtue of the historical "nine-dash line"."I think there might be other ways para hindi gawing (so that it doesn't become) G2G or I don't know. [...]
Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin passes away
In this file photo taken on April 6, 1992 shows General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Jiang Zemin in Beijing. AFP PHOTO (UPDATE) BEIJING: Former president Jiang Zemin, who led China out of isolation after the army crushed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989 and supported economic reforms that led to a decade of explosive growth, died Wednesday. He was 96. Jiang died of leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai, where he was a former mayor and Communist Party secretary, state TV and the official Xinhua News Agency reported. A surprise choice to lead a divided Communist Party after the 1989 turmoil, Jiang saw China through history-making changes including a revival of market-oriented reforms, the return of Hong Kong from British rule in 1997 and Beijing's [...]
Davao City celebrates November Organic Month Fest
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte graced the celebration of Organic Month which was held recently at the Rizal Park and recognized the efforts done by the Davao City Agriculture's Office in the preparations that made the event a success . Mayor Duterte in his message expressed his Office strong support in promoting Organic farming to the farmers in the 182 Barangays in Davao City as it is health-friendly and safe alternative to genetically modified organisms. It is also much more ethical choice than industry farm products. Councilor Marissa Abella, Davao City Council Committee on Food and Agriculture chair, urged small organic farmers to form cooperatives. This way, they can be certified under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). [...]
Marcos backs assistance project for 350,000 fisherfolk — Palace
Metro Manila, CNN Philippines— The Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project has received support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., according to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). In a statement over the weekend, the OPS said that FishCoRe, which was created to address the issues in the fisheries sector, ensure food security, and reduce poverty incidence, is expected to benefit 354,905 registered fisherfolk in 24 provinces. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who also heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), is fully supportive of the project as this will ‘benefit the poorest of the poor’ among the fisherfolk in 24 provinces,” the OPS said. The OPS added that Marcos on Thursday gave his support to the project during his meeting with officials from the National Economic and [...]
LPG prices may go up in December, fuel price rollbacks may continue – DOE
Metro Manila, Philippines— The prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products may increase by December, but the price cuts in other fuel products could continue, the Department of Energy (DOE) said. DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rino Abad said the possible price hike in LPG products is due to the expected global demand. “Itong November, December, ito po yung pressure months dahil dito po ang buildup ng inventory dahil gumagamit ang northern hemisphere countries ng LPG for heating requirements sa winter period,” Abad told CNN Philippines in an interview. “Ito ay gagamitin dire-diretso, January, February, March ng next year, so inaasahan natin na tataas.” [Translation: The months of November and December are considered as the pressure months because inventories pile up as northern hemisphere countries use LPG for heating [...]
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen quits as party chair after local elections
REUTERS/ President Tsai Ing-wen said she took responsibility for her party's poor showing in Saturday's local elections Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor showing in local elections. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won several major races on Saturday, including in the capital Taipei. The vote has drawn global attention as Taiwan becomes a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the US. President Tsai had framed the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China. "The election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately," Ms Tsai, who will continue as president of the self-ruled island, told reporters. The elections for local councils and city mayors theoretically have [...]
Coffee farming to be barred at Mt. Apo
MAJESTIC | Mt. Apo seen from Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur on Jan. 28, 2020. (Photo by ORLANDO DINOY) DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — The government plans to strictly implement the law that will put a stop to farming and other disruptive human activities within the protected area of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak. Shirley Uy, protected area supervisor of the Mount Apo Natural Park in Cotabato province, admitted that farming activities, particularly coffee growing, had already encroached into the protected mountain range for years, although some of the farmers were already in the area even before the passing in 2003 of Republic Act No. 9237, the law that declared it as protected, defining its boundaries. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary [...]
PNP warns public vs crypto scam
(UPDATED) THE Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) warned the public not to fall prey to scammers who offer fake crypto investments. PNP-ACG director BGen. Joel Doria said online scammers are working double time to "rob people of their money with only a few days before Christmas and employees starting to receive their Christmas bonuses." Doria said the police received reports that fraudsters have been enticing potential victims by offering "fake" crypto investments. Potential investors are asked to download an app which when installed will require them to cash in their investments in digital wallets listed in the application. In the dashboard, account holders will be able to see the amount of money they have invested and the high interest their money has earned over time. As investors begin [...]
Shanghai protesters, police jostle as anger over China’s COVID curbs mounts
Students take part in a protest against COVID-19 curbs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China seen in this still image taken from a video released Nov. 27, 2022, and obtained by REUTERS. SHANGHAI/BEIJING — Hundreds of demonstrators in Shanghai shouted and jostled with police on Sunday evening as protests over China’s stringent COVID restrictions flared for a third day following a deadly factory fire in the country’s far west. The wave of civil disobedience, which has spread to other cities including Beijing, is unprecedented in mainland China since President Xi Jinping assumed power a decade ago and comes amid mounting frustration over his signature zero-COVID policy. China has spent nearly three years living with some of the strictest COVID curbs in the world. The fire in the city [...]
Create natl maritime agenda, BBM urged
MARITIME TALK The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd interviews maritime expert Brenda Pimentel on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA THE Philippines is an archipelagic country with a good seafaring status, but it lacks a national maritime agenda, Brenda Pimentel, former regional coordinator of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in East Asia, said. She urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to create a maritime agenda that will align industry objectives and support his administration's plan to develop infrastructure. "If we have a national maritime agenda, all the agencies will have to align with these objectives. They will not just develop their own policy independent of others. Everything will then fall into place," Pimentel said in an interview on Saturday with SMNI News [...]
DBM releases P69M to fund commercialization of copra meal
MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management has approved the release of around PHP69 million to fund the commercialization of protein-enriched copra meal (PECM) in order to cushion the impact of soaring feed raw materials which, in turn, would help consumers. According to a statement on Friday, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the agency approved the release of PHP69.699 million to support the Protein-Enriched Copra Meal (PECM) Commercialization Project under the National Livestock Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Nov. 17. The project aims to commercialize the use of PECM as a locally available feed ingredient that can substitute imported soybean for the benefit of Filipino swine and poultry raisers. “In line with President R. Marcos Jr.’s instruction to put prime importance to agriculture, we [...]
Gov’t launches new drug war campaign
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Law enforcement agencies will have to take a step back under the Marcos administration’s new anti-illegal drugs campaign that focuses on demand reduction and drug user rehabilitation, instead of the killing of drug users, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Friday. President Marcos is expected to lead on Saturday the Metro Manila launch of the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (Bida, or Take Care of Life, Reject Drugs) program at Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City, while regional launches will be held in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bida is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local governments, national government agencies and other key [...]
Manila’s public transit fifth worst globally — study
Metro Manila, Philippines— Public transportation in the country's capital is among the worst in the world, according to an international study. The 2022 public transit sub-index is part of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index (UMRI) 2022 created by US-based think tank Oliver Wyman Forum and the University of California, Berkeley. Manila ranked 56th out of 60 selected global cities, or fifth worst globally, ahead of Johannesburg (South Africa), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Nairobi (Kenya), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The study measured cities on "public transit density, efficiency, and utilization rate and the extent to which they can adapt to address competition from emerging mobility services." Manila only scored 31.9% while the global average was at 51.7%. "Several modes of transportation are available in Manila, including jeepneys and some metro lines. Linkages [...]
China bares new lunar missions
NEW EXPLORATION GOALS Photo taken by the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) on Jan. 11, 2019, shows the lander of the Chang’e-4 probe. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, revealed the international payloads that will piggyback on the Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission, and announced another call for international payload proposals for the Chang’e-7 mission. XINHUA/CNSA HAIKOU, China— The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday revealed the international payloads that will piggyback on the Chang'e-6 lunar exploration mission, and announced another call for international payload proposals for the Chang'e-7 mission. The CNSA has announced that it will carry scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency/Sweden on the Chang'e-6 mission's lander, and a Pakistani payload on the orbiter. At present, these four international payloads [...]
Cacao National Congress held in Davao City
DAVAO— The Cacao National Congress was held on November 24-25, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, Davao City . This year’s Congress bannered the theme "Cacao is Gold," which united the registered 70 exhibitors and 1,800 participants from all over the Philippines to work out and strategize creative suggestion and expectation in the country's growing cacao industry. The exhibitors, both from the government and private sectors showcased their products. Moreover, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) under the Department of Agriculture showcased the latest technologies for cacao growing, post-harvest, and making cacao products. At the same time, the National Cacao Congress had the culmination of the Philippine Cacao Quality Awards 2022 wherein the Davao Region submitted entries with the top 10 best cacao [...]
Senate approves P5.268-trillion budget for 2023 on final reading
The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the General Appropriations Bill containing the P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023. With 21 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstention, the budget measure was approved barely a week after the chamber ended debates and interpellation on the proposed appropriations for government agencies. The Senate version adopted the realignment of at least P152 million worth of confidential funds of various government agencies to their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE). The confidential funds that were realigned to MOOE are: P100 million from the Department of Education P5 million in the Department of Foreign Affairs P19.2 million in the Department of Justice P2 million in the Department of Social Welfare and Development. P6 million in other executive offices P20 million [...]
Suspect held after Chinese nationals killed at US cannabis farm
CBS A suspect has been held in the killings of four Chinese nationals on Sunday at a rural marijuana farm in the US state of Oklahoma, investigators say. Wu Chen, 45, was arrested on Tuesday 1,500 miles (2,400km) away in Florida, said law enforcement officials. The bodies were found after police received a call of a hostage situation near the town of Hennessey, 55 miles north of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma allows medical cannabis. The farm has an active legal license. Police say the suspect entered a building on the marijuana operation's property at 17:45 local time (23:45 GMT) on Sunday, when there were "several employees" inside. He remained "inside that building for a significant amount of time before the executions began", the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. The [...]
Ukraine war: Blackouts across Ukraine amid wave of Russian strikes
GETTY IMAGES Fire and rescue workers attend a building hit by a missile in central Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of "crimes against humanity" after a bombardment caused blackouts across Ukraine. At least six civilians were killed in the barrage, and officials were forced to shut down three nuclear reactors due to power outages. Neighbouring Moldova also experienced blackouts, but it was not directly hit. With winter setting in, Moscow has stepped up strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Officials say Russia's missile strikes on energy stations has caused "colossal" damage and left more than half of the country's power grid in need of repair. Addressing an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Mr Zelensky said the latest strikes had forced "millions of people [...]
Sara underscores vital role of libraries, librarians
MANILA– Vice President Sara Duterte emphasized Wednesday the crucial role of librarians and access to public libraries in the country to address learning loss and insurgency. CRUCIAL ROLE Vice President Sara Duterte delivers her speech before the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Library of the Philippines as they celebrate the Annual National Congress 2022 on Wednesday (November 23, 2022) in Iloilo. Duterte discussed the crucial role of librarians and access to public libraries in addressing post-pandemic learning loss and several societal challenges. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Vice President) “Our librarians in the Philippines will always have a friend in the Office of the Vice President because I believe in your contribution to our education. Not just to [...]
Diabetes top cause of peripheral neuropathy: health experts
MANILA – Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by damage of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, worldwide. NEUROPATHY. Central Manchester University Teaching Hospital consultant physician and professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine Dr. Rayaz Malik (center) during the “Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients” forum on Nov. 10, 2022. Malik said peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by damage of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, is highly underdiagnosed in South-East Asia and the Middle East due to a lack of consensus guidance on routine screening and diagnostic pathways. (Photo courtesy of P&G Health) During the “Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients” forum on Nov. 10, Central Manchester University Teaching Hospital consultant physician Dr. [...]
Cost of living: New Zealand steps up fight against soaring prices
REUTERS New Zealand's central bank has stepped up its fight against soaring prices, raising its key interest rate to the highest level in over 13 years. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) increased its key rate of interest by 0.75 percentage points to 4.25%. That was the biggest rise since the rate, known as the official cash rate, was introduced in 1999. It comes after the country's annual inflation rate stood at 7.2% in the three months to the end of September. Like much of the rest of the world, New Zealand has seen the cost of living rise sharply as the global economy emerges from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine has pushed up the cost of fuel and food. The RBNZ's updated forecasts also pointed [...]
Workers protest at China iPhone plant
TAKE THE TEST Workers line up to get tested for the coronavirus at the Foxconn factory in the city of Wuhan, in China’s central Hubei province — where the first Covid-19 infection was reported in late 2019 — on Aug. 5, 2021. AP FILE PHOTO BEIJING: Employees at the world's biggest Apple iPhone factory have been beaten and detained in protests over contract disputes amid anti-coronavirus controls, according to employees and videos posted on social media on Wednesday. Videos on Chinese social media that said they were filmed at the facility in the central city of Zhengzhou showed thousands of people in masks facing rows of police in white protective suits with plastic riot shields. One person was hit in the head with a club and another was taken [...]
Harris in PH to negotiate more EDCA sites – Tatad
FAREWELL: US Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff wave as they depart Puerto Princesa on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. The couple left for Yokota Air Base in Japan. AFP PHOTO FORMER senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad said negotiation for five more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines was the "highlight" of the visit of United States Vice President Kamala Harris to the country. Tatad, in a forum organized by the Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI), shared the view of fellow speakers professors Butch Valdez and Harry Roque that EDCA "is unconstitutional." "We now have Vice President Harris with us. I don't believe we should overstate the importance of this visit," said Tatad, who writes a column for The Manila Times. He said Harris "perhaps [...]
DAR fine-tunes policies to benefit farmers, land beneficiaries
MANILA – The Marcos administration's directive to immediately respond to the needs and uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will be more achievable once the Department of Agrarian Reform fine-tunes its policy guidelines. (PNA file photo) In a message sent to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday, Secretary Conrado Estrella III said DAR is scheduled to finalize the new policy issuances in order to “improve the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), meet its performance targets and be responsive to the needs of the ARBs, landowners and the indigenous peoples (IPs).” Estrella said the DAR Policy Review and Formation Committee (PRFC) makes a yearly revisit and revision of existing policies and guidelines. “Ito ay ginagawa upang linawin ang [...]
Study group formed to review 1951 MDT with US —NSA Carlos
National Security Adviser Secretary Clarita Carlos on Tuesday said a study group has been formed to review the country's 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States. Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Carlos said the study group is composed of the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), “Binigyan na kami ng directive ng Presidente. Ako ang magle-lead noon.The NSC, the DND, and the DFA nag-form na kami ng study group para talagang malinaw ito at ma-review,” she said. (The President already gave us a directive. I will lead this. The NSC, the DND, and the DFA, we already formed a study group that will clarify and review the MDT.) According to Carlos, there is no automaticity under [...]
Former executive secretary expelled from party
Former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez. TMT FILE PHOTO FORMER Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez has been expelled from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) for "party disloyalty" and "acts inimical to the party." The party's decision stemmed from a complaint filed before the PFP leadership by Jammal "Bong" Amin, PFP regional chairman for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul (PFP BARMM regional president), and Edifar "Papay" Ladjhali (PFP BARMM regional executive vice president) alleging that Rodriguez has violated the party's platform of the government of fixing the government and making the country "crime-free, drug-free, corruption-free, insurgency-free and poverty-free." Rodriguez was the chief of staff and spokesman for Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his presidential campaign. The complaint enumerated several instances when he purportedly used his influence [...]
PH govt rejects UN proposal to allow divorce, abortion
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla during a press briefing at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. PHOTO BY: RENE H. DILAN (UPDATE) THE Philippines has rejected outright the recommendation of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to legalize same-sex marriage, as well as to allow abortion and divorce. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said such recommendations of other UN member-states during last week's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva are "not acceptable." "It's a matter of policy whether we accept it or not and I think we know as a country, we are not ready for that," Remulla said in a press briefing on Monday. "Culturally, our values may conflict with many of the values that they (Western countries) want to impose upon us. [...]
China: US interaction with ‘regional countries’ shouldn’t damage others’ interests
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Nov. 22, 2022. PTV video Amid US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines, China on Tuesday said that the United States' interactions with countries in the region should not be “damaging” to the interests of other countries. “We are not against the US’ interaction with regional countries. But it should be good for regional peace and stability and not damaging to other countries’ interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, according to a tweet by the Chinese Embassy. Harris, the first woman to become US vice president, arrived in the Philippines over the weekend—marking her first visit to Washington’s oldest ally in Asia. She paid separate courtesy calls on [...]
Harris: PH-US relationship based on commitment to economic prosperity, security
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday, with both leaders praising the long-standing relationship between the two countries. "The basis of our relationship is multifaceted. Our relationship is based on mutual commitment to the economic prosperity of the region and our respective nations," Harris said at their meeting in Malacañang. Harris said the relationship of both countries is "long and enduring" and remains strong for many reasons, among them the people-to-people ties. In her meeting with Marcos, Harris said there would be more conversations concerning the economy during her visit. "We will talk more on what that means in terms of the opportunities that are presented through our mutual concern about the climate crisis and what we might do [...]
NSA Carlos recommends filing of note verbale vs. China
MANILA – National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos said Tuesday she has recommended to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the filing of a note verbale against China following reports that the Chinese Coast Guard interfered with the efforts of a Philippine naval station team to recover an unidentified floating object spotted near Pag-asa Island. National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos (File photo) "Siguro 'yung pwedeng i-disclose sapublic 'yung dati nating ginagawa, mag-note verbale tayo sa China (Perhaps what I can disclose to the public is what we have always done before and that is to file a note verbale against China),” Carlos, who also serves as the chair of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said [...]
Marcos on PH food security: increase rice production
President Ferdinand BBM Marcos Jr. said he is taking on the helm of the Department of Agriculture for the time being so he can properly address the country’s food security that is threatened by the global crisis in Russia-Eukraine war, gas fuel erratic prices and the Covid-19 pandemic. President Ferdinand Marcos In keeping with his promise to make the Philippines attain a higher level of food security, President Ferdinand BBM Marcos is eyeing a higher output for palay (unmilled rice) for 2023, or a new record of 20.24 million metric tons (MT) through a higher budget for the existing Rice Program to complement the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund implementation. President Marcos concurrent DA Secretary said, to increase the nation's [...]
PH rejoining ICC unlikely, says Remulla
FILE PHOTO: Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. (Senate PRIB) The Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) looks far-fetched despite a recommendation made by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the country earlier this week. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who led Manila’s delegation to the UNHRC meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, said on Friday that such a move must first be discussed with the Senate, which ratifies treaties, and former President Rodrigo Duterte. It was Duterte who ordered officials to pull the country out of the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. ‘We are not Sudan’ Remulla indicated that it was unlikely that the Philippines would go back. “Because, as far as we are concerned, we are not [...]
APEC summit: Frank exchange of views important, Jacinda Ardern tells China’s President Xi Jinping
Jacinda Ardern has met with Xi Jinping in Bangkok. Photo: POOL / Thomas Manch Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has wound up a face to face meeting with China's President Xi Jinping in which Xi said China saw New Zealand as an "important partner and friend". The meeting in a hotel on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Bangkok was scheduled for 20 minutes, but went for longer. In his translated opening comments, President Xi also said he thanked Ardern for her statements that New Zealand had an independent foreign policy, and said the China-NZ relationship had delivered benefits to both countries. "You have said on multiple occasions that New Zealand is committed to an independent foreign policy and that China - New Zealand relations are one of [...]
Marcos-Xi meeting dials down sea row
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time on 17 November 2022 on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Bangkok. It was their first face-to-face meeting after a phone call on 18 May 2022. Photo from OPS PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided any mention of the arbitral tribunal ruling on the South China Sea that favored the Philippines when they sat down for a bilateral meeting Thursday. Instead, the two leaders agreed to settle disputes between their countries through "friendly consultations." The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. "On the South China Sea, the two sides must stick to friendly consultation [...]
‘PH one of weakest military capability in region’
This file photo taken on May 14, 2019 shows a Philippines' coast guard ship (R) sailing past a Chinese coast guard ship during a joint search and rescue exercise between the Philippines and US coast guards near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. - The Scarborough Shoal fishing ground, tapped by generations of Filipino fishermen, is one of many potential flashpoints for military conflict over the South China Sea. China and Taiwan both claim sovereignty over almost the entire sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims to parts of it. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) (UPDATE) THE military capability of the Philippines can be considered as one of the weakest in the region, Department of National Defense (DND) Officer in Charge Senior Undersecretary [...]
US Vice President to discuss illegal fishing with Palaweños
US Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff (L) depart Joint Base Andrews en route to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 16, 2022. Haiyun Jiang / POOL / AFP United States Vice President Kamala Harris will discuss with Palawan residents the impact of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on their livelihoods. Harris will also meet with young Filipino women to talk about "empowering women and girls," a senior US administration official said in a background briefing on Wednesday. Harris will arrive Sunday night after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit in Bangkok, Thailand. The first woman US vice president will meet with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte separately on Monday. On Tuesday, Harris will travel [...]
NASA prepares for third attempt at Artemis lunar rocket launch
NASA's new moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B on Nov 14, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo: AP/John Raoux) CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: Ground teams at Kennedy Space Center prepared on Tuesday (Nov 14) for a third try at launching NASA's towering, next-generation moon rocket, the debut flight of the United States space agency's Artemis lunar program, 50 years after Apollo's last moon mission. The 32-story tall Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was due to blast off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1.04am EST (2pm, Singapore time) on Wednesday to send its Orion capsule on a 25-day voyage around the moon and back without astronauts aboard. NASA flight-readiness crews were eager for success after 10 weeks beset by engineering difficulties, two hurricanes and two trips from the spacecraft's [...]
Marcos flies to Thailand for APEC meet
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Contributed Photo (UPDATE) President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will lead the Philippine delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand, where he will push for measures on food and energy security as well as climate change adaptation. Marcos, who will leave for Bangkok on Wednesday, November 16, will join his fellow heads of state for the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting from November 16 to 19. He will also attend other related summits where he is expected to discuss plans and priorities of the Philippines in terms of trade, investment and post-pandemic economic recovery. The President will also have at least six bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the APEC Summit. It will be the first in-person APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting since [...]
Marcos: PH, ASEAN partners experience food shortage, rising prices
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia revealed that the Philippines is not the only Southeast Asian country experiencing food shortage and rising prices of fuel and other commodities. “What I learned in having attended this ASEAN Summit is that marami talagangcommonalities ang bawat bansa [the countries have many commonalities],” Marcos told reporters in Phnom Penh. “That actually is a good thing because nag-a-agree kami na ito ‘yung mga talagang problema, ito ‘yung mga dapat unahin natin [we agree that these are the problems, that these are our priorities]. And it’s common. It’s price of food, the price of energy, the supply side problems,” he added. Marcos said other leaders spoke about their respective [...]
New Zealand government announces upgrade to ASEAN trade deal
The Government has today announced an upgrade to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which will see New Zealand strengthen its ties with one of its largest trading partners. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern listens to a speech during the ASEAN-East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Source: Associated Press) The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is made up of 10 member countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The conclusion to the negotiations, launched in September 2020, was announced by leaders from ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand today at the opening of the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “As the world feels the impact of global economic pressures, the importance of securing high-quality, modern free trade agreements [...]
Six dead, 81 injured in suspected terrorist bomb attack in Istanbul
Members of the crime scene investigation police work as Turkish policemen secure the area after a strong explosion of unknown origin shook the busy shopping street of Istiklal in Istanbul, on Nov 13, 2022. (Photo: AFP/Yasin AKGUL) ISTANBUL: Six people were killed and 81 others wounded on Sunday (Nov 13) when an explosion rocked a busy pedestrian street in central Istanbul in what Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called a bomb attack that "smells like terrorism". Hundreds of people fled the historic Istiklal Avenue after the blast, as ambulances and police raced in. The area, in the Beyoglu district of Turkey's largest city, had been crowded as usual at the weekend with shoppers, tourists and families. Video footage obtained by Reuters showed the moment the explosion occurred at 4.13pm, sending [...]
PBBM pushes PH bid for UN Security Council seat
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is campaigning for the candidature of the Philippines in the United Nations Security Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of world’s peace and security. In his intervention at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United States Summit, the President pushed to become part of the 15-member council as he believed the Philippine experience “in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation, will be of additional help to the Security Council.” “At this point, allow me to request the US’ support for the Philippines’ candidature, as the ASEAN candidate, to the UN Security Council for the term 2027-2028,” Marcos said. “You may rest assured of the Philippines’ committed effort to enrich the work of the Security Council,” he added. Photo courtesy of [...]
Marcos touches base with US and China
MARCOS SPEAKS AT ASEAN SUMMIT President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. maintains that the South China Sea must remain ‘a sea of peace, security, stability and prosperity.’ Speaking at the 17th East Asian Summit in Cambodia on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, the President also called for the ‘denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,’ support for advancing women’s economic empowerment, increased energy cooperation, promoting volunteerism, addressing climate change and improving food security. PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. used the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as a platform to touch base with geopolitical rivals China and the United States. The President met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the Asean Plus Three Summit on Saturday, and [...]
NEDA confident Philippine economy will hit 6.5%-7.5% target this year
After a stronger-than-expected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Friday expressed optimism that the economy would hit the government’s target growth band for the entire year. “Malakas po ang aming kumpyansa na we will really be attaining ‘yung [target],” NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said during state-run PTV’s public briefing. (We are strongly confident that we will really be attaining this target.) The Marcos administration set a target band of 6.5% to 7.5% GDP growth for 2022. As of the third quarter of 2022, the country’s GDP —the total value of goods and services produced in a specific period— grew by 7.6%, faster than the upwardly adjusted 7.5% GDP growth seen in the second quarter of the year. Edillon echoed Socioeconomic Planning [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern hopes to drive regional consensus at Asian summits
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern believes New Zealand has a global reputation for fair-mindedness, which it can bring to bear at the summits. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hopes to use New Zealand's good international standing to drive consensus and lower regional tensions in two Asian summits she's attending in the coming week. Ardern will attend the East Asia Summit in Cambodia and APEC Summit Thailand, with regional security, climate change, and trade issues likely to be high on the agendas. She said geopolitical and other tensions had increased in the region with the Ukraine war, Myanmar's internal conflict, and China's more assertive foreign policy raising the political temperature. "These are opportunities for New Zealand to recommit to forums that drive consensus that drive dialogue over [...]
Ukraine war: Celebrations as Kyiv takes back key city Kherson
Ukrainian soldiers have been welcomed into Kherson by jubilant residents, after Russia said it had fully withdrawn from the key southern city. Video showed locals on the streets, flying Ukraine's national flag and chanting as Kyiv's troops arrived. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kherson was "our city". Kherson was the only regional capital taken by Russia after February's invasion. The retreat has been seen as one of its biggest setbacks of the war. Moscow said 30,000 personnel had been taken out of the area - as well as around 5,000 pieces of military hardware, weaponry and other assets. An evening update from the Ukrainian side said troops had pushed as far forwards as the western bank of the Dnipro river. Images emerged on Friday showing that the main river [...]
DepEd calls for water system check in W. Visayas schools
CHECK THE WATER SYSTEM. Department of Education 6 (Western Visayas) Director Ramir Uytico says the regional medical officer will be engaging counterparts in the schools' division offices to check their water system to protect learners from acute gastroenteritis, during a virtual press conference on Friday (Nov. 11, 2022). He said the check would be regionwide as protection against acute gastroenteritis. (Photo screengrab from virtual press conference) ILOILO CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) 6 (Western Visayas) has directed the 21 schools' divisions in the region to check their schools’ water systems to ensure their safety amid recorded cases of acute gastroenteritis in Iloilo. DepEd-6 Director Ramir Uytico, in a virtual press conference on Friday, [...]
Marcos to visit China in January next year
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in January next year, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) confirmed on Friday. The OPS said Marcos will be in China for a state visit from January 3 to 5 or 6. Malacañang already said as early as July that Marcos will meet the Chinese leader soon, but no date was given then. Marcos earlier met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi where they discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two nations amid tensions in the South China Sea. Marcos has previously stated he will talk to China with a "firm voice" but also echoed his predecessor's that Manila cannot afford to go to war against Beijing. In 2016, an international tribunal [...]
Global economic crisis strangling progress for poor, warns U.N. development chief
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt – Decades of development progress are at risk as economies are pushed backward by climate change losses, the COVID-19 economic fallout, a growing cost-of-living crisis, and soaring debt and inflation, the U.N. development chief said at COP27 in Egypt. “We essentially document a regression – and regression that is virtually universal across the board,” said Achim Steiner, who leads the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Progress toward the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals – which include ending poverty and hunger and are due to be achieved by 2030 – is sliding, he said, with some countries finding themselves back where they were in 2016. The economic pain is making it harder for many governments to find the funding needed to roll out clean energy and tackle climate change – something that would have been easier when interest rates were still low, Steiner said in [...]
Singapore passes law against ‘harmful’ social media content
The law tightens regulation of social media in the city-state, where rights groups have accused the government of using legislation to stifle free expression. FILE PHOTO SINGAPORE - Singapore passed legislation on Wednesday empowering authorities to order social media platforms Facebook, TikTok and others to remove "egregious content" such as those promoting self-harm, sexual exploitation, terrorism and hate. The law tightens regulation of social media in the city-state, where rights groups have accused the government of using legislation to stifle free expression. Social media firms face a fine of up to Sg$1.0 million ($715,000) if they fail to comply. Singapore passed a law against online falsehoods in 2019, which the government said was aimed at fighting disinformation but which political activists and tech giants criticized as restrictive. The new [...]
More Kiwis missing school than kids in other countries
The Education Review Office launched an investigation into why New Zealand is falling behind other countries in school attendance rates. Forty percent of parents are comfortable with their child missing more than a week of school a term. (Source: 1News) It found that although Covid-19 badly disrupted attendance, there were serious issues even before the pandemic. "Between 2015 and 2019, the percent of learners regularly attending school dropped from 70% to 58%," head of ERO's education evaluation centre Ruth Shinoda said. This put New Zealand far behind countries like Australia at 73% and the UK at 87%. Forty per cent of New Zealand parents are comfortable with their child attending irregularly, missing more than a week of school a term. This rate of irregular attendance would equate to [...]
Labor coalition presses for legislated wage hike
STOCK IMAGE A broad alliance of labor groups on Wednesday urged Congress to pass a law raising the salaries of the country’s more than four million minimum wage earners who continue to grapple with rising prices of food and other basic commodities. While it welcomed the wage review order from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition said Congress should take action as well because it “holds the power to legislate wage hikes and better employment programs.” It added that this should be the government’s response, especially when “the national objective is not only about mitigating the impacts of inflation… but most importantly, on raising the standard of living of the working class.” Another labor group, Partido Manggagawa, lobbied for Congress to legislate a P100 [...]
Marcos, DoE execs tackle energy security
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with top officials of the Department of Energy (DoE) and other agencies related to the sector to tackle ways the government can ensure the country’s energy security. Contributed Photo President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with top officials of the Department of Energy (DoE) and other agencies related to the sector to tackle ways the government can ensure the country's energy security, Malacañang said Wednesday. They tackled "immediate and medium-term plans for energy development and power supply in the country," the Office of the President (OP) said in a Facebook post. Marcos has pushed the use of renewable energy that will also step up the country's efforts in combating climate change. The DoE informed the President that it is preparing for the [...]
Control of U.S. Congress still unclear amid tight midterm races
WASHINGTON— The results of the U.S. midterm elections were not yet clear enough Wednesday to know which party will control Congress from January, although local media continues to bet on the Republicans retaking the House of Representatives by a narrower margin than expected. Control of the Senate has come down to a few races, with Democrats scoring a crucial win in Pennsylvania by flipping a seat previously held by a Republican. Georgia, another key state, is heading to a runoff slated for Dec. 6, according to U.S. media. The extremely tight race in the House came as a surprise, as the Democratic Party was seen as facing strong headwinds due to voter frustration with high inflation and the sagging popularity of President Joe Biden. While the midterms usually serve [...]
Japan and U.S. consider ‘two-plus-two’ security talks in January
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi would attend the "two-plus-two talks" alongside Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and their U.S. counterparts Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin. | KYODO Japan and the United States are considering holding “two-plus-two” security talks between their foreign and defense ministers soon, possibly in January, diplomatic sources said Wednesday, with the allies facing greater security challenges from China, North Korea and Russia. The first talks being held in that format between the two nations in about a year would follow a planned revision to Japan’s National Security Strategy by the end of the year. The nation’s long-term security and diplomacy policy guidelines are slated to be updated along with two other key defense documents. With U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration releasing its first National Security Strategy last month, [...]
Bill creating more MARINA extension offices hurdles House panel
MANILA – The House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday approved a bill seeking to create additional Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) offices in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon) and 4-B (Mimaropa). The bill aims to bring effective and efficient services closer to the people, particularly the Filipino seafarers, MARINO Party-List Representative Sandro Gonzales said. "Many of our Filipino seafarers struggle when it comes to processing their MARINA documents because they do not have easy access to its offices," Gonzalez said. Gonzales, author of the bill, added that it is the reason why creation of these extension offices are deemed necessary – to save time for travel, transportation costs, and to secure a more convenient way to avail of maritime services. He said regional offices would help MARINA [...]
Marcos expected to meet with leaders of France, Canada on ASEAN sidelines
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced he is looking forward to bilateral meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits in Cambodia. “I’m looking forward to the bilaterals because, again, iba ‘yung usapan kapag face-to-face [discussions are different when done face-to-face],” the President said in his interview with reporters onboard flight PR 001. “I’ve never met with him (Trudeau), so I suppose it’s just going to be an introductory one,” Marcos added. On the other hand, Marcos said he has spoken to Macron twice and added that their discussions can “move forward on the details of the things that [Macron is] thinking about.” “Remember [...]
PBBM to raise SCS issue with Xi
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed his intent to discuss the South China Sea (SCS) issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. In a media interview after departing Manila, Marcos emphasized the importance of finding ways to settle the long-standing territorial disputes in SCS between the Philippines and other littoral states which include China. Marcos said it is “impossible” for him not to mention the SCS issue with Xi when he is given the chance to hold a meeting with his counterpart. “Those kinds of discussions, [...]
COP27: What you need to know about UN climate summit
Photo: MOHAMED ABDEL HAMID/AFP World leaders have gathered in Egypt to bring to the forefront global climate-related issues at the UN climate summit in Egypt. The two-week 27th United Nations Conference of Parties, or COP27, will host discussions for commitments by governments to tackle climate change. The Pacific Islands Forum has declared a climate emergency and demand real action from world leaders. Here's everything you need to know about COP27. How did the COP meetings begin? In 1995, the United Nations got parties (countries) together to address the rising climate-related issues, particularly the warming of the planet due to human activities, mainly from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have risen 1.1C and are [...]
Four envoys visit VP Duterte
Ahmed Shehabeldin of Egypt Four ambassadors made courtesy calls on Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday to discuss continued relations while also exploring future cooperation between the Philippines and their respective countries. They were F.M. Borhan Uddin of Bangladesh, Ahmed Shehabeldin of Egypt, Ilan Fluss of Israel and Hae Kyong Yu of Australia. Uddin briefed Duterte on recent developments in Bangladesh's economy, trade and investments, and education sector, while also highlighting the historic relationship between the country and the Philippines, one of the first countries to recognize their independence in 1971. Meanwhile, Duterte told Shehabeldin about the challenges confronting the Philippine education sector and its future direction. The Egyptian envoy told Duterte his recommendations, particularly on the importance of information technology, to address the issue [...]
Free seeds for Cordillera urban folks to boost urban agri
FREE SEEDS. The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region is urging residents in urban areas to engage in backyard or survival gardening to provide nutritious and fresh vegetables for their families that can even be sold in an urban setting much like in this 2020 photo of a rooftop garden in Baguio City. The department has launched the Green Revolution 2.0 program that aims to encourage residents to adopt the urban gardening technologies with available free seeds at the DA offices. (PNA photo from the FB of PIO-Baguio) BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) is urging residents in the region to avail of free seeds to grow their own food at home [...]
Biden, Trump push for bets ahead of polls
UP WHERE WE BELONG United States President Joe Biden speaks about the economy at technology company ViaSat in Carlsbad, California on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. AFP PHOTO PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania— They have been shadowboxing at separate campaign stops across the United States for weeks, but the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties find themselves on the same battlefield on Saturday as they make closing pitches in Pennsylvania for next week's midterm elections. US President Joe Biden will rally alongside his old boss Barack Obama as the Democrats deploy their big guns to build the energy they hope would spread nationwide and reverse the late rightward shift in polling. And in a split-screen preview of a potential rematch of the 2020 presidential contest, the midwestern state is also playing host [...]
Marcos to hold talks with leaders of Cambodia, South Korea during ASEAN summits
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of Cambodia and South Korea on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next week. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial said Marcos will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. "So far, we're still finalizing the bilateral meetings that will be conducted by the President. But I think it would be safe to say that the first one will be with the host government, with Cambodia," Imperial said in a Palace briefing. "As a matter of courtesy, it will be their first meeting as the new president of the Philippines," he added. Imperial said Marcos will also discuss a host of issues with [...]
Malaysia deports 387 Filipinos
ZAMBOANGA CITY— A Philippine vessel carrying nearly 400 Filipinos who were arrested on various charges in Sabah, Malaysia arrived here on Friday. Most of those deported by the Malaysian government were illegal entrants to Sabah, a wealthy state being claimed by the Sultanate of Sulu. Social workers said among those deported were eight children. The Department of Social Welfare and Development said 387 arrived Friday night and were taken to a shelter until they were all processed and sent home to their respective places of origin. Last month, Malaysia also deported 355 Filipinos, according to Capt. Benzar Mukarram of the Zamboanga City Maritime Police. In September, Kuala Lumpur deported 750 illegal Filipino immigrants arrested in various places in Sabah as Malaysia continues to fight off rightful financial claims of the [...]
China says it will not waver in its ‘dynamic-clearing’ COVID-19 strategy
A woman has her throat swabbed for a COVID-19 test at a coronavirus testing site in Beijing. (File photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein) BEIJING— China will "unswervingly" stick to its zero-COVID policy and persevere with its "dynamic-clearing" approach to COVID-19 cases as soon as they emerge, health officials said on Saturday (Nov 5). China is the last major economy wedded to a strategy of extinguishing outbreaks as they emerge, imposing snap lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines despite the widespread disruption to businesses and international supply chains. Stock markets climbed on Friday in part on unsubstantiated rumours that Beijing was poised to announce significant changes to the policy or even lay out a path towards a full reopening. But authorities poured cold water on the speculation, with National Health Commission (NHC) spokesperson Mi [...]
US flies supersonic bomber in show of force against North Korea
At least one B-1B aircraft participated in joint US-South Korea air force exercise, Seoul says, noting North Korea again fired 4 ballistic missiles. Vigilant Storm drills - involving about 240 warplanes - have triggered an angry reaction from North Korea [File: River Bruce/US Air Force via Reuters] The United States flew a supersonic bomber over ally South Korea as part of an enormous combined aerial exercise involving hundreds of warplanes in a show of force meant to intimidate North Korea over its barrage of ballistic missile tests this week. At least one B-1B bomber participated on the last day of a joint US-South Korea air force exercise that wrapped up on Saturday, South Korea’s defence ministry said. South Korea’s military also said North Korea fired four short-range ballistic [...]
Agri losses due to Paeng now at P3.16B
An aerial view of the flooded rice fields in Antique in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng. (PNA file photo) MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday reported that damage and losses due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng now stood at PHP3.16 billion affecting 83,704 farmers and fishers. The volume of production loss was recorded at 197,811 metric tons (MT) planted to 84,677 hectares of farmlands in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, and Soccsksargen regions. Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructures, machinery and equipment. The DA has already distributed PHP1.74 [...]
Marshall Islands confirms membership in Pacific Forum
The impassioned plea for regional unity by Marshall Islands President David Kabua, shown speaking to the graduation in May of the College of the Marshall Islands, led to the Marshall Islands parliament formally endorsing membership in the Pacific Islands Forum. Photo: Chewy C. Lin The Marshall Islands ended two years of being at the centre of controversy over the possible break up of the Pacific's premier regional organisation when its parliament adopted resolutions reaffirming its membership in the Pacific Islands Forum. The Nitijela (parliament) passed two resolutions in tandem late last month. One rescinds a 2021 resolution that supported ending Marshall Islands membership in the Forum, and a second one reaffirming its membership in the Forum as "vital and essential" to its foreign policy and regional cooperation. These [...]
PH resumes deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople. Senate PRIB The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will resume on Nov. 7 the processing of new employment contracts for Saudi Arabia-bound overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) after the suspension of deployment due to the pandemic and welfare concerns. Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the OFWs to be deployed to Saudi Arabia, especially domestic workers, would benefit from the negotiated new employment contract “that ensures greater workers’ protection.” In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a total of 189,826 new hired OFWs were deployed to Saudi Arabia. They consisted of 37,278 domestic workers and cleaners and 152,548 construction workers and other skilled workers. “We will know by Monday and the week and months ahead, the number of proposed employment contracts to [...]
PH to join call for climate change consensus at COP27 in Egypt
MANILA – The Philippine government vowed to support host Egypt in its efforts to revitalize international consensus on the climate crisis during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which opens at Sharm el-Sheikh City on Sunday. (Courtesy of UN) Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga leads the Philippine delegation at the conference slated November 6 to 18. Loyzaga said the Philippines would continue calling on developed countries to step up to obligations and "deliver without delay on their commitments on climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building." The Philippines expects the conference to set the stage for "transparent, accessible, predictable and efficient climate finance.” "The Philippine delegation will assert the country’s call for bolder [...]
Wearing a mask in classrooms will be optional – DepEd
MANILA, Philippines — Wearing a mask in classrooms will be optional, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday, just a day before the full implementation of in-person classes. “DepEd will follow [Executive Order] 7 and will issue an amendatory DO [DepEd order],” DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa told INQUIRER.net in a text message. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the executive order on Oct. 28, which lifted the mandatory use of face masks indoors. A month earlier, Marcos also lifted the mandatory use of face masks outdoors. Full face-to-face classes will start on Wednesday, Nov. 2, in accordance with DO 34 series of 2022, which mandates five days of in-person classes weekly. The order also barred blended or distance learning beyond Oct. 31. Despite the optional use of face [...]
Tokyo begins recognition of same-sex partnerships
Mamiko Moda (left) and her partner Satoko Nagamura with their son hold a same-sex partnership certificate at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on Tuesday. | AFP-JIJI Tokyo’s same-sex partnership system came into effect Tuesday, allowing sexual minority couples in the capital to be treated in the same manner as married heterosexual couples in areas such as housing, health care and child-rearing. However, same-sex marriage is prohibited nationwide, meaning various other legal protections only afforded to heterosexual married couples remain unavailable. Still, the Tokyo Partnership Oath System, despite its limitations, has been lauded by many in the LGBTQ community as a step toward achieving equal rights for sexual minorities in Japan. “As a 41-year old sexual minority and Tokyo resident, it’s a joy to have my presence finally acknowledged practically [...]
Marcos calls for better disaster response
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. together with other officials during the situational briefing at Kampilan Clubhouse, Camp BGen Gonzalo H. Siongco, 6ID PA, Awang Dos, Maguindanao Del Norte. (PHOTO CREDIT: OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY) President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged local government units (LGUs) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to have closer coordination and have more joint projects for the easier facilitation of government aid in times of disasters and calamities. "I think that is something that we can improve on, the coordination between the LGUs and BARMM. And then the procedures. I know that you are just drawing up your procedures now. But you can see why this is important," the Chief Executive said during the situation briefing with BARMM [...]
‘Paeng’ leaves ₱1.33B in agriculture losses
Metro Manila, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Paeng ravaged agricultural lands across eight regions in the country, with damage estimated at ₱1.33 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Monday. According to its latest data, the DA said agricultural damage and losses were reported in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen. Paeng reportedly affected 64,607 hectares of land, 66,963 metric tons of volume of production loss, and 53,849 farmers and fisherfolk. The rice sector took almost all of the hit of Paeng as the tropical cyclone affected 63,930 hectares of land, with an estimated cost of damage and loss at ₱1.23 billion. The country also lost around ₱60 million worth of high value crops and ₱5.59 million worth of [...]
Marcos at ground zero: Tree cutting to blame for landslides
RELIEF | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of relief assistance to Paeng victims taking shelter at Broce Central Elementary School of Peace at Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao province, on Tuesday. (Photo from Malacañang) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said trees should be planted in the denuded uplands of the two Maguindanao provinces to prevent a repeat of last week’s deadly landslides after seeing for himself what environmentalists for years had been warning the government on what would happen not only in Mindanao but also in other parts of the country. Marcos, accompanied by Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, flew over the areas devastated by the landslides and flash floods that followed heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: [...]
India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing
At least 141 people died when a pedestrian suspension bridge collapsed in India's western state of Gujarat. A local official said most of those who had died were women, children or elderly. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs. There was overcrowding on the bridge at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival, officials said. The 230m (754ft) bridge on the Machchu river was built during British rule in the 19th Century. The death toll is expected to rise further. Police, military and disaster response teams were deployed and the rescue effort is continuing. More than 177 people have been rescued so far, officials said. "Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists," an eyewitness called Sukram [...]
PH, Georgia discuss expanding ties
DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (left) meets with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili (right) for the 2nd PH-GE Political Consultations held on 27 October 2022 in Manila. (DFA-OPCD Photo) The Philippines and Georgia reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral relations at the 2nd Philippines-Georgia Political Consultations held on October 27 in Manila. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the Philippine delegation, while Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili headed the Georgian delegation Highlighting commonalities between the two countries, Lazaro underscored that both countries are providers of seafarers. She proposed maritime cooperation with focus on seafarers' certificate recognition and exchange of information between maritime authorities and institutions. "As an archipelagic country, maritime cooperation is very important for us. The Philippines and Georgia can benefit from people-to-people exchanges between [...]
Paeng death toll climbs to 98 — NDRRMC
An aerial shot shows residents wading through a flooded rice field at a village in Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, north of Manila on October 30, 2022, a day after Tropical Storm Paeng whipped many parts of the country. (AFP) MANILA, Philippines – The wrath of tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) has resulted in 98 reported deaths, so far, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday. In its 6 a.m. situational repor, the NDRRMC said only 58 of these deaths have been confirmed – 53 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), three in Western Visayas, and two in Soccsksargen (Cotabato, Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat). Meanwhile, the agency noted that the 40 casualties, which have yet to be validated, were logged [...]
World food supplies at risk as Russia withdraws from Black Sea deal
SINGAPORE – Russia’s weekend backtrack from a U.N.-brokered deal to export Black Sea grains is likely to hit shipments to import-dependent countries, deepening a global food crisis and sparking gains in prices. Hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat booked for delivery to Africa and the Middle East are at risk following Russia’s withdrawal, while Ukrainian corn exports to Europe will take a hit, two Singapore-based traders said. Russia on Saturday suspended participation in the U.N. grain deal for an “indefinite term”, after what it said was a major Ukrainian drone attack on its Black Sea fleet in Crimea. “If I have to replace a vessel which was due to come from Ukraine, what are the options? Not much really,” said one Singapore-based grains trader who supplies wheat to [...]
Itaewon crowd crush death toll now 154, including 26 foreigners
A person is on his knees near Itaewon Station in Seoul on Oct. 31, 2022, in mourning of the deadly Itaewon crowd crush two days ago. (Yonhap photo) SEOUL – The death toll from the Halloween crowd crush in Seoul has risen to 154, including 26 foreigners, officials said Monday, as the country mourned the deadliest tragedy in years and tried to cope with the aftermath. The death toll could rise further, as 33 others remain in serious condition, according to officials at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. A total of 116 others sustained minor injuries, they said. All but one of the fatalities have been identified, officials said. The 26 foreign victims include five from Iran, four each from China and Russia, two [...]
Alcohol law reform plans signalled by NZ government
Photo: 123RF Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the government will tackle alcohol law reform, to curb alcohol marketing and sponsorship, but will take time to do it right and won't be rushed. It has signalled plans to tackle the issue in March. On the other hand, swifter changes are on the cards for communities to have more control over the sale of alcohol in their areas, with a new amendment expected to the law to remove liquor companies' and supermarkets' avenues for appealing local alcohol policies. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report that current levels of alcohol marketing in New Zealand do not sit well with her, and many other politicians felt the same way. Communities had faced difficulties battling issues such as electronic billboards outside schools, [...]
US B-52 bombers to head to Australia as tensions with China grow
A US B-52 bomber is escorted by two F-15 fighter aircraft during a fly-over at a sports game in Louisiana, in 2021. B-52s can deliver long-range strikes of both nuclear and conventional weapons. Photo: AFP/ Jonathan Bachman The United States is preparing to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to northern Australia, a provocative move experts say is aimed squarely at China. An investigation by ABC's Four Corners revealed Washington has plans to build dedicated facilities for the giant aircraft at Tindal air base, south of Darwin. The US has drawn up detailed plans for what it calls a "squadron operations facility" for use during the Northern Territory dry season, an adjoining maintenance centre and a parking area for "six B-52s". Becca Wasser from the Centre for [...]
Donation drives launched for Paeng victims
Workers protect themselves from rain while riding atop a garbage truck in Quezon City, on October 29, 2022. Rolex dela Pena, EPA-EFE Non-governmental organizations launched their respective donation drives to aid victims of tropical storm Paeng, which devastated a large part of the country since Friday. Caritas Manila sought food packs, wash kits, bedding materials, shelter repair kits. Interested donors may contact 8562-0020 to 25 with locals 118, 139, 135, or 0917-595-5083. Angat Buhay also posted a call for donation on social media. Besides cash, the group welcomed blankets, ready-to-eat food, rice, bottled water, sanitary kits, and face masks and rubbing alcohol.
Cavite evacuates over 2,100 residents
GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite— Around 2,179 individuals or 585 families in five cities and eight towns in the province of Cavite were forced to evacuation areas in their respective localities, Saturday, October 30, because of the severe flooding brought by Typhoon "Paeng," according to the report of the Provincial Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Office.
Watch out for PH core inflation, 2nd-round effects: IMF exec
MANILA – Core inflation and second-round effects are major economic factors to watch out for in the Philippines, an executive of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. RISKS TO INFLATION. Core inflation and second-round effects are factors that should be monitored closely vis-a-vis the Philippines' inflation rate, an executive of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday (Oct. 28, 2022). However, domestic growth is seen to remain solid with a print of about 6.5 percent this year but is projected to slow down to 5 percent next year. (PNA file photo) In a hybrid briefing on Friday for the release of the lender’s Regional Economic Outlook (REO), Shanaka Peiris, Division Chief of Regional Studies of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, noted that the rate of price increases [...]
Cholera overwhelms Haiti as cases, deaths spike amid crisis
Thousands of people across Haiti are becoming sick with cholera as medical staff struggle to care for them despite dwindling supplies of fuel and water A girl suffering from cholera symptoms is helped by her father upon arrival at a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. For the first time in three years, people in Haiti have been dying of cholera, raising concerns about a potentially fast-spreading scenario and reviving memories of an epidemic that killed nearly 10,000 people a decade ago. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) The Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- The sun shone down on Stanley Joliva as medical staff at an open-air clinic hovered around him, pumping air into his lungs and giving him chest compressions until he died. Nearby, his [...]
‘Paeng’ leaves ’16 of 17 regions at high risk’
GRIM TASK Rescuers dig among mud and stones near a river as they try to retrieve the bodies of victims of a landslide in Kusiong village in Datu Odin Sinsuat in the southern Philippines’ Maguindanao province on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Severe Tropical Storm ‘Paeng’ whipped the Philippines after unleashing flash floods and landslides that officials said left at least 45 people dead. AFP PHOTO PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is considering placing the Philippines under a one-year state of calamity due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" (international name: "Nalgae") which left "16 of 17 regions at "high risk." In his meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other government officials on Saturday, the President said he would study the recommendation, [...]
At least 149 killed in crowd crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul
Officials say 150 more injured, with many being treated for cardiac arrest, after surge in South Korean capital Rescue workers and firefighters at the scene of the crush in Seoul. Photograph: Lee Ji-eun/AP At least 149 people have been killed and at least 150 more injured after being crushed by a large crowd pushing forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities in the South Korean capital Seoul, officials have said. Choi Cheon-sik, an official from the National Fire Agency, said dozens were being treated for injuries at hospitals and that the death toll could grow after the crush in the leisure district of Itaewon on Saturday night. Officials say it was believed that the people were crushed to death after a large crowd began pushing forward in a [...]
US Vice President Harris to visit PH in November
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit the country next month, the White House announced on Saturday. It will take place after her trip to Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting on Nov. 18 and 19, a statement posted on the White House website said. Harris' visit "will re-affirm and strengthen the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and underscore the breadth of our cooperation as friends, partners, and allies," said the statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. "In the Philippines, she will meet with government leaders and civil society representatives," the statement also said, adding that Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will also travel with the Vice President to Manila. No further details of the trip have been provided. Of the [...]
Death toll from ‘Paeng’ climbs to 72 – NDRRMC
LIFELINE In this handout photo obtained from Regional Maritime Unit 12 - Sultan Kudarat Maritime Police Station Facebook page, rescuers help residents evacuate in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Friday, Oct.28, 2022, due to heavy rains resulting in floods brought by Tropical Storm 'Paeng' (international name: Nalgae). At least 31 people were reported killed as heavy rain lashed the southern Philippines, with some residents stranded on rooftops, a disaster official said. PHOTO BY AFP The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday that it has received reports of at least 72 fatalities and 14 missing in Maguindanao and Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) due to flooding and landslides brought about by the heavy rains spawned by Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng". Also, the NDRRMC said that a total of [...]
Paeng cuts deadly path; Bangsamoro worst hit
HEAVY DAMAGE DOWN SOUTH A landslide triggered by heavy rains in Parang town, Maguindanao, on Friday shows the almost nationwide extent of the damage wrought by Tropical Storm “Paeng,” (international name: Nalgae) whose fury may yet be fully felt this weekend in other parts of the country. Photo provided by the Philippine Marines. —AFP Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) drenched most parts of the country on Friday and among the worst-hit by heavy rains was the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) where dozens of people died in floods and landslides. The French news agency, Agence France-Presse, (AFP) quoted an official civil defense report saying that 67 had died by late Friday, more than the 42 earlier reported by officials. In Capiz province, the provincial Office [...]
Death toll from Philippine flash floods rises to 67 — official tally
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescuers evacuate residents from their flooded homes due to a tropical storm, locally named Paeng, in Maguindanao province, Philippines, October 28, 2022. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS COTABATO - Landslides and flooding in the southern Philippines killed at least 67 people on Friday, according to an official tally, with rescuers racing to save residents of a mountain village that was buried in mud. The village of Kusiong accounted for many of the 50 deaths in the area around Datu Odin Sinsuat town, after heavy overnight rain unleashed floods mixed with mud, rocks and fallen trees that buried the community, the area's civil defense office said in a statement. Similar avalanches also struck villages in the nearby towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Upi, which [...]
PH senators seek more trade opportunities in France
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Contributed Photo SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and other members of the Philippine Senate delegation in France met with the country's businessmen and private sector leaders to discuss potential opportunities and areas of economic cooperation on the second official day of their parliamentary visit to the European country. On Wednesday, October 26, Go, with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, had a meeting with energy and transportation sector leaders to explore possible opportunities for investments in the Philippines. The senator said that the meetings also serve to provide an opportunity to discuss potential avenues of collaboration between the Philippines and France in key industries. "It is my hope that through these discussions, we will be able to identify potential areas in which the Philippines and [...]
Suicide risk increases among NZ doctors
CRUSHING PRESSURE This file photo shows medical workers taking part in training for treating Covid-19 patients at a comprehensive hospital in Auckland, New Zealand on April 3, 2020. NEW ZEALAND MINISTRY OF HEALTH/HANDOUT VIA XINHUA WELLINGTON— Burnout, depression and anxiety are increasingly common among New Zealand doctors, which impair their ability to perform at home and at work, a common contributor to suicide risk, the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) said on Friday. Burnout has been documented to affect 45 percent in a consultant survey in one New Zealand hospital prior to Covid-19, and this is likely to have increased with the present frustrating work environment caused by the pandemic, according to an editorial by researchers of the University of Otago, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. Overseas [...]
Obesity highest among Filipino and Japanese Americans – study
Hiro Mejia (L), a patient in the metabolic syndrome clinic, is helped up by Michael Witten, director of the Wellness Center at the annual run/walk for patients and their friends and families at The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado June 5, 2010. REUTERS/Rick Wilking Obesity rates among Filipino and Japanese Americans were the highest among Asian Americans, according to researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Filipino obesity rate is at 28.7% and for Japanese, 26.7%, rates close to the 29.4% rate among whites but still lower than the 39.7% rate of obesity among Blacks. Researchers for the study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine on Oct. 4, adjusted the findings of the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which surveyed 70,000 Asian [...]
Paeng makes landfall in Camarines Sur; Signal No. 3 remains over two areas
On the forecast track, the center of PAENG will traverse the Bicol Peninsula until this noon before crossing the CALABARZON-Metro Manila-southern Central Luzon area this early afternoon through tomorrow early morning. SCREENSHOT Severe Tropical Storm Paeng crosses the southern tip of Catanduanes and makes landfall in Camarines Sur as Signal No. 3 remains over two areas, according to the latest Tropical Cyclone Update posted by PAGASA. The recent landfalls are: Virac, Catanduanes at 1:10 a.m. and Caramoan, Camarines Sur at 1:40 a.m. The center of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng was estimated based on all available data including those from Daet and Baler Doppler Weather Radars in the vicinity of Siruma, Camarines Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to [...]
PBBM inks EO allowing voluntary wearing of face masks indoors
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos on Friday signed an executive order (EO) allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings. (File photo) Under EO 7, the wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings shall be voluntary except in healthcare facilities, medical transport, and public transportation by land, air, or sea. The liberalization of the face mask mandate has been recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) through its Resolution 3 (s. 2022). Mask-wearing is still encouraged for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic individuals, according to the EO. "A policy of voluntary wearing of face masks in both indoor and outdoor settings is a positive [...]
PHIVOLCS issues lahar advisory for Mayon Volcano due to Paeng rains
Due to the expected heavy to intense and at times torrential rain from Tropical Storm Paeng, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a lahar advisory for Mayon Volcano. The PHIVOLCS warned that Paeng's rains could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy streamflows, or muddy run-offs in rivers and drainage areas of Mayon. Communities in pre-determined zones of lahar and related hazards on the volcano were thus urged to be vigilant. "Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate non-eruption lahars along river/stream channels draining the Mayon edifice," the PHIVOLCS said in a Facebook advisory. "Potential lahars and sediment laden streamflows may occur along the Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basud, Bantayan Channels in Albay Province." The PHIVOLCS added that Mayon lahars could [...]
Tropical Storm Paeng intensifies; Signal No. 2 in Metro Manila, 23 other areas
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) slightly intensified as it continues to move west-northwestward and has prompted state meteorologists to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 2 in several parts of Luzon and the Visayas, including Metro Manila. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its 5:00 p.m. update, reported that Paeng’s new forecast track slightly dipped south, which means it may now hit the Bicol region and Quezon province. Pagasa added that Paeng was last spotted some 180 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph. It is forecast to cross Camarines Sur at around 2:00 a.m. Saturday. Pagasa expects Paeng to [...]
Henry Sy Jr., Elon Musk team up for PH satellite internet
SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks on a screen during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, June 29, 2021. (File photo by NACHO DOCE / Reuters) MANILA, Philippines — Billionaire Henry Sy Jr. is launching a nationwide satellite broadband service through a pioneering venture with American tech mogul Elon Musk. Data Lake Inc., led by Sy and company chair Anthony Almeda, recently sealed an agreement with Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), owner of Starlink broadband satellite. This makes Data Lake the first Starlink integrator in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. “The Philippines is an archipelago, and connecting our country to the wider world often requires extensive infrastructure,” said Almeda. Sy is the eldest son of the late taipan Henry Sy Sr., founder of [...]
Woman arrested after attack on Jacinda Ardern’s office in Auckland
A hole was smashed in the office door and a large knife was found on the footpath near the New Zealand prime minister’s office, local media report A woman has been arrested after New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s office in Auckland was damaged in an attack on Thursday. Photograph: Steven Saphore/AFP/Getty Images A woman has been arrested in relation to an attack on the Auckland office of Jacinda Ardern while the New Zealand prime minister is away visiting Antarctica, local media reported. Police said the 57-year-old was arrested at a Coatesville house and was taken into custody, according to news outlet Stuff. On Thursday morning, police and fire officers attended Ardern’s electorate office in the central suburb of Morningside. Stuff reported a man was seen smashing a hole [...]
House panel OKs bill on dev’t of sustainable cities
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A measure providing for the development of sustainable cities and communities in the country hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives. During the hearing on Wednesday, the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development approved the committee report on House Bill 71, or the proposed Sustainable Cities and Communities Act, which aims to fulfill the promise of economic and social inclusion of urbanization. Committee chair Jose Francisco Benitez, author of the bill, said urbanization provides resources and opportunities for employment, livelihood, services and innovation, driving rural-urban migration. Benitez said the proposed law would improve, bolster and strengthen the urban development and planning function of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the offices within the local government units (LGUs). “So that the [...]
US to give $70M cash aid to PH military to boost defense cooperation agreement
LET'S SHAKE ON IT Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson shake hands at the Mangove Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. Carlson disclosed that the US will give $70 million cash aid to the Philippine military spread over two years for infrastructure improvement, especially on the proposed expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA THE United States government is poised to give a $70 million cash aid to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spread over two years for infrastructure improvements, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson bared on Wednesday. The American envoy made the disclosure during the Mangrove Forum hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), saying the financial assistance is mostly meant for [...]
More coffee farmers’ coops eyed in Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES— Gov. Sakur Tan has urged local coffee farmers to form or join cooperatives and strengthen the industry by maintaining the high quality of their products. Tan, who met recently with members of the Federation of Sulu Coffee Producers Cooperative (FSCPC), said he would help them mechanize the farming process to speed up production from planting to harvesting to distribution, especially now that the province is exporting Arabica and Robusta coffee beans to Japan. A provincial government photo shows Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan reading a report by the Federation of Sulu Coffee Producers Cooperative. Sulu’s Arabica and Robusta, popularly known as ‘Kahawa Sug’ is now being exported to Japan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO "We want to strengthen the local coffee industry by improving quality, increasing productivity, and training more [...]
Marcos: Govt on top of quake situation
This handout photo taken on October 26, 2022, courtesy from the Facebook page of parish priest Christian Edward Padua, shows a damaged church of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in La Paz town, Abra province, north of Manila, a day after a 6.4-magnitude quake struck the province October 25. (Photo by Handout / Christian Edward Padua / AFP) (Update) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public that the government is on top of the situation following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted Abra and nearby provinces late Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, the President said the government is focused on assisting affected individuals by providing them with food and temporary shelter. Citing reports he received, families are asking for tents as they fear for their safety due to possible [...]
OCTA: Metro Manila COVID-19 cases on downward trend
Metro Manila, Philippines —The OCTA Research Group said Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) are declining, with several indicators showing a downward trend. “New COVID-19 cases in the NCR have been decreasing since October 1, when the NCR had 1,719 new cases based on DOH data,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said in a tweet. He noted that the region’s 7-day average of new infections decreased from 807 during the Oct. 12 to 18 period to 491 during the Oct. 19 to 25 period. Also, NCR’s one-week growth rate further declined to -39% from -7%. Metro Manila’s reproduction number -- or the number of people who can catch the virus from an infected person -- also decreased from 0.98 as of Oct. 15 to 0.74 [...]
Churches must help guide youth vs addiction, violence: VP Sara
44 YEARS. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte greets members of the Jesus is Lord Church as they celebrate their 44th anniversary on Wednesday (Oct. 26, 2022). Duterte said she was barely five months old when Brother Eddie Villanueva established the JIL church. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Vice President) MDM09-1026 Churches must help guide youth vs. addiction, violence: VP Sara MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte urged Church leaders on Wednesday to help the government in leading the youth to the "right path". In her speech during the celebration of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) church anniversary, Duterte stressed the need for a joint effort, considering the vulnerability of the youth against harmful influences. "I call upon the Church to help us guide our [...]
Food security crucial to economic recovery – Go
SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said that food security is crucial for the country to achieve inclusive economic recovery as he urged authorities to address other issues besetting the agriculture sector. "For me, whether President Marcos will stay as head of DA or he will appoint a full-fledged secretary, what is important is that we immediately provide a solution to the issue of soaring prices of farm products, lower farm gate prices and agricultural smuggling. Smuggling should stop," he said. "The most important issue now is food security. It's essential to our full and inclusive economic recovery. And we should immediately address the continuing price increases," he added. Go stressed that ordinary Filipinos, not smugglers, should reap the benefits of agriculture the most. He urged authorities to prioritize the [...]
New PM Rishi Sunak pledges to fix Britain’s many problems
New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waves in front of No. 10 Downing St. in London on Tuesday. | REUTERS LONDON/TOKYO – Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday he was not daunted by the scale of the challenge as he became Britain’s third prime minister in two months, pledging to restore trust, rebuild confidence and lead the country through an economic crisis. The 42-year-old former hedge fund boss, who has only been in elected politics for seven years, has been tasked with bringing an end to the infighting and feuding at Westminster that has horrified investors and alarmed international allies. “I fully appreciate how hard things are,” he said outside the prime minister’s residence at Downing Street where he shunned the normal tradition of standing with his family and political [...]
15 education-related bills get Senate panel nod
SEN. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. File Photo SEN. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, presided over a hybrid hearing on various education-related measures on Tuesday. Of the 21 bills tackled, 15 measures were approved by the panel including House Bill (HB) 5001 or "Free College Examination Act" and Senate Bill (SB) 975 or the "Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act." Meanwhile, five proposals seeking the establishment of campuses in various areas were provisionally approved by the panel pending the submission of corresponding documents and comments showing approval of the respective college and university boards. However, the panel referred SB 1349, an act mandating the institutionalization of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program in public and private tertiary level [...]
Palace: Marcos wants renewed focus on general public health as diseases increase
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called for a renewed focus on general public health concerns amid the increase in the number of diseases apart from COVID-19 in the country. According to the Office of the Press Secretary, Marcos made the call during his meeting with World Health Organization director general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who gave him a courtesy call. “During their meeting, Marcos emphasized the necessity of finding a balance between the economy and people's safety during the meeting, citing the effectiveness of the government's COVID-19 vaccine campaign,” the OPS said. “The President also called for a renewed focus on general public health concerns as cases of other diseases increase,” it added. The President issued the remark following the rising cases of diseases in the country [...]
Ex-US Embassy officer pleads guilty in US to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in Philippines
A 63-year-old former officer of the US Embassy in Manila has pleaded guilty to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in the Philippines, the US Department of Justice has said. The US DOJ said Dean Cheves, who worked at the US Embassy in the Philippines from 2017 to 2022, is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2023. He is facing a maximum penalty of up to 30 years of imprisonment for each count against him. Citing court documents, the US DOJ said Cheves paid a minor to produce and send him sexually explicit images from December 2020 to March 2021. It said that Cheves in February 2021 engaged in sex acts on two separate occasions with another minor whom he met online, using his government-issued cell phone to film himself. [...]
Taiwan: No yielding to China’s aggression
TAIPEI: Taiwan won't back down in the face of "aggressive threats" from China, the self-ruling island's leader Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, comparing growing pressure from Beijing to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. DEFIANT DELIVERY Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during the 11th Global Assembly of World Movement for Democracy in the capital Taipei on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. AP PHOTO Her comments came days after the conclusion of the twice-a-decade congress of China's ruling Communist Party, during which it upped its long-standing threat to annex the island it considers its own territory by force, if necessary. The party added a line in its constitution on "resolutely opposing and deterring" Taiwan's independence and "resolutely implementing the policy of 'one country, two systems,'" the formula by which it [...]
DepEd, DOH urged to issue clearer COVID-19 ventilation policies
PHILIPPINES— A group of teachers, parents and students called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH) on Monday to release better ventilation guidelines for the safe implementation of the five-day in-person classes in public schools starting November 2. Aral Pilipinas specifically called on the departments to issue evidence-based guidelines to improve the airflow in schools, considering that the coronavirus is an airborne disease. The group said that measures should be adopted considering the class size, room size, and class duration, among others. “Ito ay simpleng solusyon at napakalaki ng benepisyo o maitutulong para una, magtuloy-tuloy ang pagpasok ng mga bata sa eskwelahan dahil maiiwasan ‘yung transmission with improved ventilation. Tulad ng isinusulong ng Aral Pilipinas Coalition na magkaron ng tool katulad ng Safe Schools Calculator [...]
Australia’s No. 1 health insurer warns more patient data stolen in hack
FILE PHOTO: A woman walks past a branch of the Australian health insurer Medibank Private in Sydney October 20, 2014. REUTERS/David Gray Australia's biggest health insurer Medibank Private Ltd said it expected the number of customers affected by a massive data breach to grow, after it discovered policy records of a further 1,000 customers had been stolen. Medibank, which provides coverage to one-sixth of Australians, said last week an unidentified person had shown the company stolen personal information of a 100 customers, including medical diagnoses and procedures. On Tuesday, the company said it had received more files from the criminal, showing information including personal and health claims data of more patients as well as files with some Medibank and international student customer data. "Given the complexity of [...]
BFAR, sardines makers agree to help fishers, ensure stable supply
FISHERIES DEAL. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Officer-in-Charge Demosthenes Escoto (2nd from left) holds a signed memorandum of agreement with Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines president Benjamin Sy (2nd from right) on Monday (Oct. 24, 2022). The partnership between the government and the private sector aims to help fishers and maintain a sufficient supply of canned sardines in the market. (PNA photo by Ben Briones) MANILA – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) signed Monday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) to help local fishers and ensure a stable supply of canned sardines. This came after BFAR's consultation meeting with stakeholders, where several concerns were raised, including the looming canned sardines shortage. At a press [...]
FDA warns vs ‘toxic’ cough syrups
Food and Drug Administration The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Monday echoed an earlier warning by the World Health Organization (WHO) against four "substandard" cough syrups for children. The WHO tagged the cough syrups manufactured by India-based Maiden Pharmaceutical Ltd. under the brands Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup as unsafe for consumption because they contain "toxic ingredients." The warning was issued following the death of 66 children in the West African country of Gambia last September. In its advisory, the FDA said the four brands contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol which are considered as contaminants and toxic to humans. Consumption "may result in abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and [...]
Japan, Australia ink security accord amid Beijing’s rise
FURRY FRIENDS Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida pose with koalas during their visit to Kings Park in the city of Perth, western Australia on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. AFP PHOTO PERTH, AUSTRALIA— Japan and Australia on Saturday agreed to share sensitive intelligence and deepen their defense cooperation by signing a security pact in an apparent move to counter China's military ascent. Prime ministers Fumio Kishida and Anthony Albanese inked the accord in the western Australian city of Perth, revamping a dusty 15-year-old accord drafted when terrorism and weapons proliferation were the overriding concerns. Under the deal, the countries' defense forces will train together in northern Australia and "expand and strengthen cooperation across defense, intelligence sharing" and a raft of other areas, Australian officials [...]
Marcos to Pinoys: It’s time to return to pre-pandemic life
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Sunday enjoined Filipinos to get back to their normal lives before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, stressing that it is crucial to show the world that the Philippines is slowly getting back on its feet. “It is a good thing to remind people that the pandemic may have been difficult, the pandemic really put us through the wringer. But we are back,” Marcos said in a speech in Bacolod City during a luncheon just before he graced the culminating activity of the 43rd MassKara Festival. “The pandemic is fading away. We are learning to manage it and now it is time for us to all go back to work, to all go back to our normal lives, to remind ourselves of all [...]
Boris Johnson will run for UK leadership, minister claims
Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt are believed to be contesting the British prime minister race. Photo: AFP Boris Johnson will enter the race to replace Liz Truss as British prime minister, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris told Sky News, saying the former leader had enough support from lawmakers to pass the 100-vote threshold. Asked if Johnson would run, Heaton Harris said: "Yes, I think so." "We do have the numbers... that's not an issue." Johnson and top competitor Rishi Sunak have reportedly held talks as they edge closer to the deadline for nominations in the contest to replace Liz Truss. Two separate sources told the BBC the meeting took place, but the Times newspaper reported this morning that the men did not strike a deal. [...]
Jacinda Ardern to visit Antarctica this week
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: POOL/ NZME Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will visit Antarctica this week to see first-hand the critical research undertaken by New Zealanders on the ice. The visit, scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, marks the 65th anniversary of Scott Base - New Zealand's Antarctic home - and the first full season of Antarctic research after two years of Covid-19 disruption. Ardern is a well-known Antarctic history buff, with explorer Ernest Shackleton one of her personal heroes. "Antarctica is part of New Zealand's heritage and future and we're committed to its protection as a natural reserve for peace, science and co-operation," Ardern said in a statement. "Globally significant research is carried out by New Zealanders there, and New Zealand is invested in that long-term and essential research [...]
China’s Xi secures historic third term in office, unveils new top party officials
China's President Xi Jinping walks with members of the Chinese Communist Party's new Politburo Standing Committee, as they meet the media in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 23, 2022. (Photo: WANG Zhao / AFP) BEIJING: Xi Jinping secured a historic third term as China's leader on Sunday (Oct 23) and promoted some of his closest Communist Party allies, cementing his position as the nation's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party elected Xi as its general secretary for another five-year term, Xinhua reported, tilting the country decisively back towards one-man rule after decades of power-sharing among its elite. "I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us," Xi told [...]
HK resident barred from hiring Filipinos after assaulting maid
Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople says the assaulted domestic worker has a new employer and is “doing well.” (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO) MANILA, Philippines — A Hong Kong resident who was sentenced to jail for assaulting a Filipino maid will be barred from hiring domestic helpers from the Philippines for life, Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople said on Tuesday. Chow Ching-yee, 65, recently pleaded to a count of common assault against Ruby Funa Caman. Chow slapped Caman and pulled her hair pulled for refusing her order to massage her hands, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. “I have instructed [Undersecretary] Bernard Olalia who is in charge of adjudication to ban HK employer Chow Ching-yee and her entire household from hiring a Filipino domestic worker for life,” Ople [...]
China-Taiwan: Beijing speeding up plans for unification, Blinken says
GETTY IMAGES Mr. Blinken was speaking at Stanford University in California on Tuesday China is pursuing unification with Taiwan "on a much faster timeline" than previously expected, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said. Beijing had decided the status quo was no longer acceptable, he said. In Sunday's speech opening the Communist party Congress in Beijing, President Xi Jinping refused to rule out using force to unify with Taiwan. China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory, but Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland. Last month US President Joe Biden said US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack - despite the official US policy of ambiguity on the issue. Speaking at an event at Stanford University on [...]
Canadian province sets mass hiring of PH health workers
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Canada’s Saskatchewan province is seeking “to hire hundreds of health-care workers from the Philippines over the next two years.” The move is part of Saskatchewan’s “plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more health-care workers to strengthen the provincial healthcare system,” the Canadian Embassy on Tuesday said in a statement on Facebook. “We want to spread the word to health-care workers in the Philippines that our province is a place of great opportunity,” the embassy’s post quoted Saskatchewan’s Minister of Health Paul Merriman as saying. He said full-time jobs will be offered to “registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, continuing care assistants, and medical laboratory assistants.” “We would love to welcome into our friendly Saskatchewan communities healthcare workers from the Philippines who are interested [...]
France wants to explore PH waters in exchange for submarines
ISTANBUL – France has offered the Philippines two submarines in exchange for permission to explore the Southeast Asian nation’s “sovereign waters,” according to reports on Tuesday. “France offered to build two diesel-electric-powered submarines for the Philippines based on the design and standard of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in exchange for allowing it to explore the Philippines’ vast sovereign waters,” Filipino news website Rappler reported. The proposal came as the Philippines mulls continued modernization of its armed forces. However, Philippines Defense Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino Jr. said such an offer was cumbersome. “The offer wasn’t as easy as it looked because the Philippines and France have no mutual defense agreement. It has to go through a constitutional process. We cannot just do that,” Faustino said, during a visit to Mati [...]
Offshore investors see New Zealand as attractive option – survey
A survey of 91 international investors found 70 percent expected mergers and acquisitions activity in New Zealand to increase over the next 12 months. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers Offshore investors are "overwhelmingly positive" towards investment in New Zealand with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors key to their decision making. A report by the law firm Simpson Grierson, which surveyed 91 international investors, showed all of them were considering investing in Aotearoa in the next five years. It found 70 percent expected mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in New Zealand to increase over the next 12 months, and three-quarters said ESG factors had become more important than ever. "These results are a real testament to New Zealand's ability to develop great businesses and to the stable nature [...]
Russian military jet crashes in south west, at least four dead
An Su-34 aircraft from the military airfield of the Southern Military District, the ministry said. (Photo: AFP/Amer Almohibany) MOSCOW— A Russian military plane crashed on Monday (Oct 17) into a residential area of Yeysk, a town in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine, news agencies reported, citing the defence ministry. At least four people were killed in the incident and 25 have been taken to hospital, local authorities said on Telegram. The resulting fire that engulfed a nine-storey residential building has been contained and is almost extinguished, regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram. Oksana, a local resident who declined to give her last name, said the area had been cordoned off. "There could be an explosion. Everything is burning inside. There is smoke," she told AFP. [...]
NZ Covid-19 response: Vaccine mandates, MIQ and lockdowns set to be scrapped
The government plans to introduce new pandemic legislation to handle future events, Chris Hipkins says. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government is winding down some of its Covid-19 powers, saying they're no longer justified. Vaccine mandates, managed isolation and lockdowns will all be scrapped, leaving only a handful of public health measures. Also ending on Thursday is the requirement for travellers flying to New Zealand by air having to complete the online New Zealand Traveller Declaration. However, the seven-day case isolation period and mask-wearing requirements for visitors in some healthcare settings will remain for the time being as cases and hospitalisations tick up. "Today is a significant milestone," the acting Minister for Covid-19 Response, Chris Hipkins, said in a statement. "The government has been clear that the measures [...]
Marcos raises need for water department
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday renewed his push to establish a separate government body to manage the country’s water resources. In his meeting with top officials of Isabela province, Marcos reiterated his call to create the Department of Water Resources that will address the issues surrounding the "critical" fresh water supply. “Water is too important. Supply, our freshwater supply, is generally going down, and irrigation is not as widespread as it should be,” the President said. “The problem is too large that we need to have a team of experts directing the 20 different concerned agencies under one roof to ensure that they would manage our water resources efficiently,” he added Marcos also said the government would probe the country's "precarious" freshwater supply condition, [...]
China delays key economic data releases amid Communist party congress
Highly unusual delay comes as experts forecast slowing growth in world’s second largest economy in part due to zero-Covid policy China has postponed the release of closely-watched economic data as it holds a major meeting of Communist party leaders. Photograph: VCG/Getty Images China has said it will delay the release of economic growth figures, which had been due to be published as the country’s leadership gathers for a key meeting set to hand president Xi Jinping a historic third term in office. The announcement came one day before analysts had expected Beijing to publish some of its weakest quarterly growth figures since 2020 with the economy hobbled by Covid-19 restrictions and a real estate crisis. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday the release of growth figures [...]
Covid-19: NZ facing triple threat with new variants – expert
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has urged people to continue taking measures against Covid-19, warning New Zealand is now in the same boat as the rest of the world and facing more mutations of the virus. It comes after new Omicron variant BQ1.1 was detected in New Zealand for the first time last week. "While we don't have the traffic light system any more, we have a lot of tools at our disposal," Wiles told Breakfast this morning. "It's really not something that we should be complacent about." Wiles explained BQ1.1 is just one of many new mutations the world is facing, saying "there are a bunch of them". "Essentially, because there are so many infections around the world, the virus is continuing to evolve and it's picking up more and [...]
NZ Inflation down slightly to 7.2%
Inflation has fallen marginally to 7.2%. Many economists predict the central bank will hike the rate for an eighth straight time. (Source: Breakfast) The latest consumer price index (CPI) figures were released on Tuesday by Stats NZ, and as forecast, the rate has fallen from July's 32-year high of 7.3%. The main driver for the 7.2 percent annual inflation to the September 2022 quarter was housing and household utilities due to rising prices for construction, rentals for housing, and local authority rates, Stats NZ said. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank lifted the official cash rate to 3.5%. CPI rose 2.2% in the September quarter. Vegetable prices rose 24% in the last quarter, petrol prices went up 19% in the past year, while diesel was up 72%. "This [...]
DA vows nutritious, affordable food for Filipinos
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) promised not just adequate supply, but also nutritious and affordable food for Filipinos, as the country joined the celebration of World Food Day on Monday. In a statement, the DA said it renews its commitment to ensuring every Filipino will have access to “safe and nutritious food.” “This year’s theme: “Leave NO ONE behind. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life” promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all, leaving no one behind. Through this campaign, we renew our commitment to take part in actions,” the DA statement read. The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) earlier reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal to provide [...]
NZ Govt to reopen skilled migrant and parent visa categories
The Government has announced it's reopening the skilled migrant and parent visa categories. The arrivals area at Auckland Airport. (Source: Getty) Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced the changes before members of the business and migrant community in Auckland today. He says it's part of plans reconnecting New Zealanders to the world. "As the world recovers from Covid-19, labour shortages continue to be a global symptom," Wood said. “We are listening closely to the concerns of businesses, many of whom have approval to hire migrants but are finding it difficult to recruit internationally in a constrained labour market." Wood said today's changes, which will "work in tandem with the immigration changes already made", is expected to help ease labour shortages and "ensure a competitive edge to attract talent to [...]
PH Govt allocates P12B for rice buffer program
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday doubled the allocated funds for the National Food Authority (NFA) buffer stocking program to ensure sufficient supply of the staple food in times of crisis. The budget for the program was raised from P7 billion in 2022 to P12 billion in 2023. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the importance of ensuring food affordability, especially rice as the staple food for Filipinos, by increasing the budgetary allocation for the buffer stocking program. "This is also our strategic plan for food security in times of crisis since our country is prone to natural calamities," Pangandaman said. The increased budget allocation for the Buffer Stocking Program is in line with the Marcos administration's 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda, with food security as one of the [...]
Immigration NZ enlists ‘cyber mercenaries’ banned from Facebook to covertly collect data
Cobwebs is among seven foreign companies accused by tech giant Meta of setting up fake accounts to spy on almost 50,000 people, including journalists, human rights activists, politicians. Photo: 123RF This is the first of two stories looking at surveillance firm Cobwebs Technologies' work for the New Zealand government. The government is working with an Israeli-born surveillance firm named among a group of "cyber mercenaries" and kicked off Facebook for spying on people. It is keeping most of the operations with Cobwebs Technologies secret, but they include Immigration NZ. Cobwebs is among seven foreign companies accused in late 2021 by tech giant Meta of setting up fake accounts to spy on almost 50,000 people, including journalists, human rights activists, politicians and others in more than 100 countries. Meta, formerly [...]
Biden signals rethink over Saudi ties amid anger at cuts in oil output
Moves by Opec+ to reduce production seen as siding with Putin over the US just as midterms loom Joe Biden with Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to Saudi Arabia in July. Photograph: Bandar Algaloud/Reuters The Biden administration has said it is ready to consider tough new measures against Saudi Arabia after its decision last week to side with Vladimir Putin and cut oil production. Observers said the move signalled a dramatic abandonment of the US president’s recent attempts to seek a rapprochement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and casts doubt over the future of the US-Saudi security relationship. “The president believes that we should review the bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia and take a look to see if that relationship is where it needs to be [...]
‘Govt to defend Pinoy fishing rights in WPS’
Filipino fishermen were spotted over Bajo de Masinloc during the aerial surveillance of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Photo from Philippine Coast Guard The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the government will "consistently protect and promote" fishing rights of Filipinos in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, in both Philippine territorial waters and in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS) — believed to be rich in oil and mineral deposits — are claimed in whole or in part by China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. "This should be the priority over the interest of other coastal states or SCS claimants," the DFA said through its spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza. Daza said the United Nations [...]
Zelenskiy asks G7 for monitoring of Ukraine’s border with Belarus
Ukrainian president also asks for more air defence systems after new wave of Russian missile strikes Ukrainian emergency services battle a fire following missile attacks on Zaporizhzhia.Photograph: State Emergency Service Of Ukrai/EPAUkraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has asked G7 leaders to supply more air defence systems and for an international monitoring mission on the Belarusian border, as Russia continued to attack key infrastructure in Ukraine with a new wave of missile strikes on Tuesday. Zelenskiy’s comments came amid warnings from the UN and some Natocountries that Moscow may be committing a war crime with its continuing deadly blitz on civilian targets. Warning that the Russian president “still has room for further escalation”, Zelenskiy added that the prompt supply of more air defence systems would accelerate the end of [...]
Chinese Embassy: PH on tourist blacklist is ‘misinformation’
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Chinese Embassy late Tuesday denied Senate President Migz Zubiri’s earlier announcement that the country is on the tourist blacklist of China. “The report of ‘tourist blacklist’ is misinformation. China has not placed the Philippines on its blacklist for tourism,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement sent to reporters. The embassy released the statement after Zubiri quoted Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian saying that the country was on a blacklist because of issues hounding Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). "Because of the problem of POGO, the Philippines now is blacklisted and tourists now are discouraged to go to the Philippines," Zubiri on the same day told a Senate hearing, citing information from a meeting with the ambassador. The Chinese Ambassador also later on [...]
9 of 10 Filipinos consider fake news a problem
INQUIRER.net stock images MANILA, Philippines — Close to 90 percent of adult Filipinos believe fake news is a problem, a sentiment reflected nationwide and across all socioeconomic classes, according to a recent Pulse Asia Research survey that also pointed to social media “influencers” and journalists as the top culprits. The Sept. 17-21 survey released on Tuesday said a majority (58 percent) of Filipinos nationwide see bloggers and vloggers—the social media influencers—as responsible for “spreading false information” about government and politics. They were followed by journalists (40 percent), national politicians (37 percent), local politicians (30 percent), leaders of civic or nongovernmental organizations (15 percent), businessmen (11 percent) and academics (4 percent). For a media scholar, the survey indicated that the Philippine press had “trust issues and credibility issues” at a [...]
OVP lists Sara Duterte’s achievements in first 100 days
Vice President Sara Duterte has provided medical and burial assistance, free rides, and school supplies in her first 100 days in office, among her achievements, her office says. DANNY PATA/File photo The Office of Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday listed their accomplishments in the first 100 days of the Marcos administration. In a statement, the OVP said it has processed a total of P134,376,764.95 in the medical and burial assistance program since Sara assumed office on July 1. Of the said amount, a total of P124,579,964.95 and P9,796,800 have already been processed for medical aid and burial assistance, respectively. A total of 13,315 recipients were served in all seven OVP satellite offices and OVP main office as of October 5. The OVP said the medical and burial [...]
‘We are just starting’: VP Sara’s ‘First 100 days of Firsts’
MANDALUYONG CITY -- Vice President Sara Duterte has made several “historic firsts” in just 100 days following her assumption of office. These firsts, she said, “would not only significantly change the way Filipinos look at the Office of the Vice President — but most importantly — would strengthen its mandate and enable the Office to serve more and more Filipinos across the country.” Duterte, in a 14-minute video report released in time for her first 100 days in office, said that for the first time in the history of the Office of the Vice Philippines (OVP), satellite offices were established in key areas across the country. Another first was the establishment of the Disaster Operations Center and the planned permanent residence for future Vice Presidents of the Philippines. The [...]
Bongbong Marcos signs SIM Card Registration Act
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the SIM Card Registration Act, the first law he signed as the country’s chief executive. The SIM Card Registration Act, Republic Act No. 11934, highlights the following: Before selling SIM cards, telco companies and direct sellers are required to ask for a valid identification document. Registering a SIM card with false or fictitious information, using fictitious identities, or carrying out fraudulent activities will be subject to appropriate penalties. In case of a subpoena or court order, telcos must give out SIM card owners’ full names and addresses. People with SIM cards already need to register with telcos within a certain time frame. SIM cards will be deactivated if you don’t. Subscriber SIM cards must be kept on file [...]
Marcos, De Lima talk on detention facility transfer offer — lawyer
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. personally asked former Sen. Leila de Lima her preferred detention options after the hostage-taking inside a facility at the national police headquarters, her legal counsel said Monday. Filibon Tacardon told CNN Philippines Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos called the president on Sunday. Abalos was at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to visit De Lima after the incident, and this was when the conversation took place. "Nakapag-usap si Senator Leila de Lima at si President Marcos over the phone kung saan naikuwento ni Senator de Lima ang nangyari at ang sabi nga ni President Marcos (was), 'Tell me what you want,' sabi nga niya. Pagkatapos non, nag-alok na si Secretary Abalos ngpossibility ng transfer. Kaya lang at [...]
India facing a pandemic of antibiotics-resistant superbugs
At the 1,000-bed not-for-profit Kasturba Hospital in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, doctors are grappling with a rash of antibiotic-resistant "superbug infections". MANSI THAPLIYAL The emergence of a multidrug-resistant pathogen which attacks the lungs of patients in critical care is worrying doctors This happens when bacteria change over time and become resistant to drugs that are supposed to defeat them and cure the infections they cause. Such resistance directly caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, according to The Lancet, a medical journal. Antibiotics - which are considered to be the first line of defence against severe infections - did not work on most of these cases. India is one of the countries worst hit by what doctors call "antimicrobial resistance" - antibiotic-resistant neonatal infections alone [...]
PH Army reaffirms ties with Aussie counterpart, 3 others
MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) reinforced its professional ties with its Australian Army counterpart along with three other Armies during the International Land Defence Exposition in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia held from Oct. 4 to 6. PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. met with Australian Army chief Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart to reaffirm ties between the two ground forces. "Lt. Gen. Brawner and Lt. Gen. Stuart discussed sustaining and strengthening the partnership of both armies, particularly the conduct of bilateral training exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and bolstering collective resolve, teamwork, mutual learning," Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement over the weekend. Three agreements underpin the Philippine-Australia bilateral defense ties—the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperative Defense Activities; the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement; [...]
PH, US to have 496 defense, security engagements in 2023
MANILA – The Philippines and the United States will have 496 defense and security engagements in 2023 as the world's coronavirus situation continues to improve. (File photo) "For CY 2023 - 496 (274 MDB(Mutual Defense Board) and 222 SEB (Security Engagement Board)," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro said in a message to reporters Sunday. This is bigger than this year's 461 defense and security engagements, which can be broken down into 214 MDB and 247 SEB. Bacarro said the 461 engagements posted for 2022 is also significantly higher than the 353 in 2021 which can be broken down into 197 MBD and 156 SEB. The AFP chief attributed the relatively low number of US military engagements [...]
NIA vows to boost PH irrigation vs. hunger, poverty
WATER IS LIFE. Irrigation Administrator Benny Antiporda joins the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Kumustahan National Performance Review Workshop on Monday (Oct. 10, 2022). In his speech, Antiporda underscored the value of water in everyone's lives, hence their vow to boost the irrigation sector, with an aim to help address hunger and poverty in the country. (Photo courtesy: NIA) MANILA – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) vowed Monday to further boost the country’s irrigation against hunger and poverty. In the hybrid event, NIA chief Benny Antiporda underscored how vital water is in the lives of Filipinos, particularly in relation to the government’s efforts on the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP). “Life starts with us, in water. The food starts from water, without [...]
Russia launches biggest air strikes since start of Ukraine war
A heavily damaged building in Kyiv after Russian missile strikes on Monday. Photo: AFP / Sergei Supinsky Russia rained cruise missiles on busy Ukrainian cities, knocking out power and heat in its most widespread air attacks since the start of the war. Missiles tore into busy intersections, parks and tourist sites in the centre of the capital Kyiv on Monday. Explosions were also reported in Lviv, Ternopil and Zhytomyr in western Ukraine, Dnipro and Kremenchuk in central Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia in the south and Kharkiv in the east. Ukrainian officials said at least 11 people were killed and scores injured, with swathes of the country left without power. Thousands of residents raced to bomb shelters as air raid sirens rang out through the day. The barrage of dozens of cruise [...]
Mixed reaction to election of Wayne Brown as new Auckland mayor: ‘There was a very strong negative vote’
Auckland mayoral incumbent Wayne Brown and his wife Toni talking to a supporter. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia The city has spoken - or 30 percent of it has - and Wayne Brown has been voted the next mayor of Auckland. Brown claimed the win with a staggering 54,000 votes over nearest rival, the Labour-endorsed Efeso Collins. Auckland City Council said Brown was leading the race with 144,619 votes ahead of Collins by 54,808 votes. The progress results reflect about 90 percent of the votes. The 76-year-old former North Shore mayor takes the chains from Phil Goff, who is resigning after two terms in office. Sitting on the centre right, Brown ran a campaign based on financial responsibility and accountability, making a particular target of Auckland Transport. His [...]
Massive blast cripples parts of Crimea-Russia bridge, in blow to Putin’s war effort
In a major blow for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a huge explosion has severely damaged the only bridge connecting the annexed Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland, paralyzing a key supply route for Moscow's faltering war in Ukraine. The blast early Saturday caused parts of the Kerch Strait road and rail bridge -- opened by Putin himself in 2018 -- to collapse, images and video from the scene showed. At least three people were killed in the explosion, Russian officials said, citing preliminary information. The exact cause of the blast at Europe's longest bridge is yet to be confirmed. Russian officials said a truck exploded, causing Crimea-bound sections of the road part of the bridge to collapse. A subsequent fire engulfed a train of fuel tanks on a separate, [...]
Marcos: Clear policy agenda over 6 years
THROUGH THE BARRICADE Policemen block rallyists from marching to the Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila to mark the first 100 days of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Marcos and running mate Sara Duterte won by a landslide in the May 2022 elections on a platform of unity. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN IN his first 100 days as president, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. believes that he has successfully laid out a clear policy agenda for his six-year term in office that focuses on health, fiscal management and turning the long-neglected agricultural sector into an engine of growth. The Philippines is currently beset with numerous challenges, from rising inflation to worrying levels of public debt and a bruised peso, but Marcos, who won the presidency [...]
Let’s protect our forest – DENR
TUGUEGARAO CITY: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has appealed to the public to protect the woodlands following the recent forest fire in Bugatay, Peñablanca, Cagayan. In a media interview on Friday, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR-Cagayan Valley said, according to the investigation report, there were no traces of kaingin or forest clearing found within the area. "The fire was possibly due to a thrown cigarette butt in the area," she claimed. The investigation spearheaded by the PENR Sub-Office of Cagayan revealed that the incident took place within the National Greening Program forest plantation of Bugatay Upland Farmers Association (BUFA) in Peñablanca town. Over 20,000 narra, tuai and tindalo indigenous species planted in 12 hectares and the 2.5 hectares adjacent grasslands were [...]
Mourners for slain toddlers gather at Thai temple
MOURNING IN THE MORNING A mother speaks to her child through the coffin, a victim of Thursday’s day care massacre inside Wat Rat Samakee temple in the town of Uthai Sawan, northeastern Thailand on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. AP PHOTO UTHAI SAWAN, Thailand: Grief-stricken families prayed on Saturday morning at a Buddhist temple filled with children's keepsakes, flowers and photos of the smiling toddlers who were slain as they napped on blankets at a day care center in northeastern Thailand. Coffins containing the 36 killed, 24 of them children and most of them preschoolers, were released on Friday and placed inside Wat Rat Samakee and two other temples in the town nestled among rice paddies in one of Thailand's poorest regions. Several mourners stayed at Wat Rat Samakee overnight [...]
Indian workers rescued from digital job scams in Southeast Asia
Minister says 130 Indians who were forced to work in cyber- scams in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia have been freed. Indian workers rescued after they were lured by agents to fake job opportunities in the information technology sector in Thailand arrive at the airport in Chennai, India, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 [Ministry of External Affairs via AP] India’s government says it has rescued about 130 Indians who were forced to work in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia after they were lured by agents who had offered well-paying job opportunities in the information technology sector that turned out to be fake. Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, said on Friday the rescued Indian workers had been held captive and forced to commit cyber-fraud for companies engaged in digital [...]
China lashes out at latest US export controls on chips
American and Chinese flags at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb 2, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (File photo: AP/Kiichiro Sato) BEIJING: China on Saturday (Oct 8) criticised the latest decision by the United States to tighten export controls that would make it harder for China to obtain and manufacture advanced computing chips, calling it a violation of international economic and trade rules that will “isolate and backfire” on the US. “Out of the need to maintain its sci-tech hegemony, the US abuses export control measures to maliciously block and suppress Chinese companies,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. “It will not only damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, but also affect American companies’ interests,” she said. Mao also said that the US “weaponisation and politicisation” [...]
Firefighters continue to battle bushfire near Queenstown
Firefighters have returned to battle a massive bushfire on the slopes of Mt Crichton today. One of six helicopters working to contain the fire burning in steep terrain on Mt Crichton. (Source: Supplied / FENZ) Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said six helicopters and seven ground crews are on the scene today. FENZ Incident Controller Mark Mawhinney said weather conditions had been favourable overnight, but winds are set to pick up throughout the day. "Firefighting efforts are concentrating on containing the fire to the 25 Mile Creek catchment and creating a blacked out perimeter, to reduce the risk of a breakout later in the day," Mawhinney said. Most of the damage has been on Mt Creighton Station with approximately 200 hectares of manuka and tussock grassland burnt. Fire [...]
More than 200 pilot whales euthanised after stranding on Chatham Islands
It is difficult to stage whale rescues in Chatham Islands due to the waters shark population and the low number of people there (file picture). Photo: Sam Wild More than 200 pilot whales that stranded on the Chatham Islands yesterday have died or had to be put euthanised. Project Jonah said it was heartbroken to hear of the mass stranding. The Chatham Islands is known for great white sharks, remote beaches, and a resident population of less than 800 people, making it challenging to deal with strandings, Project Jonah said in a social media post. Project Jonah said those factors meant refloating the whales that were still alive was not an option.
PH cholera cases on the rise, death toll reaches 32
Metro Manila, Philippines— Cholera cases in the Philippines rose to 3,681 as of Sept. 17, a more than twofold increase from the same period last year, Department of Health (DOH) data released Friday showed. The death toll also reached 32, with one new fatality recorded. The DOH reported 340 new cases from Aug. 21 to Sept. 17, mostly from Eastern Visayas (276), Central Luzon (20), and Western Visayas (15). The regions of Central Luzon, Western and Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula have exceeded the epidemic threshold, meaning there are more cases this year compared to the same period in 2021. Cholera is a water-borne disease acquired by drinking water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria. It can cause acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration, which could lead to death [...]
Marcos must face key issues ‘head-on’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Contributed PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. must "battle head-on" urgent national concerns, as he marks his first 100 days in office, a political analyst said Friday. Dr. Froilan Calilung, who teaches political science at the University of Santo Tomas, made the observation after the Marcos administration earned favorable ratings on 11 of the 13 key issues facing the country in the latest Pulse Asia survey. Speaking during a public briefing, Calilung said that overall, the President "did well" in his first three months, getting low marks only in tackling inflation, unemployment and low wages. The survey results showed "a very good indication as to what and how the people would actually try to see his leadership as of the moment," he said. "I would [...]
World Bank sees weak growth in 2023 for eastern Europe, central Asia
FILE PHOTO: A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo/File Photo WASHINGTON— The World Bank said on Tuesday (Oct 4) that countries in eastern Europe and Central Asia will return to weak growth in 2023, but warned that a cut-off of Russian energy to the European Union would tip them into recession next year. In updated economic forecasts, the World Bank said collective GDP in its Europe and Central Asia region was now expected to contract 0.2 per cent in 2022 and grow by 0.3 per cent in 2023 due to spillover effects from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 2022 forecast is a marked improvement [...]
Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to three scientists
Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Hans Ellegren and members of the Nobel Committee for Physics, Eva Olsson and Thors Hans Hansson, announce the winners of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics [Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via Reuters] Alain Aspect of France, John Clauser of the United States and Austria’s Anton Zeilinger have won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for “experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science”, the award-giving body said on Tuesday. Their discoveries have significant applications, for example, in the field of encryption. “Quantum information science is a vibrant and rapidly developing field,” said Eva Olsson, a member of the Nobel committee. “It has broad and potential implications in areas such as secure information transfer, [...]
Japan orders Russian consul to leave in tit-for-tat response
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi announces the deportation of Russian consuls at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo in Tuesday. | KYODO Japan on Tuesday ordered a Russian consul based in northern Japan to leave the country within six days, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said, in retaliation for Moscow's expulsion of a Japanese diplomat last month. Hayashi told reporters that his ministry declared the consul at the Russian Consulate General in Sapporo persona non grata after Russia's Federal Security Service detained a Japanese consul in Vladivostok for a few hours for alleged espionage and expelled him from the country. Japan says the consul, Tatsunori Motoki, who returned home last week after being declared persona non grata by the Russian Foreign Ministry, had not committed any illegal act. Hayashi has [...]
Philippines’ measles, rubella cases now 153% higher year-on-year at 450
A total of 450 measles and rubella cases were recorded from January 1 to September 17, 2022, which was 153% higher than those recorded during the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday. Based on the DOH’s national measles and rubella data as of September 17, there were only 178 cases logged from January 1 to September 17, 2021. Cumulatively, most of the measles and rubella cases this year or 16% were reported in Calabarzon at 70. It was followed by Central Visayas with 61 cases (14%), and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 47 cases (10%). From August 21 to September 17, 2022 alone, 68 measles and rubella cases were reported, most of which from Calabarzon with 16 cases or 24%. This was followed [...]
Iranian schoolgirls take up battle cry as protests continue
As country mourns teenager killed in demonstrations, video shows how female-led protests have spread to the classroom An image from social media which is claimed to show Iranian schoolchildren expressing dissatisfaction towards the country's leadership. Photograph: Twitter High school girls have become the latest Iranians to join anti-government protests in large numbers, as the country mourned a teenager killed in the first days of protests. Nika Shahkarami, who lived in Tehran and would have turned 17 on Sunday, vanished in September. Her family found her body in a detention centre’s morgue 10 days later, BBC Persian reported. On Tuesday, President Ebrahim Raisi called for unity against the protests even as they continued to grow, bringing together Iranians across ethnic and class divides, despite the government crackdown. He repeated the [...]
PH inflation rises to 6.9% in September
Metro Manila— Inflation sped to 6.9% in September from 6.3% in August with food and energy costs mainly driving the increase in commodity prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday. The recent rate is faster than the 4.2% print logged in the same month last year and falls within the 6.6-7.4% range seen by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for September. Year-to-date inflation now stands at 5.1%, still above the central bank’s 2-4% target band for 2022. The BSP said the increase in electricity rates and prices of key food items, along with the peso’s weak performance, may have driven inflation in September.
US defence chief Austin sees no ‘imminent invasion’ of Taiwan by China
A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of China's closest points to Taiwan, on Aug 6, 2022. PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday that he sees no imminent invasion of Taiwan by China, but said China was trying to establish a "new normal" with its military activities around the island. A visit to Taiwan early in August by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged China, which subsequently launched military drills near the island. These drills have continued, although on a much reduced scale. "I don't see an imminent invasion," Mr Austin said in an interview broadcast on CNN. "What we do see is China moving to establish what we would call a new normal. Increased activity - we saw [...]
Australia says nuclear submarine plan on track to be unveiled in early 2023
Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia is seeking to "minimise and plug any capability gap". PHOTO: AFP CANBERRA - Australia is on track to make an announcement "in the first part of next year", on the path to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under its project with the United States and Britain, said Defence Minister Richard Marles. "You don't build a nuclear-powered submarine quickly, and so the question of when we would be able to have the first submarine in the water is one that is very pertinent to us," Mr Marles said on Saturday at a joint news conference with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin after talks in Honolulu. Australia, Britain and the US announced a security agreement known as Aukus on Sept 15, 2021, pledging to cooperate more closely [...]
DepEd promotes scholarship opportunities for Filipino students, youth
(Photo from DepEd Philippines Facebook page) On its Facebook page, DepEd posted announcements for scholarships that Filipino learners can apply for such as the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program and the “Iskolar ni Juan.” DepEd said that the YES Program in the Philippines is now accepting applications for program cycle 2023-2024. The YES program is a “cultural exchange program” funded by the United States (US) Department of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This, DepEd said, provides “scholarships for high school students to spend up to one academic year” in the US. Established in October 2002, YES Program recognizes the importance of youth exchange as a “key component” to building bridges between citizens of the US and countries around the world —- particularly those [...]
PBBM reinforced talks, encouraged investments in 2nd trip to SG
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returned to Singapore over the weekend to reinforce talks during his recent state visit there and encouraged anew investments in the country, a Palace official said Monday. REAFFIRMING TIES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) poses for a photo opportunity with Singaporean Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan (left) and Singaporean Manpower Minister Tan See Leng (2nd from left) on the sidelines of the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (Oct. 2, 2022). Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos' second trip to the city-state was aimed at reinforcing talks and encouraging investments following his recent state visit in September. (Photo courtesy of Singaporean Manpower Minister Tan See Leng) Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, in her official Facebook page, shared a screenshot of [...]
Online cryptocurrency exchange Binance registers in New Zealand
Binance's existing customers will now access its marketplace through the New Zealand platform, where they can trade cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens. File image Photo: 123RF The world's largest online cryptocurrency exchange has launched a New Zealand version of its marketplace to help shape future industry regulation. Binance, which is ranked the largest exchange of its kind in the world, has registered as a financial services provider with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Local investors could already access Binance before it registered, and the decision meant the company would have to comply with local regulations. Binance NZ will join an external disputes resolution scheme, carry out customer due-diligence, adhere to local anti-money laundering rules and share customer information with the tax department. General manager Ben Rose told [...]
Ukraine war: NZ Government mulling imposing wider sanctions on Russia
While expulsion of Russian diplomats is "not off the table", Jacinda Ardern says it removes the chance for direct dialogue. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government is considering how to further tighten restrictions on exports and imports to Russia. The Russian ambassador will be called in again to hear New Zealand's opposition to the country's latest actions in Ukraine. On Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, during a pomp-filled Kremlin ceremony, promising Moscow would triumph in its "special military operation" against Kyiv. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand does not recognise these illegal attempts to change Ukraine's borders, and the referenda in Russian-held Ukrainian territories were a sham. Ardern told Morning Report the government was primarily looking at further [...]
PBBM, FFCCCII tackle economic recovery plans
BOOSTING THE ECONOMY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) meets with members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Friday (Sept. 30, 2022) to discuss ways to speed up the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic. During the meeting, the FFCCCII pitched to Marcos its ideas to realize the administration’s bid to revitalize and transform the economy. (Photo from PBBM’s official Facebook page) MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday discussed with a group of Filipino-Chinese business leaders the goals and initiatives to fast-track the recovery of the Philippine economy amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In a Facebook post on Saturday, Marcos shared that he met with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of [...]
Dozens killed in stampede at Indonesia football match, police say
Police fire tear gas after fans invade pitch in East Java, triggering a stampede that killed more than 100 people. This picture taken on October 1, 2022 shows security personnel (lower) on the pitch at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java [AFP] Indonesian police say at least 129 people have been killed and dozens injured after a crowd stampede during a riot at a football match in the province of East Java. In a statement on Sunday, police said supporters of Arema FC stormed the pitch at a stadium in the eastern city of Malang after their team lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya on Saturday night. Police said they tried to persuade fans to return to the stands and fired tear gas to control “riots” after two officers [...]
Russia’s consulate in New York vandalized in apparent protest
The Russian consulate in New York after it was vandalized with spray paint on 30 September.Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The Russian consulate in New York has been vandalized with red spray paint, in an apparent protest against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Officers said they responded to an emergency call just after 1.30am on Friday reporting that paint had been sprayed across the facade of the consulate on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. A police spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing into the potential “bias incident” and no arrests have been made. Rosie Morse, a retiree who lives in the neighborhood near the consulate, said the spray paint “looks like artwork”. “But the meaning is to express our feeling about Putin, and I can’t say that I don’t agree,” [...]
PDP Laban elects new officers
Photo from PDP Laban Facebook page PDP Laban elected new set of officers during their 40th Anniversary Celebration and National Assembly on Thursday (September 29,2022). Former President Rodrigo Duterte, the party’s chairman, administered the oath of office. The newly elected officers are: • Vice chairman: Alfonso Cusi • President: Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez • Executive Vice President: Sen. Robin Padilla • VP for NCR: Rep. Edwin Olivarez • VP for Luzon: Sen. Francis Tolentino • VP for Visayas: Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama • VP for Mindanao: Sen. Bato dela Rosa • Secretary General: Atty. Melvin Matibag • Treasurer: Deputy Speaker Rep. Dong Gonzales • Auditor: Bong Go •Membership Committee Chairperson – Astra Pimentel •Legal [...]
US, Philippine defense chiefs discuss strengthening MDT commitments
Top defense officials of the Philippines and the United States on Friday (Manila time) discussed strengthening their commitments to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two countries. The discussion took place during a meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III and Philippine Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. at the US Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii. “We discussed several priority areas for the alliance including strengthening our MDT commitments and enhancing maritime cooperation, and building on our mutual defense posture, and improving interoperability and information sharing,” Austin said in a press conference. Under the MDT, the two countries agreed that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either the Philippines or the US would be dangerous and that they would act to meet the common dangers in [...]
Typhoon Karding farm damage to jack up rice, vegetable prices: Department of Agriculture
Karding has wiped out P2.02 billion worth of agricultural produce, with the rice sector accounting for nearly 82 per cent of the recorded damage. UNDER WATER Vast tracts of farms are submerged by flood in this photo taken during President Marcos’ aerial inspection of provinces ravaged by Supertyphoon “Karding.” —KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL MANILA — Consumers should brace for an increase of as much as 20 percent in the retail prices of rice and vegetables after Super Typhoon “Karding” (international name: Noru) wreaked havoc on the country’s farm sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday. Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said they were expecting a spike of 15 to 20 percent in prices of food items because the rice-producing region of Central Luzon suffered the brunt of [...]
Australia ends Covid isolation rule as it moves beyond ’emergency phase’
GETTY IMAGES Australia had some of the world's longest and strictest lockdowns Australia has said it will end mandatory Covid isolation requirements from next month. Currently anyone who tests positive to the virus must isolate for five days, but that will end from 14 October. At times nicknamed "Fortress Australia", the country has had some of the strictest restrictions in the world since the pandemic began. Australia's chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, said the "emergency phase" of its response was probably over. But Prof Kelly said the decision "does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished". Mandatory isolation had been one of the few restrictions remaining. Australia continues to record about 5,500 virus cases each day, official figures show. It is one of the world's most [...]
PLA praises joint military exercises in Russia
In this undated photo, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, addresses a press conference. (PHOTO / MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE, CHINA) BEIJING – The People’s Liberation Army has “fully exercised its ability to carry out overseas military operations” through its participation in the Russian-organized Vostok-2022 (East-2022) military drills, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Thursday. The PLA has “made full use of an unfamiliar complex environment” and meticulously organized fully functional forces, including command, combat and support, in accordance with various demands, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense. “The army has carefully organized cross-border delivery, combat planning and field operation support, comprehensively enhancing its ability to conduct military action overseas,” he added. The PLA has “made [...]
Vladimir Putin recognises independence of two Ukraine regions
Policemen walk at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday on Sep 29, 2022. (Photo: AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko) MOSCOW— Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognised the independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, according to presidential decrees issued late Thursday (Sep 29), on the eve of Russia finalising their annexation. "I order the recognition of the state sovereignty and independence" of the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, located in southern Ukraine, Putin said in the decrees, as Russia prepares to formalise the annexation of the two regions, along with Donetsk and Lugansk on Friday. Moscow has said it will annex four occupied regions of Ukraine at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the annexation of the areas would be formalised [...]
US makes Pacific Islands pledge in bid to counter China
CHIP SOMODEVILLA It is the first time that Pacific leaders have been invited for an in-person summit The US has struck a partnership agreement with Pacific island nations amid concern in Washington over growing Chinese influence. It also announced $810m (£725m) in financial support and said it would recognise Niue and Cook Islands as sovereign states. Fourteen nations signed the deal including the Solomon Islands, after reports said its leader would not sign. The region has strategic importance as the gateway to Asia from the Pacific. Its location and its need for assistance, particularly to help it deal with the impact of climate change, has triggered a battle for influence - with China keen on playing a prominent role. In June Beijing proposed a sweeping trade and security deal [...]
Kiwi dollar falling on ‘capital drain’ back to the US, says Adrian Orr
The New Zealand dollar has dropped to its lowest level compared to the US dollar since 2009. The New Zealand dollar was trading at just over 56 US cents and 87 Australian cents on Tuesday morning, having fallen in value by 19% against both currencies over the past year. Although there has been a gradual downward drift over the year, that accelerated during the past few days. Essentially this means importing from the US is now much more expensive than it was. Travelling overseas is also very pricey. But he appeared to indicate the risk of higher imported inflation would not throw New Zealand’s monetary policy off course, describing its own cycle of monetary policy tightening as “well advanced” and “very mature”. Speaking at an event hosted by the [...]
China’s Communist Party has elected delegates for congress
China's President Xi Jinping gives a speech following a swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong on July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (AFP/Selim CHTAYTI ) China's Communist Party said Sunday that it had elected all the delegates attending a key political meeting starting October 16, where President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term. The twice-in-a-decade conclave will also see a shuffle of personnel on the party's powerful decision-making body, the 25-member Politburo. "Each electoral unit across the country convened a party congress or party representative meeting and elected 2,296 delegates to the 20th Party Congress," state broadcaster CCTV said. The delegates must adhere to Xi's political ideology in addition [...]
NASA spacecraft to hit asteroid in planetary defence test
In world’s first attempt to change the motion of an asteroid, scientists hope the method can prevent collisions with Earth. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft will hit the asteroid Dimorphos about 11 million kilometres from Earth on Monday evening [Steve Gribben/Johns Hopkins APL/NASA via AP A NASA spacecraft is scheduled to slam into an asteroid, in an unprecedented test designed to prevent potentially devastating collisions with Earth. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft will hit the asteroid Dimorphos about 11 million kilometres from Earth on Monday, attempting to slightly alter its trajectory in a test of the world’s first planetary defence system. “This is a challenging test, and this is why we’re taking these first steps now to develop this technology before we need it,” Nancy [...]
Rise in PH working-age population boom
Workers are seen inside a construction site along Roxas and Macapagal Boulevards in Pasay City, on 4 June 2022. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO) THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) highlighted the important role of a robust working-age population in achieving socioeconomic development through a state of demographic dividend, with the 64 percent ratio of working-age Filipinos in 2020. The PopCom referenced the latest Philippine Statistics Authority's Labor Force Survey, which indicates a continued rise in the employment rate at 94.8 percent in July 2022, estimated at 47.39 million employed people, compared to the 41.67 million in the same period in 2021. During the seventh edition of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific-Committee on Social Development earlier this month, PopCom Officer in Charge Executive [...]
Philippines’ number of new COVID-19 cases in a week up 22%
COVID-19 cases in the country have increased anew after a period of decline, with 17,891 infections recorded from September 19 to 25, 2022—22% higher than those logged the previous week. According to the DOH’s weekly case bulletin, the cases recorded in the past week climbed up from the 14,707 new infections logged the week prior, September 12 to 18. The daily case average for the recent week also increased to 2,556 from last week’s 2,101. OCTA Research said Monday that the new COVID-19 infections in the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded on Sunday surpassed the peak of new cases in August, as most indicators were seen increasing. A total of 242 additional verified COVID-19-related deaths were also belatedly reported in the past week. These deaths were reported from April [...]
Putin grants Russian citizenship to US whistleblower Snowden
File photo. Edward Snowden in Moscow in 2015. Photo: AFP President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, nine years after he exposed the scale of secret surveillance operations by the National Security Agency (NSA). Snowden, 39, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the NSA, where he worked. US authorities have for years wanted him returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges. There was no immediate reaction from Snowden, whose name appeared without Kremlin comment in a Putin decree conferring citizenship on a list of 72 foreign-born individuals. The news prompted some Russians to jokingly ask whether [...]
Vietnam prepares for arrival of Super Typhoon Noru
Along with other central localities, Quảng Ngãi Province’s authorities are calling fishing vessels to return to shore as the super typhoon Noru is heading towards Việt Nam with expected landfall on Wednesday. Local border guards are helping fishermen secure their boats. Viet Nam News/Asia News Network HANOI — Vietnam’s northern and central provinces have been told to prepare for super typhoon Noru, which is heading in a northwest direction with wind speeds of up to 183km per hour. The typhoon is set to become the fourth to hit the country in 2022. The typhoon hit Luzon Island in the Philippines on Sunday, with wind speeds of 167-183km per hour, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. By 10am on Monday, it will be about 740km off the Hoàng [...]
APPEC: Vitol expects Russian fuel to come to Asia and Mideast
FILE PHOTO: Vitol CEO Russell Hardy speaks during the 20th Asia Oil & Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia June 24, 2019. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin SINGAPORE— Russian fuel is expected to come to Asia and the Middle East, while fuels produced there are expected to flow to the West, Vitol's Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy said on Monday. More than a million barrels per day of U.S. crude is expected to go to Europe to fill the gap in Russian supplies, he told a forum at the 38th Annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) 2022 conference, adding that Russian commodities would need to find a home in places outside the United Kingdom, United States and European Union. "It's going to go further and longer distances and find different [...]
US, South Korea begin naval drills after North’s missile test
South Korea's hawkish President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has vowed to beef up joint military exercises with the United States (Photo: AFP/handout) SEOUL— South Korea and the United States began their first combined naval exercise near the peninsula in five years on Monday (Sep 26), a day after Pyongyang conducted a ballistic missile launch. Washington is Seoul's key security ally and stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it from the nuclear-armed North. South Korea's hawkish President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has vowed to beef up joint military exercises with the United States, after years of failed diplomacy with North Korea under his predecessor. "This exercise was prepared to demonstrate the strong will of the South Korea-US alliance to respond [...]
PBBM wants generators deployed; dams’ water release controlled
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of PBBM's official Facebook page) MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to deploy more generators with fuel to areas in Nueva Ecija and Aurora that have limited power supply in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding. In a situation briefing with top government officials at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters in Quezon City, DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla bared that aside from Nueva Ecija and Aurora, other provinces facing power supply problems are Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, and Quezon. Lotilla said although main generation plants were spared from the typhoon, several areas remain partially affected by power supply issues. Marcos, for his part, acknowledged that it will take [...]
Iran protests Western stance on mass protests over Mahsa Amini’s death
A pro-government rally in Tehran. Photo: AFP Iran summoned the British and Norwegian ambassadors over what it called interference and hostile media coverage of the nationwide unrest triggered by the death of a woman detained by morality police. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also criticised US support for "rioters" - the label Tehran has used for many who have joined the protests which have swept the country, prompting a security crackdown and curbs on internet and phones. Demonstrations which erupted more than a week ago at the funeral of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman named Mahsa Amini, who died in detention after being arrested by police enforcing the Islamic Republic's strict restrictions on women's dress, have turned into the biggest protests in years. Clashes continued between security forces and protesters in [...]
PH Govt to airlift food, generators to typhoon-hit areas
The government has mobilized to send food and generators to areas hammered by Super Typhoon Karding, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Monday. "Presently what we are organizing is the airlift for food materials, food packs, water into Polillo because they said it's really down. It was the first hit," the President said. Marcos, who attended a situation briefing at the Office of Civil Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, ordered the deployment of generators to the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija. "Since we've already identified that the whole of Nueva Ecija and the whole of Aurora have no power, then we need to send them power," he said. After the briefing, the President conducted an aerial survey of areas hit by "Karding." The fly-by included Bulacan, Nueva Ecija [...]
US warns of catastrophic consequences if Russia uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Ukrainian service members ride atop an armoured fighting vehicles, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on Sep 24, 2022. (Photo: REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak) KYIV— The United States warned on Sunday (Sep 25) of "catastrophic consequences" if Moscow were to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, after Russia's foreign minister said regions holding widely-criticised referendumswould get full protection if annexed by Moscow. Votes in four eastern Ukrainian regions, aimed at annexing territory Russia has taken by force, were staged for a third day on Sunday. The Russian parliament could move to formalise the annexation within days. By incorporating the areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia into Russia, Moscow could portray efforts to retake them as attacks on Russia itself, a warning to Kyiv and its Western allies. [...]
5 areas in PH under Signal 5 as Karding endangers the Polillo Islands
Five areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 on Sunday afternoon as Super Typhoon Karding maintained its strength while endangering the Polillo Islands, PAGASA said in its 2 p.m. severe weather bulletin. The areas under Signal 5 were: Polillo Islands; the extreme northern portion of Quezon (the northern and central portions of General Nakar, the northeastern portion of Infanta); the extreme southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan); the eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray) and; the extreme southeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (the southeastern portion of General Tinio). These areas could experience very strong winds of more than 185 km/h in at least 12 hours. These winds were an extreme threat to life and property, PAGASA warned. Areas under TCWS No. 4, meanwhile, were: [...]
Japan eyes hiking defense spending to ¥40 trillion over five years
Ground Self-Defense Force personnel take part in a joint exercise with U.S. Army soldiers at a maneuvering ground in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Aug. 28. | KYODO Japan is considering sharply increasing its defense spending to more than ¥40 trillion ($279 billion) over the next five years, government officials have said. The amount compares with the ¥27.47 trillion in total specified as defense costs for five years through fiscal 2023 in the country’s Medium Term Defense Program, the officials said Saturday. The plan reflects Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s pledge to “fundamentally reinforce” the country’s defense capabilities in the face of China’s military expansion and North Korea’s rapid nuclear and missile development. Senior government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the five-year plan presenting the total amount of [...]
Tasmanian crews start hauling carcasses of stranded whales out to sea
About 200 pilot whales to be given at-sea burials in very deep water as no surviving animals remain on Ocean Beach The number of crews working on the rescue and removal of the stranded pilot whales will be scaled back over the next few days. Photograph: Glenn Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Crews are expected to start hauling the carcasses of about 200 dead whales out to sea after a mass stranding on Tasmania’s west coast. The pod of about 230 pilot whales became stranded on Ocean Beach, west of Strahan, on Wednesday, with a smaller number stranded in nearby Macquarie Harbour. It was almost two years to the day and in the same location as Australia’s biggest ever whale stranding event, when 470 pilot whales were stranded and 380 died in [...]
Switzerland to destroy 10 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 jab
Moderna announced that it has begun clinical trials of a booster dose of vaccine designed specifically to combat the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. (Photo: AFP/Frederic J Brown) GENEVA: Switzerland will need to destroy 10.3 million doses of Moderna's vaccine against COVID-19, after they expired this week, the health ministry said on Saturday (Sep 24). The ministry said it had no choice but to eliminate the jabs after the doses expired last Wednesday, according to Keystone-ATS. It told the news agency that 2.5 million of the doses were being stored at a Swiss army logistics base and 7.8 million were in an external storage depot in Belgium. The ministry confirmed an initial report on Swiss news site Beobachter, which estimated that the doses set for destruction were [...]
Bongbong Marcos back in PH after successful US trip
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addresses the General assembly at the United Nations on September 20, 2022 in New York City. (Getty Images via AFP) NEW YORK CITY, United States — After a successful trip in the United States, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is back in the country. The aircraft carrying the President and the Philippine delegation arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 6:09 a.m. Marcos Jr. concluded his six-day working visit in New York on Friday, Sept. 23, calling his trip to the US “successful.” He said he was also “satisfied” and “happy” with the results of the trip. Marcos said he and the Philippine delegation achieved what it sought to do in the trip, which was to meet with several American [...]
CIA museum: Inside the world’s most top secret museum
Photo: AFP / Saul Loeb It is the perhaps the most unusual - and exclusive - museum in the world, filled with artefacts that have shaped history but its doors are firmly shut to the public. It is the only place a visitor can see the gun found with Osama bin Laden when he was killed, next to Saddam Hussein's leather jacket. Welcome to the CIA's secret in-house museum. Located inside the US intelligence agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, the collection has just been renovated to mark the agency's 75th anniversary. A small group of journalists, including the BBC, were given exclusive access, although with a security escort constantly at their side. Among the 600 artefacts on display are kind of cold war spy gadgets you might expect [...]
Focus on drug lords, not small fry – President Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (File photo from Malacañang) NEW YORK CITY — Changing the “focus” of the fight against illegal drugs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he had told the Philippine National Police that he was “not interested” in small-time drug pushers and instructed officials to put more effort into going after big-time narcotics suppliers and distributors. Marcos said on Friday that he gave the order during a meeting with top PNP officials after he took office on June 30, succeeding Rodrigo Duterte, whose brutal war on drugs is under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor. “It is certainly my view that enforcement, which has been the part of the drug war that has been most vigorously pursued by President [Rodrigo] Duterte, only gets you so far. [...]
Bongbong Marcos, Japan PM Kishida reinforce PH – Japan ties in New York meeting
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (PH media delegation pool) NEW YORK CITY — On the fourth day of his working visit here, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the first time on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce ties and strengthen cooperation, discussing how the two nations saw growth and deepened cooperation in addressing their security and defense priorities. In particular, Marcos and Kishida tackled maritime security, maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement capacities, and peace in Mindanao. “During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce ties and [...]
Biden, Philippines’ Marcos discuss tensions in South China Sea
Philippine Marines fold a Philippine national flag during a flag retreat at the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, on Mar 29, 2014. (Photo: Reuters/Erik De Castro) NEW YORK— US President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos, underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea on Thursday (Sep 22), in response to China's efforts to exert its influence there. Biden and Marcos held their first face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Marcos, son of the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, took power in June. "The leaders discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for [...]
Expelling Russian ambassador ‘least meaningful’ diplomatic option – Ardern
Jacinda Ardern at the UN in New York on 20 September 2022. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has downplayed the likelihood of the Russian ambassador being expelled. Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked fresh outrage this week, making more veiled threats of nuclear war, and sharing plans to hold referendums on whether occupied regions of Ukraine should become part of Russia. A decision on whether to expel Russian ambassador Georgy Zuev has been under active consideration by the government, with any such move likely to result in New Zealand ambassador Sarah Walsh getting the boot from Moscow. Speaking to media in New York, Ardern said sanctions against Russian oligarchs and support for the Ukrainian war efforts were more important. She said all options, [...]
EU boss says trade deal with NZ a ‘gold standard’ for future agreements
The EU's July trade deal with New Zealand is comprehensive and a wonderful agreement, Bernd Lange says. Photo: European Parliament The chair of the European Parliament's International Trade committee is confident the process of ratifying the trade deal with New Zealand will be simple. New Zealand secured an historic free trade agreement with the European Union in July 2022, which would remove tariffs on 91 percent of NZ exports, once signed. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announce the agreement in Brussels. Photo: Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP But some in New Zealand have warned ratification will not be easy and will require a significant amount of political lobbying. New Zealand's chief negotiator Vangelis Vitalis has pointed to groups in Europe, like [...]
Sri Lanka: Inflation rate jumps to 70.2% in August
GETTY IMAGES Sri Lanka's annual inflation rate surged to more than 70% in August as it struggles with its worst economic crisis in over seven decades. Official data also showed food prices rose by 84.6% compared to a year ago. The South Asian nation of 22m people was plunged into financial and political chaos this year as it faced a shortage of foreign currencies. The country has been unable to afford key imports - including fuel, fertiliser and medicine. Last month, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said it expected inflation to ease, as the country's economy slowed, after peaking at about 70%. Official figures released last week showed that the economy had contracted by 8.4% in the three months to the end of August. Before the pandemic, Sri [...]
Marcos tackles govt priorities with US-ASEAN biz leaders, ex-UK PM Blair
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. tackled his administration’s priorities in separate meetings with business leaders and a former United Kingdom prime minister championing globalization during his working visit to the United States. In a Facebook post late Wednesday, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) said Marcos attended a business dialogue with the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce. “The President discusses the Philippines’ priorities as conveyed in his national statement during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level General Debate, and the bilateral economic and investment agenda of the Philippine Government,” said RTVM in its post. On early Thursday, the chief executive confirmed in an Instagram post his meeting with ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, [...]
Strong quake rattles top of South and lower North Islands
More than 44,000 people registered with GeoNet as having felt the 5.8 quake in the 15 mins after it hit. (The darker marks show the location of people who reported stronger shaking). Photo: Supplied/ GeoNet A strong 5.8 earthquake has rattled the top of the South Island, and lower North Island tonight. GeoNet said the quake was centred about 30 km north-east of French Pass, at the north end of Tasman Bay It hit at 9.07pm, and was about 51km deep. In the 15 minutes following the earthquake more than 44,000 people registered on the GeoNet website that they had felt the shaking. The highest group of respondents in that time, 8145 people, said it felt like moderate shaking - which GeoNet described as an earthquake strong enough to [...]
Three quarters of fish in southern NZ contain microplastics – study
Photo: AFP An University of Otago study has found three-quarters of wild fish in New Zealand are filled with tiny plastics. Packaging, clothes, and discarded fishing nets are some of the likely sources of record-high microplastics that fish have swallowed. Researcher Isabella Clere told Morning Report that for an isolated island nation with a small population - the numbers are horrifying. Ingesting microplastics was not only bad for the fish but also for the people who ate them, she said. "Nanoplastics and plastic chemicals may transfer from the gastro-intestinal tract and stomach into the muscle tissue which is what we're eating." Understanding how these microplastics get into the seas around New Zealand was complicated, she said. "New Zealand like many other small island countries has a very complex oceanographic [...]
‘Abolish the monarchy’ protests held on Australian day of mourning for Queen
Thousands have marched in protest at colonisation, including in Sydney. Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Crowds have gathered across Australia for 'abolish the monarchy' protests on the country's national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. Many of the rallies were coordinated by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, which said in a statement it stood "against racist colonial imperialism and its ongoing effects on us as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples". "While they mourn the Queen, we mourn everything her regime stole from us: our children, our land, our loved one's lives, our sacred sites, our histories," the organisation said. Organisers listed their demands as the return of land "to the rightful sovereign owners", an end to Indigenous deaths in custody, and truth, accountability and justice. An [...]
Japan storm: Millions told to evacuate as Typhoon Nanmadol makes landfall
REUTERS One of the biggest typhoons ever to strike Japan has made landfall on the southern island of Kyushu. Typhoon Nanmadol has brought winds of at least 180 km/h (112mph) and some areas could see 500mm (20 inches) of rainfall over Sunday and Monday. At least four million people have been told to evacuate their homes. Extensive flooding and landslides are expected, while bullet train services, ferries, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled. The typhoon made landfall near the city of Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu, on Sunday morning. Kyushu is the southernmost of the four islands that make up the main body of Japan and has a population of more than 13 million people. Authorities had issued a "special alert" for the island, the first [...]
Pakistan floods put pressure on faltering economy
GETTY IMAGES Many households in the affected areas rely on crops and livestock to make a living The calls are growing louder. Pakistan desperately needs help after its worst floods in years, and it needs it fast. "This climate calamity couldn't have come at a worse time, when Pakistan's economy was already struggling with a balance of payments crisis, rising debt, and soaring inflation," Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistan ambassador to the UN and the UK, told the BBC. If the country doesn't get debt relief, she added, the economy risks "tanking". Catastrophic rain linked to climate change has submerged large parts of the country, killing nearly 1,500 people and affecting roughly 33 million people. Homes, roads, railways, crops, livestock and livelihoods have been washed away in the extreme weather [...]
Biden again says US would defend Taiwan if China attacks
EPA/Taiwan carried out military exercises earlier this month US President Joe Biden has again said the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China. Asked in a CBS interview if US troops would defend the island, Mr Biden said: "Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack". The remarks prompted the White House to clarify that US policy had not changed. Washington has long maintained a stance of "strategic ambiguity" - it does not commit to defending Taiwan, but also does not rule out the option. Taiwan is a self-ruled island off the coast of eastern China that Beijing claims as part of its territory. Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue. On the one hand it adheres to the One [...]
NZ to observe nationwide minute of silence for the Queen
Aotearoa will observe a national minute of silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth II at 2pm on Monday 26 September. The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown placed on top, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. (Source: Associated Press) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that the minute's silence will take place at the start of New Zealand's state memorial service. The memorial is being held on Monday 26 September, a one-off public holiday to mark the passing of the Queen. "The minute’s silence is a way for people, wherever they might be in New Zealand, to stand together to mark an extraordinary 70 years of service," Ardern said. "We know in [...]
‘You just get on with it’: Jacinda Ardern says Queen gave her ‘best advice’ on being a new mum and leader
New Zealand PM said she sought the Queen’s advice as one of the few women to have combined leadership with motherhood Queen Elizabeth II greets New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, in 2018. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA Jacinda Ardern says the Queen gave her the best advice she got on combining the duties of leading a country and being a new mother: “Just get on with it.” New Zealand’s prime minister, who is in London to attend the Queen’s funeral, said her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II was in 2018, when she had recently been elected prime minister and was pregnant with her daughter, Neve. Ardern is one of just a handful of world leaders who have been pregnant and had a child while holding office, and said she [...]
Britain and the world prepare to say last farewell to Queen Elizabeth
Photo: AFP Britain, world leaders and royalty from across the globe will on Monday, UK time, bid a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth, the last towering figure of her era, at a state funeral of inimitable pageantry. At 6.30am (5.30pm NZ time), an official lying-in-state period ends after four days in which hundreds of thousands have queued to file past the casket of Britain's longest-reigning monarch at London's historic Westminster Hall. They, like many across the globe including US President Joe Biden, had wanted to pay tribute to the 96-year-old who had spent seven decades on the British throne. "You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years," Biden said. "We all were." Shortly before 11am (10pm NZ time), the oak coffin, covered in the Royal Standard flag [...]
Marcos hopes to meet Biden in UNGA, woo investors in US
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. hopes his trip to the United States will be a fruitful one as he plans to meet with world leaders and investors. Marcos addressed the Filipino community in New Jersey on Monday morning (Philippine time) hours after he landed in the United States, his third overseas trip since assuming office in June. He said he hopes to meet US President Joe Biden and other world leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during his working visit. The chief executive added his team requested for a meeting with Biden during the event to ensure they can have a conversation on the side. Both presidents will be addressing the assembly on Sept. 20, the first day of the high-level United [...]
Ukraine counter-offensive won’t change Russia’s plans – Putin
GETTY IMAGES Ukraine's recent counter-offensive will not change Russia's plans, Vladimir Putin has said in his first public comments on the matter. In a remarkable feat, Ukrainian forces say they captured over 8,000 sq km (3,088 sq miles) in six days in the north-eastern Kharkiv region. But Mr Putin said he was not in a hurry, and the offensive in Ukraine's Donbas region remains on track. He also noted that Russia had so far not deployed its full forces. "Our offensive operation in the Donbas is not stopping. They're moving forward - not at a very fast pace - but they are gradually taking more and more territory," he said after a summit in Uzbekistan. The industrial Donbas region in east Ukraine is the focus of Russia's invasion, which [...]
Japanese team wins Ig Nobel for study of fingers turning knobs
A Japanese team led by Gen Matsuzaki, professor of design at Chiba Institute of Technology, wins the engineering prize of the Ig Nobel Prize. (Mutsumi Mitobe) As the leader of the Japanese team that won the engineering prize of this year's Ig Nobel Prize, Gen Matsuzaki hasn't quite come to grips with the honor, which is a parody of the Nobel prizes. Matsuzaki, a professor of design at Chiba Institute of Technology, won the prize for a study that sought to discover the most efficient way for people to use their fingers in turning a knob. The award was announced on Sept. 15. It marked the 16th consecutive year for a Japanese to win an Ig Nobel Prize. Matsuzaki said that his study was not intended to make people [...]
Japan approves 14 venues for G7 ministerial meetings in 2023
TOKYO Japan on Friday approved the venues for the Group of Seven ministerial meetings next year. The G7 summit is scheduled to be held in Hiroshima, one of the two Japanese cities devastated by atomic bombs in the closing days of World War II. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida represents a constituency in the western Japan city. The following is a list of the 14 venues for the G7 ministerial meetings. Foreign -- Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture Finance -- Niigata, Niigata Prefecture Science, technology -- Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture Gender equality -- Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture Internal affairs, security -- Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture Digital technology -- Gunma Prefecture Trade -- Osaka Prefecture Education -- Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures Health -- Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture Labor, employment -- Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture Agriculture -- Miyazaki, Miyazaki [...]
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘uninvited’ from VIP reception at Buckingham Palace
The Sussexes have been snubbed from a royal reception on the eve of the Queen’s funeral – the largest congregation of world leaders in modern history. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly been “uninvited” to a state reception hosted by the King Charles on Sunday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have received an invitation earlier this week for the grand event at Buckingham Palace. The gathering, which will see foreign VIPs meet on the eve of Her Majesty’s funeral, is set to be the largest of world leaders in modern history. But palace officials have reportedly insisted it is for working royals only, and aides insist Meghan, 41, and Harry, 37, are unlikely to attend, The Telegraph reports. Over 500 heads of state and [...]
PH envoy: Marcos to meet 6 world leaders, sit-down with Biden uncertain
Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected to meet at least six world leaders on the sidelines of his trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly next week, a Philippine diplomat bared Friday. "He probably has six to eight meetings with heads of state," Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday. Romualdez said Marcos is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his trip set from Sept. 18 to 24. "I think the President of the EU (European Union) is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with President Marcos. I think there are two others awaiting confirmation," he said, adding there are [...]
Pacific News in Brief for Saturday 17th September 2022
Nauruans to the polls next Saturday; Search in Tonga for missing fishermen called off; Air New Zealand rejects claim its ignoring Samoa; Samoa police reject sabotage claim; Australia steps in to save MSG Cup; Tonga names rugby league squad for World Cup Nauruans to the polls next Saturday In one week from today the people of Nauru go to the polls to elect 19 MPs across eight constituencies. 77 candidates are contesting the seats. 18 of those candidates are lining up in the largest constituency, Ubenide, which will elect four MPs. Meneng, in which the current President, Lionel Aingimea is one of the MPs, selects three members. The rest choose two MPs Photo: 123RF The least number of candidates is the six contesting the Boe and Anetan constituencies. Former [...]
King Charles III sends greetings to New Zealanders
King Charles III says he is looking forward to visiting New Zealand. Photo: AFP King Charles III has conveyed his deep affection and commitment to New Zealand in a conversation with the New Zealand Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. The new monarch said he looked forward to coming to New Zealand on an official visit, although does not know when that would be. Dame Cindy Kiro spoke to the King via phone yesterday. The governor general and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are in the UK for the Queen's funeral and the surrounding events, including a face meeting between the PM with King Charles on Sunday, and a meeting between Ardern and the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss. At a media briefing in London overnight Dame Cindy stressed that [...]
New Zealand GDP up 1.7% as border reopening helps economy bounce back
GDP has risen 1.7% in the June quarter, with the reopening of the border a factor in the lift. The figures come against a backdrop of Covid disruption and the war in Ukraine. (Source: 1News) It comes after last quarter's fall of 0.2% and eases fears of a recession. The service industries, which make up about two thirds of the economy, were the main contributor to the increase, up 2.7%. "The reopening of borders, easing of both domestic and international travel restrictions, and fewer domestic restrictions under the Orange traffic light setting supported growth in industries that had been most affected by the Covid-19 response measures," national accounts – industry and production senior manager Ruvani Ratnayake said. "In the June 2022 quarter, households and international visitors spent more on [...]
Typhoon Muifa lashes eastern China, forcing 1.6 million from their homes
Waves generated by Typhoon Muifa break along the coast in Lianyungang in China's eastern Jiangsu province on Sep 14, 2022. (Photo: AFP/STR) SHANGHAI: High winds and heavy rain lashed China's densely populated east coast on Thursday (Sep 15), after Typhoon Muifa forced around 1.6 million people to leave their homes and grounded most flights at Shanghai's main airports. Muifa is the strongest tropical cyclone to hit Shanghai - home to more than 25 million people - since record-keeping began in 1949, state broadcaster CCTV said. However, there were no immediate reports of any deaths or casualties. Typoon Muifa was downgraded to a strong tropical storm by Chinese weather forecasters on Thursday, but it will bring heavy rains and flash flooding across several provinces as it moves north across [...]
End of COVID-19 pandemic is in sight, WHO director-general says, ‘so let’s seize this opportunity’
(CNN) — The world has never been in a better position to end the Covid-19 pandemic, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a news briefing in Geneva on Wednesday. “Last week, the number of weekly reported deaths from Covid-19 was the lowest since March 2020,” he said. “We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. We’re not there yet, but the end is in sight. “A marathon runner does not stop when the finish line comes into view; she runs harder with all the energy she has left,” Tedros said. “So must we. We can see the finish line, we are in a winning position, but now is the worst time to stop running. Now is the time to run [...]
Australia is funding just one-tenth of its fair share of global climate action, study finds
Former Kiribati president Anote Tong calls on Australia to take more urgent climate action alongside Palau’s Thomas Esang Jr and Senator David Pocock. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Australia is being urged to increase its investment in climate action, with a new report estimating the country is funding just one-tenth of its fair share globally. The study being released by Oxfam and ActionAid Australia on Thursday calls on Australia to immediately increase its climate finance commitments to $3bn ahead of the UN climate meeting Cop27 to be held in Egypt in November. The conference is also expected to see growing calls, including from Pacific nations, for wealthy high-polluting countries such as Australia to financially support a dedicated loss and damage facility. At the Cop26 summit in Glasgow last year, a UN [...]
Woman arrested in South Korea over alleged murder of two children found in suitcases in New Zealand
Police investigators work at a scene in New Zealand where two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases in August. A woman has been arrested in South Korea over the alleged murders. Photograph: Dean Purcell/AP A 42-year-old woman has been arrested in South Korea for the alleged murder of two children whose bodies were discovered in suitcases bought at an auction in New Zealand. South Korean authorities arrested the woman today on a Korean arrest warrant for two charges of murder. The remains of the two young children, who were aged about five and 10, were concealed in the suitcases for a number of years before an Auckland family unsuspectingly bought the luggage in a storage facility’s online auction. They transported their purchases home before making the discovery and [...]
Rate of sea-level rise around New Zealand doubles in the past 60 years – Stats NZ
Lyttelton (pictured here is Lyttelton Harbour) recorded the highest long-term trend in relative sea-level rise. Photo: flickr/Bernard Spragg. NZ The rate of sea-level rise around Aotearoa New Zealand has doubled in recent decades compared with the first half of last century, Stats NZ says. Stats New Zealand recently updated its coastal sea-level rise environmental indicator and found that relative annual sea levels had risen faster over the last 60 years at four coastal monitoring sites Stats NZ environmental and agricultural statistics senior manager Michele Lloyd said the rate had nearly doubled in the last 60 years. "Sea levels rose faster over the last 60 years, 1961 to 2020, compared with the previous 60 years, 1901 to 1960, at four main sites with records dating back to the 1890s [...]
NZX falls sharply as US inflation triggers market turbulence
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The local sharemarket has taken its lead from Wall Street and opened sharply lower. The benchmark NZX-50 was down 164 points or about a 1.4 percent to 11,598 in early trading. All leading stocks have fallen with Air New Zealand, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Summerset, and Infratil down by more than 2 percent. US share markets fell as much as 5 percent after stronger-than-expected inflation numbers reinforced expectations of more aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. US core inflation rose at an annual rate of 6.3 percent dashing hopes that the easing seen the previous month would continue. "While the market was hoping to see a second consecutive month of fading inflationary pressure, what we got was signs that inflation was broadening, capturing more [...]
Emotions run high in London as thousands queue to see Queen’s lying-in-state
Thousands of royal supporters lined the streets as Queen Elizabeth II's body was brought from Scotland to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Around Hyde Street Corner and Constitution Hill, some waited since midday for a last glimpse of Her Majesty and her family members. Sue Neenan was happy to sit through the rain and wait for the fleeting moment the Queen's hearse would drive past, when she expected she would cry. "I just had this undying urge to be here today," she said. Sue Neenan and Deborah James wait on the fence line at Constitution Hill for hours to get a glimpse of the Queen's hearse. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Similarly, Deborah James found it to be an emotional time - with emotions rising like a "crescendo". She chose [...]
Well-wishers in London start two-day wait to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth
King Charles III at the vigil of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, on Sept 12, 2022. PHOTO: AFP LONDON - The first of the countless thousands expected to file past Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in London began queueing two days in advance on Monday, driven by the wish to pay their respects. One brought a newspaper showing pictures of herself meeting the late monarch, while another brought a pot of souvenir marmalade and a miniature cut-out image of the queen. "I told my daughters I'm definitely going to pay my respects in person. I'm glad to wait in the queue, however long," said Ms Vanessa Nanthakumaran, one of the first three people already waiting in the open air more than 48 hours in [...]
PH, Thailand seek to further strengthen defense ties
MANILA – The Philippines and Thailand are looking at the possibility of further boosting their defense relations. DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (right) and Thai Ambassador to Manila Tull Traisorat (left) (Photo courtesy of DND) Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino Jr. and Thai Ambassador to Manila Tull Traisorat made this remark during a Sept. 9 meeting at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. "The two officials discussed the status of bilateral defense relations, potential areas of cooperation, ways ahead for logistics and defense industry collaboration, and multilateral cooperation," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Monday night. Faustino also commended the robust defense relations between the Philippines and Thailand and for sustaining dialogue despite the ongoing pandemic. "He welcomed [...]
UN says 50 million people worldwide stuck in ‘modern slavery’
The pandemic, armed conflicts, and climate change have exacerbated conditions, trapping people in forced labour or marriage. The number of people trapped in forced labour or forced marriage has swelled to about 50 million on any given day, the International Labour Organization says [File: Seyllou/AFP] The number of people trapped in forced labour or forced marriage and other crises has swelled by a fifth in recent years to about 50 million on any given day, the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday. The study by the UN agencies for labour and migration along with the Walk Free Foundation found that at the end of last year, more than half of those had been forced to work against their will and the rest forced into marriage, the [...]
Remembering the Queen: New Zealanders react to bonus day off
A condolence book at the Christchurch City Council (Civic Building). Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock The news of a new one-off public holiday has gone down well, with some New Zealanders looking forward to a bonus day off. The government has announced a new, one-off public holiday on Monday 26 September, to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Christchurch local, Julian, thought a holiday in honour of the Queen was a great idea. "I really do, yeah. Absolutely. Hopefully I'll take the Friday as well and have a good break, do some remembering, yeah. It will be nice," he said. Sue just wanted the day off closer to the funeral. "We should recognise how long she's been on the throne, I thought it would be a sensible [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern defends scrapping mask, vaccine mandates for now
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says modelling shows there may be an increase in Covid-19 cases before the end of the year. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is defending the move to scrap the Covid-19 traffic light system but says there will continue to be waves of cases. She told Morning Report case numbers were expected to rise, mask use could be brought back and isolation periods could change. "It very much depends on the unknown of what happens with waning immunity. Some modelling suggests we may see an increase in cases before the end of the year, but not to the scale we saw earlier this year, particularly for hospitalisations." While mask mandates on public transport had been scrapped overnight, Ardern said public health officials [...]
Japan could lift cap on foreign tourists to lift economy
GETTY IMAGES/ Japan is considering scrapping cap on foreign visitors to boost weak yen Japanese officials may further relax border controls for foreign travellers as a way to boost its economy, local reports say. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told local TV a weak yen was "most effective in attracting inbound tourism". The yen slid to its lowest point against the US dollar in 24 years last week, dropping as much as 1.7 percent. He said a cap on daily entries could be lifted in the "not so distant future". Japan has barred most foreign visitors for the last two years amid measures to slow the spread of Covid. Last year, overseas visitors were even banned from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. However earlier this month the number [...]
Australian man killed by kangaroo he kept as pet, police say
GETTY IMAGES/ Kangaroo attacks are rare in Australia An Australian man has died after being attacked by a kangaroo he had been keeping as a pet, police say. A relative found the 77-year-old man with serious injuries on Monday at his home in Redmond, about 400km (250 miles) south of Perth. When paramedics arrived at the rural property, the kangaroo prevented them from treating the man. Police were forced to shoot the marsupial dead. The man died at the scene. A police spokesperson told media they believed the man had been attacked by the kangaroo - a wild animal - earlier in the day. Australia is home to about 50 million kangaroos but attacks are rare. This is the first fatal one reported in Australia since 1936.
Queen Elizabeth II: Details revealed for Queen’s lying-in-state at Westminster
PA MEDIA Mourners wishing to pay their final respects to the Queen have been warned to expect long queues. Details have been revealed about how people can attend the lying-in-state, which will take place at the Palace of Westminster. Large crowds are expected and there are warnings those wanting to take apart in the historic occasion may have to wait for hours and even overnight. People are advised to bring food and drink as well as suitable clothing. The lying-in-state begins at 17:00BST on Wednesday and will last until 06:30 on Monday, 19 September - the day of the Queen's funeral. It will be open 24 hours a day between those times. The last member of the Royal Family to lie in state in the hall was the Queen [...]
Chinese President Xi Jinping to leave China for first time since COVID-19 pandemic began to meet Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China Feb 4, 2022. (Photo: Sputnik/Aleksey Druzhinin/Kremlin) BEIJING: Xi Jinping will leave China this week for the first time in more than two years for a trip to Central Asia where he will meet Vladimir Putin just a month before Xi is poised to cement his place as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. The trip, his first abroad since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, shows just how confident Xi is about his grip on power in China and just how perilous the global situation has become: Russia's confrontation with the West over Ukraine, the crisis over Taiwan and a stuttering global economy. Xi is due on a state visit to [...]
Greener homes could boost economy by $147bn by 2050 – report
Building greener houses will benefit people's health, their communities and slash climate pollution, the Green Building Council says. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson New Zealand could receive a multi-billion dollar economic boost if new homes and buildings are built greener starting from 2025, a new report claims. The report, written by economic analysts Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL), found building new homes and large offices with significantly less carbon emissions, would add $147 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050. The study was commissioned by the Green Building Council. Its chief executive Andrew Eagles said the GDP benefit would come from more economic activity due to building to a higher quality, and the additional jobs that would go into creating those homes and [...]
Workers who aided fraud investigation gutted to be told to leave NZ
Ten construction workers who helped authorities with a fraud investigation have been asked to leave the country, despite most having full time work and seeking work visas. Photo: 123rf.com A group of migrants who have been helping an investigation into immigration fraud may soon be forced to leave the country. The group were some of the 50 Chinese construction workers who claimed a New Zealand-based recruiter had misled them about their pay and working rights. Last year an arrest warrant was issued for Li Wenshan, also known as Peter Li, who fled New Zealand before charges were laid. Li still faced charges for immigration fraud. Meanwhile two other people associated with Li face a trial in December this year. Ten workers are expected to give evidence in court, [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 1149 new community cases, 225 hospitalisations and three in ICU
Yesterday, daily reported Covid-19 cases in the community dropped below 1000 for the first time since mid February. File image Photo: Unsplash / Annie Spratt There are 1149 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today as the government prepares to announce whether restrictions will ease. Cabinet will reveal its decision at a conference this afternoon. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 1480. Last Monday, it was 1778. Over the weekend, there were 2299 new community cases, 911 on Sunday and 1388 on Saturday. The ministry also said there were 225 Covid-19 cases in hospital today, including three in ICU. The 225 cases in hospital were in Northland (1), Waitematā (46), Counties Manukau (28), Auckland (36), [...]
32 dead in Vietnam karaoke bar fire
This picture taken and released on Sep 7, 2022 by the Vietnam News Agency shows the burnt-down exteriors of An Phu Karaoke bar in Binh Duong province, north of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: AFP/STR/Vietnam News Agency) HANOI— The death toll from a fire that tore through a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam has risen to 32, state media said on Wednesday (Sep 7). The blaze engulfed the second floor of the building on Tuesday night, trapping customers and staff as dense smoke filled the staircase and blocked the emergency exit, reports said. Many crowded onto a balcony to escape the flames, which grew quickly as they caught the wooden interior, while others were forced to jump from the building, state media added. Photos showed plumes of [...]
New malaria vaccine is world-changing, say scientists
KATIE EWER A malaria vaccine with "world-changing" potential has been developed by scientists at the University of Oxford. The team expect it to be rolled out next year after trials showed up to 80% protection against the deadly disease. Crucially, say the scientists, their vaccine is cheap and they already have a deal to manufacture more than 100 million doses a year. The charity Malaria No More said recent progress meant children dying from malaria could end "in our lifetimes". It has taken more than a century to develop effective vaccines as the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquitoes, is spectacularly complex and elusive. It is a constantly moving target, shifting forms inside the body, which make it hard to immunise against. Last year, the World Health [...]
China approves inhaled Covid vaccine
GETTY IMAGES China has become the first country to approve an inhaled Covid vaccine. Made by CanSino, it has similar ingredients to its injected vaccine, using a harmless adenovirus as a carrier for the genetic code that teaches the body how to fight Covid. Inhaled as a fine mist, Convidecia Air can provide good protection after just one breath, the company says. Other researchers, including teams in the UK and the US, have been investigating nasal spray vaccines. Scientists say these may give added immunity in the lining of the nose and upper airways, where Covid typically enters the body. The National Medical Products Administration of China granted CanSino approval for its inhaled vaccine to be used as a booster dose. It can top up protection in those who [...]
Tropical cyclone likely to enter PAR Wednesday
MANILA – The tropical cyclone outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to enter either by Wednesday night or Thursday, the weather bureau said. The tropical depression, last spotted 1,530 km. east of extreme northern Luzon, is also forecast to reach the tropical storm category within 36 hours. Once it enters PAR, it will be given the local name, "Inday". A steady intensification is also possible as the tropical cyclone moves over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. The tropical cyclone, PAGASA said, is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall and severe winds. However, it may cause moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of extreme northern Luzon during the weekend. Meanwhile, scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are forecast to prevail [...]
Bongbong Marcos trip reaps $8.5-B investment, supply pledges
DAY ONE IN SINGAPORE | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos meet with officials of Temasek Foundation in Singapore on Tuesday afternoon, shortly upon arrival in the city-state following a two-day visit in Indonesia. (Malacañang photo) JAKARTA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday concluded his inaugural state visit here, bringing with him $8.48 billion worth of investment pledges and coal and fertilizer supply commitments from Indonesian businessmen as well as an assurance of enhanced economic and security cooperation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, particularly in improving the country’s agriculture sector. “I would describe the trip as more productive than we had expected,” a beaming Marcos told journalists who covered his three-day foreign travel. “So far, so good,” he added. “The things that we planned to [...]
Travelling overseas? 7 destinations in Asia that have eased COVID-19 entry rules
(Clockwise from top left) Visitors at the Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, South Korea; Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers illuminated before their lights are turned off to mark the Earth Hour; people gather along the Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore and a woman makes a video call next to cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo, Japan. (Photos: AP/Lee Jin-man, AFP/Mohd Rasfan, AFP/Roslan Rahman, AFP/Behrouz Mehri) SINGAPORE— Destinations around the world have been easing COVID-19 entry restrictions as the pandemic wanes, with Taiwan the latest to announce relaxed rules. The Taiwan government said on Monday (Sep 5) that it will resume visa-free entry for some countries from Sep 12. As travel picks up, here's a look at the updated entry rules for some key Asian destinations. SOUTH KOREA [...]
Revealed: The highest paying jobs in New Zealand
Architects in the IT sector continued to be offered the most money. Photo credit: Getty Images New Zealanders aiming to bag a salary in the mid to high six figures should consider a career in information technology (IT), data suggests. "The tech industry is really feeling the brunt of the talent shortage and salaries are skyrocketing as a result," Tolich added. Coming in second on the highest-paid job list was IT management, offering an average salary of $163,708. IT project management took third place, where roles had an average salary of $161,605. The fourth and fifth spots were also taken out by IT roles with business and systems analysts being average salaries of $152,930 while data warehousing roles were netting about $146,618. Matt Tolich. Photo credit: File [...]
Covid-19: 6 deaths reported, 1793 new cases
There are 1793 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand today, Deputy Director-General of Health Dr Andrew Old announced at a media conference. Covid-19 virus (file picture) The numbers were reported over the last 24 hours. There are 260 people in hospital with the virus, 13 fewer than Tuesday. Five people with the virus are in intensive care, two more than Tuesday. Six more people with the virus have died. On Tuesday there were 2035 new Covid cases and 12 deaths reported in New Zealand.
Gas prices likely to hit new highs as Russia shuts pipeline indefinitely
More UK manufacturers are cutting production or making job cuts as result of ‘out of control’ energy bills European leaders have accused Russia of weaponising energy supplies. Photograph: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Analysts are expecting gas prices to surge to record highs this week after Russia shut down a key pipeline to Europe. At the same time, a growing number of UK manufacturers have said they are already cutting production or making job cuts as a direct result of “out of control” energy bills. Many commentators warned that European prices, which have risen by nearly 400% over the past year owing to lower gas flows from Russia, would go up further when markets open on Monday after Moscow scrapped a Saturday deadline for flows to resume through the Nord Stream 1 [...]
Canada rocked by multiple deadly stabbings in Saskatchewan
RCMP SASKATCHEWAN The suspects have been identified as Damien Sanderson (left) and Myles Sanderson At least 10 people have been killed and another 15 injured in a stabbing rampage in Canada's central Saskatchewan province, police say. The victims were found in 13 locations, including in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon. Two suspects that police identified as Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30, are on the run and considered armed and dangerous. Residents have been told to shelter in place under a dangerous person alert. "Do not leave a secure location. Use caution allowing others into your residence," Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Saskatchewan said, urging residents not to pick up hitchhikers. "The suspects may be in black Nissan Rogue [vehicle]," the police said, warning anyone who [...]
Toast Electric, NZ’s first not-for-profit power company, to launch this month
Photo: Kelly Sikema / Unsplash Aotearoa's first not-for-profit power company will launch in the Wellington region this month, aiming to reduce energy hardship. Toast Electric will use profits from "regular" customers to subsidise the electricity bills of those who struggle to pay. It is run by Wellington sustainable living social enterprise, the Sustainability Trust, which has been operating a pilot with around 80 "friends and family" customers since May. Sustainability Trust fair energy manager Phil Squire said it was addressing a desperate need within the community. "Energy hardship is a real big issue of our times, with lower incomes and high cost of energy, and poor housing quality. "We at least think we've got a shot at making a difference." Initially, those in energy hardship will be referred to [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to travel to New York for United Nations meeting
Jacinda Ardern has previously spoken at the United Nations. Photo: AFP Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will travel to New York in a few weeks' time to represent New Zealand at the United Nations General Assembly. Ardern said it will be an important opportunity to set out New Zealand's continued commitment to the multilateral system and international rules-based order. "As the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, climate change, the Ukraine and geopolitical tensions, international cooperation is more important than ever," she said. Ardern addressed the general assembly virtually last year as well in person in 2019 and in 2018. While in New York, Ardern will also co-host the Christchurch Callto Action Leader's Summit with President of France Emmanuel Macron. "I look forward to meeting with heads of state [...]
Scientists investigate rise in great white shark sightings at popular New Zealand holiday spot
Researchers and local iwi looking into whether increased reports of great whites around Bay of Plenty could be linked to warming oceans A great white shark in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region. Scientists are investigating increased sightings of the predator in the area. Photograph: Phil Ross Great white shark sightings are increasing in one of New Zealand’s most popular coastal holiday spots, with a team of experts assembling to find out what is behind the rise. The population in the Bay of Plenty region, on the North Island’s east coast, booms over summer as holidaymakers flock to the area’s beautiful beaches. But visitors have become increasingly fearful over what appears to be more frequent visits from great white sharks during summer. The country’s most recent fatal great white [...]
New Zealand’s shadow foreign affairs spokesperson faces criticism for response to UN report on Uyghurs
New Zealand’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Gerry Brownlee, has been criticised for his response to the UN’s report on Uyghur Muslims in China. Photograph: Getty Images New Zealand’s shadow foreign affairs spokesperson said a UN report on the human rights abuses of Uyghurs includes recognition that China is “dealing with a terrorist problem essentially”, in remarks criticised by China analysts. “It’s good that it acknowledges that there has been a terrorism problem in the particular part of China that the report is on,” Gerry Brownlee, a lawmaker for the centre-right National party, told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) on Thursday in an interview about the UN findings. In the damning report, the outgoing UN human rights commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, said China had committed “serious human rights violations” against Uyghur Muslims in [...]
Australia lifts permanent immigration by 35,000 to 195,000
Australia has announced it will increase its permanent immigration intake by 35,000 to 195,000 as it grapples with skills and labor shortages Australia's Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil speaks at the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. O'Neil announced it will increase its permanent immigration intake by 35,000 to 195,000 in the current fiscal year as the nation grapples with skills and labor shortages. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP) The Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia -- The Australian government announced on Friday it will increase its permanent immigration intake by 35,000 to 195,000 in the current fiscal year as the nation grapples with skills and labor shortages. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil announced the increase for the year ending June 30, 2023, during a two-day [...]
Economic cooperation focus of Marcos’ state visits to Indonesia, Singapore – DFA
Metro Manila, Philippines — The government is expected to sign a number of economic deals with Indonesia and Singapore during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visits in the coming days, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. DFA Spokesperson and Ambassador Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters that strengthening economic cooperation is among the focus of Marcos' trips, and that the Department of Trade and Industry has prepared related agreements to be signed in both countries. "These will actually be tailored to the priority areas of this administration," she said in a media briefing. "So, these could include infrastructure, renewable energy, food and security, and fertilizer importation, among others." Besides Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, members of Marcos' economic team are seen to join the Philippine delegation, Daza said. These [...]
NASA aims to launch new Artemis Moon rocket on Saturday
NASA's next-generation Moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), with the Orion crew capsule perched on top [Joe Skipper/Reuters] NASA ground teams at a space centre in Florida have begun final preparations to launch the next-generation Moon rocket on its debut test flight, five days after technical problems foiled an initial try. The new Moon rocket is set to launch on Saturday, officials said, after fixing fuel leaks and working around a bad engine sensor. Tests showed technicians appeared to have fixed a leaky fuel line that contributed to NASA’s decision to halt Monday’s initial launch operation, Jeremy Parsons, a deputy programme manager at the Kennedy Space Center, told reporters on Friday. Two other key issues on the rocket itself – a faulty engine temperature sensor and some cracks [...]
Singapore reports first Zika case since March 2020
The virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, similar to dengue. File photo of an Aedes mosquito. (Photo: iStock) SINGAPORE— Singapore has reported its first Zika case since March 2020. The case was reported during the week of Aug 21 to Aug 27 this year, according to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) latest weekly infectious diseases bulletin. CNA has contacted the Health Ministry for more information. National Environment Agency (NEA) data showed that 666 dengue cases were also reported during the same week. Zika virus infection is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, similar to dengue. There were 194 active dengue clusters in Singapore as of Aug 29 this year. The NEA website also showed that 75 dengue clusters are currently identified as “red”, indicating that each [...]
Inflation, Housing And A Tight Labour Market Set To Continue Putting The Screws On The New Zealand Economy
Inflation has likely peaked but it could be 2024 before it drops back below 3%. House prices expected to continue to fall through to mid-2023. The OCR is expected to increase to a peak of 4% by year-end before starting to fall in 2024. New Zealanders are set to face a tough year as the continued pressures of inflation, housing and a tight labour market combine, according to the latest ASB Quarterly Economic Forecast. Growth is set to be quite weak, with the economy potentially flirting with recession. Inflation hit a three-decade high in the middle of 2022. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says although the outlook is still uncertain, inflation should ease gradually over the next couple of years. “Inflation likely hit its peak midway through this year, [...]
Aussie property prices see biggest drop in value in almost 40 years
Australian property values have suffered their biggest monthly drop in almost 40 years as the market's downturn accelerates. CoreLogic's national Home Value Index recorded a fourth straight month of decline in August, with the retreat in prices accelerating and covering more of Australia. The drop in August was 1.6 per cent, the biggest month-on-month decline since 1983. Property prices dropped 1.6 per cent in August, the biggest month-on-month decline since 1983. (Nine) Every capital city apart from Darwin is now in a housing downturn, and regional Australia isn't too dissimilar, with only South Australia recording an increase in regional housing values for the month. Sydney continued to the lead the downswing, with values falling -2.3 per cent in August. But Brisbane also saw an accelerated decline, with values falling [...]
EU foreign ministers agree to suspend visa travel deal with Russia
Move will curb number of Russian nationals entering the bloc but stops short of full tourist visa ban Russian tourists arriving by bus at the Nuijamaa border crossing in Finland. Photograph: Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP/Getty Images The EU has agreed to suspend a visa travel deal with Moscow to curb the number of Russian nationals entering the bloc for holidays and shopping, stopping short of a full tourist visa ban demanded by some central and eastern European countries. Meeting in Prague, the EU’s 27 foreign ministers promised to suspend the 2007 visa facilitation agreement with Russia that makes it relatively easy to obtain travel documents. The EU’s high representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said there had been a “substantial increase of border crossings” from Russia into the EU since mid-July, [...]
Taiwan fires live rounds at drones near outlying islands
GETTY IMAGES Kinmen is a group of islands just kilometres away from mainland China Taiwan has fired warning shots for the first time to drive back drones that flew over its outlying islands near China. Taiwan's defence ministry said the three drones were seen flying back towards the Chinese mainland. Taipei has in recent weeks complained of Chinese drones flying close to its islets near the Chinese mainland. Cross-strait tensions remain high after US politician Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month. Taiwan has reported an increase in drone incursions after China launched huge military drills in a show of force after Mrs Pelosi's visit. President Tsai Ing-wen has labelled some of the drone missions - which have flown over military outposts -as a type of "grey zone" [...]
DFA: PH open to joint oil, gas exploration talks with China in WPS
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines is open to talking to China about holding oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). "We have already indicated to China our openness to have new talks on oil and gas exploration," Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said during the Commission on Appointments' foreign affairs committee hearing on Wednesday. Chinese minister Liu Jianchao earlier expressed hope that joint exploration talks would continue under the Marcos administration. Manalo vowed that the country will be firm in asserting its rights over the West Philippine Sea once the negotiations push through. "Our guiding position will be any agreement that we enter into with China, or any other country for that matter... we will not be agreeing to [...]
Japan’s PM cuts ties to Unification church after Shinzo Abe death
The church had built close ties with Fumio Kishida’s ruling party and a host of conservative lawmakers Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, apologised for causing the loss of public trust in politics.Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has announced that his ruling party will cut ties with the Unification church after a widening scandal caused by the assassination of the party’s former leader Shinzo Abe last month. Kishida also apologised for causing the loss of public trust in politics. Cozy ties between members of Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic party, many of them belonging to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have surfaced since Abe was shot to death while giving a campaign speech in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the [...]
Overseas firms buy more sheep, beef farms for forestry conversion
NEW ZEALAND— The sale of four sheep and beef farms to overseas investors, who will turn about 7100 hectares into rotational forests, has been approved. Pine plantation on a hillside (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) has issued its latest decisions made under the special forest test. Introduced in 2018, the test was designed to support the government's forestry priorities, including more tree planting. Farming groups have raised concerns too much productive farmland is being lost to trees. Furniture store IKEA's parent company Ingka Investments is continuing to buy land to plant trees with its latest purchase, the Huiarua and Matanui Stations in the Gisborne region with a combined area of just over 6000 hectares. Nearly 5000 hectares of the sheep and beef [...]
New Zealander in Ukraine certain slain soldier Dominic Abelen’s body in Russian hands
A former New Zealand soldier now fighting on Ukraine's front line is certain the body of New Zealand soldier Dominic Abelen is in Russian hands. The man, who RNZ has agreed not to name, was a close friend of Abelen, who was killed alongside American Joshua Jones in the east of the country. Dominic Abelen. Photo: Supplied / NZDF The New Zealand government has not been able to say where the body is but the friend said it would be with Jones. The former soldier said he had seen evidence that Jones' body was with the Russian side. "They've put in the media, photos of Josh's passport, Josh's Ukrainian military ID, and pictures of Joshua's body as well. "We haven't received anything or seen anything like that with [...]
Defence Minister warns ‘Ukraine is an active war zone’ as NZ troops head to UK
Defence Minister Peeni Henare warns 'Ukraine is an active war zone', as New Zealand troops head to the UK to help train soldiers. NZ Army personnel leaving for the UK this morning. Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro The main group of NZ Army personnel were leaving from the base this morning for the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian infantry recruits. The government announced this month New Zealand was sending another 120 Defence staff to the UK to help train Ukraine soldiersto defend against Russia after the completion of the previous 30-strong deployment. The deployment would last until 30 November, and was to enable two teams to train Ukrainian infantry with core skills for frontline combat including weapon handling, combat first aid, operational law and more. It would contribute to the UK's [...]
US President Joe Biden plans to ask Congress to approve US$1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan: Report
US President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media at the White House in Washington on Aug 26, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Leah Millis) WASHINGTON— The Joe Biden administration plans to ask the United States Congress to approve an estimated US$1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles, Politico reported on Monday (Aug 29), citing sources, amid heightened tensions with China. China carried out its largest war games around the democratically governed island after a visit this month by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. China on Monday dismissed complaints from Taiwan about repeated harassment by Chinese drones very close to Taiwanese-controlled islands as not anything "to make a fuss [...]
Primary health care nurses rally for better pay
Nurses took to the streets across the country today over what they say is pay disparity between community nurses and their counterparts in hospitals. Their union says nurses who work in primary care, such as GP clinics and for Plunket, are being paid much less than Te Whatu Ora nurses. New Zealand Nurses Organisation president Anne Daniels said although primary health care nurses had the same qualifications as nurses who fell under the new Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, they were paid less - sometimes up to 25 percent less. Daniels was at the rally in Wellington and said the union was fighting against injustice for primary care nurses who were underpaid and under valued. "They were the frontline during the Covid outbreaks, doing the vaccinations and the [...]
Cost of living payment: National criticises government’s ‘loose and sloppy’ attitude to taxpayer money
The National Party is urging the government to apologise after the auditor-general's ruling on the distribution of payments to help low and middle income New Zealanders with the high cost of living. National Party finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says the government's cost of living payment roll-out demonstrates a 'culture of disregard for taxpayer money'. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Auditor-General John Ryan had been urged to investigate by National's deputy leader Nicola Willis. His investigation concluded that the payments made to ineligible people did not constitute unappropriated expenditure, but that the government should have taken greater care when distributing those payments. Some people living offshore received the first instalment, as did former migrants and - in some cases - people who had died. Willis, who is also National's [...]
Major sea-level rise caused by melting of Greenland ice cap is ‘now inevitable’
Meltwater flows from the ice sheet into the Baffin Bay near Pituffik in northern Greenland.Photograph: Kerem Yücel/AFP/Getty Images Major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now inevitable, scientists have found, even if the fossil fuel burning that is driving the climate crisis were to end overnight. The research shows the global heating to date will cause an absolute minimum sea-level rise of 27cm (10.6in) from Greenland alone as 110tn tonnes of ice melt. With continued carbon emissions, the melting of other ice caps and thermal expansion of the ocean, a multi-metre sea-level rise appears likely. Billions of people live in coastal regions, making flooding due to rising sea levels one of the greatest long-term impacts of the climate crisis. If Greenland’s record melt [...]
China prosecutes 28 people over restaurant attack on group of women
A screengrab from video footage shows two women lying on the ground after being assaulted at a restaurant in Tangshan in June. Photograph: Reuters Chinese prosecutors have launched criminal proceedings against 28 people suspected of assaulting a group of women in a viral incident that sparked outrage over gender-based violence in the country. Footage of a group of men assaulting four women at a barbecue restaurant in Tangshan, east of the capital, Beijing, was shared widely online, renewing debate about violence against women in China. The men carried out the assault after the women rejected their advances, the footage showed. Prosecutors in Hebei province said they would begin legal proceedings against the suspects – including seven directly involved in the assault – after they obtained “reliable and sufficient” [...]
Gov’t agencies to enhance PH salt production
Metro Manila, Philippines— The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will collaborate with other government agencies to strengthen the country’s salt industry. In a statement released on Sunday, the DA said it will work closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve local salt production in line with Republic Act 8172 or the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN). This comes as the sector “failed to adapt” to challenges resulting from climate change, food safety standards and quality requirements, tariff reduction, and mandatory iodization imposed by RA 8172, said the DA. “Under the ASIN law, the DENR, along with other appropriate government agencies shall identify areas that are suitable for use as salt farms with the purpose [...]
Nurses plan to leave NZ over residency rules: ‘I can’t wait any more’
Frustrated New Zealand-trained migrant nurses are planning to leave the country because they cannot find an immediate path to residency, just as the government tries to entice foreigners to fill thousands of jobs in hospitals, aged care and clinics. Nurses were controversially excluded from the government's new straight-to-residence Green List and must instead work in the profession for two years first. Photo: 123rf Recent graduates working in aged care in Tauranga say they are being forced to abandon their dream home because of an immigration policy that means they must wait another two years for residency. Sandeep Kaur has spent years separated from her two young sons in India while studying for a nursing degree in New Zealand. She said she was devastated the profession was excluded from [...]
Corporal Dominic Abelen confirmed as New Zealander killed in Ukraine
The Defence Force has confirmed Corporal Dominic Abelen as the New Zealander killed in Ukraine. Corporal Dominic Abelen, who was killed in Ukraine while on unpaid leave from the New Zealand Defence Force. Photo: Supplied / NZDF In a statement this afternoon, the Defence Force said the 30-year-old had served with the 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment based in Burnham, but had been on a period of leave without pay and was not on active duty. His father also released a statement through the Defence Force, saying Corporal Abelen had always thought of others. "Dominic was in the NZ Army for 10 years but never got to fight for his country," he said. "He didn't tell us he was going to Ukraine until he was there. [...]
Graeme Hart inducted into NZ Business Hall of Fame
New Zealand's richest man is encouraging the next generation of business leaders to take risks. Graeme Hart with his granddaughter Jemima Hawkesby, who introduced him as he was inducted into the NZ Business Hall of Fame . Photo: Supplied Graeme Hart has been reflecting on a series of his leaps of faith during his 50 year career, that now has him on the Forbes Billionaires 2022 list at spot 218. The 67-year-old investor holds a net worth of $9.7 billion. He is New Zealand's wealthiest person. He was inducted into the NZ Business Hall of Fame on Thursday 18 August 2022. "It's a real privilege to find yourself in a position after a career, you know, Greg Thomas, Ulu's, myself, Les Mills, where you are being recognised into the [...]
Darya Dugina: Daughter of Putin ally killed in Moscow bomb – report
Alexander Dugin wants Mr Putin to intervene militarily in eastern Ukraine The daughter of a close ally to Russia's President Vladimir Putin has reportedly been killed near Moscow. According to state media, Darya Dugina died after her car exploded in flames while she was driving home. It is thought that her father, the Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin who is known as "Putin's brain," may have been the intended target of the attack. Mr Dugin is a prominent ultra-nationalist ideologue who is believed to be close to the Russian president. According to Russian media outlet 112, the pair were due to travel back from an event on Saturday evening in the same car before Mr Dugin made the decision to travel separately from his daughter at the last minute. [...]
New Zealand to fund $4.8m health partnership programme for Tonga
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced a new programme to bolster Tonga's health service. Health workers in Tonga promoting a Covid-19 vaccination drive in 2021. The New Zealand government is funding a new programme to bolster the Pacific nation's health service. Photo: Supplied/ Tongan Ministry of Health The New Zealand government is funding a NZ$4.8 million dollar partnership programme over the next four years. Mahuta said under the partnership, Massey University would help Tonga plan for service needs, train staff, and allocate healthcare workers to where they were most-needed. She said New Zealand was proud to be a key partner in Tonga's health sector. It had provided vaccines, testing kits, testing facilities, genomic sequencing and technical support to the country as it tackled the Covid-19 pandemic and the [...]
Thousands of extra workers to be allowed into New Zealand
The government will allow some sectors to pay skilled migrant workers less than the new median wage requirements in a bid to address workplace shortages across the country. Photo: RNZ/ Liu Chen It is also doubling the Working Holiday Scheme cap for 2022/23 and extending holiday makers' visas. Announcing the changes today, Immigration Minister Michael Wood said they were aimed at providing immediate relief to those businesses hardest-hit by the global worker shortage. "We have listened to the concerns of these sectors, and worked with them to take practicable steps to unlock additional labour," he said. "We know these measures will help fill skills gaps, as businesses work towards more productive and resilient ways of operating." Businesses that were hiring skilled migrant workers in a number of key sectors [...]
China to send troops to Russia for joint military exercises
Chinese forces will take part in the Vostok drills with Russia starting at the end of the month [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters] Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in joint military exercises that will start at the end of the month, Beijing’s defence ministry has said. Last month, Moscow announced plans to hold “Vostok” (East) military drills from August 30 to September 5, saying some foreign forces would also take part without naming them. Beijing and Moscow have close defence links and China has said it wants to push bilateral relations “to a higher level,” even as Moscow faces international sanctions and widespread condemnation over its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. “The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the [...]
Rogue Labour MP Gaurav Sharma claims he was suspended by ‘kangaroo court’
Suspended Labour MP Gaurav Sharma faces possible expulsion from the Labour Party for continuing to publicly attack the party leadership. Sharma, who has attacked Labour in the past week over claims of bullying, renewed his criticism of the party on Thursday, telling Newshub that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was engaged in a "cover up". The Hamilton West MP was suspended by Labour on Tuesday by the party’s MPs, who held a caucus meeting he did not attend. But Ardern later confirmed, as Sharma alleged, that MPs held an undisclosed meeting the night prior that he was not invited to. “It's a kangaroo court, it's a banana republic. The decision was already made the night before," Sharma told Newshub. The fresh criticisms of the party are the first public comments [...]
China opposes US chip act, to take measures to safeguard rights
FILE PHOTO: Employees work at a production line manufacturing chips inside a factory of an electronics company in Chizhou, Anhui province, China March 21, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer BEIJING— China opposes a new chips act passed by the United States and will take forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights when necessary, said China's commerce ministry on Thursday. Some provisions in the U.S. act restricted normal economic, trade and investment activities of relevant firms in China, Shu Jueting told a regular news conference.
Bongbong Marcos meets Chinese envoy, eyes stronger PH-China ties Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/206109/fwd-bongbong-marcos-meets-chinese-envoy-wants-stronger-ph-china-ties#ixzz7cIkojkAq Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian | PHOTO: President Marcos’ official facebook page MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Thursday in a bid to strengthen ties between the Philippines and China. In an Instagram post Thursday, Marcos said Xilian paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday, August 17. “We welcomed the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Huang Xilian, in a courtesy call yesterday,” Marcos said. “We are very grateful for the visit, and we look forward to further strengthening the relationship between China and the Philippines for the benefit of both our peoples,” he added. The Palace has yet to release details about the meeting between Marcos and Huang. This was [...]
Japan launches nationwide competition to boost alcohol consumption
Contest asks young adults for ideas to revitalise popularity of alcoholic drinks after big fall in tax revenues There was a 20% decline in beer consumption between 2019 and 2020, with sales volume down to less than 1.8bn litres. Photograph: Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/Rex/Shutterstock The Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage people to drink more alcohol after a change in attitudes among the young resulted in a slide in tax revenues. The Sake Viva! campaign, which is being run by the National Tax Agency (NTA), asks 20- to 39-year-olds to come up with proposals to help revitalise the popularity of alcoholic drinks, which have fallen out of favour because of lifestyle changes during the coronavirus pandemic and among young people. The competition, which runs [...]
Human remains found in suitcases were two young children, New Zealand police say
Police believe the remains had been concealed at a storage facility for years before the suitcases were purchased by an Auckland family at an auction New Zealand police have opened a homicide investigation after the remains of two children were discovered in suitcases purchased at an Auckland auction. Photograph: Mark Baker/AP Human remains discovered in suitcases bought at a New Zealand auction belong to two young children and are thought to have been concealed for a number of years, police say. Police launched a homicide investigation on 12 August, after an Auckland family unsuspectingly bought the suitcases in an online auction at a storage facility. They transported their purchases home before making the discovery and contacting police. The family is not linked to the deaths, police said. In a [...]
Ethiopian Health Minister Urges Tedros and WHO to Investigate US Labs for Possible Virus Leaks
Ms. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin, the Minister of Health of Ethiopia sent a letter early this month to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Secretary-General of the World Health Organization to help African countries to face the challenge of lacking resisting and predictable power and ability against the raging pandemic. In her letter, she also urges WHO to investigation on those biological laboratories that have been exposed to problems, including the bio-lab in Detrick, USA which many medias suspected its leaks of COVID-19 virus causing the pandemic worldwide. She said that African people have the right to know the truth, and expect WHO take actions immediately, and hope Mr Tedros pay more attention to the health issues in Africa. The letter says that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war makes the world aware of the [...]
Reserve Bank raises OCR to highest level in seven years
The Reserve Bank raised the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 3 percent, as expected, to its highest level in seven years. Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Adrian Orr Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas It said borrowing costs needed to rise to bring inflation, currently at a 32 year high of 7.3 percent, back under control. It signalled further rate rises were likely.
Tourism New Zealand launches global campaign to attract ‘high-quality’ travellers
Tourism New Zealand is hoping to pique the interest of curious travellers in its first global campaign in two years. Milford Sound. Photo: 123RF 'If You Seek' teases audiences with snippets of destination and activities from well known locations like Hooker Valley near Aoraki Mt Cook and Hell's Gate in the North Island to those less recognisable. The campaign includes short films, content to educate travel sellers and a domestic marketing campaign. Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy said there was intense international competition to attract visitors. "Because of our size and location New Zealand will have to work hard to encourage visitation post-Covid with international visitor numbers taking years to build up and Kiwis now having the option of travelling overseas," de Monchy said. "The work [...]
UK to receive shipment of Australian gas next week
GETTY IMAGES The UK is expected to take delivery of a shipment of gas all the way from Australia next week, as the pressure on European energy supplies grows. The liquid natural gas (LNG) is due to arrive on 22 August, according to commodities analysts Kpler. Australia doesn't usually sell gas this far afield, but European countries have been seeking alternatives to Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine. The UK stopped importing gas from Russia in April. While the UK bought only a small fraction of its gas from Russia before the conflict began, the country is connected to the European gas network. Continental Europe is much more reliant on Russian gas, and deliveries via the Nordstream pipeline have already been curtailed. Moscow has been accused of using [...]
Biden signs health, tax and climate bill into law
REUTERS The sprawling economic package is a flagship part of President Joe Biden's agenda US President Joe Biden has signed a $700bn (£579bn) bill that aims to fight healthcare costs and climate change while raising taxes mainly on the rich. The act includes measures to make good on decades of congressional promises to curb the price of prescription drugs. The final version is more modest in scope than the $3.5tn package first envisaged by Democrats. A flagship of Mr Biden's agenda, the bill could provide a boost ahead of the mid-term elections. Voters casting their ballots in November will decide whether Mr Biden's Democrats retain control of Congress for two more years. The president hailed the bill as he signed it on Tuesday as the "final piece" of his [...]
Ukraine aiming to create chaos within Russian forces, Zelenskiy adviser says
Exclusive: Mykhailo Podolyak says Russian supply lines will be targeted and predicts similar attacks to last week’s explosion at Crimean airbase Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak in the sandbagged hallways of the presidential offices in Kyiv.Photograph: Christopher Cherry/The Guardian Ukraine is engaged in a counteroffensive aimed at creating “chaos within Russian forces” by striking at the invaders’ supply lines deep into occupied territories, according to a key adviser to the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Mykhailo Podolyak told the Guardian there could be more attacks in the “next two or three months” similar to Tuesday’s mysterious strikes on a railway junction and an airbase in Crimea, as well as last week’s hit on Russian warplanes at the peninsula’s Saky aerodrome. Russia said a fire on Tuesday had set off explosions at a munitions [...]
US, PH troops’ Balance Piston exercise starts in Palawan
MANILA – The Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) [SFR(A)] and the US Army Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) on Monday formally started the month-long Balance Piston 22-3 exercise geared at enhancing interoperability between the two elite units in Palawan. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army) "SFR(A) and SOCPAC teams will conduct bilateral training drills until September 16, 2022 at the Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, and the Headquarters of the 18th Special Forces 'Riverine' Company in Punta Baja in Rizal town," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Tuesday. The bilateral exercise will focus on long-range marksmanship, combat marksmanship, close-quarter combat, small unit tactics, unconventional warfare, maritime operations, and a full mission profile or culmination exercise. "We are certain [...]
Aucklanders told to prepare for change as transport emissions plan revealed
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the newly released Transport Emissions Reduction Plan is "hugely ambitious" but it is achievable. On Monday afternoon, Auckland Council released its proposed Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway, which sets out what is required to achieve a 64 percent reduction of the city's transport emissions by 2030. If adopted, the document will be used to guide council planners during the development of future transport plans, helping to ensure they meet the objectives outlined in te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan - which gained unanimous support from councillors and Independent Māori Statutory Board members in 2020. The plan released today lays out the road map to fewer gas guzzling cars including: Converting 30 percent of the city's vehicles to electric - especially commercial ones A ten-fold increase in [...]
Inflation, labour shortages to delay recovery in business travel spending: Industry forecast
Business travelers enter the airport hotel at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, US, Nov 3, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Rick Wilking) A recovery in global business travel spending to pre-pandemic levels is likely to be delayed by 18 months to 2026 because of factors like persistent inflation, high energy prices, labour shortages and lockdowns in China, a new industry forecast shows. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) said business travel spending rebounded by 5.5 per cent to US$697 billion in 2021 with North America leading the recovery, but remained well short of 2019 levels of US$1.4 trillion. The recovery outlook is more pessimistic than GBTA's last forecast issued a year ago, when it expected a full rebound to 2019 levels by 2024. Environmental sustainability considerations and the regional [...]
World Zelenskyy warns Zaporizhzhia ‘catastrophe’ would threaten whole of Europe
A general view of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, Aug 7, 2022. (File photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) KYIV: A "catastrophe" at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine would threaten the whole of Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Monday (Aug 15). "Under the cover of the plant, the occupiers are shelling nearby cities and communities," Zelenskyy said in his evening address. "Any radiation incident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP can affect the countries of the European Union, Turkey, Georgia and countries from more distant regions. Everything depends solely on the direction and speed of the wind," he said. "If Russia's actions cause a catastrophe, the consequences may also hit those who remain silent so [...]
Bongbong Marcos discusses sugar supply with food manufacturers
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with members of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, to discuss their concerns about the sugary supply in the country. (Photo from Marcos’s Facebook account) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with members of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. in Malacañang on Monday to tackle concerns over the sugar supply in the country. “We want the smooth operations of businesses and maintain job security for our countrymen in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. That’s why we want to set a clear system in relation to increasing the supply of sugar,” Marcos said in Filipino in a Facebook post. On Sunday, Marcos said the Philippines might import sugar around October should the supply [...]
Expert explains ‘atmospheric river’ set to soak parts of NZ
An 'atmospheric river' is set to bring heavy rain to parts of the country this week NIWA has warned. But what does that mean? Heavy rain file image. (Source: istock.com) Atmospheric rivers are a year-round occurrence in New Zealand - but NIWA say this one is unusual for the time of year, with one expert describing it as "pretty exceptional". "Atmospheric rivers are huge plumes of moisture that move from the tropics to the mid-latitudes," NIWA Meteorologist and Forecaster Tristan Meyers said. "New Zealand sees our peak atmospheric river activity during summer, and our lowest atmospheric river activity during winter. "When these atmospheric rivers encounter other weather features or New Zealand's mountainous terrain, the vast amount of water vapour within these atmospheric rivers can get 'squeezed' out, falling as [...]
China continuing to import New Zealand meat – MPI
Australia and New Zealand say they are aware of Chinese media reports of a ban on meat imports from both countries by Beijing but say they have not received any official notice and shipments have been clearing as normal. New Zealand meat products are continuing to be cleared through the Chinese border, an MPI official says. Photo: 123RF The Australian Financial Review newspaper said one Chinese media outlet had reported agricultural imports, particularly meat, from Australia and New Zealand may be suspended due to concerns about foot and mouth disease. "We are aware of rumours. The Australian Embassy in Beijing has been in contact with China Customs and no formal notification has been issued," a spokesperson at the Australian agricultural department said in an emailed statement. New Zealand [...]
American Muslims Urge Biden to Build More Mosques
According to the source of the nation-wide Muslim Organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent a letter on March 20 to the White House for attention of President Biden and Assistant State Secretary for Religious Affairs. The letter was sent by CAIR-Taxas for a petition to build more mosques in the US, for enhancing the social status of Muslim community in the country. Here is the letter: We are writing you to have your attention to our petition of building more mosques in the US, for enhancing the social status of Muslim in the country. And our petition is based on the deep concern and worry about the ever rising hostility and discrimination to the Muslims in the country, specifically since the ex-President fanned the flames of the [...]
Scott Morrison defends secret ministry appointments as ‘right decision’ in unconventional times
Former prime minister says appointing himself to multiple portfolios was a necessary safeguard during the pandemic Former prime minister Scott Morrison has broken his silence to defend being secretly sworn in to several ministry roles. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Australia— Scott Morrison has defended his actions in secretly having himself sworn into multiple ministry roles while prime minister, saying they were “safeguards” and “the right decision” during the pandemic. It comes as official government documents reveal Morrison also took over parts of the social services portfolio in June 2021, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, hinting “there may well be more” ministries that the former Coalition leader secretly assumed responsibility for. Breaking his silence after days of media questioning, Morrison confirmed in a 2GB radio interview that he was [...]
Jollibee’s Chickenjoy is ‘best fried chicken in America’ – global food website
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Chickenjoy of Filipino fast-food giant Jollibee has been hailed as the "best fried chicken in America" by a global food website under Vox Media. Food website Eater reported that Jollibee’s Chickenjoy bested 15 brands in four rounds of competition. Some of the brands Jollibee competed with were KFC, Popeyes, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, White Castle, Burger King, Church’s Chicken, Panda Express, Del Taco, Shake Shack, Wingstop, Chick-fil-A, and Fuku O.G. In the final round, Chickenjoy bested the BonChon Chicken. Eater’s special projects editor Lesley Suter explained why Chickenjoy has been hailed as the best fried chicken in the United States. "The subtly seasoned skin is as tectonically crunchy as advertised, if loosely attached in such a way as to be able to slide off an entire [...]
Xi, Biden could meet in November in South-east Asia: Report
Chinese officials are reportedly making preparations for China's President Xi Jinping to visit South-east Asia in November and to meet US counterpart Joe Biden. PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - Chinese and US officials have been discussing a possible face-to-face meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden, with a report suggesting that two regional summits in South-east Asia in November are potential venues for the talks. "I can confirm that the two leaders... discussed a possible face-to-face meeting during their recent call and agreed to have their teams follow up to sort out the specifics," said Mr Kurt Campbell, Mr Biden's top adviser for Indo-Pacific affairs. Mr Campbell, who was referring to the phone call between the presidents in late July, did not confirm reported details [...]
DPWH: Korea offers to fund new infrastructure projects in PH
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said the South Korean government has expressed interest in funding new infrastructure and development projects of the Marcos administration. "The Korea Eximbank (KEXIM) Manila Representative Office, implementing agency of the Korean government's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) Official Development Assistance (ODA) program in the Philippines, is keen on leveling up funding support to infrastructure development priorities of the DPWH," the department said in a statement. "The Korean government intends to further increase the EDCF concessional loan assistance to the Philippines to fund development projects under the President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. administration," it added. The meeting between the two sides--held on Friday at the DPWH central office--was led by DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and KEXIM-EDCF [...]
Rain showers expected in many parts of PH due to ‘habagat’
MANILA – The southwest monsoon or “habagat” may still affect most parts of the country particularly western sections of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday. In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Mimaropa and Bicol regions and the provinces of Quezon and Batangas in Luzon; Visayas; and Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions in Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. It warned residents of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also due to southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms. The entire archipelago will [...]
UK economy shrinks as outlook on recession darkens
GETTY IMAGES The UK economy shrank between April and June as experts forecast a gloomy outlook with recession on the horizon. The economy contracted by 0.1% in the second quarter of the year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This was partly due to Covid schemes like Test and Trace ending, retail sales falling and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee bank holiday in June, it said. The Bank of England has forecast the UK will fall into recession towards the end of the year as energy costs soar. Despite shrinking between April and June, the UK economy avoided recession because gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.8% in the first three months of this year. Up until now most economists - and the Bank of England - did [...]
What Ukraine wants from New Zealand
Ukraine's new ambassador to New Zealand wants our Government to supply both military and diplomatic firepower, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Vasyl Myroshnychenko was sworn in earlier this week, and sat down for an interview on Q+A with Jack Tame. He is also the ambassador to Australia, and recently took PM Anthony Albanese on a tour of areas that have suffered massacres, perpetrated by Russian forces. Myroshnychenko said it would be an honour to bring PM Jacinda Ardern to Ukraine. “I think that would send a very strong message of solidarity and support,” he said. “New Zealand is our ally for sure in this war.” “That would be very important for Ukraine to get this support from New Zealand, given the reputation of New Zealand globally, and given the [...]
Female protesters beaten by Taliban fighters during rare Kabul rally
Shots fired into air and rifle butts used to attack dozens of women protesting outside Afghan education ministry About 40 women gathered to demand the right to work study, and participate in politics.Photograph: Nava Jamshidi/Getty Images Taliban fighters beat female protesters and fired into the air on Saturday as they violently dispersed a rare rally in the Afghan capital, days before the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists’ return to power. Since seizing control on 15 August last year, the Taliban have rolled back the marginal gains made by women during two decades of US intervention in Afghanistan. About 40 women – chanting “bread, work and freedom” – marched in front of the education ministry building in Kabul, before the fighters dispersed them by firing their guns into the [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: Lowest number of daily community cases since February
The number of new daily community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand has dropped below the 3000 mark for the first time since late February. Visualization Of The Covid-19 Virus (Corona) Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 2618 community cases to report, the lowest number since 21 February, when the first Omicron surge began to hit. A Flourish data visualization While reported numbers do drop over the weekend, the seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 4302, down from 5441 this time last week. The Ministry also reported 11 new deaths of people with the coronavirus, as well as 557 people in hospital, including 15 in ICU. The 11 new deaths reported today include one person in their 50s, one in [...]
47 Filipinos picked for Japan teaching program
MANILA – Forty-seven Filipinos were selected to be part of the 2022 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said Tuesday. JAPAN-BOUND. The 2022 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program participants with Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa and Mme. Yuko Koshikawa during the send-off reception in Makati last month. The Japanese Embassy on Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2022) said 47 Filipinos were selected to be part of the JET program. (Photo courtesy of Japan Embassy in Manila) JET is a competitive program that allows foreigners, including Filipinos to live and teach in Japan. The Filipino participants this year, consisting of 46 assistant language teachers (ALTs) and one coordinator for international relations (CIR), are set to leave the Philippines on Aug. 14, 2022. ALTs will work in public or [...]
Biden administration ends Trump-era ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
Homeland security says it ended policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings hours after judge lifted an order A US border patrol looks on at people wait to have their identities checked and taken to a processing center in Yuma, Arizona, in June. Photograph: Étienne Laurent/EPA The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that it has ended a Trump-era policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in US immigration court, hours after a judge lifted an order, in effect since December, that the so-called Remain in Mexico rule be reinstated. The timing had been in doubt since the US supreme court ruled on 30 June that the Biden administration could end the policy. Homeland security officials had been largely silent, saying they had to wait [...]
Auckland University researchers claim breakthrough in management of tinnitus
Auckland University researchers say they have had a breakthrough in the management of tinnitus that they hope will be rolled out worldwide. Tinnitus causes people to hear ringing or other noise when there is no external sound (file picture). Photo: 123RF People with the common condition hear ringing or other noise when there is no outside sound. It can range from mild, to severe and disruptive. There was no cure but there were techniques to lessen the impact. University of Auckland audiology associate professor Grant Searchfield said its new method, using a combination of counselling and a phone game, worked for more people and in a much quicker timeframe than others. There were already phone apps but the difference in the study was that participants also had counselling, [...]
US would have conversations with New Zealand if time comes for others to join AUKUS – top diplomat
A top United States diplomat says New Zealand could eventually become a member of the AUKUS defence alliance, talking up this country's strategic importance at end of a week-long tour around the Pacific. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says New Zealand is a critical partner in the blue Pacific Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday and described relations between the countries as "incredibly valuable". AUKUS was focused on nuclear powered submarines and was taking all of the energy of the three partners because of the size of the project, Sherman told Morning Report. "We've always said that going forward as we look at other emerging technologies and what that may mean for everyone's security [...]
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key has denounced US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan, saying it was reckless and risked provoking China. Sir John, who has enjoyed a close relationship with both China’s President Xi Jinping and former US President Barack Obama, told Q+A with Jack Tame Pelosi was “poking the bear” for personal ideological reasons. “Why is she doing that at the end of her political career? And the answer is because she wants to make a personal stand,” Sir John said, who noted that Pelosi has always been a hawk on China. “But at what cost, when that's already putting enormous tension and increased tension on the Taiwan Straits?” The White House sought to distance itself from Pelosi’s trip, pointing out the difference between the executive [...]
Tokyo records 30,970 new cases, down 2,500 from a week ago
The annual Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival in Tokyo on Friday. | AFP-JIJI Tokyo confirmed 30,970 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, logging a decrease of 2,496 cases from a week before. The capital also reported 13 deaths linked to COVID-19, while the number of severely ill patients under its criteria fell by one from Friday to 37. The seven-day average of new cases rose 2.5% from a week earlier to 32,479.6. Elsewhere, Hiroshima Prefecture logged a record 4,456 new infections along with one death. Record figures were also reported in Kochi Prefecture, with 1,192 new infections, and Iwate with 1,132 new cases. Japan saw 233,767 new cases and 215 deaths on Friday amid a seventh wave of infections.
National lays out plan for those on welfare longer than a year
NEW ZEALAND— National has taken aim at those on welfare for longer than a year, in particular young people, saying it's unacceptable in a time of extreme labour shortages. Christopher Luxon speaking at the National Partyconference in Christchurch today. Photo: RNZ/ Jane Patterson Christopher Luxon has delivered his first speech as leader to an annual party conference, with a promise to help those who want to work into a job, but sanctions for those who don't. He made the distinction between those whose circumstances mean they're on a benefit but are willing and able to work, and those who are getting a "free pass" from the Labour government. "First, to young people trying to find a job: That is a hard place to be and, if there was a [...]
Taiwan tension underscores importance of Philippine-US ties, says Marcos
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Saturday at Malacanang Palace in Manila (Photo: POOL/AFP/Andrew Harnik) MANILA— The volatile geopolitical situation and fallout from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan underline the importance of the US-Philippine relationship, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Saturday (Aug 6). Marcos, meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the presidential palace in Manila, said his visit was timely, but he believed Pelosi's trip "did not raise the intensity" of a situation that was already volatile. Blinken is the highest-ranking US official to travel to the Philippines since the inauguration of Marcos, the son of the late strongman who Washington helped flee into exile in Hawaii after a 1986 "people power" [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 5296 cases in the community, 19 further deaths, 605 people in hospital
The Ministry of Health is reporting 5296 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today and a further 19 deaths with the virus. Photo: 123rf.com The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 5812, down sharply from 7618 this time last week. There are 605 people in hospital with the virus, down from 663 yesterday including 17 in ICU. The ministry said there is now a total of 1624 deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19. The 19 deaths of people with Covid-19 included two in their 60s, three in their 70s, nine in their 80s and five aged over 90. Eight were women and 11 were men. Four were from Auckland region, one was from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, one was from Tairawhiti, two [...]
Japan, US to cooperate on maintaining peace, stability in Taiwan Strait
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives at Yokota U.S. Air Force Base in Fussa, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan August 4, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato TOKYO— Japan and the United States agreed on Friday (Aug 5) to work together on maintaining peace in the increasingly tense Taiwan Strait, amid unprecedented military drills by China including five missiles that landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone. US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in Japan on the last stage of an Asian trip that included a brief and unannounced stop in Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing considers its own, in the highest-level visit by a US official in 25 years. Her visit, during which she lauded Taiwan's democracy and pledged solidarity, infuriated China and touched off military exercises that [...]
Australia-EU free trade agreement back on track with Albanese government, ambassador says
Australia’s climate policy, reset with France and tough stance on Ukraine invasion cited as reasons for ‘renewed sense of urgency’ Anthony Albanese with Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The reset of Australia’s relationship with France has played a role in restarting trade talks with the EU. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Australia’s climate change policy and tough stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are among the reasons a free trade agreement with Europe is now on track to be inked next year. The outgoing European Union ambassador, Dr Michael Pulch, said there was a “renewed sense of urgency” to the negotiations with Europe, Australia’s second largest trading partner. As well as climate change and Ukraine, the healed rift with France after the submarine contract was dumped and the need for more [...]
ICYMI: New Zealand Is Now Open to Philippine Passport Holders
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK Filipinos looking to explore overseas can add New Zealand to their options as the island nation reopened its doors to people from the Philippines. New Zealand's Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell said Wellington officially reopened to Filipinos on August 1 and visa applications can start. For Filipinos planning to fly out, here are the New Zealand travel requirements you need: 1. Valid passport According to the New Zealand Embassy in Manila, Philippine passport validity should be: for at least three months beyond the date you intend to depart New Zealand, or for one month beyond the date you intend to depart New Zealand, if the issuing government has consular representation in New Zealand that can issue and renew travel documents (you should check with your issuing [...]
Flight delays due to fog at Auckland Airport for second day
Travellers hoping to fly in or out of Auckland Airport are in for a second day of disruption with fog again causing problems. Passengers at an airport. (Source: istock.com) It doesn't appear to be as bad as Thursday but there is still a thick layer of fog around much of the city. At least five flights have been cancelled so far, with more delays expected. Passengers should check with their airline or on the airport's website for the latest information. On Thursday, 13 domestic-regional flights were cancelled and four were delayed due to the fog at Auckland Airport.
US jobless claims climb again, near highest since November
The Labor Department said that initial claims for state unemployment increased by 6,000 to 260,000 in the week ending on July 30 – hovering near an eight-month high. While more Americans may be applying for unemployment insurance, there are still currently 10.7 million job openings, according to the Labor Department [File: Ty Wright/Bloomberg] The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment insurance rose slightly last week, suggesting some easing in a historically tight labour market. Initial claims for state unemployment increased by 6,000 to 260,000 in the week ended on July 30, Labor Department data showed on Thursday. The week ending on July 23 saw a rise in continuing requests for state benefits to 1.42 million, the highest number since early April. The claims data comes ahead of Friday’s [...]
Australia to Review Its Military for the First Time in a Decade
Government says country’s strategic position changing fast Final report to be delivered by March 2023 at the latest Australia has announced its first review of the country’s military in a decade, warning that rising geopolitical tensions around the world were rapidly complicating its strategic outlook. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the review in Canberra on Wednesday, saying it will study how to best position the military “to meet the nation’s security challenges over the next decade and beyond.” He appointed former Defence Minister Stephen Smith and former Defence Force chief Angus Houston to lead the project. Since Australia last conducted a review of its armed forces in 2012, tensions with China have rapidly escalated, leading to military encounters between Australian and Chinese armed forces in the South China Sea [...]
US-China tensions: Ardern urges ‘dialogue and diplomacy’
Stuck on a diplomatic tightrope between the US and China, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern isn't revealing her position on the US Speaker's trip to Taiwan. PM Jacinda Ardern's comment comes after the US House Speaker visited Taiwan. (Source: 1News) It comes after Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan on Wednesday, becoming the highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China. Beijing saw her visit as recognition of the island's sovereignty and announced it would conduct military manoeuvres in retaliation for her presence. Ardern said it wasn't her place to comment on Pelosi's choice. "None of these actions change the position we have," she said. All parties needed to engage in dialogue and diplomacy, Ardern added. "Dialogue and diplomacy are what we need in [...]
Pelosi hails Taiwan’s free society as China holds military drills, vents anger
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi attends a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan August 3, 2022. Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via REUTERS TAIPEI— China furiously condemned the highest-level U.S. visit to Taiwan in 25 years as House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed the self-ruled island as "one of the freest societies in the world" in a speech to the parliament in Taipei on Wednesday. Beijing demonstrated its anger with Pelosi's presence on an island that it says is part of China with a burst of military activity in the surrounding waters, and by summoning the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, and announcing the suspension of several agricultural imports from Taiwan. Pelosi arrived in Taipei late on Tuesday on an unannounced but [...]
New Zealand releases its first national plan to protect against climate-driven disasters
Climate minister says the aim is to equip people ‘so that when climate events occur their lives can continue’ New Zealand’s climate minister has released a national plan providing a roadmap to try to protect infrastructure, housing, cities and cultural treasures as the planet heats. Photograph: Jorge Fernández/LightRocket/Getty Images New Zealand has released its first national plan to prepare for the floods, fires and rising seas it expects to be unleashed by the climate crisis in the coming years. Climate minister James Shaw, releasing the plan on Wednesday, said that while New Zealand would do its best to start reducing emissions, it was also preparing for a likely scenario of enormous climate disruption, and said it was “crucial” the country was prepared. “We have already seen what can unfold. [...]
A Letter to the President for Enhancing the Social Status of Muslim
On March 20, 2022, in the name of CAIR-Taxas, USA, a branch of the nationwide Muslim Association, a letter was sent to the White House for attention of President Biden and Assistant State Secretary for Religious Affairs. What we Muslims are concerned about is to build more mosques in the US, for enhancing the social status of Muslim community in the country. Below is what the letter said: We are writing you to have your attention to our petition of building more mosques in the US, for enhancing the social status of Muslim in the country. And our petition is based on the deep concern and worry about the ever rising hostility and discrimination to the Muslims in the country, specifically since the ex-President fanned the flames of the [...]
Ayman al-Zawahiri: Al-Qaeda leader killed in US drone strike
AFP/ Zawahiri took over the leadership of al-Qaeda following the killing of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011 The US has killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a drone strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden has confirmed. He was killed in a counter-terrorism operation carried out by the CIA in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday. Mr Biden said Zawahiri had "carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens". "Now justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more," he added. Officials said Zawahiri was on the balcony of a safe house when the drone fired two missiles at him. Other family members were present, but they were unharmed and only Zawahiri was killed, they added. Mr Biden said he had given the [...]
PH has no intention of rejoining ICC — Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision came after Marcos met last week with the top lawyers and officials of his administration to discuss their strategy on the ICC’s investigation of the Philippines. Local investigations into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign are already ongoing, according to Marcos, as he questioned the need to resume the international court’s probe. “Ang sinasabi naman namin, may imbestigasyon naman dito. Patuloy naman and imbestigasyon bakit magkakaroon ng ganoon,” Marcos said during the PinasLakas booster event in Pasig City. [Translation: What we are saying is that there is an investigation here. The investigation is ongoing, why would there be such a thing] Marcos said he also instructed [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 7113 new community cases and 33 further deaths
The Ministry of Health is reporting 7113 new Covid-19 cases in the community today, as well as a further 33 deaths with the virus. File photo. Photo: 123rf.com On the deaths being reported today, four were from the Auckland region, two were from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, one was from Lakes, five were from Hawke's Bay, one was from Taranaki, two were from MidCentral, two were from Nelson Marlborough, five were from Canterbury, three were from South Canterbury and six were from Southern. Two were in their 60s, five were in their 70s, 12 were in their 80s and 14 were aged over 90. Of these people, 15 were women and 18 were men. There were now a total of 1563 deaths confirmed as attributable to [...]
PM Arden announces $15m to support Samoa with climate change priorities
New Zealand will provide $15m to support Samoa with its climate change priorities. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement on Tuesday morning, at a joint press conference with Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. New Zealand will work with the Samoan government to determine where the climate funding will go: governance arrangements, and opportunities for future investments. "This funding will help build Samoa's resilience to the impacts of climate change and its transition to a low emissions economy," Ardern said. The government is also pledging $12m to rebuild Apia's Savalalo Market, a historic market which was destroyed by a fire in 2016. "The market was renowned as a hub for local crafts and food, run primarily by women small business owners. It is at the heart of Apia's [...]
Third case of Monkeypox confirmed in New Zealand, person isolating
A third case of Monkeypox has been confirmed in New Zealand this afternoon. File image. Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LI The Ministry of Health said the infected person had recently arrived from overseas and was currently isolating in the South Island. There is no evidence of community transmission from this case. "A test has returned a positive result and ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) is currently validating that result. This process is expected to be completed tomorrow afternoon." The ministry said to protect the privacy of the person and their contacts no further statements would be made at this stage. The Monkeypox outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is the highest alert that the WHO can issue. More [...]
South Korea develops nanotech tattoo as health monitoring device
Water sprays on arm are seen with an electronic tattoo (e-tattoo) for the wettability test at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, South Korea, Jul 26, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Minwoo Park) DAEJEON— South Koreans may soon be able to carry a device inside their own bodies in the form of a bespoke tattoo that automatically alerts them to potential health problems, if a science team's project bears fruit. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in the city of Daej aeonsouthwest of Seoul have developed an electronic tattoo ink made of liquid metal and carbon nanotubes that functions as a bioelectrode. Hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) device or other biosensor, it can send a readout of a patient's heart [...]
People entering Malaysia no longer required to fill in traveller’s card from August
A view of the Causeway. (Photo: AFP) KUALA LUMPUR— All travellers entering Malaysia from Monday (Aug 1) will no longer need to fill in the traveller's card in the MySejahtera mobile application. Announcing this on Saturday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the move is aimed at simplifying entry procedures. The decision was made after considering Malaysia's current health system, which is at a good and controlled level, he added. The MySejahtera app was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was designed to facilitate contact tracing efforts and also serves as a vaccine passport. Currently, travellers entering Malaysia need to download, activate and register the MySehjatera application on their mobile phones. They are required to complete the traveller's card before starting their journey, by declaring information such as their passport number, [...]
EU recognizes PH COVID-19 vax certificates
Metro Manila, Philippines— Filipinos can now confirm their COVID-19 vaccination status when traveling to member states of the European Union (EU) through the country's 'VaxCertPH' after the EU welcomed the Philippines to its digital COVID certificate system. "The Philippines is now connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) system! This means that, as a result of the equivalence decision, the EU recognises the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination certificates and, at the same time, the Philippines accept[s] to recognise EUDCC certificates according to its own legal order," the EU in the Philippines said in a statement. "Following discussions between the European Union and the Philippines, the European Commission adopted an Implementing Decision giving technical recognition to the Philippines' VaxCertPH as equivalent to the EUDCC," it added. This means those holding the [...]
Blinken to meet with Bongbong Marcos during PH visit on August 6
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS) MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the United States (US) will visit the Philippines to meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as well as Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo on August 6. “They are expected to discuss bilateral efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance, including through increased cooperation on energy, trade, and investment, advancing shared democratic values, and pandemic recovery,” said DFA in an advisory. According to the US Department of State, Blinken’s visit to the Philippines is part of his 10-day trip to several countries from August 2 to 11. He will be arriving in Manila from Cambodia, which is his [...]
Borders fully reopen tonight – allowing entry to New Zealand
New Zealand’s borders will fully reopen to visitors from non-visa waiver countries on Sunday night. Passenger plane (file picture). (Source: istock.com) From one minute to midnight on July 31, people from around the world will once again be able to enter New Zealand, marking the government's final step in re-opening the country after more than two years of closed borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the country has been open to a large number of visa-waiver countries since April 2021, it remained closed for many. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash hopes that the full reopening of borders will give the tourism industry a boost with people from around the world making New Zealand their choice of destination when travelling. “This is great news to the tourism industry and [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 4238 new community cases, number of attributed deaths rises to 1502
The number of deaths in New Zealand confirmed as attributable to Covid-19 has risen above the 1500 mark, as 4238 new community cases are reported today. View of a Coronavirus Covid-19. Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said as at yesterday, there were 1502 deaths confirmed as attributable to the coronavirus, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor. It said the average increase in deaths each day attributable to Covid-19 over the past week is now 19. Another 23 deaths of people with Covid-19 were also reported today. They included one person in their 30s, one in their 40s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, 10 in their 80s and eight aged over 90. Eleven were women and 12 [...]
Russia bars entry to 32 New Zealanders in sanctions response
Russia's foreign ministry has slapped New Zealand journalists and officials with sanctions for supporting what it called the country's "Russophobic agenda." Russia's Kremlin, Moscow Photo: 123rf/ Cezary Wojtkowski The political move was announced Saturday. The list includes New Zealand's Military Secretary to the Minister of Defence Shane Arndell and the mayors of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, among other officials. Journalists named include Whena Owen, Matthew Hooton and James Hollings. The sanctions bar the targeted individuals from entering Russia indefinitely, the Russian ministry said. "Taking into account that Wellington does not intend to abandon its anti-Russian course and continues to produce new restrictions (against Moscow), work on updating the 'black list' will continue," the ministry added. In April, Russia announced an earlier blacklist of politicians from New Zealand, including Prime Minister Jacinda [...]
PH’s active Covid-19 cases now close to 30K
DOH COVID-19 TRACKER DATA/ JULY 28, 2022 The country’s number of active Covid-19 cases is now nearly 30,000 after more than 3,000 new cases were recorded on Thursday, July 28. Based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) Covid-19 tracker, another 3,858 new infections were logged, bringing the active cases nationwide to 29,897. Metro Manila remains to have the most number of new coronavirus cases in the recent two weeks with 13,135. It was followed by Calabarzon with 8,504; Central Luzon with 3,923; Western Visayas with 2,465; and Central Visayas with 1,526. Earlier, the DOH reported that Metro Manila is under the moderate risk classification for Covid-19. However, its healthcare utilization rate remains at low risk. The Philippines also is still under the low-risk case classification despite the continued increase [...]
Xi Jinping tells Joe Biden not to ‘play with fire’ over Taiwan in two-hour call
US president reiterates opposition to undermining peace in Taiwan amid tension over potential Pelosi trip China described the exchange between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping as ‘candid’. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty The Chinese president has warned Joe Biden against “playing with fire” over Taiwan in a highly anticipated phone call that lasted more than two hours on Thursday, as tensions remain high over the House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s potential trip to the island next month. “Those who play with fire will be perished by it. It is hoped that the US will be clear-eyed about this,” Xi Jinping, according to a Chinese statement. He also urged the US to implement the three joint communiques that serve as the foundation for relations between the two countries “both in word and in [...]
NZ economy ‘stretched, straining’ amid fears of recession in US
A recession in the United States wouldn't directly impact New Zealand but a flow on effect could be felt here through China, one economist says. Fears of a recession in the US have risen after its economy shrank from April to June for a second straight quarter. Its economy has contracted at a 0.9% annual pace. It follows a 1.6% annual drop January to March. In the wake of the news, ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner told Breakfast the flow-on effect wouldn't directly impact New Zealand, but would be felt through the impact on China. She said the US economy isn't a huge export partner for New Zealand, but explained the country's most important customer is China and theirs is the US. This means New Zealand could essentially see [...]
NZ skies ready for celestial show of up to ’20 meteors an hour’
Three meteor showers combining to provide a celestial firework display are expected throughout the night. File photo. Photo: 123rf Otago Museum director and astronomer Ian Griffin said tonight's show would be beautiful. "These showers have been observed by astronomers over the last decade or more in some cases. They regularly appear this time of year and this year it's almost perfect conditions because the moon is new today and that means the sky is really dark." He told Morning Report anyone with a spot well away from lights could enjoy the show. Any time of the night was good, he said, but "the meteors are going to be easier to see and brighter after midnight". "As long as the sky is clear and you got no clouds, you should [...]
NZ Covid-19 update : 41 further deaths, 7605 new cases reported
There have been 7605 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and a further 41 deaths with the virus, the Ministry of Health reports. Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test. File photo. Photo: 123rf.com The seven day rolling average of community cases is at 7618, down significantly from 8915 this time last week. In today's statement, the Ministry said there were 799 people in hospital with the virus, including 25 in ICU. It said there have now been 1479 deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19. The average increase in deaths each day attributable to the coronavirus over the past seven days is now 18. Of 41 people whose deaths were reported today, 14 were from Auckland region, three were from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, three were from [...]
Calls for stronger hate crime laws after Auckland dad viciously beaten in racially motivated attack
There are renewed calls for stronger hate crime laws after an Auckland man was viciously beaten in a racially motivated attack on the weekend. The man, who is of Chinese descent, was trying to do his grocery shopping at Pak'nSave Albany on Sunday morning when a man began to harass him. The father was visiting the store to do some back-to-school shopping when he noticed a man staring at him. As he walked past he thought he had bumped the man so turned to apologise, but the other man began verbally harassing him. The man's daughter, who wished to remain anonymous, told NZ Herald the man started swearing at her dad and telling him to "go back to where you're from". She said her dad was born in China [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 16 further deaths and 6910 new community cases
There have been another 16 deaths of people with Covid-19 in New Zealand, as well as a further 6910 new community cases. Photo: 123rf.com In its daily update, the Ministry of Health also said the seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 8498. There were 836 people in hospital with the virus, including 27 in intensive care or a HDU unit. That compares with 720 people, including 21 In ICU yesterday. On the deaths being reported today, one was from the Auckland region, one was from Waikato, two were from Lakes, one was from Tairawhiti, one was from Hawke's Bay, four were from Taranaki, one was from Whanganui, two were from Wellington region and three were from Southern. Six were in their 70s, five were in their [...]
Bongbong Marcos’ first SONA: It’s all about economy
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during the inauguration ceremony at the National Museum in Manila, Philippines, June 30, 2022. (File photo by ELOISA LOPEZ / Reuters) MANILA, Philippines — It’s all about the economy and the “entire cycle” of challenges facing the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will devote his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday to key issues he believes Filipinos care deeply about, especially the economic recovery program, the government’s pandemic response, the return of face-to-face schooling, and the food security crisis, according to Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez. “It’s all about our economy, the economic plans. With the face-to-face opening of this coming school year, it’s all about COVID response. And when we speak of COVID response, it’s not only about health. It [...]
Ukraine war: Russia denies causing global food crisis
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY/EPA Mr Lavrov spoke with the head of the Arab League Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, on a diplomatic offensive in Egypt, has dismissed claims that Moscow caused the global food crisis. In a speech to Arab League ambassadors in Cairo, he said Western nations were distorting the truth about the impact of sanctions on global food security. He accused Western nations of trying to impose their dominance over others. Much of the Arab world and Africa is badly affected by grain shortages caused by Russia's war in Ukraine. A landmark deal signed on Friday to resume Ukraine's grain exports hangs in the balance after Russia attacked targets in the port of Odesa on Saturday. Mr Lavrov will go on to visit three African nations to [...]
Social media companies promise to reduce harmful content in New Zealand
Meta, TikTok, Google, Amazon and Twitter sign ‘world first’ voluntary code, which critics say is a move designed to fend off regulation Facebook operator Meta, TikTok and Twitter have joined Amazon and Google signing a New Zealand code of practice for online safety. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters Global social media companies including TikTok, Twitter and Meta have signed a “world first” code of conduct that commits them to reducing the spread of harmful content in New Zealand, but some user-advocacy groups fear the code lacks any real bite. Facebook and Instagram operator Meta, Google, TikTok, Amazon and Twitter have voluntarily signed the code of practice for online safety and harms, requiring them to reduce harmful content on their platforms, introduce a robust public complaints system and provide yearly reports on [...]
Company to become first Australians to deploy technology to the moon
Advanced Navigation will become the first Australian company to deploy technology to the moon, in a new bid set to "take all the risk out" of future landings. Xavier Orr from Advanced Navigation said the company had miniaturised new technologies, which have the capacity to improve moon landing capabilities and better manage the risks involved. Advanced Navigation will become the first Australian company to deploy technology to to the moon, in a new bid set to "take all the risk out" of future landings. (Supplied) The technology uses low-powered laser sensors to determine objects relative to spacecraft—like the moon— and will be integrated in future rocket launches. "We're really fortunate to be the first Australian company landing on the moon," Orr said. "Typically in the movies when you you [...]
New Zealanders should be concerned about Monkeypox – epidemiologist
New Zealanders should be worried about the global spread of Monkeypox, an epidemiologist says. Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LI The head of the World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. University of Canterbury epidemiologist Arindam Basu said cases could emerge after New Zealand's border reopens next month. "This is not just a disease of homosexuals or men having sex with men, it used to be, but it is not anymore. Children as young as 7 months are being infected, and women definitely, it's spreading." Genomic surveillance of Monkeypox is going to be more complex than Covid-19 because of the nature of the virus, he said. New Zealand has confirmed two cases.
3 killed, 2 wounded in Philippine university shooting
Police secure the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon city, Philippines after three people were killed in a shooting on Jul 24, 2022. (Photo: AP/Aaron Favila) MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Three people died in a shooting at a university graduation ceremony in the Philippines' capital region on Sunday (Jul 24), including a former mayor from the volatile south of the country, the police said. Local Quezon City police chief Remus Medina said the shooting appeared to have been a targeted assassination of the former mayor of the southern Lamitan city, Rose Furigay. The suspect, wounded in a shootout with a campus security officer and arrested after a car chase, is now in custody and being interrogated, Medina told reporters. "He looks like he was a determined assassin," Medina said, adding he [...]
Monkeypox: WHO declares highest alert over outbreak
GETTY IMAGES The monkeypox outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. The classification is the highest alert that the WHO can issue and follows a worldwide upsurge in cases. It came at the end of the second meeting of the WHO's emergency committee on the virus. More than 16,000 cases have now been reported from 75 countries, said WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. There had been five deaths so far as a result of the outbreak, he added. There are only two other such health emergencies at present - the coronavirus pandemic and the continuing effort to eradicate polio. Dr Tedros said the emergency committee had been unable to reach a consensus on whether the monkeypox outbreak should be classified as [...]
PBBM vision: A digital Philippines
#PBBMSONA2022 MANILA, PH – The pandemic has highlighted the vital role of digital ecosystems in the efficient delivery of services as demand for connectivity rises. Many brick-and-mortar stores and offices that failed to adapt to the digital world struggled, or even shuttered during the pandemic, while those that turned online found themselves viable, and others, thrived. Under the leadership of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, the DICT has promised to provide Filipinos with the digital tools to help the economy recover and make the Philippines “more competitive”. “We see that there are so many things that are in store for us in this current administration. Our digitalization efforts will be pushing through with more vitality, with more energy, and we have a president [...]
Departing Bloomfield reveals biggest pandemic regret
New Zealand— Departing Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has revealed what he would have done differently in handling outbreaks of Covid-19. Dr Bloomfield told Q + A with Jack Tame that the communication and engagement with more vulnerable communities could have been improved, particularly those in South Auckland, where many outbreaks were centred. “Particularly our Māori, our Pacific, our disabled communities, to get them really involved and understand better what their needs were so that when we got those outbreaks, particularly in South Auckland, which is where they tended to focus, and when we started our vaccination campaign, we had a much better understanding of what their needs were and how to respond to those,” he said. Particularly in 2021, criticism was launched at the health ministry for [...]
Saudi crown prince and Kazakhstan president hold talks, review bilateral ties
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with visiting Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah on Saturday. (SPA) JEDDAH— Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with visiting Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Jeddah on Saturday and the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations between their countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince and Tokayev also discussed enhancing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan in various fields, and discussed a number of issues of common interest. The Kazakh leader arrived in Jeddah early Saturday night, and was received at the King Abdulaziz International Airport by Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Environment and Water Minister Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, and a number of officials. An official reception ceremony was then held for Tokarev [...]
Australian activist detained in London over alleged bomb threat email sent to Chinese embassy
An Australian activist has been arrested and detained in London just 20 minutes into a protest outside the Chinese embassy after authorities alleged he had emailed a bomb threat. File photo: Drew Pavlou in 2020. Pavlou was detained in London after allegedly sending a bomb threat email to the Chinese embassy. Photo: AFP Drew Pavlou, a 23-year-old Australian activist who has been critical of China's human rights record, held a small protest outside the embassy, displaying a number of flags. They included those of Tibet, Taiwan, and the Kökbayraq, a flag used to represent the Uyghur inhabitants of Xinjiang. He had intended to glue the flags to the gates outside of the embassy, a similar tactic that groups like Extinction Rebellion have adopted in recent years. Twenty minutes [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 5535 new community cases reported, 14 further deaths
There have been another 14 deaths of people with Covid-19 in New Zealand, as well as a further 5535 new community cases. Photo: 123rf.com The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers has continued to fall at 8563, down from 8703 yesterday and 9847 this time last week. In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 720 people in hospital, down from 759 yesterday, although the number of people in ICU increased by two to 21. The average age of people in hospital was 66. All of the 14 deaths reported today occurred in the past four days and all of them were aged over 80. Eleven were women and three were men. Three were from Auckland region, three were from Waikato, four were from Hawke's [...]
PH Govt commits to streghten justice system
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice are working on a program with the end goal of improving the country’s justice system and decongesting jail facilities. “When I was analyzing everything and I was discussing with my fellow lawyers the problem of our justice system, what became very apparent was that enforcement and persecution did not seem to work well together,” DOJ Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a joint briefing Thursday. He also noted that the country’s conviction rate is less than 25% for criminal cases filed in court, including plea bargaining, “which means we are not really getting a passing rate.” “This not a standard that we can live within the next few years. We have to change [...]
NZ Covid-19: 26 deaths reported, 8728 new cases
There are 8728 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has announced on Friday. Covid-19 vaccination centre in The Cloud, Auckland. (Source: 1News) The numbers were reported over the last 24 hours. There are 759 people in hospital with the virus, eight fewer than Thursday. Thirteen people are in an intensive care or high dependency unit, seven fewer than 24 hours ago. The average age of those in hospital with Covid-19 remains at 66. The seven-day rolling average of Covid hospitalisations is 764, up on 700 a week ago, but down slightly on 766 24 hours ago. Twenty-six more people with the virus have died. The deaths had occurred since April 26. On Thursday, 9953 community cases were announced.
US reports first polio case in nearly a decade
The person who tested positive in New York state is no longer contagious, but investigators are checking if others were exposed. The last case of polio in the US was recorded in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Sarah Poser, Meredith Boyter Newlove/CDC via AP Photo] The United States has reported its first case of polio in nearly a decade after health officials in the state of New York said a patient had tested positive for the disease. The state’s health department said on Thursday that the case was detected in a resident of Rockland County, about 48km (30 miles) north of Manhattan. Testing suggested the case of the highly contagious virus may have originated outside of the US, the department said in a statement. [...]
Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Sri Lankan president, eyes unity government
This handout photograph taken on Jul 21, 2022 and released by the Sri Lanka's Parliament shows Ranil Wickremesinghe (front right) swearing-in as Sri Lanka's president at the parliament in Colombo. (Photo: AFP/Sri Lanka's parliament) COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's six-time prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in Thursday (Jul 21) as president of the crisis-hit nation, with plans to form a unity government to manage the turmoil. The 73-year-old veteran politician, who was overwhelmingly elected as head of state in a parliamentary vote Wednesday, took his oath of office with the country's police chief and top military brass standing behind him. Official sources said the new leader was expected to shortly form a Cabinet featuring several opposition lawmakers to steer the country out of its worst economic crisis since gaining independence [...]
Eurozone raises interest rates for first time in 11 years
REUTERS/ECB president Christine Lagarde said a further rate rise was likely in September The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised interest rates for the first time in more than 11 years as it tries to control soaring eurozone inflation. The ECB increased its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points to 0.0% and plans further hikes this year. The rate has been negative since 2014 in a bid to boost the region's economy after years of weak growth. But consumer prices rose at a record 8.6% in the 12 months to June as food, fuel and energy costs soared. That is well above the bank's 2% target. It comes after the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve also put up their rates to try and rein in [...]
Ukraine, Russia to sign elusive grain deal in Turkey
Farmer Sergiy Lioubarsky wonders how on earth he'll manage to harvest his crops. (Photo: AFP/Genya Savilov) ANKARA: Ukraine and Russia were due on Friday (Jul 22) to sign an elusive deal designed to help relieve a global food crisis caused by blocked Black Sea grain exports. The first major agreement between the warring sides since Russia's February invasion of its neighbour comes with global food prices soaring and people in some of the world's poorest countries facing starvation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was due to arrive in Turkey on Thursday for the signing ceremony at Istanbul's lavish Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus Strait. "The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul (Friday) under the auspices of President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan [...]
US President Joe Biden tests positive for Covid-19, has mild symptoms
Joe Biden, the oldest person ever to serve as president of the United States, has tested positive for Covid-19, is experiencing mild symptoms and will continue working but in isolation, the White House said on Thursday. The White House said Biden had mild symptoms and was taking the antiviral treatment Paxlovid. Photo: AFP Biden, 79, has a runny nose, fatigue and an occasional dry cough, symptoms which he began to experience late on Wednesday, White House physician Kevin O'Connor said in a note released on Thursday. Biden has begun taking the antiviral treatment Paxlovid, O'Connor said. "He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The White House will provide a daily update on Biden's health, and [...]
NZ Covid-19 cases at border skyrocket after pre-departure testing scrapped
Covid-19 border cases have increased nearly fivefold since the government scrapped pre-departure testing for international arrivals in June. Average daily border cases have increased from 65 to 307. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell The number of average daily border cases was 65 in the week before pre-departure testing was dumped; last week it increased to 307. University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker said it was a bad sign and meant new-variants of Covid-19 would enter the country quicker than ever before. "We've got less of a lag from when new variants emerge overseas and start to become dominant before they arrive in New Zealand," he said. "We are effectively seeding the country much more rapidly with new variants from overseas." International travellers need to complete rapid-antigen tests (RATs) [...]
248 rail passengers stranded by felled trees as wind lashes South Island
A TranzAlpine train with 248 passengers has been at a standstill for more than two hours, with felled trees reportedly blocking the South Island tracks. Photo: TranzAlpine / The Great Journeys of New Zealand One passenger on the route, which travels from Greymouth to Christchurch, told RNZ a tree had fallen between Springfield and Darfield stations. They said they'd been stranded for about two hours, when the train stopped at about 6.40pm, but people in his carriage were in good spirits. "The stationary train is being rocked by the wind," he said. The passenger said the train was originally due in Christchurch at 7pm. A KiwiRail spokesperson said crews were clearing the track and the train was expected to get back underway shortly after 9pm. Wild weather is lashing [...]
South Korea, Japan foreign ministers meet to tackle historical disputes
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi bump elbows before their talks, in Tokyo, Japan July 18,2022 REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool SEOUL— South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin began a meeting in Tokyo on Monday (Jul 18) with his Japanese counterpart, carrying a message of reconciliation in hopes that the neighbours can overcome historical disputes and repair strained ties. Ties have been fraught for years over the bitter legacy of Japan's occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Disputes concern issues from wartime forced labour to export controls, but both nations have expressed interest in improving relations. Park smiled as he bumped elbows at the meeting with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on his first trip to the Japanese capital since South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol [...]
PH logs over 14,000 COVID-19 cases from July 11 to 17
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Health on Monday reported 14,640 new COVID-19 cases from July 11 to 17, a 44% increase from the previous week. In its latest bulletin, the DOH noted a daily average of 2,091 new infections during the period and the highest since Feb. 18. The department also verified one death that occurred in October 2021. No new deaths were recorded from July 4 to 17. Among the new infections, 35 are severe and critical cases, while 589 critical infections are currently admitted to hospitals. Latest DOH data also showed over 71.3 million Filipinos have so far completed their primary COVID-19 shots, which is 91.32% of the target population. Immunization among the elderly is at 77.81%, it added. More than 15 million individuals have [...]
Australian teenager Yusuf Zahab dies in Syrian prison
Yusuf Zahab, who was taken to Syria when he was 11, died in Kurdish-held prison months after pleading for help. Australian teenager Yusuf Zahab died from unknown causes in a northeast Syrian prison [Handout: Human Rights Watch] An Australian teenager has died in a severely overcrowded, makeshift prison run by a Kurdish-led armed group holding Syrian and foreign ISIL (ISIS) suspects, his family and a leading rights group said. Yusuf Zahab, who was born in southwest Sydney and brought to Syria by older family members when he was 11 years old, died from unknown causes after being “wrongfully detained” for years in al-Sina’a prison run by the United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which holds Syrian and foreign ISIL suspects and their family members in al-Hasakah city, Human Rights Watch [...]
NZ Cost of living soars: Inflation hits 7.3% – highest in 32 years
Inflation has hit a 32-year high on the back of higher housing, food and fuel costs. Stats NZ said consumer prices increased by 1.7 percent for the three months ended June, pushing the annual rate to 7.3 percent from 6.9 percent. Photo: 123RF Stats NZ said consumer prices increased by 1.7 percent for the three months ended June, pushing the annual rate to 7.3 percent from 6.9 percent. That was above expectations and the biggest annual rise since June 1990. The costs of building and running a house were the single biggest drivers for the quarterly and annual increases. "Supply-chain issues, labour costs, and higher demand have continued to push up the cost of building a new house," general manager Jason Attewell said. Food prices rose 1.3 percent in [...]
44% of Filipinos not satisfied with K-12 basic education program, survey says
File photo shows students attending a flag raising ceremony before singing the national anthem at a public school in Quezon City. (AFP) MANILA, Philippines — Forty four percent of Filipinos are dissatisfied with the K to 12 (K-12) education system in the country, a Pulse Asia survey shared Monday showed. According to the survey conducted on June 24 to 27 and commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, 25 percent of the 1,200 respondents said they are “somewhat dissatisfied” with the current education system while 19 percent said they are “truly dissatisfied.” This means a total of 44 percent are considered to be “dissatisfied” with the K-12 program, the survey showed. The 44 percent dissatisfaction figure is 16 percentage points higher compared to the results of a survey done in [...]
Renegotiate China loan deals – Marcos
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Photos from the Office of the President PHILIPPINES— PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is looking to renegotiate the country's loan agreements with China for the three big-ticket railway projects that were initiated by the Duterte administration, Malacañang said on Saturday. Marcos issued this directive to the Department of Transportation (DoTr) amid reports that the Chinese loan applications for the Bicol, Subic-Clark and Mindanao railway projects have been withdrawn. Citing a statement from the DoTr, Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said that Marcos wants more investments in the rail transport sector and directed the department to go back to the negotiating table to secure these loan agreements. "The President was referring to the Subic-Clark Railway Project; the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long-Haul Project [...]
Thousands evacuated as wildfires sweep across western Europe
Huge wildfires swept across western Europe on Saturday, destroying swathes of land and forcing thousands from their homes amid a record-breaking heatwave that shows no signs of easing. Firefighters were battling to bring blazes under control in parts of France, Spain and Portugal, with blistering summer temperatures that have allowed them to flourish expected to continue this week. In the region of Gironde in south-western France, more than 12,000 people were evacuated as strong winds frustrated efforts to contain a fire that raced across pine forests. That fire and another just south of Bordeaux have ravaged nearly 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of land, up from 7,300 on Friday. “We have a fire that will continue to spread as long as it is not stabilised,” said Vincent Ferrier, deputy prefect [...]
PH listed among 40 ‘most beautiful’ countries
MANILA – New York-based Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) has recognized the Philippines' charm once again, listing it as one of the 40 most beautiful countries in the world. The Philippines, joined by South Africa, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and the United States, was cited for the natural attractions the country has to offer. "There are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, and they easily number among the most beautiful in the world," CNT writer Caitlin Morton wrote in a June 2 article. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Photo by Joyce Ann Rocamora) "The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan encompasses mangrove forests, one of the world’s most impressive cave systems, and an underground river. The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island consist of an estimated 1,776 grass-covered domes [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 22 more deaths reported, along with 6223 new community cases
Another 6223 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in New Zealand today, along with 22 further deaths. Photo: 123rf.com The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 9803, up from 9000 last week. In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 733 people in hospital with the coronavirus, down from 761 yesterday, including 16 in ICU. The average age of the people in hospital is 64. It said all of the 22 deaths occurred in the past four days. They included two people aged in their 40s, as well as one in their 50s, one in their 60s, five in their 70s, eight in their 80s and five aged over 90. Ten were women and 12 were men. Two were from Waikato, one was from Lakes, [...]
Chinese yuan resilient due to solid fundamentals, as major currencies plunge against US dollar
Strong fundamentals support investors' faith in China: economist Renminbi Photo: VCG As global major currencies, notably the euro, have weakened sharply against the US dollar amid worsening global financial turbulence, the Chinese yuan has remained remarkably stable and Chinese assets have become increasingly attractive to global investors, underscoring China's solid economic fundamentals, economists said on Thursday. The central parity rate of the Chinese yuan strengthened 17 basis points to 6.7265 against the US dollar on Thursday, with its fluctuation range further narrowing since mid-May, according to data from the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. The yuan's stabilizing trend comes as the US Dollar Index (DXY) keeps hitting nearly two-decade highs. As of press time on Thursday, the reading peaked at 109.29 in intraday trading, surging over 13 percent year-to-date. [...]
Italian PM Mario Draghi offers resignation after coalition falls apart
SEAN GALLUP/POOL/EPA Mario Draghi was appointed last year by President Mattarella to lead Italy's post-Covid recovery Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has tendered his resignation after populist coalition partner Five Star withdrew its support in a confidence vote. The former head of the European Central Bank has led a unity government since February 2021. In a statement, he said the pact of trust that had sustained the unity government had gone. However, the president refused to accept his resignation. President Sergio Mattarella appointed Mr Draghi to lead Italy's post-Covid pandemic recovery, and save the country from endemic instability. He has now called on Mr Draghi to address parliament to provide a clear picture of the political situation. The effect of President Mattarella's intervention is not entirely clear. [...]
Sri Lanka’s president quits after fleeing protests in crisis-hit country
Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled country on Wednesday after protesters occupied presidential palace Protesters celebrate outside the prime minister’s office in Colombo after hearing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had resigned. Photograph: Chamila Karunarathne/EPA Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as president of Sri Lanka a day after fleeing weeks of mass protests over the country’s economic crisis. Rajapaksa’s office said his resignation letter had been received by the country’s parliamentary speaker, after it was flown from Singapore, to where the leader had fled via the Maldives. The speaker’s office said it would verify the authenticity of the letter, complete all legal processes and make an official announcement about Rajapaksa’s resignation on Friday. News of Rajapaksa’s resignation was greeted by cheers and the lighting of firecrackers in the streets of Colombo. “I can’t believe it, [...]
Inflation set to reach highest level in 30 years
Hang on to your wallet, inflation is set to nudge through 7 percent to its highest level in more than 30 years. Photo: PHOTO NZ Official numbers due on Monday are likely to show that rampant fuel prices, more expensive food, higher building and household costs, driving the consumer price index for the three months ended June up about 1.5 percent and the annual rate to at least 7.1 percent from the current 6.9 percent. "Price pressures are bubbling over in every corner of the economy, boosted by a cocktail of supply-side cost increases and strong consumer demand," Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said. The breadth and strength of price rises has been unrelenting with global commodity prices driven by geopolitical developments, such as the Ukraine war. Food [...]
In China’s Wuhan, cholera-causing bacteria in turtles strikes nerve
A man wearing a facemask looks at a turtle for sale at a market in Wuhan on Jan 24, 2020. (File photo: AFP/Hector Retamal) BEIJING— Detection in the Chinese city of Wuhan of a bacteria that caused cholera in a student and was separately found in samples from softshell turtles at a food market has struck a sensitive nerve with ordinary Chinese people, with some relating it to COVID-19. The food market where samples from softshell turtles tested positive of the pathogen capable of causing cholera has been disinfected, local authorities said late on Thursday (Jul 14). While no human cholera case was found among people who came in contact with the softshell turtles, the specific store selling them was ordered to shut down for three days. Authorities [...]
Australia PM faces pressure to reinstate Covid-19 quarantine pay amid fresh wave
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a snap meeting of federal and state leaders next week as he faces pressure to reinstate compensation pay for casual workers forced to isolate due to Covid-19 amid a fresh wave of infections. Anthony Albanese says his new government has inherited a trillion dollars of debt from the previous administration. Photo: AFP A renewed surge in cases fuelled by the BA.4/5 Omicron coronavirus variants has put Australia's health system on alert with the total number of people admitted to hospitals from Covid-19 not far away from record levels seen earlier this year. "I've said to the [state leaders] that we'll meet from time to time. And it's appropriate that we meet on Monday. We're not meeting today because I'm here," Albanese [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 10,470 new community cases, 16 more deaths
There have been 10,470 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and a further 16 deaths with the virus reported today, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the ministry reported there were 773 people in hospital with the virus, up from 765 yesterday, with 14 people in ICU. The seven-day rolling average of weekly hospitalisations has risen from 499 last week to 700 today. The average age of people in hospital with the coronavrius is 64. All of the 16 deaths reported today happened in the past 11 days. The total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 is now 1776. Today's deaths include one person in their 60s, one in their 70s, six in their 80s and eight aged over 90. Four were [...]
Nearly 90 dead in Haiti gang violence as country slides into chaos
A recent spike in gang violence has left nearly 90 people dead and dozens injured, according to human rights advocates. (Photo: AFP/Richard Pierrin) PORT-AU-PRINCE— A week of gang violence in Haiti's capital has left at least 89 people dead, a rights group said Wednesday (Jul 13), as soaring prices, fuel shortages and gang warfare accelerate a brutal downward spiral in the security situation in Port-au-Prince. The unrest erupted on Jul 7 between two rival factions in Cite Soleil, an impoverished and densely populated neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. As gunfire crackled in the slums for nearly a week, police, short-staffed and ill-equipped, did not intervene, while international humanitarian organisations struggled to deliver crucial food supplies and provide medical care to the victims. Thousands of families living in the slums that [...]
New Zealand announces free masks, tests as health system struggles with COVID-19
People wear masks as they exercise during a lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Auckland, New Zealand on Aug 26, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Fiona Goodall) WELLINGTON— The New Zealand government on Thursday (Jul 14) announced free masks and rapid antigen tests as it tries to stem the spread of COVID-19 and relieve pressure on the country's health system which is dealing with an influx of coronavirus and influenza patients. There has been a significant jump in the number of new COVID-19 cases in New Zealand in the past couple of week and authorities are forecasting that this wave of Omicron might be worse than the first. The hospital system is already struggling with increases in wait times and surgeries having to be cancelled. "There's no question the combination [...]
PH rice imports seen topping 3M metric tons
The Philippines may purchase more rice from abroad over the next two years with the United States Department of Agriculture expecting the total import volume to breach the 3 million metric ton (MT) mark. In a report, the foreign agency said the country’s rice importation volume for 2022 and 2023 will reach 3.1 million MT from its previous projection of 3 million MT. It also said the country will receive “large monthly imports from Vietnam” this year and will see “continued strong demand for rice from Vietnam” in the next. The country’s rice imports as of July 7 touched 1.9 million MT, with Vietnam accounting for more than half or 1.5 million MT of the total volume, data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed. The Philippines’ milled rice [...]
Global recession risk rising as economic outlook ‘darkens significantly’, IMF says
Cost-of-living crisis ‘only getting worse’ says IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, predicting a tough 2022, and ‘even tougher 2023’ International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva says war in Ukraine has exacerbated cost-of-living crisis and increased risk of global recession. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images The outlook for the global economy has “darkened significantly” in recent months, the head of the IMF has warned, and the world faces an increasing risk of recession in the next 12 months. The commodity price shock from the war in Ukraine had exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis for hundreds of millions of people, Kristalina Georgieva said on Wednesday, and it was “only getting worse”. Inflation was also higher than expected, she said in a blogpost that came on the same day as the latest figures showed [...]
Christchurch councillors meet on stadium decision
Christchurch city councillors have met and voted to give the go-ahead to build the contentious $683m stadium. Melanie Coker, Sara Templeton and Celeste Donovan were the only councillors who voted against pressing ahead. Councillors faced three choices; build the covered stadium, hit the pause button and re-evaluate the project, or scrap it altogether. Watch the council meeting here: The project board had negotiated a fixed-price contract for the 30,000-seat multi-use arena, following a $150m budget blowout blamed on rising international construction costs. The $683.1m price tag was the the total amount to go ahead, incorporating factors such as contingency funds, as well as the building and construction costs, council's manager of citizens and community, Mary Richardson, said. The government has pledged $220 million to the multi-use arena but did [...]
NZ Covid-19 Update: 11,382 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, 23 deaths reported
There are 11,382 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has announced on Thursday. Covid-19 strains (file picture). (Source: istock.com) The numbers were reported over the last 24 hours. Bloomfield also confirmed there are 765 people in hospital with the virus, 36 more than Wednesday. He also announced another 23 deaths of people with Covid-19. They had died over the past seven days. The latest deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths of people with Covid-19 to 1760. The seven-day rolling average of cases is 9826, up from 8013 a week ago, and up on 9710 24 hours ago. For hospitalisations it is 673 and for Covid-19 deaths it is 20. Bloomfield made the announcement in a press conference alongside [...]
Cost of living crisis widens Britain’s north-south divide by 30%
Inflation gap highlights need for Boris Johnson’s successor to stick to levelling up agenda – thinktank Differences in home insulation is a big factor intensifying Britain’s north-south divide.Photograph: Ashley Cooper/Getty Images Poor home insulation and greater car dependency means inflation is up to 30% higher in northern English cities than it is in London, according to a new report. The Centre for Cities thinktank said a study of cities in England and Wales showed the north-south cost of living divide was intensifying regional inequality. The report showed eight out of the 10 cities with the highest energy costs were in the the north, the Midlands and Wales, where workers faced being £340 a year worse off than their counterparts in the south. While the annual inflation rate for the [...]
Australian PM Albanese ‘very confident’ there will be no Chinese bases in Solomon Islands
Prime minister Anthony Albanese’s comments come after meeting with Solomons leader at Pacific Islands Forum and despite Pacific nation’s security pact with China Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese says he had a ‘very constructive meeting’ with Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum. Photograph: Joe Armao/AFP/Getty Images The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said he is “very confident” there will not be Chinese bases in Solomon Islands, despite the two countries’ security pact. Albanese made the comments from Fiji, where he is attending the Pacific Islands Forum in a bid to reset relations with Pacific neighbours by outlining higher ambitions on climate change and asking for Australia to remain the region’s security partner of choice, not China. Solomon Islands’ security pact [...]
Covid-19 surge: ‘If everyone does their bit, we will get through winter’ – Bloomfield
Covid-19 Response Minster Dr Ayesha Verrall says there's no doubt this winter is one of the toughest seasons New Zealand's health sector has ever faced. Watch it here: Hospitalisations of people with Covid-19 and case numbers have been soaring, alongside seasonal illnesses and compounding stress on the health system. "Covid-19 cases have been steadily trending upwards with flu and other respiratory illnesses also placing significant pressure on the health system," Dr Verrall says. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the number of new weekly cases has increased week on week over the last month after previously declining since March, and the number of cases detected at the border has been steadily increasing too. "It's quite clear this has been driven by these new BA.4 and particularly BA.5 subvariants [...]
US, Australia launch major Pacific counter-bid to China’s rising influence
Suva/Washington: The United States will launch its biggest Pacific push since World War II by returning the Peace Corps to the region, releasing a Pacific-wide strategy and spending $900 million on economic development. The announcement by US Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday is designed to head off Beijing’s increasingly assertive Pacific agenda, after the Chinese government signed a security deal with Solomon Islands in April and pushed for a regional economic bloc in May, splitting the Pacific Islands Forum as its leaders met for the first time in three years. US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks alongside President Joe Biden in March. CREDIT:AP Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will fly into the divided leaders’ meeting in Suva on Wednesday as the forum reels from the withdrawal of Kiribati [...]
NZ Covid-19 Update: 11,464 new community cases, 29 deaths
Another 29 people have died with Covid-19 and there are 11,464 new community cases in the country today, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: AFP / Science Photo Library There are 729 people in hospital, including 18 in intensive care or a high dependency unit. In the last few days the number of people with Covid-19 needing hospital care has climbed sharply. The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 9710. "Today's reported deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 1737 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 19," the ministry said. "Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today: Seven were from the Auckland region, one was from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, one was [...]
‘Thank you for your work!’: Japan bows in sombre farewell to slain Shinzo Abe
The vehicle carrying the body of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves Zojoji temple after his funeral in Tokyo on Jul 12, 2022. (Photo: AP/Hiro Komae) TOKYO— With prayers, flowers and flags draped in black ribbons, Japan on Tuesday (Jul 12) said farewell to Shinzo Abe, a polarising figure who dominated politics as the country's longest-serving premier, before being gunned down at a campaign rally last week. Crowds packed pavements lined with a heavy police presence as the hearse carrying Abe, who died at age 67, departed from a central Tokyo temple on a procession through the city. With nearly a dozen helicopters circling overhead, people bowed deeply, their hands clasped in prayer, as the hearse passed in a procession carried live on broadcaster NHK. Others clapped, cheered [...]
US warns it will defend ally if China breaks sea ruling
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea Protesters hold slogans to mark the 6th anniversary of the issuance of the 2016 decision by an arbitration tribunal set up under the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea after the Philippines complained against China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed sea during a rally outside the Chinese consulate in Makati, Philippines, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed a call to China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing's vast claims in the South China Sea and warned that Washington is obligated to defend treaty ally Philippines if its armed forces, [...]
One dead in west Auckland firearms incident
A woman has died, and police have arrested one person following a shooting in Henderson, west Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Police were notified of a firearm being discharged at a property in Newington Rd shortly before 9pm. "On arrival, a woman was located with critical injuries," a police spokesperson said. "Immediate first aid was provided however she sadly died at the scene." A police presence will continue in the area overnight. "While we are in the early stages of our enquiries we want to reassure the community we do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public."
China sees ‘new golden era’ with PH under Bongbong Marcos
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (REUTERS) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held wide-ranging talks on Wednesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, but there was no word from Malacañang on whether they discussed the simmering maritime dispute between their two countries in the South China Sea. Wang was the second highest Chinese official Marcos has met in less than a week since taking office. He earlier held a meeting with China’s Vice President Wang Qishan who was his guest at his inauguration on June 30, but officials still have not provided details about their discussions. On his Twitter account, the president said China’s top diplomat extended Chinese President Xi Jinping’s congratulations and support. “We also discussed agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and our commitment to maintaining the strong [...]
Air Pollution: Deadliest NZ centre revealed in study
New statistics show Invercargill is the deadliest place in New Zealand when it comes to air pollution - more dangerous than larger cities. Invercargill (file photo). (Source: Google Maps It shows air pollution kills about 3300 people each year - with vehicle emissions responsible for two-thirds of those, nearly 10 times the road death toll. Check out this map to see which areas have the highest air pollution. The study shows air pollution is sending more than 13,000 people to hospital each year - and costing the country more than $15 billion. Shock in Southland Invercargill topped the death-rate rankings for air pollution from vehicle exhaust and domestic fires and industry combined. It was followed by Christchurch city, then Waitaki, Timaru and Masterton districts. Invercargill's position shocked Environment [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 10,710 new community cases, 15 further deaths
There are 10,710 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today and 15 further deaths. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 554 people in hospital, with 12 in intensive care or a high dependency unit. The seven-day rolling average of community cases is now 8013, compared with 6114 last Thursday. "Today's new cases of Covid-19 show the recent rise in case numbers remains steady. We are continuing to keep our response to the current community outbreak of Covid-19 under review and will adapt it as the outbreak and pandemic evolve, and as part of our resurgence planning," the ministry said. A Flourish data visualization Yesterday saw case numbers from a single day exceed 10,000 for the first time since 21 April. Experts have [...]
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson battles to stay in job after top ministers quit
A defiant British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is battling to remain in office, shrugging off calls for his resignation after two top ministers and a slew of junior officials said they could no longer serve under his scandal-tarred leadership. A delegation of Cabinet ministers planned to meet with him at his Downing Street office to press him to resign, Britain's Press Agency reported. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and longtime loyalist Brandon Lewis were among those expected to demand that he quit. Members of the opposition Labour Party showered Johnson with shouts of "Go! Go!'' during the weekly ritual of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday as critics argued the leader's days were numbered following his poor handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a senior official. [...]
Singapore confirms first local case of monkeypox infection
File photo of monkeypox vesicles on a hand. (Photo: iStock) SINGAPORE— The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed the first local case of monkeypox infection in Singapore. The patient is a 45-year-old male Malaysian national who resides in Singapore. MOH said the man tested positive for monkeypox on Wednesday (Jul 6). "He is currently warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and his condition is stable," MOH said in a media statement on Wednesday. The man is not linked to the imported case announced by MOH on Jun 21, it added. The man first developed lower abdomen skin lesions on Jun 30 and subsequently experienced fatigue and swollen lymph nodes on Jul 2. He developed fever and a sore throat on Jul 4 and sought medical attention where initial [...]
50 Chinese students leave UK in three years after spy chiefs’ warning
MI5 chief says Chinese communist party targeting intellectual property across west MI5 director general Ken McCallum said the students left following a reform of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Fifty Chinese students have left the UK in the past three years after Britain tightened its procedures to prevent the theft of sensitive academic research, the head of MI5 said in a speech about the espionage threat posed by Beijing. Ken McCallum, the director general of the spy agency, also said that MI5 had “more than doubled” its effort against Chinese activity over the same timeframe, as part of an unprecedented joint warning with his counterpart at the FBI. The British spy chief said the “most gamechanging challenge” MI5 faced came from an “increasingly authoritarian Chinese Communist [...]
UK trade envoy to NZ quits over Boris Johnson
Conservative MP David Mundell has quit as UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand after he said he was "disappointed" Prime Minister Boris Johnson had not already stood down. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and David Mundell during Ardern's recent trip to Europe. (Source: Supplied) "I am very disappointed that the Prime Minister has not listened to the counsel of colleagues and stood down voluntarily in the interests of the country," the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale said in a tweet. "Earlier this week I wrote to the Chairman of the 1922 Committee confirming I had no confidence in the Prime Minister and asking that a further vote of confidence be held. I hope this can now take place as a matter of urgency," Mundell said. "Clearly such views [...]
Denmark: Gunman kills three, wounds several at Copenhagen mall
Police arrest a 22-year-old ‘ethnic Dane’ over the killing of three people in a gun attack in the Danish capital. People embrace outside Fields shopping centre, after Danish police said they received reports of a shooting at the site, in Copenhagen, Denmark [Reuters] At least three people have been killed and several more have been wounded in a shooting at a shopping mall in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Police Inspector Soren Thomassen told reporters that a 22-year-old Danish man was arrested over Sunday’s shooting and charged with manslaughter. He said there was no indication that anyone else was involved in the attack, and said that it was too early to speculate on a motive for the shooting. The attack rocked Denmark at the end of an otherwise joyful [...]
Developers let Chinese farmers pay for homes with watermelons
Crates of watermelon are seen in this file photo. (Photo: iStock) BEIJING— Struggling developers in China have started taking payment for homes in watermelons, peaches and other agricultural produce, state media reported Sunday (Jul 3), as they attempt to lure buyers deterred by a property market slump. China's housing market has been hit by a slowing economy and debt crisis precipitated by a government ban on builders taking deposits before construction begins on a project. One developer in the eastern city of Nanjing said it would accept truckloads of watermelons worth up to 100,000 yuan as downpayment from local farmers, state-run China News Weekly reported. In the nearby small town of Wuxi, another developer was taking peaches as payment, the magazine said. Homebuyers in Qi county, a major [...]
COVID-19 vaccination requirements to be scrapped for international arrivals into Australia
Unvaccinated foreign travellers currently need to seek an exemption to enter.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica) Foreign travellers arriving in Australia will no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 from Wednesday morning. Key points: Health Minister Mark Butler says the decision is being made on medical advice In May, just over 1,000 applications from unvaccinated travellers were received, with 158 approved Incoming arrivals will still need to comply with other restrictions, including wearing masks on flights It marks the end of significant COVID-based restrictions on travel into Australia, more than two years after the pandemic began. Currently, anyone arriving in Australia needs to declare their vaccination status before arriving. While Australian citizens can arrive unvaccinated, most foreign travellers need to seek an exemption on limited grounds. From 12:01am on Wednesday morning, those [...]
Australian PM visits sites of Russian atrocities in Ukraine
Anthony Albanese pledges more military aid on visit to Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has pledged more than A$100m in fresh military aid for Ukraine, after visiting the sites of some of the most infamous atrocities of Russia’s war during the final leg of a European tour. Albanese visited Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin, three towns in the Kyiv region that became synonymous with the brutality of Vladimir Putin’s invasion when evidence of mass killings and torture was uncovered after the withdrawal of Russian forces. The governor of the Kyiv region, Oleksii Kuleba, announced the visit on Facebook, saying Albanese had been shocked at what he saw, including bombed-out homes, traces of mines and a destroyed airport. Photos posted on Kuleba’s Facebook page showed Albanese and [...]
Sara Duterte opens six OVP satellite offices
Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday announced that six regional offices of the Office of the Vice President were opened to expand her reach nationwide. “Sa aking unang buong araw bilang bise presidente, nagbukas po tayo ng mga satellite office sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa upang matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na magkaroon ng madali at agarang access sa mga serbisyong mula sa Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said in a Facebook post. [Translation: In my first whole day as vice president, we opened satellite offices in different parts of the country to provide the people easy and immediate access to the services of the Office of the Vice President.] The OVP satellite offices are in Dagupan in Ilocos Region, Cebu in Central [...]
Clean car rebate: Dealers say some buyers hit with fee instead
Used car dealers say some customers expecting a clean car rebate are getting hit with a fee instead, because official data is changing even as the vehicle is being sold. A clogged Auckland motorway (file picture). (Source: istock.com) The Clean Car Discount scheme is having to alter wrong or missing emissions or safety-rating data as it goes along. Christchurch car dealer Peter Cullen has a dozen virtually identical Mazdas Azelas on his lot at Value Cars Warehouse, which he had marked up as having rebates. But last week, when he went to print out a window sticker for the latest Azela, the official Rightcar site produced something else. "It's actually a fee now, it's changed midstream. "Then I've subsequently gone and checked all the previous models. We've [...]
NZ-EU trade deal has painful compromises for Europe’s producers, farming group says
EU's main farming association Copa-Cogeca is unhappy about the free trade deal signed with New Zealand last week. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at EU headquarters in Brussels on 30 June 2022. Photo: AFP The deal means New Zealand can send a further 38,000 tonnes of sheep meat, 10,000 tonnes of beef, 15,000 tonnes more of butter and extra 25,000 tonnes of cheese to the EU. In a statement, Copa-Cogeca said its dairy, sheep and beef sectors were the "sacrificed lambs" of the deal. The farmers' group said it recognised the high consumer protection standards in New Zealand, and the effort made by the European Commission to protect geographical indicators and EU production standards in the deal, but painful compromises [...]
PM’s Australian trade mission to focus on business reconnection, climate change progress
Labour shortages, supply chain disruption and climate change are expected to be among the topics of discussion on the Prime Minister's Australian trade mission. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. File photo. Photo: RNZ/Katie Scotcher Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern starts a trade mission in Melbourne today before talks with her Australian counterpart. Ardern was in Sydney just a few weeks ago to meet the newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. She returns today for a series of trade, tourism and business events in Melbourne and Sydney. She will speak at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum and deliver what's described as a 'major foreign policy speech' at the Lowy Institute, before meeting Albanese for their annual bilateral talks on Friday. Albanese has been in [...]
Marcos vows stronger Air Force, cites disputes
MODERNIZATION ON THEIR MINDS In one of his first events as Commander in Chief, President Marcos on Friday speaks at the 75th founding anniversary program of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Clark City, Pampanga, where he is also presented two documents—the PAF Flight Plan 2040 and the PAF Handbook—unveiled here with the Air Force chief, Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ CLARK FREEPORT, PH—On his first full day on the job, President Marcos on Friday promised a robust and capable Air Force to defend the country’s sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Speaking at the late afternoon rites to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) inside the Haribon Hangar in this former US air base, Mr. Marcos said the ongoing [...]
PH manufacturing conditions improve for 5 straight months
MANILA – The performance of the domestic manufacturing sector has improved for five consecutive months in June this year, according to S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). (File photo) Philippine manufacturing PMI in June recorded a score of 53.8 amid a solid rise in output due to strong demands. Indices above 50 reflect improvement in manufacturing conditions, while below the neutral mark mean deterioration of manufacturing activities. Although the production index was slightly lower in June compared to the score of 54.1 in May, S&P Global said manufacturing performance last month reflected solid growth of the sector as the country continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. “Domestic demand remained strong as the lifting of pandemic restrictions allowed customer [...]
Armenia, Turkey agree to open borders for third-country nationals
The two countries have also agreed to begin direct cargo flights in both directions, despite their strained relations. Armenia and Turkey have agreed in normalisation talks to open their common border for third-country nationals [Murad Sezer/Reuters] Armenia and Turkey have agreed in normalisation talks to open their common border for third-country nationals and to begin direct cargo flights, according to the Turkish foreign ministry and Interfax news agency citing the Armenian foreign ministry. Relations between the two countries have been strained for decades and the land border between the two neighbours has been closed since 1993, in the wake of clashes between Armenia and ethnically Turkic Azerbaijan. Envoys for Ankara and Yerevan “agreed to enable the crossing of the land border between Türkiye and Armenia by third country citizens [...]
NSW residents prepare for flash flooding as rain event lashes coast
Most of the New South Wales coast will be battered by heavy rain over the coming week however Sydney is in the firing line today. More than a month's worth of rain is set to lash Sydney and the Illawarra today with multiple flood warnings in place across the city. Up to 150 millimetres of rain is predicted today. Residents have been warned to avoid unneccessary travel amid flash flooding concerns. (Louise Kennerley) The Bureau of Meteorology has warned this could cause flash flooding across Sydney and has warned motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. The timing could also not be worse for NSW residents as school holidays begin today and many families would be planning to head away. "A surface trough is expected to deepen offshore from the Sydney [...]
India bans 19 single-use plastic items to combat pollution
Ban includes plastic straws, disposable cutlery, earbuds, candy and ice cream packaging, and cigarette packets. An Indian worker sorts used plastic bottles before sending them to be recycled in Ahmadabad, India in 2018 [File: Ajit Solanki/AP] India has imposed a ban on single-use plastics on items ranging from straws to cigarette packets to combat worsening pollution in the nation of nearly 1.4 billion people. The ban on single-use plastic items includes straws, cutlery, earbuds, packaging films, plastic sticks for balloons, candy and ice cream, and cigarette packets, among other products, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement on Friday. For the first stage, the government has identified 19 plastic items that it said are not very useful but have a high potential to become [...]
Angry outpour at Roe v Wade Solidarity Protest in Wellington
Hundreds of pro-choice activists rallied in Wellington on Friday afternoon protesting the US Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I think people have shown up for basic human rights,” said organiser Madeleine Petersen-Gould. Cries of “my body, my choice” could be from the crowd as the group marched towards the US embassy. It’s been a week since the controversial decision by the US Supreme Court, which overturns the federal law allowing blanket access to the medical procedure across the US. The right to abortion will now be decided at the state level, with some conservative states already enacting trigger laws that effectively deny access to millions. “I’ve got grey hair now! It’s taken a long time for women to have the right to make a choice about [...]
Ardern and Johnson agree to visa changes to benefit New Zealanders under 35
Young New Zealanders will be able to spend more time living and working in the United Kingdom under changes to a popular visa. Jacinda Ardern met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street overnight. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with her British counterpart Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street, overnight New Zealand time. During the meeting, they agreed to changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme, which currently allows people aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years. The two countries had agreed in October last year to improve the scheme. The changes will mean young New Zealanders will now be able to spend three years in the UK. The age limit [...]
Covid-19 update: 20 more deaths reported, 6460 new community cases in NZ
The seven-day rolling average of new case numbers continue to rise, with 6460 new community cases reported today, as well as 20 further deaths. Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said the seven-day rolling average of new community cases was now 6825, sharply up from 4737 last Saturday. It said there were now 423 people in hospital with the coronavirus, up from 417 yesterday and from 316 this time last week, with seven people in intensive care. The average age of people in hospital with Covid-19 is 63. All but one of today's 20 new deaths occurred in the past three days. Five were in their 70s, six in their 80s and nine were aged over 90. Nine were women and 11 were men. Five [...]
New Zealand to back Ukraine at International Court of Justice
New Zealand will present its legal view on Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations' international court, contesting the Kremlin's claim of genocide. Peace Palace on the Carnegieplein in The Hague is the seat of the UN International Court of Justice. Photo: Sandra Uittenbogaart / ANP MAG / ANP via AFP It marks New Zealand's second legal intervention - where a country not party to a case presents its views - at the International Court of Justice, having previously backed Australia's case against Japanese whaling in 2012. In a statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Attorney-General David Parker said New Zealand would challenge Russia's "spurious attempt to justify its invasion under international law". Ukraine's case, filed in February, argues Russia falsely claimed genocide had occurred [...]
Shortage of eggs confirmed in Australian supermarkets
A shortage of eggs on shelves has been confirmed, the latest in the deluge of supply issues in Australian supermarkets. A Woolworths spokesperson said the marketwide supply of locally produced eggs in some regions has been impacted by reduced production on a number of farms. "While we continue to deliver eggs to our stores regularly, customers may notice reduced availability at the moment and we thank them for their patience and understanding," the spokesperson said. There's an egg shortage in Australian supermarkets. (9News) "We're in close contact with our suppliers and are working to increase the availability of eggs in stores as soon as possible." While supply is constrained, eggs continue to be delivered regularly, the supermarket said. Woolworths notes fresh eggs at their supermarkets is 100 per cent [...]
Leaders of US, South Korea and Japan agree closer cooperation over North Korea threat
US President Joe Biden waits for the start of a round table meeting at the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, on Jun 29, 2022. (Photo: Susan Walsh/Pool via REUTERS) MADRID: The leaders of the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday (Jun 29) expressed deep concern over North Korea's missile tests and said they would cooperate more closely to address the threat posed by Pyongyang. US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid and agreed that the progress of North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes posed serious threats to not only the Korean peninsula but also East Asia and the world. North Korea has this year been conducting missile tests [...]
US to increase military forces across Europe, Joe Biden announces
President says ‘US and its allies are going to step up’ as he arrives for summit of Nato leaders in Madrid Joe Biden at the Nato summit in Madrid. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Joe Biden has announced that the US will increase its military forces across Europe with more land, sea and air deployments, as he gathered with Nato leaders for a two-day summit in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Arriving at the meeting in Madrid, the US president announced the stationing of a brigade of 3,000 combat troops in Romania, two squadrons of F-35 fighters in the UK and two navy destroyers in Spain. “The US and its allies are going to step up. We’re stepping up. We’re proving that Nato is more needed now than [...]
All roads lead to National Museum for BBM inauguration
(Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos official Facebook page) Everything is set for the historic inauguration on Thursday (June 30) of incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the National Museum in Manila. Franz Imperial, one of the preparations committee heads, said they are hoping that all the activities will go smoothly and according to plans. The events of the day will start with the traditional meeting of the outgoing president and his successor in Malacanang Palace before they proceed, in separate vehicles, to the inaugural venue. Before leaving the palace, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte will be given departure honors. The inauguration ceremony will start with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by an Ecumenical/ Interfaith prayer. As previously reported, a military-civic parade will follow, which will [...]
Woman who murdered 5-year-old boy jailed for at least 17 years
A woman responsible for murdering five-year-old Tauranga boy Malachi Subecz will spend at least 17 years behind bars. Malachi Subecz. (Source: NZ Police.) Michaela Barriball, 27, was also charged with wilfully ill-treating a child and grievous bodily harm in the High Court at Rotorua. Malachi was found with injuries at a Te Puna property on November 1, 2021 and treated in Tauranga Hospital. He was subsequently airlifted to Starship hospital in Auckland, where he died on November 12. It subsequently emerged Malachi had been starved, beaten and burnt in the months before he died. Justice Paul Davison remarked that the offending "clearly sits at the highest end of any scale". "You held all the power, and you abused that power in the most callous and inhumane way imaginable." [...]
NZ Govt to provide masks for students, funding for ventilation
There are 50 child-sized masks available to every Year 4 to 7 student in the country from now until the end of the year, the Government has announced. Children in classroom - stock image. (Source: istock.com) Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti said it was part of a range of strategies being put in place that could help schools reduce the risk of winter illnesses spreading. She said the Ministry of Education could supply 10 million special child-sized masks and planned to have them ready to send to schools and kura at the start of Term 3. That's in addition to adult-sized masks that were offered to all students from Year 8 and up, she said. "Around 20,000-30,000 masks are already being distributed to students and staff every week [...]
Covid-19: NZ to stay in orange traffic light setting
New Zealand will stay at the orange traffic light setting. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Covid-19 Respone Minister Ayesha Verrall said the country needed to remain at this setting as Covid-19 case numbers were starting to "creep up". "Moving back to Red is unnecessary at the moment. We can continue to manage the virus at Orange, but are putting in place a range of additional measures to help manage a recent rise in cases," Dr Verrall said. "Yesterday the seven-day rolling average of Covid-19 cases was 5808 and there were 395 people in hospital and 8 in ICU. For comparison when we moved out of red in April the rolling average of cases was nearly 10,000 a day and there were over 500 people in hospital [...]
Nurses at Wellington Hospital ‘burnt out’ as patient numbers climb
A nurse at Wellington Hospital is revealing what life is like on the ward, amid pressure from the growing number of sick people needing treatment. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Ruth, whose last name RNZ has agreed not to use, knows nurses who have already left this year - and she is thinking of joining them. This comes as the hospital defers most non-urgent care and planned surgeries and the DHB pays for GP appointments to divert people from its busy emergency department. Winter illness has meant an influx of patients, there has been an increase in people arriving at the ED and nurses are getting sick too. "We're working very long hours just to keep the place running. We're working over and above our normal FTE [fulltime equivalent] [...]
Niue reopens its borders to New Zealand tourists
Niue is the latest Pacific Island to open to New Zealand tourists after more than two years of being shut due to the pandemic. The first flight departed at 9.10am this morning. Niue Tourism Destination manager Gaye Wood said, as far as the Niue operators go, it was a matter of them being excited, but also a little bit anxious because it was a big step for any destination to be opening up and Niue was no different than that She said a new commitment to a Multiple-Use Marine Park, known as Niue Nukutuluea, which larger than the landmass of New Zealand, is expected to be a real highlight for tourists. Passengers pose at the airport after Niue reopens its border. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis "The whales, the [...]
Toxic gas leak at Jordan’s Aqaba port kills 11, injures hundreds
ALMAMLAKA TV Video broadcast by state-owned AlMamlaka TV showed the dock engulfed in a cloud of yellow gas A leak of toxic chlorine gas at Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba has killed 11 people and injured more than 250 others, state media report. Authorities said a chemical storage container fell while being transported as a result of a crane malfunction. CCTV footage showed the container being hoisted into the air and then suddenly dropping on to a ship and exploding. A large cloud of bright yellow gas is seen spreading across the ground, sending people running for safety. State media said 199 of the injured were being treated at local hospitals for chemical exposure. Some were reportedly in a critical condition. Chlorine is a chemical used in [...]
Ardern touches down in Madrid ahead of NATO leaders’ summit
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived in Spain's capital, Madrid, ahead of the NATO leaders' summit. Jacinda Ardern. (Source: 1News) Later on Tuesday evening Ardern and Spain's president Pedro Sánchez will hold bilateral talks, a chance for her to thank him in person for his support for Covid-19 vaccines for New Zealand and also discuss how the two countries can strengthen their ties. Last September, the Government purchased around a quarter of million doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Spain. Then overnight Ardern will hold bilateral talks with French president Emmanuel Macron to discuss the latest on Russia's invasion of Ukraine following Macron's recent visit there. Trying to finalise a free trade agreement between New Zealand and the European Union and the Christchurch Call will also on the [...]
Japanese told to turn off lights to save energy amid Tokyo heatwave
Extreme temperatures forecast for capital this week after premature end to rainy season Temperatures of 35C were forecast in Tokyo for Monday as the capital battles record June temperatures. Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Japan’s government has warned millions of people in the Tokyo region to save energy or face power cuts, as the capital battles record June temperatures after a premature end to the rainy season. Temperatures of 35C (95F) were forecast in the city throughout the day, with similarly extreme weather expected for the rest of the week, according to the Japanese meteorological agency. “We ask the public to reduce energy consumption during the early evening hours when the reserve ratio falls,” Yoshihiko Isozaki, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, told reporters. Isozaki advised households and businesses to turn off lights [...]
PNP: All systems go for Bongbong Marcos inauguration
Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities are ramping up security for the June 30 oath-taking of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to be held at the National Museum grounds. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Monday, PNP Director for Operations Major General Val de Leon said more than 6,000 of their personnel were initially set to be deployed, but they intend to increase the number on Thursday. "Initially, we have accounted 6,768 personnel but we intend to increase this based on information that we received," he said. "There is a civil disturbance management that will be positioned in areas where militant groups might want to stage a rally. We do not allow this especially if there are no opermits." The National Capital Region Police Office previously said over 15,000 personnel [...]
Nato to put 300,000 troops on high alert in response to Russia threat
Alliance’s leader says this week’s summit will agree its most significant transformation in a generation Jens Stoltenberg speaks during the press conference to preview the Nato summit in Madrid on Monday. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images Nato’s secretary general has said this week’s Madrid summit will agree the alliance’s most significant transformation for a generation, putting 300,000 troops at high readiness in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Jens Stoltenberg said the military alliance’s forces in the Baltic states and five other frontline countries would be increased “up to brigade levels” – doubled or trebled to between 3,000 and 5,000 troops. That would amount to “the biggest overhaul of our collective defence and deterrence since the cold war,” Stoltenberg said before the meeting of the 30-country alliance, which runs [...]
New Zealand behind world on gender pay gap reporting – survey
Gender pay gaps have flourished in a culture of continued secrecy around salaries, and a global survey shows more work is needed to shine a light on discrimination in the workplace. Photo: 123RF The Equileap survey ranked New Zealand's best performing company, Xero, in 83rd place in the Asia Pacific region for gender equality. Australia, UK, France, Spain, Sweden and South Africa have all introduced compulsory reporting, but New Zealand has not. The report analysing gender pay gap reporting in these six countries was prepared for the United Nations by the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at Kings College London. The average gender pay gap in New Zealand is 9 percent, but the difference in pay for a Pasifika woman and a Pākehā man is 25 percent. Report [...]
Covid-19 update: 11 further deaths and 5549 new community cases
There are 11 further deaths and 5549 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Photo: Unsplash / Mufid Manjun In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 383 people are in hospital, including six in ICU. From tomorrow a second Covid-19 booster will be available, six months after the first one, to anyone aged over 50 and health, aged-care and disability-care workers over the age of 30. Covid-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall has said schools did not stand out in the data as showing high transmission of Covid-19. The government is unlikely to introduce stricter Covid-19 meaures, such as compulsory face masks in schools or a change in the Covid-19 setting.
Thousands of protesters arrive as G7 convenes in Germany
The agenda of the summit in Munich includes Russia’s war on Ukraine, climate change, energy and a looming food security crisis. People prepare for arrivals of leaders at Franz-Josef-Strauss airport in Munich to attend the G7 summit [Michaela Rehle/Reuters] About 4,000 protesters gathered in Munich as the Group of Seven (G7) leading economic powers prepared to hold their annual gathering in Germany’s Bavarian Alps. Organisers said they hoped to mobilise up to 20,000 protesters in the Bavarian city and were disappointed by the initial low turnout at Munich’s Theresienwiese park, German news agency dpa reported. Uwe Hiksch, one of the protest organisers, said potential participants might consider it inappropriate to challenge the world’s wealthiest democracies during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We have the impression that many people are unsettled [...]
Duterte serenades supporters in #SalamatPRRD concert
MANILA – Outgoing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte did not pass up the chance to serenade his fans and supporters despite being invited as special guest at the “Salamat PRRD” thanksgiving concert at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday night. FAVORITE SONG ‘IKAW’. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte serenades his fans and supporters with his favorite love song “Ikaw” with concert king Martin Nievera singing with him during the “Salamat PRRD” thanksgiving concern at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday night (June 26, 2022). Duterte is set to end his six-year term on June 30. (Screengrab from RTVM) Although international singer and Concert King Martin Nievera had already sung “Ikaw” earlier in the program, Duterte was requested to sing the love song himself with Nievera singing some [...]
G7 aims to raise US$600 billion to counter China’s Belt and Road
US President Joe Biden attends a working lunch with other G7 leaders to discuss shaping the global economy at the Yoga Pavilion, Schloss Elmau in Kuren, Germany, on Jun 26, 2022. (Photo: Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS) SCHLOSS ELMAU, Germany: Group of Seven leaders on Sunday (Jun 26) pledged to raise US$600 billion in private and public funds over five years to finance needed infrastructure in developing countries and counter China's older, multitrillion-dollar Belt and Road project. US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders relaunched the newly renamed "Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment" at their annual gathering being held this year at Schloss Elmau in southern Germany. Biden said the United States would mobilise US$200 billion in grants, federal funds and private investment over five years [...]
Ardern declines invitation to meet Zelensky in Ukraine
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed to 1News she declined an invitation from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky to visit his war-torn country. The PM told 1News she turned it down due to existing travel commitments. (Source: Breakfast) Ardern confirmed to 1News that like many world leaders, she received an invitation from Zelensky to visit Ukraine, but turned it down due to existing travel commitments. "Where Ukraine has expressed a need for support, New Zealand has been there," Ardern said. "That won’t change and nor would a visit on the ground change that. "I’m mindful though it’s a huge logistical and security operation to have any leader on the ground in Ukraine and while it’s in the middle of a war we will continue to send our support in a [...]
Free flu vaccine: Around 800,000 more people eligible
In an effort to ease pressure on the health system the Government has widened the criteria for free flu vaccines – making them available for approximately an extra 800,000 people. File picture. (Source: istock.com) Most of the newly eligible are children aged 3 to 12 after a high number of pre-schoolers were hospitalised with influenza. Tamariki under 9 years of age who have not previously received flu vaccine will need two doses given four weeks apart to gain full immunity for 2022. Also eligible are people with specific mental health conditions and or addiction issues. The widened access will start from 1 July. "There has been a sharp increase in the flu cases recorded this season with the impact on our communities, likened to that of Covid-19," Pharmac’s [...]
Political donations, overseas voting rules to change before election – Minister
Political party donations and overseas voting rules will change ahead of next year's general election, Justice Minister Kiri Allan has announced. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone In a statement, Allan said an Electoral Amendment Bill would soon be introduced to tighten the rules for disclosure of political donations and loans, and temporarily widen access for overseas voters. The bill would require the identity of donors of more than $5000 to be made public - down from $15,000 - along with loans to candidates from unregistered lenders. Parties would also be required to make public their financial statements, the number and total value of non-anonymous donations below $1500, and the proportion of total donations that are non-monetary. Allan, who came to the role two weeks ago, said public and [...]
Singapore begins importing renewable energy from Laos through Thailand and Malaysia
HDB flats in Singapore at night. (Photo: iStock/Taikrixel) SINGAPORE— Singapore started importing renewable energy from Laos through Thailand and Malaysia on Thursday (Jun 23), after an initial two-year power purchase agreement was signed between Keppel Electric and Laos' state-owned Electricite du Laos (EDL). The Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) will import up to 100 megawatts (MW) of renewable hydropower using existing interconnections, marking the first multilateral cross-border electricity trade involving four ASEAN countries. This is equivalent to about 1.5 per cent of Singapore's peak electricity demand in 2020, enough to power about 144,000 four-room HDB flats for a year. This is also the first renewable energy import into Singapore, said Keppel Electric, EDL, the Laotian Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) in a joint news release. The project will benefit all [...]
Locsin: Duterte has ordered to terminate PH-China joint oil and gas talks
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the complete termination of the Philippines-China joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. revealed in his speech on Thursday. "The President had spoken. I carried out his instructions to the letter: oil and gas discussions are terminated completely. Nothing is pending; everything is over," Locsin said during the 124th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Locsin added, "three years on and we had not achieved our objective of developing oil and gas resources so critical for the Philippines but not at the price of sovereignty; not even a particle of it." Despite being embroiled in an ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines and China signed a memorandum [...]
EU awards Ukraine and Moldova candidate status
COURTESY OF PROMOTE UKRAINE Ukrainians waited outside the EU summit building for the leaders to decide on their country's status Ukraine and Moldova have both been granted EU candidate status, President of the European Council Charles Michel has announced. "Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU," Mr Michel said, describing the European Council's decision as a "historic moment". Ukraine applied days after the Russian invasion in February, and the process moved at a record speed. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, hailed Thursday's decision. "It's a unique and historical moment in UA[Ukraine]-EU relations..." he tweeted. "Ukraine's future is within the EU." The mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, former boxer Vitali Klitschko, paid an emotional tribute to his fellow citizens resisting the invasion. "We paid a very [...]
Apple and Android phones hacked by Italian spyware, says Google
Report claims Milan-based RCS Lab developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts of targeted devices The report said that hacking tools were used to spy on both Apple and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan. Photograph: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images An Italian company’s hacking tools were used to spy on Apple and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan, Alphabet Inc’s Google said in a new report. Milan-based RCS Lab, whose website claims European law enforcement agencies as clients, developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts of the targeted devices, the report said. European and American regulators have been weighing potential new rules over the sale and import of spyware. “These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be [...]
Matariki 2022: Hautapu ceremony marks dawning of a new day
An ancient and sacred hautapu ceremony has marked the dawning of a new day for Aotearoa, beginning the country's inaugural Matariki public holiday - the first of its kind to be broadcast live. Steam rose up to honour the stars of Matariki, with incantations from tohunga (experts), haka, and karanga reverberating out across Wellington’s Te Papa Tongarewa to mark the occasion. The pre-dawn Whāngai i te Hautapu ceremony was led by tohunga and rangatira, Sir Pou Temara and ruānuku, a group who have trained for many years with him to lead such an event. It was part of a larger broadcast - Celebrate Matariki, Mānawatia a Matariki - simulcast on 1News, 1News online, TVNZ+ and the country’s other major broadcasters. Speaking after the hautapu ceremony, Sir Pou spoke of [...]
Air NZ ramps up flights, staff as travel takes off again
As Air New Zealand ramps up, bringing on 40,000 extra seats from tomorrow and hundreds of workers, it is warning of ticket prices being affected by fuel costs. Photo: camfoto/123RF Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told Checkpoint that the price of fuel "has moved pretty quickly". "Over the last few months, we've seen effectively a doubling in price and I've referred to the fact that getting to Los Angeles, it used to cost us just over US$40,000 to fill up a Dreamliner and now it's about US$96,000, so that's seen the price of tickets on average increase around 20 plus percent." "The other thing that has a bearing on it is just how many seats we have on sectors. We've been building back as quickly as [...]
Rugby league joins clampdown on transgender athletes in women’s sport
MELBOURNE/SYDNEY - Rugby league banned transgender players from women's international competition on Tuesday until further notice, following global swimming's decision to restrict trans athletes' participation at the elite level. The International Rugby League (IRL) said it needed to further consult and balance transgender participation against "perceived risk" to other players. "Until further research is completed to enable the IRL to implement a formal transgender inclusion policy, male-to-female (trans women) players are unable to play in sanctioned women's international rugby league matches," the IRL said in a statement. The ban, which comes after FINA voted on Sunday to restrict transgender athletes in elite women's swimming, was condemned by transgender advocates and sportspeople. "It's disappointing. We're human beings the same as everyone else," transgender woman Caroline Layt, who played elite women's rugby [...]
Picton crash tragedy: Relative shocked at loss of loved ones
A relative of those who died in a horror crash south of Picton yesterday says she has lost nearly everyone in her family. The death of seven people on the road near Picton has shocked the nation and left a family devastated. Photo: Supplied / Trish Rawlings The collision on State Highway One took the lives of seven peopleand has left the community reeling. Princess Clariman stayed in Auckland while her family travelled south to a funeral in Gore and was left devastated by the horror crash. Her parents, three of her brothers, an aunty, cousin and other family members - including a baby - were travelling in the van when it collided with a refrigerated goods truck, just south of Picton on Sunday morning. "It is a [...]
Philippine Peso slips past ₱54 vs. dollar after over 3.5 years
Metro Manila, Philippines— The peso slipped to its weakest level in more than three-and-a-half years on Monday, closing above the ₱54-per-dollar level amid developments abroad as cited by economists. The local currency closed at P54.065 versus the greenback, further falling from ₱53.75 on Friday. This is its worst performance since Oct. 15, 2018, where the peso ended at ₱54.08 to the dollar. Regina Capital managing director Luis Limlingan said the peso’s depreciation could be linked to overseas factors “beyond our control” — particularly the tightening of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate. The Fed recently announced a rate hike of 75 basis points for the first time since 1994, as US authorities try to rein in commodity prices. “[T]he Fed signaled determination to further bring down US inflation back [...]
Health system ‘under pressure’, not in crisis – Minister Andrew Little
The health minister is "dreaming" if he thinks the health system is not in crisis, his National Party counterpart Shane Reti says. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The minister, Andrew Little, says the government has done everything it can to support the health system, and rejects the accusation it failed to take earlier opportunities to bolster the nursing workforce. In Auckland, emergency departments are under massive strain, with Counties-Manukau DHB putting $350 per patient towards already stressed GPs to help ease pressure on Middlemore's Emergency Department (ED). Wellington and Hutt Valley DHBs have been forced to delay planned care for another four weeks, on top of a two-week deferment, because of unprecedented staff absences, high levels of vacancies, and high demand from winter illness. Canterbury has also been [...]
Marcos to take charge of Dept. of Agriculture ‘for now’
Metro Manila, Philippines — President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would be taking on the role for Agriculture chief "for now." Marcos made the announcement at a briefing on Monday, where incoming members of his economic team were also present. "As to agriculture, I think the problem is severe enough that I have decided to take on the portfolio of Secretary of Agriculture at least for now. At least until we can reorganize the Department of Agriculture in the way that we'll make it ready for the next years to come," said Marcos. He said taking on the role of DA chief would prove his administration was taking issues concerning the agricultural sector seriously, and also that it would help move things "quickly." "The events of the global economy are moving [...]
Largest freshwater fish ever recorded caught in Cambodia
Giant stingray snagged by local fisher in Mekong River weighs nearly 300kg World's largest freshwater fish caught in Cambodia The world’s largest recorded freshwater fish, a giant stingray, has been caught in the Mekong River in Cambodia, according to scientists. The stingray, captured on 13 June, measured almost four metres from snout to tail and weighed just under 300kg, according to a statement on Monday by Wonders of the Mekong, a joint Cambodian-US research project. The previous record for a freshwater fish was a 293kg Mekong giant catfish discovered in Thailand in 2005, the group said. The stingray was snagged by a local fisher south of Stung Treng in north-east Cambodia. The fisher alerted a team of scientists from the Wonders of the Mekong project, which has publicised its [...]
Ukrainian missiles hit Black Sea gas platforms, say Russian officials
Reports of strikes come as Russian forces said to be gathering for final assault on Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk The three offshore platforms, the Boyko towers, had previously been seized by Moscow from Ukraine back in 2014. Photograph: Vincent Mundy/Bloomberg/Getty Images Russian officials have said Ukraine launched missile strikes against three gas rigs in the Black Sea south of Odesa, in an apparent escalation of Kyiv’s attempts to weaken Russia’s maritime dominance. Seven people were missing and three injured after the strikes, according to the head of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, who said a “rescue operation with the participation of patrol ships and aviation” was under way. The three offshore platforms, the Boyko towers, had previously been seized by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014. Kyiv believes they are [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 5630 new community cases and 17 further deaths
Another 17 people have died with Covid-19 and there are 5630 new community cases, the Ministry of Health says. The Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Photo: 123RF In its latest update, the ministry said there were also 362 people in hospital with the virus, including four in intensive care or a high dependency unit. That compares with 391 hospitalisations and three people in ICU at the last update. Of the deaths being reported today, fourteen deaths were recorded in June, with one death recorded in April and two in March. The ministry said nine were from the Auckland region, one from Waikato, one from the Bay of Plenty, two from Taranaki, one from Hawke's Bay, one from MidCentral, one from Canterbury and one from Southern. One person was in [...]
Covid-19 update: 3235 new community cases, five further deaths in NZ
There have been 3235 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with a further five deaths of people with the coronavirus. Photo: AFP Today was the lowest number of new community cases since February, with fewer than 1000 cases reported in Auckland for the first time in months. A Flourish data visualization The seven-day rolling average of new community cases has dropped from 5919 last week to 4991 today. The Ministry of Health said this afternoon that the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has remained unchanged from 356 yesterday, with five people now in ICU. A Flourish data visualization The five new deaths reported today take the total number of people who have died with Covid-19 in New Zealand to 1406. Two people were [...]
Fires burn through Shanghai chemical plant
Fires at a large chemical plant in the Chinese city of Shanghai have killed at least one person. They broke out around 04:00 on Saturday (20:00 GMT Friday) at one of the country's largest refining and petrochemical plants. Flames could be seen engulfing parts of the sprawling complex and spewing thick columns of black smoke into the sky. Shanghai is China's economic hub and only recently emerged from a strict pandemic lockdown lasting two months. The cause of the fires, which affected an ethylene glycol facility, is still unclear. Sinopec - the state-owned company that operates the plant in the suburb of Jinshan - said the driver of a transport vehicle had been killed and a company employee had been injured. Residents living up to 6km (four miles) away [...]
Anthony Albanese sets out domestic agenda for first sitting of new parliament
Ambitious climate change targets, ten days domestic and family violence leave and the creation of Jobs and Skills Australia will be the Albanese government’s first three pieces of business when the new parliament sits in the last week of July. In an exclusive interview with The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age after a month in office, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also revealed Labor’s national employment summit will be held in late September or early October, the national cabinet will meet again and parliament will sit for four weeks in total before the October 25 budget. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed his government’s priorities as parliament prepares to return.CREDIT:BIANCA DE MARCHI Albanese also confirmed the legislation to establish a federal integrity commission will be introduced after his government’s first [...]
£68m of cocaine delivered with bananas to two supermarkets in Czech Republic
Czech police searching more stores on same delivery route while contacting overseas counterparts about shipment from Central America The moulded cocaine cubes were found in banana boxes by supermarket employees.Photograph: Czech Police Employees at a supermarket in the Czech Republic found 840kg of cocaine worth 2bn Czech crowns (£68m) inside boxes of bananas that were delivered to the store. The delivery, which was sent to supermarkets in the towns of Jicin and Rychnov nad Kneznou in the northern region of the country, is believed to have been sent to the stores by mistake. The record amount of cocaine, which is estimated to be worth more in street value, arrived in moulded cocaine cubes on Friday. Speaking on a Czech public radio station, Jakub Frydrych, the head of the police [...]
Biden says Americans are ‘really, really down’ in rare one-on-one interview
President makes remark in Associated Press interview as approval ratings dip below 40% in recent public opinion polls Joe Biden speaks with reporters before boarding Marine One in Washington DC on Friday.Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Joe Biden has acknowledged in an interview that the American people are “really, really down” after a relentless two years of disease and division, rising cost of living, war in Europe and the devastating impact of the climate crisis. Speaking to the Associated Press in a rare one-on-one interview in the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon, the president touched on many topics from war to hair. “People are really, really down,” Biden told the Associated Press White House reporter Josh Boak, according to a transcript of the interview. “They’re really down.” The sit-down came at [...]
New Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell’s priorities tackling crime and gangs, easing cost of living
Tauranga's new MP says he wants the city to be the best place in which to work, play and raise a family. Sam Uffindell with his wife Julia after winning the Tauranga by-election. Photo: RNZ / Giles Dexter Sam Uffindell stormed to a comfortable early lead in yesterday's by-election, and from there his win was never in doubt. Uffindell was the runaway winner, getting 10931 votes or 56 percent of the total votes cast - although just 40 percent of the registered voters in the electorate participated. Uffindell said he was spending the first day as Tauranga's new MP with his family, before flying to Wellington for his first week at Parliament. His priorities would be the city's infrastructure, and cracking down on gangs, he said. "I'm going [...]
Seven killed in head-on crash south of Picton
Seven people, including a child, have died in a crash between a truck and a van on State Highway 1 south of Picton this morning, police have confirmed. The scene of the fatal crash near Mt Pleasant, south of Picton. Photo: Supplied / Trish Rawlings Police said the crash was at Mount Pleasant at about 7.30am this morning and was a head-on crash involving a van and a refrigerated goods truck. One person has critical injuries and one has serious injuries. They have been flown to Wellington Hospital. All of the seven who died and the two flown to Wellington were travelling in the van. The driver of the truck has minor injuries. Tasman District Commander Inspector Paul Borrell said a crash of this scale had a "huge impact" [...]
China vows support for Russia, drawing US ire
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive to pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. AFP BEIJING—President Xi Jinping on Wednesday assured Vladimir Putin of China’s support on Russian “sovereignty and security” — leading Washington to warn Beijing it risked ending up “on the wrong side of history”. China has refused to condemn Moscow’s massive military assault on Ukraine and has been accused of providing diplomatic cover for Russia by blasting Western sanctions and arms sales to Kyiv. China is “willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security,” state broadcaster CCTV reported Xi as saying during a call with President Putin. It was the [...]
Australians urged to save electricity to ease power crunch
FILE PHOTO: Storm clouds can be seen behind chimneys at the Bayswater coal-powered thermal power station located near the central New South Wales town of Muswellbrook, Australia, March 14, 2017. Picture taken Mach 14, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray MELBOURNE— Australia's energy minister on Thursday (Jun 16) urged households in Sydney to switch off lights in the evening to avert blackouts, as the country's power market remained suspended with more than a quarter of its coal-fired capacity knocked out. The country's energy market operator suspended the electricity spot market on Wednesday in an unprecedented move to secure power supplies, its latest drastic step to tackle an energy crisis that began in May. Efforts were focused on reviving output from coal-fired generators, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Thursday, [...]
Federal Reserve announces biggest interest rate hike since 1994
Fed confirms 0.75 percentage-point increase as Americans across country hit hard by rising prices and shortages of key items The US Federal Reserve is trying to keep prices under control after inflation surged to 8.6%.Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images With soaring inflation and the shadow of recession hanging over the United States, the Federal Reserve announced a 0.75 percentage-point increase in interest rates on Wednesday – the largest hike since 1994. Until this week the Fed had been expected to announce a smaller increase. At a press conference, the Fed chair, Jerome Powell, said the central bank decided that a larger hike was needed after recent economic news, including last week’s announcement that inflation had risen to a 40-year high. He made clear that a similarly outsized rate rise should [...]
Pacific a priority as Mahuta meets Oz foreign minister
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Australia has work to do "as a member of the Pacific family". Penny Wong and Nanaia Mahuta (Source: 1News) Wong met with New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta in Wellington on Thursday, as the pair reiterated the closeness of the trans-Tasman relationship. It comes a week after their Prime Ministers met and Jacinda Ardern and Anthony Albanese promised to take the trans-Tasman relationship "to a new level". Wong promised Australia and New Zealand would work together in the space of issues in the Pacific. "I think Australia has more to do as a member of the Pacific family," Wong said. "We do have some ground to make up." She made mention of the importance of tackling climate change, and spoke [...]
Covid 19: New Zealand Government confirms pre-departure tests will be scrapped
The government has confirmed pre-departure tests will be scrapped from 20 June. Covid-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the government had intended to remove the requirement by 31 July but as cases continued to decline despite an increase in travellers, there was evidence the measure could now be lifted. "Around 90 percent of international arrivals undertake their required testing once they are in the country, with only a 2-3 percent positivity rate. So we don't anticipate a significant increase in border cases once the requirement is lifted," she said. The availability and cost of getting a test had also increasingly become a barrier to people travelling to New Zealand, she said. Travellers would still be required to self-test on day 0/1 and again on day 5/6. Anyone who [...]
NZ economy shrinks, GDP falls 0.2%
The economy unexpectedly contracted at the start of the year as consumers controlled their spending, exports dipped, and primary industries produced less. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in the March quarter. Photo: 123rf Gross domestic product (GDP) fell a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in the three months ended March, well below expectations, and compared with a 3.0 percent rise in the previous quarter, StatsNZ data showed. Stats NZ senior manager Ruvani Ratnayake said "we saw lower output in the food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing sub-industry; and the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry". Manufacturing industry output fell offsetting continued growth in the construction sector. Service industries, which make up about two thirds of the economy were flat with falls in retail, hospitality, transport and telecommunications, [...]
Australian and Chinese defence ministers hold landmark meeting, ending diplomatic freeze
Defence bosses from Australia and China have met for a one-on-one meeting for the first time in almost three years, ended a two-year diplomatic freeze between Canberra and Beijing. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said his meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe in Singapore was "important" but Australia would take its relationship with China "step by step". Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles speaks during a press conference at the 19th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue, Asia's annual defense and security forum, in Singapore. (AP) "China is our largest trading partner and we value a productive relationship, that's a point we've made for a long time," Marles said. "That said, we have a whole lot of national interests and [...]
Covid-19 update: 4413 new community cases, five further deaths
There are 4413 new Covid-19 cases in the community and five further deaths reported today. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 352 people in hospital, with nine in ICU. Of the people who have died with Covid-19; two were from the Auckland region, one from Waikato, one from Bay of Plenty and one from Canterbury. One person was in their 60s, two were in their 70s, one was in their 80s and one was aged over 90, the ministry said. That brings the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 1325 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 13. The new community cases being reported today were located in Northland (101), Auckland (1,312), Waikato (313), Bay of Plenty (158), [...]
Wild weather: Winds reach 100km/hr in Auckland
Auckland's Harbour Bridge briefly fully closed three times today due to strong winds gusting over 100km/hr. Waka Kotahi says two lanes are now open in each direction but motorists are advised to expect delays. Auckland Harbour Bridge was closed briefly after winds of 100km/hr. Photo: Twitter / Waka Kotahi It closed around 11am for 10 minutes, then shortly after midday before reopening and then closed again. Speed restrictions were in place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and Waka Kotahi was advising drivers in high sided vehicles and motorcyclists to use the alternative SH16 and SH18. Two lanes in each direction were open and travellers. The temperature at Auckland Airport weather station dropped from 16C to 11C in the hour to 11.30am. MetService says the risk of lightening strikes will [...]
Ukraine fears western support will fade as media loses interest in the war
Costs and casualties are rising but Kyiv warns that the conflict with Russia is becoming normalised in people’s minds, at home and abroad Civilians are evacuated from the city of Lysychansk in the eastern region of Donbas. Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images Ukraine’s war with Russia is heading towards its fifth month amid increasing local concern that dwindling media attention could lead to a gradual loss of western support just as Moscow is making slow but steady gains on the frontline. The anxiety reflects a growing normalisation of the conflict in which large parts of the country feel distant from the war in eastern Donbas – as it becomes clear that casualties are mounting and economic costs soaring. “It’s a very real threat, that people get tired psychologically,” said [...]
Winter weather: Thunderstorms, strong wind and downpours ahead
Stormy weather is continuing in much of the country with strong winds and heavy rain, while snow has closed roads in the south. In the Kāpiti Coast town of Waikanae, hit by two tornadoes last night, The fence on Paul Knighton's property on the corner of Queens Road and Barrett Drive was destroyed, and this morning his father-in-law was chainsawing trees to try clear the path. Large swells were bringing waves and coastal debris up onto the road in the Porirua suburb of Plimmerton on Monday morning. Philippa Sargent was out trying to clear a flooded drain with a shovel near her waterfront home. She said it was the worst in the time she had been been living there, with stones being thrown up over the boat ramp as [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to announce ‘minor’ Cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will unveil her promised Cabinet reshuffle this afternoon following a Labour caucus meeting to sign off on the changes. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver MPs from around the country dialed into the conference call from 8am. Labour requires a vote be held for new members to join the Executive. A spokesperson for the prime minister confirmed Ardern would announce some "minor" changes to the Cabinet line-up at 3pm. Ardern had earlier signalled she would refresh the team around the mid-year mark, which is not unusual for a government mid-term. It is widely expected that Police Minister Poto Williams will be stripped of that portfolio. Williams was appointed to the position after the 2020 election and has come under under increasing pressure in recent months amid [...]
Volcano ash blankets Philippine towns after second eruption this week
Workers sweep an ash-covered highway in Juban after the eruption of Bulusan volcano in the Philippines (Photo: AFP/Sharbyn SAYAT) JUBAN: A volcano in the Philippines spewed a huge column of ash into the sky on Sunday (Jun 12), blanketing a region still recovering from last week's eruption. The blast from Bulusan volcano lasted 18 minutes, the Philippine seismological agency said, impairing road visibility and forcing airlines to cancel flights. On Jun 5, Mount Bulusan sent a grey plume shooting up at least one kilometre and covered 10 villages with ash. Residents of Juban town in Sorsogon province, still reeling from last week's eruption, were woken up Sunday by the volcano's thundering. "I thought it was just raining, but when I looked outside there was ash everywhere," resident Antonio Habitan told [...]
Duterte wants to visit West Philippine Sea as civilian
MANILA – Outgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday said he wants to someday join the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on its visit to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a civilian despite knowing that it would be a “gamble.” President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Screengrab from RTVM/PCOO) He made this remark in a speech during the commissioning of Barko ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas (BRP) Melchora Aquino -- the Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) 9702 of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) -- at Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila. “Someday I could maybe ride with the Coast Guard to see. Maski na civilian na ako, sana bigyan ninyo akong kaunting ano lang (Even if I am already a civilian, I hope you give me a little…) that you can [...]
Samoan PM arrives in NZ for bilateral meeting with Ardern
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has arrived in New Zealand for her first official bilateral overseas visit since taking office, with China and regional security high on the agenda. Sworn in amid a constitutional crisis, the island nation's first female prime minister made headlines around the world last year when she was locked out of parliament, with the former government refusing to relinquish power. "Everything was resting on the judiciary. Thank God they held," she told 1News. After a year in the role, Mata’afa is now looking to cement the country's ties with New Zealand. It comes off the back of a visit to Fiji, where she helped to stitch together a deal stopping small island nations from walking away from the Pacific Islands Forum at a time [...]
China warns Taiwan independence would trigger war
REUTERS The US criticises China for increased military activity in the area China has warned the US that any attempt to make Taiwan independent from China will trigger military action by Beijing's forces. Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe met his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of an Asian security summit in Singapore. Splitting Taiwan from China would leave the Chinese military with no choice but to "fight at any cost", Mr Wei said. Mr Austin later called Chinese military activity "provocative, destabilising". He said there were record numbers of Chinese aircraft flying near the island on a near-daily basis, which "undermine peace and stability in the region". China views self-ruled Taiwan as an integral part of China's territory, a stance that prompted Mr Wei to condemn US [...]
Chinese police arrest nine after women attacked at restaurant
Footage shows man striking woman and dragging her outside after she pushes him away Footage of the incident was widely circulated online. Photograph: @badiucao/Twitter Nine men have been arrested over a vicious attack on a group of women at a restaurant in northern China, in a case that prompted outrage over predatory sexual behaviour and violence against women. CCTV footage of the incident widely circulated online shows a man placing his hand on a woman’s back as she shares a meal with two companions at a barbecue restaurant in the city of Tangshan in Hebei province in the early hours of Friday. After the woman pushes him away, the man strikes her before others drag her outside and deal a barrage of blows as she lies on the ground. [...]
Poll shows National’s Sam Uffindell ahead in Tauranga by-election
National's Tauranga candidate Sam Uffindell is ahead of Labour's Jan Tinetti in the lead up to the electorate's by-election, the latest Q+A Kantar Public Poll shows. National Party 's Tauranga candidate Sam Uffindell. (Source: Supplied) Eligible Tauranga voters were asked which candidate, if any, they will vote for as their local MP in the by-election, which is to be held on June 18. Q+A with Jack Tame revealed that of those polled, 45% backed National's new candidate Sam Uffindell, 35% said they would vote for Labour MP Jan Tinetti, while 7% were behind ACT's Cameron Luxton. NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party candidate Sue Grey had 3%, as did New Nation Party candidate Andrew Hollis. Thirteen per cent did not know who they would vote for next week, 4% refused [...]
Dozens of ‘501s’ overturn deportations from Australia to New Zealand
A woman who would be prevented from visiting her daughter's grave if she was deported to New Zealand is one of dozens of "501s" managing to overturn being kicked out of Australia. Photo: 123RF Figures provided to Open Justice show 38 New Zealanders ordered to leave Australia convinced a tribunal to let them stay in the year to June 2021. Since then, a further 23 have been successful in stopping their deportations under Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act, which can be triggered when a person is sent to jail for 12 months or longer. Deportees under that provision of the Act have taken to calling themselves "501s". On Friday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with Australia's new leader Anthony Albanese to push for changes to the [...]
US approves US$120 million sale to maintain Taiwanese warships
A Taiwanese Navy warship arrives at the Corinto port, Nicaragua Apr 9,2018. (Photo: REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas) TAIPEI— The United States has approved a possible US$120 million sale of parts to help Taiwan maintain its warships, which the island's defence ministry said would help ensure combat readiness in the face of China's "frequent activities" near the island. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington. It said the sale covered unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, and US government and contractor representative technical and logistical support. "The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's surface vessel fleet, enhancing its [...]
Jacinda Ardern talks China, 501s on Australian breakfast TV
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has done the rounds on Australian breakfast TV shows, answering questions over 501 deportations, China, and the cost of living. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears on Australia's The Today Show. Photo: Fair use / screenshot / The Today Show Appearing on Channel 9's The Today Show, Ardern said China needed to deal with the Pacific as a region on big issues like security, highlighting New Zealand's closeness to its island neighbours. She described New Zealand's Pacific relationships as more familial than bilateral. "We are a Pacific nation. Our connections into the Pacific, they run deep - they're family. You know, we have large Pacific communities in New Zealand, Pacific members of Parliament, Pacific Ministers. So the relationship for us is not a bilateral relationship, it's [...]
PH to pursue ‘critical engagement’ with China
Philippines (UP) political science professor Clarita Carlos. File Photo THE administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos will pursue a "critical engagement" with China despite the dispute over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), incoming National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos said on Thursday. Carlos, a former University of the Philippines professor, said she discussed the Philippines' relationship with China during a lengthy meeting with Marcos on Wednesday prior to her appointment. "You mentioned the magic word 'critical,' yan ang isa sa mga napag-usapan namin ni President Marcos (It's one of the topics that we discussed with President Marcos)," she said. China has been claiming the WPS as part of its territory, refusing to recognize an arbitral court ruling in 2016 that the Philippines has jurisdiction over it. The critical engagement [...]
Bongbong Marcos ‘welcome to visit United States’ – top official
Metro Manila, Philippines— President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can invoke his immunity as head of state when visiting the United States, according to a high-ranking US official. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters in a media briefing on Thursday that Marcos can perform his official duties in Washington without fear of facing legal consequences. “The fact is when you’re the head of state you have immunity in all circumstances,” Sherman said. Sherman did not elaborate on the legal process and up to what extent Marcos can avail of his immunity. Before winning the May 9 polls, Marcos faced the risk of being required to appear in court due to his non-compliance to a class suit ruling against his family. Non-appearance in court could lead to detention [...]
Pan-coronavirus vaccine could be on market in a year’s time – vaccinologist
The first pan-coronavirus vaccine could be on the market in a year's time, says a New Zealand vaccinologist says. A pan-coranavirus vaccine is now being developed by the US military. Photo: AFP Vaccine researchers are increasingly interested in the pursuit of a universal coronavrious vaccine that is resistant to all variants. University of Auckland vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris said a such a vaccine was close, with the US defence industry behind the most advanced trial being undertaken. "I guess the most advanced pan-coronavirus vaccine is now in human trials and it looks very promising. It worked every well in our non-human primate friends and it's been in development for quite some years," she told Morning Report. Existing vaccines have found it hard to stop symptoms or transmission, but work well [...]
UK Ministry of Defence acquires government’s first quantum computer
GETTY IMAGES The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has acquired the government's first quantum computer. Quantum computers can make very complex calculations extremely quickly and their creators say they can solve the problems regular computers cannot. The MoD will work with British company Orca Computing to explore applications for quantum technology in defence. Stephen Till, of the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), called it a "milestone moment". The computers found in most of our homes and workplaces process data in bits, which have a binary value of either zero or one. Quantum computers instead use a two-state unit for data processing called a qubit. This can represent digits like one or zero simultaneously through a quantum mechanical process called superposition, letting quantum computers bridge binary digits and cope [...]
Climate change: New Zealand’s plan to tax cow and sheep burps
GETTY IMAGES New Zealand has unveiled a plan to tax sheep and cattle burps in a bid to tackle one of the country's biggest sources of greenhouse gases. It would make it the first nation to charge farmers for the methane emissions from the animals they keep. New Zealand is home to just over five million people, along with around 10 million cattle and 26 million sheep. Almost half the country's total greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, mainly methane. However, agricultural emissions have previously not been included in New Zealand's emissions trading scheme, which has been criticised by those calling for the government to do more to stop global warming. "There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into [...]
Britons sentenced to death after ‘show trial’ in Russian-occupied Ukraine
Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were captured while fighting in Ukrainian army From left: Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim in court this week. Photograph: Telegram Two British men and a Moroccan national captured while fighting in the Ukrainian army in Mariupol have been sentenced to death by pro-Russia officials after a days-long process described as a “disgusting Soviet-era show trial”. A court in Russian-controlled east Ukraine convicted 28-year-old Aiden Aslin, from Newark, 48-year-old Shaun Pinner, from Watford, and Saaudun Brahim on charges of “terrorism”. Observers said the process was intended to imitate the war crimes trials of Russian soldiers taking place in Kyiv. Both Britons have said they were serving in the Ukrainian marines, making them active-duty soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva conventions [...]
Christopher Luxon urges Poto Williams to be removed as Police Minister
National Party leader Christopher Luxon is calling for Police Minister Poto Williams to be removed from the role, saying she's "not equipped". Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Luxon has been adamant stronger anti-gang laws are needed to combat the recent rise in tensions, and touted Australian-style laws including allowing police to search for guns with a warrant. He told Morning Report that Williams should be removed from the position, adding "she could add value to other portfolios, but she's clearly out of her depth, things aren't getting better". A rivalry between the Tribesmen and Killer Beez gangs has spurred an increase in shootings, up to eight in a single night in Auckland. Luxon said New Zealanders were feeling unsafe. "It's another night, another shooting. There's been 23 [...]
Aussie home prices suffer biggest slowdown in 30 years
After near-record rises during the pandemic, home prices in Australian capital cities are now slowing at their most rapid pace since 1989, according to new data. The slowdown over the last six months is worse than the stagnation and turbulence which hit the housing market in 2004 and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Just-released PropTrack analysis found the annual rate of home price growth in capital cities had dropped from 24 per cent, in January, to 14 per cent. The RBA surprised many economists by raising the cash rate by half a percentage point, the biggest hike in more than 20 years, with warnings of more to come. (SMH / Sam Mooy) However, despite cooling in the market, prices are still up 35 per cent since the start [...]
Cambodia, China deny naval base reports as Australia voices concern
Cambodia's Ream naval base has been a running sore spot in US-Cambodian relations for years. (Photo: AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy) PHNOM PENH— Cambodia and Beijing on Tuesday (Jun 7) denied a report that they are building a secret naval facility for the Chinese fleet, as Australia's new prime minister voiced concern and called for transparency. The Washington Post, citing unnamed Western officials, said a new facility at Cambodia's Ream base - strategically located on the Gulf of Thailand - was being built for the "exclusive" use of the Chinese navy. The base has been a running sore spot in US-Cambodian relations for years, with Washington long suspecting it is being converted for use by China as it seeks to buttress its international influence with a network of military outposts. Cambodia's Deputy Prime [...]
New Health System Act passes third reading in Parliament
Legislation to create a new public health system has passed its third reading in parliament, and the bill is now just one step from becoming law. The bill will become law after receiving the royal assent from the governor-general - a ceremonial step. (Source: rnz.co.nz) Labour's Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill sets out the Government's vision for a health system restructure that is just weeks away from coming into force. It was first introduced in October last year and received more than 4500 submissions. The legislation was the biggest building block in the government's health reforms. Now it has passed three readings in parliament the bill would become law after receiving the royal assent from the governor-general - a ceremonial step. Minister of Health Andrew Little said it [...]
Man shot dead by police in Newlands had knife to woman’s throat
A man with gang links had a knife to a woman's throat when he was shot dead by police in Wellington, the region's police commander says. Police at scene of Newlands incident. (Source: 1News) The event unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in Newlands after officers were called to a "family harm incident". The man was shot after he threatened officers and attempted to barricade himself inside a Kingsbridge Place house with a woman. Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Tracey Thompson said on Wednesday officers had been "confronted" by a man threatening the woman and a young child. Although the young child was able to leave the house, "voice appeals" to the man were not successful. Man shot dead by police in Wellington had gang links, police say Acting Wellington District [...]
Global dairy prices rise for first time in three months
Global dairy prices have risen for the first time in three months. The average price at the fortnightly sale rose 1.5 percent. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The average price at the fortnightly sale rose 1.5 percent to $US4656 a tonne, after falling 2.9 percent in the previous auction. The price of wholemilk powder, which strongly influences the payouts for local farmers, was fractionally lower to $US4,158 a tonne. "It would seem that dairy commodity prices have bounced, and the market is ready to push higher again," NZX dairy analyst Stu Davison said. The increase was the first since the start of March and lifted the global dairy price index off its low point for the year. The volumes sold were down by nearly 12 percent, which Davison said [...]
Food shortages are next global health crisis -expert
French President Emmanuel Macron, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), and Agnes Buzyn, French Minister for Solidarity and Health, and Peter Alexander Sands, British banker, and the executive director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, pose after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 11, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Pool LONDON- Growing food shortages may represent the same health threat to the world as the COVID-19 pandemic, a leading global health figure has warned. Rising food and energy prices, in part sparked by the war in Ukraine, could kill millions both directly and indirectly, Peter Sands, the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "Food shortages work in two [...]
Duterte trusts next admin will ‘do its very best’ to fight drugs
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – President Rodrigo R. Duterte believes the administration of his successor, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will “do its very best” in continuing the fight against illegal drugs. (File photo) “Well, I trust that the next administration will also do its very best to confront itong drug[s],” he said in a prerecorded Talk to the People. Although he admitted that he is “scared” that the drug industry would proliferate when his term ends, he expressed confidence that the police and military would “maintain the momentum” in the anti-narcotics campaign. “I place my full trust and confidence on the two institutions that we have na iyon lang ang ating panglaban (that fight for us): it's the police and the military. These [...]
Philippines’ North Star deferring up to $85 million IPO – sources
MANILA— Philippines' North Star Meat Merchants Inc is deferring its up to 4.5 billion pesos ($85 million) initial public offering because of increased market volatility, two sources with knowledge of the decision said on Tuesday. North Star, among the largest meat retailers and suppliers in the Southeast Asian nation, was supposed to offer its shares on June 13 to 17, followed by its listing on June 24.
Hawke’s Bay Hospital grapples with changing seismic risks
New earthquake modelling will raise the hazard levels in some places, including large parts of Hawke's Bay, where the hospital is already grappling with shifting seismic goalposts. Hawke's Bay Hospital. Photo: Sandy Millar / Hawke's Bay Hospital The biggest revision of the National Seismic Hazard Model in 20 years will draw on extensive research into the Hikurangi subduction zone - what GNS Science calls "the Sleeping Giant". This will begin to impact the Building Code from the end of next year. Georgia McCombe knows what is at stake - her job at Hawke's Bay Regional Council's East Coast Lab is to alert locals to the zone's risks. "It's our largest source of seismic hazard and recent research also tells us that there is about a one-in-four chance of a [...]
Gaps in learning, behavioural issues worsening as students struggle in pandemic – teachers
Principals and teachers warn they are seeing worse behaviour and achievement after two-and-a-half-years of pandemic disruption. File photo. Photo: 123RF They told RNZ many young people were doing well, but some had gaps in their learning and had missed basic routines and socialisation that helped them get along with one another and with their teachers. They said the situation was worst in Auckland, where schools had lost more time to lockdowns than schools in other parts of the country. An Auckland teacher told RNZ he was seeing more aggression and worse achievement among teenagers. "Three years of Covid have taken a huge toll on student skills, knowledge and cognitive functioning. Many struggle to concentrate when they are here, and the gaps in their learning are significant. Student behaviour [...]
Ardern denies NZ is asleep at wheel as China pushes into Pacific
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has denied New Zealand is asleep at the wheel as China continues its push into the Pacific. New Zealand has been a significant presence in the region for years and will continue to be one, the prime minister told Breakfast on Tuesday morning. Ardern said Australia, New Zealand and Japan had the biggest aid and development spend in the Pacific. "In fact, for this term, we've increased our spend in the Pacific by 45% and that's because of the climate need in the region," she said. "If you ask the Pacific, which we do often, what is your number one priority, they'll say it's climate change. So we're there on our terms, working alongside them and the nature of our relationship really matters because we [...]
China warns Australia risks ‘serious consequences’ after jet interception
A J-16 fighter jet performing in the sky in this photo taken on Oct 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP/STR) BEIJING— Beijing on Monday (Jun 6) warned Australia to "act prudently" or face "serious consequences" after Canberra accused a Chinese fighter jet of dangerously intercepting one of its spy planes over the South China Sea. Australia has argued it is not unusual for it to undertake surveillance flights in the South China Sea - a region Beijing insists comes under its domain despite a 2016 Hague ruling that dismissed its claims. China's stance has heightened tensions with the United States and its allies, which insist on freedom of navigation in the area. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday that a Chinese J-16 fighter intercepted a P-8 surveillance aircraft [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern says work underway to address nursing shortage, union remains unconvinced
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the government is working to reduce the global nursing shortage's impact on the healthcare system. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. File photo Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Nearly one-in-three nursing students are dropping out before qualifying, due to financial pressure, family responsibilities and other factors made worse by Covid-19. At the same time, health boards and rest homes are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to attract nurses from overseas to fill an estimated 4000 vacancies. But there are forces working the other way. The New South Wales government has unveiled a $4.5 billion package to recruit more than 10,000 staff - with New Zealanders sure to be in its sights. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report the government was aware of the [...]
Buy-now-pay-later users struggle as economy tightens
The rising cost of living is hitting Kiwis trying to pay off debt, with those in buy-now-pay-later payments schemes struggling. Companies like Afterpay, Laybuy, Humm and Zipp have all risen in popularity in recent years. The buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers offer short-term, interest-free loans which people can use to buy anything from groceries to clothes to electronics. While borrowers do not pay interest if things go to plan, late fees are added when payments are missed. And Keith McLaughlin, Managing Director of Centrix, says the number of those getting pinged is on the rise. “As the economy is tightening and they're being squeezed, that the arrears are starting to increase, not so much mortgage, that's reasonably under control but more with the unsecured lending.” While the amount [...]
Johnny Depp wins defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard
A Virginia jury has ruled that actor Amber Heard defamed her ex-husband Johnny Depp in an article in which she said she was a victim of abuse. Members of Johnny Depp's legal team hug after the jury said that they believe Amber defamed her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Photo: The jury has awarded Depp US$10 million in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages. The jury found that Heard's statements about her marriage were "false" and she acted with "actual malice". The decision was read in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia. Depp, the 58-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star, sued Heard for US$50 million and argued that she defamed him when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" in a newspaper opinion piece. Heard, 36, countersued [...]
Covid-19 update: 18 more deaths, 8436 more community cases in NZ
There have been 18 more deaths of people with Covid-19 and 8436 new cases identified in the community, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com There are 389 hospitalisations reported today, with nine in ICU. Of whose who died three were from Northland, two were from the Auckland region, one was from Waikato, one was from Taranaki, two were from Midcentral, two from Nelson Marlborough, three from Canterbury, two from West Coast and two from the Southern region. One person was in their 50s, two were in their 60s, one was in their 70s, eight were in their 80s and six were over 90. Ten were male and eight were female. Yesterday there were five more deaths reported of people with the virus, and 5836 new community cases. [...]
Biden will not supply Ukraine with long-range rockets that can hit Russia
Moscow has threatened retaliation if missiles are used against its territory but US plans to ship shorter range systems US Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launches a rocket into the air during a live fire training exercise. Photograph: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden has said the US will not supply Ukraine with rockets that can reach into Russia, in an attempt to ease tensions with Moscow over the potential deployment of long-range missiles with a range of about 185 miles. The White House has been weighing up pleas from Ukraine – which is losing ground in the battle for Donbas – for multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) to offset Moscow’s increasingly effective use of long-range artillery, amid Russian warnings that doing so would cross a red line. “We are not [...]
EU clinches compromise deal on banning Russian oil
PHOTONEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES Ursula von der Leyen had said expectations were low European Union leaders have agreed a compromise plan to block more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports after Hungary opposed a total ban. European Council chief Charles Michel said the deal cut off "a huge source of financing" for the Russian war machine. He added that it put "maximum pressure on Russia to end the war". The ban is part of a sixth package of sanctions approved at a summit in Brussels, which all 27 member states had to agree on. Mr Michel said the EU had also agreed hard-hitting measures targeting Russia's largest bank and three state-owned broadcasters. EU members spent hours struggling to resolve their differences over the ban on Russian oil imports, with [...]
Jacinda Ardern prepares to meet US President amid logistical challenges
The Prime Minister is preparing to meet the American President Joe Biden at the White House in less than 24 hours, but don't expect any flashy announcements. Jacinda Ardern has talked to the US President Joe Biden several times, but this will be the first time they have met face to face. Photo: Nicholas Kamm, Dave Lintott / AFP John Key was the last PM to stop by seven years ago. Jacinda Ardern says this visit is all about cementing the relationship with the United States, she describes as "incredibly strong". She and President Biden have talked "several times" over the phone or via Zoom, but "there's nothing quite like meeting face to face", she told reporters in Washington DC. Ukraine and trade, namely the US proposed Indo-Pacific [...]
Trump: US should fund safe schools before Ukraine
Former President Donald Trump has called on US lawmakers to prioritise funding for school security over sending military aid to Ukraine. Speaking at a pro-gun conference, Mr Trump questioned how the US "has $40 billion to send to Ukraine" but cannot ensure security in schools. The meeting of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the largest US gun group, is taking place in Houston. The intervention comes days after 21 people died in a Texas school shooting. "Before we nation-build the rest of the world, we should be building safe schools for our own children in our own nation," Mr Trump said in Friday's speech, drawing loud applause. Earlier this month, the US Congress overwhelmingly voted to send nearly $40bn (£31bn) in military aid to Ukraine. In total, US lawmakers [...]
Recession fears? Some businesses in Singapore bracing for troubled times ahead
Office workers walking along Raffles Place MRT Station. (File photo: Calvin Oh) SINGAPORE— Just as things are picking up for some businesses after the toll of a prolonged pandemic, the much-dreaded R-word has re-emerged. “I’d say that most of the world has adapted to living with COVID-19, so our orders have actually been increasing during this period,” said Ms Joyce Seow, group executive director of contract manufacturing firm Watson EP Industries. “But now, we are talking about recession again.” Warnings about another global recession have been sounded – from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at his annual May Day Rally speech to political and business leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos. For Ms Seow, the topic came up at a recent meeting with the company’s bankers, [...]
China signs deal with Samoa; Fiji leader meets with Australian minister
China's foreign minister signed a deal with Samoa on Saturday to strengthen diplomatic relations, while Australia's new leader said he had a "comprehensive plan" for the Pacific, as Beijing and Canberra continued rival campaigns to woo the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) talks to Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa during an agreements signing ceremony between the two countries in Apia. Photo: VAITOGI ASUISUI MATAFEO China is building on a security pact it recently signed with Solomon Islands, which has alarmed the United States and its allies such as Australia as they fear a stepped-up military presence by Beijing. Australia's new centre-left government has made the Pacific Islands an early diplomatic priority. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, sworn in on Monday, said on Saturday his Labor government's [...]
New Zealand, California announce climate change partnership
New Zealand and California have signed a pledge agreeing to help fight climate change. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pose with agreements they signed at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. (Source: Associated Press) The countries will share ideas and best practices, including how to put millions more electric vehicles on the road. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, spoke about the agreement at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The agreement doesn't commit either government to specific policies but outlines broad areas for cooperation. "We have a natural connection and I'm so pleased we've put pen to paper today to confirm that and continue our cooperation on one of the great challenges from our generation," Ardern said. Cars, trucks [...]
Tiwai Point: Toxic waste clean-up cost doubles to $687m
Tiwai Point aluminium smelter has doubled its clean-up costs to almost $700m, and documents show one reason is that getting rid of the most toxic of its waste is far from plain sailing. File photo: Tiwai Point aluminium smelter Photo: Otago Daily Times / Stephen Jaquiery They show the company last year was pleading it was "desperate" to get exporting under way of the nastiest of its waste, spent cell lining or SCL, which is laced with toxic fluoride and cyanide. It had a lack of storage space and asked repeatedly for the Environmental Protection Authority to move faster on helping it get a permit to ship the SCL offshore. A small mountain of the waste - under a cover - remains beside the beach by Foveaux Strait, [...]
Ukraine invasion: NZ Defence Force to teach Ukrainian troops how to use dial sights we don’t need anymore
Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers will be taught how to direct fire on enemies using 40 of New Zealand's dial sights that we don't need anymore. It comes as Russian forces attempt to close off the last escape routes for parts of eastern Ukraine - trapping civilians and soldiers. With a twist of the dial and the calculations just right, gunners from the 16th Field Regiment are ready to take aim. But instead of them taking the shot, they'll teach Ukrainians how to use our dial sights. "I know we've announced 230 [troops] but we're still waiting for those confirmed numbers out of Ukraine to make sure we train the numbers they need," says commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Dean Gerling. Targets can't be seen through the sight, but instead help [...]
Firearms debate weighs on Jacinda Ardern’s Capitol meetings
The Texas shooting and gun control debates have largely overshadowed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visits to Senators at the United States Capitol. Prime MInister Jacinda Ardern with Democrat senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and other senators on Wednesday afternoon (US time). Photo: AFP Fresh from appearing on The Late Show and musing on New Zealand's own ongoing gun control efforts the night before, Ardern spent much of the second full day of her US trade in Washington DC meeting with Senators and members of Congress. The morning kicked off a series of face-to-face meetings with six politicians, and in the afternoon a bipartisan senate leadership meeting with another eight. While they may otherwise have been largely focused on geo-politics and trade, much of the attention was on the [...]
Aussie power bills to soar from July 1 as regulator lifts prices
Aussie households are set to be hit by a surge in the cost of their power bills from July after the nation's energy regulator raised benchmark prices for retailers. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today said it was raising default market offer (DMO) price caps, which is essentially the maximum retailers can charge households and businesses on default offers. As a result, default offers will increase by more than $220 per year in New South Wales, more than $160 in Queensland and more than $120 in South Australia. Aussie power bills are set to rise by as much as $200 when the DMO takes effect on July 1. (AAP) The AER said the rise in the DMO was necessary given that wholesale costs for retailers have risen substantially as [...]
Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand ‘ready to respond’ to Pacific’s security needs as China seeks deal in region
Prime minister says ‘the Pacific is our home’ as Beijing plans a regional security pact with almost a dozen island nations New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern says she believes the Pacific could meet its security needs internally, implying it should do so without Chinese intervention from China. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand is “ready to respond” to security needs in the Pacific, after it emerged China is planning a Pacific-wide security deal with almost a dozen island nations. The prime minister, who is touring the US, said she believed the Pacific could meet its security needs internally, implying it should do so without intervention from China or elsewhere. “On anything related to security arrangements, we are very strongly of the view that we have [...]
7591 new Covid cases on Thursday, 16 deaths reported
There are 7591 new Covid-19 cases in the community, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday. Rapid antigen test. (Source: istock.com) The numbers were reported over the past 24 hours. Sixteen more deaths of people with Covid-19 have been reported, bringing New Zealand’s total number of Covid-related deaths to 1102. The seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is now at 12. The ministry says seven of the reported deaths were from the Auckland region, three from both Canterbury and the Wellington region, and one each of Lakes, Bay of Plenty, and the Southern region. "Out of respect, we will be making no further comment on these deaths," it said. Two people were in their 60s, two were in their 70s, eight were in their 80s, and four were [...]
‘Huge day’ as Australia flights return to Queenstown
Queenstown is ready to roll out the welcome mat after 330 days without a scheduled international flight. Queenstown Bay, Lake Whakatipu, with NZL14 in the background (Source: istock.com) Monday afternoon's Qantas flight from Sydney marks the return of direct trans-Tasman travel to the resort town. It is a big morale boost for businesses before skiers start hitting the slopes next month. When Glen Sowry took on the top job at Queenstown Airport last year, the country was still in lockdown. "Walking around the terminal was like something out of a western with tumbleweed blowing down the street. No passengers, no planes, so it was all a little surreal. "But it's steadily built back from there." The return of Australians would be a massive shot in the arm [...]
PM’s US trip: Trade and Ukraine war on the agenda if Biden meeting goes ahead – Jacinda Ardern
The prime minister says there is goodwill on both sides to make a White House visit happen while she's in the United States. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves on a trade mission to the States tonight, but a meeting with President Joe Biden is yet to be confirmed. Ardern is back at the Beehive after a week at home with Covid-19. She told Morning Report a visit to the White House hasn't been confirmed because complex protocols around Covid clearance need to be met. "I think it's fair to say I'm probably the only leader that I know of who has probably gone into the States with a Covid infection in such close proximity so it just means there's just a few extra [...]
Busy day for Bongbong as 4 envoys slated to make joint courtesy call
PHILIPPINES— It will be a busy Monday for presumptive president Bongbong Marcos as he is expected to receive four diplomats from four important trade partner-nations of the Philippines in a joint courtesy call. Presumptive president Bongbong Marcos (Facebook) The courtesy call, to be held at the BBM headquarters in Mandaluyong city from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. will carried out by the following: Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, South Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul, Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran, and United States (US) Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava. A media advisory sent by the Marcos camp to reporters on Sunday night bared that the courtesy call to the incoming president would be “closed door”, meaning there will no media practitioners allowed inside. However, the reporters were promised to have access for interviews from [...]
Inflation will become ‘very serious problem’ for the world if measures are not taken: PM Lee
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during an interview in Washington on May 13, 2022. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information) SINGAPORE— Inflation will become a very serious problem for the world if measures are not taken to address it, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in an interview with Nikkei Asia on Friday (May 20). Highlighting the challenges of tackling inflation, Mr Lee said: “The difficulty is that now that inflation is quite high, you need quite drastic measures in order to bring it back down and prevent inflationary expectations from taking root. “It is very difficult to do that and have a soft landing. There is a considerable risk of doing what you need to do but as a result provoking a recession.” He added: “It has [...]
China makes 10 billion yuan available to subsidise grain growers
FILE PHOTO: A farmer plants seeds in a corn field at a farm in Gaocheng, Hebei province, China, September 30, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo BEIJING— China's central government has made available 10 billion yuan (US$1.49 billion) for "one-off" subsidies to support individuals and companies involved in grain cultivation and production, according to a statement published on Sunday (May 22) by the country's Ministry of Finance. The subsidies aim to support grain growers during the summer and autumn harvest and sowing period, to alleviate any impact of rising costs and to "further mobilise farmers' enthusiasm" for cultivating grain, the statement said. The announcement comes at a time when China's farmers are grappling with high fertiliser prices, which have soared globally since last year. The upcoming wheat harvest in China will [...]
Falun Gong protester who used fake visa granted refugee status
New Zealand has halted the deportation of a Falun Gong follower who entered on fake papers, granting her refugee status on the grounds she could face serious harm if returned to China. The Chinese woman and her "husband" landed at Auckland International Airport in November 2019 , clearing customs with visas applied for using false marriage and work papers. She had never met the man who posed as her husband until the travel agent brought them together at the airport, according to the summary of facts in the recently released tribunal decision dated 30 March 2022. She never saw him again after that. The single, divorced mother in her early 40s had paid an agent some RMB 70,000 (about NZ $14,000) to get her New Zealand visa, money borrowed [...]
Australia election: Anthony Albanese leads Labor to Australian election victory
GETTY IMAGES From social housing, to the country's highest office: Anthony Albanese has claimed election victory Anthony Albanese is set to become Australia's next prime minister after leading the Labor Party to its first election victory in almost a decade. One of the country's longest-serving politicians, he promised voters "safe change" as he worked to kick out the conservative Liberal-National coalition which has been in power since 2013. Where ousted Prime Minister Scott Morrison is a self-described "bulldozer", Mr Albanese vows to be a "builder". After the pandemic, which saw Australian states cut off from each other and cities splintered by strict lockdowns, fostering unity is a top priority for the new leader. "I want to bring Australians together. I want to seek our common purpose and promote unity [...]
Australia’s incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese delivers victory speech
Australia's Labor leader Anthony Albanese will be sworn in tomorrow as the new prime minister after incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat after yesterday's election. Anthony Albanese (centre), accompanied by his partner Jodie Haydon and son Nathan Albanese, at a reception in Sydney after winning the general election. Photo: AFP / Wendell Teodoro The Labor Party is set to end almost a decade of conservative rule as the government was swept away in the election by a wave of support for candidates who campaigned for more action on climate change and may hold the balance of power. Partial results showed that while Labor had made small gains, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal-National coalition had been punished by voters in Western Australia and affluent urban seats in particular. [...]
Covid-19 update: Ten more deaths, 4990 new community cases in NZ today
The number of new community cases has dropped below the 5000 mark today, but the seven-day rolling average is still up on last week. Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said while there were 4990 new community cases today, the seven day rolling average has risen from 7608 a week ago to 7863 today. There were also 10 new deaths reported, including two people in their 70s, six in their 80s and two aged over 90. Nine were men and one was a woman. Ttwo were from the Auckland region; two from Waikato; one from Lakes; one from MidCentral; three from Canterbury; and one from Southern. There are 379 people in hospital with the coronavirus, down from 400 yesterday, with nine in ICU. There were 6635 [...]
Special Ukraine visa: Jump in the number of people seeking refuge in NZ
More than 150 Ukrainians have now arrived in New Zealand on a special visa aimed at supporting international humanitarian efforts. Ukraine refugees arriving in Krakow, Poland on March 6, 2022 Photo: AFP Immigration New Zealand numbers show so far 666 visas have been approved and 157 visa holders have arrived in New Zealand under the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa Category. These figures were a jump from those provided a month prior which showed approval for 463 visas and 92 Ukrainians touching down in New Zealand. No applications had been declined. In March, Immigration Minister Faafoi called this the largest special visa category ever established by New Zealand. The visa however has been criticised for its tight criteria. Only family members of Ukrainians who are already living in New Zealand [...]
Covid-19 update: Five more deaths, 9091 new community cases reported in NZ
There are 9091 new community cases of Covid-19 and five further deaths being reported today. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 411 people with the virus were in hospital, with 12 in ICU. A Flourish data visualization Of the deaths being reported today, one was in their 70s and four were in their 80s. One was from the Wellington region; one from Bay of Plenty and three from Southern. The number of people with Covid-19 who have died in New Zealand is now 1022. Today's new community cases were reported in Northland (260), Auckland (3,233), Waikato (696), Bay of Plenty (291), Lakes (175), Hawke's Bay (303), MidCentral (281), Whanganui (124), Taranaki (265), Tairāwhiti (82), Wairarapa (83), Capital and Coast (595), Hutt Valley (250), Nelson Marlborough [...]
NZ Budget 2022 at a glance: What you need to know
There's a lot of spending flying around in Budget 2022 - here are the main expenses in an easy-to-read list. Finance Minister Grant Robertson Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Cost of living: $1b package $814m for a $350 per person cost-of-living payment for individuals earning under $70k, equating to $27 a week per person over three months from 1 August for about 2.1m people, Funding to continue half-price public transport fares for further two months, plus ongoing concession for Community Services cardholders, $235m to continue fuel excise and road user charge reductions for a further two months $73m for 26,500 more insulation and heating retrofits for low-income homeowners Urgent supermarket legislation to ban covenants over land as a barrier to supermarkets accessing new sites and restricting competition Child support [...]
Budget 2022: Pressure on Roberston amid skyrocketing prices and spending commitments
Power Play - It's time for the Budget - one of the hardest Finance Minister Grant Robertson has had to put together. Finance Minister Grant Robertson with the Wellbeing Budget 2022 Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Sandwiched between the expectations of New Zealanders looking on with disbelief at skyrocketing prices and Labour's big spending policy commitments, his challenge is to balance those short term pressures against longer term investment. The grinding effect of the pandemic is taking its toll on the New Zealand economy, hitting households and businesses hard. Workforce availability, shutdowns in China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are causing even more chaos. While unemployment is at record lows, that makes skills shortages more severe and any upward pressure on wage rates is quickly swallowed up by [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern on Covid-19 recovery: ‘I’ve lost all my taste’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shared the traditional pre-Budget breakfast with the Finance Minister - though socially distanced - and revealed she had lost her sense of taste. Jacinda Ardern has shared the traditional pre-Budget breakfast with the Finance Minister via Instagram. Photo: Screenshot / Instagram Each year on Budget morning the prime minister gifts Grant Robertson a tie and the pair have a cheese roll breakfast before the day kicks off. This time it was via Instagram as Ardern continues in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 on Saturday "I wasn't going to let Covid get in the way of this tradition," she said on Instagram. Cheese rolls had been delivered to her house, but Ardern said she had forgotten they were in the oven and they [...]
Human rights and dollar costs: Immigration reviews health rules
Health requirements for new residents are under the microscope as Immigration New Zealand examines how much certain conditions cost to treat, and as the government is asked to repeal laws which bar human rights complaints related to immigration. Photo: 123RF More than 1500 people have had their temporary or permanent visa refused in the last five years because they were likely to impose significant costs or demands on health services. Aisling Smyth is from Northern Ireland and works as an accounts administration manager in Queenstown. "I've got mild relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis and I've had it for about nine years now," she said. "But otherwise, fit and healthy and it's well-managed. It doesn't define me really but when it came to setting down roots and keeping ties here in [...]
US midterm elections 2022 Republican ‘big lie’ supporters triumph in sign of Trump’s enduring power
Hard-right candidates who challenged 2020 result win string of primary victories on a good night too for progressive Democrats Doug Mastriano, who won the primary contest for governor in Pennsylvania. Mastriano was a key figure in the efforts to overturn the election in his state. Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP Republican candidates who questioned, denied and challenged the results of the 2020 presidential election won a string of consequential primaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina this week, a testament to the enduring power of Donald Trump’s voter fraud myth, which continues to animate the hard-right movement he started. In a campaign season dominated by angst over the economy and frustration with leadership in Washington, several hard-right candidates successfully channeled conservative grassroots momentum, and are now in striking distance of positions that [...]
Jacinda Ardern says Covid’s taken her sense of taste
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Covid-19 has taken her sense of taste. Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson on an Instagram live (Source: Supplied) Speaking with Grant Robertson on an Instagram live ahead of Thursday afternoon's Budget, the pair discussed their respective efforts at making cheese rolls, a tradition between the pair. While Roberton's looked exceptional, Ardern admitted a meeting had got in the way of a proper effort and hers looked a "bit beige". "They will taste just as good," she said. "But you know what, I'm not going to know, because I've lost all my taste." "I hope that comes back for you soon," Robertson quipped. The PM's been isolating since her partner Clarke Gayford and then herself and daughter Neve caught the virus. She won't be at [...]
PSC: PH on track to meet goal of at least finishing 3rd in Vietnam SEA Games
Metro Manila, Philippines– Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez expressed optimism that Filipino athletes will meet their goal of at least finishing in third spot in the overall medal tally of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. “We are halfway through the Games, and we are in the top three of the medal standings. We are well within our target of finishing at least third overall. We just have to maintain our performance until the end,” Fernandez, Team Philippines chef de mission to the games, said on Tuesday. After four days of competition, Team Philippines collected 30 gold, 34 silver, and 44 bronze medals for a total of 108 medals. The country is currently in third place in the overall medal tally, six gold medals behind second [...]
Pollution behind 1 in 6 global deaths in 2019: Study
Burning oil, gas and coal for energy is responsible for the lion's share of CO2 pollution. (Photo: AFP/Ina Fassbender) PARIS— Pollution caused about 9 million people to die prematurely in 2019, according to a new global report published on Wednesday (May 18), with experts raising alarm over increasing deaths from breathing outside air and the "horrifying" toll of lead poisoning. Human-created waste in the air, water and soil rarely kills people immediately, but causes instead heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, diarrhoea and other serious illnesses. The Lancet Commission on pollution and health said the impact from pollution on global health remains "much greater than that of war, terrorism, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, drugs and alcohol". Pollution is an "existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardises the sustainability [...]
Pandemic delays held up 150,000 court appearances
Lockdowns and other Covid-19 restrictions have caused almost 150,000 court appearances to be delayed during the pandemic, often forcing victims to put their lives on hold while they await justice. A Wellington court room. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski Court officials now face a daunting task to clear the backlog, and said they have adapted to allow more hearings to go ahead as the pandemic grinds on. That's little comfort to Auckland woman Rosie Veldkamp. The man who raped her was supposed to be sentenced in September last year. It was rescheduled to October, November, January and March before finally happening in April, after delays mostly caused by Covid-19. "It was super hard," Veldkamp said of the delays, each one falling after she'd told herself her court ordeal was [...]
Russia expels two Finnish embassy staff
A photo of a woman walking past the embassy of Finland in Moscow. Russia on March 29, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Vasily Maximov) MOSCOW— Moscow said on Tuesday (May 17) that two employees of Finland's embassy in Russia will have to leave the country in response to a similar move by Helsinki. The foreign ministry said in a statement that it summoned Finland's ambassador to Moscow and expressed its "strong protest" against the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from neighbouring Finland in April. It also accused Finland of taking a "confrontational course" towards Russia, supplying weapons to Ukraine and "covering up the crimes of Ukrainian nationalists" against civilians. "The Russian side made a decision on the unacceptability of the further stay in the Russian Federation of two staff members of Finland's [...]
Indonesia lifts COVID-19 test requirement for vaccinated inbound travellers
Passengers queue as they arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Indonesia plans to lift the COVID-19 testing requirement for travellers arriving from overseas. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) JAKARTA— Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on Tuesday (May 17) that the country will no longer require vaccinated travellers from overseas to present a negative COVID-19 test upon entering the country. “Domestic and international travellers who are fully vaccinated no longer need to take PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or antigen swab tests,” he announced on the presidential palace’s YouTube channel. Indonesia lifted the test requirement for fully vaccinated domestic travellers in March but currently still requires those arriving from overseas to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Speaking at a separate press conference, spokesman for Indonesia's [...]
Taxpayer money to help corporates cut emissions ‘doesn’t feel right’ – National
Multi-nationals such as Heineken could get a taxpayer handout to help them reduce their emissions, National leader Christopher Luxon says. Christopher Luxon speaking to media at Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Support for the "squeezed middle" is what the National Party wants to see in this week's Budget. The National Party has said it will support the first three emission budgets, which set caps for New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions for the next 15 years. But it wants to see some urgent assistance for middle New Zealand too. An early example of this has been its opposition to what it describes as the "corporate welfare" involved in using tax dollars to subsidise businesses as they cut carbon. The government is spending $650 million over four years, as part [...]
9843 new Covid cases on Tuesday, 8 deaths reported
There are 9843 new Covid-19 cases in the community, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday. A man receiving a Covid-19 test. (Source: istock.com) The numbers were reported over the past 24 hours. There have been 8 more deaths of people with Covid-19, bringing New Zealand’s Covid death toll to 986. Of the 8 deaths, one person was in their 60s, four people were in their 70s, and three were aged over 90. Four were women and four were men. Nationwide, there are 421 people in hospital with Covid-19 and, of those, 10 people are in ICU or in a high dependency unit. That’s 6 more people in hospital with the virus than on Monday, when 415 hospitalisations were reported. Tuesday's positive cases, detected through rapid antigen tests [...]
IMF lifts weighting of dollar, Chinese yuan in SDR basket
FILE PHOTO: Chinese Yuan and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken February 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo BEIJING— The International Monetary Fund said on Saturday it has increased the weighting of the dollar and Chinese yuan in its review of the currencies that make up the valuation of its Special Drawing Rights (SDR), an international reserve asset. The review is the first since the yuan, also known as the renminbi, joined the basket of currencies in 2016 in what was a milestone in Beijing's efforts to internationalise its currency. The IMF raised the U.S. currency's weighting to 43.38 per cent from 41.73 per cent and the yuan to 12.28 per cent from 10.92 per cent. The euro's weighting declined to 29.31 per cent from 30.93 per [...]
Covid-19 update: 15 more deaths, 5745 new community cases reported in NZ
Fifteen more deaths of people with Covid-19 have been reported today, with another 5745 new community cases also recorded. Photo: FRANK HOERMANN / SVEN SIMON The seven day rolling average of new cases is 7608 today, up from 7510 last Sunday. The Ministry of Health said there were 384 people with Covid-19 in hospital, down from 398 yesterday, with eight in ICU. Two of the 15 people whose deaths were reported today were in their 50s, one in their 70s, nine in their 80s and three were aged over 90. Seven were women and eight were men. Three people were from the Auckland region; two were from Waikato, one was from Taranaki, two were from the Wellington region, four were from Canterbury and three from Southern. The number of [...]
G7 to continue economic pressure on Russia, tackle ‘wheat war’
The Group of Seven foreign ministers vowed on Saturday to reinforce Russia's economic and political isolation, continue supplying weapons to Ukraine and tackle what Germany's foreign minister described as a "wheat war" being waged by Moscow. Russian soldiers guard the Azovstal plant in Mariupol in Ukraine. Photo: AFP After meeting in the Baltic Sea resort of Weissenhaus, senior diplomats from Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union also pledged to continue their military and defence assistance for "as long as necessary". They would also tackle what they called Russian misinformation aimed at blaming the West for food supply issues around the world due to economic sanctions on Moscow and urged China not to assist Moscow or justify Russia's war, according to [...]
Harris tells ASEAN leaders US committed ‘for generations’
US Vice President Kamala Harris (center) welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to a lunch at the State Department (Photo: AFP/OLIVIER DOULIERY) WASHINGTON— Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday (May 13) that the United States was committed to Southeast Asia for the long haul as the region's leaders held a first summit in Washington. "Our administration recognises the vital strategic importance of your region, a role that will only grow with time," Harris told leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over a working lunch at the State Department. "As an Indo-Pacific nation, the United States will be present and continue to be engaged in Southeast Asia for generations to come," she said. President Joe Biden will address the leaders later Friday after inviting them Thursday night to the White [...]
Australia Elections: How is the Australian government elected?
The Australian Parliament is made up of two houses - the House of Representatives and the Senate. In order to win government in its own right, a party needs to hold the majority of seats in the House of Reps, which is the lower house. There are 151 elected members, one representing each of Australia's electorates. So the magic number is 76. You need to get to the magical number of 76 in the House of Representatives to get across the finishing line. (Nine/Tara Blancato) The Australian Federal Election process A federal election is held about every three years. This year, the federal election will take place on May 21. It's compulsory for Australians aged 18 and over to vote and you need to be enrolled to do so. [...]
China responds to claim they sent a spy ship to Australia
A Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to the Australian defence minister's claim a Chinese surveillance ship has been travelling along the Western Australia coast on an intelligence-gathering mission, saying Beijing "always abides by international law". Photo: 123RF Australian Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the ship had been tracked along the coastline for the past week and was sighted on Friday morning heading north, about 250 nautical miles from Broome in Western Australia. Asked about the ship, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said he had no information about the specific situation, but "China always abides by international law and international practice". "The relevant Australian politician should see the relevant situation objectively and calmly, and not make sensational remarks," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. Dutton had said [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tests positive for Covid-19
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that she has tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Her daughter Neve tested positive on Wednesday, she added in the post. Her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive on Sunday. "Despite best efforts, unfortunately I've joined the rest of my family and tested positive for Covid-19," Ardern wrote on social media. Ardern has been symptomatic since Friday night, according to a statement, and has "moderate" symptoms. She returned a weak positive Friday night and a clear positive this morning on a RAT test. Ardern will be required to isolate until the morning of Saturday 21 May. Ardern, who has been isolating since Gayford tested positive, will now have to miss the Budget announcement on Thursday and the release of the government's [...]
Biden, Xi congratulate Marcos, hopeful for stronger ties
Metro Manila, Philippines— The leaders of two powerhouse nations have recognized the electoral victory of the Philippines’ presidential race apparent winner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ahead of official proclamation. United States President Joe Biden personally called Marcos on Thursday to congratulate him on his election, the White House said. Biden is also anticipating improved ties and cooperation on different issues, including human rights, it added. "President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights," the White House statement read. Marcos, for his part, invited Biden to his inauguration. “I have also invited [...]
Updated vaccine pass to be rolled out – Hipkins
An optional updated vaccine pass will include booster information, and will be available to people who have had Covid-19 in the past three months. Photo: 2021 Getty Images Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced the move this morning, saying the updated passes would be available to download in under two weeks' time - from 24 May. People who had reported a positive rapid antigen test in the past three months would also be able to request a pass from 31 May. Hipkins said while the passes were no longer legal requirements for access, some businesses could choose to continue using it as a condition of entry, and encouraged people to get their up-to-date passes as a record of their vaccination status. "We've learnt over the last couple of years [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 29 deaths, 7441 new cases in New Zealand
There have been 7441 new community cases of Covid-19 and another 29 further deaths reported today, including five people aged under 40. Photo: AFP There are 398 people in hospital, with six in ICU. The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 7548, almost unchanged from last Friday's 7555. The 29 deaths of people with Covid-19 reported today include 14 people who have died in the past two days, with the rest dying between 24 March and 7 May. Two people were in their 20s, three in their thirties, three in their fifties, four in their sixties, six in their seventies, three in their eighties and eight over the age of 90. Fourteen were women and 15 were men. Six were from Auckland; one from Waikato, one [...]
Major reforms to NZ immigration settings announced
The Government has announced major reforms to New Zealand immigration settings to "increase the available pool of labour, while also speeding up our tourism recovery", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday. A work visa application form - stock image. (Source: istock.com) She says a streamlined Accredited Employer Work Visa system will be running from July 4, so employers will not need to provide as much information, with changes to speed up the process. On top of those changes, a medium wage threshold will be brought in for most Accredited Employer Work Visas and for Foreign Fishing Crew Visas at $27.76. There will be exemptions for sectors including tourism and hospitality, with a threshold of $25 per hour until April next year. Construction and infrastructure; meat processing; seafood; and [...]
China’s zero-Covid policy is not sustainable, WHO director general says
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for shift in approach as scores of Chinese cities remain in strictly enforced lockdown A medical worker collects a Covid swab sample from a Beijing resident on Tuesday. Photograph: VCG/Getty Images The head of the World Health Organization has voiced concerns over China’s effort to eliminate the Covid virus, in a rare rebuke to Xi Jinping’s pledge to achieve “dynamic zero-Covid”. The WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told a media briefing on Tuesday that his organisation does not think China’s Covid policy is “sustainable considering the behaviour of the virus”. “We have discussed about this issue with Chinese experts and we indicated that the approach will not be sustainable … I think a shift would be very important,” he said. Mike Ryan, [...]
New Zealand border reopening fully from end of July
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the border will fully reopen from the end of July, including for cruise ships and international students. Jacinda Ardern Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver It comes with a range of other immigration announcements, including sector-specific agreements to support a shift away from low-skilled migrant labour, and a new 'Green list' of 85 hard-to-fill high-skill roles that provides a priority pathway to residency. Visas for some 20,000 migrants already in the country are also being extended, and there will be new restrictions on students being able to work. Ardern, who is isolating with her partner at home, has announced the move virtually at a Business NZ lunch in Auckland this afternoon, with Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi and Minister of Education Chris Hipkins at [...]
Luxon on National-ACT alliance, budget, abortion
National Party leader Christopher Luxon won't be drawn on how he might work with the ACT party and its leader David Seymour if his party wins next year's election. National leader Christopher Luxon, left, and ACT leader David Seymour. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Luxon confirmed yesterday his deputy, Nicola Willis, will be finance minister if his party wins the election, and ruled out Seymour taking the role. But Seymour said yesterday that was a premature move. "It's a promise that he can't actually keep because he doesn't even know what the election results are," he said. Speaking to Morning Report, Luxon said it was "very premature" to talk about partnership arrangements, and he would not play the "rule in, rule out game" regarding Seymour as finance minister. "All [...]
Sri Lanka’s PM resigns after weeks of protests over economic crisis
Police are imposing nationwide curfew following violence at protest site in Colombo Demonstrators and government supporters clash outside in Colombo on Monday. Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images Sri Lanka’s prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned after months of protests over the country’s deepening economic crisis, as once-peaceful protests turned violent and at least five people were killed in clashes. Turmoil began to engulf the country on Monday following violence at a major protest site in Colombo, where pro-government supporters attacked demonstrators and police responded with teargas and water cannon. Anti-government protestors, who had been largely peaceful, began retaliating across the country. Houses and vehicles of several pro-Rajapaksa politicians and the residence of Mahinda Rajapaksa were set on fire. A nationwide curfew was imposed but five were killed and almost [...]
Philippine Elections: Marcos Jr., Sara Duterte lead partial, unofficial count in Eleksyon 2022
Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are leading the presidential and vice presidential race, according to the partial and unofficial count of votes from 95.17% of the nationwide election returns as shown in the Comelec Transparency Server. As of 6:02 a.m., Marcos had 30,303,899 votes. The other presidential candidates and the number of their votes are as follows: Vice President Leni Robredo 14,431,591 Senator Manny Pacquiao 3,463,654 Manila Mayor Isko Moreno 1,843,726 Senator Panfilo Lacson 865,831 Faisal Mangondato 233,161 Ernesto Abella 109,136 Leody De Guzman 89,355 Norberto Gonzales 85,782 Jose Montemayor 58,065 Duterte had 30,629,541 votes. The other vice presidential candidates and the number of their votes are as follows: Senator Francis Pangilinan 8,993,072 Senator Vicente Sotto III 8,027,121 Dr. Willie Ong 1,807,130 Buhay party-list [...]
Consumer NZ launches petition to combat high grocery prices
Action against high prices at the checkout is being taken by Consumer NZ. The organisation launched a petition last night with a plan to deliver it to David Clark, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The petition will call on the minister to go beyond the Commerce Commission's recommendations in it's report on the grocery sector in order to bring about stronger competition. According to the Commerce Commission report the two big supermarket operators, Foodstuffs and Woolworths, are making over $1 million of excess profit every single day. Both operators refute this point, saying their profits are not excessive and point out that the report also said profit margins were in line with other global retailers. They say the largest component of shelf prices go to suppliers, and that [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern returns negative Covid-19 test result
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has returned a negative rapid antigen Covid-19 test result. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pictured last month (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Ardern is isolating in Wellington this week after partner Clarke Gayford tested positive at the weekend. Yesterday Ardern told RNZ the family was doing fine. "We're having the same experience that many New Zealanders have had over the course of the past three months ... so juggling a few things, but doing just fine," she said. "He's okay, he's definitely crook, but he's doing okay. So far I'm fine, so we'll see how we go - as long as we stagger it so we can keep parenting we should be okay." A rapid antigen test returned a negative result this morning. [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 12 deaths, 6745 new community cases, 339 people in hospital
There have been 12 further deaths and another 6745 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today. Photo: 123rf.com The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 7512 today, up from 7415 last week. In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 339 people with Covid-19 in hospital, down from 363 yesterday, with 15 people in intensive care. There has now been a total of 857 deaths of people with Covid-19 in New Zealand. The 12 reported today include three people were from Auckland; two from Waikato; one from MidCentral; two from the Greater Wellington region; three from Canterbury and one from Southern. One person was in their 40s; one in their 60s; two in their 70s; four in their 80s and four were aged over 90. [...]
Covid-19 led to 15 million deaths globally, not the 5m reported – World Health Organisation
Almost three times as many people have died as a result of Covid-19 as official data shows, according to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report, the most comprehensive look at the true global toll of the pandemic so far. The Indian government said in a statement that WHO had released the report "without adequately addressing India's concerns" over what it called "questionable" methods. Photo: AFP There were 14.9 million excess deaths associated with Covid-19 by the end of 2021, the UN body said on Thursday. The official count of deaths directly attributable to Covid-19 and reported to WHO in that period, from January 2020 to the end of December 2021, is slightly more than 5.4m. The WHO's excess mortality figures reflect people who died of Covid-19 as [...]
US spies reportedly helped Ukraine sink Russia’s flagship
New reports suggest the US helped Ukraine take down the largest Russian warship to sink in combat since World War Two. US spies helped sink Russia’s flagship by revealing the ship’s radar was down as Ukraine distracted the sailors with a drone, it is reported. Moskva – the largest Russian warship to sink in combat since World War Two – plunged to the bottom of the Black Sea on April 14 after being hit by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles, The Sun reports. The Russian ministry of defence said explosions ripped through the ammunition stores on April 13 triggering a major blaze before it sunk the next day. Moskva had played a deadly role in the war by bombarding towns and cities in Ukraine from positions at sea. Russia’s [...]
Eighteen dead after huge blast rocks Havana hotel
At least 18 people have died and more than 60 have been hospitalised after a massive explosion rocked one of Cuba's most exclusive five-star hotels. A rescuer walks past some of the wreckage caused after the explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana. Photo: AFP The blast at the Saratoga Hotel in Old Havana on Friday appears to have been caused by a gas leak, according to local officials. The historic five-storey building was set for a post-pandemic reopening in four days. It now lies in ruins, with much of its outer wall torn off. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate people trapped under the debris. The Cuban presidency said the dead included a pregnant woman and a child. The injured are being treated at [...]
NZ Covid-19: ‘We could continue to see 10-15 deaths per day for months’ – Baker
Covid-19 hospitalisations have fallen for two consecutive days and the average number of new cases has been relatively stable for two weeks, but epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker says infection rates around the country will continue to go up and down. Photo: 123RF Professor Baker told RNZ it was unlikely there will ever be a stable rate with a virus of this kind. "Almost one in a thousand people getting this infection are dying from it. So that is obviously going to be really tough. If we level out at maybe 15,000, and that's not counting all of them, then we will continue to see 10-15 deaths per day for months," he said. It all comes down to the different factors driving transmission. Baker expects numbers to continue to creep [...]
Sri Lanka president declares state of emergency amid unrest
A demonstrator helps another as police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse students demanding the resignation of Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country's crippling economic crisis, near parliament in Colombo on May 6, 2022 (Photo: AFP/ISHARA S. KODIKARA) COLOMBO— Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (May 6) declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks, giving security forces sweeping powers as a nationwide strike demanding his resignationbrought the country to standstill. A spokesman for the president said he invoked the tough laws to "ensure public order" after shops closed and public transport was halted Friday by unions blaming him for the unprecedented economic crisis, which has ignited weeks of unrest. Earlier Friday, police used tear gas and water cannon to [...]
Facebook accused of deliberately disrupting Australia emergency services
GETTY IMAGES/ Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg reportedly called the result "the best possible outcome in Australia" Facebook deliberately used an over-zealous blocking system that took down the pages of Australian emergency services last year as a negotiating tactic, whistleblowers claim. The social network moved to block all news outlets in Australia over a row about paying news providers. But fire services and state health services were also blocked, during fire season and Australia's vaccine rollout. Facebook says blocking other pages had been an honest mistake. Former employees, backed by the Whistleblower Aid charity, say the company intentionally "over-blocked" Australian pages at a critical time to gain leverage over the Australian government. "It was clear this was not us complying with the law, but a hit on civic institutions and [...]
China builds permanent COVID-19 testing stations for life after lockdown
People line up to get tested at a mobile nucleic acid testing site, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Beijing, China May 6, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins SHANGHAI— China is setting up thousands of permanent PCR testing stations, with 9,000 already completed in Shanghai alone, as authorities seek to "normalise" tough pandemic controls even after the current round of lockdowns end. At present, nearly 25 million residents in the eastern financial hub of Shanghai remain under some form of lockdown as the city battles China's biggest-ever coronavirus outbreak. But in a bid to head off future flare-ups, municipal authorities have been setting up a system that will make regular COVID-19 testing a permanent feature of everyday life, with other cities taking similar steps. Of Shanghai's 9,000 testing sites, [...]
#TheFilipinoVotes: Dos and don’ts on Election Day amid COVID-19 pandemic
Metro Manila, Philippines— Around 65.8 million voters, including 6.9 million newly registered ones, are expected to cast their ballots this May 9. CNN Philippines lists what the voting public should keep in mind on Election Day. General reminders Polling precincts will open at 6 a.m. and will accommodate voters until 7 p.m. Should there still be voters in line by 7 p.m., they will all be accommodated as long as their distance from the precinct is within 30 meters. The Commission on Elections says bringing a valid ID is not required but still encouraged, especially to address any possible issues concerning your identity or appearance in the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List (EDCVL). After signing the EDCVL, the voter will receive their ballot which they must inspect for any [...]
New Zealand foreign minister blames ‘relationship failure’ for China-Solomons security deal
Nanaia Mahuta confirms ‘unwelcome and unnecessary’ deal came as a surprise to New Zealand and Australia, saying the Solomons must provide transparency New Zealand foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta has said shock at the China-Solomons security deal shows Australia and New Zealand have suffered a relationship failure with leadership in Honiara. Photograph: Reuters The shock over China’s security deal with Solomon Islands is evidence of “a relationship failure” , New Zealand’s foreign affairs minister has said, confirming that the pact took New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific nations completely by surprise. The deal marks Beijing’s first known bilateral security agreement in the Pacific. The text of the final deal is secret, but a draft leaked on social media in March granted Chinese military and police significant access to the [...]
Warmer winter set to follow wider NZ region’s third-hottest summer
Climate scientist's expanded record reveals how unusually warm NZ's summer was. Unusually balmy sea conditions predicted to delay our winter by a month follow one of the wider New Zealand region's warmest seasons on record, a climate scientist says. Niwa is forecasting another winter of unusually warmer temperatures – they're predicted to be above-average in the north and either near or above average in most of the south – as a lingering La Niña climate system continues to influence our weather. As well, coastal waters were running abnormally hot – sea temperatures ranged as high as 2.7C above average over April – which in turn were driving up the mercury on land. "Relatively speaking, we're surrounded by this boiling pot of water – so it's pretty tough to cool [...]
Sweden says it received US security assurances if it hands in NATO application
Swedish and NATO flags are seen printed on paper this illustration taken on Apr 13, 2022. (Photo :REUTERS/Dado Ruvic) STOCKHOLM— Sweden has received assurances from the United States that it would receive support during the period a potential application to join NATO is processed by the 30 nations in the alliance, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said in Washington on Wednesday (May 4). Sweden and neighbour Finland stayed out of NATO during the Cold War, but Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its invasion of Ukraine have led the countries to rethink their security policies, with NATO membership looking increasingly likely. Both countries are concerned they would be vulnerable during an application process, which could take up to a year to be approved by all NATO's members. "Naturally, I'm [...]
Biden to talk with G7 leaders this week about further sanctions on Russia
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on economic growth, jobs, and deficit reduction in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, on May 4, 2022. (Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) WASHINGTON— US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he would speak with other leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies this week about potential additional sanctions against Russia over its continuing and intensifying war in Ukraine. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States was in constant discussions with its partners about further sanctions and could take "additional actions" to pressure Moscow. At a Wall Street Journal conference, Yellen would not preview any specific actions under consideration, but stressed that further measures were likely "if Russia continues this war against Ukraine". Biden told reporters, "We're always open to [...]
US makes biggest interest rate rise in 22 years
The US central bank has announced its biggest interest rate increase in more than two decades as it toughens its fight against fast rising prices. The US Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington. Photo: AFP The Federal Reserve said it was raising its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point, following a smaller increase in March. With US inflation at a four-decade high, further hikes are expected. The push marks the latest effort to contain spiking costs being felt by households around the world. India's central bank on Wednesday announced a surprise increase to its benchmark rate, while Australia's central bank recently enacted its first interest rate hike in more than a decade. In the UK, Bank of England was also widely expected to raise rates on Thursday, which [...]
Eurozone growth slips as Russia-Ukraine war pushes up energy costs
France’s economy stalls and Italy’s shrinks but Germany rebounds from contraction France’s economy unexpectedly ground to a halt in the first three months of 2022. Photograph: Mohammed Badra/EPA Warning lights are flashing in the eurozone economy, with first-quarter growth in France stalling and shrinking in Italy, as Russia’s war in Ukrainedrives up energy costs across the continent. Figures from Eurostat, the EU’s statistics body, showed growth in GDP across the single currency area slipped to 0.2% in the first three months of 2022, down from 0.3% in the final quarter of 2021, when Omicron weighed on activity. City economists had forecast a growth rate of 0.3% for the 19 euro area countries, highlighting the economic risks from the war in Ukraine amid soaring wholesale oil and gas prices [...]
Covid-19 update: 9047 new community cases and a further 13 deaths reported in NZ
Thirteen more people have died with Covid-19 and there have been 9047 new community cases reported, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: AFP Today's seven-day rolling average of case numbers is 7705, down from 7935 last week. There are 484 people in hospital with the virus - with 15 in ICU. The 13 deaths reported today included people who had died over the previous nine days, apart from two deaths on 4 April. The Ministry of Health said 723 people with Covid-19 had now died in New Zealand. Two of today's deaths were from the Auckland region, three from Bay of Plenty, two from Waikato, one from Taranaki, one from MidCentral, one from Hawke's Bay, and three from Canterbury. Two were in their 50s, two in their 60s, one [...]
Government announces $1.4b funding to boost Auckland housing growth
The government has revealed plans to spend $1.4 billion into infrastructure in a bid to boost housing stock across five Auckland suburbs. Mt Roskill MP Michael Wood, Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Housing Minister Megan Woods at the announcement of $1.4b in funding to boost Auckland housing. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd The funding, which comes from the government's $3.8b Housing Acceleration Fund, will focus on infrastructure upgrades including sewage and stormwater systems, roading and flood protection measures to unlock more housing. Minister for Housing Dr Megan Woods said the funding would focus on 400 urban renewal projects in Mt Roskill, Māngere, Tāmaki, Oranga and Northcote. She said the work would allow for the replacement of old Kāinga Ora homes, 2000 additional ones, as well as 10,000 new affordable [...]
White supremacism biggest source of illegal content – DIA report
White identity-motivated extremism continues to be the leading driver of online content investigated and shut down by Internal Affairs (DIA). Internal Affairs Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson DIA today released its first annual report into online violent extremism content, covering 2021. The report is in part a result of the Christchurch Call - efforts by governments to eliminate such content online led by New Zealand and France after the 15 March attacks on Christchurch mosques in 2019 - and aims to produce a yearly snapshot of the volume of content investigated and removed. It shows white identity-motivated extremist ideology accounts for the largest portion of investigated content by far. Nearly three years after the mosque terror attack, the massacre livestream continued to be shared and promoted, particularly by [...]
No more COVID-19 tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering Malaysia, masks optional outdoors from May 1
Malaysia Airlines aircraft are seen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia on Apr 1, 2022. (Photo: AP/Vincent Thian) KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia announced that it will broadly lift COVID-19 restrictions beginning May 1, including the removal of a mask mandate while outdoors as well as dropping the need for fully vaccinated travellers to be tested for the coronavirus. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that wearing of masks is still required indoors, including in shopping malls and on public transportation. “The wearing of masks outdoors is optional, but is still encouraged,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday (Apr 27). The minister said that people are also encouraged to wear masks outdoors in crowded places such as at Ramadan bazaars, stadiums and night markets. Mr Khairy also announced [...]
Inflation shock, rate rise risk jolt Australia PM’s election campaign
FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media at Melbourne Commonwealth Parliament Office, in Melbourne, Australia February 11, 2022. Darrian Traynor/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SYDNEY— Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday (Apr 28) blamed the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions for a record rise in living costs which could jeopardise his chances of winning a national election to be held within weeks. Australian consumer prices surged at the fastest annual pace in two decades last quarter, data out on Wednesday showed, as petrol, home-building and food costs rose, fueling speculation interest rates could rise from record lows as soon as next week. "We are still feeling the effects of the rather extraordinary economic times that we are living in," Morrison said [...]
Kiwis paying more for rent as inflation rise bites
Kiwis are paying more for rent overall, despite a drop in demand, according to Trade Me’s March rental price index. File image. (Source: istock.com) The amount of rent tenants are paying has risen by roughly 7% in the past year to the end of March, and now sits at around $575 a week. Trade Me says the jump is in line with record-high inflation and will be hard for renters. “It’s not an easy time to be a renter as Kiwis are having to fork out significantly more for everyday items across the board, including housing costs,” says Trade Me property sales director, Gavin Lloyd. Not all parts of New Zealand have seen the same rate of rent rise in the past year. The largest growth in median [...]
2 electric ferries coming to Auckland by 2024
In two years' time, Aucklanders could be making their way across the harbour in one of two electric ferries, the Government announced on Tuesday. An artist’s impression of an electric ferry being developed by EV Maritime. (Source: EV Maritime) Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said the ferries promised quieter, greener and cleaner trips across the city's major inner and mid-harbour services. The carbon fibre ferries, developed by Auckland-based company EV Maritime, could reach a top speed similar to that of modern diesel ferries at 25 knots. It has a range of 40 kilometres and can carry 200 people each. "Today’s ferries contribute about 20% of Auckland’s public transport emissions," Woods said. "These electric ferries promise to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with each electric ferry displacing approximately 1000 [...]
Philippine Elections: Comelec said NZ ballot ‘deliberately edited’
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections said a photo of a ballot in New Zealand received by a voter was tampered to make it appear as though Vice President Leni Robredo's name was not included in the list of candidates running for president. "The Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) confirms that the photo showing an official ballot received by an overseas voter in New Zealand has been deliberately edited to make it appear that VP Robredo's name is missing from the list of presidential candiates," Comelec said in a statemnent Monday, The photo of the alleged ballot made it to social media over the weekend, and Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said it was likely "fake news." In Monday's statement, Comelec said the OFOV was working with [...]
Twitter board agrees to $44b takeover by Elon Musk
The board of Twitter has agreed to a US$44 billion takeover offer from billionaire Elon Musk. Musk has suggested a series of changes to Twitter from relaxing its content restrictions to eradicating fake accounts. Photo: AFP Musk, who made the shock bid less than two weeks ago, has claimed he is the right person to "unlock" the social media firm's "extraordinary potential". He also called for a series of changes from relaxing its content restrictions to eradicating fake accounts. The firm initially rebuffed Musk's bid, but it will now ask shareholders to vote to approve the deal. Musk is the world's richest man, according to Forbes magazine, with an estimated net worth of US$273.6b mostly due to his shareholding in electric vehicle maker Tesla which he runs. He [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 6380 community cases, 508 hospitalisations, four more deaths
Four more people have died with Covid-19 and there are 6380 new community cases in the country today, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf.com Meanwhile, there are 508 people in hospital and 16 of those are in ICU. The average age of those hospitalised is 61. In a statement, the ministry said "Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of four people with Covid-19. The deaths being reported today include people who have died over the previous two days. "These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 687 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 12. Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, two people were from Taranaki and two were from Canterbury. Two were in their 70s and [...]
Philippine Elections: Comelec sets protocols for repair, replacement of defective VCMs, SD cards
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has established technical hubs for replacing Secure Digital (SD) cards and vote counting machines (VCMs) that could encounter problems come May 9. In a resolution promulgated Apr. 20 but only released Friday, Comelec said there will be 82 hubs for the replacement of defective SD cards and eight sites for VCMs nationwide. Each technical hub will be directly supervised and controlled by the concerned regional election director, provincial election supervisor, or election officer depending on where it's situated. The designated poll official must keep an inventory of and safekeep defective cards, while the concerned Comelec field officer must account for the tally of defective machines. Personnel in charge of replacing SD cards with issues will solely come from the Department [...]
5662 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, 9 deaths
There are 5662 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand on Sunday, the Ministry of Health reports. A person getting tested for Covid-19. (Source: istock.com) Nine deaths of people with the virus were also announced, with the deaths stretching back over the past nine days. The deaths take the total number of publicly-reported deaths of people with Covid-19 to 674. The seven-day rolling average of these deaths is 13 - a drop of one from last Sunday's figure. Of the nine people, five people were over 90 years old. There was one each in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. "Delays to reporting can be associated with people dying with Covid-19, rather than from Covid-19, and Covid being discovered only after they have died," the ministry said. Across [...]
An exclusive look at NZ’s largest dam to be built in decades
The Waimea Dam at the top of the south is the largest public dam to be built in New Zealand in more than 20 years. While it's due to start filling with water later this year, it's behind schedule and way over budget. The dam is due to be filled with water later this year, but it's behind schedule and over budget. (Source: Q and A) 1News took a tour of the dam that hopes to eventually provide water security for the Tasman region for the next 100 years. It's about 75% complete with the large 50-metre high concrete face mostly in place. Over the next few months, the spillway and parapet will be the focus. Waimea Water is responsible for the project. CEO Mike Scott says it's [...]
Afghanistan: Taliban orders TikTok, PUBG ban for ‘misleading’ youths
GETTY IMAGES TikTok has been popular with young Afghan men who enjoy filming and sharing short video clips The Taliban has ordered a ban on video-sharing app TikTok and online multi-player game PUBG, insisting they were leading Afghan youths "astray". The militant group said it would also ban TV channels from airing what it deemed as "immoral material". It comes after recent bans on music, movies and television soap operas. The Taliban promised a softer approach to government when it took power last year, but has increasingly curtailed freedoms especially for women. The group was known for their severe version of Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in government between 1996 and 2001. Taliban spokesman Inamullah Samangani said that the latest ban was necessary to "prevent the [...]
Tourist boat missing off Japanese coast
EPA/ The Kazu 1 sightseeing vessel has capacity for 65 people (undated file image) A tourist boat is missing off the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, the country's coast guard says. Authorities lost contact with the vessel, which had 26 people on board, after it sent a distress signal saying it was taking on water at 13:15 local time (04:15 GMT) on Saturday. Four people have since been found and have been taken for medical attention. The boat, Kazu 1, is believed to have been on a three-hour sightseeing voyage around the Shiretoko Peninsula. The area is a designated UNESCO world heritage site, and boat trips are popular with tourists hoping to spot whales and sea lions as well as brown bears on the rocky beaches. The coast guard says [...]
Macron or Le Pen: France faces stark choice for president
The French vote today in an election that will decide whether pro-European Union centrist president Emmanuel Macron keeps his job or is unseated by far-right eurosceptic Marine Le Pen in what would amount to a political earthquake. A pedestrian walks past campaign poster of French President Emmanuel Macron and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen of the far-right Rassemblement National party. Photo: AFP Opinion polls in recent days gave Macron a solid and slightly growing lead as analysts said Le Pen - despite her efforts to soften her image and tone down some of her National Rally party's policies - remained unpalatable for many. But a surprise Le Pen victory cannot entirely be ruled out, given the high numbers of voters who were undecided or not sure if they would [...]
Philippine Elections: Sofitel threatens to stop use of debate venue over Comelec sponsor’s ₱14M debt
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — The last stretch of the debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may face cancellation if the poll body's sponsor Impact Hub Manila fails to settle its unpaid dues to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila worth ₱14 million. The debates are set for April 23 and 24. A demand letter dated April 20, which was made available to the media on Thursday, stated that Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc. (PPHI) - the owner of the hotel - has yet to receive complete payment as a venue partner for the Pilipinas Debate 2022. Impact Hub Manila, the group behind Vote Pilipinas, is Comelec's partner and sponsor for the debates. Under the deal between the two parties, Impact Hub Manila committed to pay PPHI a total [...]
Computer Recycling unveils new machine to deal with NZ’s huge e-waste problem
A new state-of-the-art machine that sorts and shreds electronic waste has officially started operation in Auckland. The BLUBOX machine is aiming to catapult New Zealand from one of the worst electronic waste offenders to one of the best. The recycling machine is one of eight in the world and was switched on for the first time at Computer Recycling in Penrose on Thursday afternoon. The technology shreds and sorts e-waste in an enclosed negative pressure system, recovering up to 90 percent of components. E-waste items considered hard to recycle include mobile phones, light bulbs, flat screen TVs and more. Environment Minister David Parker was present at the launch of the new machine, which was supported by a $1.5 million grant from the Waste Minimisation Fund. Parker said the technology [...]
New Zealand and Japan prime ministers meet, agree to boost security ties
New Zealand is beefing up its security ties with Japan in the face of "unprecedented challenges" through a plan to share more classified information on international issues. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had their first ever meeting in Tokyo last night. Photo: Supplied by official photographer Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sat down with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida late on Thursday in Tokyo, in their first conversation since Kishida's election last year. The two leaders agreed to have their officials drum up a deal which would see more "seamless" sharing of classified material. The type of information which would be exchanged is unclear, but a spokesperson for the prime minister said it would not be intelligence. Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, [...]
One in five older children in Philippines suffer online sexual abuse, study says
Research into 12- to 17-year-olds adds to concerns that Covid has left them more vulnerable in their country If the findings are scaled to the population, it could mean 2 million children were subjected to online sexual abuse in one year. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA One in five children aged between 12 and 17 were subjected to grave instances of online sexual abuse while using the internet in the Philippines in 2020, research suggests. The study adds to concerns that the pandemic has heightened the vulnerability of children in the country, which was already considered a global centre of such abuse. Researchers who surveyed 950 children found a fifth of those who used the internet had experienced online sexual abuse over the past year, such as being blackmailed or coerced [...]
Joe Biden announces $800m in new arms supplies to Ukraine
Joe Biden has announced $800m (£613m) in new arms supplies to Ukraineand said he will go to Congress to ask for more funding to help fend off the renewed Russian offensive in the east and south. Howitzers, artillery and drones among new deliveries, and president to ask Congress for more funding A Ukrainian service member walks along a trench with a Javelin missile system in the north Kyiv region in mid-March. Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters The new US weapon deliveries will include 72 howitzers and their towing vehicles along with 144,000 artillery rounds and more than 120 drones tailored for Ukraine’s needs. “We’re in a critical window of time when [the Russians] are going to set the stage for the next phase of this war,” Biden said. “And the United [...]
Saline solution: Japan invents ‘electric’ chopsticks that make food seem more salty
Device uses a weak current to artificially amplify the taste of salt, as part of efforts to reduce sodium levels in popular dishes The chopsticks can enhance food taste using an electrical stimulation waveform developed by Kirin and Meiji University's School of Science and Technology Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters Diners in Japan could soon be able to savour the umami of a bowl of ramen or miso soup without having to worry about their salt intake. In what they claim is a world first, researchers have developed chopsticks that artificially create the taste of salt, as part of efforts to reduce sodium levels in some of the country’s most popular dishes. The chopsticks work by using electrical stimulation and a mini-computer worn on the eater’s wristband. The device transmits sodium [...]
Joint NZ-US solar power company launches
A new solar power company has emerged from the shadows with the backing of a senior Google executive. Helios Energy says it has put together a list of grid-connected solar power sites across the country, which would generate a total of one gigawatt of power. Photo: 123RF Renewable energy developers from the United States and New Zealand have formed a joint venture called Helios Energy, to build grid-scale solar developments with an estimated cost of more than $1 billion. The company has put together a list of grid-connected solar power sites across the country over the past two years, which would generate a total of one gigawatt of power, enough for about 250,000 households. Google executive Urs Hölzle is investing in a private capacity, with the size of the [...]
NZ targets Russian banks in latest sanctions over Ukraine war
Russia's largest banks and financial institutions have been targeted in New Zealand's latest round of sanctions against the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the targeted institutions made up 80 percent of Russia's banking assets. Photo: Pool / NZME The sanctions apply to 18 entities, including its central bank, sovereign wealth fund and eight of its largest banks. Seven other banks with links to oligarchs, Russia's defence sector and annexation of Crimea are also targeted. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta made the announcement on Tuesday evening. She said the targeted institutions made up 80 percent of Russia's banking assets. The sanctions were designed to impose economic and political cost on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. "With this latest round of sanctions, New Zealand is joining countries around [...]
New Zealand and Singapore add climate to partnership priorities
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong have added a focus on climate and sustainability to the enhanced relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Photo: Karan Gurnani Speaking after bilateral talks in Singapore, the pair jointly announced a fifth pillar would be added to the agreement on the New Zealand-Singapore Enhanced Partnership. They announced the initial enhanced partnership in 2019 during Ardern's last official visit, with the four pillars of trade and economics; security and defence; science, technology and innovation; and people-to-people links. The fifth pillar added today will be "climate change and the green economy". Ardern said given the existential threat posed by climate change, it was fitting. "When it comes to climate [...]
Russia warns US to stop arming Ukraine or risk ‘unpredictable consequences’
Ukrainian soldiers tow a damaged Russian tank from a field near the village of Lypivka, west of Kyiv, on April 15, 2022. PHOTO: NYTIMES WASHINGTON- Russia has sent a series of warnings to the Biden administration, including a formal diplomatic protest this week, demanding that it halt shipment of advanced weapons to Ukraine that could strike into Russian territory or risk unspecified "unpredictable consequences." The diplomatic note, called a demarche, was sent through normal channels, two administration officials said. It was not signed by President Vladimir Putin or other senior Russian officials. But it was an indicator, one administration official said, that the weapons sent by the United States so far were having an effect. It also suggested that the Russians were concerned about the new tranche of more [...]
Philippine Elections: Some presidential bets to hold joint presser on Easter Sunday; reason unclear
Metro Manila, Philippines – Some presidential candidates announced they will hold a joint press conference on Easter Sunday, although the reason behind it is unclear. The camps of at least three presidential hopefuls – Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Ping Lacson, and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales – on Saturday sent invites for a press conference set on the following day, 11 a.m., at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. In its advisory, Lacson’s media bureau said a total of five presidential candidates will be attending. Two other presidential bets, Senator Manny Pacquiao and former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, were also mentioned in the list of expected attendees. Pacquiao’s camp confirmed he will join. However, it also noted the senator is currently in his hometown General Santos City and that his attendance [...]
5933 Covid-19 community cases, 10 deaths to report on Sunday
There are 5933 Covid-19 community cases and 10 Covid-related deaths to report on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Health. Covid-19 vaccination centre in Auckland. (Source: 1News) There are 537 people in hospital with the virus, including 20 in an intensive care or high dependency unit. The ministry said a statement on Saturday under-reported hospital numbers for the Bay of Plenty due to a data reporting issue which has since been resolved. The figure for the Bay of Plenty was reported as 17. It has since been corrected to 27. Our seven-day rolling average of case numbers has continued to decline, with Sunday's seven-day rolling average at 8,170, down from 10,543 last Sunday. "The number of reported community cases is expected to continue to fluctuate day to day, but [...]
No MOH Covid-19 update on Good Friday, next one on Saturday
The Ministry of Health is taking a break from its daily Covid-19 updates on Good Friday, with new case information expected tomorrow. Ministry of Health building in Wellington (file photo). (Source: 1News) The next update is expected at 1pm on Saturday, when the numbers of new cases, deaths and hospitalisations from the previous 48 hours will be released. Daily updates are expected for the rest of the long weekend. In a statement, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said the approach was similar to that taken for Christmas and New Year's Day. Good Friday is a national public holiday in New Zealand. In their statement on Thursday, health officials had urged travellers to prepare plans in case they had to self-isolate. "You would need to self-isolate and likely remain wherever [...]
Children who received expired Covid-19 vaccine still protected – medical advisor
NEW ZEALAND— A vaccine expert says 56 children who received an expired dose of the Covid-19 vaccine are still likely to have high protection against the virus. Taranaki DHB also said the 36 children who received a dose within 48 hours of its expiry do not need an additional vaccine. Photo: AFP Taranaki District Health Board announced yesterday the expired paediatric doses were administered between 28 March and 6 April. "The administering of an expired vaccine happened following a misinterpretation of the Ministry of Health's extended expiry date on some paediatric vaccines on March 9, which extended the Pfizer Paediatric expiry dates from six to nine months. The extension related to frozen stock, not refrigerated stock, which remained at 10 weeks," the DHB said in a statement. All [...]
Rural pressure in days of drought: Farmers ‘notorious for putting animal welfare in front of their own health’
NEW ZEALAND— Farmer welfare is a serious concern in Southland after the driest start to a year on record, the Southland Rural Support Trust says. Photo: RNZ / Liz Garton Meaningful rain has finally fallen in the south this week, but it has come too late to bring any relief to the feed shortage confronting the region's farmers. Southland farmers say they expect the economic fallout of the drought to linger into next year. Southland Rural Support Trust chair Cathie Cotter said everything had landed on the region's farmers at once with the Omicron wave at its peak in the south. "A whole lot of things have just increased the pressure on our rural sector and we are really concerned about how our farmers will get through," she said. [...]
Philippine Elections: Bongbong Marcos to Comelec: Ensure that votes are counted correctly
Presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should make sure that all votes are counted correctly as the overseas absentee voting commenced, presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said. Marcos made the remark Wednesday night following reported issues regarding overseas absentee voting such as actual votes and results not matching as well as pre-shaded ballots in Singapore and Dubai. “Pinapatingnan namin, nagtatanong kami sa Comelec na sana tiyakin nila na lahat ng boto ay mabibilang ng tama,” Marcos said in an interview on SMNI on the sidelines of his campaign in Quezon City. (We are asking the Comelec to look into it and asking them to ensure that all votes will be counted correctly.) “Hindi ko [...]
Japan, US to hold finance ministers’ meeting next week – Kyodo
TOKYO— Japan and the United States are likely to hold a bilateral finance ministers' meeting next week on the sidelines of the Group of 20 gathering to be held in Washington, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday. Both governments are currently negotiating the exact date for the meeting, which will likely be held around April 21, Kyodo said without citing sources. (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Hong Kong confirms it will ease COVID-19 restrictions from Apr 21
People wearing face masks cross a street, following the COVID-19 outbreak, in Hong Kong, Mar 9, 2022. (File photo: Reuters/Lam Yik) HONG KONG— Hong Kong confirmed on Thursday (Apr 14) it will ease some of the world's most stringent COVID-19 restrictions, allowing beauty parlours, cinemas and gyms to reopen from Apr 21 as infections in the global financial hub hover below 2,000 per day. The Chinese-ruled city has been hit by a fifth wave of coronavirus since early this year that has battered business and led to more than 8,600 deaths, many in the past two months, although cases have dropped in recent days. Coronavirus restrictions have battered businesss and helped fuel a net outflow of around 70,000 people in February and March, up from nearly 17,000 in December, raising [...]
Russian warship Moskva has sunk – defence ministry
MAX DELANY/AFP The Moskva patrolling the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Syria A Russian warship that was damaged by an explosion on Wednesday has sunk, Russia's defence ministry has said. Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, was being towed to port when "stormy seas" caused it to sink, according to a ministry message. The 510-crew missile cruiser was a symbol of Russia's military power, leading its naval assault on Ukraine. Kyiv says its missiles hit the warship. Moscow has not reported any attack. It says the vessel sank after a fire. The blaze caused the explosion of the warship's ammunition, Russia says, adding that the entire crew were later evacuated to nearby Russian vessels in the Black Sea. It provided no further details. After saying initially [...]
NZ Hercules departs on mission to help deliver aid to Ukraine
A Defence Force Hercules aircraft is on its way to Europe to help transport donated military aid to Ukraine. An RNZAF Hercules departs for Europe. (Supplied: RNZAF) The Hercules, which is carrying 9 personnel, left Auckland's Whenuapai airbase on Wednesday morning. It will join a chain of military aircraft from partner nations that will first land in the UK to prepare for its mission carrying equipment to distribution centres in European countries, which is due to begin next week. This distribution is being coordinated by an international coordination centre in Stuttgart, Germany. Forces won’t be entering Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia nearly two months ago. A three-person advance party is currently in the UK, where they are facilitating the arrival of the aircraft and assimilation of personnel into [...]
Covid-19: All of NZ to move to orange setting from 11.59pm tonight
Will New Zealand move out of the red traffic light setting today? Minister Chris Hipkins has more... Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed the entire country will drop from red to the orange traffic light setting from 11.59pm tonight, saying the "overall picture is a very positive one." Watch Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins here: Hipkins said the change in alert levels was justified for several reasons, including an ongoing decline in cases. He said it had been three weeks since the most recent simplification to the traffic light system, and despite the "significant relaxation of the settings, we've continued to see positive improvements in the overall trajectory". He said case numbers now sit below 10,000 new cases per day for the first time since 24 February, and [...]
Covid-19 update: Covid-19 update: 9495 new community cases, a further 15 deaths reported
There are 9495 new community cases of Covid-19 along with a further 15 deaths to report. Photo: 123rf.com There are 551 people in hospital with the virus, including 27 in intensive care. Yesterday, the health ministry reported 11,063 community cases of Covid-19 and 16 further deaths.
Brooklyn shooting: over 20 injured, including 10 shot, in subway attack
Biden says ‘We’re not letting up until we find the perpetrator’ as manhunt under way for shooter Members of the New York police department and emergency vehicles crowd the streets in Sunset Park following the shooting. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images A gunman wearing a gas mask filled a crowded New York subway car with thick black smoke from a canister and opened fire on morning rush-hour passengers, injuring more than 20, including 10 with gunshot wounds. A manhunt was under way on Tuesday after the shooter, described as a heavy-built Black male about 5ft 5in tall, wearing a green construction-type vest and hooded grey sweatshirt, fled the scene of the shooting. Officers were searching for a U-Haul truck with an Arizona license plate as of Tuesday afternoon, police told [...]
Breaking News: Russian troops arrested NATO Army chief in Ukraine and sent him to Russia
Breaking news: Russian troops arrested NATO Army chief in Ukraine and sent him to Russia.
Heavy rain to hit East Coast as Cyclone Fili approaches
NEW ZEALAND— Heavy rain warnings have been upgraded to red for the Wairoa District and Gisborne, with downpours and gales forecast to lash the eastern North Island as Cyclone Fili closes in. Photo: 123RF MetService has issued severe weather warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions with Cyclone Fili expected to track southeastwards across the east of the North Island on Wednesday, then move away from the country on Thursday. Wairoa District and the Gisborne region were expected to get 200-300mm of rain expected over 24 hours starting around 10pm tonight. Rainfall could reach peak rates of 15-25mm per hour while levels of 35-50mm per hour are possible in some areas tomorrow afternoon. Heavy rain is expected to cause dangerous river conditions while significant flooding and slips [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 11,063 new community cases and 16 further deaths
There are 11,063 new community cases of Covid-19 today and 16 further deaths to report. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there are 622 people in hospital with the virus, including 23 in intensive care. New Zealand has recorded its third death considered to be linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Yesterday there were 7592 new community cases reported, with further 11 deaths. More than 500 people have died in New Zealand from the coronavirus.
Dozens dead in Philippines landslides, flooding: Authorities
An aerial photo shows highway and houses submerged by flood waters in Abuyog town, Leyte province, southern Philippines, on Apr 11, 2022, following heavy rains brought about by Tropical storm Agaton (Megi). (Bobbie ALOTA / AFP) MANILA— At least 24 people have been killed in landslides and flooding across central and southern Philippines, authorities said on Monday (Apr 11), after a storm dumped heavy rain and disrupted travel ahead of the Easter holidays. More than 13,000 people fled to emergency shelters as tropical storm Megi pounded the disaster-prone region on Sunday, the national disaster agency said, flooding houses, inundating fields, cutting off roads and knocking out power. Megi is the first storm to hit the archipelago this year, which sees around 20 such storms annually. The central province of [...]
Macron and Le Pen restart campaigns with Mélenchon a potential kingmaker
The race to run France began again on Monday morning as first-round winners Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen launched their campaigns to win over losing candidates’ supporters before the second-round vote in less than two weeks. Macron needs to unite a hostile electorate from the political extremes to vote for him on 24 April. With many, particularly on the left, feeling politically orphaned by Sunday’s result, getting them to vote at all will be the first hurdle. The president emerged with a lead of several points after the first-round ballot, scoring 27.6% against Le Pen’s 23.41%, according to the latest almost complete figures from the French interior ministry. However, the results suggested up to a third of voters chose far-right candidates including Éric Zemmour, and they are likely [...]
Sri Lanka nearly out of medicine as doctors warn toll from crisis could surpass Covid
Emergency surgery may soon be impossible, president told, while protests continue amid worsening economic downturn Protesters outside the Sri Lankan president’s office call for his resignation as anger mounts over the country’s deepening economic crisis. Photograph: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock Sri Lanka’s doctors have warned they are almost out of life-saving medicines and say the country’s economic crisis threatened a worse death toll than the coronavirus pandemic. Weeks of power blackouts and severe shortages of food, fuel and pharmaceuticals have brought widespread misery to Sri Lanka, which is suffering its worst downturn since independence in 1948. The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said all hospitals in the country no longer had access to imported medical tools and vital drugs. Several facilities have already suspended routine surgeries since last month because they [...]
Ukraine economy to shrink by almost half this year, World Bank forecasts
Bank says many surrounding countries will suffer severe hardship as result of invasion, with Russia predicted to fall into recession A burnt-out car among destroyed buildings in Kyiv. The country’s GDP is on course to shrink by about 45% in 2022, says the World Bank. Photograph: Alexey Furman/Getty Images Ukraine’s economy is on course to contract by almost half this year as the Russian invasion and the impact of a “deep humanitarian crisis” takes its toll, the World Bank has said. With a blockade of Black Sea ports in the south of Ukraine and the havoc caused to industry in the east, the war-torn country’s GDP is projected to shrink by about 45% in 2022. The Washington-based development organisation said Russia would also fall into recession and many countries [...]
Australia election: PM Scott Morrison calls poll for 21 May
GETTY IMAGES/ Scott Morrison has been Australia's prime minister since 2018 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a federal election for 21 May. Mr Morrison's ruling coalition holds 76 seats in the House of Representatives - the minimum needed to retain power. Polls suggest there will be a change of government, with the opposition Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, tipped to take office. However, in the last election, the centre-right Mr Morrison won despite most polls predicting otherwise. Mr Morrison announced the date after talks with the Governor General in the capital, Canberra. "It's a choice between a strong future and an uncertain one. It's a choice between a government you know and a Labor opposition that you don't," the prime minister said on Sunday. But Mr Albanese [...]
NZ Covid 19 Update: 7592 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, 11 deaths reported
There are 7592 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has announced on Monday. Health worker hands out rapid antigen tests at Covid-19 testing centre in Henderson, Auckland (Source: Getty) The numbers were reported over the last 24 hours. There are 640 people in hospital with the virus, including 23 in an intensive care or high dependency unit. This is an increase on Sunday's hospitalisations of 604, with one more person in ICU compared with 24 hours ago. The ministry also announced 11 Covid-related deaths. Ten of them had died over the past three days, while one had died 12 days ago. The deaths were only recently identified to the ministry. The ministry explained delays to reporting can be associated with people dying with, rather [...]
Auckland couple ‘buzzing’ after $8.5M Powerball win
An Auckland couple are buzzing after winning $8.5 million in Saturday’s Lotto Powerball draw. A Lotto Powerball ticket. (Source: 1 News) The husband and wife, who have asked to remain anonymous, said they were lying in bed on Sunday morning when they received an email from Lotto. The husband said: “She [his wife] took one look at the email and immediately started buzzing – she kept saying ‘check it, check it, check it’. “So we jumped out of bed and raced to the living room, grabbed the laptop and pulled up MyLotto. We sat together and watched our ticket get checked – there was one number, then another, then another… and before we knew what was going on, every number on the line was circled. “That’s when I saw [...]
NZ government favours economic sanctions on Russia over expelling ambassador
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says expelling the Russian ambassador remains an option, but it would not have the most impact of the actions New Zealand can take to condemn the Russian invasion. PM Jacinda Ardern speaks to media following Russia's invasion of Ukraine Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver MPs are debating whether they can summons the ambassador Georgii Zuev for questioning, after he has twice rebuffed their requests to discuss the war in Ukraine. Ardern told Morning Report that it is a current discussion by the foreign affairs select committee and it would be "very unusual" for her to interfere in it. "It's actually for the foreign affairs select committee to finish their deliberations on this and this is where I'm a little bit cautious because I'm not meant [...]
Easy Russia sanctions exhausted, US and allies face economic bite
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, next to Australian advisor Mikaela James, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet and US State Department spokesperson Ned Price in Brussels, Belgium, on Apr 6, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein) WASHINGTON— As the world's wealthy democratic powers roll out new sanctions against Russia in response to horrifying images of executed Ukrainians in the city of Bucha, it has become clear that the easiest options are now exhausted and stark differences have emerged among allies over next steps. The European Union proposed a first stab at curbing Russia's energy sector in response to its invasion of Ukraine launched in February, banning imports of Russian coal. But EU countries remain divided even over this move, much less restricting imports [...]
Bloomfield ‘felt the pressure along with the rest of us’
Health workers are thanking Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield for his work stopping the ailing health system from collapsing in the pandemic - and for saving lives. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. (Source: rnz.co.nz) They say they can relate to him needing a rest. Bloomfield leaves his job in July, stepping down 12 months early after the huge stress of the past two years. There are few public servants who have had the same degree of fame. For two years he has been a regular in the living rooms of the country, particularly in the first lockdown when almost everyone was home tuning in every day to hear news of the Covid-19 threat. Emergency doctor and chairman of the Council of Medical Colleges John Bonning said [...]
Greens call for rent controls, publish open letter to PM
The Green Party has published an open letter to the prime minister, calling for her to immediately freeze rents until rent controls are strengthened. Houses in Mt Albert, Auckland (file picture). (Source: istock.com) The open letter has received more than 2000 signatures as of 11am today, Thursday. Co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson said they wanted to see limits on annual rent increases, linking rents to what previous tenants paid and temporarily freezing rents until annual limits are in place. They said it will "help rebalance the rental market in favour of people". A November 2021 report by the Ministry of Social Development found more than 60 per cent of low-income renters in New Zealand in 2018 were spending more than 40% of their income just covering the rent [...]
ADB: PH economy to grow at 6% this year, 6.3% in 2023 but risks still loom
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippine economy is expected to grow 6% this year and 6.3% in 2023, but not without risks posed by ongoing geopolitical tensions, the Asian Development Bank said in its annual report released Wednesday. "The economic recovery is expected to gain traction this year and next, underpinned by strengthening domestic investment and consumption,” the Asian Development Outlook said, citing factors like the downtrend in COVID-19 cases coupled with most areas easing to the laxer Alert Level 1. While both projections are quicker than the 5.6% expansion logged last year, the estimate for 2022 falls short of the economic team’s 7-9% target band while the one for next year is within the 6-7% range pegged for the period. The relaxation of travel rules for fully vaccinated foreigners will [...]
Australian Election 2022: Phone-in voting to be massively expanded for federal election to cope with Covid surge
Many Australians expected to be in isolation, with AEC staff prevented from accessing hospitals and some aged care facilities Voters in Wentworth during the last Australian federal election. Phone-in voting will be expanded to accommodate people isolating with Covid. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP Phone-in voting will be expanded to accommodate people isolating with Covid but the Australian Electoral Commission is warning the process “won’t be smooth”, as surging coronavirus case numbers complicate polling plans on the eve of the federal election. Large numbers of Australians are expected to be in isolation come election day, with the pandemic also preventing AEC staff accessing hospitals and some aged care facilities. The AEC says postal votes can be applied for until the Wednesday before polling day. But for those who either contract [...]
New Zealand applies new sanctions against Russia with 35 percent tariff
The price of fertiliser may go up and there could be a shortage of vodka under the government's new sanctions on Russia, says Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor. Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor said the sanctions were a significant move for New Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone All Russian imports to New Zealand will be hit with a 35 percent tariff in response to what our government has described as "abhorrent and reprehensible" atrocities committed against Ukrainian citizens. Existing export prohibitions to industrial products closely connected to strategic Russian industries have also been extended. The Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor told Morning Report the tariffs were in line with a number of New Zealand's partner countries. "For New Zealand this is a [...]
Australia – New Zealand refugee resettlement deal: What you need to know
Explainer - What is the Australia New Zealand refugee resettlement deal and why has it been agreed after nearly a decade? Photo: RNZ / Leilani Momoisea Australia and New Zealand have announced a landmark refugee resettlement deal that will see 450 refugees from Australia's regional processing program relocated to Aotearoa. Under the agreement, 150 refugees will be allowed to resettle in New Zealand each year for the next three years - these refugees will fall under the government's annual refugee quota. But why has the deal taken almost a decade, what does the deal mean for the future of offshore detention facilities, and how will refugees be supported as they transition into New Zealand society? RNZ is here to clear it all up. How did the deal come to [...]
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield to step down from role
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down from his role at the end of July. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes revealed Dr Bloomfield's decision in a statement this morning. Bloomfield had signalled to the commissioner late last year he intended to step down before his term officially ended on 11 June 2023, Hughes said. He said Bloomfield had done an outstanding job leading the government's health response to Covid-19 and the vaccination rollout. "Dr Bloomfield has worked tirelessly for more than two years to keep New Zealanders safe from coronavirus," Hughes said. "Dr Bloomfield has demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in leading the health system's overall response to Covid-19. That response has saved lives. "I thank Dr Bloomfield [...]
PH May 2022 Elections: Nine presidential bets tackle political reforms, human rights, renewable energy in second Comelec debate
Metro Manila, Philippines – Nine out of ten presidential candidates discussed political system reforms, human rights and sources of renewable energy during the second presidential debate held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday. Vice President Leni Robredo and labor leader Leody De Guzman both proposed a law that would prevent turncoatism, or jumping from one political party to another, to strengthen the political system of the country. On the other hand, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno strongly pushed for a shift to a two-party system, while former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales raised again his proposal to move to a parliamentary form of government. The issue of lack of proper representation in the party-list system was also tackled. However, lawyer and doctor Jose Montemayor, Jr. pushed to keep the [...]
Australian News: Poll: Coalition cash splash leaves voters cold as just a quarter say budget will be good for them
Half of voters say budget designed to win election as Labor takes 11-point lead on economic management Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates Download the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefing Josh Frydenberg delivers his post budget National Press Club address. Only 25% of poll respondents say the budget has made them more likely to vote for the Coalition, and a further 19% say it has made them less likely. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Only a quarter of Guardian Essential respondents think the Morrison government’s cash splash budget is good for them personally, and just over half (56%) think the budget’s primary purpose is to help the Coalition win the coming election. The new poll findings come as shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, sharpens Labor’s [...]
Australian election 2022 Labor has no plans to increase taxes on Australians if elected, Jim Chalmers says
Shadow treasurer moves to make Labor policy crystal clear after Coalition seizes on ambiguity in Anthony Albanese’s comments Jim Chalmers says Labor will ‘make multinational tax fairer’ and the party has no plans to increase taxes if elected Photograph: Darren England/AAP Labor has no plans to increase taxes on Australians and will look to lift foreign aid if elected in May, the shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has said. The senior frontbencher said on Sunday that federal Labor’s only tax proposal was to crack down on multinational tax avoidance. Chalmers’ clear statement was an attempt to clarify the Labor party’s position after the opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, failed to rule out new taxes last week. Labor is also under pressure from the Coalition to cost its promise to fund pay [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 14,120 community cases, 23 further deaths, 692 people in hospital
There are 14,120 community cases of Covid-19 and 23 further deaths to report today. Rapid antigen test nasal swab Photo: 123rf.com This is a jump in numbers from yesterday, when there were only over 10,000 cases, but a fall in hospitalisations. The Ministry of Health says the jump in numbers is not unexpected as there is usually lower testing and reporting in the weekends. There are now 692 people in hospital, with 30 people in ICU or HDU. Cases in hospital are in Northland: 31; Waitemata: 105; Counties Manukau: 127; Auckland: 101; Waikato: 77; Bay of Plenty: 35; Lakes: 14; Tairāwhiti: 2; Hawke's Bay: 28; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 4; MidCentral: 21; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 15; Capital and Coast: 15; Nelson Marlborough: 13; Canterbury: 49; South Canterbury: 8; West [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 8810 new community cases, 18 deaths, 690 people in hospital
New community case numbers in New Zealand have dropped below the 10,000 mark for the first time in more than a month, with 8810 new community cases reported today, along with 18 new deaths. Photo: 123rf.com Today was the lowest number of new cases since 24 February, when 6137 cases were reported. While there is generally lower testing and reporting over weekends, today's seven-day rolling average is 13,543, down from 16,325 a week ago. In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has risen slightly after several days of falls, with 690 hospitalisations reported today, up from 678 yesterday. There are 26 people in intensive care. The 18 new deaths reported today include one person in the 30s. The rest include [...]
Australia-India trade deal to open ‘biggest economic door’: Morrison
FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media at Melbourne Commonwealth Parliament Office, in Melbourne, Australia February 11, 2022. Darrian Traynor/Pool via REUTERS Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a trade agreement with India due to be signed on Saturday (Apr 2) represented “one of the biggest economic doors there is to open in the world today”. Morrison is expected to call a general election within days, and has been eager to secure the trade deal before campaigning began, having been in negotiations with India for a decade. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement would be signed in a virtual ceremony by Trade Minister Dan Tehan and India's Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, and both countries would continue to work towards a full [...]
Ukraine says it has regained control of ‘whole Kyiv region’
Ukrainian soldiers stand by a burnt Russian tank on the outskirts of Kyiv, on Mar 31, 2022. (Photo: AFP/RONALDO SCHEMIDT) KYIV— Ukraine has regained control of "the whole Kyiv region" after invading Russian forces retreated from some key towns near the Ukrainian capital, deputy defence minister Ganna Maliar said on Saturday (Apr 2). "Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region were liberated from the invader," Maliar said on Facebook, referring to towns that have been heavily destroyed by fighting. All three towns lie northwest of Kyiv and have suffered heavy destruction since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24. Irpin and Bucha, commuters towns outside Kyiv, were retaken by the Ukrainian army this week. Both have seen large civilian death tolls. AFP saw at least 20 bodies on a [...]
Russia to halt cooperation over International Space Station
Director of space agency Roscosmos says partnership will be restored only when ‘illegal sanctions’ are removed Cosmonauts Sergey Korsakov, Oleg Artemyev and Denis Matveyev on the ISS on 18 March wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Photograph: AP Russia says it will end cooperation with western countries over the International Space Station until sanctions are lifted. Russia’s space director said on Saturday that the restoration of normal ties between partners at the ISS and other joint space projects would be possible only once western sanctions against Moscow were lifted. Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, said in a social media post that the aim of the sanctions was to “kill Russian economy and plunge our people into despair and hunger, to get our country on its knees”. He [...]
Three Waters package funds affirmation of local government – LGNZ
Three Waters Reform Package grants are recognition of funding constraints faced by councils, and a vote of confidence in the future of local government, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says. Photo: 123RF Councils have been invited to submit projects for their share of $500m. A further $1.5b will become available in mid-2024. LGNZ president Stuart Crosbie said the money can be used for a broad range of projects and initiatives to benefit the community - from parks and gardens to swimming pools, libraries or community centres. "Anything from community facilities through to what they might see as essential infrastructure that they may have had to put off due to financial constraints, so a very broad range." Councils have until the end of September to apply.
$10m wildlife centre to be haven for native birds
A Taranaki environmental group is hoping visitors will flock to a multimillion dollar wildlife centre to be established in Inglewood. The North Island brown kiwi Photo: DOC / Rod Morris The East Taranaki Environment Collective has been trapping 13,000 hectares of bush at Purangi, East Taranaki since the early 2000s. It's since become a stronghold for North Island western brown kiwi and other native species. Collective chair Chris French said it was now time to share its work. "We really want to enhance the awareness amongst the public ... of what happens in the conservation space in East Taranaki because it's not a particularly accessible part of the country. "So we really want to bring the conservation effort, the magnificent conservation effort, that's going on among iwi and [...]
Hundreds of travellers cross checkpoints as Singapore-Malaysia land border fully reopens
Cars and motorbikes make their way towards Woodlands Checkpoint on Apr 1, 2022 as the Singapore-Malaysia land border reopens. (Photo: CNA/Vanessa Lim) SINGAPORE— Hundreds of travellers crossed the checkpoints at Woodlands and the Second Link as Singapore and Malaysia fully reopened their land borders on Friday (Apr 1). It is the first time in about two years that people can travel freely between both countries by private transport without the need for testing or isolation. Travellers have to be fully vaccinated, and children aged 12 and below who are not fully vaccinated have to be accompanied by an adult who is vaccinated. Queues formed at Woodlands Checkpoint more than an hour before the border was fully reopened. People queuing outside the Woodlands Checkpoint at about 10.40pm on Mar 31, 2022. (Photo: Vanessa Lim) [...]
Australia to send armoured vehicles to Ukraine
Australia will send some of its Bushmaster armoured vehicles to Ukraine following a request from the war-torn nation’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in his address to Parliament. Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Friday morning that some of the Australian-made four-wheel-drive armoured vehicles would be sent over to Ukraine, along with a further $25 million worth of military support announced on Thursday. Scott Morrison has announced Australia will send armoured vehicles to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for them in his address to Parliament on Thursday.CREDIT:ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN “We are not just sending our prayers, we are sending our guns, ammunitions, humanitarian aid, all of this, our body armour, all of these things,” he said. “We will send our armoured vehicles, our Bushmasters, as well, and we will fly them [...]
PH Govt preparing to auction Marcos properties due to tax deficiencies – DOF
Metro Manila– The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is consolidating the titles of the Marcoses' properties in favor of the government so they can be sold at a public auction and the proceeds used to settle the family's tax deficiencies, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Thursday. Dominguez III said the BIR, an agency under the Department of Finance, is collecting payment and demanding that the Marcos family settle their tax liabilities. “BIR will continue to consolidate the titles in favor of the government on those properties which have been levied upon. The procedure may take time as it involves selling at public auction to convert to cash,” Dominguez told reporters. Government rules provide that an individual's properties can be auctioned off to settle tax deficiencies. “They have [...]
Extra 600,000 flu vaccines available for Kiwis this year
Two million free flu vaccines will be available for Kiwis as the vaccination campaign gets underway on Friday, Health Minister Andrew Little has announced. The Government will this year be making 2 million flu vaccines available - up from an average of 1.4 million - while also widening eligibility for Kiwis who can receive the vaccine for free. The shot will be available not only for at-risk New Zealanders and those aged 65 and over, but also Māori and Pasifika aged 55 and over. The $12 million expansion programme is being funded from the Government’s Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund. “With the Omicron wave still working its way through the country, we need to protect our most vulnerable from getting the flu as well, and our health system from [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 17 new deaths, 13,475 new community cases, 764 people in hospital
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 continues to fall, but there have still been 13,475 new cases in the community and 17 more deaths reported in New Zealand today. Photo: AFP / Science Photo Library There are now 764 people in hospital, down from 830 yesterday, with 31 people in intensive care. Yesterday, there were 15,250 cases reported, and 22 deaths. The seven-day rolling average of case numbers has also continued to decline, with today's rolling average at 14,171 cases, compared to last week's 17,197 cases. The 17 new deaths of people with Covid-19 include two in their 50s, four in their 60s, five people in their 70s, three in their 80s and three over 90. Fifteen were male and two were female. Seven were from the [...]
Japan, Philippines eye 1st 2-plus-2 meeting
Flags of Japan (L) and Philippines | INQUIRER.net stock photos TOKYO — Japan and the Philippines are planning to hold a 2-plus-2 meeting for the first time in Tokyo in early April, it has been learned. Foreign affairs and defense chiefs from the two countries are expected to agree to strengthen cooperation in maritime security in light of China’s increased nautical activities. They will also likely confirm a policy of zero tolerance for unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to hold 2-plus-2 talks when they spoke via telephone last November. If it comes to fruition, the Philippines will be the second member of the [...]
China, Russia ‘more determined’ to boost ties, Beijing says
Flags of China and Russia are displayed in this illustration picture taken March 24, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration BEIJING— Moscow and Beijing are "more determined" to develop bilateral ties and boost cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday (Mar 30) following a meeting in eastern China with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, amid the Ukraine crisis. The two also condemned what they called illegal and counterproductive Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its actions in Ukraine, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Wang and Lavrov spoke in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, where China is hosting two days of multilateral meetings on Afghanistan. "Both sides are more determined to develop bilateral ties, and are more confident in promoting cooperation in various fields," Wang said. "China [...]
‘Critical’ for US to stay engaged with Asia, PM Lee tells Speaker Pelosi
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Bipartisan Leadership Meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the US Capitol on Mar 30, 2022. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long) WASHINGTON— It is “critical” for the United States to stay involved and engaged in the Asia-Pacific, while developing and growing its economic ties with the region, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (Mar 30) as he attended a bipartisan leadership meeting at the Capitol in Washington. Delivering brief remarks at the start of the meeting, Mr Lee, accompanied by US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, pointed to America’s Indo-Pacific Economic Strategy and in particular, the forthcoming Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. “We hope to see this bear fruit in years to come,” said the Prime Minister, who is on a working visit [...]
Solomons’ leader confirms security pact with China
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare has confirmed his government has finalised a security treaty with China. Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare (right) with Li Ming, China's first ambassador to the Solomon Islands. Photo: George Herming - Government Communications Unit A draft security cooperation agreement was leaked on Friday and it could allow China to deploy police and military personnel in Solomon Islands. The document lays down a framework which could permit Beijing to deploy forces to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands. Speaking to the parliament yesterday, Sogavare was critical of media reporting around the leak. But in responding to a question about how far along negotiations on the treaty were, Sogavare, said the document was already finalised. "Mr Speaker I [...]
Tā Tipene O’Regan named New Zealander of the Year
The recipients of New Zealander of the Year awards for 2022 were announced tonight and among them are an ecologist, a healthy lifestyle champion, an innovator. Tā Tipene O'Regan. Photo: Supplied Here's a list of the winners tonight: 2022 New Zealander of the Year: Tā Tipene O'Regan Tā Tipene O'Regan is known for his work in Ngāi Tahu's Treaty Settlement, as an educator and as a public figure whose life has been dedicated to building an inclusive, bicultural nation. Local Hero of the Year: Dave Letele Dave Letele is the founder of the not-for-profit Brown Buttabean Motivation programme - a free, gym-based weight-loss programme that has inspired thousands of New Zealanders to get fit and get healthy. Environmental Hero of the Year: Charmaine Bailie Described as a force of [...]
Five confirmed dead following helicopter crash north of Melbourne
Five people have been killed after a helicopter crashed into rugged terrain in regional Victoria this morning. Police said a pilot and four passengers were on board the helicopter, all of whom died at the crash scene near Mt Disappointment, an hour north of Melbourne's CBD. Police announced the tragic update just after 7.30pm. Police were winched down to the crash site to access the accident. (Nine) The dense bushland made accessing the crash site difficult. (Nine) They said the crash victims were: - A 32-year-old man from Cheltenham, Victoria - A 50-year-old woman from Inverloch, Victoria - A 73-year-old man from Albert Park, Victoria - A 59-year-old man from New South Wales - A 70-year-old man from New South Wales "It's believed the chartered helicopter had taken off [...]
15,250 new Covid cases on Thursday, 22 deaths reported
There are 15,250 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday. Health workers at a Christchurch Covid-19 testing centre. (Source: Getty) The numbers were reported over the last 24 hours. 22 new Covid-19 related deaths were announced by the ministry on Thursday. This includes deaths in the past month that the Ministry has only just become aware of. Of the deaths announced today, 1 was from Northland; 10 were from the Auckland region; 1 was from Waikato; 2 were from Bay of Plenty; 2 were from the Lakes DHB; 2 were from the Wellington region; and 4 were from Canterbury. Two people were in their 50s, four people were in their 60s, Three people were in their 70s, six in their 80s and [...]
Man sentenced to jail for threatening to kill Jacinda Ardern
A New Zealand man on Thursday was sentenced to one year in prison for threatening to kill Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Jacinda Ardern. (Source: Getty) Prosecutors said Michael Cruickshank, 56, sent 88 lengthy emails to Government officials in 2019 and 2020, calling them criminals, slave-traders and state-sanctioned terrorists. But it was two emails that he sent in January 2020 that crossed a line by threatening violence. In one email, Cruickshank threatened to blow Ardern’s head off and in another said he would “personally wipe you off this f------ planet,” The New Zealand Herald reported. He copied one of the emails to lawmaker Andrew Little, who is now the health minister. “You have kids who want to see you grow old, as do I,” Cruickshank wrote. “I suggest you place [...]
Shanghai rules out full lockdown despite sharp rise in Covid cases
Concern about economy leads city to try targeted approach with rolling restrictions of individual neighbourhoods A worker calls through a megaphone for residents to go for testing inside the barriers of an area in Shanghai under lockdown. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters Shanghai has recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but officials have ruled out a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy. Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared with other countries. Shanghai, however, has aimed to ease disruption with a more targeted approach marked by rolling 48-hour lockdowns of individual neighbourhoods and large-scale testing while largely keeping the metropolis of 25 million [...]
Psychologists struggling as NZ’s mental health crisis worsens
A grim picture is emerging of New Zealanders' mental health, two years on from the country's first lockdown. Clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Thompson told 1News demand for mental health help is sky-high, saying, "people are wanting more help than ever". "We are doing our best but we can't keep up with demand and without extra help and resources to clear the public sector, it's going to be a long time." "Then you're holding more severe mental health which means you're going to be working with that person much longer than you might've been if you caught them at mild to moderate." Over the past 18 months, life insurer AIA's seen Covid-19 linked to around 70% of income protection claims for mental health, with claimants citing decreased income, delayed medical [...]
Cost of living: NZ urged to tackle retail food industry
The Government has been urged to tackle the retail food industry in order to get on top of the cost of living crisis. In February, Stats NZ revealed food prices had risen by 6.8% for the year, the largest annual increase in a decade. NZME head of business Fran O’Sullivan told Q+A that on top of other inflationary impacts like energy costs and supply chain crunches, the supermarket sector is also driving costs up. “I think we need to see more push out of the Commerce Commission to ensure that we do get more competition, particularly at the supermarkets but not just there,” O’Sullivan said. Te Pāti Māori have launched a petition pushing for GST removed from all food. (Source: 1News) “This is a nation full of duopolies, and [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: Four further deaths, 10,239 new community cases, 848 people in hospital
Four further deaths of people with Covid-19 have been reported in New Zealand, with the number of confirmed cases dropping to 10,239 today. Photo: 123rf.com In today's statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 848 people in hospital with the coronavirus, up slightly from 841 yesterday. There are 28 people in intensive care, one more than yesterday. The ministry said while today's hospitalisation numbers are slightly higher, it was encouraging to see the total number of cases in hospital remain considerably lower than the peak of more than 1000 cases in hospital from five days ago. "This reflects the decrease in hospitalisations across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, some of the first regions to be affected by Omicron." The four new deaths reported today were two men [...]
Polling reveals Australia’s most and least trusted politicians
Polling suggests government ministers are some of Australia’s least trusted politicians whereas Labor frontbenchers are among the most trusted. Of sitting members, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Defence Minister Peter Dutton, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce are the least trusted politicians, according to polling from Roy Morgan. On the other side of the scale, Labor’s leader in the Senate Penny Wong, Opposition leader Anthony Albanese, and Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek are the most trusted. Politicians with highest net distrust score. Source: Roy Morgan Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said this level of distrust in government leaders could spell trouble for the Coalition. “With Peter Dutton the second most distrusted politician in Australia and Josh Frydenberg almost out of the top ten, this may well become crucial if the [...]
COVID-19: New Zealand’s traffic light system rules change overnight
There's been a significant shift in New Zealand's COVID-19 settings overnight, with gathering limits doubled (and in some cases removed altogether) and QR code scanning requirements removed. At 11:59pm on Friday, the Government's recently-announced changes to the traffic light system came into effect. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier this week said this "simplified" framework was aimed at targeting restrictions "at those activities that reduce transmission the most". That means ditching outdoor gathering limits and not requiring masks to be worn at outside events. If by chance there is nice weather this weekend, that means outdoor sporting events and concerts are back on. Indoors there are still restrictions, such as the need to be seated and separated at hospitality venues, but gathering limits have jumped from 100 to 200. That's [...]
May 2022 PH Elections: Comelec sets ‘totality rule’ in vote-buying
The Commission on Elections will use what it calls the “totality rule” in determining if giving away of cash during the campaign period by any candidate or by the candidate’s surrogates is vote-buying, which is punishable under the Omnibus Election Code. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, speaking to ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo, said giving ayuda or assistance during the campaign period did not automatically mean that act constituted vote-buying, especially if the poll body issued a certificate of exemption to the candidate to give out such ayuda or relief goods. “However, if it is not related to the regular service of local government, then we can investigate because it is illegal without permission of Comelec,” he said in Filipino. The poll commissioner said that while Comelec could motu proprio investigate alleged vote-buying [...]
Israel blocked Ukraine from buying Pegasus spyware, fearing Russia’s anger
Revelation of denial offers new insight into the way Israel’s relationship with Moscow has undermined Ukrainian objectives Ukrainian officials lobbied for access to the Pegasus spyware tool, say people familiar with the matter. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images Israel blocked Ukraine from buying NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware for fear that Russian officials would be angered by the sale of the sophisticated hacking tool to a regional foe, according to people familiar with the matter. The revelation, following a joint investigation by the Guardian and Washington Post, offers new insight into the way Israel’s relationship with Russia has at times undermined Ukraine’s offensive capabilities – and contradicted US priorities. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has been critical of Israel’s stance since Russia launched its full and bloody invasion of Ukraine on [...]
NATO: 7,000 to 15,000 Russian troops dead in Ukraine
A customer checks his rifle in a gun shop in Lviv, western Ukraine, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The rush for guns and gun training continued in the western city of Lviv. The state of war has streamlined gun purchasing in Ukraine, now simplified. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) KYIV, Ukraine — NATO estimated on Wednesday that 7,000 to 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in four weeks of war in Ukraine, where fierce resistance from the country’s defenders has denied Moscow the lightning victory it sought. By way of comparison, Russia lost about 15,000 troops over 10 years in Afghanistan. A senior NATO military official said the alliance’s estimate was based on information from Ukrainian authorities, what Russia has released — intentionally or not — and intelligence gathered from open sources. [...]
PH Gov’t adopts 10-point policy agenda to hasten economic recovery
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang. ROBINSON NIÑAL/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte government has adopted a 10-point policy agenda to hasten and sustain the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 166 on March 21, a copy of which was issued to reporters on Wednesday. “The State hereby adopts the Ten-Point Policy Agenda to sustain and accelerate economic recovery, and to drive broad-based expansions across various productive sectors, in the midst of challenges brought about by the continued persistence of COVID-19,” the order reads. The 10-point policy agenda are the following: Strengthen healthcare capacity [...]
NZ economy in strong position though Omicron, Ukraine add uncertainty – IMF
The International Monetary Fund has given the government an approving nod for its handling of the pandemic and economy, but warned high inflation and housing affordability need to be tackled, and caution taken in reducing support. The IMF logo (file). Omicron and the war in Ukraine could adversely affect economic activity and inflation in New Zealand, the IMF said. Photo: AFP In its annual health check on the country, it said the economy was in a strong position because of "sound management", although the Omicron outbreak and war in Ukraine added new uncertainty. "[They] could adversely affect economic activity and inflation in New Zealand through weaker external demand and higher commodity prices. Extended global supply chain disruptions could impact growth and inflation," the report said. It also noted [...]
Israel: Four killed in shopping centre attack
REUTERS The attack happened outside the BIG shopping centre Four Israelis have been killed and several others wounded in an attack in the south of the country, police say. Three were stabbed to death outside the BIG shopping centre in Beersheba, while a fourth was rammed by a vehicle driven by the assailant, they say. The attacker was shot dead by a bus driver. Israel's internal security agency said the assailant was an Israeli Arab who had once been jailed for supporting the Islamic State (IS) group. The Shin Bet named him as Muhammad Galeb Ahmad Abu Alqian, a high school teacher from the Bedouin town of Hura about 12 miles (19km) east of Beersheba. Alqian had been arrested in 2015 when he planned to leave for Syria to [...]
PH Elections: Comelec vows quick canvassing, no more 7-hour glitch for May 2022 polls
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said additional preparations for the May 2022 polls should prevent a repeat of the controversial "seven-hour glitch" in the May 2019 polls which left the vote tally for media partners empty on the night hours after polls closed. New Commissioner George Garcia said a separate server has been added to the existing automated elections system (AES) for media to access the running total of votes canvassed by Comelec. "Nangyari 'yung glitch sa tinatawag na transparency server natin. 'Yan talaga ay sinigurado ngayon ng komisyon at ako mismo ay sinigurado ko rin na hindi na mangyayari 'yan [The glitch happened in what we call the transparency server. The commission made sure, and I myself made sure, it won't happen again]," Garcia [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: Total death toll rises above 200, with 20,087 new community cases reported today
New Zealand's total death toll of people with Covid-19 has now grown to more than 200, with 11 new deaths announced today, as well as 20,087 new community cases. Photo: 123rf.com The new deaths bring the official total of people who have died with Covid-19 to 210. The 11 deaths announced today include two from Northland, five from the Auckland region, one from Bay of Plenty and three from the Wellington region. One of these people was in their 30s, one in their 60s, one in their 70s, four were in their 80s and four in their 90s. Six were men and five were women. The seven-day rolling average of deaths is nine. There are also 960 people in hospital with the coronavirus today, down from 1016 yesterday, but [...]
More than half of Pinoy voters support ‘partial continuity’ of Duterte’s policies — survey
(MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO) PHILIPPINES— Over 50 percent of Filipino voters prefer the new administration to “partially continue,” rather than change or fully continue, President Duterte’s policies, according to a survey conducted by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research (WRN). The results of the survey conducted in 2021 and were released on Tuesday, March 22, showed that 54.59 percent of voters want soft continuity of the President’s policies. The portion of Filipino voters who prefer full continuity stood at 29.57 percent, while those who want change only accounted for 15.84 percent. According to WRN, the survey reflects one of the key criteria on how the voters will decide in the May 9, 2022 elections. Filipinos’ support for the partial continuity of President Duterte’s policies was also clear [...]
PM reveals changes to mandates, vaccines passes and restrictions
The Prime Minister has announced changes to New Zealand's Covid restrictions - lifting all gathering restrictions on outdoor settings, scrapping vaccine passes and removing vaccine mandates for some workforces. Jacinda Ardern. Gathering limit changes will come into effect on March 25 at 11.59pm, which also included raising indoor limits from 100 to 200 under Red. It will also mean all vaccine mandates will be removed for workforces, except for health and disability, aged care, Corrections and border workforces. Ardern made the announcement from Parliament on Wednesday, to lay out the "next set of changes to our Covid settings in New Zealand". "While we have been successful, it has also been bloody hard," Ardern said, looking back at the last two years. "Everyone has been safer, but everyone is also [...]
Air NZ to relaunch direct Auckland-New York flights
Air New Zealand is relaunching its Auckland-New York direct service, which was canned before it even started in 2020 due to the pandemic. (Source: 1News) Originally to begin in October 2020, it will now launch in September this year. The three-times-a-week flight will take between 16 and 18 hours on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. New Zealand is opening its borders to those coming from visa-waiver countries on May 2. “The US has always been a key market for us, and this new route cements our commitment to developing growing tourism opportunities between the two countries," chief executive Greg Foran said. "In the six years leading up to Covid, the US visitor numbers to New Zealand doubled and looking at the average spend in New Zealand by US tourists, [...]
PH still very low risk for Covid
The Philippines remains a very low risk for Covid-19, OCTA Research said on Monday. OCTA cited data from the Johns Hopkins University, Our World in Data and Worldometer showing that as of March 18, the country averages 527 Covid-19 cases a day, 22 percent lower than the average the week before. The country's average daily attack rate (ADAR) is 0.47, OCTA said. ADAR is the seven-day average number of new Covid-19 cases per day per 100,000 population. Four other countries in East Asia — Timor-Leste, Taiwan, Cambodia and China — are also classified as very low risk. OCTA said China is experiencing a Covid-19 surge along with South Korea, Vietnam and Laos, with cases up by 362 percent. South Korea recorded the highest seven-day average with 404,666, a 42-percent [...]
Biden tells US businesses to ‘harden’ defences against Russia cyber threat
US President Joe Biden told US CEOs that they need to prepare businesses for possible Russian cyber attacks. (Photo: AFP/Nicholas Kamm) WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden on Monday (Mar 21) warned of intelligence pointing to a growing Russian cyber threat and urged US businesses to "immediately" prepare defences. "If you have not already done so, I urge our private sector partners to harden your cyber defences immediately," he said in a statement. Biden cited "evolving intelligence that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks," including in response to Western sanctions over Moscow's launching of the war in Ukraine. "It's part of Russia's playbook," he said. Biden said the US government would "continue to use every tool to deter, disrupt, and if necessary, respond to cyberattacks against critical infrastructure." [...]
Russia bans Facebook and Instagram under ‘extremism’ law
Court in Moscow labels parent company Meta as ‘extremist’ amid crackdown on western media Meta relaxed its policies on hate speech towards Russian soldiers and Vladimir Putin in relation to the invasion of Ukraine. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters A Russian court has banned Facebook and Instagram in the country, labelling its parent company Meta as “extremist” amid the Kremlin’s sweeping crackdown on western social media giants. Access to Facebook and Instagram had already been restricted earlier this month after Meta confirmed it was relaxing its policies on hate speech towards Russian soldiers and Vladimir Putin in relation to the country’s war in Ukraine. Meta later said the laxer rules would only apply to people posting from inside Ukraine. The court in Moscow said that Facebook and Instagram –both of which [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 20,907 new community cases, 15 deaths and 1016 people in hospital
There are 20,907 new community cases of Covid-19, a further 15 deaths and 1016 people in hospital in Aotearoa today, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: Unsplash / Annie Spratt Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says there are also 25 people in ICU or HDU. Dr Bloomfield says the latest analysis shows Covid-19 case numbers have passed their peak in Auckland, and are tracking down in all three district health boards. Yesterday there were 1000 people in hospital, 33 of whom were in an intensive care or high dependency unit. There were also nine deaths, taking the country's death toll since the start of the pandemic to 184. The ministry announced another 14,463 new community cases yesterday. Tomorrow the government is set to announce any decisions regarding the [...]
Calls for free public transport amid high living costs
NEW ZEALAND— Ryan Hooper-Smith from public transport campaign Free Fares NZ is calling for free public transport in Aotearoa. It comes as the government announced 50% off public transport fares for three months starting on April 1 in response to rising petrol costs, but Hooper-Smith said the Government needs to be doing more. Free Fares NZ gained more than 13,000 signatures on a petition presented to the Government asking to make public transport free for students, community service card holders, under 25s and low income earners. Hooper-Smith told Breakfast “we thought that a campaign pushing for something like free public transport is quite radical so we’re going to see and push back but surprisingly a lot of people are in favour of it". “You know ultimately when you put [...]
EU split on Russia oil sanctions, mulls other steps
Europian Union flags fly outside the Europian Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on August 10, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Yves Herman) BRUSSELS— The European Union's foreign ministers disagreed on Monday (Mar 21) on whether and how to slap sanctions on Russia's lucrative energy sector over its invasion of Ukraine, with Germany saying the bloc was too dependent on Russian oil to decide an embargo. The EU and allies have already imposed hefty measures against Russia, including freezing its central bank's assets. Russia's siege and bombardment of Mariupol port, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called "a massive war crime", is increasing pressure for action. But targeting Russian energy exports, as the United States and Britain have done, is a divisive choice for the 27-nation EU, which relies on Russia [...]
Four dead, one missing after New Zealand fishing boat sinks in bad weather
Rescue operation off North Island’s North Cape hampered by thunderstorms, swells and torrential downpours A charter fishing boat (R) operated by Enchanter Fishing Charters. Four people have died and one person is missing after one of the company’s boats sank off New Zealand’s North Cape.Photograph: David Fisher/AP A fishing trip in New Zealand has ended in tragedy, with four people dead and one passenger still missing after their boat sank during wild weather. The rescue operation began on Sunday evening after a charter fishing vessel activated an emergency beacon off the North Island’s North Cape. A helicopter was first on scene at the remote location, arriving at about 11.40pm but by 2.30am the boat had sunk. Search and rescue crews winched five people to safety and transported them [...]
Hong Kong to lift flight ban on 9 countries in April, cut quarantine to 7 days for travellers
Up to 4 people will be allowed for public gatherings, up from the current 2. Passengers arrive at the international airport in Hong Kong on Mar 21, 2022. (Photo: AFP/DALE DE LA REY) HONG KONG— Hong Kong is set to resume international flights from the United States, Britain and seven other countries, the government said Monday (Mar 21) as it announced a loosening of some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions. The hotel quarantine period for arrivals from abroad will also be reduced to seven days. The flight bans, known as a "circuit breaker", would be lifted from Apr 1. These were put in place after the highly transmissible Omicron variant emerged in January, with the restrictions initially covering eight countries deemed high-risk - Australia, United States, Britain, Canada, France and India, Pakistan [...]
Ukraine rejects Russian demand for surrender in Mariupol
People gather amid the destruction caused after shelling of a shopping center, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, March 21, 2022. (AP Photo/ (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) LVIV, Ukraine— Ukrainian officials defiantly rejected a Russian demand that their forces in Mariupol lay down arms and raise white flags Monday in exchange for safe passage out of the besieged strategic port city. Even as Russia intensified its attempt to bombard Mariupol into surrender, its offensive in other parts of Ukraine has floundered. Western governments and analysts see the broader conflict grinding into a war of attrition, with Russia continuing to barrage cities. In the capital Kyiv, Russian shelling devastated a shopping center near the city center, killing at least eight people and leaving a sea of rubble amid scarred high-rises. Ukrainian authorities [...]
PH Fuel firms announce first price rollback for 2022
Metro Manila, Philippines — After eleven straight weeks of increases, fuel prices will be going down this week, oil companies announced in separate advisories on Monday. Caltex, Cleanfuel, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Petron, Phoenix, Total, and Unioil said they will slash per-liter prices of gasoline by ₱P5.45 and diesel by ₱11.45 effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 22. Caltex, Flying V, Petron, and Unioil will also cut kerosene rates by ₱8.55 per liter on the same day. The Department of Energy, which earlier projected a big-time rollback for this week, said in its latest oil monitor that as of March 15, prices of gasoline have gone up by ₱7.10-₱7.20 per liter since the start of 2022. By the liter, diesel costs have since risen by ₱12.00-₱13.25 per liter and ₱10.50 [...]
China Eastern plane carrying 132 people crashes in Guangxi
A China Eastern Airlines plane carrying 132 people on board has crashed in Guangxi province, China's Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) says. File photo. Photo: AFP It is feared there are no survivors, but the number of casualties - and reason for the crash are not yet known. The crash of the Boeing 737 jet, in a mountainous region, led to a fire in the woods, state media is reporting. "Can confirm the plane has crashed," China Eastern Airlines said in a statement in which it also gave details of a hotline for relatives of those on board. The CAAC said the aircraft lost contact over the city of Wuzhou. It had 123 passengers and nine crew on board. State media said earlier there were 133 people [...]
NZ to send body armour, helmets, camouflage vests to Ukraine
New Zealand is pledging another $5 million in aid to Ukraine, as well as sending body armour and helmets among other equipment. Jacinda Ardern. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the additional $5 million would bring New Zealand's contribution to $11 million. When asked why New Zealand is not sending weapons, Ardern said Ukraine's request for lethal aid was being met by other countries. "What's important is that their needs are being met in ways that every country can contribute. "We haven't yet made the decision to add those additional ways of support. We have less scope than many countries to provide it and it would be a fundamental change in approach." Local residents carry water from the food warehouse, on the territory which is under the Government of the [...]
Joe Biden warns Xi Jinping of ‘consequences’ if China backs Russia
Leaders spoke for nearly two hours but Biden did not make any direct requests to Xi to persuade Putin to end the attack Joe Biden speaks with Xi Jinping from the White House on Friday. Photograph: The White House/AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden spoke for nearly two hours with Xi Jinping as the US sought to dissuade China from backing Russia’s war on Ukraine. A White House account of the call on Friday said that the US president “described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians”. A senior administration official said there would be consequences “not just for China’s relationship with the United States, but for the wider world”, but would not give more details on [...]
Putin appears at big rally as troops press attack in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin seen on the big screen as he delivers his speech at the concert marking the eighth anniversary of the referendum on the state status of Crimea and Sevastopol and its reunification with Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 18, 2022, with a banner reading "For Russia" projected in the backgroud. (Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik Pool Photo via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared at a huge flag-waving rally at a packed Moscow stadium Friday and lavished praise on his troops fighting in Ukraine, three weeks into the invasion that has led to heavier-than-expected Russian losses on the battlefield and increasingly authoritarian rule at home. Meanwhile, the leader of Russia’s delegation in diplomatic talks with Ukraine said the sides have narrowed their differences. The Ukrainian side said [...]
Ardern conveys NZ support for Ukraine in call to Denys Shmyhal
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning spoke to Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, to offer New Zealand's strong support for Ukraine and its people, and its total condemnation of Russia's aggression. Jacinda Ardern and Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Photo: NZME / AFP "Prime Minister Shmyhal thanked New Zealand for being one of the first countries to take swift practical action against Russia's aggression," Ardern said. "As he noted, when it comes to the importance of the global response, there is no bigger or smaller country, there are only countries that are reacting." Ardern said she told Shmyhal that this country considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's attacks on his neighbour to be "unprovoked, unjustified and illegal". "New Zealand will continue to call on Russia to immediately cease military [...]
NZ Covid-19 Update: 18,514 new Covid-19 community cases on Saturday, 10 death
There are 18,514 new Covid-19 cases in the community in New Zealand on Saturday, the Ministry of Health has announced. Covid-19 vaccination centre in The Cloud, Auckland. (Source: 1News) There are 939 people in hospital with the virus, including 24 in an intensive care or high dependency unit. This is a decrease on Friday's hospitalisations of 943, with one less person in ICU compared with 24 hours ago. The ministry also announced 10 Covid-related deaths. Of the 10 people who died, one was from Northland, three were from Auckland, one was from Waikato, two were from Bay of Plenty, two from the Lakes DHB area, and one was from Wellington. One of the people was in their 40s, two were in their 60s, four were in their 80s, [...]
‘Safe’ New Zealand to reopen borders early
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. XINHUA PHOTO WELLINGTON— New Zealand will scrap its strict border controls early because the country's world-leading pandemic response has made it "a safe place to visit," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday. "We're ready to welcome the world back," Ardern told reporters. "I'm proud that New Zealand is a country able at this moment in time to provide a safe place for our tourists to return to." Vaccinated Australians could visit without undergoing quarantine or self-isolation starting in April, rather than the July date originally planned. Travelers from nations with visa-free arrangements with New Zealand — including major markets in the Northern Hemisphere, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan — can do the same from May 1 onward. Ardern called the change [...]
‘Close the sky over Ukraine’, President Zelenskyy urges US Congress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a video address to senators and members of the House of Representatives gathered in the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium, at the US Capitol in Washington on Mar 16, 2022. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Pool via REUTERS) WASHINGTON— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged American lawmakers to do more to protect his country from Russia's invasion in an address to the US Congress on Wednesday (Mar 16) and pleaded with President Joe Biden to be the world's "leader of peace". Zelenskyy continued his push for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine and asked for aircraft and defensive systems to respond to the invasion launched by Russian last month that has unleashed a wave of refugees. He also called for more economic sanctions against Russia. Ukraine is [...]
Vietnam ends COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers
Ho Chi Minh City residents are now barred from gathering in groups larger than pairs in public AFP/Huu Khoa HANOI— Vietnam announced an end to quarantine for international travellers on Wednesday (Mar 16), as it seeks to restart its tourism industry after two years of strict COVID-19 restrictions. The only virus requirement for visitors will be a negative COVID-19 test, the country's ministry of health said in a statement. The communist state's tourism sector was worth up to US$32 billion a year before the pandemic, but it ground to a standstill during the pandemic as the government restricted travel. Virus curbs have slowly been eased in recent months, with visitors trickling back in since November to play golf at resorts, under a bubble arrangement. Vietnam also announced the resumption [...]
Economy up 3 percent in final quarter of 2021 – Stats NZ
The economy rebounded at the end of last year as consumer spending picked up after Covid lockdowns were eased. Photo: 123rf Stats NZ data showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose a seasonally adjusted 3.0 percent in the three months ended December, slightly below expectations, and compared with a revised 3.6 percent fall in the previous quarter. Growth was driven by improved activity in the retail, hospitality and construction sectors. "Households spent more on goods and services, particularly on durable items such as clothing and footwear, and electrical appliances," Stats NZ senior manager Ruvani Ratnayake said. Service industries make up about two thirds of the economy, and showed 2.5 percent growth, but the household spending component rose 5.2 percent. Goods producing industries such as manufacturing rose 6.5 percent, after slumping [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: Ten deaths, 930 people in hospital, 19,566 new community cases
Ten deaths - the most in a single day - have been reported in today's Ministry of Health statistics, along with 19,566 new cases. Photo: AFP There are 23 people in intensive care. Speaking at today's Covid update, Northern Region Health Coordination Centre chief clinical officer Dr Andrew Old said they were pleased Auckland case numbers were tracking down and confirmed that Auckland's peak had now passed. Authorities are hopeful hospitalisations may turn a corner in the next week. The average age of those hospitalised in the northern region remains about 40 The total average stay remains less than two days but for those over 65, it is more than three days. Dr Old said an initial review of hospital admissions had found one third of those clearly had [...]
Russia and Ukraine ‘close to agreeing’ on neutral status, says Sergei Lavrov
Foreign minister’s claim undermined by aggressive comments from Vladimir Putin Sergei Lavrov suggested in a media interview that talks with Kyiv were making ground despite the continued bloodshed. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/AFP/Getty A peace deal under which Ukraine abandons its Nato aspirations in return for Russian withdrawal and western security guarantees appeared to inch closer on Wednesday even as Vladimir Putin’s troops were accused of killing people queueing for bread in a northern Ukrainian city. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, suggested talks were making progress despite continued bloodshed and fears from some EU leaders that the Kremlin was toying with Kyiv. “The negotiations are not easy for obvious reasons,” Lavrov told RBC News. “But nevertheless, there is some hope of reaching a compromise. [...]
As Indonesia prepares to move its capital to Kalimantan, some civil servants are reluctant to relocate
This undated handout showing computer-generated imagery released by Nyoman Nuarta on January 18, 2022 shows a design illustration of Indonesia's future presidential palace in East Kalimantan, as part of the country's relocation of its capital from slowly sinking Jakarta to a site 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) away on jungle-clad Borneo island that will be named "Nusantara". (Photo: Handout via AFP/Nyoman Nuarta) JAKARTA— Indonesian civil servant Dwi (not her real name) has been thinking about her career and future lately. President Joko Widodo signed the Bill on capital relocation into law on Feb 15 and it has become evident that civil servants would need to relocate from Jakarta to the new capital named Nusantara. Authorities said the move is necessary to save sinking and congested Jakarta as well as to enhance [...]
‘Empowered women to boost economy’ -Sara Duterte
VICE presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Photos by John Orven Verdote PHILIPPINES— Vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio highlighted the importance of economic empowerment for women as the country pushes for post-Covid economic recovery. A longtime champion of women empowerment, Duterte-Carpio stressed the need to address the lack of economic opportunities for women in the communities, saying they are good community partners, especially in driving the country's economy. "Alam natin na ang mga kababaihan sa mga komunidad ay isa sa mga sektor na minsan ay hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na maging parte ng ating paglago o progreso — kahit pa man alam din natin na malaki ang kanilang potensyal at papel sa usapin ng kaunlaran (We all know that women in our communities [...]
UK to host Baltic, Nordic leaders to find new ways to isolate Russia
FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street in London, Britain March 9, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah McKay LONDON— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host leaders from countries along Russia's northwestern flank next week to discuss ways they can respond to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including finding new ways to isolate Russia's economy. The leaders from countries in the Joint Expeditionary Force, a British-led grouping made up of Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden will meet for talks in London on Tuesday. The leaders are expected to agree to more military exercises in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea and will discuss the war in Ukraine and energy security, Johnson's office said. "European security has been shaken by the attack [...]
Back to the future: Govt proposing buy-back bottle scheme
The Government is proposing a new recycling and waste management scheme that would give New Zealanders 20c every time they recycle a plastic bottle. It would also standardise curbside collections around the country so that councils recycle the same materials, and households and businesses would be able to separate food scraps and stop putting organic waste into landfills. Environment Minister David Parker says the aim is to encourage people to hand in their single use plastic bottles. The scheme won't be rolled out until 2025, but it would see a 20c increase in price for drinks in single use plastic bottles, which is given back to consumers when they return their bottles. Similar schemes existed for glass bottles in the past and were a staple of many a Kiwi [...]
Auckland case numbers could be peaking, modeller says
There are strong signs Auckland has reached the peak of Omicron Covid-19 case numbers, a modeller says, but hospitalisations and other regions' cases are not there yet. Photo: 123rf Canterbury University epidemic modeller Michael Plank said he is confident community cases in the Auckland region will edge down from here, but that hospitalisations will be slower to decline. Community case numbers in the supercity have been falling slowly: 6077 were reported yesterday, which is down from 7240 the day before and less than half the number reported some days last week. Plank, who is a maths professor, said hospitalisations lag behind community cases and are expected to continue rising before they begin slowly decreasing. He expects other regions' case numbers will follow Auckland, and will peak in about [...]
Russia strikes near Ukrainian capital; port city under siege
Seen through a broken window, a fire burns in an apartment building after the shelling of a residential district in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) MARIUPOL, Ukraine— Russian forces pounded the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Saturday, shelling its downtown as residents hid in an iconic mosque and elsewhere to avoid the explosions. Fighting also raged in the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv, as Russia kept up its bombardment of other cities throughout the country. Mariupol has endured some of Ukraine’s worst punishment since Russia invaded. Unceasing barrages have thwarted repeated attempts to bring food, water and medicine into the city of 430,000 and to evacuate its trapped civilians. More than 1,500 people have died in Mariupol during the siege, according to the [...]
Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution
SASHA MORDOVETS/GETTY IMAGES ‘If someone threatens the life of many people, that means he has to be punished by the death penalty,’ Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly said in an interview with The Atlantic. Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of crimes ranging from killings to belonging to militant groups, the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom in its modern history. The number of executed surpassed even the toll of a January 1980 mass execution for the 63 militants convicted of seizing the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979, the worst-ever militant attack to target the kingdom and Islam's holiest site. It wasn't clear why the kingdom choose Saturday for the executions, though they came as much of the world's attention remained [...]
Prepare for petrol to reach $4 litre – AA says
Drivers should prepare to pay up to $4 a litre for petrol, according to the Automobile Association. Petrol prices in Auckland last Friday. Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson Extreme market volatility pushed crude oil prices to nearly $US140 a barrel this week. AA policy advisor Terry Collins said Europe has relied on Russian energy, but can't any more, and global sanctions are halting supply. "There's a concern they can use it as an economic weapon by turning off the gas or coal or petrol supplies, so what Europe's now deciding is to wean itself off that reliance on Russian energy. "In the short term the US and other economies are putting sanctions on it, which means they can't sell the product anyway." Even though New Zealand is not [...]
Firm Pentagon ‘no’ to Polish plan to send jets to Ukraine
A military officer is passing between Bulgaria's MiG-29 and Spanish Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon II aircraft and MiG-29, in Graf Ignatievo, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.. As part of the united efforts of NATO partners to bolster the defense of the Alliance's eastern flank while tensions are continuing over a possible Russian invasion in Ukraine, Spain is sending fighter jets to Bulgaria to implement joint air policing missions. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon on Wednesday slammed the door on a Polish proposal for providing Ukraine with MiG fighter jets, saying allied efforts against the Russian invasion should be focused on more useful weaponry and the MiG transfer with a U.S. and NATO connection would run a “high risk” of escalating the war. By rebuffing the proposal involving [...]
Australia’s military to grow by nearly 20,000 people by 2040
Australia's military will move towards a wartime footing under government plans to boost the number of uniformed personnel to almost 80,000 by 2040, amid strategic risks posed by China and Russia. The expansion will see 18,500 more uniformed defence personnel (file picture). Photo: AFP / Australian Department of Defence The proposed $38 billion expansion would see the full-time Australian Defence Force grow to a size not seen since the Vietnam War, requiring its biggest recruitment effort in 40 years. Under the massive expansion to be unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton at Brisbane's Gallipoli Barracks on Thursday, the total number of Defence employees, including civilians, would rise to more than 101,000. According to the government, the additional 18,500 uniformed personnel is 6000 more [...]
IMF approves US$1.4 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine
People gather at the main hall of the Central train station, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Warsaw, Poland on Mar 9, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Kacper Pempel) WASHINGTON— The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said its executive board on Wednesday (Mar 9) approved US$1.4 billion in emergency financing for Ukraine to help meet urgent spending needs and mitigate the economic impact of Russia's military invasion. The global lender said Ukrainian authorities had canceled an existing stand-by lending arrangement with the IMF, but would work with the fund to design an appropriate economic program focused on rehabilitation and growth when conditions permit. "The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has been responsible for a massive humanitarian and economic crisis," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement after the meeting, predicting [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 21,015 new community cases, 845 people in hospital, 16 in ICU
The daily number of new community cases has dropped slightly today to 21,015 cases, but the number of people in hospital with the coronavirus continues to soar, rising to 845 today. Photo: 123rf.com The Ministry of Health said 16 people are in intensive care. There was also one new death reported today. There are now more people in hospital with Covid-19 than at any other point over the past two years, the Ministry said. "DHBs have been planning and preparing for managing Covid-19 and the higher number of cases in the community which are resulting in more people in hospital. Our hospitals and their dedicated teams are continuing to do what's needed to make sure everyone gets the treatment they need." Today's numbers are down compared to yesterday's [...]
Asian shares surge as Russia-Ukraine talks buoy sentiment
FILE PHOTO: A customer hands over Russian rouble banknotes and coins to a vendor at a market in Omsk, Russia February 18, 2022. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko BEIJING— Asian shares surged on Thursday, tracking Wall Street's gains as planned diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine buoyed sentiment, although analysts warned the rally could be susceptible to a sharp reversal as risks remain. Oil prices also regained some footing, having fallen more than 12per cent on the previous session as United Arab Emirates pledged to support hiking oil output to ease mayhem in energy markets. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 1.6per cent in early trade. Japan's Nikkei surged 3.4per cent while Australian shares were up 1per cent. Chinese blue chips rose 1.96per cent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng [...]
McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi suspend Russian operations
‘Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,’ says burger chain’s chief executive A McDonald's restaurant on Pushkin Square in Moscow. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images The pull-out of iconic western brands from Russia is gathering momentum, with Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi joining McDonald’s in pausing operations in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Late on Tuesday, PepsiCo, the soft-drink and snack maker, said it was suspending all advertising in Russia and stopping the sale of its drinks brands, after a similar announcement by its rival Coca-Cola. Fast-food giant McDonald’s said earlier that it will temporarily suspend operations at its 850 locations. The Chicago-based company, which owns 84% of its stores in Russia, could take a big financial hit because of the closures. In a [...]
Australian Prime Minister to declare floods a national emergency
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will declare a national emergency in response to catastrophic floods in northern New South Wales. Federal and state governments have been criticised for a slow response to the flooding disaster - here soldiers load food for delivery to areas of northern New South Wales affected by floods. Photo: AFP / Australian Defence Force / Dustin Anderson The declaration gives the federal government power to intervene and deploy resources. It is a legislative power that Morrison sought after the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis. Morrison is also set to outline more money to help communities recover from floods on the east coast when he visits Lismore today, as government ministers expect anger from residents whose lives have been upturned. The federal government has been criticised for the [...]
Drivers in the Philippines fret over shrinking income
RIDE OF THE FUTURE | Some families may turn to the energy-efficient e-tricycle, such as this one picking up passengers on Tuesday in Divisoria, Manila, to ride out the soaring prices of diesel and gasoline. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is driving up global oil prices. (MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — Jeff Gochangco, a 58-year-old jeepney driver and a father of four, became jobless when the series of lockdowns to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 put a stop to public transportation. Although he was allowed to pay only part of the P5,000 monthly rent as a relief from his landlord, his unpaid bill has now accumulated to P56,000 after nearly two years of the health crisis. He was able to return to work [...]
Covid-19 update: 22,454 new community cases in New Zealand, 742 people in hospital, four further deaths
The Ministry of Health is reporting 22,454 new community cases of Covid-19 and four further deaths today, with 742 people in hospital with the virus. Photo: 123rf.com Today's case numbers are slightly down on yesterday's 23,894 new cases of Covid-19, with the number of hospitlisations also dropping from 756 yesterday. However the number of patients in ICU has increased from 16 to 19. The four new deaths reported today were in the Lakes, Tairāwhiti, and Counties Manukau DHBs. Today's community case numbers include 8,529 in the Auckland Region. The Ministry said this represents 56 percent of the total new cases, down from 61 percent of total new cases a week ago. "This number is still high and the outbreak is still very active in the Auckland region, [...]
Joe Biden bans Russian oil imports in ‘powerful blow to Putin’s war machine’
Joe Biden speaks in Fort Worth on a visit to Texas on Tuesday. As he stepped off Air Force One, Biden acknowledged gas prices were going to go up. Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden announced a ban on US imports of Russian oil on Tuesday, the latest effort to cut off foreign revenue as punishment for the invasion of Ukraine. “Today I’m announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy,” Biden said at the White House. “We’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports, and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine.” As recently as Sunday, the Biden administration appeared not to be in [...]
France in talks with PH for submarine deal, joint patrols in West PH Sea
Metro Manila, Philippines — France is ready to extend assistance to the Philippines in modernizing its armed forces, including the possibility of supplying assets for a Philippine "submarine force." In a press briefing, Rear Admiral Jean Mathieu-Rey, Joint Commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific, said France is a good partner for the Philippines should it decide to pursue buying submarines. "We are working with our partners with the Philippines on these kinds of assets. France has a long-time tradition of building submarines. We have started our submarine patrol since 1973," Rey said. "We are good partners who can help in establishing a submarine force," he added. Rey, however, clarified that no official deal has been reached so far. The French official added that a "submarine force" would be [...]
Isolation length to be shortened for Covid cases and contacts
The isolation length for Covid cases and household contacts will be decreased from 10 days to seven, kicking in from 11.59pm March 11. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that "high case numbers and household contacts, and the current 10 day isolation requirement, is having a wider impact on many parts of our lives". "There needs to be a balance between effectively controlling the outbreak and the flow-on effect for business and essential goods and services such as transport and food supply. "The most up to date public health advice is that there is a decline in infectiousness of Omicron over time, and that in most cases transmission occurs within seven days," he said. Hipkins said the reduction follows "similar changes overseas and increasing evidence that people are most [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 15,161 new community cases, 618 in hospital, one death
There are 15,161 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, with 610 people now in hospital, the Ministry of Health reports. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry said 10 of the people in hospital are in ICU. While this is the third day in a row to see a drop in case numbers, the Ministry is still urging caution. "The variation in reporting numbers each day means that the rolling average of cases gives a more reliable indicator of testing trends. The seven-day rolling average of cases is today 17,272, up from 16,687 yesterday." It said it was also possible that there may be delays in people self-reporting Rapid Antigen Test results, even if it is a negative result. The Ministry also noted the increases [...]
Sydney faces more rain as death toll from Australian floods rises
Major floods are still underway in some areas west of Sydney along the Hawkesbury River (Photo: AFP/Nikki Short) Sydney— Australia's most populous city, braced for more rain on Sunday (Mar 6) after being drenched by heavy downpours over the past week, as the death toll from flooding across the eastern part of the country reached 17. A wild weather system that dumped more than a year's worth of rainfall over a week in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW) brought widespread destruction, leaving thousands of people in the states displaced and sweeping away property, livestock and roads. Seventeen people have been killed since the deluge began, including a Queensland woman, whose body was found on Saturday, according to police. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) of NSW said [...]
China urges ‘direct’ Russia-Ukraine negotiations as war rages
Ukrainian soldiers help a fleeing family crossing the Irpin river in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Mar 5, 2022. (Photo: AP/Emilio Morenatti) BEIJING— Beijing urged direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine during a Saturday (Mar 5) call between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and his American counterpart Antony Blinken, as the war following Moscow's invasion entered a tenth day. The exchange marked the first call between the country's top diplomats since the beginning of hostilities marked by heavy Russian bombardment and fierce resistance from Ukrainian fighters who maintain control of the capital Kyiv. China has walked a cautious diplomatic line since the conflict began, refusing to condemn Moscow's actions after only last month touting a "no limits" friendship between the two countries. On Saturday, Wang told Secretary of [...]
Kiwis must accept Covid is ‘not going to go away’ – Hipkins
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealanders will have to accept Covid-19 is “not going to go away” as the virus continues to run rampant through the community. “I think there’s certainly more infection in the community than the testing numbers will be showing,” he told Q+A on Sunday. Chris Hipkins. (Source: Getty) “I think there are a lot of people who will be experiencing very mild symptoms. Some of them will be staying home, and some of them will just be completely oblivious to the fact they might have Covid-19.” It comes after recent models predicted the country’s Covid-19 infection rate could be as much as five times higher than daily case numbers are showing. Hipkins said it is “certainly possible”, adding, “I suspect there’s a [...]
Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
Ukraine told: your statehood is in doubt as Russian bombs end ceasefire in Mariupol Ukrainian soldiers help families fleeing the town of Irpin on Saturday. Photograph: Vadim Ghirdă/AP Vladimir Putin delivered a chilling warning to the west over the imposition of sanctions on Russia on Saturday, warning that measures designed to cripple his country’s economy were “akin to an act of war”. In comments that were both defiant and threatening, the Russian president also told Ukraine’s leaders that their nation risked being dismantled as an independent sovereign state if they continued to resist Russia’s invasion. “The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood,” Putin said. “If that happens they will have to be blamed for [...]
New Zealand borders set to reopen this year but could be bumpy road ahead – Tourism NZ
The head of Tourism New Zealand says 2022 looks like the year of reopening, but he acknowledges it will be a bumpy road ahead. New Zealand's borders have been mostly closed to overseas travellers for nearly two years. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd The borders have been closed for nearly two years with only a few attempts at a trans-Tasman bubble. In response - and at the request of the then tourism minister - the organisation began honing in on the domestic market, including launching the campaign 'Do Something New, New Zealand'. Its chief executive René de Monchy said Tourism New Zealand would continue to play a role in domestic marketing and supporting the industry and regions, but its primary focus would be back on international markets. "The [...]
Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech: Government needs to stop its ‘tax grab’
National is launching a major offensive against the government, promising to reverse every tax increase imposed by this Labour government. Chris Luxon gave a State of the Nation speech in Auckland this morning Watch it here: Luxon's address was delayed earlier this year because of the Omicron outbreak. He said if elected in 2023, National will repeal the Regional Fuel Tax, the extension to the Bright Line Test, and the removal of interest deductibility for landlords. A National-led government would also adjust all tax bracket thresholds, so people would pay less tax. Luxon said New Zealand has a cost of living "crisis" and the government needs to stop its "tax grab".
US senator slated for calling for Russians to assassinate Putin
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is facing intense pushback from all corners of Washington after calling for the Russian people to end the Ukraine war by assassinating President Vladimir Putin. Lindsey Graham. (Source: Associated Press) White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that it is “not the position of the United States government.” Graham, a former Air Force lawyer and longtime defence hawk, tweeted on Friday (NZ time) that “the only people who can fix this” are Russians. “The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out,” Graham tweeted. “You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service.” The tweet drew swift pushback from some of the most conservative and liberal members of Congress. Texas [...]
Concerns around false information online amid Ukraine invasion
Netsafe is warning Kiwis not to take all social media content about the conflict in Ukraine at face value. Concerns raised around false information online in Ukraine invasion. Netsafe's Sean Lyons says discerning fake from real can be a challenge. (Source: 1News) "We might be forming opinions that aren't actually accurate. We might be part of the spread of that information if we don't know where it's come from," says Sean Lyons, Director of Technology and Partnerships for Netsafe. Tom Mutch is a Kiwi journalist on the ground in Ukraine. Speaking from Lviv, he says discerning fake from real online can be a real challenge. "It's often very hard to figure out these videos, exactly where they are, exactly what the troops in them are doing, exactly where the [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 18,833 new community cases, 597 people in hospital, five deaths
The Ministry of Health has reported 18,833 new community cases of Covid-19 today, with 597 people in hospitals, including 10 people who need intensive care. Photo: AFP The Ministry has also reported the deaths of five people with the coronavirus. Yesterday there were 22,527 new community cases, 562 in hospital including 11 in intensive care, and five deaths reported. What's been happening? Auckland health officials said yesterday that case numbers may have reached a peak in the country's biggest city, but warn the number of people in hospital could continue to rise for the next week. A leading immunisation specialist says parents should not be worried about US research showing plummeting immunity among children who received the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, as there's a straightforward explanation, and other studies [...]
Hong Kong retail chains ration staples to curb COVID-19 panic buying
Customers wearing face masks queue up to pay at a supermarket, ahead of mass coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing, in Hong Kong on Mar 2, 2022. (Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu) HONG KONG— Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items on Friday (Mar 4) to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar. Health authorities reported 52,523 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December. It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health [...]
May 2022 PH Elections: UniTeam tells poll rivals to stop ‘gutter politics’
BBM, LENI, ISKO ON ROAD TRIP Presidential canidates former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo and Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso hit the road as they campaign in Sorsogon, Cavite and Isabela on Friday, March 4, 2022. Robredo and Moreno were with running mates Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan and Dr. Willie Ong. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN, MIKE ALQUINTO AND JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE PHILIPPINES— Clarifications were made on Friday by the camp of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or BBM and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and that of Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo and Sen. Francisco Pangilinan on perceptions that, respectively, they were chickening out from public scrutiny and were using the Catholic Church to advance their campaigns for [...]
Russia steps up onslaught after Ukraine ‘narrowly’ escapes nuclear disaster
Putin forces intensify strikes on civilian areas as UN security council hears of their ‘incredibly reckless’ attack on power plant A house on fire following shelling on the town of Irpin, west of Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Oleksandr Ratushniak/AP The US envoy to the UN said the world had narrowly averted a nuclear catastrophe in Russia’s attack on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, as Moscow’s forces intensified their devastating campaign of artillery and airstrikes against civilian areas of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Nato warned there was still worse to come in the war. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN security council in New York on Friday, said Russia’s actions, which caused a major fire at the Zaporizhzhia compound, reflected a “dangerous new escalation” in its invasion of [...]
Russia blocks Facebook, says it restricts access to Russian media
Russia is blocking Facebook, the country's communications regulator said on Friday, in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on the platform. Photo: 123rf The regulator, Roskomnadzor, said there had been 26 cases of discrimination against Russian media by Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook since October 2020, including restrictions in recent days of state-backed channels like RT and the RIA news agency. The move is a major escalation in an ongoing confrontation between big tech companies and Russia, which has in recent years issued a slew of fines and hobbled services through slowdowns. The tensions have ramped up amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special operation." Meta's head of global affairs Nick Clegg said the company would continue to do everything [...]
NCR under Alert Level 1 in March
PHILIPPINES— The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Sunday placed the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas under Alert Level 1. The lower alert level will be in force from March 1 to 15, Cabinet Secretary and Palace acting spokesman Karlo Alexei Nograles said. Other areas in Luzon that will be under Alert Level 1 are Abra, Apayao, Baguio City and Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan in Region 1; Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela and Quirino in Region 2; Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga and Tarlac in Region 3; Cavite and Laguna in Region 4-A; Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City and Romblon in Region 4-B; and Naga [...]
Australia to send weapons to Ukraine, stepping up military aid
Australia will fund the supply of weapons to the government of Ukraine to help it fight Russian forces invading the country, stepping up its support days after saying it would only provide “non-lethal” military equipment. Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to cabinet colleagues on Sunday morning to start sending the military supplies to Ukraine through allies such as the United States and NATO partners in Europe. A civilian volunteer waits with his gun at a territorial defence unit registration office.CREDIT:GETTY Speaking after joining Ukrainian-Australians at a church service in Sydney, the Prime Minister also signalled more humanitarian aid after the government spoke to the Ukrainian community about taking refugees who are fleeing the war. Mr Morrison spoke to Defence Minister Peter Dutton on Sunday to arrange the expansion [...]
More than 360,000 people have fled war in Ukraine so far, says UN
More than 4.5m more could join exodus if fighting spreads, according to Ukrainian authorities A volunteer distributes toys to Ukrainian children in Medyka, Poland, on Sunday. Photograph: Aleksander Kalka/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock At least 368,000 people have already fled their homes in Ukraine, according to the UN refugee agency, and more than 4.5 million more could follow if the fighting spreads, Ukrainian authorities have said, with reports of tens of thousands on the move within the country itself. The majority of people are fleeing to one of 12 border crossings Ukraine shares with its neighbour Poland, which by Sunday morning had registered 156,000 arrivals. Others are crossing at one of nine border points with Romania, or into Hungary, Slovakia or Moldova, according to figures collected by the UNHCR. [...]
World Russia’s Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert as West rallies behind Ukraine
People walk towards a damaged vehicle, at the site of fighting with Russian troops, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb 26, 2022. (Photo: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko) KYIV— President Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear deterrent on high alert on Sunday (Feb 27) in the face of a barrage of Western reprisals for his war on Ukraine, which said it had repelled Russian ground forces attacking its biggest cities. The United States said Putin was escalating the war with "dangerous rhetoric", amid signs that the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two was not producing rapid victories, but instead generating a far-reaching and concerted Western response. The Ukrainian president's office said negotiations with Moscow without preconditions would be held at the [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 14,633 new community cases, 344 in hospital, five in ICU
As New Zealand marks two years of living with Covid-19, there are 14,633 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health reports. Photo: AFP In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there are also 344 cases in hospital and five in ICU. The cases in hospital are in Northland (5), North Shore (53), Middlemore (128), Auckland (100), Tauranga (11), Taranaki (1), Waikato (28), Canterbury (4) Southern (4), Hutt Valley (6) Capital and Coast (3) and Tairawhiti (1). The new community cases today are in Northland (208), Auckland (9,305), Waikato (1,530), Bay of Plenty (762), Lakes (265), Hawke's Bay (138), MidCentral (175), Whanganui (30), Taranaki (67), Tairāwhiti (60), Wairarapa (52), Capital and Coast (604), Hutt Valley (281), Nelson Marlborough (178), Canterbury (573), South Canterbury [...]
New tsunami alert in works for NZ after Tonga eruption
A new national Civil Defence tsunami alert category is being worked up following the huge impact of the Tongan volcano eruption on Northland's coastline. Tūtūkākā marina's Sunday-morning Tongan tsunami aftermath. Photo: Tania Whyte/ Northern Advocate No lives were lost when the tsunami hit Tūtūkākā marina after the 15 January eruption, but a woman was rescued in the dark from the sea after falling overboard into powerful swirling currents - while trying to get off her damaged boat, into her dinghy and onto terra firma. Millions of dollars of damage ensued with boats wrecked and sunk. Meanwhile Whangaroa Harbour boaties feared they would be cast adrift after the sea's violent tsunami swirling almost forced loose their anchors. The new notification would add specific references for boaties into tsunami notification [...]
Officers stood down over mandates seen protesting at Parliament – Police association
Some officers who resigned rather than get a Covid vaccination have been seen protesting at Parliament, facing down their former colleagues on the frontline, the police association says. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The High Court on Friday quashed the mandate for police and Defence Force staff but it doesn't impact interal vaccination policies of the organisations. The police association is expecting most officers stood down over Covid-19 vaccine mandates will return to work. Association president Chris Cahill told Morning Report police would have to consider what work returning officers do as some may have been protesters at Parliament. The roles they would do back on the force would also have to be considered from a health and safety perspective, he said. Cahill said unvaccinated officers would be [...]
13,606 Covid-19 cases in New Zealand on Saturday
There are 13,606 cases in New Zealand on Saturday, the Ministry of Health has announced. Nurses at an Auckland testing centre preparing PCR nasal swabs. (Source: Getty) The figure is another daily record for New Zealand, eclipsing the 12,011 cases that were announced on Friday. The cases are in Northland (218), Auckland (9,262), Waikato (1,154), Bay of Plenty (690), Lakes (185), Hawke’s Bay (106), MidCentral (123), Whanganui (28), Taranaki (52), Tairāwhiti (48), Wairarapa (18), Capital and Coast (413), Hutt Valley (130), Nelson Marlborough (176), Canterbury (469), South Canterbury (20), Southern (505), West Coast (3); Unknown (6). Those case numbers are from both PCR and rapid antigen (RAT) tests. There are 263 cases in hospital, with five in ICU or HDU.
Defense chief: PH ‘neutral’ on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Metro Manila, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said the Philippines will remain neutral for now as Russia unleashes deadly military attacks on Ukraine. He said authorities are closely watching the developments in Ukraine, but refused to issue a strong statement against Russia and its president Vladimir Putin despite earlier rebuke from various world leaders. The Philippines' Asian neighbors, such as Japan and Taiwan, strongly condemned Russia on Friday, declaring that they will impose economic sanctions on Russia. "Wala naman tayong pakialam sa Europe kung ano ang ginagawa nila doon, hindi naman tayo katabi ng Ukraine. Yung mga bansang karatig, nagpapahayag ng suporta sa Ukraine. Tayo neutral muna tayo ngayon," he said in an interview. [Translation: We are not located beside Ukraine and it's none of our [...]
China says it respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s security concerns
China's Wang Yi, state councillor and foreign minister, waves as he leaves a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Nov 24, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Issei Kato/Pool) WASHINGTON— Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told senior European officials on Friday (Feb 25) that China respects countries' sovereignty, including Ukraine's, but that Russia's concerns about NATO's eastward expansion should be properly addressed. After weeks of warnings from Western leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed an invasion of Ukraine from the north, east and south on Thursday that was the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two. Weeks before the invasion, China and Russia announced a strategic partnership, and so far Beijing has stayed clear of condemning Moscow's actions. Wang said the current situation in Ukraine was not something Beijing wished to [...]
EU, US, UK and Canada announce sanctions targeting Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov
Move is largely symbolic but part of attempt to highlight resolve to stand up to Russia over Ukraine Vladimir Putin (right) and Sergei Lavrov in the Kremlin last week. Photograph: EyePress News/Rex/Shutterstock The EU, the US, the UK and Canada have moved to freeze foreign-held assets of Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, after Europe was accused by Ukraine’s president of failing to act hard and fast enough against Russian aggression. The initiative is largely symbolic, as the Russian president is unlikely to have identifiable personal wealth abroad, but the move followed recognition that appeals for action from Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to be heard. The sanctions were closely coordinated. Two hours into a meeting of foreign ministers, the Latvian representative, Edgars Rinkēvičs, tweeted that the bloc had [...]
Anti-mandate protesters march across Auckland Harbour Bridge
All southbound traffic lanes on State Highway One over the Auckland Harbour Bridge has been closed as anti-mandate protesters march across the bridge. Photo: RNZ State Highway 1 on the Northern Motorway is now closed to southbound traffic between Esmonde Rd and Fanshawe St. Hundreds of people gathered at Onepoto Domain at the northern end of the bridge and have now set out towards the bridge. Māori Wardens told RNZ they are escorting the protesters for safety reasons. The march has been organised by Destiny Church's Freedoms and Rights Coalition. Anti-mandate protesters in Auckland. Photo: RNZ In a statement, police said the safety of staff, road users and protesters was the priority. They will be actively engaging with the protesters to prevent them crossing the bridge due to [...]
Ukraine fights for its survival as Putin presses forward
Ukraine leaders warn world to wake up to Russian threat as west promises to make Putin international pariah World leaders warn Moscow has embarked on a dangerous new era of imperial expansion.Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Ukraine was fighting for its survival after Vladimir Putin unleashed a punishing offensive on the country that left hundreds dead or injured, and world leaders warned that Moscow had embarked on a dangerous new era of imperial expansion. The continent awoke to the shock of scenes it once believed it had left in the 20th century: helicopters strafing homes outside the capital, long lines of tanks ploughing ever deeper towards Ukraine’s heartland, roads choked with refugees, and civilians huddled in underground stations to escape bombardment. The west scrambled to respond with a range of [...]
PH May 2022 Elections: If she wins, Sara Duterte vows fair enforcement of war on drugs and crime
Batangas City, Philippines — Should Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte win in the upcoming May elections, expect President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs and crime to continue in the next six years. The presidential daughter, however, said she is looking at implementing her father’s trademark program in a different way. “Ang gagawin natin is kung ano ‘yung ginawa natin doon sa Davao City. I-emphasize natin sa ating mga law enforcement agencies particularly sa ating mga kapulisan, sa Philippine National Police (PNP) natin, na ang unang-unang trabaho nila, isang pantay-pantay na enforcement ng ating batas,” the vice presidential candidate said in an interview with journalists in Batangas City Tuesday. [Translation: We will do what we did in Davao City. We will emphasize to our law enforcement agencies, particularly to the [...]
PH Covid-19 Update: Mayors vote to downgrade Metro Manila to Alert Level 1 for March
Metro Manila, Philippines — The local chief executives in Metro Manila unanimously voted to downgrade the capital region to Alert Level 1 starting March 1, Metro Manila Council chairperson and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez confirmed to CNN Philippines on Wednesday. The recommendation will be sent to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which will issue the final decision. The mayors met on Tuesday night to come up with a recommendation for the next alert level status in the capital region. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said Alert Level 1 — the lowest classification — will likely be considered as the "new normal" scenario until the state of public health emergency is lifted in the country. He also said the public must still continue [...]
Covid-19 update: Record 3297 new community cases reported in New Zealand today
Today there are 3297 new cases of Covid-19 in the community in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. File image. Photo: 123RF In today's statement, the Ministry said there were 179 people in hospital with the coronavirus, with one in intensive care. It said 1729 of the new cases were in the Auckland DHBs, with the rest in the Northland (40), Waikato (297), Bay of Plenty (157), Lakes (54), Hawke's Bay (18), MidCentral (56), Whanganui (5), Taranaki (30), Tairāwhiti (16), Wairarapa (16), Capital and Coast (123), Hutt Valley (28), Nelson Marlborough (85), Canterbury (176), South Canterbury (7), Southern (455) and West Coast (3) DHBs. There were also eight new cases in managed isolation today. Yesterday the Ministry of Health reported 2846 Covid-19 cases in the [...]
PH May 2022 Elections: Bongbong, Sara top Publicus poll
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bong bong" Marcos Jr., with Manila Mayoral candidate Alex Lopez, waves to the crowd during a campaign motorcade that started at Parola, Tondo, Manila, on 20 February 2022. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO) PHILIPPINES— Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio topped the National Election Tracker Survey of Publicus Asia conducted on February 11 to 16. Fifty-two percent of the survey respondents picked Marcos as their choice for president, giving him a 30 percentage points lead over second-placer Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo. Compared to Publicus' survey in December 2021, there was no change in voter preference for Marcos, while Robredo moved up by 2 percent. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso had 9 percent, followed by Senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and [...]
Australia fully reopens borders shut by COVID-19 pandemic, welcomes back tourists
A man hugs his granddaughter upon arriving at Sydney International Airport on Feb 21, 2022, as Australia reopened its borders for fully vaccinated visa holders, tourists and business travellers. (Photo: AFP/SAEED KHAN) SYDNEY— Australia on Monday (Feb 21) fully reopened its international borders to travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of pandemic-related closings as tourists returned and hundreds of people were reunited with family and friends. More than 50 international flights will reach the country throughout the day, including 27 touching down in Sydney, its largest city, as the tourism and hospitality sectors look to rebuild after getting hammered by COVID-19 restrictions. "It is a very exciting day, one that I have been looking forward to for a long time, from the day that I first [...]
Covid-19 update: 2846 community cases today, 143 people in hospital
There are 2846 Covid-19 cases in the community today and 143 people in hospital with the virus, the Ministry of Health reports. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the ministry said one of the people in hospital was in intensive care or a high dependency unit. The average age of the current hospitalisations is 56. Of the new cases today, 36 were in Northland, 1802 in Auckland, 285 in Waikato, 86 in Bay of Plenty, 19 in Lakes, 25 in Hawke's Bay, 25 in MidCentral, 19 in Whanganui, 26 in Taranaki, 17 in Tairāwhiti, two in Wairarapa, 84 in Capital and Coast, 25 in Hutt Valley, 77 in Nelson Marlborough, 105 in Canterbury, four in South Canterbury and 206 in the Southern DHB. There were also 15 new cases [...]
UN Security Council to meet urgently on Ukraine crisis
People wave Russian national flags celebrating the recognizing the independence in the center of Donetsk, the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants, eastern Ukraine, late Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. In a fast-moving political theater, Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved quickly to recognize the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in a show of defiance against the West amid fears of Russian invasion in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov) MOSCOW (AP) — The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday night after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered Russian troops to “maintain the peace” there. The meeting comes at the request of Ukraine, the United States and six other countries. Russia, which currently holds the rotating council presidency, [...]
PH aims to vaccinate 80% of vulnerable population before shift to Alert Level 1
Metro Manila— The government aims to vaccinate 80% of the vulnerable population against COVID-19 before the country eases to Alert Level 1. In a televised briefing Monday night, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the recommendation is from presidential adviser for COVID-19 response Vince Dizon. "Bago ma-de-escalate to Alert Level 1, kinakailangang 80% [ang vaccination rate] ng atingA2 and A3... At kung hindi po sila makarating sa panukatan na 'yan ay hindi tayo puwedeng ibaba," he said. [Translation: Before we de-escalate the country to Alert Level 1, the vaccination rate of the A2 and A3 groups should be 80%. If they will not reach this, then we cannot de-escalate.] The vaccination rate is also a good metric to use when deciding which areas are ready to shift to Alert [...]
Three cops hospitalised after substance thrown by protesters
Three police have been admitted to hospital after a substance was thrown at them by protesters outside Parliament. Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers. (Source: 1News) Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers was unable to confirm what the substance was. It happened on Tuesday morning after a confrontation with police around some of the streets outside Parliament. "Three of our police staff have been admitted to hospital... with a substance that was thrown at them from the protest group," Chambers said. He said police were using shields as they were "aware members in the protest group were determined to again throw human faeces at our police staff". Chambers was asked how many police had faeces thrown at them but he was unable to answer. Chambers said some of the protesters' actions were "disgraceful [...]
Australia hugs nature, shuts biggest coal plant
Origin Energy said the 2.88 gigawatt Eraring power plant was unable to compete with the ‘influx of renewables’ © AFP via Getty Images SYDNEY— Australia's largest coal-fired power plant, and also among the world's biggest, will shut in 2025 — several years sooner than planned — operators announced Thursday, saying the facility is no longer viable given the low cost of renewables. Observers see the move as the country's call for a more nature-friendly gesture in serving the power needs of its citizens. Origin Energy told investors that the "influx of renewables" was "undermining the economics" of the vast Eraring plant just north of Sydney. The plant currently includes four 720-megawatt coal-fired generators and one 42-megawatt diesel generator, supplying Australia's most populous state New South Wales with [...]
How the United States views New Zealand as Indo-Pacific faces ‘urgent challenges’
New Zealand's partnership with the United States is "vitally important" and has seen "tremendous growth" over the last decade, a top US official says, as the superpower attempts to strengthen its position within the Indo-Pacific. The US late last week released its Indo-Pacific Strategy, detailing its intent to modernise its relationships in the region, which it says is facing "urgent challenges" such as the growing influence of China, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. They're challenges New Zealand is familiar with. In regards to China, New Zealand's Ministry of Defence last December released a report warning the Asian nation is "the major driver of geopolitical change" and "China views an increased presence in the Pacific as part of its natural progression towards its global goals". The US document says [...]
Taupō wins most beautiful large town title
LOVETAUPO.COM - Beautiful Taupō. Taupō has been named the most beautiful large town in the country for the second time in four years at the annual Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards. The awards were held online on Thursday and are Aotearoa's longest-running sustainability awards and provide a benchmark for environmental excellence. Mayor David Trewavas accepted the award via video link and said winning the prestigious title again was testament to Taupō's great community spirit. "As a council, we are proud of the amount of work we do and the partnership approach we take with our schools, businesses and volunteer groups like Tidy Taupō and Greening Taupō, to protect and enhance our town,” he said. Taupō: The North Island's most underrated town. This little town of just 30,000 [...]
First woman reported cured of HIV after stem cell transplant
A girl lights lamps during an HIV/Aids awareness campaign on the occasion of World Aids Day, in India, on Dec 1, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS CHICAGO— A US patient with leukaemia has become the first woman and the third person to date to be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to the virus that causes Aids, researchers reported on Tuesday (Feb 15). The case of a 64-year-old woman of mixed race, presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunisitic Infections in Denver, is also the first involving umbilical cord blood, a newer approach that may make the treatment available to more people. Since receiving the cord blood to treat her acute myeloid leukemia – a cancer that starts in blood-forming [...]
Migrant doctors lured overseas as immigration woes mount
Consultants are among an exodus of medical staff from New Zealand to countries whose immigration policies are more attractive. Photo: 123RF One of the sticking points is the parent category - the government has reiterated that no decision has been made on when the programme will re-start, but said it was not part of the border re-opening plan. One specialist has an offer from an Australian hospital almost tripling his salary and with a sign-on bonus of $300,000. He will leave to take the job in April, but says he will stay if the government agrees to re-start the process of accepting migrants' parents as residents. The specialist, who is a New Zealand citizen and UK-trained, said his father, who is in his 80s, is staying with him and [...]
PM says Parliament occupation ‘no longer a protest’
The occupation on Parliament's lawn and the surrounding streets "is no longer a protest", says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as the stand-off with police stretches into its tenth day. Hundreds have set up camp for over a week, with stalls and food areas set up. On Thursday threats and accusations were still written in chalk all around Parliament buildings, slurs were displayed from some vehicles, while some protesters continued to spread misinformation over loudspeakers. New signs had been erected on the edge of the protest apologising to people who have been abused on their way to work. "Protest is not illegal in New Zealand," Jacinda Ardern said from Rotorua. "Building camps on the lawn of Parliament, obstructing the ability of young people to go to school, of workers to [...]
Australia intends to list Hamas as terrorist organisation
FILE PHOTO: Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews at the US Department of Justice in Washington, December 15, 2021. (Photo: Leigh Vogel/Pool via REUTERS) SYDNEY— The Australian government intends to list the entirety of Palestinian militant group Hamas as a terrorist organisation under the country's criminal code, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said on Thursday (Feb 17). A listing by Australia of the whole group, rather than just its military arm as at present, would bring its stance in line with the United States, the European Union and Britain. "The views of Hamas and the violent extremist groups listed today are deeply disturbing, and there is no place in Australia for their hateful ideologies," Andrews said in a statement. Andrews said she had written to Australia's state and [...]
Hong Kong’s COVID-19 fight intensifies as cases multiply by 60 times
Hong Kong's healthcare system is buckling under an Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 wave. (File photo: AFP/Peter Parks) HONG KONG— Hong Kong's COVID-19 battle intensified on Thursday (Feb 17) as authorities reported new cases had multiplied by 60 times so far this month and media reported that testing would become compulsory for everyone in the global financial hub from March. Hospitals are overwhelmed with some patients, including elderly, left lying on beds outside in chilly, sometimes rainy weather, in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from the authorities. Schools, gyms cinemas and most public venues are shut. Many office employees work from home. But, many residents are fatigued by the harsh restrictions imposed to protect them against the pandemic, even as most other major cities in the world adjust to living with [...]
Filipinos want strong, honest leaders – poll
PHILIPPINES— A pre-election survey conducted by the group Boses, Opinyon, Siyasat at Siyensya para sa Pilipinas (Boses Pilipinas) revealed that Filipinos desire leaders that are strong, honest and intelligent. Sixty-nine percent of the respondents said they prefer candidates who could provide strong leadership, 55 percent said it is important for candidates to be honest while 42 percent said intelligence is crucial to a candidate. Meanwhile, 37 percent of the respondents said they prefer candidates who get things done, 33 percent said they want morally upright candidates while 19 percent said they want compassionate candidates. Boses Pilipinas convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla said the results could help Filipinos evaluate their candidates. "With all the noise in media and social media platforms — as well as the highly curated portrayal of the [...]
Two New Zealanders into Olympic freeski final
The Porteous brothers, Nico and Miguel, have both qualified for the final of the men's freeski halfpipe in the Beijing Olympics. New Zealand's Nico Porteous practices before the start of the freestyle skiing men's freeski halfpipe qualification run during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on February 17, 2022. Photo: AFP / Marco Bertorello Nico Porteous, who won bronze in the 2018 Games as a 16-year-old, nailed his second jump to score 90.50 and place second overall. His older brother, Miguel Porteous, had a brilliant first run to come ninth with a score of 81.00. However, fellow New Zealanders Gustav Legnavsky and Ben Harrington failed to join them in Saturday's final. Harrington was particularly unlucky, finishing 13th. Despite having a good first run, he crashed on his second [...]
Protesters’ vehicle blockade remains on 10th day of occupation
Police have pulled back on their plans to begin towing vehicles illegally parked around the anti-vaccine, anti-mandate protest on the Grounds of Parliament. Police outside the Parliament protest on 17 February 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Yesterday, police estimated more than 400 cars, vans and campervans remained ensconsed in several streets alongside Parliament. Despite previous ultimatums, protesters showed little sign of voluntarily removing their vehicles today. In a statement, police said they now had access to significantly more tow trucks to remove illegally parked vehicles but they were concentrating on engaging with protest leaders. Protesters' vehicles and camps are blocking Wellington streets. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Police said they were exercising "careful judgement" about when to start the towing process. "Having observed the response from protesters [...]
Police Commissioner gives ultimatum to protesters outside Parliament
Police is putting into action its Major Operations Centre at the headquarters in the capital in a bid to quell protesters "unreasonably impacting the city". Police are moving to clear the roads outside and near Parliament as protesters continue to occupy the area for the eighth day. Photo: RNZ About 1000 people are outside the Beehive today, protesting against a range of the government's Covid-19 measures. It is the eighth day of the occupation, which has been inspired by similar movements overseas. Nearly 200 parking tickets were handed out to the protesters at Parliament, with wardens out this afternoon ticketing vehicles blocking roads and illegally parked near the protest. But only one of the 180 issued before today has actually been paid. While protesters have been given free [...]
Over 300 Filipinos in Ukraine urged to evacuate
Department of Foreign Affairs building. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, Philippines — Over 300 Filipinos in Ukraine were urged to leave the country temporarily amid the threat of an invasion by Russia. Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun made the call after the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was monitoring the tension between Ukraine and Russia. Fortun called on the government to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Ukraine and neighboring countries such as Belarus, Poland and Moldova. “Filipinos can either secure in place and care about their Ukrainian employers and friends, or temporarily evacuate the countries just outside of Ukraine through commercial rail and airlines,” Fortun said in a statement on Saturday. He also urged OFWs in countries adjacent to [...]
Wild weather causes slips, power cuts, transport disruption in some parts of New Zealand
Ex-cyclone Dovi. (Source: Niwa ) What you need to know: - Flights have been cancelled - Auckland Harbour Bridge is closed due to high winds - Slips and flooding in parts of the North Island 12:55pm Photos show slips created by the adverse weather in Melling. A slip near State Highway 2 in Melling. (Source: Civil Defence) 12:47pm New photos posted by Civil Defence on Twitter shows earlier flooding at the Plimmerton roundabout. Flooding at a roundabout on State Highway 59 northbound at Plimmerton. (Source: Civil Defence) 12:35pm Network infrastructure provider Chorus’ website is showing significant disruption to copper phone and internet services in parts of Northland. Meanwhile, Spark says mobile customers in some towns in the area may have lost phone, text and data services. Spark outage [...]
US announces deeper engagement strategy to match China in the Pacific
The United States insists it is a Pacific nation and has unveiled a raft of new strategies to better engage with other nations in the Region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) attends a meeting with Fijian acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (R) in Nadi, Fiji, on February 12, 2022. Photo: Leon LORD / AFP) United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the first Secretary of State to visit Fiji in nearly 37 years. During his historic visit, Blinken announced that the United States was pursuing deeper engagement plans with Pacific nations. A key element and motivation for those plans is the strengthening of the US presence to match the growing influence of China in the Pacific. In its engagement strategy, he said that China has [...]
Covid-19 protest at NZ Parliament enters sixth day
The number of protestors joining the crowd at the anti-mandate demonstration is steadily growing, after a subdued start to the day. More people joined the protest yesterday, taking numbers up to about 1000, but rain last night drove numbers down to about 500. Photo: RNZ Hundreds of people are on the parliament lawn, though some have been driven away by the heavy rain and winds lashing the capital. A cheer erupts from the crowd each time a sudden and forceful gust of wind and downpour of rain blasts the demonstration. The playlist booming through parliament's loudspeakers changed about 11, and now includes a out of tune recorder rendition of 'My Heart Will Go On', the Titanic theme song by Celine Dion. UK musician James Blunt earlier posted on [...]
Metro Manila now at low risk for COVID-19 transmission – OCTA
Metro Manila skyline at night. As of Feb. 9, 2022, key coronavirus figures in the National Capital Region have gone down, according to Dr. Guido David, OCTA Research fellow. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JILSON SECKLER TIU) MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila is now at low risk for COVID-19 transmission as its reproduction number and other key coronavirus figures have decreased recently, Dr. Guido David, an OCTA Research fellow, said in a Twitter post on Wednesday. “As predicted two weeks ago, NCR improves to low risk as of February 9,” David said in his tweet. By Wednesday, Metro Manila’s reproduction decreased from the previous week’s 0.41 to 0.25, its positivity rate from 15 percent to 9.1 percent, its average daily attack rate (ADAE) from 17.83 to 6.67. ADAR refers [...]
Belarus military drills to begin as Russia ratchets up Ukraine tensions
Satellite imagery shows much Russian hardware has been moved to locations close to Ukraine border Russian and Belarusian troops at a joint combat training exercise last week. Photograph: MOD/EyePress/Rex/Shutterstock Russia and Belarus will begin 10 days of joint military drills on Thursday, setting in train one of the most overtly threatening elements of the Kremlin’s buildup of forces around Ukraine’s borders. Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian general staff, arrived in Belarus on Wednesday to oversee the drills. Russia has moved up to 30,000 troops, two battalions of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and numerous fighter jets into Belarus for joint training exercises with the Belarusian army. Satellite imagery shows much of the hardware has been moved to locations close to the border with Ukraine. The Russian president, Vladimir [...]
Covid-19 update: Record 306 new community cases in New Zealand today
There are 306 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today - a new record high - with 216 cases in Auckland alone. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LI / DDJ / Science Photo Library via AFP In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new community cases were in Northland (12), Auckland (216), Waikato (48), Tairāwhiti (4), Bay of Plenty (7), Lakes (6), MidCentral (2), Taranaki (5), Hutt Valley (3) and Capital and Coast (3). There are 12 cases in hospital in Auckland, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch. None of them in ICU The Ministry said there were 30 cases in MIQ, with travellers arriving from UAE, Australia, Fiji, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Qatar. There were 204 community cases reported in New [...]
Anti-mandate protesters camp outside Parliament for second night
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters have camped outside Parliament for the second night in a row. Police remain on guard outside Parliament as anti-mandate protesters camp out for a second night. (Source: 1News) They remain despite things turning sour on Wednesday, with arrests made after some protesters allegedly attempted to push past a line of officers and enter Parliament. The three arrests came shortly after 3pm in the second day of protests, which had been previously peaceful, when tensions escalated into aggressive behaviour by some. Police said the behaviour was "extremely disappointing". The three people have been charged with obstruction and have been trespassed from Parliament grounds. They have been bailed and are due to appear in the Wellington District Court on Monday. On Thursday morning, there are a quite [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tells anti-vaccine mandate protesters outside Parliament to ‘move on’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told anti-vaccine mandate protesters outside Parliament to 'move on'. Photo: RNZ / Nick Munro She spoke after visiting a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Albany, Auckland. At Parliament grounds, well over a dozen people have been arrested in efforts to remove anti-vaccine mandate protesters who have been occupying the precinct. More than 100 extra officers have been called in, including from other districts. Ardern says it's ultimately an operational matter for police. "Obviously every New Zealander has a right to protest, but there are also rules around what is able to happen on Parliament's forecourt and of course we would expect that people have behaviours that don't disrupt the ability of others to go on with their lives as well." She says she thinks [...]
Malaysia’s National Recovery Council agrees to fully reopen borders without quarantine by March
Malaysia's National Recovery Council chairman Muhyiddin Yassin. (Photo: Facebook/Muhyiddin Yassin) KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia’s National Recovery Council (NRC) has agreed to fully open the country’s borders by March to support the country’s economic recovery. NRC chairman Muhyiddin Yassin told a press conference on Tuesday (Feb 8) that it agreed to full opening of the borders as early as Mar 1 without the need for mandatory quarantine. “However, COVID-19 testing before departure and upon arrival at the border has to be done according to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) recommendations. “The opening of national borders needs to be implemented in a planned manner and based on current risk assessments,” he said after chairing the NRC meeting. Mr Muhyiddin added that the MOH would announce the full details on the requirements and [...]
PH May 2022 Elections: Fight for Palace seat starts on festive note
MANILA, Philippines — There were balloons, campaign T-shirts, rhythmic chanting, posters galore, hand signs, party colors — the festive features of Philippine elections — plus promises to lift the country out of the misery caused by the pandemic and its crippling effects on the national economy. And so, the candidates seeking the highest office in the land, and their running mates, launched their official three-month campaigns on Tuesday following adhoc vote-getting since even before they filed their certificates of candidacy in October last year. At the cavernous Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the martial law-era anthem “Bagong Pagsilang” was sung by a band onstage at the proclamation rally of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his vice presidential candidate, first daughter Sara Duterte. After the singing, an ebullient Toni [...]
Italian woman found dead seated at table in mummified state
Discovery of 70-year-old’s remains years after she died prompts calls for better care for older people in Italy Police stumbled upon Marinella Beretta’s remains when they made a house call during high winds in Lombardy. Photograph: barbacane/Alamy Italian police have discovered the mummified remains of a 70-year-old woman sitting at a table more than two years after she died, prompting calls for better care for older people in the country. Marinella Beretta, who had no living relatives, was found in her house in Prestino near Lake Como in northern Italy. Police stumbled upon her remains when they made a house call during high winds in Lombardy, which risked uprooting neglected trees in her garden. She had not been seen by neighbours for at least two and a half [...]
Canadian truckers block main bridge to US as Trudeau demands end to protest
Trucks block Ambassador Bridge linking cities of Detroit and Windsor, where 8,000 trucks normally cross each day Trucks backed up on the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit on Monday. Photograph: Daniel Mears/AP Traffic has ground to a halt at the busiest border crossing in North America, as Canadian truckers and others angry with vaccine mandates spread their protest beyond Ottawa. Trucks started blocking the Ambassador Bridge linking the cities of Detroit and Windsor late on Monday, closing down traffic in both directions. On Tuesday, entry to Canada remained blocked while US-bound traffic slowed to a crawl. Each day, 8,000 trucks normally cross the bridge, which handles about 27% of trade between Canada and the US. Protesters also targeted another major border crossing in Coutts, Alberta. Canada’s capital city remained blockaded [...]
National wants Auckland regional fuel tax scrapped
National leader Christopher Luxon says taxes such as the Auckland regional fuel tax could be removed in order to help Kiwis at the pump. Christopher Luxon. (Source: Getty) The price for 95 topped $3 a litre at some Auckland stations over Waitangi weekend, with prices very close to that mark in Wellington. The Motor Trade Association has said not to blame retailers for rising costs, explaining 52 per cent of the cost consists of taxes such as fuel excise duty, Emission Trading Scheme levy and GST. Thirty-seven per cent is made up of production and shipping costs, with the remaining 10.6 per cent as the wholesaler and retailer margin. Luxon told Breakfast on Wednesday the Auckland regional fuel tax had raised more than $500 million since it began [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 204 new community cases reported today
There are 204 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today. (File image) Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new community cases were in Northland (8), Auckland (135), Waikato (35), Rotorua (1), Taupō (1), Bay of Plenty (11),Taranaki (1), Palmerston North (2) Wellington (3), Hutt Valley (3), Nelson Marlborough (1), Canterbury (3) There are 16 cases in hospital, although none are in ICU. A Flourish data visualization The ministry said there were 46 cases in MIQ reported yesterday, with travellers arriving from India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Pakistan, UK, Australia, Fiji, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, France, USA and the Philippines. There were 202 new community cases and 63 in MIQ reported yesterday. There have now been 18,126 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand since [...]
DILG chief opposes ‘no booster card, no entry’ proposal: The economy will suffer
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO) MANILA, Philippines — The country’s economy will suffer if the “no booster card, no entry” proposal is implemented, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday, noting that over half a million individuals in Metro Manila remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Año said that the government is prioritizing the immunization for primary series or the first doses and second doses. “Sa ngayon hindi pa ‘yan napapanahon. Ang ating priority pa rin—although nag-booster na tayo ng mga fully vaccinated—ang ating primary priority, mag-vaccinate pa rin ng primary series,” Año said on TeleRadyo’s Sakto. (As of now, it is not yet time. Our priority—although we boosted the fully vaccinated—our primary priority is to administer the primary series.) “At isa pa sa Metro Manila, 2.6 million pa [...]
Russian attack on Ukraine possible ‘any day’ but diplomacy still an option: White House
A service member of the Ukrainian armed forces walks in a trench at combat positions near the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels outside the settlement of Zaitseve in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Feb 5, 2022. (Photo: REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko) WASHINGTON— Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an attack on Ukraine within days or weeks, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned on Sunday (Feb 6), as Washington and its European allies continued efforts to offer Putin a diplomatic way out of the crisis. "We are in the window. Any day now, Russia could take military action against Ukraine, or it could be a couple of weeks from now, or Russia could choose to take the diplomatic path instead," Sullivan told the Fox News Sunday programme. Sullivan made [...]
NZ marks Queen’s platinum jubilee with 21 gun salute
New Zealand has marked the Queen's platinum jubilee with a 21 gun salute in Wellington on Monday. The anniversary falls on 6 February, however gun salutes are not conducted on Sunday so this year it took place on Monday. The gun salutes were fired by personnel from the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, based at Linton Military Camp. The salute was conducted from the Saluting Battery at Point Jerningham - the only permanent saluting battery in New Zealand - using four 25-pound guns. The salute in Wellington comes after Sunday dawned in Britain, where the Queen remembered the past and sought to cement the future of the monarchy as the United Kingdom marked the 70th anniversary of her rule. In remarks delivered in time for Sunday morning’s [...]
188 community cases in New Zealand on Monday
There are 188 new community Covid-19 cases to report on Monday. Health workers at a Covid-19 testing station in Auckland. (Source: Getty) The cases are in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, Hutt Valley and Canterbury. Four cases are in hospital with the virus, with one in ICU or HDU, the ministry said. Auckland has 117 new cases, with health officials supporting 2,495 people in the region to isolate at home, including 997 cases. There were 16 new cases in Northland on Monday, seven of which were first announced in Sunday's update. Of the nine remaining cases, six are in Kerikeri and three are in Whangārei. The nine cases are under investigation to determine whether they are linked to existing cases. In [...]
Reports outline plan to improve NZ cancer prevention, treatment
Two major cancer reports have outlined a plan to improve prevention and treatment of the disease in New Zealand. Pūrongo Ārai Mate Pukupuku, the Cancer Prevention Report, from Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency, focuses on recommendations for addressing risk factors including tobacco; alcohol; poor nutrition and excess body weight; a lack of physical activity; excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation; and chronic infections. Around 25,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year and Te Aho o Te Kahu said up to half of these could be prevented through improved prevention measures. Approximately 10,600 Kiwis die each year from cancer. The report states if all risks are addressed through prevention measures, 4400 fewer people could die. “If we look at tobacco, for example, something like one in [...]
Philippine Presidential candidates pitch platforms, plans and programs
A peek into the minds of the contending aspirants for the highest post in the land as the election campaign period officially begins next week Presidential candidates in the May 2022 polls attend the presidential forum organized by the KBP. Screenshot from the forum. De Guzman: Land reform will end insurgency Labor leader and presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman plans to end the country’s 53-year-old communist insurgency by implementing a “proper and broad-based” land reform program. “My solution is to respond to the demands of the [New People’s Army (NPA)] as stipulated in their documents. Their demand for true land reform is only just,” the labor leader said when asked on how he plans to end the communist insurgency during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) presidential [...]
Republican party calls January 6 attack ‘legitimate political discourse’
Party censures Cheney and Kinzinger, the only Republicans on the Capitol attack House panel, as Pence says ‘Trump is wrong’ A mob climbs through a window they broke at the US Capitol during the January 6 attack.Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters In an extraordinary move, the Republican party officially said Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 election defeat and the deadly attack on the US Capitol were “legitimate political discourse”. A leading Democrat on the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection said historians would be “aghast”. The move by the Republican National Committee (RNC) came at its winter meetings in Salt Lake City on Friday, as part of the formal censure of Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the only Republicans on the January 6 panel. [...]
Winter Olympics officially open
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the opening of the Beijing Winter Games, triggering a burst of fireworks that marked the start of an Olympics whose preparations were beset by the Covid-19 pandemic and criticism over human rights in China. Photo: IOC/Greg Martin The ceremony in a partially-filled Bird's Nest stadium - the scene of Beijing's triumphant 2008 Summer Games launch - was filled with imagery of ice and snow, with Xi's declaration followed by red-suited "skaters" sliding across virtual ice. Held on the first day of Spring by the Chinese calendar, it began with a performance by dancers waving glowing green stalks to convey the vitality of the season, followed by an explosion of white and green fireworks that spelled the word "Spring". On a three-dimensional cube resembling [...]
More Covid vaccines for Samoa and Tonga from NZ
New Zealand has donated additional Pfizer vaccines to Tonga and Samoa. The Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, said Aotearoa New Zealand is donating an additional 9,300 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Tonga, and 10,000 doses to Samoa, She said it is part of this country's ongoing commitment to global vaccination efforts and to support vaccine rollout in the Pacific. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone This donation brings New Zealand's total vaccine donations to over 47,000 for Tonga and 94,000 for Samoa. The Associate Health Minister Aupito William Sio said the vaccines will enable frontline workers and vulnerable populations to access a booster as early as possible,. The foreign minister said with Tonga in lockdown and Covid detected at the border in Samoa, "ensuring populations are boosted will play [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: New record number of 243 new daily cases in the community today
New Zealand has recorded the highest number of community cases in one day, with 243 new cases reported today. Photo: 123rf.com The previous highest number of cases reported in one day was 222 during the Delta outbreak in November. In a statement, the Health Ministry said the continued increase in cases today is "a reminder that, as expected, the Omicron variant is spreading in our communities as we have seen in other countries". The ministry said getting a booster dose as soon as it is due was one of the best steps to take. "Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. Being boosted also helps slow the spread of the virus. If you're over 18 and your booster is due, please get it now." [...]
PH Gov’t pursues holistic livestock industry development to help keep prices stable— NEDA
The Philippine government continues to strengthen its policies to support the livestock industry and reduce food prices, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. As reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) today, the country’s headline inflation rate continued its downward trend as it further eased to 3.0 percent in January 2022 from 3.2 percent in December 2021. Non-food inflation slightly declined to 3.8 percent in January from 3.9 percent in December. Meanwhile, food inflation remained at 1.6 percent in January, as the slower inflation in meat was offset by the faster inflation in corn. Meat inflation fell to 4.3 percent in January from 8.7 percent in December, as inflation for all meat products decreased. In particular, pork inflation decreased to 6.2 percent from 10.8 percent. On the [...]
Johnson under pressure as more Tory MPs call for him to go
Gary Streeter, Tobias Ellwood and Anthony Mangnall all make moves on Wednesday in sign of rising anger At least 54 letters would be required to trigger a vote among Tory MPs on Johnson’s future.Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images A fresh wave of Conservative MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson, breaking cover to criticise the prime minister as the fallout from Downing Street parties scandal continued to imperil his premiership. In a sign that Johnson’s position is still under threat despite No 10’s desperate attempts to move on from the crisis, three more MPs publicly called on the prime minister to resign, describing their shock and anger at Johnson’s conduct since the publication of the interim report. The Guardian has been told of one other backbench MP [...]
Ottawa police considering military intervention to end ‘unlawful’ blockad
Authorities also warned brining in the military carried a ‘massive risk’ as they believed the protesters are armed Dozens of tractor trailers are refusing to leave the highway near Coutts, Alberta, where drivers are protesting mask mandates, vaccines, and other Covid-19 restrictions. Photograph: Jeff McIntosh/AP CANADA— Police in Ottawa warned they may have to call in the military to disband “unlawful” protests in the nation’s capital and a town near the US border, amid mounting tensions between protesters opposing Covid restrictions and local residents. The Ottawa police chief, Peter Sloly, warned on Wednesday that the officers did not have the resources to remove a fleet of trucks parked by the protesters in the national capital, adding the city was considering requesting help from Canadian armed forces. But he warned [...]
Robredo not open to unification talks with Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines— Vice President Leni Robredo is not opening her doors for a possible unification with rival former senator Bongbong Marcos amid the latter's refusal to admit his crime and the atrocities committed under his father's regime. According to the presidential hopeful, discussions about unification should always be "based on justice." "Alam natin na mayroon pa siyang hindi pinapanagutan na mga ginawa niya, na mahirap makipagsundo dahil una walang pagtanggap," Robredo said when the topic of reconciliation cropped up during an interview with DZRH. "Itong klase ng pamamahala na nire-represent niya, hindi ito 'yung klase ng pulitika at pamamahala na makakabuti sa bansa," Robredo also said. [Translation: We know he has yet to admit the things he has committed, making it difficult to reconcile because, firstly, there is [...]
PH mortality rate in 2021 highest in 63 years; COVID, heart attack leading causes of death — POPCOM
The Philippines has registered its highest mortality rate in 63 years in 2021, with more than 760,000 deaths recorded mostly due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and heart attacks, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) said. (FILE PHOTO) Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), POPCOM said a total of 768,504 deaths have been registered across the country in the first 11 months of 2021—translating to a mortality rate of 6.98 per thousand. POPCOM’s report showed that ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in 2021 which killed 110,332 Filipinos from January to October 2021, higher than the 86,164 in the previous year. This was followed by COVID-19 which was tagged as the underlying cause of death for 75,285 Filipinos last year, up from [...]
Tokyo’s daily COVID-19 infections exceed 20,000 for first time
People wearing protective face masks are seen in Tokyo, Japan on Feb 1, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato) TOKYO— New COVID-19 cases in Tokyo exceeded 20,000 for the first time on Wednesday (Feb 2), dimming hopes that a wave of infections fuelled by the Omicron variant is peaking in Japan. Nationwide cases reached a record 91,760, while 18 prefectures recorded all-time highs, according to a tally by online news service JX Press. Tokyo reported 21,576 new cases, surpassing the previous record of 17,631 in the Japanese capital on Friday. The closely watched usage rate of hospital beds reserved for COVID-19 patients edged up to 51.4 per cent. Officials previously said that a state of emergency would be needed if the rate reached 50 per cent, but now say the decision [...]
New Zealand to stay closed to foreigners until October
FILE PHOTO: A photo taken on Aug 9, 2021 shows an Air New Zealand plane taking off from Auckland Airport. (AFP/William West) AUCKLAND— New Zealand will not fully reopen its borders until October, as it cautiously dismantles some of the world's toughest pandemic border restrictions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday (Feb 3). Ardern announced a five-step plan to reconnect New Zealand to the rest of the world, beginning with waiving hotel quarantine requirements for Kiwis stranded overseas by the pandemic. She said New Zealanders in Australia could return home and self-isolate, rather than going into quarantine, from Feb 27, followed two weeks later by Kiwis elsewhere in the world. The border quarantine regime will then be progressively relaxed to allow in other groups such as skilled migrants, international [...]
Fines up to $12k for isolation breaches when border opens
Fines up to $12,000 could be issued for those who do not comply with self-isolation requirements when the international border opens, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced. New border reopening dates were released by the Government on Thursday, with vaccinated Kiwis offshore allowed to come home from various countries in a staggered approach, without having to go through MIQ. The announcement came with a warning. Ardern said fines between $4000 and $12,000 could be issued if self-isolation requirements were breached. The arrivals area at Auckland Airport. (Source: Getty) “When you move to self-isolation it does have a high level of personal responsibility involved," she said. “We have made the decision to move to this phase at a time when New Zealand will be in a better position to deal [...]
Covid-19: Border reopening for New Zealanders confirmed for end of February – what you need to know
New Zealanders in Australia will be able to return home by the end of the month under a five-stage reopening plan announced by the government today. The first stages of the plan would see returning vaccinated New Zealanders able to go into self-isolation and taking a test on arrival, rather than going into managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ). The five stages: 11.59pm 27 February: Self-isolation opens for New Zealanders and eligible travellers coming from Australia 11.59pm 13 March: Open to New Zealanders and eligible travellers from the rest of the world; skilled workers earning at least 1.5x median wage; working holiday visas 11.59pm 12 April: Offshore temporary visa holders who still meet visa requirements; 5000 international students; consideration of further class exemptions for critical workforces that do not meet [...]
PM Lee ‘cautiously optimistic’ about 2022 as Singapore progressively reopens borders, resumes travel
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (Jan 31) that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the year ahead, as Singapore progressively reopens its borders and resumes travel. Speaking to journalists on a visit to Jurong Point on the eve of Chinese New Year, Mr Lee said that while some sectors like F&B and tourism are still facing issues, Singapore’s economy is on "an even keel" and set to grow 3 to 5 per cent this year. Responding to a question about his thoughts for 2022, Mr Lee said: “Economically, I think it’s not bad because America’s economy is quite strong, still growing well. Europe, a bit more guarded but they’re also growing." He said while the Omicron wave is an uncertainty, "it has gone up quickly (and) [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 126 new community cases, 79 in MIQ
There are 126 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and 79 at the border, the Ministry of Health is reporting today. Photo: 123RF It comes as Cabinet prepares to discuss the reopening of New Zealand's borders. Today's new community cases are in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, and Canterbury. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 22,508 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,324,160. "With Omicron in New Zealand, the best thing you can do is get your booster as soon as it is due," the ministry said. "Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. Being boosted also helps slow the spread of the virus. If you're [...]
Russia, US exchange harsh words over Ukraine at UN
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security Council, before a vote, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) UNITED NATIONS — Russia accused the West on Monday of “whipping up tensions” over Ukraine and said the U.S. had brought “pure Nazis” to power in Kyiv as the U.N. Security Council held a stormy and bellicose debate on Moscow’s troop buildup near its southern neighbor. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield shot back that Russia’s growing military force of more than 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders was “the largest mobilization” in Europe in decades, adding that there has been a spike in cyberattacks and Russian disinformation. “And they are attempting, without any factual basis, to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a [...]
Philippine Senate, House pass bills granting more benefits to health workers
Health workers. Artwork by Ed Lustan MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday unanimously passed a bill granting monthly risk allowances to health workers ranging from P3,000 to P9,000 depending on risk classification, and compensation for death or sickness, among other benefits. By a 23-0 vote, the chamber approved Senate Bill No. 2421, or the proposed COVID-19 Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act of 2021, sponsored by the committees on finance, health and ways and means. Under the senators’ proposal, all public and private medical personnel in hospitals and COVID-19 facilities will be entitled to a monthly COVID-19 risk allowance, depending on risk. Those with “low risk exposure,” meaning they perform administrative duties, in nonpublic areas, or away from other staff and patients, will receive P3,000 per [...]
OCTA: ‘Worst is over’ in most of PH as COVID-19 cases decline
FILE PHOTO Metro Manila, Philippines — The COVID-19 situation in most parts of the country is improving, according to OCTA Research. “We believe that the worst is over in most parts of the country,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said in a forum on Monday, noting that COVID-19 cases in many areas have either peaked or are peaking. “The decrease is happening earlier in Cebu City compared to Mandaue but, nevertheless, we are seeing a decrease in Cebu, also in Davao City,” he added. However, David said there is “a significant increase in new cases” in several areas in Mindanao, including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Negros Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. The government [...]
Average asking price for New Zealand houses tops $1 million
The national average asking price for a home in January means house prices have more than doubled over the past 10 years to more than $1 million. The sale of dwellings is slowing and due to tightened lending rules, according to realestate.co.nz. (Source: rnz.co.nz) The national average asking price rose 1.4 per cent in January over December to just over $1 million on realestate.co.nz. Gisborne's asking prices rose 20 per cent while Central Otago/Lakes District dropped 8.1 per cent. The number of houses available for sale was up 28.5 per cent on the year earlier, with a year-on-year increase of about 4500 homes. However, January listings on realestate.co.nz were down 1.7 per cent year-on-year, reflecting a slowdown in the number of sales. "A significant factor at play is [...]
Supply chain issues expected until late 2022 – expert
During Omicron outbreaks, experts say New Zealand’s supply chains will only be as healthy as the people running them. The highly-contagious Covid-19 variant has stifled workforces in Australia, so will we suffer the same fate if the variant takes hold here? Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation president Chris Edwards said empty shelves were not inevitable if New Zealand learnt lessons from in Australia. “If we’re smart we can get through it, if we’re not, we’ll have significant issues.” Omicron's high transmission rate and isolation requirements mean labour shortages could stifle supply chains and workforces. “If businesses can’t test themselves or isolation requirements are too long then the supply chain will be under significant pressure,” Edwards said. He added that retailers could also be severely disrupted by consumers choosing [...]
New Zealand Cabinet ministers to finalise dates for reopening borders
Cabinet ministers are expected to discuss their plan for reopening the borders when they meet today. A managed isolation and quarantine facility in Christchurch. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon A staged timeline was outlined late last year, but was quickly pushed back because of the risks posed by the Covid-19 Omicron variant. The latest plan states that from the end of February, vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia, and possibly elsewhere, will be allowed to skip managed isolation and isolate at home. The same conditions are set down for most foreigners from the end of April. Ministers have been reviewing those dates, and RNZ News understands Cabinet will finalise, but not announce them, today. 'Betrayal' Former Police Assistant Commissioner David Cliff who has moved to Switzerland for [...]
British PM Johnson refuses to resign over lockdown parties
Instead, he said his government was focused on driving economic growth and leading the Western response to the Ukraine crisis. PHOTO: EPA-EFE LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (Jan 26) rejected opposition calls to resign for attending lockdown parties but accepted that a rule that ministers should lose their jobs if they had knowingly misled Parliament applied to him. Mr Johnson, who in 2019 won the biggest Conservative majority in more than 30 years, is braced for the publication of an official investigation into claims that there were multiple boozy Downing Street parties during lockdowns. He told Parliament no rules were broken. It was not immediately clear when the results of that investigation by Cabinet Office official Sue Gray would be published, especially as police have [...]
Winter Olympics 2022: China eases Covid testing rules amid rise in cases
REUTERS The majority of the Beijing public aren't allowed to attend the Games due to Covid restrictions Organisers of the Beijing Winter Olympics have eased a Covid-19 testing requirement for participants, amid a growing number of cases in the capital. The new change makes it easier for participants arriving at the Games to be considered virus-free. Of more than 3,000 Olympic arrivals, 106 have tested positive for the virus since 4 January. Outside of the tournament's closed-off premises, Beijing locals are facing harsher restrictions and new lockdowns. Around two million residents in Beijing's Fengtai district have been told to undergo testing, as a handful of locally transmitted cases were found earlier this week. Locals who bought over-the-counter treatments for fever or cough symptoms have also been told to do [...]
Covid-19 in Australia: At least 59 deaths, 45,000 new cases today
As some Australian states appear to be getting past the biggest peak of Omicron, officials continue to call for people to take up booster vaccinations. People queuing for Covid-19 testing in Melbourne, early January. Photo: Recep Sakar / Anadolu Agency via AFP Daily updates by state: NSW: 17,316 new cases, 2,722 people in hospital, 181 in ICU, 29 deaths VIC: 13,755 new cases, 1057 people in hospital, 117 in ICU, 15 deaths QLD: 11,600 new cases, 829 people in hospital, 48 in ICU, 15 deaths SA: 1953 new cases, 288 people in hospital, 27 in ICU TAS: 726 new cases, 24 people in hospital NSW NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant called on older residents and those with underlying health issues to get the booster shot. She said [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 45 new community cases, 34 Omicron cases added to total
There are 45 new community cases of Covid-19 today, with the number of Omicron cases in the community rising to 90. File image. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 34 new Omicron cases. The ministry said there were active cases being treated as Omicron in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Palmerston North, and Nelson-Tasman. It said many of the new cases have previously been reported and linked retrospectively, so were not included in today's report of new community cases. "The number of cases and contacts are expected to grow given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron and as we learn more from case interviews." The ministry also confirmed that one of the five cases who tested positive in Auckland after going [...]
PH May 2022 Elections: Comelec reveals final ballot face for 2022 polls
Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES — The Commission on Elections on Tuesday released the official ballot face for the May 2022 general elections. Included in the ballot are 10 presidential candidates, nine vice presidential candidates, and 64 senatorial bets. The candidates vying for the highest post in the country are: Ernie Abella, Leody de Guzman, Isko Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, Ping Lacson, Faisal Mangondato, Bongbong Marcos, Jose Montemayor, Jr., Manny Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo. The Comelec earlier said that Marcos’ name will remain in the ballot until there is a reason to remove him. At least three cases against his candidacy have been junked, while the rest are up for resolution. Meanwhile, the following are the vice-presidential race contenders: Lito Atienza, Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Sara Duterte, Manny Lopez, Willie Ong, Francis [...]
Covid-19: 23 new community cases reported in NZ, number of Omicron cases reaches 56
There have been 23 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with the total number of Omicron cases reported in the community now at 56. File image. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were also 36 new cases at the border There are six people in hospital with the coronavirus in New Zealand. Today's new community cases are in Northland (one), Auckland (12), Waikato (three), Rotorua (five), Capital and Coast (one), Nelson Marlborough (one). The ministry said there had now been 56 community cases confirmed as Omicron through whole genome sequencing, or were suspected Omicron. That included 44 cases linked to a family event and other associated events in Auckland on the weekend of 15 and 16 January. The 15 new [...]
Australia Day events held, calls for country to unite as ‘one mob’
Australia Day events have begun around the country, with ceremonies in Sydney celebrating the oldest living culture in the world and acknowledging January 26 is a "sombre" day for many. The Opera House's sails were illuminated with a projection named Goanna Songline by Central Desert artist David Miller, a senior Pitjantjatjara man. The Australian and Aboriginal flags were then raised on top of the Harbour Bridge, where they'll remain for the day as a symbol of harmony. Artwork by Pitjantjatjara man Yadjidta David Miller is projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House at dawn.(AAP: Bianca de Marchi) Chris McCrae from Evans Head celebrating Australia Day on the NSW North Coast.(ABC News: Bronwyn Herbert) The WugulOra Morning Ceremony was held at Gudjyi (Barangaroo Reserve), a place where Eora women once paddled their canoes to catch fish and collect shellfish. Wiradjuri woman and [...]
NZ Covid-19 Update: Next phases of government’s Omicron plan revealed
Isolation periods for Covid-19 cases and close contacts will be reduced as the country goes through a new three-step approach to Omicron unveiled by the government this afternoon. Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall has provided more detail on the government's new three-step approach to Omicron. Watch the announcement here: The first phase includes an intensive approach to contact tracing. Under the second phase, the focus will shift to people who are more at risk, and critical workers. "This is ultimately about ensuring the wellbeing of all New Zealanders. This has been the principle of our Covid-19 response right from the beginning." Dr Verrall said the number of cases will determine what phase the country is at. The country could move to Phase Two when numbers are less than 1000 [...]
Getting Australians out of Ukraine amid Russia tensions a ‘cautious’ step, government says
Marise Payne says the government's priority is making sure Australians in Ukraine are safe.(ABC News: Adam Kennedy)The federal government has defended its decision to urge Australians to leave Ukraine and begin making arrangements to get the families of diplomats out of the capital. Key points: There are around 1,400 Australians in Ukraine at the moment Ukraine has described the government's move to get diplomat's families out of the country as "premature" Australia has offered more support to Ukraine to bolster its cybersecurity defences against Russia On Monday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated the travel advice for the country to "do not travel" because of the "increased risk of armed conflict". Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said there were around 1,400 Australians in Ukraine at the moment, who [...]
US Navy pilot ejects, 7 hurt in F-35 South China Sea ‘landing mishap’
An F-35C jet prepares to catapult from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the Western Pacific, south of Japan, Nov 30, 2021. (File photo: REUTERS/Tim Kelly) WASHINGTON— Seven US Navy sailors were hurt on Monday (Jan 24) when an F-35C warplane had a "landing mishap" on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the South China Sea and the pilot ejected, the US Navy said. A navy statement said the incident happened during "routine flight operations" in the South China Sea. "The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via US military helicopter," it said. "The pilot is in stable condition. There were seven total sailors injured." The statement said three of the sailors required evacuation to a medical facility in Manila and four [...]
NZ’s average house asking price reaches high of $956K
The national average asking price for a property jumped by a quarter year-on-year in December to reach a new high of $956,150, according to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index. Houses in Mt Albert, Auckland (file picture). (Source: istock.com) Last month’s national average asking price increase was the largest on record, Trade Me Property sales director Gavin Lloyd said in a media release. “After entering the $900,000 bracket for the first time in November, the national average asking price continued to break records and show unprecedented growth last month. December marked the third month in a row where we saw property prices increase by more than 20 per cent year-on-year." The average asking price last month increased by “at least 15 per cent year-on-year in December” in [...]
US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid fears over Ukraine
Soldiers placed on standby to deploy to Europe as concerns over possible ‘lightning attack’ by Russia grow The USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier is now under Nato command in the Mediterranean.Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA The US has placed 8,500 troops on heightened alert to deploy to Europe as Nato reinforced its eastern borders with warships and fighter jets, amid growing fears of a possible “lightning” attack by Russia to seize the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the troops, all of them currently stationed in the US, would be on standby to take part in Nato’s Response Force (NRF) if it is activated, but would also be available “if other situations develop”. The alert order issued by the defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, reduces the number of days [...]
Global stock markets dive as fears of Ukraine conflict rattle investors
European markets slide to lowest levels since October, with New York also hit A Ukrainian soldier on the frontline in Pisky. Russia has amassed forces and equipment near the Ukrainian border, raising the spectre of a possible invasion. Photograph: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Global stock markets have fallen sharply as fears of military conflict in Ukraine spooked investors, wiping £53bn off the value of the UK’s blue-chip share index. European markets tumbled by 3.8% to their lowest levels since October, their biggest one-day fall in more than 18 months, after Nato said it was reinforcing its eastern borders with land, sea and air forces as a Russian invasion of Ukraine appeared increasingly likely. Volatility soared, as investors also feared the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, would raise interest rates several [...]
Auckland’s Lantern Festival cancelled for third year running
Auckland’s much-loved Lantern Festival has been cancelled for the third year running. Auckland Lantern Festival (Source: istock.com) Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the event can't run under gathering limits required at the Red traffic light setting, and given the uncertainty about how long it will be in place, the decision was made to cancel. “The Auckland Lantern Festival is New Zealand’s largest cultural celebration, and a key component of the Auckland event calendar, especially for the Auckland-Chinese community,” he said. “After the cancellation due to Covid of the 2020 and 2021 festivals and other major Chinese New Year events scheduled for early next month, this year’s event was highly anticipated, and we are disappointed to have to cancel it again. “However, the safety of our communities has to [...]
Turnover of P614-M China military aid to PH set February
MANILA – The Chinese government has allocated PHP1 billion worth of military assistance to the Philippines, with the first batch of equipment worth around PHP614 million delivered a week ago. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the equipment, mostly vehicles, would be formally turned over in February. "The first batch of the military equipment worth RMB76 million arrived in Manila on January 16, including rescue and relief equipment, which will be formally turned over to the DND (Department of National Defense) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) in February. The second batch worth RMB54 million will be delivered on a later date," he said in a statement on Saturday. The donation was part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2019 commitment to assist and support the Philippine government in its [...]
‘Such is life’ – PM’s wedding ‘not going ahead’ as NZ moves to Red
The Prime Minister's wedding with Clarke Gayford is not going ahead for now in light of the Omicron outbreak. Clarke Gayford and Jacinda Ardern. (Source: Getty) The country will go to the Red setting at 11.59pm on Sunday. Jacinda Ardern said Kiwis should plan to be in Red, at least, "for a few weeks, we are right at the start of this outbreak". "My wedding will not be going ahead," she said during Sunday's media conference. "But I just join many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic and to anyone who’s caught up in that scenario, I am so sorry. "We are all so resilient and I know we understand we are doing this for one another, and [...]
NZ to move to Red at 11.59pm tonight, Nelson-Tasman cases confirmed as Omicron
The whole of New Zealand will move to the Red setting of the traffic light system at 11:59pm on Sunday night as the Omicron Covid-19 variant has begun to spread in the community. File photo (Source: rnz.co.nz) The Prime Minister and Director of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield held a media conference Sunday morning, confirming the cases in Nelson and Tasman are the Omicron variant. The family had attended a wedding in Auckland, where more than 100 people attended. A flight attendant picked up the virus on a flight, and there was another case confirmed of a wedding attendee. "Omicron is now circulating in Auckland and possibly Nelson-Tasman region, if not elsewhere." Ardern said Kiwis should plan to be in Red, at least, "for a few weeks, we are [...]
Christchurch City Council considers removing library fines for overdue books
Library fines for overdue books would be abolished under a recommendation to be considered by the Christchurch City Council next week. Photo: Unsplash / Jessica Ruscello An increasing number of libraries across New Zealand and overseas are scrapping fines, including Auckland, Dunedin, San Francisco and New York. They found return rates increased when fine-free policies were introduced. Fines for overdue items are currently charged at 70 cents per day, up to a maximum of $21 per item at Christchurch public libraries. Memberships are blocked once people have $30 or more in unpaid fines and charges, or owe fines for more than 21 days. Once this happens, they cannot borrow items, put them on hold or access eResources. Council staff have recommended getting rid of library fines and writing [...]
Ukraine tension: US ‘lethal aid’ arrives in Kyiv amid border build-up
US EMBASSY KYIV The US embassy in Kyiv released photos of Saturday's shipment as it pledged ongoing support for Ukraine Some 90 tonnes of US "lethal aid" has arrived in Ukraine, amid tensions over Russia's troop build-up on the border. It was the first shipment of a recently approved package of US military aid for Ukraine, and included ammunition for "front-line defenders". The delivery followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Kyiv this week, where he warned of a tough response if Russia was to invade. Moscow has denied any plans to attack or invade Ukraine. US President Joe Biden approved the $200m (£147.5m) security support package in December. The US embassy in Kyiv said the shipment demonstrated its "firm commitment to Ukraine's sovereign right to [...]
Australia delivers water, telecommunications aid to Tonga
This combination of this satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Nomuka in the Tonga island group on Aug. 17, 2020, left, and Jan. 20, 2022, right, showing the damage after the Jan. 15 eruption. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP) CANBERRA, Australia— Three flights from Australia carrying food, water, medical supplies and telecommunications equipment landed in Tonga on Saturday, as the Pacific nation grapples with the aftermath of an underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami. Planes from other nations, including New Zealand and Japan, have also brought sorely needed aid to the Tongan people, said Zed Seselja, Australian minister for international development and the Pacific. The first such aid arrived Thursday, after the main airport runway was cleared of ash spewed when the nearby [...]
23 new Covid cases today, ‘possible’ Auckland Omicron case
There are 23 new Covid-19 cases in the community on Friday, the Ministry of Health has announced. People tested at a pop-up Covid-19 testing station in Auckland (file photo). (Source: Getty) The cases are in Auckland (11), Waikato (1), Lakes (8), Hawke’s Bay (2) and Nelson Marlborough (1). Eighteen people are in hospital with the virus, including one in an intensive care or high dependency unit. The ministry also said the case in Palmerston North had been confirmed as being infected with the Omicron variant. The case became symptomatic on Wednesday and returned a positive test result that evening. They had been released from MIQ in Christchurch on Sunday, January 16 and had returned five negative tests throughout their stay. Whole genome sequencing confirmed the Omicron variant last [...]
PH economy seen growing 7% in ’22
The Philippine economy is likely to expand at a faster pace of 7 percent this year on the back of sustained fiscal and monetary stimulus, reduced mobility restrictions and the attainment of herd immunity against COVID-19, the chief economist of Maybank Investment Bank said. This macroeconomic backdrop is seen supportive of local equities, which will likely propel the main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) to 8,200 by the year’s end, while corporate earnings may rise by an average of 19 percent, Maybank’s analysts said. At a briefing, economist Suhaimi Ilias said sustained economic reopening would be a key theme for gross domestic product (GDP) growth across Southeast Asia this year as opposed to the recurring lockdowns of the past two years. Pace of vaccination One critical factor cited is [...]
Coronavirus: Austrian parliament approves mandatory vaccination order
GETTY IMAGES Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said the mandate was how the country would "escape the cycle of opening and closing, of lockdowns" Austria has moved closer to introducing a compulsory vaccination order after parliament's lower house voted in favour of new government proposals. The law, which is due to come into effect on 1 February, would make Austria the first European country to introduce a mandatory jab. From mid-March the law will see adults unvaccinated against Covid-19 subjected to fines of up to €3,600 (£2,994). So far, 72% of Austrians have been fully vaccinated against the virus. The bill must now pass the upper house and be signed into law by President Alexander Van der Bellen, steps largely expected to be formalities. The vaccine order is expected [...]
Thailand to resume quarantine-free travel for vaccinated arrivals in February
International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand on Nov 1, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha) BANGKOK— Thailand will resume its "Test & Go" quarantine waiver for vaccinated arrivals from Feb 1, its coronavirus task force said on Thursday (Jan 20), in response to slowing COVID-19 infections. The scheme was suspended a month ago after only seven weeks due to the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant and uncertainty about vaccine effectiveness against it. The policy requires visitors to test on arrival and again five days later, while agreeing to have their whereabouts tracked, spokesperson Taweesin Wisanuyothin told a briefing. Authorities also extended the hours restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol to 11pm from 9pm. Bars and nightclubs will remain closed, however. The [...]
NZers urged to prepare for potentially thousands of daily Omicron infections
New Zealanders are being urged to prepare for potentially thousands of daily Covid-19 infections once the Omicron variant starts spreading in the community. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall, said the country would move to the red traffic light setting once Omicron was spreading in the community. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has set out the way ahead at Labour's annual caucus retreat in New Plymouth. But Opposition parties are accusing the government of making up the plan as it goes along. Omicron is knocking on the door and loudly with dozens of cases picked up in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) every day. The variant is already slowly seeping through the border and [...]
Covid-19 update: Omicron case confirmed in Palmerston North
A case of Covid-19 detected in Palmerston North has been confirmed to be the Omicron variant, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf.com In total, there are 23 Covid-19 cases in the community today and 40 infections at the border. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said "Whole genome sequencing has confirmed that the case who tested positive in Palmerston North has the Omicron variant of Covid-19. "The case became symptomatic on Wednesday and returned a positive COVID-19 test result on Wednesday evening, with WGS confirmed Thursday evening. "Whole genome sequencing has identified similarities to border cases identified in Auckland, but no direct links. It has not identified any links to cases in the Christchurch MIQ facility, suggesting that the source of infection is [...]
Tonga eruption sets world record for booming heard so far from volcano
Volcanologists estimate the material ejected in the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption was about twice that of the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. Hunga Tonga— Hunga Ha'apai erupting on 14 January - the day before an even more violent eruption. Photo: Tonga Geological Services/ EyePress News via AFP GNS Science says initial assessments indicate that up to one cubic kilometre of material spewed from the Tongan volcano. The eruption and gas plumes on 15 January rose about 30 kilometres into the sky. In a statement, GNS Science Duty Vulcanologist Steve Sherburn said this eruption was the largest in the volcano's current eruptive episode that dates back to 2009. He said it was much more violent than scientists had expected, given the volcano's smaller eruptions in recent decades. The [...]
Malaysia government allocates RM680 million to ensure price stability for essential goods: Minister
File photo of workers filling shelves at a supermarket in Bentong, in Malaysia’s Pahang state, on January 14, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan) KOTA KINABALU— The Malaysian government has set aside RM680 million (US$162 million) to ensure price standardisation and price stabilisation for essential goods, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. A total of RM400 million has been set aside for the cooking oil price stabilisation programme and RM40 million for the general use flour subsidy programme, Mr Nanta Linggi told reporters after an event at Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu on Monday (Jan 17). He said another RM240 million would be allocated for the implementation of the price standardisation programme, which included the distribution of essential goods, liquefied petroleum gas and community drumming programme, Bernama reported. [...]
Australia suffers deadliest day of COVID-19 pandemic as Omicron drives up hospital cases
Healthcare workers wait for the next vehicle at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing clinic as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Sydney, Australia, December 30, 2021. REUTERS/Nikki Short SYDNEY— Australia on Tuesday (Jan 18) suffered its deadliest day of the pandemic as a fast-moving Omicron outbreak continued to push up hospitalisation rates to record levels, even as daily infections eased slightly. Australia is dealing with its worst COVID-19 outbreak, fuelled by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus that has put more people in hospitals and intensive care than at any time during the pandemic. A total of 74 deaths were registered by late morning between New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, Australia's three most populous states, exceeding the previous national high of 57 last Thursday, official data [...]
Comelec division denies petition to cancel Marcos’ presidential bid
Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES — The Commission on Elections second division has denied a petition of civic leaders to cancel the candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos for lack of merit. Commissioners Socorro Inting (the presiding commissioner), Antonio Kho Jr, and Rey Bulay dismissed the petition of the group of civic leaders led by priest Christian Buenafe and political prisoners' group KAPATID against late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' son and namesake. "The Second Division ruled that there was no ground to cancel Marcos Jr.'s COC on the ground of material misrepresentation," the group's lead counsel Theodore Te relayed. The petitioners sought the cancellation of Marcos' presidential bid on the ground that his certificate of candidacy contains false material representations, including his assertion that he is eligible to seek the presidency despite [...]
PH to tap pharmacies, private clinics to expand booster program
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES— The government will seek the help of big pharmacies and private clinics to be able to administer more booster doses for COVID-19 vaccination. The government will make booster shots available in select branches of Mercury Drug, Watsons, The Generics Pharmacy, Generika, South Star Drug, QualiMed, and Healthway in Metro Manila towards the end of the week, according to presidential adviser for COVID-19 response Vince Dizon. "They responded immediately to the call of the national government. We will now start with seven pharmacies in Metro Manila which we will launch on Thursday and Friday," he said during a televised briefing that aired on Tuesday. The official said the Resbakuna sa mga Botika program will help ease pressure on vaccination sites manned by local [...]
Traffic light system may need strengthening, Bloomfield says
The Ministry of Health is looking at whether to tweak the traffic light system in the face of Omicron, says the Director-General of Health. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield speaks to reporters. (Source: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone) The Government is due to share plans of its Omicron preparations in the coming weeks. Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the declining number of cases in the ongoing Delta outbreak shows the traffic light system has worked well. But he told Morning Report the system, based on vaccination certificates, is less suited to Omicron. A person working at an MIQ facility in Auckland tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. The following day is was confirmed the person had the Omicron variant. The worker, who was infectious from January 10, took two [...]
New Zealand sends Navy ships to Tonga after airport ash
New Zealand is sending two naval ships to Tonga, after ash on Nuku’alofa airport's runway prevented the landing of the Hercules flight that was scheduled to bring in aid. (Source: Supplied) The ships will take over urgent supplies including water and also survey and diving teams to assess the shipping channels and ports. Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the HMNZS Wellington Navy ship would take the survey and diving teams and a Seasprite helicopter, while the HMNZS Aotearoa would take bulk water supplies and other humanitarian and disaster relief supplies. "Water is among the highest priorities for Tonga at this stage and HMNZS Aotearoa can carry 250,000 litres, and produce 70,000 litres per day through a desalination plant," he said. "The survey and diving teams are able to [...]
Tonga tsunami death toll rises to three
The acting United Nations co-ordinator in the Pacific understands three people have died following the eruption in Tonga on Saturday. Powerful undersea volcano eruption in Tonga on Friday Jan 14, 2022. Photo: Tonga Geological Services/ EyePress News via AFP Fiji-based United Nations co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch said two deaths were confirmed but there were still areas that had not been contacted. He said one of those fatalities was British national Angela Glover, who was reported by her family to have been killed by the tsunami. Glover is thought to have died trying to rescue her dogs at the animal charity she ran. Veitch said help was on the way for the people of Tonga. The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano, which erupted on Saturday, was about 65km north of Tonga's [...]
NZ Covid-19 update on 18 January: 14 new community cases today, 30 at the border
A household contact of the Omicron-infected MIQ worker in Auckland has today tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AFP The MIQ worker's positive result came as part of routine testing and was reported by the ministry on 15 January. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the household contact was symptomatic and already isolating. So far, all the other household members have returned negative tests, it said. As of this morning, 86 contacts have been identified in relation to the case - 75 have returned negative test results, and 10 people are yet to be tested. "From the exposure events linked to the initial case, there are 10 people from the two bus journeys who are yet to be tested and are being followed up [...]
Kiwis in Tonga urged to register on SafeTravel – MFAT
Kiwis in Tonga continue to be urged to register their details on SafeTravel after underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai erupted on Saturday, causing tsunami waves to hit the Pacific kingdom and other Pacific countries. An eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai has caused a tsunami, with an evacuation warning in place in Tonga. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said 30 Kiwis are currently registered on SafeTravel as being in Tonga. A spokeswoman said its thoughts are with the people of Tonga as they respond to the "very concerning event". "The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku‘alofa is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with local authorities," she said. The Commission said there are no official reports of injuries or deaths as of yet. "However, communications are limited," the spokeswoman [...]
Low delivery of boosters puts NZ at risk from Omicron – expert
With New Zealand still being in the early stages of its booster rollout, it is more vulnerable than other nations to the impact of the Covid-19 variant Omicron, Professor Michael Baker says. This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses (Source: Getty) The University of Otago epidemiologist said Aotearoa has lower rates of booster shots than some other countries and does not have immunity from prior infections so it will be more at risk. He believes New Zealand is at a disadvantage despite further evidence from the UK that the variant that has spread quickly around the world is less severe. In the UK, the number of Covid cases has been declining this week after breaking daily records [...]
PH Gov’t mobilizes AFP, PNP, BJMP, PCG as more health workers fall ill due to COVID-19
Amid the deluge of healthcare workers getting infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the national government has started deploying personnel from the security sector to augment workforce in the hospitals. Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., vaccine czar and chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, assured that the government “is taking the necessary steps” to address the increasing number of healthcare workers that are getting sick. Part of their strategy is fielding personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – particularly those with medical background – to sustain the operations of different healthcare facilities amid the surge of cases. “We mobilize the armed forces, PNP, BJMP, and our Coast [...]
Tsunami hits Tonga after underwater volcanic eruption
Streets and buildings flooded in Pacific nation’s main island following latest eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Tonga underwater volcanic eruption creates tsunami waves – video People have been forced to flee their homes and streets and buildings have flooded as tsunami waves crashed into Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu, following a huge underwater volcano explosion. A tsunami advisory was in effect for Hawaii, Alaska, the US Pacific coast and Japan, with reports of waves throwing boats up into the docks in Hawaii. The Japan Meteorological Agency said tsunami reached that country’s Pacific coast, too, with waves as high as three metres (11 feet) possible. A 1.2-metre wave reached the remote southern island of Amami Oshima and other areas along Japan’s Pacific coast observed smaller surges, the agency said. [...]
First wave of Auckland tourism vouchers being distributed
The first wave of Explore Tāmaki Makaurau vouchers are being released on Saturday. A general nightime view of the Auckland skyline as seen from the new Park Hyatt hotel in the Viaduct Basin. (Source: Getty) The vouchers are aimed at reactivating Auckland tourism after months of Covid-19 lockdown. They range from $50 for individuals to $100 for families and can be put towards activities around Auckland. So far 140,000 people have applied for 100,000 vouchers. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash said last month the Explore Auckland scheme was part of a $37.5 million package put together with Auckland Council and Auckland Unlimited. Vouchers will be allocated in four rounds from January to March. Successful applicants will be notified via email and will have until the end of April to [...]
Cyclone Cody to pass east of NZ on Monday
MetService says Cyclone Cody will now pass east of New Zealand on Monday. Latest track of Cyclone Cody. (Source: MetService) It has subsequently lifted the heavy rain watch which was in place for Gisborne and the Wairoa District. However, a strong wind watch is in place for the eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne. The watch is in place from 3am on Monday until midnight. MetService warns south to southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times. Hazardous conditions are still expected about exposed eastern coastlines of the North Island, where large easterly swells, significant sea surges or rips and coastal inundation are possible. Cyclone Cody is expected to move southwards towards the Chatham Islands on Tuesday. The forecast for the islands is that [...]
Tonga volcano eruption and tsunami: No power, communications still down
There has been little contact with Tonga since an underwater volcano, Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, erupted early yesterday evening. A tsunami hit the Kingdom after the volcano erupted for eight minutes, throwing clouds of ash into the sky. Waves flooded the capital, Nuku'alofa, where video footage has shown water engulfing buildings. Communications with Tonga has been down since 6.30pm yesterday, with reports that power had been cut in the capital. Tongan authorities should have a clearer picture this morning of the scale of the damage from Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami. The New Zealand defence force is currently monitoring the situation in Tonga, and said it stands ready to assist if requested by the Tongan Government. Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai on Friday, January 15, 2022 Photo: Tonga Geological Services One-in-1000-year event, according to volcanologist Scientists [...]
WHO recommends Eli Lilly, GSK-Vir’s drugs, widening COVID-19 treatment pool
FILE PHOTO: The World Health Organization logo is pictured at the entrance of the WHO building, in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec 20, 2021. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse) A World Health Organization (WHO) panel recommended use of two drugs by Eli Lilly, and GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology for COVID-19 patients, adding treatment options as the fast-spreading Omicron variant renders many ineffective. WHO data shows Omicron, which is evading protection provided by many vaccines and therapies, has been identified in 149 countries. It is quickly replacing Delta as the dominant variant in several nations, forcing governments and scientists to bolster defences with testing, shots and therapies. The panel on Thursday (Jan 13) strongly recommended Lilly's baricitinib, sold under brand name Olumiant, for patients with severe COVID-19 in combination with corticosteroids, while conditionally endorsed GSK-Vir's [...]
Robredo says she’d rather beat Marcos in May polls than for him to get disqualified
Vice President Leni Robredo said she would rather defeat her opponent former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the May elections than for him to get disqualified from running for the presidency. Robredo has once again refused to make a comment on Marcos’ disqualification case but she made the firm stand on the issue during a televised interview on Thursday night, Jan. 13. “Ayokong mag-comment doon sa (I don’t want to comment on the) disqualification case. But if you are– if you were to ask me, mas gusto ko talunin siya sa eleksyon para matapos na ito (I’d rather beat him in the election to finally put an end on this),” Robredo said on a CNN Philippines interview. The aspiring president said she wants to finally put an end [...]
Cyclone Cody: Civil Defence warns East Coast communities
Campers and residents along the East Coast are being told to prepare as remnants of Cyclone Cody track towards the North Island. Large surf at beach (file picture). (Source: Supplied) Forecasters are busy building a picture of just how bad the storm will be. It is expected to move from where it is to south-southeast over the weekend and beginning of next week towards north of Aotearoa, making landfall over the Bay of Plenty. If the forecast is correct, then gale to storm force winds are expected to affect a large portion of northern and eastern North Island and the upper South Island, resulting in large easterly swells of up to 8m, rips, and coastal inundation around exposed eastern coastlines. It is also expected many parts of central [...]
UN report projects global economy growth to slow in 2022, 2023
Containers are seen at the Yangshan Deep-Water Port in Shanghai, China, on Oct 19, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Aly Song) UNITED NATIONS— The global economy is projected to grow by 4 per cent in 2022 - down from 5.5 per cent last year - and expand 3.5 per cent in 2023 amid new waves of COVID-19 infections, labour market challenges, supply-chain constraints and rising inflation, according to a UN report released on Thursday. The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2022 report said 2021 growth momentum - following a contraction of 3.4 per cent in 2020 - began to slow by the end of the year, including in big economies like China, the European Union and the United States, as the effects of fiscal and monetary stimuli faded and major supply-chain [...]
China faces omicron test weeks ahead of Beijing Olympics
People wearing face masks to help protect against the coronavirus look at a display of the Winter Paralympic mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon, left, and Winter Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen near the Olympic Green in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Just weeks before hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics, China is battling multiple coronavirus outbreaks in half a dozen cities, with the one closest to the capital driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) TAIPEI, Taiwan — Most access to a major city adjacent to Beijing was suspended Thursday as China tried to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious omicron variant, which poses a test to its “zero-tolerance” COVID-19 policy and its ability to successfully host the Winter Olympics. Tianjin, a port and manufacturing center [...]
Covid-19 update: 18 new community cases in New Zealand, 43 in MIQ
There have been 18 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with 43 cases in MIQ. Photo: 123RF In a statement, the Health Ministry said there were 34 people with the coronavirus in hospital, with two in intensive care. Today's new community cases were in Auckland (11), Waikato (4), Bay of Plenty (1) and Canterbury (2). The seven-day rolling average of border cases is 31, while the rolling average for community cases is 26. The Ministry said there have now been 266 Omicron cases detected at the border since the start of December, with more than 18,000 people being processed through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities in that time. There were 41,664 booster doses given yesterday - 45 percent [...]
Duterte signs law simplifying adoption process
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law that will further simplify adoption in the country. (FILE PHOTO) PHILIPPINES — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law that will further simplify adoption in the country. Republic Act 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, was signed on Jan. 6 and released to the public on Thursday. The legislation transfers all duties and functions of government agencies related to adoption and alternative child care to a new body, the National Authority for Child Care or NACC, and its regional offices. The law ensures a swift administrative adoption process by setting a specific length of time by which the NACC and its regional offices may decide on petitions for adoption, as well as act on [...]
Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for US businesses
FILE - This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an immediate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Jan. 7, 2022. The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. The court's order Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases deals a blow to the administration's efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans. (Dana Verkouteren via AP, File) WASHINGTON— The Supreme Court has stopped a major push [...]
MI5 warning over ‘Chinese agent’ in Parliament
Image caption, Christine Lee runs a law firm, with offices in London and Birmingham MI5 has issued a rare warning that an alleged Chinese agent has infiltrated Parliament to interfere in UK politics. An alert from the security service said Christine Ching Kui Lee "established links" for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with current and aspiring MPs. She then gave donations to politicians, with funding coming from foreign nationals in China and Hong Kong. It comes after a "significant, long-running" investigation by MI5, Whitehall sources told the BBC. One of the MPs funded by Ms Lee was Labour's Barry Gardiner, who received over £420,000 from her in five years - but he said he had always made the security services aware of the donations. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed [...]
Prince Andrew loses New Zealand military patronage
Prince Andrew has also lost his New Zealand military patronage after the Queen stripped him of his military titles. Prince Andew. File. (Source: Associated Press) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Duke of York was the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own). "As a result of patronages returning to the Queen, his appointment has now ended," Ardern said in a statement. Ardern said that any further changes to Royal patronages and appointments would be a matter for her "to raise with the Queen of New Zealand in due course". Jacinda Ardern, file. (Source: Getty) It comes after more than 150 veterans signed an open letter to the Queen, asking for her to strip Prince Andrew of [...]
Ice cream could become big export earner for New Zealand, report suggests
New Zealand is known globally for its fine wine and sweet honey, now new research is trumpeting the country's premium ice cream. Photo: 123RF Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash today released a government report outlining the dairy treat's potential as an export earner. The latest report for the Food and Beverage Information Project suggests New Zealand could export to Australia, Asia and the UK. "It suggests premium ice cream could potentially follow the global success of premium wine and honey exports," Nash said in a statement. "Ice cream is produced in almost every region in New Zealand and there are around 48 local manufacturers. The challenge is translating our strong global position in dairy exports into a lucrative global market for our ice cream [...]
In first, US doctors transplant pig heart into human
In a medical first, doctors transplanted a pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life and a Maryland hospital said on Tuesday that he's doing well three days after the highly experimental surgery. David Bennett and family (Source: Associated Press) While it’s too soon to know if the operation really will work, it marks a step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Centre say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection. The patient, David Bennett, 57, knew there was no guarantee the experiment would work but he was dying, ineligible for a human heart transplant and [...]
14 new Covid-19 community cases in NZ today
There are 14 new Covid-19 cases in the community on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Covid-19 test (file photo). (Source: Getty) The new cases were found in Auckland (9), Northland (2), Waikato (2), Wellington (1). There are also two new cases to announce in the Canterbury region, however the ministry said these cases were notified after the daily cut-off time and will be officially be added to Wednesday's numbers. The new cases are in South Canterbury and Canterbury. "The South Canterbury case remains under investigation but shares a location of interest with a previously reported case," the ministry said. "The Canterbury case remains under investigation for any link to previously reported cases." Meanwhile, one of the Northland cases was reported on Monday, but officially added to [...]
80% of Filipinos hope worst of Covid over
COVID WARD FULL: A man rides past a sign informing the public that the Covid-19 ward of the San Juan de Dios Hospital is full. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO PHILIPPINES— Majority of Filipinos hope the worst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis is over, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed. The 2021 Fourth Quarter Survey showed that 80 percent of the respondents believe "the worst was behind us," surpassing the previous record of 69 percent in the Fourth Quarter Survey in November. It was also higher by 42 percent than the previous quarter. The percentage of those saying the worst is over was highest in Mindanao at 83 percent, followed by Metro Manila (82 percent), the rest of Luzon (81 percent) and the Visayas (75 [...]
Anti-vaccination doctor Jonie Girouard can no longer practise in New Zealand
A Kaiapoi doctor caught handing out fake vaccine exemptions is no longer registered to practise medicine in New Zealand. A screengrab of Dr Jonie Girouard. Photo: A screengrab from Newshub Footage of Jonie Girouard issuing bogus exemptions and coaching people on how to use them sparked an investigation into the North Canterbury GP in December. Medical Council chairperson Curtis Walker said Dr Girouard was now unable to practise medicine in New Zealand, as she was no longer registered. "Council takes these matters very seriously and our concern is demonstrated by the publication of our recent guidance emphasising council's view that there is no place for anti-vaccination messages in professional practice, nor any promotion of anti-vaccination claims, including on social media and advertising by health practitioners," Walker said. [...]
Covid-19: Doctors’ union calls for remuneration over ‘demanding’ workload
The union representing senior salaried doctors says there is growing anxiety about Omicron variant among hospital staff in an already burnt out workforce. Photo: 123RF NEW ZEALAND— The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said this time of year is already busy with an influx of patients coming in over the Christmas and New Year break. Executive Director Sarah Dalton said there are also major concerns among members about an Omicron outbreak, given that patients needs are already not being met, which is being exacerbated by Covid-19. "Our members are extremely concerned that if Omicron became prevalent in New Zealand what that would mean, not just for people who become sick with Covid, but for people with other conditions who might miss out on care because of the strain [...]
Council fines anti-govt protest organisers more than $14,000
Christchurch City Council has slapped the organisers of anti-government protests with more than $14,000 in fines for costs incurred during its rallies. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon The invoice of $14,117 covers bylaw breaches and costs of providing traffic management at three protests at the end of last year hosted by the Freedom and Rights Coalition group. Police are also investigating the group's founder Brian Tamaki for speaking at an anti-government rally in Ōtautahi on Saturday, in an apparent breach of his bail conditions. Tamaki has been charged three times after speaking at large protests in breach of Auckland's level three rules. Christchurch City Council spokesperson Jane Davis said council staff supported police during the marches. "Council staff were supporting the police to keep people safe, controlling traffic [...]
Covid makes deadly return in Australia
LETHAL RESURGENCE Staff collect samples at a drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Australia’s most populous state has reinstated some restrictions and suspended elective surgeries as Covid-19 cases surged to another record. APPHOTO SYDNEY— Australia's New South Wales state reported 16 deaths on Sunday in its deadliest day of the pandemic, even as it relaxed rules to allow some essential workers in isolation to return to work if they are asymptomatic. Just over 30,000 new cases were reported in Australia's most populous state, forcing those people to join more than 200,000 others in isolation. No statistics are kept to determine how many of those are essential workers in the food and manufacturing sectors. But some employers say up to half [...]
US tells Putin to choose confrontation or dialogue over Ukraine
Secretary of state Tony Blinken says coming week of talks is moment of truth for Russian president Russian troops taking part in drills in the southern Rostov region of the country. Moscow has amassed 100,000 troops in the Ukrainian border region. Photograph: AP The US has told Vladimir Putin to choose between dialogue and confrontation on the eve of a critical week of diplomacy over Ukraine as Russian troops remained massed along its borders. Senior diplomats and military officers from the US and Russia held a working dinner in Geneva on Sunday evening before Monday’s formal negotiations to discuss Moscow’s demands. Those were set out last month in two draft treaties, one with the US and one with Nato. Much of their content is unacceptable to Washington and the [...]
NZ Covid-19 update: 27 new community cases, 33 in MIQ
There are 27 new community cases of Covid-19 and 33 in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities today. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there are 16 new community cases in Auckland, five in Waikato, two in Bay of Plenty, one in Rotorua, two in Hawke's Bay (Te Kūiti), and one in Wellington. Of the five new cases in the Waikato today - two in Hamilton, one in Ngāruawāhia, one in Whitianga, one in Coromandel town - three are unlinked. The positive case in Wellington attended the Britomart Block Party in Auckland on New Year's Eve. Anyone who attended the event between 11pm and 2.30am must immediately get tested and isolate, the ministry said. There are 35 cases in [...]
Emergency MIQ spots open for Kiwis facing hardship in Aus
New Zealand citizens stranded in Australia can now be allocated emergency spots in MIQ if they’re at risk of facing “significant and severe hardship” if they don’t return to Aotearoa within the next two months. MIQ facility (file photo). (Source: rnz.co.nz) Acting deputy secretary for MIQ Andrew Milne said the new category was introduced after the Government postponed MIQ facility-free travel in light of Omicron. “We understand how difficult this time has been for New Zealanders who are desperate to return and will face financial or safety issues if they cannot do so in the next couple of months. “This new temporary category will give them another way to get back home,” Milne said. The change in criteria came after would-be travellers from Australia were excluded from being [...]
Senators Lacson, Gatchalian positive for COVID-19; Congress sets lockdown
Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES — Senators Panfilo Lacson and Sherwin Gatchalian, who are both running in the upcoming elections, announced on Friday that they tested positive for COVID-19. Senatorial reelectionist Gatchalian said he has mild symptoms, while presidential aspirant Lacson said he has experienced sore throat, fever, and colds after he was exposed to his COVID-positive son earlier this week. Lacson complained of delays in receiving the result of the swab test he took on Tuesday, prompting his family to undergo another test. Lockdown in Senate, House Aside from the lawmakers, dozens of employees of the Senate have also either contracted COVID-19 or are under quarantine. This prompted Senate President Tito Sotto to order a “total closure” of the upper chamber for a week. “Total closure ang recommendation nila (Their recommendation [...]
Kazakhstan president vows to destroy ‘bandits and terrorists’ behind protests
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tells security forces to ‘use lethal force without warning’ A burnt-out administrative building in central Almaty, after violence erupted following protests.Photograph: Abduaziz Madyarov/AFP/Getty Images The president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has promised an uncompromising crackdown on demonstrators in the country, telling security forces they should “use lethal force without warning” against protesters he called “bandits and terrorists”. On Friday, relative calm returned to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and the centre of recent tumult, and some residents ventured out for the first time in several days. They found looted shops, shattered glass and many burnt-out cars, with the grim atmosphere intensified by the thick mist enveloping the city. Police returned to the central streets for the first time since the clashes turned violent and protesters seized government buildings. [...]
Victoria records 51,356 new cases, nine deaths, new restrictions, rapid test changes
AUSTRALIA— Victoria has recorded a mammoth 51,356 new cases and nine Covid deaths in the past 24 hours. There are now 644 infected people in Victorian hospitals, with 106 active in intensive care and 24 on ventilators. Of the new cases, 26,428 were recorded via a rapid antigen test while 24,928 were recorded via a PCR test. Health Minister Martin Foley announced new restrictions on Thursday. Health Minister Martin Foley said recently more than one in fifty people in Victoria were likely infected. It’s the first time rapid tests were included in the daily tally, which also helps to explain the skyrocketing number. Most people who reported a positive rapid antigen test got that result earlier in the week, and reported it when the web form [...]
Stress for residents as Kaimaumau fire continues to burn
The Kaimaumau fire is entering its fourth week burning, but residents say the event has brought them closer. A 600-hectre blaze is threaterning the Far North township of Kaimaumau. Photo: Supplied/Mary-Jane Hoult The blaze that was first reported in the wetlands on 18 December has now burned through more than 2400ha of bush, scrub, swamp and dune vegetation and put homes in the far north village at risk. A team of 63 firefighters worked on the fire yesterday, with another 29 others working in an incident management team. And although all homes have been saved, Kaimaumau residents have had to evacuate twice, the latest on New Year's Day. Amanda McManus said the ordeal had not put her off living in the far north village; "Oh hell no, I [...]
Counterfeit banknotes circulating in South Taranaki
NZ POLICE/THE-DOMINION-POST A counterfeit banknote. Businesses in South Taranaki are being asked to keep an eye out for counterfeit notes after police were alerted to their use in the area. (File photo). Counterfeit banknotes have been presented at South Taranaki businesses, prompting a warning from police. Businesses should be on the lookout for the fake notes, police said, as they continue to try and establish their source. It is a crime to make, use or be in possession of counterfeit banknotes. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has clear guides outlining the security features of New Zealand banknotes and how to spot counterfeit notes. Security features are the same on all denominations and businesses involved in handling money should be aware of security features within New Zealand banknotes, [...]
Malaysian ex-leader Mahathir in hospital, second time in weeks
Mahathir Mohamad speaks at Putrajaya on Feb 27, 2020. (File photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan) KUALA LUMPUR— Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to hospital on Friday (Jan 7), the medical facility said, weeks after he was discharged following a check-up. The National Heart Institute said the 96-year-old was admitted for an "elective medical procedure" but did not provide further details. The former premier was given a full medical check-up with several investigations at the same specialist heart hospital in mid-December, with doctors discharging him a week later. Mahathir has had heart problems in the past, suffering several heart attacks and undergoing bypass surgery. He has been one of Malaysia's most dominant political figures in recent decades, serving twice as prime minister for a total of 24 years. He [...]
Travellers must provide negative Covid-19 tests in shorter timeframe from today
Changes to pre-departure Covid-19 testing requirements to enter New Zealand come into effect today. As well as the PCR tests, there are two other types of tests that will be accepted for travellers from 105 countries and jurisdictions. Photo: 123RF People coming into the country will have to show a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of departure, instead of within 72 hours. There are also changes to allow travellers coming from 105 countries and jurisdictions, where obtaining a PCR test may be difficult or impossible. They will have to provide evidence of a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test result. This will need to be taken within 24 hours of departure and all tests must be supervised by a health professional, which [...]
Covid-19 update: 35 new community cases, 24 in MIQ in New Zealand today
There are 35 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and 24 cases in managed isolation, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Health Ministry said the 35 new community cases are in Auckland (18), Waikato (1), Bay of Plenty (13), Rotorua (2) and Taupō (1). The Ministry said a Rotorua based MIQ worker who tested positive on Wednesday is currently in isolation. It is currently investigating to find out if this infection came from either the community or the facility, but said the nature of the case's work meant they did not normally have direct contact with returnees. The worker is fully vaccinated and up-to-date with regular testing. Further genome testing results are due later today. There are now 37 people [...]
May 2022 PH Elections: 11 presidential bets, 9 VP aspirants make Comelec’s tentative cut
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A total of 11 presidential aspirants and nine vice presidential hopefuls made it to the tentative list of candidates in the upcoming polls. In a list released on Thursday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) trimmed the field of presidential aspirants from 15 to 11. A namesake of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is also running for president failed to make the list. The Comelec said Maria Aurora Marcos was declared a nuisance candidate. Here is the Comelec’s updated list of candidates for president: Abella, Ernie (independent) Arcega, Gerald (independent) De Guzman, Leody (Partido Lakas ng Masa) Domagoso, Isko Moreno (Aksyon Demokratiko) Gonzales, Norberto (Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas) Lacson, Ping (Partido Para Sa Demokratikong Reporma) Mangondato, Faisal (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) Marcos, Bongbong [...]
Air New Zealand named world’s safest airline
New Zealand's national airline, Air New Zealand, has been named as the world's safest airline. An Air New Zealand plane. (Source: Getty) The accomplishment comes as AirlineRatings.com, which monitors 385 airlines, has revealed its top safest airlines and top safest low-cost airlines. Taking the top spot, Air New Zealand has been credited for its work. AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said that during an "extremely difficult" couple of years for airlines, Air New Zealand had been a leader with its comprehensive retraining. "Air New Zealand has also been a lead airline in many major operational safety advancements over the past 40 years," he said. "Air New Zealand also has an extremely young fleet and its pilots fly in some of the most difficult conditions from windy Wellington to the [...]
Covid-19 update: 19 new community cases reported in New Zealand today, 43 cases at the border
There are 19 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today and 43 cases in managed isolation, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Health Ministry said the number of new cases in Auckland had dropped to single figures. The 19 new community cases are in Auckland (6), Waikato (5), Bay of Plenty (5), Northland (1) and Taranaki (2). The Emergency Department at Taranaki Base Hospital was identified as an exposure event yesterday, but no staff have been stood down. The Ministry said whole genome sequencing of the 43 new imported cases is expected soon, but the likelihood was that Omicron will continue to be "the most prevalent variant at our borders". The new cases came from USA, UAE, UK, Australia, India, Qatar, [...]
Food shortages in Australia expected during COVID-19 chaos
As COVID-19 wreaks havoc on Australia's critical food supply chain, shoppers have been warned to expect shortages at supermarkets throughout January. Stores on the east coast will be most heavily affected, Coles chief operations officer Matthew Swindells said, particularly New South Wales and Greater Sydney. Mr Swindells expected current food shortages at Coles to last "another couple of difficult weeks", as more and more workers catch coronavirus and are sidelined by the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. The rapidly escalating COVID crisis is having an impact on our supermarket shelves. (9News) NSW hit a new pandemic high of 35,054 cases today, up almost 12,000 from yesterday. 9News understands the empty shelves which are now starting to greet shoppers are related to Delta and Omicron enforced absenteeism, not product shortages [...]
Philippine Dec inflation at 3.6per cent y/y, below market forecasts
FILE PHOTO: Vendors wearing face masks for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tend to their customers behind a plastic shield in a public market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 5, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez MANILA— Philippine annual inflation came in at 3.6per cent in December, the lowest level since December 2020, due to slower increases in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index, the country's statistics agency said on Wednesday. The headline figure was near the low end of the central bank's projected range of 3.5per cent-4.3per cent for the month, and below the 3.8per cent median forecast in a Reuters poll. Full-year inflation averaged 4.5per cent, outside the 2per cent-4per cent target band of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Enrico Dela [...]
Concern about level of water safety education after spate of drownings
There have been at least 25 water-related and suspected drownings since the start of December, including three yesterday. File photo Photo: 123rf Four drownings in the same section of the Manawatū River this past week have also prompted a push for better water safety education. Ahimate Reserve, in Palmerston North, used to be a popular place for people to swim but signage now warned people away from the water. A rāhui, which restricts the use of an area, was put in place after 11- year-old Blae Ler Paw and 25-year-old Mu Mu went missing on Wednesday, 29 December 2021. Two other men drowned on Sunday. Palmerston North City mayor Grant Smith said the four deaths were a "tragedy" and he was also disappointed some people were still choosing [...]
Covid-19 update: 17 new community cases in New Zealand, 23 in MIQ
There are 17 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, and 23 at the border, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf In a statement, the Health Ministry said there were 44 people in hospital, including five in intensive care. It said there was no further spread of Omicron in the community after a third-border related case with the variant was reported yesterday. There are still no locations of interest or exposure events and the risk to the community from this case has been determined as "extremely low". The 17 new community cases are in Auckland (5), Waikato (3), Bay of Plenty (9). There were also two new cases in Taranaki which will be officially added to tomorrow's tally. The Emergency Department at Taranaki Base Hospital [...]
Australia’s Covid-19 cases pass 500k as infections surge
Australia has passed the grim milestone of more than 500,000 Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. People arrive to be vaccinated for Covid-19 at the Qudos Bank Arena NSW Health Vaccination Centre in Sydney, Australia. (Source: Getty) The mark was passed on Tuesday after both NSW and Victoria registered record daily case numbers. NSW had 23,131 new cases, with a further two deaths. The state has 1344 patients in hospital, up by 139 from the day before, with 105 in intensive care, up by 10. There were 14,020 cases in Victoria, the first time the state has recorded a one-day total of above 10,000. There were another two deaths in the state, with 516 patients in hospital - a rise of 25 - while there are four more [...]
BBM-Sara campaign headquarters temporarily closed after staff members test positive for COVID-19
Metro Manila, Philippines — The campaign headquarters of the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte tandem has been temporarily closed after more than 20 staff members tested positive for COVID-19, Marcos’ spokesperson said on Monday. According to lawyer Vic Rodriguez, the headquarters in Mandaluyong City was ordered shut down by Marcos from Jan. 3 until further notice to ensure the safety of personnel and supporters. The Bongbong-Sara Uniteam has also postponed all public appearances, sorties, and assemblies until Jan. 15 in light of the infections. However, Rodriguez said campaign preparations and other administrative functions will continue through virtual arrangements. “The UniTeam also advises all its supporters nationwide to exercise self-restraint and avoid holding unilateral campaign/political activities that might result in the further surge of COVID-19 cases in their areas,” he said in a statement. [...]
Singapore’s economy grew 7.2% in 2021, rebounding from recession the previous year: MTI advance estimates
People walk across the Jubilee bridge in Singapore on December 28,2021. (File Photo: AFP/Roslan RAHMAN) SINGAPORE— Singapore's economy grew 7.2 per cent in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, rebounding from a recession in 2020, advance estimates released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Monday (Jan 3) showed. Singapore's economy shrank 5.4 per cent in 2020 – its first annual contraction since 2001 and the country's worst recession since independence. Last year, Singapore announced the start of its transition to living with endemic COVID-19 as it saw a wave of new infections driven by the more infectious Delta variant. Its vaccination programme was ramped up to include booster shots and more age groups, and new measures were also introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The estimates announced on [...]
Groceries, petrol and rent: The everyday costs keeping Aussies awake at night in 2022
Keeping the car running, a roof over your head and a trolley full of food are the main financial concerns keeping Aussies awake at night as the cost of living threatens to blow out of control in 2022. New data from Canstar's 2021 Consumer Pulse Report found that most Australians are worried about ordinary living expenses rising to an unmanageable level over the next twelve months. According to the report, which surveyed 2000 Australian adults, the biggest financial pain points were the price of groceries (14 per cent), petrol prices (11 per cent) and the rising cost of rent (10 per cent). Ordinary living expenses - such as buying groceries - are stretching household budgets to the absolute limit. (AAP) The proportion of Australians who said they were living [...]
Covid-19 update: 31 new community cases in New Zealand
There are 31 new community cases of Covid-19 and 29 new cases of the virus at the border reported in New Zealand today. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new community cases were in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Lakes. Yesterday, there were 27 new community cases of Covid-19 and 24 new cases reported at the border. The ministry also yesterday revealed that it would not be taking legal action against a UK musician who became the country's first reported community Omicron case last week.
Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal to be placed under Alert Level 3 on January 5
VIRUS-FREE? The shoppers are back in Divisoria, Manila, on Sunday, crowding around stalls but apparently forgetting to keep safe physical distancing. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, Philippines — Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal — three provinces closest to Metro Manila — will be placed under the more stringent Alert Level 3 starting January 5, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday, noting the spike in COVID-19 infections. “Due to a sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in the particular localities, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved yesterday, January 3, 2022, the recommendation of its sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics to escalate Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal to Alert Level 3,” he said in a statement. The heightened alert status will be imposed until January 15. Aside from these [...]
NZ Govt to spend $150m on abandoned Auckland bike bridge, alternative crossing options
The Government has set aside $150 million for an Auckland harbour crossing for cyclists and to also cover sunk costs arising from last year’s abandoned cycling and walking bridge project. In October, the Government scrapped a proposed $785m cycling and walking bridge in Auckland, just three months after unveiling it. As of late September, Waka Kotahi had spent $51m on designs, consultants and engineering plan fees. Now, the Government has agreed to direct $150m of the project’s original $785m budget to cover sunk costs and conduct further work to get a ferry or bus shuttle service up and running. Cabinet papers released on Christmas Eve show the Government re-considered the proposed Northern Pathway investment and agreed that the money set aside for the project should go towards a mix [...]
NZ seeing five times more temperature extremes than expected
New Zealand is experiencing temperature extremes four to five times more often than expected, according to NIWA. Summer at the beach (file image). (Source: istock.com) Researchers analysed 70 years worth of weather data across the country to see how frequently extreme events, such as record-breaking heatwaves, were occurring. The study – published in Weather and Climate, New Zealand – found that they are increasing at a much faster rate than the mean average temperature, NIWA said in a media release. On average, the country saw four to five times more extreme high temperatures in the past decade than would be expected in a climate with no long-term warming. Even when climate change is taken into consideration, New Zealand still experienced two to three times more extreme high temperatures [...]
Five of world’s most powerful nations pledge to avoid nuclear war
US, Russia, China, the UK and France who are permanent members of the UN security council agree ‘nuclear war cannot be won’ UN security council meeting on ‘Peace and Security Through Preventive Diplomacy: A Common Objective to All UN Principal Organs,’ at the UN headquarters in New York on 17 November 2021.Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Five of the world’s most powerful nations have agreed that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought” in a rare joint pledge to reduce the risk of such a conflict ever starting. The pledge was signed by the US, Russia, China, the UK and France, the five nuclear weapons states recognised by the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) who are also the five permanent members of the UN security council. They [...]
T-cells can fight Omicron when antibodies fail to, Australian researchers say
New study finds the white cells attack new Covid variant, offering protection and helping prevent significant illness T-cells have been found to be effective as a second line of defence against the Omicron coronavirus variant. Photograph: AP Human bodies have a second line of defence against Covid that offers hope in the global fight against the Omicron variant, Australian researchers say. University of Melbourne research, done in conjunction with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has found T-cells should be able to tackle the virus. Omicron has a higher number of mutations than other variants, which means it can sometimes slip past the antibodies produced by vaccination or infection. But if it does enter the body, the T-cells – white blood cells that originate in the marrow [...]
Apple becomes first US company to reach $3tn valuation
New year trading pushed Apple shares to a new high of $182.80 after tripling in value in under four years Apple shares have risen by 38% since the start of 2021. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Apple became the first US company to be valued at over $3tn on Monday as the tech company continued its phenomenal share price growth, tripling in value in under four years. A pandemic-era surge in tech stocks has driven the major US tech companies to new highs, pulling US stock markets with them. Apple became the world’sfirst trillion dollar company in August 2018, passed $2tn in 2020 and hit its new high as trading began after the holidays and its shares passed $182.80 a piece before dipping lower to end the day valued at over [...]
Mass testing pushed as PH logs 4,600 new COVID-19 cases
People visit a park in Quezon City, east of Manila on New Year’s Day on January 1, 2022. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP) MANILA, Philippines — The surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the easing of quarantine restrictions during the Christmas holidays picked up pace as the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 4,600 new infections, or almost double in just the past three days. About one in five of the 26,122 individuals tested on Dec. 31 was infected, raising the country’s positivity rate to a high 19.6 percent, according to the DOH. This was up by nearly twentyfold from only 0.9 percent only 11 days ago and way above the 5-percent threshold of the World Health Organization to indicate that the spread of [...]
Thousands of Australians are isolating with Covid. Here’s how some of them are coping
While some have felt ‘lucky’ at their situation, others have ended up in debt or without the care they normally receive Some people with chronic illness or disability have been left with little to no support as carers and friends are forced to isolate while sick or awaiting results. Photograph: golibo/Getty Images/iStockphoto Something about the sticky floors of the dingy nightclub Gemma Moore was at on the New South Wales central coast gave her the sense she was about to get sick. “It was a good night, but I just really didn’t feel comfortable being out,” Moore said. “There weren’t any QR codes and the staff weren’t wearing masks. And I remember thinking: someone in here has Covid.” A few days later, the 28-year-old care worker’s hunch proved correct [...]
Covid-19 update: 27 new community cases in New Zealand
There are 27 new community cases of Covid-19 and 24 new cases of the virus at the border reported in New Zealand today. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry of Health said none of the new cases at the border were the Omicron variant, and there were no new community cases of the variant either. Test reuslts for close contacts of the first reported case of the variant in the community have so far come back negative. Yesterday, there were 33 new cases at the border from the previous two days. The ministry said the growing number was a reflection on the increase in cases globally. Of the community cases, there are 12 in Auckland, seven in Waikato, seven in Bay of Plenty, and one in Lakes. [...]
Coronavirus: China struggling to hold back biggest COVID-19 outbreak since the first
A person gets tested in Xian. Photo credit: Getty Images China ended its final week of 2021 with its biggest tally of local coronavirus cases for any seven-day period since subduing the country's first epidemic nearly two years ago, despite an arsenal of some of the world's toughest COVID-19 measures. The National Health Commission reported on Saturday 175 new community infections with confirmed clinical symptoms for December 31, bringing the total number of local symptomatic cases in mainland China in the past week to 1151. The surge has been driven mostly by an outbreak in the northwestern industrial and tech hub of Xian, a city of 13 million. The deepening outbreak in Xian will likely firm authorities' resolve to curb transmissions quickly as and when cases emerge. The [...]
NSW records 18,278 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths as number of people in hospital tops 1000
The number of people being treated for Covid-19 in hospital in NSW has topped 1000 for the first time since 2 October after the state recorded 18,278 new cases. Health workers conduct PCR tests at the St Vincent's Bondi Beach Covid-19 drive through testing clinic in Sydney. Photo: AFP or licensors Hospitalisations have risen to 1066, up from 901 in the previous reporting period, with 83 patients in intensive care. There are five times as many people being treated for Covid-19 in the state's hospitals as there were in mid-December, although the number of people in intensive care has increased at a slower rate. Premier Dominic Perrottet last week said the health system "remains strong" and the state was in a "very strong position" despite the fast-growing case [...]
US airport chaos as more than 2,600 flights cancelled
A man leaves the baggage carrousel area at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington in December 2021 (Photo: AFP/ROBERTO SCHMIDT) WASHINGTON— Air travel continued to be severely disrupted in the United States on Saturday, with bad weather in parts of the country adding to the impact of a massive spike in Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. The United States had 2,604 cancelled flights, more than half of the 4,529 cancelled worldwide, shortly after 4:30pm (2130 GMT), according to tracking website FlightAware. In addition, 3,447 domestic flights were delayed on Saturday, out of a total of 7,602 worldwide for the day. The worst affected US airline was Southwest, which had to cancel 13 percent of its flight schedule, according to the site. In the United States, airports in [...]
Metro Manila now at high risk for COVID-19 transmission – OCTA Research
Metro Manila skyline by night (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JILSON SECKLER TIU) MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila is now at high-risk for COVID-19 transmission as its positivity rate has further increased to 28.03 percent, Dr. Guido David, a fellow at independent monitoring group OCTA Research said in a Twitter post on Saturday. The seven-day average positivity rate in Metro Manila increased from 1.15 percent recorded in the previous week to 12.94 percent, David said. David explained that the expected decrease in testing due to the holidays was “offset by the increase in positivity rate, which was at 21% just a day prior.” “This means the number of new cases will be in the same range of January 1, 2500 to 3000 in NCR and 3500 to 4000 [...]
Man dies following motorcycle crash in Northland
A man has died after a motorcycle went off the road in Kaipara, Northland, overnight. A file image of a police car. (Source: 1News) The incident occurred on State Highway 12 in Kaihū around 12.20am, police said. The motorcyclist died at the scene. His passenger received moderate injuries in the crash and was transported to Whangārei Hospital for treatment. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
NZ Covid-19 update: 105 new community cases, two further deaths in past two days
There have been 105 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the past two days, with two further deaths also reported, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123RF There was no statement from the Ministry yesterday because it was New Year's Day. In today's statement it said there were 43 people in hospital, including five in intensive care. Two deaths of patients with Covid-19 in Auckland City Hospital have also been reported in the past 48 hours. "The Ministry would like to pass on its sympathies to the friends and whanau of the two patients." The new community cases reported over the past two days were in Auckland (71), Waikato (7), Bay of Plenty (22), Rotorua (4), Hawke's Bay (1). The Ministry said the Auckland [...]
Looking forward to 2022, China vows never to rest on what it has achieved, ready for a long way ahead
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year address in Beijing, China, December 31, 2021. /Xinhua As China strides toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects, 2022 will be another important year. "To ensure that everyone leads a better life, we must never rest on what we have achieved, and there is still a long way to go," said Chinese President Xi Jinping on the last day of 2021. Since the year 2014, Xi has delivered New Year addresses for nine consecutive years, leading the Chinese people to look back at achievements and looking to the journey ahead. China fulfills responsibility to history After sending greetings to the Chinese people, the president continued his address with describing the year 2021 [...]
2021 in review: Young Kiwis doing amazing things
As New Zealand looks back at an eventful year, one beacon of hope for 2022 and beyond is this country’s young people, as these Kiwis show. Student Volunteer Army's grocery delivery service. (Source: Supplied) Student Volunteer Army Even before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Student Volunteer Army has stepped up time and time again whenever they’re needed. Soon after the virus made its way to New Zealand, the SVA mobilised to shop for those who couldn’t make a supermarket trip themselves. And as the impacts of Covid-19 continued into 2021, the SVA didn’t stop helping. In December, they hit a milestone: 3000 grocery deliveries over nearly two years. “Two years ago, we did not expect to become a grocery delivery organisation, but that’s [...]
Covid-19: WHO chief optimistic disease will be beaten in 2022
http:// What went wrong with vaccinating the world? Three experts explain The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says he is optimistic that the coronavirus pandemic will be defeated in 2022, provided countries work together to contain its spread. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu warned against "narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding" in a new year statement. His comments come two years since the WHO was first notified of cases of an unknown pneumonia strain in China. Global Covid cases now stand at 287m, while nearly 5.5m people have died. Across the world people are marking the new year but celebrations are muted, with many countries wanting to discourage crowds gathering. Coronavirus remains part of daily life: a disease that has shut borders, split families and in some places made [...]
Covid-19: Health Ministry prepares for booster dose demand
Auckland's biggest vaccination centre is reopening today, as thousands of New Zealanders become eligible for their booster dose this week. Photo: Screengrab The gap between the second dose and the time New Zealanders will be eligible for their booster dose will fall from six months to four months on Wednesday, meaning anyone aged 18 and over who had their second vaccination at least four months ago can have their booster dose. With two cases of Omicron in the community this week, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the good news was that there was "clear evidence" that the Pfizer vaccine provides protection against Omicron. "We also know that a booster dose with Pfizer provides better protection against the Omicron variant than the two-dose course. "While two doses [...]
Small quake near Wellington this morning
A weak 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit near the Wellington region this morning. The quake was located 10km south-west of Wellington. Photo: Screenshot / GeoNet GeoNet says the quake struck at 10.21am and was at a depth of 15km. It was centred 10km south-west of Wellington and more than 700 people reported having felt it.
NCR placed under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15, 2022
PHILIPPINES— The government's COVID-19 task force has placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 following the sharp increase in new coronavirus infections in the country. At a press briefing in Davao City, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) made the decision as they projected cases to further increase in the coming days. He also cited the high possibility of the local transmission of the Omicron variant. Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated. After a whole month of reporting less than 1,000 [...]
Restored Big Ben to bong again at midnight to bring in new year
Clock face will be revealed for first time since 2017 to show conservation work and restoration of original colour scheme Conservationists have reinstated a Prussian blue and gold colour scheme for Big Ben’s dials and clock hands. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters London’s public fireworks display may be cancelled, but Westminster’s new year revellers will be treated to Big Ben’s newly painted dials as the clock bongs 12 times to mark the end of 2021. The 96-metre clock tower above the Houses of Parliament, which houses the Great Bell known as Big Ben, has been mostly hidden from view since a £79.7m conservation projection began four years ago. For the first time since 2017, the clock face will be revealed to show the conservation work that has taken place, including [...]
Subdued celebrations ring in 2022 around the world
Australia seemed to buck the worldwide trend despite the omicron surge, with its prime minister telling people to “enjoy the evening.” Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations. Mark Evans / Getty Images HONK KONG — Another year, another variant. Much like delta last year, 2021 is ending with the emergence of a new form of the coronavirus, dashing hopes that the end of the pandemic might be in sight. And although so far the new variant, omicron, seems to have milder symptoms and lower rates of hospitalization and death, many countries around the world are erring on the side of caution and scaling back plans to ring in the New Year. A notable exception is Australia, where the annual fireworks show [...]
New Zealand rings in 2022 as New Year celebrations kick off around the planet
New Year celebrations have started to kick off around the planet after a rollercoaster 12 months. People are preparing to bid farewell – and perhaps good riddance – to 2021, but the pandemic hangs heavy over festivities. The Omicron variant is casting a shadow on New Year around the world, with populations hoping to get together with friends and family contending with varying levels of restrictions. Millions of Europeans will have to make do with scaled back events after restrictions were reintroduced across the continent. But the party is already well under way in New Zealand and the goons are on ice in Australia with a couple of hours to go until their countdown. Auckland has been lit up after the government gave the go ahead to celebrations in [...]
Ukraine tensions: Biden and Putin phone call seeks ‘diplomatic path’
EPA/The two presidents will speak over the phone amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine US President Joe Biden is set to hold talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin for the second time this month, in a bid to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine. The two leaders will speak by phone on Thursday. They will discuss forthcoming security talks between the countries and the situation in Europe, a White House official said. Russia, which has built up forces on the border with Ukraine, denies planning to invade the country. It says its troops are there for exercises, and that Russia is entitled to move its troops freely on its own soil. The US consulted European leaders ahead of the call to co-ordinate a common response to the issue, a White House statement [...]
All of NZ excluding Northland to move to Orange from 11.59pm
All of New Zealand, apart from Northland, will be moving to the Orange traffic light setting from 11.59pm on Thursday. Orange traffic light. (Source: istock.com) It means regions currently in Red — Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts — will move to Orange. Northland is set to stay at Red due to its comparatively lower Covid-19 vaccination rate, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said earlier this month. She noted that the Green setting allowed people to gather in high-risk areas no matter their vaccination status, and said it was “important to maintain confidence” with people through the transition. On not moving any area to Green, Ardern said that was “only for now through the transition [...]
Singapore, China reiterate commitment to free and open trade
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was joined by 13 other political office holders at a virtual press conference held after the 17th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information) SINGAPORE— Singapore and China on Wednesday (Dec 29) reiterated their commitment to free and open trade at an annual top-level bilateral meeting. The 17th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting is the highest-level annual forum between China and Singapore. Held virtually for the second year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was co-chaired by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng. A substantial number of 14 pacts ranging from finance to trade, sustainability and nature conservation were signed this year. A statement from the Prime Minister’s [...]
Hipkins ‘very disappointed’ Omicron-infected DJ didn’t follow rules
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says he's very disappointed the British DJ at the centre of an Omicron community scare didn't follow isolation rules properly. The Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday the recent international arrival completed 10 days of isolation, but did not wait for the final test result before going out into the community, and subsequently tested positive for the Omicron variant. Last night, DJ Dimension outed himself in a social media post as New Zealand's first community Omicron case. The DJ, Robert Etheridge, had been scheduled to perform at the Rhythm and Alps festival in Wanaka. He had visited a number of Auckland CBD locations on 26 and 27 December, including the Impala nightclub on Shortland Street, the Sunny town restaurant, Partridge jewellers, Ahi Restaurant and Soul [...]
PH President Duterte OKs P5K gratuity pay for JO, COS workers in gov’t for 2021
President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to the crowd in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Screenshot from PCOO / Facebook MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the granting of a one-time P5,000 gratuity pay to contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) government workers for 2021. Under Administrative Order No. 46, which Duterte signed on Wednesday, workers who have rendered a total or aggregate of at least four months of service as of Dec. 15 can avail of the P5,000 gratuity pay. Those who have rendered less than four months of service, meanwhile, may receive their gratuity pay on a pro-rata basis. Actual service refers to services rendered on-site, the order read. All workers in national agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local water districts [...]
PH Vice President Robredo in quarantine after COVID-19 exposure
Vice President Leni Robredo said Wednesday that she is in quarantine following exposure to a COVID-19 case. "I received a call last night that one of my close in security tested positive for COVID-19. So ngayon, naka-quarantine ako [I am now in quarantine]," Robredo said in a Facebook live video. "Our protocol in the office is to go on quarantine for seven days, kaya hanggang after New Year pa [My quarantine period will end after New Year]," Robredo added. Robredo is fully vaccinated with the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca and received her Moderna COVID-19 booster shot this month. Robredo said this marks the second time she has been exposed to a COVID-19 case, with the first incident also involving another member of her close in security testing positive for [...]
PH population growth lowest in 75 years
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine population is projected to increase by merely 0.3 percent or 324,000 in 2021, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom). Popcom, in a statement, said that this annual “natural increase” is the lowest since the period between 1946 and 1947, when the population grew by 254,000. “As such, Filipinos will number 109,991,095 at the end of 2021—lower by 2 million than earlier projections based on a 1.63-percent population growth rate or PGR.” Popcom executive director Dr. Juan Perez III explained that Filipinos remain prudent by continuing to delay having children or forming families during the combined economic crisis and COVID-19 health emergency. “Couples in growing numbers continue to avail of family planning commodities and services in all regions of the country, with [...]
Matamata crash: Three children still in critical condition in Waikato, Starship hospitals
Three of five children involved in a car crash on a country road between Matamata and Morrinsville are still fighting for their lives in hospital. The crash happened shortly before midnight on Monday on Morrinsville-Walton Rd. The single vehicle crash happened after a Nissan Tiida veered off the road and flipped into a ditch. Five youngsters aged between 10 and 13 were in the car. At least three were thrown from the vehicle in the impact. All were helicoptered or taken by ambulance to Waikato Hospital. Two remain in a critical condition in that hospital, while a third, also in a critical condition, was transferred to Auckland’s Starship Hospital on Monday. It is not known if anyone will be charged in relation to the crash, and how the children [...]
Hong Kong police arrest six from online media outlet
Hong Kong said they arrested three men and three women on Dec 29, 2021. PHOTO: AFP HONG KONG— Hong Kong's Police National Security Department said early on Wednesday (Dec 29) it had arrested six current or former senior staff from an online media firm "for conspiracy to publish seditious publication". Hong Kong broadcaster TVB said the six are from pro-democracy news website Stand News. A Reuters witness saw at least four police vans outside the media firm's office. Police said in a statement that they had arrested three men and three women, aged 34 to 73, and that searches of their homes were underway. Stand News said one of those arrested was Mr Ronson Chan, its deputy assignment editor who is also the head of the Hong Kong Journalists [...]
Cities around the world pare back New Year celebrations again due to Covid-19
A number of Dec 31 events have been cancelled in countries where caseloads are rising swiftly. PHOTO: REUTERS As the Omicron variant drives coronavirus infection rates to their highest levels of the pandemic in many parts of the world, major cities have scaled down or cancelled New Year's Eve events for a second consecutive year. Only months ago, expanding Covid-19 vaccinations and loosening travel rules had promised a return of raucous New Year gatherings amid hopes that the pandemic might finally be waning. But the emergence of Omicron - the highly transmissible variant that is now fuelling record surges in many nations - has prompted governments to reinstate travel restrictions, mask mandates and bans on large gatherings. Even as early studies suggest that Omicron produces less severe illness, [...]
Support for legalising marijuana in Australia nearly doubles over six years
More than 40% of Australians back legalisation of cannabis for personal use, National Drug Strategy Household Survey finds A marijuana plant. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey found 41.1% support for legalising cannabis in 2019, up from 25.5% in 2013. Photograph: Richard Vogel/AP Over 40% of Australians believe marijuana should be legalised, a figure that has nearly doubled since 2013, according to new analysis. Australian researchers have looked into changes in public attitudes towards drug use over time, as measured by responses to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey. The nationally representative surveys, last conducted in 2019, have been collating data on drug use and attitudes every two to three years since 1985. A review of the survey data showed that 41.1% of respondents supported the legalisation of [...]
CDC: people who test positive for Covid with no symptoms should isolate just five days
Authorities change guidelines based on ‘what we know about the spread’ and protection from vaccination, as expert warns US ‘being hit by a viral hurricane’ A middle school principal walks the empty halls of his school on 20 August 2021 in Wrightsville, Georgia. Photograph: Stephen B Morton/AP US health authorities have halved, to five days, the recommended isolation time for people with asymptomatic Covid. The US is facing a huge surge in Covid cases, driven by the Omicron variant, which contributed to travel chaos over Christmas and stoked worries about damage to the economy and education. One expert told the New York Times: “All 50 states are in the soup at the same time. It’s like every state is being hit by a viral hurricane.” But in a [...]
46 new community Covid-19 cases, 17 Omicron cases in MIQ
There are 46 new Covid-19 cases in the community on Wednesday, and 17 Omicron cases have been recorded at the border, the Ministry of Health has announced. Covid-19 testing clinic sign. (Source: istock.com) The community cases are in Northland (3), Auckland (30), Waikato (6), Lakes (4), Tairāwhiti (2) and Canterbury (1). The total number of Omicron cases detected at the border is now 71. The ministry said the Tairāwhiti cases were reported on Sunday, December 26, but were unable to be added to official numbers until Wednesday due to "data reporting issues". Forty-eight people are in hospital with the virus, including seven in an intensive care or high dependency unit. Northland's three new cases are located in Hokianga. They are all from the same household and are linked [...]
UK reports record new Covid-19 cases after Johnson rules out restrictions
Britain has reported a record 129,471 new cases of Covid-19, one day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not bring in new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus this year. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he will not introduce new restrictions in England. Photo: AFP The data did not include figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland due to differences in reporting practices over the Christmas holidays. The 12,378 cases reported for Wales included data that would normally have been reported in previous days. The previous record high of daily infections was 122,186 on December 24. Yesterday, Johnson said he would not introduce new restrictions in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all tightening their rules, as have other European countries facing a [...]
Keri Hulme, titan of NZ literature and the country’s first Booker Prize winner, has died
Keri Hulme, photographed whitebaiting on the beach at Ōkārito on the West Coast in 1987, two years after she won the Booker Prize, has died at the age of 74. Novelist Keri Hulme, an icon of New Zealand literature and the first Kiwi to win the Booker Prize, has died. The West Coast writer and poet died just before noon on Monday at her home in Waimate, South Canterbury, at the age of 74. Hulme’s nephew, Matthew Salmons, said that despite her success, she never sought fame or adoration. “There were stories of her being this literary giant,” he told Stuff. “It wasn't really something that she discussed. “It was never about fame for her, she’s always been a storyteller. It was never about the glitz and glam, [...]
Elon Musk criticised after China space complaint to UN
IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Elon Musk is facing a social media backlash after China complained that its space station was forced to avoid collisions with satellites launched by his Starlink Internet Services project. The country's space station had two "close encounters" with Starlink satellites, Beijing claimed. China's complaints, lodged with the UN's space agency, have not yet been independently verified. Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by Mr Musk's SpaceX. Mr Musk is well known in China even as his electric carmaker Tesla comes under growing scrutiny from regulators. The incidents occurred on 1 July and 21 October, according to a document submitted by China this month to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. "For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance [...]
Palma to limit cruise ships after environmental concerns
Spanish officials hail ‘historic’ deal to limit arrivals to maximum of three vessels a day at Mallorca port Palma port in Mallorca, Spain, is among the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean.Photograph: Enrique Calvo/Reuters Officials in the Balearic Islands will seek to limit cruise ships to a maximum of three vessels a day at its largest port, in a deal described as the first of its kind in Spain. The regional government said in a statement that arrivals at Palma in Mallorca would be limited when possible to three cruise ships a day, one of the vessels allowed to be a mega-cruise liner carrying more than 5,000 people, starting in 2022. Calling the deal historic, officials estimated it would result in a 13% drop in arrivals at one of [...]
Covid-19: Sydney lab confirms hundreds in testing bungle tested positive
The Australian state of New South Wales has recorded another 6062 Covid-19 cases and one death, as a Sydney lab confirms hundreds of people who it sent premature negative results have tested positive. Health workers conduct PCR tests at the St Vincent's Bondi Beach Covid-19 drive through testing clinic. Photo: AFP Hospitalizations in the state have risen to 557, up from 521 in the previous reporting period. There are now 60 patients in intensive care. The latest figures were taken from more than 93,581 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday. Meanwhile, St Vincent's Hospital, which operates pathology unit SydPath, has confirmed about half of the 950 people who received premature texts advising they had tested negative for Covid-19 have actually tested positive. "SydPath can confirm [...]
Covid-19 update: 18 new community cases, 1 death, 5 cases of Omicron in MIQ
One person has died from the coronavirus and there are 18 new community cases of Covid-19 today. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver A woman in her 70s has died from Covid-19 last night at Middlemore Hospital. It is the 51st death in New Zealand of someone with the coronavirus since the pandemic began. Of today's 18 cases, 13 are in Auckland, three in Waikato, one in Bay of Plenty, and one in Lakes. There are 54 people with Covid-19 in hospital, including eight in ICU or HDU. The average age of current hospitalisations is 51. Of the hospitalisations, 19 are in Auckland City Hospital, seven in North Shore, 22 in Middlemore, three in Tauranga, two in Rotorua and one in Waikato. In MIQ, there are 16 new cases, [...]
PH neutral on China-Taiwan row
PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration will remain neutral amid the escalating conflict between China and Taiwan. Duterte said he was relieved that there is no tension in the West Philippine Sea as it allowed the military and police to provide necessary assistance to victims affected by Typhoon "Odette". "Mabuti na lang wala pang gulo dito sa (It's good that there is no trouble yet at the) South China Sea," he said in a command conference with local officials and military officials in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday and aired on state-run PTV-4 on Saturday. Should tensions arise, he said he will not go to war with China. "Kung sabihin nila na mag-gulo sila tapos gamitin, eh (If they start to cause trouble here), I would never allow [...]
Australia records first Omicron COVID-19 death, authorities stick to reopening plan
Travellers receive tests for COVID-19 at a pre-departure testing facility outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Nov 29, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Loren Elliott) SYDNEY— Australia on Monday (Dec 27) reported its first confirmed death from the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 amid another surge in daily infections, but the authorities refrained from imposing new restrictions saying hospitalisation rates remained low. The death, a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions, marked a grim milestone for the country which has had to pause some parts of a staged reopening after nearly two years of stop-start lockdowns, due to the fresh outbreak. Omicron, which health experts say appears more contagious but less virulent than previous strains, began to spread in the country just as it lifted restrictions [...]
Asia stocks, oil struggle as Omicron worries weigh
A man looks at stock market monitors in Taipei, Jan 22, 2008. (File photo: Reuters/Nicky Loh) TOKYO— Asian stock markets were generally weaker with US crude in holiday-thinned trading on Monday (Dec 27), as uncertainty over the economic impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant weighed on investor sentiment. US airlines have cancelled or delayed thousands of flights over the past three days due to COVID-19-related staff shortages, while several cruise ships had to cancel stops after outbreaks on board. In Asia, China reported its highest daily rise in local COVID-19 cases in 21 months over the weekend as infections more than doubled in the northwestern city of Xian, the country's latest COVID-19 hot spot. Japan's Nikkei lost 0.20 per cent while South Korea's Kospi fell 0.11 per cent. Mainland [...]
House prices in Auckland’s Papakura rocket by 41% in 2021
House prices in south Auckland’s Papakura rose more than any other district in or near a main centre this year, says the latest QV Quartile Index. The rising costs are the latest in a string of headline-making figures that demonstrate the relentless rise of house prices the country has been subject to in 2021. According to the QV Quartile Index, over the 11 months from January 1 to November 30, Papakura experienced a 41 per cent increase in “first home” values – properties at the lower end of the market, more likely to be sought out by first home buyers. QV QUARTILE INDEX/SUPPLIED QV Quartile Index showing percentage house price increases Jan-Nov 2021 in or around main centres. Christchurch followed closely behind with a 37.7 per cent increase, [...]
2021 in review: Another busy year in space
Blood moons, billionaires, and boisterous debates about orbital debris — a lot has happened in space in 2021. Jeff Bezos in July 2021, after taking a ride on the Blue Origin New Shephard flight. 1News spoke to Stardome Observatory and Planetarium astronomy educator Josh Kirkley about some of the most memorable moments in space this year. Billionaires blast off After a promising 2020, the shift toward the privatisation of space flights continued into 2021. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX were among the companies leading the year’s most high-profile manned suborbital space flights. While the missions were hailed as another leap toward space tourism and travel by amateurs, they also attracted criticism. Kirkley said that the notion of the ultra-rich blasting off [...]
PH still needs 7M fully vaxxed to achieve population protection
(File photo) MANILA – The Philippines still needs to fully vaccinate seven million Filipinos by the end of the month to meet its target of 54 million and achieve population protection this year. Based on the data from the national Covid-19 vaccination dashboard, the Philippines, as of Saturday, has administered a total of 105,329,784 doses of vaccines nationwide, with 47,109,449 Filipinos now fully protected and 1,365,827 others have received their booster shots. Due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the country's average daily vaccination rate has decreased to 675,567 doses. Despite a few setbacks on the vaccination program, Presidential Adviser on Covid-19 response Vivencio Dizon earlier said the government remains optimistic that the targeted 54 million fully vaccinated is still achievable with more [...]
Covid-19 update: 126 new community cases over past two days
There have been 126 community cases reported in New Zealand over the past two days, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Photo: 123RF There was no Covid-19 information released yesterday. In a statement this afternoon, the Ministry said there were 47 people in hospital, with seven people in ICU. There are two people in Waikato Hospital and four in Tauranga, with the rest in Auckland. The new community cases reported today were in Auckland (88), Waikato (17), Bay of Plenty (6), Lakes (13), Taranaki (1) and Northland (1). There are also two cases reported in Gisborne, which were announced by Tairāwhiti DHB on Thursday afternoon and will be formally added to the official tally tomorrow due to "Tairāwhiti data reporting issues". The cases are linked to a case in [...]
Ex-South Korean president Park Geun-hye, serving time for corruption, granted pardon
A file photo of former South Korean leader Park Geun-hye at a court in Seoul in 2017. She is set to be released at the end of the year. PHOTO: REUTERS SEOUL - Disgraced former South Korean president Park Geun-hye, now serving a 22-year jail term for corruption and power abuse, is set to walk free on the last day of the year. The Justice Ministry, in what experts deem as a surprise but calculated move, announced on Friday (Dec 23) that she was granted a presidential pardon, partly due to her deteriorating health. Park, 69, is now warded at Samsung Medical Centre in southern Seoul due to chronic shoulder and back pain, poor mental health and even dental issues. She is expected to be released directly from there. [...]
Western states need united front against divisive China: Trudeau
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Dec 15, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Blair Gable) TORONTO— Western countries should have a united front against China to prevent the Asian state from using commercial interests to play them against each other, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an interview aired on Saturday (Dec 25). Trudeau said China has been "playing" Western countries against one another as they compete for access to economic opportunities in the country. "We've been competing and China has been, from time to time, very cleverly playing us off each other in an open market, competitive way," he said in an interview with Global television. "We need to do a better job of working [...]
Body found in South Auckland home at end of tense standof
A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead in a South Auckland home at the conclusion of a dramatic standoff where police climbed through a window to rescue people. Police said in a statement the serious incident in Bezar Place, Flat Bush, had been resolved. (Source: 1News) At about 1.15am on Boxing Day, police said they received an emergency call from a resident on Bezar Place in Flat Bush who heard gunshots. Armed Offender Squad members were among officers to respond, climbing through a window in the home before safely taking out several occupants from, including a child. Negotiators then made contact with a 38-year-old man inside the home and continued to engage with him as the morning continued, Detective Inspector Fa'amanuia Va'aelua of [...]
Christmas Day around the world: In pictures
Around the world Christmas celebrations are being held, some date back to a historical figure born 2000 years ago, some involve fun with family and friends, and some incorporate elephants and tractors. Snow sculptors building the main snow sculpture on Christmas Eve at the Harbin Sun Island Snow Sculpture Exposition in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Photo: AFP/ Xinhua News Agency. Church services and ceremonies are being held throughout the world to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, the historical figure whose life and teachings Christianity was founded on. Christians light candles, sing carols, and retell the nativity story of Jesus' untimely birth as his parents were taking shelter in stables in Bethlehem during a cross country trek because of a census. The Bishop of Arras, Olivier Leborgne (centre), [...]
Filipino family to be deported on Christmas for mistake made in ‘desperation’
When Jeffrey Santos is asked how he’s going to make Christmas Day special for his 8-year-old son James, he wells up with tears. Santos, his wife Marjorie, and their son will be deported on December 25 back to Pampanga, in the Philippines, for what he says was a crime of “desperation to feed his family”. Santos used a false address to claim $1600 worth of food vouchers during 2020’s Covid-19 lockdown because he was out of work and out of money, he said. He was ineligible for help like the income relief payment, which was not available to migrant workers. Despite numerous appeals to stay and prove his character, and eight flight cancellations, the Santos family had to leave New Zealand. Christmas Day would be a struggle, he said. [...]
Covid-19 update: 56 new community cases in New Zealand today
There are 56 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry said the new cases were in Auckland (42), Waikato (4), Bay of Plenty (6), Rotorua (2), Taranaki (1), and Tairāwhiti (1). The one new case in Taranaki is linked to the Eltham cluster and is understood to have been self-isolating during their infectious period. The two Rotorua cases are household contacts, and three of the six new cases in the Bay of Plenty today have also been linked to earlier cases. There are 48 people with the coronavirus in hospital, including seven in ICU. There were also four cases reported at the border today. There have now been 10,432 cases in the current community [...]
Covid-19 numbers continue to skyrocket in NSW with 5715 new cases
New South Wales has once again reported skyrocketing daily case numbers as the seven-day average for hospitalisations continues rise in Victoria. Health workers conduct PCR tests at the St Vincent's Bondi Beach Covid-19 drive through testing clinic on 22 December. Photo: AFP or licensors NSW has recorded 5,715 new Covid-19 cases as the number of people being admitted to hospital with the virus continues to rise. It is the highest number of daily Covid-19 infections recorded in any Australian jurisdiction, and a rise of 1,952 from yesterday when the state recorded 3,763 cases. Hospitalisations for Covid have risen to 347, up from 302 in the previous reporting day, with 45 patients in ICU. Premier Dominic Perrottet yesterday announced he would reintroduce QR code check-ins and also appears set [...]
Pillar of Shame: Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Square statue removed
REUTERS Construction workers worked overnight to remove the statue A famous statue at the University of Hong Kong commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre has been removed. Construction workers worked overnight behind plastic barriers to dismantle the 8m (26ft) copper statue. The statue, called the Pillar of Shame, shows piled-up corpses to commemorate pro-democracy protesters killed by Chinese authorities in 1989. The university ordered its removal in October, and said officials had decided on Wednesday to take it down. "The decision on the aged statue was based on external legal advice and risk assessment for the best interest of the university," it said in a statement. It added: "The university is also very concerned about the potential safety issues resulting from the fragile statue." The artwork - which features [...]
China offers more assistance to Philippine typhoon victims
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (1st R) attends the handover ceremony for China-donated rice in Pasay City, the Philippines, Dec. 22, 2021. China offered 1 million U.S. dollars in cash and another 4,725 tons of rice on Wednesday to help the victims of Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. (Xinhua/Liu Kai) MANILA, PH-- China offered 1 million U.S. dollars in cash and another 4,725 tons of rice on Wednesday to help the victims of Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian announced the assistance at the handover ceremony of the rice, the last batch of the 10,000 tons that China donated to the Philippines. The emergency cash assistance is to support the relief and recovery efforts of the Philippine government and people against [...]
Marcos-Duterte tandem leads latest Pulse Asia voter preference survey
Metro Manila, PH — The tandem of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos and vice presidential hopeful Sara Duterte emerged as the top choice in the latest election survey conducted by Pulse Asia. Results released Wednesday showed 53% of survey respondents expressed support for Marcos, who faces a string of petitions against his 2022 bid. This is a big lead from Vice President Leni Robredo, who came in second with a rating of 20%. Placing third in the survey was Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao with 8% each. Senator Ping Lacson, meanwhile, completed the top five as the presidential bet of 6% of the respondents. Based on the breakdown of votes, Marcos got the majority of support in all of the country's major island groups, but he secured the [...]
Omicron threat: Border delays a blow to New Zealanders stuck overseas
The decision to delay re-opening the borders has dealt another blow to New Zealanders stuck overseas and desperate to return home. Kiwis overseas poised to move back to New Zealand have been left disappointed by the government announcement of border opening dates being pushed back. Photo: 123RF The threat of Omicron has prompted the government to push back the start of its staged shift from managed isolation in a hotel to self-isolation at home from mid-January to the end of February, and the period in MIQ has increased from seven days to 10. It's the latest roadblock for Kiwis abroad and the Christmas news no one wanted to hear. New Zealand citizens Susan Thomas and her husband have their bags packed, a beachside home to move into and [...]
Covid-19 update: 56 new community cases, 51 people in hospital
There are 56 new community cases of Covid-19 today and 51 people are in hospital. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone In a statement, the Health Ministry also confirmed there was a new case in the Wellington region, after several locations of interest in Hutt Valley were identified. The ministry said six new cases of Omicron have now been detected in recent returnees, bringing the total number of international arrivals in MIQ with the Omicron variant to 28. It said of the 45 Covid-19 cases that have been detected at the New Zealand border since the start of the month, 28 were the Omicron variant. The 51 cases in hospital include two in Waikato and one in Tauranga, with the rest in Auckland hospitals. Today's new community cases were [...]
Hong Kong election: China rejects democracy concerns from West
China has hit back at criticism from Western nations over the Hong Kong election, accusing them of interfering in its affairs. Hong Kong's legislature vote on Sunday saw more than 90% of the seats available go to pro-Beijing candidates. Prior to the vote China had made sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system, including a rule that allowed Beijing to vet candidates. Several nations said the poll had eroded democracy in Hong Kong. On Monday, following the results of the poorly-attended election, the foreign ministers of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand said China's new rules had "eliminated any meaningful political opposition". "Since the handover, candidates with diverse political views have contested elections in Hong Kong. This election has reversed the trend," said the group, also [...]
Japan hangs three in first use of capital punishment in two years
Japan hanged three death-row inmates on Tuesday, its first executions in two years, amid growing criticism by human rights groups of the country's use of the death penalty. One of the three, Yasutaka Fujishiro, was convicted of killing seven people and setting fire to their house in 2004, while the other two, Tomoaki Takanezawa and Mitsunori Onogawa, were convicted in the 2003 killings of two pinball parlour employees. Executions are carried out in high secrecy in Japan, where prisoners are not informed of their fate until the morning they are hanged. Since 2007, Japan has begun disclosing the names of those executed and some details of their crimes, but information is still limited. Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa said the three inmates had committed 'extremely ghastly' crimes. (AP) Justice Minister [...]
State of calamity declared in six regions in PH due to typhoon ‘Rai’
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga - regions that suffered the wrath of Typhoon Odette. (FILE PHOTO) METRO MANILA, PH — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga - regions that suffered the wrath of Typhoon Rai (PH name: Odette). In his weekly address aired Tuesday night, Duterte signed the declaration recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). A state of calamity would allow local governments to tap their respective calamity funds to help typhoon-hit communities. Duterte said the declaration would also allow price controls on commodities in devastated areas, as well as hasten rescue [...]
Investor warns of share buying risk amid US-China tensions
A local retail investor is warning about the risks of buying shares in Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges following the delisting of a major firm. A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on 20 December 2021. Photo: AFP / 2021 Getty Images Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi recently announced it was delisting from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with some analysts saying it was bending to Chinese regulators angered by its share float in the US earlier this year. Growing political tensions between China and the US had also seen American authorities ban US entities from trading shares in companies that are believed to be controlled by the Chinese military. The decision by Didi to delist prompted concerns other Chinese [...]
France to introduce vaccination pass in early January as Omicron spreads
A demonstrator holds a placard that reads "No to the health passport" as people attend a demonstration called by French political party "Les Patriotes" against COVID-19 health pass as France sees an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and hospitalisations, in Paris, France, December 18, 2021. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier PARIS— France will pass a law transforming its health pass needed to exercise some professions and to go to cinemas and bars into a "vaccination" pass in the first half of January, the government said on Tuesday (Dec 21). "The wave awaiting us will be high," government spokesman Gabriel Attal told journalists, adding that the Omicron variant accounts for 20 per cent of new COVID-19 infections in France and is spreading rapidly, particularly in the Paris region. He added that in [...]
Malls, NZ Post keeping up with busy Christmas period in Covid-19 restrictions
It's the home stretch to Christmas and shoppers are flocking to malls eager to snag last-minute deals while others are keeping NZ Post extremely busy with deliveries. Photo: 123RF At Sylvia Park, one of Aotearoa's largest shopping hubs, centre manager Helen Roland told Morning Report it had been getting busier with Christmas around the corner. "We've been in lockdown for months, but it's been picking up every week that we've been coming back since the 9th of November. So it's getting busier and busier." She said things were different this year. There were no queues for the Santa Centre, instead people needed to book a spot online. "It's a different set up and everyone's got masks on and everybody's being very sensitive. "They seem to be very shopping very [...]
Boy, 12, charged with murder in Northland
A 12-year-old boy has been charged with murder in Northland. Police. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson The victim, Ōkaihau local Michael John Biggins, 62, was found in a car crashed into a paddock and died at the scene. Detective senior sergeant Mark Dalzell said the child is the second person charged. A 15-year-old has also been charged with murder over Biggins' death.
Covid-19: 69 new community cases, nine new cases of Omicron variant in MIQ
There are 69 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, and nine further cases of the Omicron variant in international arrivals. (File photo). Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the total number of cases with the Omicron variant in the country is now at 22. All remain in managed isolation with the exception of one case who has recovered. Today's community cases include 59 in Auckland, seven in Waikato, two in Bay of Plenty, and one in Taranaki. There are 62 cases in hospital today, including 11 in North Shore, 31 in Auckland, 15 in Middlemore, two in Waikato, and three in Tauranga. Seven cases are in ICU or HDU across the country. Of Waikato's cases, five are in Te [...]
Philippines’ election agency rejects bid to disqualify Marcos Jr
FILE PHOTO: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son of late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, poses for pictures after filing his certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 national election, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 6, 2021. Rouelle Umali/Pool via Reuters/File Photo MANILA— Electoral authorities in the Philippines have rejected the first of a series of complaints seeking to disqualify presidential contender Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the early frontrunner ahead of next year's election. Marcos Jr, the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, still faces six other complaints - all of them linked to accusations that he failed to pay income tax or file tax returns, which carry a lifetime ban from running for election. Marcos Jr, a career politician, has denied the tax allegations and said elections [...]
Australia well prepared for mounting COVID-19 cases: Health minister
Travellers receive tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a pre-departure testing facility, as countries react to the new coronavirus Omicron variant, outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, November 29, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott MELBOURNE— Australian officials on Sunday (Dec 19) said there was no need to clamp down on Christmas festivities even as new COVID-19 infections climbed in Sydney, with the country's high vaccination rate helping keep people out of hospital. Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was confident Australia would not need to follow the Netherlands, which has reimposed a strict lockdown over the Christmas and New Year period to curb the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant. "We're going into summer, we have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world [...]
Covid-19 update: 55 new community cases in NZ; five more Omicron cases in MIQ
There are 55 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today and five more cases of the Omicron variant in recent international arrivals, the Health Ministry says. Photo: AFP The new Omicron cases in MIQ take New Zealand's total to 13. Four of these cases remain in managed isolation. One has now recovered and has been released. The recovered case arrived from London via Singapore on 7 December. This case tested positive on day one and was closely managed in MIQ, the Ministry said in a statement. The person was never in the community while infectious. Of the new community cases, 41 are in Auckland, with the remainder spread between Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki. In Waikato, four new cases were reported overnight; three are in Te [...]
Typhoon Rai continues to intensify over West PH Sea – PAGASA
Typhoon Rai (PH name: “Odette”) continues to intensify over the West Philippine Sea, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, Dec. 19. (PAGASA) As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of typhoon Rai was located 320 kilometers (km) northwest of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). It has maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) with gustiness of up to 240 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 25 kph. Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remained hoisted in Kalayaan Islands, where strong winds may prevail within 36 hours. “Typhoon Odette may still intensify within the next 12 hours. Afterwards, the gradual exposure of the typhoon to cooler sea surface temperatures in the northwestern [...]
UK Brexit boss resigns in another blow for Boris Johnson
Brexit minister Lord Frost has resigned from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government. David Frost looks on as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a trade deal with the EU on 30 December, 2020, at 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: AFP Lord Frost led the UK's negotiations over the EU Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol. In a letter to Johnson, Lord Frost said that while "Brexit is now secure" he had "concerns about the current direction of travel". The Mail on Sunday, which first reported the news, said he handed in his resignation a week ago, partly in disagreement with Covid-19 curbs. In his letter, Lord Frost, who attended Cabinet, said his resignation would take "immediate effect" and spoke of his desire to see a "low-tax" [...]
PH logs lowest number of Covid-19 active cases in 2021
The Philippines logged 291 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Saturday and the lowest number of those active in 2021 at 9,924, according to the Department of Health (DoH). The last time that the lowest number of active cases was recorded was on May 24, 2020 at 9,918. Of the active cases, 3,854 are mild, 501 are asymptomatic, 3,388 are moderate, 1,799 are severe and 382 are critical. Of the 35,527 samples that were tested on December 16, only 350 or 0.9 percent were found positive. Total recoveries are at 2.777 million, or 97.9 percent of the 2.8 million overall cases. The death toll is at 50,675, including 106 new fatalities. Occupancy rate for beds for Covid-19 patients in the intensive care units (ICUs) is at [...]
Name released of baby who died of ‘non-accidental’ injuries
Police have today released the name of the baby who died in Auckland’s Starship hospital on Friday. Auckland City Hospital and Starship children's hospital. (Source: istock.com) He was 10-month-old Chance Kamanaka O Ke Akura Aipolani-Nielson. In a statement on Sunday Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor said police "believe the baby's injuries were non-accidental, and investigations are ongoing into the circumstances". A homicide investigation is underway into Chance's death. Anyone with information that may assist police with their inquiries are asked to call 105 and reference Operation Angora.
Firefighters battle Far North vegetation blaze
A fire which started in the Far North on Saturday is still burning today, but is largely contained. Fire and Emergency NZ received calls about 1.30pm on Saturday about a huge blaze in Kaimaumau, a remote part of the Far North. The Kaimaumau fire at night. (Source: Mary Parrish) In a statement just before 11am on Sunday FENZ Controller Mitchell Brown says, "the fire is now 80 per cent contained as of 9:30am today, and it is expected to be 100 per cent contained by tonight. Crews will continue to mop up the residual fires over the next two days." It had initially engulfed five hectares, but by 5pm on Saturday had grown to around 300 hectares and a further 50 hectares by Sunday morning. Large bushfire [...]
Covid-19 update: 39 community cases in New Zealand today, 4 new cases of Omicron
New Zealand has recorded another 39 community cases of Covid-19, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf.com A boy under the age of 10 became the youngest person with Covid-19 to die in New Zealand, data on the Ministry of Health website revealed yesterday. The data said the child was a Māori boy, registered to the Counties Manukau DHB. Three new cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were also reported in New Zealand's managed isolation system, with none of them connected to the first case that was announced on Thursday. The cases are now isolating at the Jet Park Quarantine facility in Auckland while the first case has been transferred to an MIQ facility in Christchurch. The Ministry said the detection of further Omicron cases was not surprising given [...]
Reports of shots being fired in eastern area of Christchurch
A road in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton has been closed after reports of shots being fired. Police have cordoned off Bowhill Road between Marine Parade and Keyes Road roundabout. A police spokesperson said as of yet, there are no reported injuries and inquiries are ongoing. The first calls to police came in just after 10am today.
Homicide investigation launched after Auckland baby dies
A homicide investigation is underway after a baby boy admitted to Starship Children’s Hospital on Wednesday with critical “non-accidental” injuries died. Auckland City Hospital and Starship children's hospital. (Source: istock.com) The 10-month-old died in hospital on Friday evening, Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor of Waitematā Police said. A post-mortem is underway and as a result the investigation has been upgraded to a homicide inquiry, he said.
US FDA approves AstraZeneca-Amgen drug for severe asthma
The logo for AstraZeneca is seen outside its North America headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, US on Mar 22, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Rachel Wisniewski) The US Food and Drug Administration approved AstraZeneca and Amgen's drug, Tezspire, to treat severe asthma for those aged 12 years and older, the companies said on Friday (Dec 17). The approval is based on late-stage trial data that showed the drug cut the rate of asthma attacks by 56 per cent among patients when compared with placebo. Amgen, which leads the manufacturing of the drug developed by AstraZeneca, told Reuters it was working to make Tezspire available to patients in January. Tezspire works by blocking a type of immune protein called TSLP, found in the linings of the lungs. TSLP belongs to the cytokine group responsible for [...]
NSW records highest daily Covid-19 case numbers with 2,482 infections, one death
New South Wales has recorded 2,482 new cases of Covid-19 and one death. Health officials collect COVID-19 swab tests at a drive-through testing site on Bondi beach in Sydney. Photo: AFP or licensors The case numbers are the highest recorded in any Australian jurisdiction in a 24-hour reporting period. There are 206 people in hospital with the virus in the state, 26 are in intensive care. Two weeks ago, the daily infection figure was 325 and then 560 cases were recorded a week after that on 11 December. The latest case numbers have surpassed Victoria's daily Covid-19 infection peak of 2,297 on 14 October. The latest figures have come from more than 137,149 tests taken in the reporting period. The surge in cases in NSW has also triggered a [...]
Russia issues list of demands it says must be met to lower tensions in Europe
Contentious security guarantees Moscow is seeking include a ban on Ukraine from entering Nato Russian truck-mounted rocket launchers during military drills near Orenburg. Photograph: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/EPA Russia has put forward a highly contentious list of security guarantees it says it wants the west to agree to in order to lower tensions in Europe and defuse the crisis over Ukraine, including many elements that have already been ruled out. The demands include a ban on Ukraine entering Nato and a limit to the deployment of troops and weapons to Nato’s eastern flank, in effect returning Nato forces to where they were stationed in 1997, before an eastward expansion. The eight-point draft treaty was released by Russia’s foreign ministry as its forces massed within striking distance of Ukraine’s [...]
PH Presidential aspirants join relief efforts for Typhoon Odette victims
PHILIPPINES — Several 2022 hopefuls have launched their own initiatives to help in the relief efforts for communities hit by Typhoon Odette. The tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan called for relief goods and cash donations alike. Donations can be dropped off at their volunteer center in Quezon City. Robredo also personally flew to Bohol on Friday. Those who would want to donate through Manila Mayor Isko Moreno's drive can also head to Quezon City. Senator Manny Pacquiao also launched a fundraiser for the typhoon victims. Volunteer-supporters have also started packing relief goods for his drive. The camp of former Senator Bongbong Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte also prepared relief packs for the calamity-struck areas. Progressive coalition Laban ng Masa — which fielded [...]
Typhoon ‘Odette’ slashes across 7 regions in PH
AFTER THE STORM Infrastructure in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte has sustained heavy damage from the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Odette’ (‘Rai’) on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The island was among the hardest hit by the storm that left its mark in other areas in 7 regions in the country. PHOTO FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD Updated at 12:49 am AS many as 12 people may have died and thousands were evacuated as Typhoon "Odette" slashed across seven regions Friday, the government's disaster management agency reported. Packing 195-kilometer-per-hour winds, the giant storm, with international name "Rai", made eight landfalls as it barreled its way through Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan); Eastern, Central and Western Visayas; Northern Mindanao; and Caraga. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) [...]
Biden picks Caroline Kennedy to be ambassador to Australia
US President Joe Biden has announced his intention to nominate Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former president John F. Kennedy to serve as ambassador to Australia. Ms Kennedy is a longtime friend, ally and donor to Mr Biden and endorsed the president's candidacy early in the 2020 campaign, speaking at the Democratic convention. She previously served as US ambassador to Japan in the Obama administration. Caroline Kennedy will be nominated as the next US ambassador to Australia by the Biden Administration.. (Getty) In a statement, Ms Kennedy called Australia "a country that is as vital to our future security and prosperity as Australia". "I am always grateful to the courageous Solomon Islanders and Australian coast watchers who rescued my father during World War II, and if confirmed, I will [...]
Signal No. 3 up in Visayas, Mindanao areas as ‘Odette’ intensifies in PH
PHILIPPINES— Signal No. 3 is up in parts of Visayas and Mindanao as Typhoon "Odette" continues to intensify and may make its first landfall on Thursday afternoon over Dinagat Islands-Surigao provinces, according to the state-run weather agency. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 a.m. advisory that affected areas in Visayas include Southern Leyte, the southern portion of Leyte (Abuyog, Mahaplag, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom and Javier), Bohol, and the eastern portion of Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, City of Naga and San Fernando) including Camotes Islands. In Mindanao, Signal No. 3 is up over: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del [...]
PH detects first 2 imported cases of Omicron variant
(FILE PHOTO) Metro Manila, Philippines — The country has detected its first two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Wednesday. In a statement, the DOH said the two cases — both international travelers — are currently isolated in a facility under the Bureau of Quarantine. The report came following the latest genome sequencing of 48 samples on Tuesday. The first Omicron case is a returning overseas Filipino who arrived from Japan on Dec. 1 via a Philippine Airlines flight. The patient had coughs and colds upon arrival but is now asymptomatic, the Health department said. The second case is a Nigerian national who arrived on Nov. 30 via an Oman Air flight, it also said, adding that the patient is also currently asymptomatic. The government [...]
GDP down 3.7%, second largest quarterly fall since 1986
The economy took a big hit thanks to the long lockdown, as widely predicted. New Zealand money. (Source: istock.com) The most widespread measure of economic activity – Gross Domestic Product – shows a 3.7 fall in the September quarter, Statistics NZ revealed today. That’s the second largest fall since records began in 1986. It's the first comprehensive look at the knock the economy has taken thanks to the 2021 lockdown. Retail, accommodation, restaurants, manufacturing, construction and arts and recreation were the hardest hit. And the economy saw big falls in spending over that time. But, the fall is less pronounced than in June 2020 following the first nationwide lockdown. “The September quarter had fewer days in higher alert levels, and border restrictions were already in place," Statistics NZ's [...]
Covid-19 milestone: 90pc of eligible New Zealanders are now fully vaccinated
Ninety percent of eligible New Zealanders are now fully vaccinated, with the official count through overnight, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon The milestone means nearly 3,800,000 people have rolled up their sleeves for two Pfizer doses. It comes hot on the heels of the three DHBs in Auckland's metropolitan area reaching the target. Seven of the country's 20 DHBs have now reached 90 percent double-vaccination, and a handful of others are on track to reach the target in the next few days. Ninety-four percent of the eligible population nationwide have had their first dose. Auckland's Counties Manukau District Health Board hit the vaccination target of having 90 percent of its eligible population fully vaccinated yesterday. That means all three DHBs in the [...]
Ministry of Education records spike in home-schooling applications
Ministry of Education figures show a spike in applications from parents wanting to home-school their children. File image. Photo: 123RF The figures show the ministry usually received more than 100 applications a month before the pandemic and fewer than 200 a month for most of last year and this year. But in October it received about 500 applications and in November more than 800. The ministry said by 8 December it had received 3225 applications this year with 2194 approved, 71 declined, and 900 pending a decision. The ministry said there were 8552 in home-schooling at the start of December, up from 7749 at the middle of the year and about 1300 more than in the middle of last year. Auckland Home Educators supports home-schooling in the Auckland [...]
Canterbury DHB apologises after used needle mistake
A person was injected with a used needle when getting a Covid-19 booster vaccine, prompting an apology and investigation from Canterbury DHB. Vaccination clinic sign. (Source: rnz.co.nz) Dr Helen Skinner, who is responsible for the DHB’s Covid-19 response, said the error happened at the ‘old CHOC’ clinic at Christchurch Hospital on Friday, December 10. “A needle previously used to vaccinate one person was used for a second person’s vaccination,” she said. Skinner said staff immediately told the second person what had happened when they realised. The DHB has apologised to both people. Blood samples were taken from both people and a "comprehensive investigation" has begun, she said. Skinner said steps were being taken to support the vaccinator and both people the needle was used on. “We will continue [...]
80 new community Covid-19 cases in NZ
There are 80 new Covid-19 cases in the community on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health has announced. The cases are in Auckland (51), Waikato (21), Bay of Plenty (7) and Lakes (1). There is also another case in Christchurch, but it will be included in Wednesday's numbers. They are a close contact of an earlier case and were already isolating at home when they tested positive. Sixty-two people are in hospital with the virus, including four in intensive care or a high dependency unit. The ministry also said "several" members of a flight crew which arrived in New Zealand on Monday night had been identified as close contacts of an Omicron case in Australia. They are in an MIQ facility as per standard international air crew arrival procedure. Meanwhile, [...]
Mainland China reports first case of Omicron coronavirus variant
Appearance of highly transmissible variant poses serious threat to zero-Covid strategy Medical workers in protective gear at a Covid testing site in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock Mainland China has reported its first case of the highly transmissible Omicron variant in the northern city of Tianjin, posing what could be the biggest threat to date to the country’s zero-Covid strategy. The Chinese authorities reported on Monday that the Omicron case was detected on 9 December from an overseas returnee, who showed no symptoms on arrival. The patient is being quarantined and treated in a designated hospital. At the same time, the eastern province of Zhejiang has been battling a rise in new infections of the Delta variant in recent weeks. Cases of Omicron – first detected in South [...]
Marcos, Sara top new survey
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos bump fists during a UniTeam event in San Pedro, Laguna. LAKAS CMD PHOTO Updated at 12:45 am PHILIPPINES— Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio led the fourth-quarter survey conducted by Publicus Asia, the results of which were released Monday. Publicus said 51.9 percent of the respondents had Marcos as their preferred choice for president. His choice share was up by 2.6 percent from the 49.3 percent in the third-quarter poll. Marcos was also the frontrunner in the third-quarter survey, as well as in Publicus' Final List Survey where he was the choice of 56.7 percent of the respondents. That poll was conducted on November 16 to 18, right after the deadline for [...]
NZ real estate agents pocket almost $2b in commission as house prices rise
Real estate agents are hoping for a record breaking 2021 as they pocket more than a billion dollars in commission fees on the back of skyrocketing house prices. A Herald calculation estimates agents earned $2 billion in commission fees in the past year. OneRoof's data partner Valocity found 78,643 homes and apartments had sold in the 12 months to November 30 at a combined value of $74b. While the industry does not officially publish agents' earnings, the past 12 months are expected to have been among the best years on record with more sales completed at higher prices than last year. That meant the best agents could earn up to $1 million per year, Ray White Manukau owner Tom Rawson said. Yet with the high rewards also came high [...]
Covid-19 update: 103 new community cases in New Zealand today
There have been 103 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today. A Covid-19 testing road sign in Napier Photo: Tom Kitchin In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 61 people in hospital with the coronavirus, including three in intensive care. Today's cases include two in Northland; 86 in Auckland; nine in Waikato; three in the Bay of Plenty; one in Rotorua and two in Canterbury. There was also one case today in Taranaki and one in Nelson-Tasman, which will be officially added to the country's case numbers tomorrow. The Taranaki case is not linked to any of the previously reported cases in New Plymouth or Waitara and is currently isolating at home. A border worker case reported yesterday remains under investigation. The [...]
World Bank approves US$600 million funding for Philippine reforms
A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on Oct 12, 2018. (File photo: Reuters/Johannes P Christo) MANILA— The World Bank has approved a US$600 million loan for a Philippine reform programme to position the Southeast Asian country for a competitive and resilient economic recovery, the bank said on Saturday (Dec 11). The quick-disbursing loan backs measures to free up retail services and promote private investment, cut the cost of doing business, and expand broadband services to boost investments in information and communications technology, the lender added. Such reforms are crucial to level immediate and long-term barriers to growth, said Ndiamé Diop, the bank's country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. "Reforms [...]
Taiwan confirms first cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant
People wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ride an escalator at a subway station in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov 30, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/I-Hwa Cheng) TAIPEI— Taiwan confirmed on Saturday (Dec 11) its first cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, found in three people who had arrived from abroad. The island's Central Epidemic Command Centre said the infections were found in travellers arriving from Britain, the southern African nation of Eswatini and the United States. Like all entrants, they were tested on arrival and already subject to two weeks of quarantine.
Australia shortens wait time for COVID-19 booster doses as Omicron cases rise
Travellers receive tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a pre-departure testing facility, as countries react to the new coronavirus Omicron variant, outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, November 29, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott CANBERRA— Australia said on Sunday (Dec 12) it will shorten the wait time for people to receive COVID-19 booster vaccines following a rise in cases of the Omicron variant. Australia had previously said it would offer a COVID-19 booster to everyone over 18 and who had their second dose of the vaccine six months prior. But with rising cases of the Omicron variant, Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said the time interval will be shortened to five months after the second dose. "A booster dose, five or more months after the second [...]
At least 70 dead as tornadoes rip across central and southern US states
Kentucky was hardest hit as four tornadoes, including a massive storm, devastated a town and collapsed a factory building Damage from a tornado is seen in downtown Mayfield, Kentucky, on Saturday. Photograph: Mark Humphrey/AP Seven central and southern US states were picking up the pieces Saturday after a series of powerful tornadoes intensified by severe storms ripped across the region, leaving an estimated 70 to 100 people dead. Kentucky was hardest hit as four tornadoes, including a massive storm, devastated Mayfield, a small town 134 miles (215 km) north-west of Nashville, Tennessee. A candle factory partially collapsed when the tornado struck on Friday evening. Drone footage shows collapsed Illinois warehouse after tornadoes sweep US – video More than 30 tornadoes pummeled a 200-mile plus area in what [...]
NZ and Australia’s bond will always be tight – Ardern
Jacinda Ardern insists the trans-Tasman friendship with Australia is in fine health, and she won't join the international pile-on critiquing Scott Morrison's foreign engagement. Jacinda Ardern says the Government's $37.5 million package is a "win-win", acknowledging Aucklanders and supporting facilities, event spaces and businesses. But nor is the New Zealand prime minister willing to support her Australian counterpart for recent dealings that have left France fuming, the USA cold and have further provoked China. In a rare sit-down interview with Australian media, Ardern said she hadn't drawn any conclusions about Morrison's trustworthiness from the AUKUS episode, which upset a trio of world powers. "I don't have to base the relationship on what I observe of others because I've got my own experience to base the relationship on," she [...]
Covid-19 update: 63 new community cases reported in New Zealand today
There have been 63 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, according to the Ministry of Health. Photo: AFP In a statement, the ministry said the new cases are in Northland (2), Auckland (53), Waikato (3), Bay of Plenty (1), Taranaki (1), and Canterbury (2). It said while there had been a large drop in case numbers today, "we continue to ask everyone in New Zealand to remain vigilant". A border worker who has tested positive as part of routine surveillance testing has also been reported today. "This case remains under investigation and is yet to be classified as either a community or border case. The case has not been included in today's community case tally but has been added to the tally of total [...]
NZ has tools to limit Covid-19 spread over summer – Baker
As the country prepares to hit the road over summer, Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker says he believes New Zealand has the tools in place to limit transmission. It comes as the country recorded 63 community cases on Saturday, the lowest number in seven weeks. Baker says low case numbers is very good news coming into the Christmas period. While cases are dropping, vaccination rates continue to climb with 17 out of 20 DHBs having had one or more doses. Baker says "given that almost 95 per cent of the population has had one or more doses we can expect most of them will have their second dose." Although vaccination rates are high, "we still need to focus on getting children vaccinated as a measure to limit transmission," he says. [...]
Biden promises eastern Europeans support in event of Russian attack on Ukraine
US president makes pledge in phone calls to Ukrainian president and nine other states Joe Biden meets via video with President Vladimir Putin. The president called the east-European leaders after unease over US plans to hold talks with Moscow. Photograph: Adam Schultz/AP Joe Biden has phoned the leaders of Ukraine and nine eastern European Nato states promising support if Russia attacks Ukraine and pledging to involve them in decisions about the region. After a 90-minute call with Biden late on Thursday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter that the two “discussed possible formats for resolving the conflict” in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists have carved out a self-declared state. After Zelenskiy, Biden spent 40 minutes talking to the leaders of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, [...]
Jacinda Ardern tells world leaders our model of democracy is ‘being challenged across globe’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told world leaders that our model of democracy is "being challenged across the globe" and that to address issues like COVID-19 and climate change we need to value a diversity of voices and build enduring institutions. Arden gave two pre-recorded speeches overnight as part of the Summit for Democracy, a virtual event held by United States President Joe Biden and attended by more than 100 world leaders. The event aimed to bring together figures from government, civil society and the private sector to lay out an "affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action". Notably, authoritarian states Russia and China, with which the US currently has poor relations, were not invited to the event. [...]
Weather: Possible tropical cyclone in Coral Sea could intensify to Category 5, so how will New Zealand be impacted?
A tropical cyclone likely to emerge this weekend near the Coral Sea could intensify into a Category 5 storm as it heads south towards New Zealand, Weatherwatch says. All eyes are on the tropical depression currently sitting around the Solomon Islands that is expected to turn into a tropical cyclone by Sunday as it moves towards New Caledonia. By Tuesday, WeatherWatch says the cyclone could be as strong as a Cateogry 5, but is more likely to be either Category 4 or 3. "That's a severe storm," forecaster Philip Duncan says. "So New Caledonia, for two or three days now, has been showing a direct hit. The French nation [is] watching it very closely. Vanuatu right on the outer edges of it, Norfolk Island very close." At this point [...]
DOH: Still no PH case of Omicron
There is still no Omicron COVID-19 variant case detected in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday. It said the results of latest whole genome sequencing of 48 samples conducted on Dec. 8 by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) did not find any Omicron variant. The results did not include the samples of three travelers from South Africa, Burkina Faso and Egypt who tested positive for COVID-19. “The samples collected from the travelers from South Africa and Burkina Faso are in PGC for sequencing [and] the sample from the traveler from Egypt is currently being sent to PGC,” the DOH said. Delta variant Genome sequencing of the travelers’ samples is being done to determine if they have the Omicron variant. The DOH said the three were [...]
Nicaragua breaks ties with Taiwan, switches allegiance to Beijing
FILE PHOTO: Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo during a march in Managua, Nicaragua, on Sep 5, 2018. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas) MANAGUA— Nicaragua on Thursday (Dec 9) broke its longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, switching allegiance to Beijing in a recognition of the Chinese Communist party's One China policy and reducing Taipei's dwindling pool of international allies. "The government of the Republic of Nicaragua today breaks diplomatic relations with Taiwan and ceases to have any contact or official relationship," the foreign ministry said in a statement issued in Spanish and English. "The People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," it added. Taiwan responded quickly, expressing "pain and regret" at the [...]
Nurses still struggling to return to New Zealand despite MIQ slots for healthcare workers
A nurse who sailed home because she couldn't get a slot in MIQ and another who's given up trying say there are still too many barriers to getting nurses back to New Zealand. New Zealand nurse Rachel Fraher caught a ride on a yacht to return from Australia. Photo: Supplied There are critical nursing shortages all over the country, with expectations it will only get worse with the Covid outbreak next year But nurses groups said it was still to difficult for New Zealand nurses to get home or for overseas nurses to move here. New Zealand nurse Rachel Fraher was in Australia until she hitched a ride on a yacht, arriving a few days ago. She had tried eight times through the general MIQ system, before health [...]
Covid-19 update: 95 new community cases in New Zealand, two further deaths
There are 95 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today and two further deaths of people with the coronavirus, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry said there are 56 people in hospital with Covid-19, including four in ICU. But it also reported two deaths of people with Covid-19 - one at Middlemore Hospital and one at Auckland City Hospital. Both cases have been referred to the coroner. Today's cases were in Auckland (75), Waikato (11), Bay of Plenty (5), Rotorua (1), Nelson-Tasman (1) and Canterbury (2). There was also one new case in managed isolation. Yesterday the Ministry reported 103 new community cases - 88 in Auckland , nine in Waikato, five in Bay of Plenty and one in Rotorua. [...]
China accuses Australia of ‘political posturing’ over diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
Scott Morrison says athletes will compete in next year’s Games because sport and politics should not mix The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has confirmed Australian officials will not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, joining the United States in a diplomatic boycott of next year’s Games and prompting accusations from Beijing of political posturing. Morrison told reporters in Sydney it was “not surprising”, given the deterioration in the diplomatic relationship between Australia and China, that officials would not attend next year’s winter Games. “Australian athletes will, though,” he said on Wednesday. “Australia’s a great sporting nation and I very much separate the issues of sport and these other political issues.” Morrison said he would like to see longstanding tensions between Australia and China resolved, but his government did not [...]
Covid-19: Jacinda Ardern defends decision to keep Auckland border in place
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says her Government’s decisions weighed up different pieces of advice. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has defended her Government’s decision to keep the Auckland border in place and to bring forward the Covid traffic light system. Newly published Ministry of Health advice from Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there was no justification to keep the city’s hard border in place when the nation moved into the new framework, at the time expected to be around mid-December. He also wrote “a requirement for testing and vaccination certificates to leave Auckland would direct resources away from where they are most needed, particularly given the high practical cost of enforcement”. But Ardern said Bloomfield’s November 11 advice, published now as part of a [...]
One dead after vehicle goes into water in Tauranga
A person has died after a vehicle plunged into Tauranga Harbour this evening. Chapel Street, Tauranga. Photo: Google Maps Emergency services were called to Chapel Street, where there was a report of a vehicle in the water shortly after 5pm. One person died at the scene while another person was treated by medical staff. The road remains closed. An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
Drug smuggling bust: Six Air New Zealand workers, three King Cobra members charged
Police say Auckland Airport has been targeted by a syndicate smuggling drugs from the United States into New Zealand. Operation Selena seizures: (from top left, clockwise) Meth hidden in a container from Tonga to Auckland, firearms seized in relation to investigation on smuggling from Tonga, cash and firearm seized after investigation into smuggling from Malaysia, meth disguised as taro and cassava. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Fourteen people, including six baggage handlers working for Air New Zealand and three King Cobra gang members, have been charged today after a six-month joint operation with Customs. Authorities confiscated 45kg of meth and three firearms in relation to the latest arrests. Detective Inspector Paul Newman said they suspect unchecked items were placed onto aircraft flying from Los Angeles to Auckland. Police [...]
Covid-19 update: 90 new community cases in NZ today
There are 90 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: AFP In a statement, the ministry said the new cases included three in Northland, 71 in Auckland, nine in Waikato, five Bay of Plenty, one in Rotorua and one in the Nelson-Tasman region. The Auckland cases include a staff member at the Ellerslie Gardens Aged Residential Care facility Auckland Regional Public Health Service and Auckland DHB staff are supporting the residents and staff at the privately-owned facility. "Testing is being undertaken with residents and staff as part of the outbreak management plan." There were 74 people in hospital with the coronavirus, including six in ICU. There were also two cases from the UAE and the UK reported at the border. [...]
China to land in moon in 2030
Image released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Dec. 4, 2020 shows China's national flag unfurled from the Chang'e-5 probe on the moon. The image was taken by a panoramic camera installed on the lander-ascender combination of the probe, before the ascender blasted off from the moon with lunar samples. CNSA/Handout via Xinhua BEIJING— It is "entirely possible" for China to perform a crewed lunar landing before 2030, said a senior Chinese scientist in deep-space exploration. "I personally think that as long as the technological research for manned moon landing continues and as long as the country is determined (to achieve the goal), it is entirely possible for China to land people on the moon before 2030," Ye Peijian said in a recent interview with the state [...]
PH now at minimal risk case classification for COVID-19
PHILIPPINES — The COVID-19 situation in the country continues to improve as the Department of Health reported on Monday that the Philippines is now under minimal risk case classification. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vegeire said the average daily attack rate from Nov. 22 to Dec. 5 is now below one, which means the country can be downgraded from low risk to minimal risk. "Nationally we remain at minimal risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate at -57% and a low-risk average daily attack rate at 0.67 cases for every 100,000 individuals," she said in a media briefing. Thirteen of the 17 regions are under the same classification, the official added. Only Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Zamboanga Peninsula are under low risk case classification, which [...]
PH Inflation cools to 4.2% in November
PHILIPPINES —Prices of basic commodities rose at a slower pace in November with food and energy costs mainly driving the increase, newest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority show. National Statistician Dennis Mapa reported on Tuesday an inflation rate of 4.2% for the month. This is milder than 4.6% in October and 3.3% in November 2020. The latest figure is outside the 3.3-4.1% range projected by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for November. It is likewise outside the 2-4% target band eyed by the BSP for the year. The central bank earlier said that higher costs of electricity, LPG, and produce could primarily push inflation up during the period, but could be offset by local oil price rollbacks and the peso’s appreciation. This is a developing story.
Robertson: NZ won’t be at China Games at ‘ministerial level’
New Zealand will not be represented at the Winter Olympics on a ministerial level next year in China, Sports Minister Grant Robertson says. However, the move was not due to US' diplomatic boycott, but from a previous decision made over Covid concerns. Grant Robertson said there were multiple reasons NZ won't have a diplomat in China but Covid was the main issue. (Source: Other) The deputy prime minister was questioned about New Zealand's situation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics after the US confirmed Tuesday they will stage a diplomatic boycott to protest Chinese human rights abuses. Robertson said New Zealand will also be absent from the Games at a diplomatic level. "We've already made clear that we won't be there at a ministerial level," Robertson said. "We made [...]
Covid-19 update for 7 December: 98 new community cases in NZ today
There are 98 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the ministry said there were 66 cases in hospital, including seven cases in ICU OR HDU. The average age of current hospitalisations is 53. The ministry said of today's new cases, 48 are yet to be epidemiologically linked. There are 74 new cases in Auckland today, 10 in Waikato, eight in Bay of Plenty (all in Tauranga), one in Taranaki (New Plymouth) and five in Nelson-Marlborough. Cases under investigation In Northland, there are two new cases in Kaitaia, which will be officially counted in tomorrow's numbers. The ministry said interviews were underway and links to extended whānau in the area were being investigated. Anyone who visited [...]
Thousands of NSW teachers strike for the first time in a decade over staff shortages and stagnant wages
AUSTRALIA— Hundreds of schools are closed and thousands of teachers are on strike across New South Wales over staff shortages and stagnant wages. Educators and supporters gathered in Sydney's Hyde Park this morning before marching to NSW Parliament. Teachers and principals, striking for the first time in nearly a decade, are asking for a salary increase of between five to 7.5 per cent a year to recognise the increase in their skills and expertise and reverse the relative wage decline. Thousands of teachers gathered in Sydney today in the first major strike in a decade. (9News) Teachers are asking for a salary increase of between five to 7.5 per cent a year. (Getty) They are also protesting staff shortages. There are more than 3000 vacant permanent teaching positions in [...]
US confirms it will stage diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
Decision is response to what is described as China’s ‘genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang’ and other abuses A police officer beside a Winter Olympics poster in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP The White House has confirmed it will stage a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, in the latest move that will further widen the rift in an already strained bilateral relationship. “The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, given the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses,” press secretary Jen Psaki said from the briefing room podium on Monday. The announcement comes two months before the games are to begin. American athletes [...]
Confused about My Vaccine Pass? You’re not alone. Here are some key questions answered
To enter hospitality, some retail businesses or go to events, you may need a vaccine pass. As New Zealand enters day five of the new traffic light system there is still plenty of confusion from both businesses and customers about what the rules are. To add to the confusion the Government went and changed some rules for hospitality on Friday evening, roughly 20 hours after the new system came into play. In essence the new traffic system is supported by My Vaccine Passes, which are available to the vaccinated, and are sighted or verified by businesses using a free app called NZ Pass Verifier. Below is some information to help make navigating this new world of vaccine passes and traffic lights a little easier to understand. First off, detailed [...]
Steadily-rising interest rates on the way, NZRB officials say
Inflation is set to stay high for some time forcing the Reserve Bank to combat it with steadily rising interest rates, according to two of the central bank's most senior officials. Assistant governor of the Reserve Bank, Christian Hawkesby. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Outgoing deputy governor Geoff Bascand has told a financial services conference that inflation is likely to stay above 4 percent for a year or more. "It's definitely got some persistence to it for the next 12 months, we'll see the CPI (consumer price index) moving along at 4 percent over the next year, but we think it will moderate over time, some of those things that have driven it up won't last forever." "We're leaning into it ... we will keep reducing stimulus and [...]
Government reveals 25-year plan to tackle family and sexual violence
A 25-year plan to tackle the amount of violence in New Zealand homes is being unveiled by the government this morning. Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The country's first National Strategy for eliminating family violence and sexual violence, called Te Aorerekura, will see 10 agencies working together. Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Marama Davidson said Te Aorerekura represents an evolution in the journey to address violence in homes and in communities. "Te Aorerekura sets a collective ambition to create peaceful homes where children, families and whānau thrive; to enable safe communities where all people are respected, and support the wellbeing of our nation," she said. "This is an important step towards ensuring the wellbeing of all people." Davidson [...]
New DNA tech to help police catch mystery criminals
The Australian Federal Police will soon be armed with pioneering DNA technology to help stop cases going cold. If DNA left behind at the scene of a crime does not hit a match on any national data bases, cases can often sit unsolved for years. But now, thanks to new forensic technology, the AFP will be able to develop a broad picture of what the offender physically looks like, even if that person does not exist in any identity databases. The Australian Federal Police are utilising a new technology, known as Massively Parallel Sequencing, that opens a new world of forensic DNA testing for criminal investigation. (Supplied) The new technology known as Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) can provide predictions for someone's gender, eye colour and, in coming months, hair [...]
PH New COVID-19 cases below 1,000 for 12 straight days
VIRUS-FREE? The shoppers are back in Divisoria, Manila, on Sunday, crowding around stalls but apparently forgetting to keep safe physical distancing. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, Philippines — Newly detected COVID-19 infections stayed below 1,000 for the 12th consecutive day but deaths exceeded 150 again for the third straight day. The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 603 new cases and 156 more deaths. The fatalities continued to climb also because of delayed reporting. Of the 156 deaths in Sunday’s bulletin, the department said 56 died in November and 12 died in December. The rest were from more than a month ago. According to the DOH, the delayed reporting was due to “late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya,” referring to its case collection system. “This issue is currently [...]
NZ records 135 new community Covid-19 cases
There are 135 new Covid-19 cases in the community on Monday, the Ministry of Health has announced. Nurses carry out Covid-19 testing. (Source: Getty) The cases are in Auckland (125), Waikato (8) and Canterbury (2). Seventy-six people are in hospital with the virus, including seven in intensive care or a high dependency unit. On Sunday, 106 community cases were announced.
Six of Auckland’s regional parks will be given Māori names
Auckland Council is working with local iwi to give six of its regional parks Māori names as part of its Te Kete Rukuruku programme. Wenderholm Regional Park, Auckland (Source: istock.com) Ambury, Glenfern, Long Bay, Ōmana, Shakespear and Wenderholm regional parks will all be given Māori names by mana whenua. Five parks will have a Māori named added to the existing English name, to create a dual Māori and English name, while Ōmana Regional Park, where the current name is an abbreviated version of an historical pā site, will have its full and appropriate name confirmed and restored through the programme. Mayor Phil Goff says its the council’s vision that “te reo Māori is seen, heard, learned and spoken in everyday life”. “We also want to help Aucklanders be [...]
Christopher Luxon drops Collins to 19th place in reshuffle
New National leader Christopher Luxon has released his line-up after taking up the leadership of the party last week. New National Party leader Chris Luxon. (Source: Getty) The move sees former leader Judith Collins plunging down to 19th spot, with other MPs including Michael Woodhouse and Andrew Bayly, who sat as her high ranking MPs, also falling down with her. Former deputy Shane Reti keeps a high position up at fifth, while Chris Bishop rises up to fourth. "The line-up I’m announcing today is based on merit and matches people to their strengths and skill sets," Luxon said. "I have deliberately selected a Shadow Cabinet of 20 members to match the Government’s Cabinet," Luxon said. "We will be a Government-in-waiting that will relentlessly hold this spin-heavy and PR-driven [...]
‘Positive’ first weekend in traffic light system – Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the first weekend in the traffic light system has received largely positive feedback. The country is into day four of the Covid-19 traffic light system and, for many people, it's taking a bit of getting used to. Cafés and even councils around the country have made their own decisions on how they will operate within the new guidelines. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report there haven't been widespread issues with fake Covid-19 vaccine passes being used. She said the Government would remain in contact with the Business Association to work out any issues that may crop up. "By and large the feedback has been really positive particularly given it is a big shift for many ... there will be the odd thing that [...]
China’s Communists Bash US Democracy Before Biden Summit
China’s Communist Party has taken American democracy to task, sharply criticizing a global democracy summit being hosted by President Joe Biden next week and extolling the virtues of its governing system. Xu Lin, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of China's Communist Party holds a copy of a government-produced report titled "Democracy that Works" during a press conference at the State Council Information Office in Beijing, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. China's Communist Party took American democracy to task on Saturday, sharply criticizing a global democracy summit being hosted by President Joe Biden next week and extolling the virtues of its governing system. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING (AP) — China's Communist Party took American democracy to task on Saturday, sharply criticizing a [...]
Philippines may raise vaccine target amid new variants —DOH exec
The Philippines may increase its COVID-19 immunity target from 70% to 100% of the country's population to prevent community transmission due to emerging coronavirus variants, a Department of Health official said Sunday. In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said that the 70% herd immunity target could only protect people from severe infection of the original virus strain. "Yung 70% yun yung sa original strain ng virus natin yung SARS-CoV-2. Ngayon nagkakaroon ng maraming variant, kailangan taasan ang herd immunity. In fact, target natin 90% or kung puwede 100%," said Vega. (The 70% target for herd immunity is for the original strain of the coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2. But with the new variants, we need to raise the herd immunity to 90%, or possibly 100%.) As [...]
NZ shipping faces uneven playing field in NZ waters -report
A new report taking stock of the country's shipping sector reports an uneven playing field for domestic and international providers, and major problems that need to be fixed if resilience and environmental goals are to be met. Lyttelton Port, south of Christchurch city. Photo: 123rf Commissioned by Waka Kotahi, the report found New Zealand shippers were being short-changed on a number of fronts compared with their overseas counterparts. "There appear to be obvious and hidden subsidies, distorting the level playing field", it noted. "Domestic coastal shipping operators pay emissions trading scheme (ETS) levies that are not imposed on competing international carriers," the report said. Sourcing competitive fuel supplies was also a problem. "New Zealand does not have adequate low sulphur fuel oil available. Ships are required to use [...]
Covid-19 in Australia: More Omicron expected in Sydney, vaccines for 5-11 year olds from January
BRENDON THORNE/GETTY IMAGES A handful of cases of the Omicron variant have begun popping up in some Australian states. More Omicron cases are expected to be identified in Sydney following cases of the variant being linked to schools. On Sunday, NSW recorded 286 new cases of Covid-19 including two new cases of the Omicron variant, bringing the total number of cases with the strain in Sydney to 15. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian officials expect to see further Omicron cases in Sydney's south-west due to five cases of the variant already linked to a cluster spanning two schools and an indoor climbing gym. On Sunday, ACT reported six new Covid-19 cases, including a case of the Omicron variant that’s linked to the climbing gym – bringing [...]
US, West blast Taliban over reported ‘summary killings’ of ex-security forces
The Taliban has faced mounting criticism over human right problem in Afghanistan, with the United States and other world powers condemning the hardline Islamist group over reported "summary killings" of former members of the Afghan security forces (Photo: AFP/Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN) WASHINGTON— The United States on Saturday (Dec 4) led a group of Western nations and allies in condemnation of the Taliban over the "summary killings" of former members of the Afghan security forces reported by rights groups, demanding quick investigations. "We are deeply concerned by reports of summary killings and enforced disappearances of former members of the Afghan security forces as documented by Human Rights Watch and others," read a statement by the United States, the European Union, Australia, Britain, Japan and others, which was released by the [...]
Cook Islands still opening border to NZ despite Covid case
The Cook Islands is still planning to reopen quarantine free travel to New Zealanders in January, despite recording its first Covid case in MIQ. A view of Rarotonga (file picture). (Source: istock.com) The positive case, a child arriving from Auckland, was confirmed after a repatriation flight arrived in Rarotonga on Friday, but no other cases have been confirmed since. It was announced in November that the island nation would reopen its border to Kiwi tourists, with two-way quarantine-free travel. Graeme West, general manager of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Australasia says it’s still “full steam ahead for the border re-opening”. “Neither the child nor his family are symptomatic. We are confident that it is contained at the border and there is a very low risk of the virus [...]
Death toll rises to 13 in Indonesia volcano eruption
The death toll following the eruption of the highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java has risen to 13, with seven people still missing, officials said on Sunday as smouldering debris and thick mud hampered search efforts. Remains of a bridge is seen in a slope, destroyed by the flowing lava by the eruption of Mount Semeru (Source: Associated Press) Mount Semeru in Lumajang district in East Java province spewed thick columns of ash more than 40,000 feet into the sky, and searing gas and lava flowed down its slopes after a sudden eruption Saturday triggered by heavy rains. Several villages were blanketed with falling ash. A thunderstorm and days of rain, which eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop the 12,060-foot Semeru, triggered [...]
Covid-19 update: 106 new community cases reported in New Zealand today
The number of new Covid-19 cases has risen back into triple figures, with 106 new community cases reported in New Zealand today. Photo: AFP In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 77 people in hospital with the coronavirus, with seven in intensive care. There were new cases reported in Northland (3), Auckland (93), Waikato (8), Whanganui (1) and Canterbury (1). The three new cases in Northland include two who are close contacts of previously reported cases in Kaitaia, and have already been isolating. The third case is an essential worker based in Whangārei, who regularly travels to Auckland for work. They were picked up through routine surveillance testing. The eight new cases in Waikato include two in Hamilton, two in Te Kūiti, three in Piopio [...]
Photos: NZDF, police depart for Solomon Islands
New Zealand Defence Force personnel and police departed for the Solomon Islands on Saturday following recent unrest and rioting in the capital of Honiara. NZ police personnel boarding a flight to the Solomon Islands (Source: Supplied) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday confirmed the deployment, and said New Zealand was “committed to its responsibilities and playing its part in upholding regional security”. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing B757 and a C-130 Hercules left New Zealand on Saturday morning, transporting army and police personnel, vehicles and other equipment from the RNZAF Base Ohakea and RNZAF Base Auckland. NZDF staff on board the C-130 Hercules (Source: Supplied) Defence Minister Peeni Henare earlier said an initial NZDF assessment team of approximately 15 personnel would deploy on Thursday, followed [...]
Comelec completes election software for 2022
PHILIPPINES— The Commission on Elections has finished its final version of programs that will run the May 2022 polls. The poll body tapped US-based Pro V&V based to certify and convert source codes. Commissioner Marlon Casquejo flew to Alabama, USA to personally witness the creation of the final trusted build, or actual programs which will operate three components of the automated election system (AES). Included are the codes that dictate how vote counting machines (VCMs) will read and count ballots, those for the consolidation and canvassing of tallied votes, and the overall election management system. The same process also included the creation of unique hash codes for the VCMs and the voter’s receipt printed out after every ballot. It should match the original codes published by Comelec online. If [...]
Coronavirus: Omicron vaccine could be ready within 100 days – BioNTech
BioNTech should be able to adapt its coronavirus vaccine relatively quickly in response to the Omicron variant, and the next few weeks will show how urgently an upgrade is needed, its CEO Ugur Sahin told the Reuters Next conference on Friday. Sahin said people should continue to seek the established shot, developed with Pfizer, as it very likely continues to protect against severe disease. "I believe in principle at a certain timepoint we will need a new vaccine against this new variant. The question is how urgent it needs to be available," Sahin said. He reiterated that a product relaunch could be achieved within about 100 days and said a redesign is already under way. But any confirmation of the existing shot's protection against severe disease could buy developers [...]
Eight arrested at Dunedin Railway Station coal protest
Eight people have been arrested after stopping a KiwiRail coal train on Saturday morning by standing on the tracks at Dunedin Railway Station. Protesters on a train at Dunedin Railway Station (Source: Supplied) Just after 7am on Saturday, Extinction Rebellion members began securing themselves to a train and railway lines to protest against what they describe as Fonterra's use of low grade thermal coal. Police said although they attempted to negotiate with the protesters, they refused to leave. Police said while they respect people's right to protest, this was a working railyard and safety was paramount. No charges have yet been laid. Today's protest action comes one year after Extinction Rebellion protesters stopped another KiwiRail coal train at Dunedin Railway Station. Protester Jack Brazil said an 18-year-old who [...]
Europe surpasses 75 million COVID-19 cases amid spread of Omicron
FILE PHOTO: A medical specialist holds the hand of a patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Toxicology and Sepsis clinic of the Riga East Clinical University Hospital in Riga, Latvia. REUTERS/Janis Laizans Europe crossed 75 million coronavirus cases on Friday (Dec 3), according to a Reuters tally, as the region braces for the new Omicron variant at a time when hospitals in some countries are already strained by the current surge. More than 15 countries in Europe have reported confirmed cases of the new variant that has rattled financial markets. The European Union's public health agency said on Thursday that the Omicron variant could be responsible for more than half of all COVID-19 infections in Europe within a few months. Even [...]
Blinken warns Chinese leaders over Taiwan as global crises mount
A person holds flags of Taiwan and the United States on Jan 14, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Stephen Lam) LONDON— US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Reuters Next conference on Friday (Dec 3) that Chinese leaders should think carefully about their actions toward Taiwan, warning of "terrible consequences" if China precipitates a crisis across the Taiwan Strait. In an interview, Blinken addressed multiple foreign policy challenges facing the administration of President Joe Biden, including faltering efforts to repair the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Russia's military buildup near Ukraine, and the spiraling conflict in Ethiopia. Most acute may be China's increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. Taiwan's defense minister has said tensions with China are at their worst in more than 40 years adding that China [...]
Iran nuclear talks on brink of crisis as adjourned to next week
Indirect US-Iranian talks on salvaging the 2015 Iran nuclear deal teetered on the brink of crisis on Friday as they broke off until next week, with European officials expressing dismay at the demands of Iran's new hardline administration. Representatives from Iran (left), and the UK (right), before the suspension of talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the Iran Nuclear deal. Photo: AFP Photo/ EU delegation in Vienna The seventh round of talks in Vienna is the first with delegates sent by Iran's anti-Western president Ebrahim Raisi. His election in June caused a hiatus in the talks of five months, heightening suspicions among US and European officials that Iran is playing for time while its makes nuclear advances. The Iranian delegation under nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has proposed [...]
South Island start-up provides easier way to scan in
A new method for signing into businesses through the NZ Covid Tracer app has been officially certified by the Ministry of Health to enable users a quicker and faster way to scan in. Small South Island start-up company Easy Check-In has developed “Covid tap in tags” to help make life easier for everyone, including those with disabilities, when it comes to signing in. Easy Check-In’s EJ Matthee told 1News they’d been working with the Ministry since the beginning of the Delta outbreak to offer more inclusive options for people with disabilities. “The main driver for us was providing something that worked for people with a disability and who struggled with lining up the QR code,” he said. “You don’t have to open the app or anything - just unlock [...]
Trump faces flurry of investigations beyond January 6 probe
As Donald Trump's lawyers try to block the White House from releasing records to the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection, the former president faces a flurry of other investigations that could come to a head in the coming weeks and the new year. That includes two major state criminal investigations — one in New York and one in Georgia — and lawsuits concerning sexual assault allegations, a fight over an inheritance and questions of whether he should be held personally liable for inciting the insurrection. Trump has long dismissed the investigations as nothing more than a politically motivated "witch hunt" that began with the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Former US President Donald Trump. (Getty) But while Trump has spent most of his [...]
Covid-19 update: 98 new community cases reported in New Zealand today
There are 98 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, with cases in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Nelson Tasman and Canterbury. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 73 cases in hospital, including seven people in intensive care. Today's cases include three in Northland, 64 in Auckland, 21 in Waikato, six in the Bay of Plenty, one in Mangakino, two in Hawke's Bay and one in Nelson Marlborough. The three cases in Northland are all in Kaitaia and all are household contacts of a previously reported case. Waikato's 21 new cases include four previously reported Taranaki cases who were tested there, but normally reside in the Waikato, and have been reclassified as Waikato cases. The six new [...]
Christine Wormuth, secretary of the army, told a Washington think tank progress with the Philippines in renewing an agreement allowing the rotational presence of US troops had been very important. WASHINGTON - The US Army is keen to expand its access and basing arrangements in Southeast Asia as part of a strategy to deter China, the secretary of the army said on Wednesday. Christine Wormuth told a Washington think tank such a posture shift was in the interests of both the United States and its allies and partners in the region, but there was a need to be "realistic about what is possible" She said positioning US military equipment in Asia had been heavily oriented towards Northeast Asia. "There is very much a desire to be able [...]
BBM, Sara supporters fill San Juanico Bridge
BRIDGE ‘INVASION’ Former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lead UniTeam’s rally at the San Juanico Bridge on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 during the symbolic meeting of thousands of their supporters from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO PHILIPPINES— The supporters of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, made history when they met at the country's longest bridge to show their strength on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. The "salubong," or meeting of north and south, was held on the San Juanico Bridge, which connects the province of Leyte and Samar. The event was symbolic of the unity of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao and the support given to the BBM-Sara UniTeam. Marcos Jr. said the [...]
US warns Russia has plans for ‘large scale’ attack on Ukraine
Secretary of state says Nato is ‘prepared to impose severe costs’ on Moscow if invasion attempted Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, was speaking at a news conference after Nato foreign ministers met in Latvia. Photograph: Roman Koksarov/AP The US says it has evidence Russia has made plans for a “large scale” attack on Ukraine and that Nato allies are “prepared to impose severe costs” on Moscow if it attempts an invasion. Speaking at a Nato ministers meeting in Latvia, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said it was unclear whether Vladimir Putin had made a decision to invade but added: “He’s putting in place the capacity to do so in short order, should he so decide. “So despite uncertainty about intention and timing, we must prepare [...]
OECD warns Omicron variant could cause severe global slowdown
Fears variant will amplify shortages, driving up inflation, or even force repeat of earliest phase of pandemic An almost deserted 5th Avenue in New York in March 2020. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuter Western governments could be forced to bring in fresh emergency financial support for businesses and households if the Omicron coronavirus variant causes a severe global slowdown, a leading economic thinktank has warned. Sounding the alarm as more cases are identified, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said a renewed wave in the pandemic threatened to add to the existing strain on the world economy from persistently high levels of inflation. Should Omicron prove more transmissible than other variants or more resistant to existing vaccines, it could exacerbate disruption to already battered supply chains and risk [...]
Picnics, drive-ins – Auckland restaurants adapt to new norms
From picnics, to drive-ins, it's a new dawn for the Auckland food scene with Covid-19 forcing the hospitality sector to diversify. Auckland food service with a difference. (Source: 1News) Remember the old drive in movies? Well, how about drive in dining? It's the latest craze at Indian restaurant V.T. Station in Auckland's Newmarket. To survive the latest lockdown, they came up with a new concept called Picnic on Wheels. "It's pretty common in India to eat in your car or pop the bonnet and actually eat on your bonnet, especially in bigger cities. So, I guess it was trying to bring that concept here but it's a bit more comfortable," says the co-owner of the restaurant Angela Gaikwad. "It's a huge shift I think being able to have [...]
Hospitality sector ‘devastated’ after being excluded from Auckland stimulus package
As hospitality businesses around Auckland prepare to open to customers tomorrow for the first time in 108 days, the Restaurant Association say they are devastated after hearing the industry is excluded from the government's re-activation package for Auckland. Restaurateur Krishna Botica. Photo: RNZ/Claire Eastham-Farrelly This summer the government is pumping $37.5 million into Auckland's economy in the hopes to bring back buzz to the city after the lengthy lockdown. From 15 December, anyone with an Auckland postcode will be eligible to register their interest for one of 100,000 vouchers up for grabs, which will give discounts on commercial attractions and council facilities, but not hospitality. The scheme is similar to Covid economic recovery schemes seen around the world, such as the "eat out to help out" campaign in the [...]
Dilworth School’s former chaplain Ross Douglas Browne jailed
Warning: This story contains details of sexual abuse and suicide. One of Dilworth's most prolific child sex offenders has been sentenced to six and a half years in jail. Ross Douglas Browne in the High Court in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi In October, Ross Douglas Browne pleaded guilty at the Auckland High Court to 16 charges. In the High Court in Auckland this morning one victim, now an adult, told Browne what he did flipped his life upside down, created a life-long anxiety and ruined relationships he later had, including his marriage. Others have said they have lived with serious lingering effects caused by his offending. The 73-year-old had pleaded guilty to 16 charges, most of them in relation to indecently assaulting boys between 1987 and [...]
Australia records wettest November in 122 years, more rain to come in summer
Australia has recorded its wettest November since records began in 1900 as more rainfall is expected to lash the nation. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the national average rainfall in November was double the normal amount. Australia will see a wetter than normal summer due to La Niña bringing heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures. Australia has recorded the wettest November in almost 122 years. (Ardina Jackson via the Bureau of Meteorology) It was also Australia's coolest November in 21 years. "Overall, it was Australia's coolest November since the La Niña event of 1999, and the coolest spring overall since 2016," the BoM said. Despite the cooler-than-average temperatures, no state or territory reported the coolest November on record, according to Weatherzone. December is also set to be wetter than average [...]
Howard Springs: Australia police arrest quarantine escapees
GETTY IMAGES/The trio scaled a fence at the Howard Springs quarantine centre near Darwin Australian police have arrested three people who broke out of a Covid quarantine compound in the middle of the night. The Howard Springs centre near Darwin in the Northern Territory is one of Australia's main quarantine facilities for people returning to the country. Police said the trio scaled a fence to break out of the facility. Officers found them after a manhunt on Wednesday. All had tested negative to Covid the day before. Officials did not state whether the escapees were returning travellers or locals in quarantine. In recent days, the centre has also housed people infected from a Covid outbreak in Katherine, a town 300km (185 miles) away. Police had set up checkpoints [...]
Multi-billion EU bid to challenge Chinese influence
GETTY IMAGES/China's Belt and Road strategy has extended into the Western Balkans, including here in Montenegro The EU is to reveal details of a global investment plan that's widely seen as a rival to China's Belt and Road initiative. Insiders say it'll set out "concrete" ideas on digital, transport, climate and energy schemes. It's regarded as part of the West's efforts to counter Chinese influence in Africa and elsewhere. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present the "Global Gateway" initiative on Wednesday. The EU is looking at how it can leverage billions of euros, drawn from member states, financial institutions and the private sector. Mrs von der Leyen said in her State of the Union speech in September: "We want investments in quality infrastructure, connecting goods, [...]
NZ could buy carbon reduction credits more cheaply than domestic action – study
A new study indicates new international carbon markets will allow countries to co-operate and make deep and comparatively cheap global climate gas reductions. Photo: 123rf / ©Carol Buchanan The rulebook for the markets was finally hammered out at the recent COP26 climate summit, after years of failure to get it over the line. It lets countries which have done better than expected at cutting emissions to sell reduction credits to others struggling to meet their international commitments. Motu Research says its initial analysis shows that if the rulebook is applied well, New Zealand and Switzerland could purchase reductions from Chile more cheaply than domestic action to reduce emissions. It says new rules appear to avoid the pitfalls that marred previous systems which discouraged domestic reductions, and failed to reduce [...]
Jim Bolger calls on new National leader to bring ‘new vision’
Former PM and National leader Jim Bolger said the new leader would need to bring a "new vision". Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. (Source: 1News) "The divisions that are occurring in New Zealand now between the unvaccinated and the vaccinated, and we've seen the riots in various cities across the world, we've got to be very sensitive to the fact that we could divide society, even a New Zealand society," he told Q+A. "We want a leader, in the Opposition as well as in Government, we want a leader that can bring people together, that can offer people hope. People thrive on hope, on the hope of a better tomorrow. "So the new leader, I hope, will be able to articulate a different vision of tomorrow, a better one [...]
Firefighters and three helicopters battle Woodhill Forest fire
Firefighters have contained a forest fire north of Auckland which broke out last night. Photo: Facebook / Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade Fire engulfed 25 hectare patch of pine trees in the northern end of the forest. The Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade posted on Facebook that they were helping to tackle the fire which started from a camp fire on Muriwai Beach. "We're often asked why camp fires are banned from Muriwai Beach, here's why," the post started. Photo: Facebook / Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Josh Pennefatther said no properties had been threatened by the fire.
New Zealand bans travel from 9 southern African countries
New Zealand is banning travel from nine southern African countries from tomorrow night in an effort to curb the potential spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant. Photo: Robert Kitchin The World Health Organisation yesterday declared the new coronavirus variant to be "of concern" after it originated in South Africa. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said from 11.59pm tomorrow, only New Zealand citizens will be allowed to travel here. They will also be required to stay in managed isolation for a full 14 day period and undergo testing. People already in transit will also need to go into MIQ. The countries are: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique. Australia announced similar restrictions earlier today. Hipkins said the decision follows a public health risk assessment [...]
Covid-19: 144 new community cases reported in New Zealand today, one further death
There have been 144 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with one further death also reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Health Ministry said 82 people are in hospital, including nine in intensive care. Today's new cases included 127 in Auckland, two in Northland, nine in Waikato, four in the Bay of Plenty and the one in Hawke's Bay reported earlier today which was picked up after a routine hospital swab. Yesterday it was reported that there were 145 community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand and a further death of a person in their 80s. Omicron advice Last night Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that New Zealand will ban travel from nine southern African countries from 11.59pm tonight in an effort to [...]
All arriving in UK must take PCR test, mask-wearing rules tightened after Omicron variant found
A healthcare worker collects a swab from a woman for a PCR test before she travels to London.PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON— Britain announced new measures on Saturday (Nov 27) to try to slow the spread of the newly identified Omicron coronavirus variant and a top health official said there was a “reasonable chance” that vaccines could be less effective against it. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said arrivals from all countries would have to self-isolate until receiving a negative result from a PCR test, that face masks must be worn in retail settings and it was time to step up booster jabs. “We need to buy time for our scientists to understand exactly what we are dealing with,” he told a news conference. Johnson said those who had come into [...]
Explainer: What we know about Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant in South Africa
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared a new version of coronavirusdiscovered in South Africa "a variant of concern". WHO named the variant Omicron and said the first known infection was from a specimen collected on November 9. Scientists said the variant, which also goes by the name B.1.1.529, is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. It's unclear from where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travellers to Hong Kong and Botswana. Health minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an "exponential rise" of cases in the last few days, although experts are still trying to determine if the new variant is actually responsible. [...]
Urgent testing after travellers from southern Africa test positive for COVID-19 in Sydney
Urgent genomic testing is underway in New South Wales to determine whether two overseas arrivals who tested positive to COVID-19 after landing in Sydney are carrying the new Omicron variant. A Qatar Airways flight from Doha, which arrived at Sydney Airport about 7pm last night, was carrying 14 passengers from the nine southern African countries affected by the new COVID-19 strain. NSW Health confirmed this morning that testing on arrival at the airport found two of the passengers have coronavirus. Two travellers from southern Africa tested positive for COVID-19 after landing at Sydney Airport. Authorities are now racing to find if they have the new Omicron variant. (Bloomberg) Urgent genomic sequencing is being carried out to determine whether they are infected by the new Omicron B.1.1.529 variant. The passengers [...]
China’s Wenzhou issues arrest warrant for Macau junket mogul Chau
FILE PHOTO: A logo of Macau junket operator Suncity Group is seen at a gaming fair in Macau, China November 18, 2015. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo HONG KONG— Wenzhou, a city in eastern China, has issued an arrest warrant for Macau junket mogul Alvin Chau, accusing him of operating gambling activities in mainland China. Chau is the founder of Macau's biggest junket operator, Suncity, which operates VIP gambling rooms across Asia. Junket operators are go-betweens who bring high rollers to play at casinos, extending them credit and collecting on their debts. Casino gambling is illegal in China outside the special administrative region of Macau, the world's largest gambling hub. An investigation found that Chau formed a junket agent network in the mainland to help citizens engage in offshore as [...]
China extends maternity leave to boost birth rate
Officials in China are trying to encourage more women to have children. (Photo: AFP/File/Nicolas Asfouri) BEIJING— Several regions in China have extended maternity leave by at least 30 days, in the latest attempt to encourage child-rearing as the country faces a demographic crisis fuelled by a record-low birth rate. The changes follow the relaxation of strict family planning rules this year to allow families to have a third child, as officials grapple with a rapidly ageing workforce and slowing economy. On Friday, Beijing's city government announced that women can now take 158 days of maternity leave, a bump up of 30 days. Shanghai authorities announced similar changes beginning a day earlier. In the eastern Zhejiang province, mothers of a second or third child can now take a total of 188 [...]
Auckland crime wave: Businesses call for more police
Auckland business owners who have been repeatedly robbed are calling for an increase in police in the city, and for officers to be redeployed from the city's border checkpoints. Auckland business owners call for more police in the city. It comes as they battle what's being described as a lockdown crime wave. (Source: Other) CCTV captured a violent break in at Mount Eden's Stop N Save Superette just after 3am on Friday. The footage shows a group of men, some thought to be teenagers, pulling off a wooden board and smashing through a window. Some of the men can be seen ripping open a cigarette cabinet, while others throw packets of chips out of the shattered window. At the same time, the liquor store next door was also robbed. [...]
4 parties support BBM-Sara tandem
FOUR major political parties have merged to support presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. The BBM-SARA UniTeam led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Thursday. 'UNITEAM' FOR BONGBONG The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Hugpong ng Pagbabgo and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino unite in support of presidential aspirant Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. Screengrab from HUGPONG NG PAGBABAGO FB Live In his speech, Marcos said the merging of the four parties signifies unity that would heal and bring peace to a [...]
Robredo: PH sovereign rights in sea row ‘not debatable’
PHILIPPINES— Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza maintained on Thursday that the Philippines' sovereign rights over the Ayungin Shoal was "not debatable" and that China was "trespassing". Robredo and Lorenzana issued their statements separately but on the same day that political experts proposed that there may be a need for the two countries to go back to the negotiating table to resolve the territorial dispute over a portion of the South China Sea which the Philippines has claimed lay within its exclusive economic zone or EEZ. "Ako, sinabi ko na ito noon, sinabi ko na rin ngayon: na iyong facts, hindi naman siya debatable. Hindi naman ito subject to opinion kasi mayroon nang ruling—mayroon nang ruling iyong arbitral tribunal. Kaya nga lagi nating inuulit-ulit [...]
Dozens killed in Siberia after coalmine explosion – reports
Russian media reports emergency officials saying 52 miners and rescuers have died in the Listvyazhnaya mine Rescuers at Listvyazhnaya coalmine on Thursday. Photograph: Kemerovo region government press/AFP/Getty Images A devastating explosion in a Siberian coalmine on Thursday left 52 miners and rescuers dead about 250 meters (820ft) underground, Russian officials have said. Hours after a methane gas explosion and fire filled the mine with toxic fumes, rescuers found 14 bodies but then were forced to halt the search for 38 others because of a buildup of methane and carbon monoxide gas from the fire. A total of 239 people were rescued. The state Tass and RIA-Novosti news agencies cited emergency officials as saying that there was no chance of finding any more survivors in the Listvyazhnaya mine, in the [...]
WHO to assess new highly mutated Covid-19 variant as countries ramp up health checks
Meeting will determine if B.1.1.529 variant warrants a designation as one of ‘interest’ or of ‘concern’ Countries around the world are responding to news of a new coronavirus variant carrying an unusually large number of mutations. Photograph: Michele Spatari/AFP/Getty Images The World Health Organization will meet on Friday to assess a new variant detected in South Africa that is feared to be the worst Covid-19 variant yet identified. The meeting will determine if the B.1.1.529 variant should be designated a variant of “interest” or of “concern”. The variant, which was identified on Tuesday, initially attracted attention because it carries an “extremely high number” of mutations. Some world leaders have hastily responded by issuing new precautions and travel restrictions, while markets around the world saw falls sparked by [...]
Major hotel chain only allowing fully vaccinated guests
Millennium and Copthorne Hotels New Zealand will require guests and visitors to be vaccinated when the new traffic light system comes into place next Friday. Grand Millennium Auckland 1 Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook The company operates the Millennium, Grand Millennium, M Social, Copthorne and Kingsgate hotels. It told the share market this morning that the rule will apply to people entering its hotels, restaurants, bars or meeting venues. An exemption will be in place for children under the age of 12 who aren't eligible for the vaccine. The company will monitor people's vaccination status through the Covid vaccine pass. Managing director BK Chiu said it wanted to give visitors and employees certainty about its vaccination policy. "We have looked at the Covid Protection Framework carefully and we believe [...]
Victoria records 1362 new local Covid-19 cases, seven deaths
Victoria has recorded 1362 new local Covid-19 cases and seven deaths as the state enjoys a rolling back of border restrictions. Photo: AFP There are now 10,887 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 494 people have died during the state's current Delta outbreak. There are 308 people in hospital with Covid-19, of whom 46 are in intensive care and 26 are on a ventilator. The health department said a further 53 people were in intensive care but their Covid-19 infections were no longer considered active. Victoria yesterday reached 90 percent double dose vaccination for those aged 12 and over, abolishing the traffic light border scheme and all domestic border permits, regardless of vaccination status. Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 261 new cases and no deaths in the [...]
Judith Collins and Simon Bridges should consider leaving Parliament – Christopher Finlayson
Former senior National MPs are weighing in amid chaos and turmoil in the party. Judith Collins lost her National leadership yesterday after a vote of no confidence after she accused Simon Bridges of "serious misconduct". Photo: RNZ National MPs will elect the party's fifth leader in four years next Tuesday, after a vote of no confidence went against Judith Collinsyesterday. The implosion comes after a late Wednesday night press release from Collins, where she accused MP and former leader Simon Bridges of "serious misconduct" at a party event in Premier House five years ago. Collins was replaced by interim leader Shane Reti, ahead of a leadership vote on Tuesday. Former attorney-general Christopher Finlayson said the events of yesterday were beyond human comprehension. He hopes some of the [...]
National’s new leader will be ‘next PM’ – Reti
Interim National Party leader Dr Shane Reti believes its caucus will be selecting the next prime minister on Tuesday. Shane Reti of the National Party. (Source: Getty) Former leader Judith Collins was ousted on Thursdayafter a dramatic 15 hours. Late on Wednesday night Collins released a statement informing the press Simon Bridges was being demoted following a complaint around a serious misconduct allegation. Bridges revealed on Thursday it related to a lewd comment he made in front of fellow National MP Jacqui Dean in 2017, which had been dealt with in-house at the time. After a three hour National Party caucus meeting on Thursday, news emerged Collins had lost the leadership. National will be selecting next PM on Tuesday - Dr Shane Reti The interim leader of the [...]
Judith Collins removed as National Party leader
Dr Shane Reti is interim leader of the National Party after Judith Collins lost a no-confidence vote. Simon Bridges was demoted and stripped of all portfolios over allegations of an inappropriate comment made five years ago at a party function. Judith Collins was voted out as National's leader today after the party was locked in a caucus for more than three hours. Collins confirmed the news on her Twitter feed. I am pleased to say that I am just the MP for Papakura again. It’s been a privilege to take over the leadership of @NZNationalParty during the worst of times and to do so for 16 months. It has taken huge stamina and resolve, & has been particularly difficult because.. — Judith Collins (@JudithCollinsMP) November 24, 2021 She said [...]
New Zealand will ease COVID border restrictions from January 2022, allowing quarantine-free travel from Australia
Fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers from all countries can start travelling to New Zealand without quarantine from February 13.(AAP: Dean Lewins) Fully vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia will be able to travel to New Zealand without a two-week quarantine period from January 16, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has said. Key points: New Zealand has announced a staged approach to opening its international border The first stage begins in January, when fully vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia will be able to travel home without a two-week quarantine period But travellers will still be required to complete seven days of self-isolation upon arrival Mr Hipkins has outlined a staged reopening of international borders, with foreign travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID able to enter the country from April 30. Fully [...]
Boris Johnson is not unwell and has not lost his grip, says No 10
Downing Street spokesperson responds to questions about PM’s health after rambling speech to CBI on Monday All the day’s politics news as it happens Johnson had appeared to be struggling with a cold last week but his spokesman insisted he was in good health. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA Boris Johnson is physically well and has a full grasp on the prime ministership, Downing Street has said following his rambling speech to business leaders on Monday in which he lost his place for about 20 seconds. People who watched the speech Johnson gave to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference were impressed with it, his spokesman argued, adding that cabinet ministers could speak freely if they had any concerns. The speech at the Port of Tyne, which included a vocal [...]
NZ to drop five countries from ‘very high risk’ list
New Zealand residents living in Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, India and Fiji will be able to fly directly into the country, without the need to spend 14 days in a third country from December. The arrivals area at Auckland Airport. (Source: Getty) These countries are being removed off the ‘very high risk’ list – the only country to stay on the list is Papua New Guinea. More details on this are expected at the 1pm Covid-19 press conference. In April, as the Delta variant tore through India the decision was made to block all arrivals – including citizens - from NZ. A fortnight later, citizens were allowed to return, but the ban on residents flying direct from India continued for months. Kiwi residents trying to come back here had [...]
215 new community Covid-19 cases in NZ today
There are 215 new community Covid-19 cases in New Zealand on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health has announced. (Source: 1News) The cases are in Auckland (181), Waikato (18), Northland (3) and Bay of Plenty (12) and Canterbury (1). The case in Canterbury has been deemed as historical and they are no longer considered infectious. They are a close contact of a previously reported case. Northland's three new cases are located in Kaitāia and Whangārei. One of the cases in Kaitāia is unlinked. The other case in Kaitāia and the one in Whangārei are close contacts of existing cases and were already isolating. The 12 new cases in Bay of Plenty bring the region's total in the Delta outbreak to 53. There are new community cases in Auckland, Waikato, Northland, [...]
Australia lists neo-Nazi organisation The Base, Lebanese Shia party Hezbollah as terrorist organisations
Federal government add all of Hezbollah and 'The Base' on terrorist organisation list Australia has listed white supremacist group The Base as a terrorist organisation, making it a criminal offence to be a member. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews described The Base as "a violent, racist and neo-Nazi organisation" known to be planning attacks in several nations. The entirety of Hezbollah — a Shia Islamist militant group based in Lebanon but active abroad — will also be listed as a terrorist organisation. Earlier this year, the ABC revealed The Base was actively targeting men as young as 17 for recruitment in Australia. Hours of covert recordings detail how an American white supremacist organisation "prepping" to incite a race war tried to enlist young Australian men. The far-right group was already designated a terrorist organisation in Canada [...]
Over 300 cannabis plants found at two Auckland properties
Two men have been arrested and charged after more than 300 cannabis plants were found at properties in Pukekohe and Waiuku. Cannabis found during the Waiuku Rd search. (Source: NZ Police) More than 200 cannabis plants were found after a search at a property on Lisle Farm Rd, Pukekohe, on Tuesday. Last week, 135 "well established" cannabis plants and a large amount of cash was found at a Waiuku Rd address. "The entire house was modified to have plants growing in every room," Inspector Tony Wakelin said. "Electricity had been illegally diverted and the extent of the DIY electrical work inside was a fire risk waiting to happen." The DIY electrical work in the Waiuku Rd house. (Source: NZ Police) A 61-year-old man was charged with cultivating cannabis [...]
Countdown distribution workers strike over pay
About 700 workers at two Countdown distribution centres in Auckland have walked off the job for three days. Countdown Mt Eden, Auckland, in August. Photo: RNZ / Veronica Schmidt First Union said the Auckland workers were having to deal with spiralling rent and housing costs, and were asking for what they think is a fair pay rise. Organiser Jared Abbott said the workers had been bargaining for a number of months, and had had enough. They were were looking for a 4.9 percent increase, in line with the latest annual Consumer Price Index (CPI), in order to settle. In a statement, a Countdown spokesperson said it was disappointed the workers felt the need to strike given negotiations were ongoing. The company considered it had a strong offer on the [...]
Covid-19: 13 people have died in current Delta outbreak, Ministry of Health confirms
The Ministry of Health has clarified the current death toll in the current Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook Thirteen people died in this outbreak, which included two deaths this week. The total number of deaths since Covid-19 arrived in this country is now 41. The ministry said the figures included all cases that died which were classified as an active case of Covid-19 at the time of death. It said in some of these cases, the underlying cause of death may have been unrelated to the virus. The total number of active Covid-19 cases sits at 4828. Since the first case was recorded in this country in February 2020, 5525 people have recovered.
Robredo vows credit access for MSMEs
PHILIPPINES— Presidential aspirant Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo vowed to help the country's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adapt to the new normal by providing them conditional loans, access to credit, integration into public procurement programs and building the right infrastructure. Speaking during the Go Negosyo's Kandidatalks forum on Monday, Robredo promised that if she wins in the presidential race, she will set aside P100 billion to aid the recovery of MSMEs, which have been hit hard by lockdown restrictions. The condition is that beneficiaries of the stimulus package will not lay off their employees. The vice president's recovery plan also includes skills training, livelihood grants and online jobs-matching. Robredo highlighted the need to help businesses have the right kind of infrastructure. "The mindset in planning should [...]
WB: PH poor to recover more slowly from pandemic
Children in low-income families also deemed at greater risk of being left behind The most vulnerable sectors like the poor, women and school children will take longer to recover from the pandemic-induced slump even as the Philippine economy as a whole was already on the mend, the World Bank (WB) said. “Toward the end of 2020 and into 2021, the economy in Indonesia and the Philippines started to recover, yet mobility remained well below prepandemic levels and below the levels of most other countries in the East Asia and Pacific region … Evidence suggests that recovery may have been slower for poorer workers in the Philippines and Indonesia,” World Bank economists Lydia Kim, Maria Ana Lugo, Andrew Mason and Ikuko Uochi said in their Nov. 22 report titled “Inequality [...]
Bongbong tests negative for drugs
PHILIPPINES— Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., now a candidate for president in the 2022 elections, has tested negative for cocaine. Marcos himself revealed to The Manila Times that he went to a hospital in Metro Manila on Monday and was found to be cocaine-free. Vic Rodriguez (left), chief of staff of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., presents the results of the drug test of the presidential aspirant to an official at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO He told The Times that he sent a copy of the "negative" result to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday. "Binigay ko 'yung resulta ng drug test ko sa [...]
Duterte: Chinese incursion ‘abhorrent’
PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the government finds abhorrent the harassment of Filipino boats by Chinese coast guard ships in the Ayungin Shoal last week. Speaking at a regional summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Duterte said the incident "does not speak well" of China's relations with the Philippines and the other members of the 10-nation bloc. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, center, takes part in a virtual conference with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations . Screengrab from RTVM FB live "We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments," the President said. [...]
205 new Covid-19 community cases in NZ today
There are 205 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Of the new cases 175 were in Auckland, 20 in Waikato, four in Northland, five in Bay of Plenty and one in Lakes District. A man in his 40s has died of the virus in Middlemore Hospital. The Government will be holding a post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm in which any change to Auckland's alert level settings will be announced. On Sunday, 149 community cases were announced - the majority of them in Auckland.
Bongbong Marcos’ political experience makes him an ideal President—Sara Duterte
Vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday said she believes that the political experience of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos will lead him to the Presidency in next year’s national election. “I confidently believe na ‘yung mga karanasan niya bilang governor, congressman at senador ‘yan ang tutulong sa kanya para magawa niya ang trabaho sa pagkapangulo ng Pilipinas (I confidently believe that his experience as governor, congressman and senator will help him do his job as the President of the Philippines),” said Duterte-Carpio when asked why she chose Marcos as her running mate for the 2022 May national elections. The Davao City Mayor made the statement after joining the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer in attending the “caravan for peace, unity and progress” held in Carmen and Tagum [...]
Violence in Belgium and Netherlands as Covid protests erupt across Europe
Anger at government restrictions spreads to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and Croatia Police spray protesters as they gather in front of the Gare du Nord in Brussels, Belgium, for an anti-Covid pass protest. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Violence erupted at demonstrations in Belgium and the Netherlands over the weekend as tougher Covid-19 restrictions to curb the resurgent pandemic led to angry protests in several European countries. Ten of thousands of people marched through central Brussels on Sunday to protest against reinforced restrictions imposed by the Belgian government to counter the latest rise in coronavirus cases. The march, which police estimated involved 35,000 people, began peacefully but descended into violence as several hundred people started pelting officers, smashing cars and setting rubbish bins on fire. Police responded with teargas [...]
Australian mining billionaire to help publishers strike content deal with Google, Facebook
FILE PHOTO: Google logo and Australian flag are displayed in this illustration taken, February 18, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration SYDNEY— Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest's philanthropic organisation will help 18 small news publishers in the country to negotiate collectively with Google and Facebook to secure licensing deals for the supply of news content. Forrest's Minderoo Foundation on Monday said it would submit an application with the country's competition regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), allowing the publishers to bargain without breaching competition laws. Forrest, Australia's richest man, is the chairman and the largest shareholder of iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group. He has a net worth of around AUS$27.2 billion (US$19.7 billion), according to the Australian Financial Review. Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google have been required since March [...]
Jacinda Ardern confident that DHBs will be able to cope with Covid-19 pressures over summer
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is confident that district health boards will be able to cope with Covid-19 pressures over the summer. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to the country on day two of the lockdown. Photo: Pool / Getty Ardern said the fact we have Covid-19 in New Zealand is not a new phenomena, nor is the fact people and workplaces need to be prepared for the virus. She said the areas which have "the most significant number of people coming into them" over the holiday period have been identified. "We've (been) with the district health boards and the Ministry of Health already identified the areas where we have the most significant growth in population, they've been stress testing those DHBs' Covid plans because they are [...]
Covid-19 community case reported in Wellington
The Covid-19 Delta outbreak has spread to the capital, with a community case under investigation in the Wellington region. Photo: 123rf HEB Construction has confirmed it was notified by Ministry of Health last night of a weak positive result in a worker in Wellington. He is not symptomatic and is double vaccinated. Porirua doctor Bryan Betty, who is also head of the College of a GPs, has told Midday Report they were notified this morning of the case. RNZ understands the construction worker has been in isolation since the weak positive test result earlier this week. Dr Betty said it was a matter of when not if Covid would reach Wellington but it reinforced the urgent need for vaccination and the clock was ticking. Porirua mayor Anita Baker [...]
Biden’s overture to Asian oil consumers serves warning to OPEC+
FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. April 21,2020. ReuterS/Drone Base WASHINGTON— The Biden administration's push for a coordinated release of oil stockpiles serves as a warning to the OPEC+ production group that it should pump more oil to address concerns of high fuel prices in powerhouse economies like the United States, China and others. For weeks, the White House and administration officials had urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies including Russia to accelerate production increases to satisfy demand as the global economy rebounds from the depths of the pandemic. After those pleas were rebuffed, the Biden administration hatched a different plan to keep the pressuring OPEC+ ahead of [...]
Robredo vows to ‘build smarter’ as PH president
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. Photo by Rene Dilan PHILIPPINES— VICE President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo vowed to "build smarter" if elected president, saying that traditional infrastructure projects are not enough to make the economy resilient. "What we learned in the pandemic is that traditional infrastructure is not sufficient to make the economy resilient. We will shift away from the largely urban, transport-oriented and costly 'build-build-build' emphasis of the current administration. We will build smarter — putting greater emphasis on building and expanding infrastructure to support our current and emerging communities and industries," she said in a prerecorded Q & A for the forum featuring presidential contenders at the Philippine Business Conference and Expo. "For example, providing greater access and infrastructure support to digitization will benefit not only [...]
Locsin sends PHL protest to China’s envoy on Chinese Coast Guard’s actions in Ayungin Shoal
DFA chief: “China has no law enforcement rights” in the area; says China’s Coast Guard should “back off” (File photo) Philippines Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin (L) walks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as they meet at the State Department in Washington, DC on September 9, 2021. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP) PHILIPPINES – Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.,said he had already “conveyed in the strongest terms” to the Chinese embassy the country’s condemnation of China’s latest action in the Ayungin Shoal. Locsin issued the statement on Thursday, Nov. 18, after the Western Command in Palawan reported that on Nov. 16, “three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and water cannoned two Philippine supply boats en route to transport food supplies to Philippine military personnel [...]
OCTA sees Alert Level 1 in December
PHILIPPINES— The independent research group tracking the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation in the country believes the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila could shift to the most lenient Alert Level 1 beginning December. OCTA Research said NCR's one-week growth rate has dropped by 7 percent, to 379 cases per day, while the test positivity rate has reached 3 percent. Provinces outside Metro Manila like Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan and Laguna are also classified as very low risk, with cases falling by as much as 44 percent and positivity rates reaching as low as 1 percent. OCTA Senior Research Fellow Dr. Guido David said that with the encouraging numbers, it is possible for Metro Manila to shift down to Alert Level 1 . Speaking during a briefing Thursday, David [...]
As police call-outs for mental health issues rise, the commissioner wants a new approach
Police officers are not mental health experts and ideally others would respond to an increasing number of crisis call-outs, commissioner Andrew Coster says. Police officers are not mental health experts and ideally others would respond to an increasing number of crisis call-outs, commissioner Andrew Coster says. Police commissioner Andrew Coster. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The exception would be when someone is in danger of harming themselves or a property, Coster says. The latest police annual report reveals about half of all mental health related call-outs in the last year weren't attended by the police, as they were needed for higher priority situations. Unmet demand for mental health call-outs is likely to increase, the report warns. Police attended more than 70,000 events in the last year which involved [...]
Auckland hairdressers, beauty therapists may open next week
Sharpen the scissors Aucklanders, hairdressers and beauty therapists may be open next week. A person getting their hair cut. (Source: istock.com) 1News understands the Government is considering allowing them to open before the country moves to the Red level of the traffic light system. While nothing is confirmed, the move would be seen as somewhat of a test run for the vaccine certificates. To get your hair trimmed or brows plucked, you’d have to show the certificates. This could allow any teething problems with the certificates to be ironed out before they fully come into force a week later. Cabinet is likely to discuss the potential move on Monday. One of the frustrations of many Aucklanders has been the fact shops can open, or people can get botox, [...]
Auckland border could open if Govt ‘stopped sitting on their hands’ – Collins
The National Party leader says so long as rapid antigen testing and ICU beds are ready, NZ could open. (Source: Q and A) National Party leader Judith Collins says Auckland's Covid-19 border restrictions could be ended if the Government "stopped sitting on their hands". Auckland's borders restrictions could end by December 1 if the Govt stopped 'sitting on their hands' - Collins The National Party leader says so long as rapid antigen testing and ICU beds are ready, NZ could open. (Source: Q and A) Auckland has been in lockdown, either Alert Level 4 or Level 3, since 11.59pm on August 17 - the day the first case in this Delta outbreak tested positive. But if New Zealand was governed by National, Collins told Q+A that would be [...]
BBM-Sara tandem announced after Sara Duterte files candidacy as “substitute” VP bet of LAKAS-CMD
Presidential bet Bongbong Marcos’ party PFP issues resolution adopting Mayor Sara as its vice-presidential candidate (File photo of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte) Courtesy Facebook page of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte PHILIPPINES – Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday, Nov. 13, filed her certificate of candidacy for vice-president under LAKAS-CMD. This was after the previous LAKAS-CMD vice-presidential bet Lyle Uy withdrew his certificate of candidacy for the 2022 national elections. Lawyer Reynold Munsayac filed the COC on behalf of the Davao City mayor on Saturday with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Immediately after the filing of Sara Duterte’s COC as vice-presidential candidate of LAKAS-CMD, the executive committee of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) of presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., issued a resolution adopting [...]
Covid-19 update: 207 new community cases in New Zealand today, one further death
There has been a total of 207 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with one new death at North Shore Hospital. Photo: 123rf.com The new cases today include 192 cases in Auckland, seven in Waikato, two in Northland, three in Taupo, one in Rotorua and two in the Tararua district. A further Rotorua case will be included in tomorrow's official numbers. In a statement, the Health Ministry said a woman in her 90s died in North Shore Hospital last night. The woman had a number of underlying health conditions and had Covid-19. "Her underlying health conditions and the state of her health meant it was not clinically appropriate for her to receive ventilator or ICU care. "Her family was regularly updated and had the [...]
Sara Duterte to make next move this weekend
PHILIPPINES— Sara Duterte-Carpio is expected to make an announcement over the weekend on the national position she will be vying for in the 2022 elections. In a press briefing Friday, Majority Leader and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the Davao City mayor was still holding consultations before making a decision. Speculation is rife that she will be the party's standard-bearer. Duterte-Carpio has to decide by November 15, the last day for substituting candidates. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Education and Information DepartmentDirector Elaiza Sabile-David said only a party-mate of the original candidate is allowed as a replacement. Lakas-CMD has listed Anna Capella Velasco as its candidate for president and Lyle Fernando Uy as its vice presidential bet. The two filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) on [...]
Netherlands imposes lockdown measures as Covid cases hit new high
PM Mark Rutte announces first partial lockdown by a western European country since the summer The restrictions will last at least three weeks and include the closure of bars, restaurants and essential shops from 8pm. Photograph: Eva Plevier/Reuters The Netherlands will become the first western European country to impose a partial lockdown since the summer, introducing strict new measures from Saturday in the face of record numbers of new Covid-19 infections. The restrictions, announced by the caretaker prime minister, Mark Rutte, on Friday, will last at least three weeks and include the closure of bars, restaurants and essential shops from 8pm, with non-essential retail and services such as hairdressers to close at 6pm. Gatherings at home would be limited to a maximum of four guests, all amateur and professional sporting [...]
International cooperation is ‘key’ to helping Asia Pacific recover: PM Lee
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov 12, 2021. (Photo: MCI) SINGAPORE— As people learn to live with COVID-19, international cooperation is “key" to helping the Asia-Pacific region recover and to building a stronger economy, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Friday (Nov 12). He was speaking at the APEC leaders’ meeting, which was held virtually and chaired by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. In his speech, Mr Lee praised New Zealand for its excellent leadership as the APEC chair, saying it “galvanised us to cooperate during the pandemic”. He also highlighted steps that should be taken to help the Asia-Pacific region recover, starting with the progressive reopening of borders. “Now that our vaccinations are [...]
Team of 10 UK soldiers sent to Poland to assist on Belarus border
MoD says small team of military personnel deployed after agreement with Polish government Migrants in a camp on the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region. British soldiers are being sent to help provide engineering support. Photograph: Ramil Nasibulin/Belta/AFP/Getty Images Britain has sent a team of about 10 soldiers to Poland to help Warsaw strengthen its border with Belarus, where groups of migrants have been stranded attempting to cross into the EU. The troops arrived on Thursday and are expected to spend a few days in the country, including visiting the border at the request of the Polish government to work out if they can repair or toughen the fencing. The Ministry of Defence said the mission was focused only on “engineering support to address the ongoing situation at [...]
Covid case confirmed in Taupō
A positive Covid-19 case has been discovered in Taupō. cOVID tEST. (Source: Supplied) The Ministry of Health was notified by Te Ora Public Health on Saturday morning. The person was tested on Thursday after becoming symptomatic earlier in the week, the ministry said. Interviews are continuing to determine if there are any links to known cases. It comes after Covid-19 was detected in wastewatersamples collected earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Toi Te Ora is following up on any potential locations of interest, which will be made public on the ministry’s website. The person’s other household contacts are now being tested.
NZ to send support staff to Papua New Guinea amid Covid crisis
New Zealand is set to send a medical and logistics support team and essential supplies to help Papua New Guinea with its Covid-19 crisis. The city of Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea. (Source: istock.com) The island nation formally requested humanitarian and medical support from partner governments amid rising case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths from the Delta surge, Associate Foreign Minister Aupito William Sio said in a statement. “New Zealand remains committed to supporting our Pacific neighbours to respond to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. By working closely with our partners in the region, we can make a tangible contribution to Covid-19 resilience,” Sio said. The logistics support team - consisting of two New Zealand Defence Force logisticians and a New Zealand Defence Force Environmental Health [...]
APEC issues ‘plan of action’ as Ardern concludes summit
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has closed the Wellington-hosted virtual APEC summit overnight. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at a press conference after the APEC Informal Leaders' Retreat at the Majestic Centre in Wellington. Photo: AFP All 21 countries in the Asia Pacific economic forum prioritised defeating Covid-19 and the economic recovery, as well as climate change mitigation and inclusive growth. They also issued a joint declaration to reject vaccine tariffs and take steps to move away from carbon burning. The plan, called the Aotearoa Plan of Action, also commits the countries to cutting red tape and boosting indigenous economies. The summit of the Pacific rim countries comes at time of heightened regional trade and geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and the United States, as well as efforts to [...]
Sara Duterte resigns from Hugpong ng Pagbabago party
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also a colonel in the Philippine Army's reserve force. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI PHILIPPINES— Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio resigned from Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the regional party's official said on Thursday. HNP Secretary General Anthony Del Rosario said that Duterte-Carpio tendered her resignation from the party on Thursday morning. "In her letter to the officers and members of HNP, she states that, 'It is with profound sadness that I hereby tender my resignation from our beloved party. My support will always be with you and I will always be grateful for all the things you have taught me,'" Del Rosario said.
Covid-19: 185 new community cases in New Zealand
There are 185 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, including 25 in Waikato and eight in Northland, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123RF There are also 84 people in hospital, including 10 in intensive care. There were no new cases at the border. On Wednesday, the ministry reported 147 new cases in the community; 131 in Auckland, 14 in Waikato, and two in Northland.
Israel to hold world’s first drill to test readiness for new Covid variant
War games exercise will help prepare for the possible emergence of a lethal ‘Omega’ variant A 14-year-old boy receives a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine in Jerusalem, Israel. The government is due to decide this week whether to vaccinate children aged five to 11. Photograph: Maya Alleruzzo/AP Israel is to conduct the world’s first national Covid drill to test the country’s readiness for an outbreak of a new and lethal variant of the virus. The drill, scheduled for Thursday, will take the format of a war games exercise and will be led by the prime minister, Naftali Bennett. It will test the capabilities of government departments and national agencies to respond to the emergence of an “Omega” variant of Covid-19. A statement from the Israeli government press [...]
PH internet economy seen at $40 B in 2025
The Philippines internet economy is projected to reach $40 billion in value by 2025, making it the fastest growing digital economy in ASEAN, a report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company showed. The dating site was compromised after Black Shadow hacked CyberServe, an Israeli internet service provider whose clients include public transportation firms, museums and a travel company. (AFP/File) The sixth edition of the Google, Temasek and Bain & Company’s e-Conomy South East Asia (SEA) Report – Roaring 20’s: The SEA Digital Decade released Wednesday, Nov. 10, provided key insights and analyses on the internet economy in Southeast Asia, across its six largest countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Providing a ten-year outlook for the first time, the report highlights that [...]
APEC 2021: Xi Jinping’s ‘cold war’ warning
President Xi called for unity and cooperation to confront the "once in a century challenge" of Covid-19. He emphasised the need to maintain a free-trade environment and strong multi-lateral agreement to drive innovation and the green technology the world would need for economic recovery. A high powered lineup including Chinese president Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann has opened the APEC 2021 CEO Summit this morning. President Xi called for unity and cooperation to confront the "once in a century challenge" of Covid-19. He emphasised the need to maintain a free-trade environment and strong multi-lateral agreement to drive innovation and the green technology the world would need for economic recovery. However his speech did come with a warning to APEC members that: [...]
UN call for higher emissions targets doesn’t apply to New Zealand – James Shaw
New Zealand doesn't need to heed a UN call to increase carbon emissions targets by next year, Climate Minister James Shaw says. Climate Minister James Shaw says New Zealand's emissions targets are credible. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The United Nations has published a seven-page document, which urges nations at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow to revisit and strengthen their 2030 emission targets by next year. It also requests agreement to a total phase-out of coal. Scientists have warned that keeping temperature rises to 1.5C - beyond which the worst impacts of climate change will be unleashed - requires global emissions to be cut by 45 percent by 2030 and to zero overall by 2050. With the world off track to meet the goal, the draft document [...]
PM calls for equitable, inclusive, sustainable global Covid recovery
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called on political and business leaders to work together to build an equitable, inclusive and sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking at the APEC CEO Summit. (Source: 1News) She made the call opening the virtual APEC CEO Summit on Thursday, which is the largest business conference in the Asia-Pacific region. Chief executives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and prime ministers and presidents of APEC economies were present. Ardern said Covid-19 had dealt the 21 APEC economiesa "heavy burden" but there was an opportunity to "strike an economic reset on a scale we haven't seen since World War II". She said this could not just be between governments and an inclusive, sustainable recovery and economic resilience in the region [...]
PH, New Zealand agree to boost ties in maritime, health, trade
The Philippines and New Zealand had agreed to boost their maritime security cooperation as well as their partnership in health, trade, and other areas amid the coronavirus pandemic. PH-NEW ZEALAND TIES–Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial and New Zealand MFAT South and South East Asia Division Manager Andrew Needs meet at the 6th Philippines-New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultations on Nov. 4, 2021 via video teleconference. Also in photo are Jen Troup, unit manager of South East Asia Division, MFAT and Giselle Larcombe, lead adviser of Asia Regional Division, MFAT. (Photo courtesy of the DFA) Both sides acknowledged “the growing breadth and depth of Philippines-New Zealand bilateral cooperation” particularly in the areas of defense and security, health, trade and investments, development cooperation, people-to-people and cultural engagements during [...]
UK to add China’s Sinovac, India’s Covaxin to approved vaccine list
Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan holds a dose of Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine called COVAXIN, during a vaccination campaign at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi, India, on Jan 16, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi) Britain said it would recognise COVID-19 vaccines on the World Health Organization's Emergency Use Listing later this month, adding China's Sinovac, Sinopharm and India's Covaxin to the country's approved list of vaccines for inbound travellers. The changes, which come into force from Nov 22, will benefit fully vaccinated people from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India. The travel rules are being further simplified as all people under the age of 18 will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and will be able to enter England without [...]
Philippines’ 1,409 new COVID-19 cases lowest since February
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 1,409 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the country's total caseload to 2,806,694, as 14 laboratories failed to submit data on time. This is the lowest number of daily cases reported in almost nine months or since the 1,414 infections on February 23. According to the DOH, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 30,544, of which 60.7% are mild, 8% are asymptomatic, 10% are severe, and 4.2% are in critical condition. This is the lowest active case count since August. Total recoveries climbed to 2,731,583 after 2,941 more patients defeated the respiratory illness. The death toll rose to 44,567 with 46 new fatalities. The DOH said the low number of deaths was due to technical issues encountered with COVIDKaya. [...]
Sara Duterte withdraws reelection bid in Eleksyon 2022
PHILIPPINES— Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday withdrew her reelection bid for the 2022 elections. In a post on Facebook, Duterte said she will be replaced by her brother, incumbent Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, with lawyer Melchor Quitain as their bet for vice mayor. "Ngayong hapon wini-withdraw ko ang aking kandidatura sa pagka-Mayor ng Davao City. Si VM Baste ang papalit sa akin. Si Atty. Melchor Quitain ang nominado namin sa pagka-Bise Alkalde. Ito lamang po muna. Maraming salamat po," the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte said. (This afternoon I am withdrawing my candidacy for mayor of Davao City. I will be replaced by Vice Mayor Baste. Our nominee for vice mayor will be Atty. Melchor Quitain. This is all for the meantime. Thank you.) Sebastian Duterte [...]
China calls for concrete action not distant targets in last week of Cop26
Senior Beijing adviser also defends scale, depth and detail of country’s ‘unappreciated’ climate actions ‘Unfortunately, China cannot change the China narrative,’ Wang Yi said. Photograph: Jonathan Watts/The Guardian Chinese officials are sceptical of claims that Cop26 commitments will keep global heating below 2C, and want other countries to focus on concrete actions rather than distant targets in the final week of the talks. They feel that China, the world’s biggest emitter, is doing more than it is given credit for, including plans to peak coal consumption by 2025 and add more new wind and solar power capacity by 2030 than the entire installed electricity system of the US. “There has been a lot of criticism of China’s attitude in the media, but many of them are based on [...]
Marcos to DepEd, DOH: Address mental health of students, teachers
Presidential aspirant and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) to start addressing the mental and physical health of students and teachers as pilot testing of face-to-face classes classes begins on Nov. 15. The former lawmaker said that the government is making a crucial decision to have pilot testing of face-to-face classes especially in the National Capital Region (NCR) since there is a rapid increase of students suffering from mental health conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. “Tama ‘yung ginagawa ng ating gobyerno na magkaroon ng pilot testing ng face-to-face classes lalong-lalo na dito sa NCR na kung saan sa mahabang panahon ay hindi pinapayagang lumabas ang mga minor, at sa [...]
Manila City lifts face shield requirement except in hospitals
FILE PHOTO: People wearing face masks and face shields. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / Niño Jesus Orbeta MANILA, Philippines — Face shields are no longer mandatory in Manila City except in hospitals, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced Monday. “Mananatiling mandatory pa rin ang paggamit ng face shield sa ating mga ospital. Effective po ito ngayong araw,” Moreno told reporters. (It will remain mandatory in hospitals, effective today.) Moreno issued Executive Order (EO) No. 42, “an order declaring the use of face shields as non-mandatory” in the nation’s capital city except in hospital settings and medical clinics, among other medical facilities. Last week, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed the pandemic task force is mulling the removal of face shield use policy [...]
Oil rises after Aramco raises crude selling price
FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. REUTERS/Nick Oxford TOKYO— Oil prices rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil producer Aramco raised the official selling price for its crude, suggesting demand remains strong at a time of tighter supplies. Brent crude was up by 90 cents or 1.1per cent at US$83.64 a barrel, after dropping nearly 2per cent last week. U.S. oil gained 87 cents or 1.1per cent to US$82.14, having declined almost 3per cent through Friday. Aramco late on Friday raised its December official selling price to Asia for its Arab light crude to US$2.70 a barrel versus Oman/Dubai crude, up US$1.40 from this month. The move by Aramco suggests "demand remains strong" [...]
US finally reopening borders after 20 months
More Americans say they plan to take a vacation than at any other time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to The Conference Board. (Photo: AFP) WASHINGTON— The United States reopens its land and air borders on Monday (Nov 8) to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against COVID-19, ending 20 months of restrictions on travel from around the globe that separated families, hobbled tourism and strained diplomatic ties. The ban, imposed by former president Donald Trump in early 2020 and upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has been widely criticised and become emblematic of the upheavals caused by the pandemic. The restrictions were particularly unpopular in Europe and US neighbours Canada and Mexico. In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, US borders were closed after March 2020 [...]
Covid-19 update: 190 new community cases in New Zealand today
There have been 190 new community cases reported in New Zealand today, with 182 in Auckland, seven in Waikato and one in Northland. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said 110 of today's cases are yet to be linked. There are 81 people in hospital today. Yesterday saw 113 new cases of Covid-19 while Saturday was a record high of 206 cases. Cabinet is meeting today and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will have a press conference at 4pm to announce future changes on Auckland and Northland's alert levels. Auckland is in its 83rd day of level 4 or level 3 lockdown. Last week, Cabinet agreed in principle to let Auckland move to alert level 3, step [...]
Person with Covid-19 dies in MIQ
A recent returnee to New Zealand who had tested positive for Covid-19 in a managed isolation and quarantine facility has died, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Security at a managed isolation facility. (Source: 1 NEWS) The returnee, who arrived on November 3, tested positive for the virus on day three in New Zealand. "The cause of the person's death will be determined by the coroner, including whether it may have been Covid-19 related," the ministry said in a statement on Monday morning. "The Ministry wishes to acknowledge the managed isolation facility's staff and St John paramedics who were called to the facility just before 6.30am. "We wish to extend our sympathies to this person’s family during this stressful time." The ministry did not confirm which managed isolation [...]
Universities hopeful international students can enter NZ next year
Universities say their foreign enrolments have remained "astonishingly high" and they are hoping international students can return to the country in the middle of next year. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone But they say it is not practical to expect large numbers of students until managed isolation and quarantine requirements are dropped. Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan said the eight institutions had about 14,000 international students, which was a lot better than initial "doom and gloom" forecasts at the start of the pandemic. "At this stage our international student numbers are about 70 percent of what they were pre-Covid, quite astonishingly high," he said. "A lot of international students have stuck with their New Zealand studies and carried on from undergraduate into postgraduate, but a surprising [...]
From Philippines to COP26: Mother and daughter unite to fight for Indigenous people’s climate change rights
Jing and Vicky Tauli-Corpuz are dedicated to promoting indigenous rights. (Photo: Jack Board) GLASGOW— Vicky and Jing Tauli-Corpuz got their visas to travel to the United Kingdom for global climate change talks at COP26 only six hours before their scheduled flight. Amid the pandemic, arranging travel to Glasgow from the Philippines was a task that required more patience and resilience than usual. They are attributes well suited to this mother and daughter, both now relative veterans of the international negotiating circles. Both are proud Kankana-ey Igorot women, Indigenous peoples from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. For years, they have been leading voices in the fight for climate change justice and rights for Indigenous peoples and local communities, not just in their home region but all around the world. The [...]
Man, 46, arrested in relation to shooting of Christchurch teenager
A 46-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the shooting of Christchurch teenager Connor Whitehead , 16, at a party. (Source: 1 NEWS) Whitehead was shot in the suburb of Casebrook on Friday night, sparking a homicide investigation. Police said the man was arrested on Saturday night. He has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Police described him as assisting the people directly involved. Investigators also said they believe they now know who is responsible for Whitehead's death. The 46-year-old man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Monday. "This should serve as a warning to anyone who may be assisting those involved," police said. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Christchurch Police on 105, quoting event number [...]
Biden hails ‘monumental step forward’ as Democrats pass infrastructure bill
Joe Biden saluted a “monumental step forward as a nation” on Saturday, after House Democrats finally reached agreement and sent a $1tn infrastructure package to his desk to be signed, a huge boost for an administration which has struggled for victories. “This is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America,” Biden said, “and it’s long overdue.” There was also a setback, however, as Democrats postponed a vote on an even larger bill. That 10-year, $1.85tn spending plan to bolster health, family and climate change programmes, known as Build Back Better, was sidetracked after centrists demanded a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Biden said he was confident he could get it passed. Walking out to address reporters at the White House, the president began with a joke at [...]
MMDA announces extended weekday mall hours in NCR starting November 15
PHILIPPINES— Weekday operating hours of malls in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be extended starting November 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Saturday. The new operating hours from Monday to Friday will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the MMDA said in an advisory. The extended mall operating hours was in accordance with the MMDA Resolution No. 21-25, which was approved by the policy-making Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is composed of the 17 mayors in the region. MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos earlier said the malls had agreed to extend their operating hours. The MMDA said the adjustment would help ease the flow of traffic in light of the upcoming Christmas season. The agency, however, emphasized that mall sales would be limited to [...]
Aucklanders can travel over summer: ‘That’s a commitment’ – PM
Aucklanders will be able to travel outside the region over summer and Christmas, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Saturday. File photo: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Aucklanders will be able to travel over summer Photo: 123RF Speaking at a press conference outside the Labour Party's national conference, Ardern said the government wanted Aucklanders to be able to travel for summer and Christmas. "So that is our starting point. What we have been working on then is how do we manage the demand that we are likely to see at the border as a result of that movement, which will be anywhere between 30,000 and 40,000 people to move." Ardern said there were ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Transport about a range of options on how to [...]
Auckland infrastructure projects under pressure due to skills shortages, Covid-19
Two of Auckland’s biggest infrastructure projects are facing major cost increases and delays due to global skills shortages and the impact of Covid-19. Watercare Central Interceptor lead engineer Bojan Jovanovic talks to chief executive Jon Lamonte in an underground shaft where the project's first stage of tunnelling from Māngere to Mount Roskill started in July. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) The Central Interceptor is a 14.7km long sewer tunnel from Grey Lynn to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is expected to reduce sewage overflows into the Waitematā Harbour. Work on the $1.2 billion Watercare project started in 2019 and was expected to be completed in 2025. The works are being led by Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture. But according to a report to Watercare's board, the sourcing and retention of [...]
UK first to approve oral antiviral molnupiravir to treat Covid
Sajid Javid said the MHRA’s decision to approve molnupiravir marked a “historic day” for the UK.Photograph: Merck & Co Inc/Reuters The UK medicines regulator has become the first in the world to approve an oral antiviral pill for Covid in a move that paves the way for tens of thousands of vulnerable patients to receive the treatment from this winter. Nearly half a million doses of molnupiravir, a pill that can be taken twice daily at home, are due for delivery from mid-November and will be given as a priority to elderly Covid patients and those with particular vulnerabilities, such as weakened immune systems. The drug will initially be given to patients through a national study run by the NHS. Prof Peter Horby, the co-leader of the [...]
Vast veggie: huge New Zealand potato weighing 7.9kg could claim world record
Colin and Donna Craig-Brown have named the 17.4lb tuber Doug and have been taking him for walks New Zealand couple dig up 'Doug', potentially the world's heaviest potato A giant 7.9kg potato found in a New Zealand couple’s overgrown garden may set a new world record for the largest of its kind ever to be discovered. Colin and Donna Craig-Brown were doing a spot of weeding in their Hamilton back yard, when Colin’s hoe hit something below the ground. “So I said to Donna this must be one of those white kūmara (sweet potato) that we grew,” he told Stuff, “because some of them just grew massive here.” Colin Craig-Browns takes his potato, Doug, for a walk. Photograph: AP He tasted it, discovered it was potato and [...]
PH Inflation rate for bottom 30% of income households eased to 4.8% in October: PSA
PHILIPPINES— The Philippines’ inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent of income households eased further to 4.8 percent in October, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Friday, Nov. 5. According to the PSA, the inflation rate for that group in September was at 5.0 percent while the rate was at 2.9 percent in October 2020. The PSA said the deceleration was mainly due to the slower annual rate observed in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, at 5.1 percent. Annual increases, it said, also slowed down in the indices of the following commodity groups: a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 9.7 percent; b. Clothing and footwear, 2.5 percent; c. Furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; and recreation and culture, 1.8 percent d. Education, 0.9 percent. In [...]
Limited F2F classes ‘in all degrees’ approved under Alert Level 2
(Photo courtesy of DICT) PHILIPPINES – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced Friday that limited in-person classes in all degree programs have been allowed for up to 50 percent capacity in areas under Alert Level 2. CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases gave the green light on November 4 provided the schools follow these conditions: - The students, faculty, and employees must be vaccinated; - The local government is okay with it; and - Their facilities have been retrofitted and inspected. "In the IATF, we discussed the other day that in places where it is already Alert Level 2 we will allow now face-to-face up to 50 [...]
Duterte yet to make ‘final’ decision on possible senatorial bid
President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential photo) PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte has no "final" decision yet on calls of his allies to run for senator in the May 9, 2022 national elections, Malacañang said on Friday. This, after Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said Duterte is considering seeking a Senate seat next in next year's polls. "As far as I know, wala pa pong pinal na desisyon (there is no decisison yet). But as Senator Bong Go said, he is considering," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser, when asked about Duterte's 2022 political plans. Go and Duterte were initially proclaimed as the presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively, of the ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). However, Go instead [...]
Australia’s biggest states open borders in time for Christmas season
FILE PHOTO: A lone woman, wearing a protective face mask, walks across a city centre bridge as the state of Victoria looks to curb the spread of a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, July 16, 2021. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders/File Photo/File Photo SYDNEY— Australia's Victoria state removed entry restrictions to citizens of neighbouring New South Wales on Friday (Nov 5), allowing almost blanket reciprocal travel between the country's two biggest states ahead of the busy Christmas period. Travel between the pair, home to more than half of Australia's 25 million population, has been severely disrupted for months because of an outbreak of Delta variant-fuelled COVID-19 cases. "Victoria and NSW have been through so much over the last few months, and we're pleased that more families will now be able to reunite [...]
Covid-19: 163 new community cases reported today
There are 163 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, including four in Waikato. Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/Science Photo Library via AFP There are also four new cases in managed isolation. Speaking at today's media conference, Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay also confirmed another person with Covid-19 had died while isolating at home in Mt Eden. She said the man had recently been in hospital. "St Johns attended a call this morning after an emergency call to an address in the suburb of Mount Eden and found a person deceased on arrival. The man is understood to have been recently treated in hospital." It is the second case of someone with Covid-19 dying at home while isolating this week. There are 69 people in hospital [...]
Low Covid cases ticket to merry Christmas
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd PHILIPPINES— Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd on Thursday said the drop in new cases of Covid-19 shows that strict measures earlier imposed by the government in Metro Manila are working, creating a pathway to a merry Christmas this year. Concepcion, who is also the founder of Go Negosyo, said the plunge in new Covid-19 cases to just 1,591 on November 3 is vindication for his controversial call for an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) in August. "When I called for an early lockdown to be implemented in the National Capital Region in the first week of August, not everyone was happy. They said it was [...]
No tax evasion vs Marcos – CA
A 1997 Court of Appeals (CA) ruling found no proof to pin down presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on tax evasion charges, but cited him for failure to file income tax (ITR) returns, which carries just a fine. The Oct. 31, 1997 ruling of the court's Special 3rd Division was penned by then Associate Justice Gloria Paras as the division's chairman and concurred by Associate Justices Lourdes Tayao-Jaguros, the senior member, and Oswaldo Agcaoili, the junior member. Former Senator Bong-bong Marcos. Photos by John Orven Verdote The ruling, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times from the CA, affirms that Marcos paid income taxes from 1982 to 1986. Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has claimed that the son of ousted President Ferdinand Marcos [...]
COP26: World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030
GETTY IMAGES Companies cut down trees to create grazing land to feed the world's hunger for meat A group of leaders at COP26 will sign the climate change conference's first major deal on Tuesday when they promise to stop deforestation by 2030. Signatories in Glasgow will include Brazil, where large parts of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down. Felling trees contributes to climate change because it depletes forests that absorb vast amounts of the warming gas CO2. More money is also promised to protect and restore forests. More than 100 countries say they will sign the pledge, covering around 85% of the world's forests. And governments of 28 countries will commit to remove deforestation from the global trade of food and other agricultural products like palm oil, soya [...]
40% of NZ kids showing signs of depression in lockdown – study
Around 40 per cent of children in New Zealand have displayed signs of depression due to Covid-19 lockdowns, according to a new report. The Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study surveyed nearly 2500 children, aged between 10 and 11, about the effects of Covid-19 restrictions in March 2020. The study, released on Tuesday, found that nearly 80 per cent of children reported having a good time with their family under lockdown. It also found that around 40 per cent of them were displaying symptoms of depression and anxiety, with girls more likely to be affected. Māori and Pasifika children were less likely to be affected. In addition, nearly three-quarters of children reported a decrease in school satisfaction during lockdown compared with scores at eight years of age. Around [...]
Decision to open pools at step 2 of L3 reversed
NEW ZEALAND— The Government has reversed its decision to allow public swimming pools to open at step 2 of Alert Level 3. Public pool file image (Source: istock.com) On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland and the parts of Waikato at Alert Level 3 would move to step 2 in the current phased roadmap system, with Waikato moving at 11.59pm today (Tuesday) and Auckland a week later. The decision came the same day as a record 162 new Covid-19 community cases were reported, with 143 on Sunday and 160 on Saturday. The move will see an easing of restrictions to allow retail to open back up with customers and staff required to be socially distanced and wear face masks. As well, public facilities such as museums and libraries [...]
Marcos gains foothold in Mindanao
Bongbong Marcos. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI PHILIPPINES— Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. gained a strong foothold in Mindanao based on street surveys, his camp said on Sunday. It cited the series of Kalye (street) Surveys conducted recently by vloggers in different areas in Mindanao. Marcos is running for president under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas banner. He has yet to pick his running mate. In the Kalye Surveys conducted by vloggers of Bugwak TV in Butuan City, Gingoog, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao City, Marcos was the "preferred candidate of the working class." Bugwak vloggers roamed busy streets, bus terminals, and marketplaces and randomly approached individuals or groups of people and asked them to choose from a list of presidential candidates, Marcos camp said in a statement. [...]
Robredo to continue visits to far-flung areas to extend aid if elected president
What can the public expect from a Robredo presidency? Her spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that Vice President Leni Robredo will continue to visit far-flung areas to extend assistance, just like what she has always done even before she joined politics. Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP) “‘Yung ganung klaseng serbisyo na ang tutok kung saan ang nangangailangan, kahit gaano kalayo, kahit gaano kaliblib, makakaabot kasi ‘yun talaga ang kanyang pananaw sa pagseserbisyo bilang isang bahagi ng ating pamahalaan (That kind of service where the focus is on the needy, no matter how far, no matter how remote, the aid will come because that’s her view of service as a part of our government),” he said on Sunday, October 31, over dzXL. This was his remark the weekend after Robredo [...]
NZ approves new drug to treat severe Covid-19 symptoms
New Zealand has approved another drug for Covid-19 treatment. Health Minister Andrew Little on Sunday told Q+A Pharmac has secured access to Roche's drug Ronapreve. It comes after earlier this month, New Zealand made moves to purchase 60,000 courses of Merck's Molnupiravir. "We've now purchased the Molnupiravir drug which is used for those with sort of mild to moderate kind of Covid symptoms - 60,000 doses of that," Little told Jack Tame. "Pharmac has just approved Ronapreve which is a monoclonal antibody for those with more, kind of, severe symptoms." Pharmac, the national drug-buying agency, has secured access to enough doses of Ronapreve to be able to treat 5300 people and expects to be able to buy more next year. In a statement, Pharmac said Ronapreve belongs to a class of medicines called monoclonal [...]
Covid-19 update: 143 new community cases in New Zealand today
There are 143 new community cases today - 135 in Auckland, six in Waikato and two in Northland. Photo: 123rf There were no community cases in Christchurch today. One previously reported case in the city has been reclassified as a historical case, so the total Christchurch tally is now four. There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said because of the recently reported cases in Canterbury, it was important that anyone with any symptoms - no matter how mild - got tested. The Ministry said 73 cases are still to be linked. There are 384 unlinked cases from the past 14 days. It said the reported number of cases in Auckland "is not unexpected and is line with modelling to date". Fifty-six [...]
Scott Morrison contradicts Biden’s comments on whether French were informed about Aukus
Australian prime minister defends move to ditch French submarine contract as ‘the right decision’ at G20 in Rome French president Emmanuel Macron greets Australian prime minister Scott Morrison in Paris in June. Australia’s decision to ditch a $90bn French submarine contract has infuriated Macron but Morrison insists it was the ‘right decision’. Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images Scott Morrison has doubled down on Australia’s decision to ditch a multi-billion dollar French submarine contract, contradicting Joe Biden’s claims about whether Emmanuel Macron was informed about the move. Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit in Rome on Saturday, the prime minister insisted Australia had made “the right decision” by ditching the French submarine contract, even though his management of the fracas has infuriated the French president and prompted an [...]
Metro Manila’s COVID positivity rate now only 5% — OCTA Research
Image: koto_feja/IStock.com via AFP MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s COVID-19 positivity rate has decreased to just five percent for the first time since July, OCTA Research said Saturday. “The positivity rate [which measures the proportion of people who test positive using RT-PCR] in the NCR decreased to 5% for the first time since July 14, 2021. A positivity rate of 5 percent or less is an acceptable positivity rate according to WHO [World Health Organization],” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said over Twitter. “Based on our guidelines, the NCR now has a low positivity rate, a low reproduction number (0.55), a low healthcare utilization rate (less than 60%), and a moderate ADAR [average daily attack rate] of 6.75 per day per 100,000,” he added. NCR’s average positivity rate [...]
Xi Jinping calls for mutual Covid vaccine approvals
Speaking to the G20 summit by video, China’s president stresses vaccine cooperation and economic stability Chinese president Xi Jinping called for all parties to improve developing countries’ access to Covid vaccines.Photograph: Carlos García Rawlins/Reuters China’s president, Xi Jinping, has called for mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccines based on the World Health Organization’s emergency use list, according to a transcript of his remarks delivered to leaders of the Group of 20 leaders’ summit, published by the official Xinhua news agency. Speaking to the participants in Rome via video link, Xi said China had provided more than 1.6bn Covid shots to the world, and was working with 16 nations to cooperate on manufacturing doses. “China is willing to work with all parties to improve the accessibility and affordability of Covid-19 [...]
Biden admits to Macron the US was ‘clumsy’ in Aukus submarine deal
American president moves to repair relationship after France was blindsided by security pact Joe Biden has moved to repair his damaged personal and political relationship with Emmanuel Macron by acknowledging that the announcement of a security and technology pact that blindsided France was a “clumsy” episode handled with a lack of grace. The US president and his French counterpart met at France’s Vatican embassy in Rome on Friday, ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit this weekend, for their first in-person discussion since an astonished Macron was left feeling betrayed and humiliated by September’s security deal. As a result of the “Aukus” pact between the US, Australia and the UK, Australia tore up a troubled $66bn (£48bn) contract signed with France to build six diesel-powered submarines in favour of a [...]
Lacson wants to ‘reinvent’ 4Ps, other social assistance programs
PHILIPPINES— Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday vowed to “reinvent” the cash assistance programs of the government if elected president in 2022. In an event in Mexico, Pampanga, Lacson said he would push for the streamlining of government spending for the financial aid given to less fortunate Filipinos, not only to help them survive, but also to improve their quality of living. “Dapat ‘pag nagbigay tayo ng ayuda may purpose. Hindi ‘yung ayuda lang na pantawid, dapat bigyan mo ng ayuda na pang-ahon. Ibig sabihin, tinulungan mo para maging productive, para makapagsimula ng livelihood,” Lacson said. (Cash assistance must have a purpose, not just as a form of relief, but also something that can uplift. What we mean is that you help them [poor Filipino families] become more productive by way of livelihood.) “Hindi talaga purely ayuda na itatawid lang ang pamilya. Kailangan may [...]
SWS: Duterte net satisfaction down to 52% but still ‘very good’
PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte's net satisfaction rating went down 10 points from 62% in June to 52% in September, the latest Social Weather Stations poll showed. In its presentation, the SWS found that 67% of Filipinos were satisfied, 11% were undecided, and 15% were dissatisfied with the President. These gave Duterte a net satisfaction rating of +52 (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied), classified as “very good.” Nevertheless, this was his lowest satisfaction rating since the good +45 in June 2018. Meanwhile, Duterte’s net satisfaction rating fell from very good to good in Metro Manila, down by 15 points from +63 to +48. The SWS said it fell from very good to good in Balance Luzon, down by 14 points from +58 to +44. It also fell from very [...]
Bongbong Marcos: PH must be ready for global economy recovery
PHILIPPINES— Presidential aspirant and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. said the country needs to be ready as the global economy starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Marcos, the decision of the Australian government to lift the anti-dumping measure on Philippine pineapple canned products shows that the global economy is starting to recover. The former lawmaker said this is a good development not only in the Philippine agriculture sector but also to other sectors as it proves that it can also strengthen its position in the global economy. “Eto na nagsisimula nang magbukas ang global economy, mabuti in this particular case na sabayan natin dahil may produkto tayong mai-export sa kanila (Australia). Dapat ang positioning natin sa iba’t ibang sektor ng global [...]
Huge anti-lockdown crowd marches through Auckland streets
For the third time in six weeks, a large number of anti-lockdown protesters have met at Auckland Domain. As with previous events, people have been expressing their dislike of Covid-19 restrictions and the vaccine rollout. Some people are wearing masks, while others are not. There is a police presence. Anti-lockdown protesters at Auckland Domain on October 30. (Source: 1 NEWS) The event, organised by The Freedoms and Rights Coalition, then saw protesters march through the streets of Newmarket. People protesting at Auckland Domain on October 30. (Source: 1 NEWS) Following the first rally, Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki and another man, Paul Thompson, pleaded not guilty to organising and attending the protest on October 2. After the second rally on October 16, Tamaki was charged with failing to [...]
Couple denied NZ residence due to Chinese intelligence links
A couple who set up a business in New Zealand have been described as a threat to national security because of their link to Chinese intelligence services. China and NZ flags Photo: 123RF They denied they were spies, but were rejected for residence and lost an immigration appeal. The Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) told immigration officers the man and his wife have "almost certainly" assisted the People's Republic of China Intelligence Services (PRCIS) and had deliberately concealed the amount of contact they maintained with PRCIS. "Therefore, NZSIS assesses that [their] presence in New Zealand presents an enduring national security risk as we cannot discount that [they] may seek to assist the PRCIS again in the future." Immigration New Zealand (INZ), which was assessing the [...]
Covid-19 update: 160 new community cases in NZ today
There are 160 new community cases today - 151 in Auckland, seven in Waikato and one each in Northland and Canterbury. Photo: Unspla There was no media briefing today. In a statement the Ministry said 95 of today's cases are still to be linked. "The case numbers reported today are a reminder of the infectiousness of Covid-19, and particularly the Delta variant, and the importance of vaccination as the best protection. The rise in case numbers is not unexpected and is line with modelling to date." There were also two new cases at the border. There were 125 new Covid-19 cases in the community reported yesterday afternoon— 118 in Auckland, four in Waikato, two in Christchurch and one in Northland, which became three later in the day. There [...]
If elected president, Robredo says drug war to remain intensified but ‘in a different way’
If she wins president in 2022, Vice President Leni Robredo said the government's drug war will remain intensified but in "a different way." "Ganoon katindi, pero sa ibang paraan. What we had was too heavy on the enforcement side," she said in a press conference in Bicol on Friday, referring to the Duterte administration's anti-drug war. Robredo, who co-chaired the Inter-Agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs (ICAD) for 19 days in November 2019, said ICAD should be led by Dangerous Drugs Board, which is a policy-making body, and not the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. After Robredo was fired, she released a report which stated that law enforcement was only able to seize 1% of illegal drug shipment in the country based on government records. "We cannot go on enforcement alone because [...]
Biden pitches ‘historic’ spending plan to transform America
US President Joe Biden, followed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (C) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (R), arrives at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Oct 28, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Mandel Ngan) WASHINGTON— US President Joe Biden on Thursday (Oct 28) announced a "historic" blueprint for remaking America's economy, as he sought to pressure dissenters within his own Democratic Party to back the plan after months of tortuous negotiations. Biden is banking his legacy on passing the US$1.75 trillion Build Back Better social welfare package, a compact with the American people for a more equitable and greener society and the jewel in the crown of his domestic agenda. He announced he was sure of support for a revised spending framework just before taking off for a [...]
Global labor market hamstrung by unequal vaccine distribution: ILO
Photo from ILO's Official Instagram Page BERLIN - The pandemic-induced loss in working hours in 2021 will be equivalent to 125 million full-time jobs, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday, in a sign that the global labour market is not recovering as expected this year. That number is 25 million higher than what the ILO predicted in its last report in June, affected primarily by the disparities in vaccine rollouts in poorer and richer countries. Globally, the number of hours worked is set to be 4.3 percent less than the pre-pandemic level, the ILO said. However, when that figure is calculated based on countries' income level, there is a 2.1 percentage points difference: Rich countries saw only a 3.6 percent loss, versus a 5.7 percent for [...]
Businesses in PH push Alert Level 2
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd PHILIPPINES— As Covid-19 cases continue to dip, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd and business owners called on the government to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 2 to help businesses recover. Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 3, allowing a 50 percent capacity for outdoor operations and 30 percent for indoor activities in select establishments. Concepcion, who is also the founder of Go Negosyo, said that business sectors look forward to the further downgrading of the alert level, as this would allow them to expand their operations. "Business establishments are looking forward to the possibility of declaring Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila as it would lead to additional capacity [...]
Scrapping submarines deal broke trust, Macron tells Australian PM
French president says Scott Morrison should propose tangible actions to heal rift, in first call since row Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison in Paris on 15 June 2021. Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images The French president has told the Australian prime minister that the scrapping of a multibillion-dollar submarine contract “broke the relationship of trust” and said Canberra should propose “tangible actions” to heal a diplomatic rift. In their first phone call since Australia dumped the submarine plans, Emmanuel Macron also encouraged Scott Morrison to adopt a more ambitious climate policy, including a commitment “to cease production and consumption of coal at the national level and abroad”, according to a French government readout of the conversation. France has said it was “betrayed”, “stabbed in the back” and “deceived” [...]
Facebook announces name change to Meta in rebranding effort
Holding company will encompass Facebook as well as its apps, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, and the virtual reality brand Oculus Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the social media giant will change the name of its holding company to Meta, in a rebrand that comes as the company faces a series of public relations crises. Zuckerberg revealed the new name at Facebook’s annual AR/VR conference on Thursday, where he outlined the company’s virtual-reality vision for the future. The CEO sketched his plans to build the “metaverse” – a digital world built over our own, comprising virtual reality headsets and augmented reality. “We believe the metaverse will be the successor of the mobile internet,” Zuckerberg said. “We’ll be able to feel present – like we’re right there with people no [...]
PDP-Laban Cusi wing convincing Duterte to run for senator in Eleksyon 2022
"Now, if the President would not run for vice president because he is firm on his decision not to go back on his word, I said why not run for the Senate so he could bring change there? That will be good for the country," PDP Laban president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement issued Wednesday. PHILIPPINES— PDP-Laban president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has confirmed that there are efforts by the ruling party to convince President Rodrigo Duterte to run for senator in the coming 2022 elections. Cusi said if Duterte would run for senator, he could also be the campaign manager of Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go, who are running for president and vice president in the 2022 [...]
Biden heads to G20 to talk energy prices, supply chain woes
A worker looks at the G20 Media centre at the Palazzo dei Congressi, in the city's EUR district, that will host the G20 summit with heads of state from major nations for a two-day meeting from Oct 30-31, in Rome, Italy, Oct 22, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Remo Casilli) WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden, hoping to signal US re-engagement with allies after four years of Donald Trump's "America First" policies, heads to a meeting of G20 leaders in Europe this week to discuss energy prices, the Iranian nuclear programme and supply chain issues, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday (Oct 26). Biden will also seek to cement progress on a global minimum tax during his trip, Sullivan told reporters. Biden leaves for Italy on Thursday. He is slated to meet with [...]
World set for 2.7 deg C rise based on today’s emissions pledges, says UN
A UN report in August warned that global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions could breach 1.5 deg C in the next two decades.PHOTO: AFP LONDON— Current commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions put the planet on track for an average 2.7 deg C temperature rise this century, a United Nations report said on Tuesday (Oct 26), in another stark warning ahead of crunch climate talk. Governments will be in the spotlight at the COP26 conference next week to meet a deadline of this year to commit to more ambitious cut pledges, in what could be the last chance to put the world on track to limiting warming to below 2 deg C above pre-industrial levels and ideally to 1.5 deg C. As extreme weather events ranging from wildfires [...]
Victoria records 13 Covid-19 deaths, NSW’s new law targets forged vaccine certificates
AUSTRALIA— Victoria has recorded 1534 new local Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths as the state moves closer to fully vaccinating 80 per cent of its population aged 16 and over. Pedestrians wearing face masks walk through Melbourne's Southbank. Photo: AFP There are now 24,164 active cases of the virus, and 247 people have died during the current Delta outbreak. The new cases were detected from 83,210 test results received yesterday. There were 24,180 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues. Victoria is expected to reach the 80 per cent fully vaccinated milestone by Friday, triggering the further easing of restrictions across the state. Unvaccinated tennis players will be allowed in Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed tennis players [...]
PH to reveal plans to protect ecosystem in UN COP26
MANILA – The Philippines is expected to "demonstrate its leadership" in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference 26 (COP26) by calling for actions that would help achieve global goals. The COP26, which was supposed to be held in November last year, will be hosted by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy from October 31 to Nov. 12, 2021 in the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow. "We are optimistic that the Philippines will demonstrate its leadership at COP26 on a number of calls for action that will halt deforestation, conserve biodiversity, maintain functional ecosystem services, and capitalize on the opportunities offered by the transition to clean energy sources, particularly renewable energy," said UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils, in a briefing on Tuesday. The Philippines is ranked 118th in the recent [...]
New PH political party vows support for Go
PHILIPPINES— A newly formed political party on Tuesday established an alliance with the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to support the vice presidential bid of Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go in the 2022 elections. The Reform Party, headed by former Magdalo member James Layug, and the PDP-Laban, led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, have signed an agreement affirming support for Go. POLL ALLIES (From left) PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag and President and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Information Communications and Technology Assistant Secretary James Layug, and Secretary General Cleo Dongga-as of the Reporma Party present a signed agreement of their alliance in the May 2022 elections at the Manila Yacht Club on Oct. 26, 2021. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN In a press conference, Layug [...]
A further 42,136 Covid-19 vaccinations were adminstered yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.
A further 42,136 Covid-19 vaccinations were adminstered yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday. A pharmacist prepares a syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. (Source: Associated Press) The daily total breaks down the number of doses given out nationwide and in Auckland, which is striving to meet the 90% fully vaccinated target to get out of lockdown. The numbers for yesterday were: New Zealand - total 42,136, 1st doses 10,872, 31,264 second doses. That means 87% of people have now had one dose and 72% have had two doses. Auckland - total 12,639, 1st doses 2,855, 2nd doses 9,784. That amounts to 90% of people in the region having now had one dose and 78% having had two doses.
Covid-19 update: 74 new community cases reported in NZ today
There have been 74 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today - 68 in Auckland and six in Waikato. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Of the new cases, 31 remain unlinked. There are 41 people in hospital, with five in intensive care. All are in Auckland and the average age of those in hospital is 43. Yesterday there were 79 new community cases. There were also four new cases reported at the border. There have now been 2832 cases in the current outbreak and 5539 since the pandemic began. The Health Ministry said 42,136 doses were given yesterday - 10,872 first doses and 31,264 second doses. Earlier today, National Party leader Judith Collins said at 90 percent vaccination nationwide, vaccine mandates should be dropped but [...]
NZ exporters confident of survival despite pandemic
Kiwi exporters are confident they will weather Covid-19's challenges, thanks to the majority seeing an increase in export orders, an industry survey has revealed. A fully stocked cargo ship heading out to sea. (Source: istock.com) The 2021 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer surveyed more than 319 exporters, the bulk of which are in manufacturing. Although increasing costs, unpredictable transport options and border restrictions have made exporting difficult, Kiwi ingenuity has gone a long way, the survey said. Seventy-eight per cent of respondents said the cost and availability of transport and logistics was a barrier, 51 per cent said MIQ/border restrictions were one, while 33 per cent felt high costs in New Zealand were. However, developing new products and services — that Kiwi ingenuity — were exporters saving grace this [...]
Government delays announcement on Managed Isolation and Quarantine system
A government announcement about changes to the managed isolation and quarantine system, due today, will now happen later in week - most likely tomorrow. Managed Isolation and Quarantine online booking page with no availability. Photo: RNZ It is understood the changes relate to shorter stays that will free up MIQ places over the next few months. However, a proportion of them will likely be needed for community cases, and so not all will be freed up for people trying to return from overseas. It has been more than a month since the government ditched a first-in-first-served allocation system for a randomised lottery scheme. While it gives everyone an equal chance of securing an MIQ spot, many argue it still does not help the most desperate. Covid-19 Response Minister [...]
More MIQ capacity for travellers and community cases ‘within weeks’ – Hipkins
Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) changes being announced this week will free up facilities to accommodate demand from New Zealanders overseas and from the outbreak in the community, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. Chris Hipkins Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver At Parliament this afternoon, Hipkins said Cabinet was looking very closely at MIQ settings in light of fewer cases and more fully vaccinated travellers coming across international borders, even as community cases from the Delta outbreak increased. He said the changes would free up some capacity in MIQ facilities, including for travellers returning from overseas. However, he also noted there was increasing demand for use of the facilities by people in the community with Covid-19 who were required to isolate. "It's possible that international arrivals will have [...]
Southeast Asian leaders hold summit, excluding Myanmar coup leader
A security person stands outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct 25, 2021. (Photo: AP/Achmad Ibrahim) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN— Southeast Asian leaders begin their annual summit on Tuesday (Oct 26) without Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who overthrew a civilian government on Feb 1, in a rare exclusion for the regional grouping usually known for non-interference. US President Joe Biden will attend a joint session by video link, but it was likely no one would represent Myanmar at the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Summit host Brunei has said the bloc will invite a non-political representative from Myanmar but there has been no confirmation of who it might be. Myanmar's foreign ministry late on Monday said it would only agree to [...]
Australia promises to be carbon-neutral by 2050
Australia has formally promised to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Source: Getty) The deal has been workshopped as part of talks between Australia's coalition government, which has been divided over how to tackle climate change. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new modelling, showing that Australia's expected to reduce emissions by 30-35 per cent by 2030. Despite this, Morrison said that the previous target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent by the same year wouldn't change. "We will honor our commitment to the Australian people," he said. "That is what I took to them, that's what they approved and that's what we're doing." Looking ahead to 2050, Morrison said that net zero was achievable, selling his plan as "uniquely Australian" [...]
Baguio allows fully vaccinated travelers entry as city reopens tourism industry
PHILIPPINES— Baguio allows fully vaccinated travelers entry as city reopens tourism industry Fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed entry to Baguio City as it reopens its tourism industry, Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced on Monday. Starting October 25, the city will accept leisure travel applications from fully vaccinated individuals subject to guidelines in an executive order to be issued later. "Hopefully our reopening will spur economic activity in our city which had almost been nil for the past two months because of the restrictions that we imposed to manage the cases," the mayor told reporters. Visitors will first have to have an approved registration via visita.baguio.gov.ph. Magalong said minors aged 12 to 17 accompanied by their elders will be required to have negative antigen or RT-PCR test results. Those aged 11 [...]
Duterte to virtually attend Asean summit
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO PHILIPPINES— Malacañang on Monday confirmed the virtual participation of President Rodrigo Duterte to the 38th and 39th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summits and related conferences that start today, October 26. Hosted by Brunei Darussalam and with the theme "We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper," this year's round of meetings between the Asean heads of states had to be done virtually because of the lingering threat of Covid-19. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte will join other leaders from the region via a series of videoconferences until the biennial event's conclusion on October 28. After the members-only summit, the regional group will hold separate conferences with Korea, China, United States, Japan, Australia, India and Russia. Roque did [...]
Covid-19 update on 26 October: 79 new community cases
There are 79 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today. Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/Science Photo Library via AFP Of the new 75 are in Auckland and four are in Waikato. Of these cases 46 are linked, including 24 household contacts, and 33 remain unlinked. There is also one new case at the border. There was no 1pm conference today, and the Ministry of Health released information in a statement. There will be a 4pm press conference today. There are 37 people in hospital. In the last 24 hours, 14,430 tests have been processed. There were 109 cases announced yesterday, with 103 of those in Auckland. The total number of community cases in the current outbreak is 2759. There are 5462 confirmed cases in total since pandemic began.
Collins denounces ‘two-class system’, but won’t rule out vaccine certificates
National Party leader Judith Collins has come out firmly against creating a "two-class system" by bringing in vaccine certificates, but she also wants to bring in vaccine certificates. Judith Collins Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver She says the government is blaming specific groups for not getting vaccinated, and New Zealanders need to be reassured of an eventual end to restrictions. Speaking at Parliament this morning, Collins said she had digested the detail of the government's traffic light plan over the weekend, but still felt it was unclear. The traffic light plan, announced by the government on Friday, would rely on vaccination certificates to offer more freedom to the vaccinated even under the highest levels of restriction. Collins spoke about the impacts of continued restrictions on businesses, families [...]
Desperate for employees, US businesses struggle to hire amid COVID-19 pandemic
Fears of Covid-19 and dissatisfaction with work-life balance and pay are among the factors fueling the worker shortage as the US economy has bounced back from the pandemic. (Photo: AFP) NEW YORK— To keep the taps at his recently opened beer tasting room flowing, Peter Chekijian had no choice but to ask his main employees to come in seven days per week. The staffing shortage has also kept Chekijian from realising his goal of brewing beer on site, since he can't find contractors to finish installing the tanks he requires. "That's been a big issue of getting people to actually finish up the job," said Chekijian, who co-founded the small Twin Fork Beer Company in New York state. Even as millions of Americans who lost their jobs to the [...]
Immigration NZ staff to be re-trained over one-off residence visa applications
NEW ZEALAND— Immigration New Zealand is not planning to recruit any more staff to take on the processing of the one-off residence visas. Instead, it says it will retrain existing employees to do the work when applications open in December. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced last month that 165,000 people may be eligible for the fast-track residence visabefore applications close in July. The government said the one-off resident visa could see about 110,000 people already in New Zealand apply. The one-off 2021 Resident Visa includes over 5000 health and aged care workers, around 9000 primary industry workers, and more than 800 teachers. Faafoi said some construction and manufacturing workers would also be eligible. Immigration New Zealand says processing the new applications is a priority. Its general manager of border [...]
PH Covid cases going down fast – OCTA
Local tourists take a group selfie in Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila on October 23, 2021. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN PHILIPPINES— Cases of Covid-19 are declining fast, as proven by the 35 percent decrease observed in the past week, OCTA researcher Dr. Guido David said on Sunday. During the seven-day period, infections went down from 8,400 to 5,400. "Mabilis ang pagbaba ng numbers. Ang reproduction rate sa buong bansa ay nasa 0.52 na at ang seven-day average sa bansa ay 5,400. Noong nakaraang linggo, 8,400 so bumaba siya to 5,400 in one week, 35 percent decrease 'yan, or negative growth rate (Numbers are decreasing fast. The reproduction rate nationwide is now at 0.52 with a seven-day average of 5,400 new cases daily. Last week, it was [...]
China to pilot levying property tax in selected cities
Photo taken on May 16, 2016 shows a real estate project in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.Photo:Xinhua China has decided to pilot testing property tax levies in selected cities during the coming five years, to garner experiences before proceeding with formal legislation. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, adopted the decision on Saturday to authorize the State Council, the cabinet, to pilot property tax reforms in some regions, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency. Industry experts say a trial property tax could be tested by the end of this year in selected first- and second-tier cities that have hot real estate markets, most likely in Guangdong's Shenzhen, Zhejiang's Hangzhou, and the southern island province of Hainan. China's central [...]
Christmas bin collections in UK at risk as lorry drivers quit
Local councils face a shortage of refuse collectors who can earn tens of thousands more driving for supermarkets or food hauliers Councils across the country are reducing and delaying domestic waste collections as there are not enough drivers for refuse trucks. Photograph: Michael Heath/Alamy Households are being warned of a “Christmas crisis” in bin collections as drivers quit their jobs for better pay working for supermarkets and food hauliers. Bin lorry drivers are being offered pay deals worth as much as £40,000 a year to switch to jobs in the food industry. One council in Lancashire said last week it had lost almost half of its drivers in the last three months. Residents in councils from Devon to London to Peterborough have already seen some collections suspended or delayed. [...]
One dead after crash at Ruapuna Speedway
One person is dead after a crash at Ruapuna Speedway in Canterbury today. Photo: Supplied Police said emergency services were alerted to the crash at 10.40am. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way and WorkSafe has been notified. There are no racing events scheduled for this weekend.
Turkey threatens to eject 10 western diplomats over support for activist
President Erdoğan says ambassadors from US, Europe and elsewhere are not welcome after call for freeing of Osman Kavala Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Eskisehir on 23 October, where he ordered the foreign ministry to declare 10 ambassadors ‘persona non grata’. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said he has ordered the foreign ministry to declare 10 ambassadors from western countries persona non grata for calling for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala. Kavala has been in prison for four years, charged with financing nationwide protests in 2013 and with involvement in a failed coup in 2016. He denies the charges. In a joint statement on 18 October, the ambassadors of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the [...]
Saudi Arabia pledges 2060 target of net-zero emissions
One of the world's largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia, announced Saturday it aims to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change. Although the kingdom will aim to reduce emissions within its own borders, there is no indication Saudi Arabia will slow down investments in oil and gas or relinquish sway over energy markets by moving away from the production of fossil fuels. Energy exports form the backbone of Saudi Arabia's economy, despite efforts to diversify revenue as the world increasingly looks to transition away from reliance on fossil fuels. The country is forecast to make US$150 billion in revenue this year from oil alone. The announcement, made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin [...]
Robredo supporters go land and sea for #LeniKiko2022
PHILIPPINES— Supporters of presidential candidate and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo staged a caravan on land and sea nationwide on Saturday. The Tropa ng Pagasa: The National Proclamation Motorcade for #LeniKiko2022 had a livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube hosted by Ben Bernabe and Leah Navarro of Team Leni Robredo (TLR), the official volunteer arm of the Leni Robredo for President Movement. 'LENI FOR YOU' Supporters of Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo and her runningmate Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan launch #LeniKiko2022 on Saturday on land and sea nationwide on Oct. 23, 2021. The car is part of a motorcade along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. The fluvial parade is from Talisay City to Cordova in Cebu. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND SCREENGRAB FROM LIVESTREAM OF TEAM LENI ROBREDO [...]
China passes law to reduce ‘twin pressures’ of homework and tutoring on children
Law makes local authorities and parents responsible for ensuring children are spared stress of overwork China has passed a law to spare school students the pressures of homework. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images China has passed a law to reduce the “twin pressures” of homework and off-site tutoring on children. The official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday the new law, which has not been published in full, makes local governments responsible for ensuring that the twin pressures are reduced and asks parents to arrange their children’s time to account for reasonable rest and exercise, thereby reducing pressure and avoiding internet overuse. Beijing has exercised a more assertive paternal hand this year, from tacking the addiction of youngsters to online games, deemed a form of “spiritual opium”, to clamping down on [...]
Sara Duterte, Bongbong Marcos meet in Cebu City
PHILIPPINES— Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday met in Cebu City to celebrate the birthday of Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Romualdez. “Confirmed po na nagkita kami ngayon ni Presidential aspirant at former Senator BBM sa masayang pagdiriwang ng birthday ni Cong. Yedda, maybahay ni House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez sa Cebu,” Sara said in a post on her Facebook page. (It is confirmed that we met with presidential aspirant and former Senator BBM during the birthday celebration of Cong. Yedda, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez's better half, in Cebu.) For his part, Marcos’ spokesman Atty. Vic Rodriguez said that “presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Sara Duterte finding themselves together in Cebu is just another beautiful coincidence.” On Friday, Sara announced [...]
Victoria records 1750 new Covid-19 cases, nine deaths; NSW has 332 cases, two deaths
Victoria has recorded nine further deaths of people with Covid-19 and 1750 new locally acquired cases. Vaccination signs in Melbourne. Photo: AFP The new infections were found from 72,858 test results processed on Friday, the day Melbourne and Mildura emerged from lockdown. The numbers are down from yesterday when there were 2189 new local Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths in Victoria, while New South Wales yesterday recorded 345 new cases and five deaths. Strict density caps remain in place and most retail is still closed, but hospitality venues and beauty services have been packed with Melburnians enjoying their new freedoms. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton yesterday warned while people should celebrate the new rules, there would be "more Covid in the community, really than at any other [...]
Alec Baldwin ‘heartbroken’ over fatal film set shooting
JIM WEBER/THE NEW MEXICAN Alec Baldwin said he was fully co-operating with the police Actor Alec Baldwin has expressed his shock and sadness after fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a prop gun on a New Mexico film set. He tweeted that he was in touch with her husband and had offered support. "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna," he wrote. Ms Hutchins, 42, was shot on the set of the western Rust while working as director of photography. "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours," he tweeted. "I'm fully co-operating with the police investigation to [...]
US kills senior Al-Qaeda leader in Syria with drone strike
A picture taken during a tour organised by the Syrian Ministry of Information shows a Syrian flag atop damaged buildings in the district of Daraa al-Balad of Syria's southern city of Daraa on Sep 12, 2021. (Photo: AFP/LOUAI BESHARA) The US military killed senior Al-Qaeda leader Abdul Hamid al-Matar in a drone strike in Syria on Friday (Oct 22), a US Central Command spokesman said. "The removal of this Al-Qaeda senior leader will disrupt the terrorist organisation's ability to further plot and carry out global attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians," US Army Major John Rigsbee said in a written statement. The strike comes two days after a US outpost in southern Syria was attacked. Rigsbee did not say if the US drone strike was carried [...]
2 more Covid-19 cases confirmed in Northland
The Northland District Health Board says two more positive Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the region, bringing the total to four. (Source: 1 NEWS) The Ministry of Health announced on Friday afternoon two cases had been confirmed in Northland and they were now isolating near Kaikohe. The cases are not linked to the two women who recently visited Northland. Friday's cases were permitted to travel to the Kaikohe area from Auckland. On Saturday, the DHB said the two newest cases were children under 12. "Support has been put in place for the whānau, who have worked cooperatively with the public health team to identify locations of interest." The Ministry of Health said this afternoon the children were family members. A case investigation had also identified a "limited" number [...]
Covid-19 community case reported in the South Island with positive test in Blenheim
The South Island has its first community case of Covid-19 since the current outbreak began, with a person testing positive for the coronavirus in Blenheim, the Health Ministry has confirmed. Business groups in Blenheim are in talks over a business hub. Photo: LDR / Chloe Ranford The case flew from Rotorua and arrived in Blenheim on Thursday. They were tested upon arrival after developing a sore throat. "The initial test, including a follow-up swab, returned a weak positive result." The ministry said the case is now isolating awaiting the results of further testing. The case is considered low risk, due to their likely late stage of infection. The ministry said initial case interviews suggested the case was linked to the Te Awamutu cluster. A small number of [...]
Drivers, farmers see fuel price pinch ‘worse than pandemic’
MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of farmer and transport groups on Friday sounded the alarm on a threat “worse than the pandemic”—the steady rise in oil prices and the absence of government safeguards for marginalized sectors. At a press conference at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Anakpawis national president Ariel Casilao warned that the spike in oil prices in the past eight weeks would result in price increases for basic commodities, food, and services. Casilao, a former lawmaker, urged the government to push for a price control law or resolution to pull down oil prices, and said the excise imposed by the TRAIN law (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) should be repealed. He said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi had neglected the increasing trend in oil prices even [...]
UK PM Johnson says fresh COVID-19 lockdown not on the cards
FILE PHOTO: A man wearing a protective face mask walks during the morning rush hour, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain, October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville LONDON— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday (Oct 22) a new COVID-19 lockdown is not on the cards, as advisers warned that acting early with lighter measures to cut rising case numbers would reduce the need for tougher restrictions later. Johnson's government has said there is no need yet to introduce a "Plan B" involving mask mandates, work-from-home orders and vaccine passports, though such measures could be introduced if more people do not come forward for COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Johnson scrapped England's COVID restrictions in the summer, and he said that, while case numbers [...]
No Cebu meeting yet between Sara Duterte and Marcos Jr.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were both in Cebu City on Friday but spokespersons of both politicians said no meeting transpired between the two. “None today,” Sara's spokesperson Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco said in a text message when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter and Marcos met on Friday. “No, tonight no. But both of them are there,” Marcos' spokesman Rodriguez told GMA News Online when asked the same question. Asked if Duterte will meet Marcos in Cebu, Frasco said, “I invited Mayor Sara to attend the inauguration of our new Port in Liloan and to attend our League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu General Assembly." "This is her official schedule," she added. In a Facebook post, Sara announced that she [...]
‘Serious injuries’ after 2 car crash in Otago
Police are reporting "serious injuries" after a two-car crash in Otago on Saturday morning. A police car (file picture). (Source: istock.com) A police spokesperson said they were notified of an accident around 9.15am on State Highway 1 just south of Waihola. "Initial indications are that there are serious injuries," the spokesperson said. The road has since been closed and diversions are in place as emergency services attend the scene. Northbound traffic is being diverted along Phosphate Road, and southbound traffic is being diverted through Taieri Mouth. Motorists are asked to avoid the area or expect significant delays.
AFP told to be non-partisan in 2022 elections
PHILIPPINES— The 145,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was reminded not to be biased or partisan to a particular political group in the upcoming May 22 national and local elections. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) holds its third quarter command conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Oct. 8, 2021. (Photo: AFP) Col. Xerxes Trinidad, spokesperson of the Philippine Army (PA), said the directive was issued to the Army, Philippine Navy (PN), and Philippine Air Force (PAF) by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. “It’s a guidance from the Secretary of National Defense and we have been reminded that the armed forces, particularly on the level of our Commanding General [Lt. Gen. Andres Centino], to remain non-partisan in this coming national [...]
Covid-19 update: 129 new cases in the community
There are 129 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, after hitting triple digits for the first time yesterday. File image. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Health Ministry said 65 of the new cases were still to be linked to earlier cases. Nine of today's new cases are in Waikato, with the rest in Auckland. All of the Waikato cases are linked. There have now been 73 cases in the district linked to the current outbreak. There were also five new cases in managed isolation. A total of 102 community cases was reported yesterday. There are 51 people in hospital with Covid-19, including five in intensive care. The ministry said there have now been 2389 cases in the current outbreak, and 5090 in New Zealand since the [...]
Syria executes 24 people over deadly forest fires
Syria executed 24 people it said had set fires that swept swathes of forests mainly in the coastal province of Latakia, the ancestral home of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, the justice ministry said on Thursday. Syrian state television showed alleged confessions from some of the culprits, who said they were paid to set the huge fires that raged last year. Photo: AFP or licensors Those executed on Wednesday were charged with committing "terrorist acts that led to death and damage to state infrastructure, public and private property", the ministry said. It said 11 others were sentenced to life in prison on the same charges from dozens arrested at the end of last year who confessed to igniting the fires that began in September 2020 and lasted until [...]
Creation of NTF-ELCAC reduces NPA activities: Duterte
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said there are now fewer New People’s Army (NPA) activities taking place since the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its regional task forces to address armed conflicts at the local level. Duterte acknowledged that the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA (CPP-NPA) continues to perpetuate violence by killing soldiers, police, and civilians in the country, but in “a very small scale” this time. “There has been really quite a reduction of the NPA activities. They are in Mindanao but limited to Northern Mindanao including Davao City. May mga dalawa nalang o almost pawala na. At sana naman ganun ang mangyari sa [...]
Govt reveals its Covid-19 Protection Framework
The government has announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a 'traffic-light' system once all DHBs hit 90 percent full vaccination rates. Watch the announcement here: A vaccine certificate will be central to the new framework. The system will involve three settings - green, orange and red. "If you want to be guaranteed that no matter the setting that we are in, that you can go to bars, restaurants and close-proximity businesses like a hairdresser, then you will need to be vaccinated," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told media this morning. She was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare as the government also announced enhanced financial support for businesses and those families struggling under [...]
Duterte eyes deeper ties with Saudi, 7 other countries
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte interacts with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Hisham Sultan Al Zafir Al Qahtani after the latter presented his letter of credence to the President at the Malacañang Palace on October 20, 2021. RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte sought deeper cooperation and friendship with Saudi Arabia and seven other countries.Duterte expressed this intent as he received the credentials of ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Italy, Sweden, Israel and Malta in Malacañang on Wednesday. He told Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the Philippines Hisham Sultan Al Zafir Al Qahtani that he is looking forward to expanding Manila's cooperation with Riyadh in "various areas of mutual benefit [to the two countries' peoples." "Over [...]
Flights cancelled, schools closed as China fights new COVID-19 outbreak
A new COVID-19 outbreak in China has been linked to a group of tourists. (Photo: AFP) BEIJING— Authorities in China cancelled hundreds of flights, closed schools and ramped up mass testing on Thursday (Oct 21) to try and stamp out a new COVID-19 outbreak linked to a group of tourists. Beijing has maintained a relentless zero-COVID approach with strict border closures and targeted lockdowns, even as other countries tentatively try to ease restrictions. Domestic outbreaks have largely been eliminated, but as China logged a fifth straight day of new cases - mostly in northern and northwestern areas - authorities beefed up coronavirus controls. The latest outbreak was linked to an elderly couple who were in a group of several tourists. They started in Shanghai before flying to Xi'an, [...]
UK’s neighbours criticise Covid policies as cases begin to surge across EU
Several European nations have questioned British response but there are growing signs of fresh wave across continent People wait in front of a coronavirus testing centre in Berlin. Cases in Germany have leapt by about 40% in a week. Photograph: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images For the past several weeks, many western European countries have been eyeing Covid case numbers across the Channel with mounting trepidation. “Why does Britain have more than 40,000 Covid cases a day, and why is it the European country with the most infections?” asked Spain’s ABC, while France’s L’Express criticised “disastrous myopia” in London. “Fear returns to London,” said Italy’s Corriere della Sera after the British health secretary, Sajid Javid, suggested cases could hit 100,000 a day over the winter. “How many deaths are [...]
Cash grants on way for those hardest hit by Covid-19 restrictions
More low income households struggling because of lockdown will soon be able to get hardship support from Work and Income. The prolonged Covid-19 restrictions are hurting poorer households, who tend to have less certainty around their work, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni acknowledges. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government has decided to temporarily lift the income limits for people who need help to pay for essentials. Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the prolonged Covid-19 restrictions are hurting poorer households, who tend to have less certainty around their work. The changes will mean people working 40 hours a week on the minimum wage will be able to get grants to pay for food and other bills. For a single person, that's $800 a week, or $1600 a [...]
Ardern sets Covid-19 target of 90% fully vaccinated to ease restrictions
(Source: Getty) Ardern set a target of 90% fully vaccinated for all DHBs that would then allow the new traffic light system to come into play. The Prime Minister said today: "Where we used to say stay home to save lives, we now need to be vaccinated to save lives." She conceded the Government had been hesitant to set a target but now accepted people wanted certainty. Ardern said Auckland will come out of lockdown and go to the new "red" setting when all three DHBs in the region hit 90%. At the end of Wednesday, 72% of eligible people in Aotearoa had had a single dose of teh Pfizer vaccine and 57% had been double-dosed. In Auckland, 88.6% had one jab and 72.5% were fully vaccinated. Ardern [...]
Donald Trump to launch social media platform called Truth Social
The former president, who remains banned from Facebook and Twitter, has a goal to rival those tech giants Donald Trump announced plans to launch a social media app called Truth Social. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has announced plans to launch a social media platform called TRUTH Social that will rolled be out early next year. The former president, who was banned from Facebookand Twitter earlier this year, says his goal is to rival the tech companies that have denied him the megaphone that was paramount to his rise. “I’m excited to soon begin sharing my thoughts on TRUTH social and to fight back against big tech,” Trump said in a statement. Trump announced the news in a press release on Wednesday, saying the platform will be [...]
Alert level 3 restrictions for parts of Waikato to remain in place
Alert level 3 restrictions will remain in place in parts of Waikato until at least Wednesday 27 October. Alert level 3 restrictions will remain in place in parts of Waikato until at least Wednesday 27 October. A quiet Hamilton street just after parts of the Waikato region moved to alert level 3 following community cases of Covid-19 (file image). Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd In a statement, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said: "Based on the latest public health information, maintaining level 3 in those parts of the Waikato continues to be the most prudent course of action. "Alert level 3 will continue till 11.59pm on Wednesday 27 October and will be reviewed on that day. "I know this will be frustrating for people in these areas. It's [...]
Covid-19 update: 102 community cases in NZ today
The number of new community cases has reached triple figures for the first time, with 102 cases reported today. Photo: 123RF Yesterday there were 60 new community cases, a drop from Tuesday's outbreak record of 94. The Ministry of Health said 56 of those 60 cases were in Auckland and four were in Waikato. Twenty-two of yesterday's cases were yet to be linked to earlier cases, increasing the number of unlinked cases from the past 14 days to 166. There were 43 people in hospital, including five in intensive care.
Sara Duterte firm she’s not running under PDP-Laban—Cusi
PHILIPPINES— Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has been clear that she would not run under the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban), Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Wednesday. Cusi, who leads one faction of the PDP-Laban party, said that while they acknowledge that “anything is possible at this time,” the daughter of President Duterte has been firm on her stance. That is why Duterte-Carpio substituting Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is something they won’t consider . “Because Mayor Inday’s Sara’s statement has been very clear that she will not run under the PDP. If she won’t, how will be substitute that?” Cusi said in an interview on ANC Headstart. Duterte-Carpio has been rumored to substitute Dela Rosa, who was chosen by the party as their standard-bearer in a [...]
US blasts China’s harmful industrial policies in WTO review
The US also criticised China's use of "economic coercion" to pressure smaller nations to act in accordance to Beijing's wishes. Photo:Reuters GENEVA— The US blasted China's trade policy, accusing its closest economic rival of failing to play by the rules of international commerce for two decades. When China joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 20 years ago, nations broadly expected Beijing to dismantle its existing policies and practices that did not comply with the WTO's rulebook, said David Bisbee, the chargé d'affaires at the US mission in Geneva. But "those expectations have not been realised, and "it appears that China has no inclination to change", he said on Wednesday (Oct 20). "Instead, China has used the imprimatur of WTO membership to become the WTO's largest trader, while doubling [...]
New Zealand and UK agree on free trade deal
New Zealand and the United Kingdom have announced they've reached agreement on the terms of a free trade deal, which the Government estimates could be worth $1 billion to the New Zealand economy. (Source: 1 NEWS) New Zealand would be able to send over its wine, honey, onions and hoki without being hit with tariffs imposed by the UK, while the UK can export its gin, chocolate, motorhomes and caravans and some jewellery without being hit by ours. The in-principle deal with Britain would see it eliminate 97 per cent of its tariffs on the day the agreement comes into force, while New Zealand would also remove its limited tariffs on some UK goods. A tariff is a tax imposed by a country on goods being imported in [...]
Auckland hotel to allow only fully vaccinated guests
An Auckland inner city hotel and restaurant operator has decided it will take only guests who are fully vaccinated from November. Photo: 123RF The Hotel Britomart, including its restaurant Kingi, is introducing a vaccine mandate ahead of any government licence to do so. The hotel's owner also operates The Landing, a luxury holiday accommodation in the Bay of Islands, which is also part of the vaccine mandate. Its general manager Clinton Farley said they were taking the position to keep their staff and guests safe. "We've decided to take a stance on mandating vaccines across our entire team," he said. "We're mandating that all our suppliers and contractors and visitors whether they be guests or restaurant patrons also are double dosed and able to provide evidence of that [...]
Health worker MIQ spots a start, but more needs to be done – expert
The government needs to vigorously recruit foreign nurses and pay New Zealand staff to return from overseas, says the Intensive Care Society. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi The government announced yesterday it will guarantee 300 spots a month in managed isolation for people in the health and disability sectors. Those groups of workers, who are urgently needed in this country, currently have to compete for scarce MIQ spaces with other travellers. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society spokesperson Andrew Stapleton told Morning Report while the announcement is welcome it's not enough to resolve workforce shortages. "We don't have many nurses, we don't have many beds compared to everyone else, that's well established." A surge workforce is being trained incase they are needed, he said. He said New [...]
Flooding death toll passes 100 in Nepal and India’s Uttarakhand
More than 100 people have died after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in India's northern state of Uttarakhand and parts of Nepal. Homes were submerged or crushed by rocks swept into them by landslides. Some 50 people, including five from a single family, died in Uttarakhand and a similar number in Nepal, with dozens more missing in both nations. Rains further south in India's Kerala state also triggered deadly floods, leaving another 39 dead there. Six more bodies were recovered on Wednesday in Uttarakhand, taking the death toll in the Himalayan state, a popular tourist spot, to 52. Schools have been closed and religious and tourist activities suspended in the state. The Ganges burst its bank in Rishikesh and the popular Nainital region was severely affected. Uttarakhand, which normally [...]
Australia hits first major COVID-19 vaccine milestone of 70 per cent
Australia has passed its first major vaccination milestone, with over 70 per cent of the country's population aged over 16 being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The milestone means Australia can now move into phase B of the national plan. "It allows us to really consider what else we can be doing to get back to some sort of COVID normal," Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said. LIVE UPDATES: Nation hits 70 per cent fully vaccinated The first dose vaccination rate is currently at 85.5 per cent and continuing to climb. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said just over 16 per cent of Australians aged between 12-15 are now fully vaccinated. Mr Hunt hailed the high level of vaccination in the ACT, which stands at 98.1 per cent. "It [...]
PH reports 3,656 new COVID cases; few deaths, recoveries due to data system issue
People flock to the Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City to purchase Christmas decorations on October 19, 2021 days after the capital region was put under Alert Level 3 which allows for the opening of more business establishments. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News MANILA - The Department of Health on Wednesday announced 3,656 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest daily tally in three months. The number of fresh cases is the lowest since July 13 or when the country reported 3,604 infections, according to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group. Of the total 2,735,369 confirmed cases since the pandemic reached the country, 67,061 or 2.5 percent are active infections, according to the latest DOH bulletin. COVID-related deaths increased by five to 40,977, while 228 more recoveries were recorded, raising its [...]
Beijing demands end to US operations in South China Sea
China’s defence ministry has demanded an end to US military operations in the South China Sea, saying they pose a threat to regional security and increase the risks of collisions and even nuclear leaks in the strategic waterway. Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei also repeated China’s demand for an explanation of what happened to a US nuclear attack submarine which collided with a mystery object in the disputed waters earlier this month, describing Washington’s statement – issued six days after the incident – as “short and unclear”. “This irresponsible and covert approach lacks transparency, and can easily lead to misunderstanding and misjudgment. China and the neighbouring countries in the South China Sea have to question the truth of the incident and the intentions of the United States,” he said on [...]
North Korea says test was new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile
State media report that device launched on Tuesday had ‘lots of advanced control guidance technologies’ Image released by North Korean state media shows the test fire of what is says is a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images North Korea says it has successfully tested a “new type” of submarine-launched ballistic missile, as the nuclear-armed country pursues ever more improved weapons. The device had “lots of advanced control guidance technologies”, the official Korean Central News Agency said on Wednesday, adding that it was launched from the same vessel that the North used in its first submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) tests five years ago. The latter point casts doubt on claims by Pyongyang in 2015 that it had launched a submarine-based missile. Wednesday’s report did not mention [...]
New Zealand pension system drops in world rankings
New Zealand's retirement income system has slipped in world rankings, with calls for reform to close the pension gap for women. File image. Photo: 123RF The annual Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index places New Zealand at 15th, down from 10th place last year. Mercer said the index was a comprehensive study of global pension systems, accounting for almost two-thirds of the world's population. It benchmarked 43 retirement income systems around the world, highlighting shortcomings and suggesting improvements. New Zealand's pension system received a B grade, Mercer said. Mercer senior partner and lead author of the study Dr David Knox said the gender pension gap was not an issue unique to New Zealand. "The principle reason for this is the employment of women - obviously we're talking averages [...]
Isko Moreno: In 1986, it was people, not politicians who united PH
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pres. Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno sought to refresh people’s memories about the 1986 People Power revolution, saying that when the country got united, it was not led by politicians but by the people themselves. Moreno said this on Tuesday, as he was being asked whether there is still a chance for a united coalition between him and Vice President Leni Robredo, considering that they both voiced displeasure with the way the administration is handling things. But Moreno said that unification should come naturally, with the people leading the way. “Eh may kilala akong ganyan, unification, eh unification lang pala ‘yon para sa kanya.Eh ano na ‘yan, let us just [...]
Marcos wins big in Manila Bulletin survey
Former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. FILE PHOTO PHILIPPINES— Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. may end up winning the presidential race next year based on the results of an online survey published by one of the country's leading newspapers. Marcos emerged as the top candidate in the Manila Bulletin's (MB) Facebook online presidential survey conducted from October 15 to 17, beating fellow aspirants Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo. The poll generated over 800,000 reactions from netizens who were asked to vote by using the assigned emoji for their preferred candidates. Marcos won by a landslide. He garnered 655,000 "heart" emojis, followed by Robredo with 216,000 "care" emojis and Domagoso with 33,000 "like" emojis as they ended up as the [...]
Israel detects first case of Covid-19 Delta variant ‘AY4.2’
A healthcare worker takes a swab sample from a traveller at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct 13.PHOTO: REUTERS JERUSALEM — The first case of the new Covid-19 Delta variant "AY4.2" was detected in Israel on Tuesday (Oct 19), the country's Ministry of Health said. This is the variant that was previously detected in several European countries, the ministry noted. It was diagnosed in an 11-year-old boy, who underwent a coronavirus test at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, upon his return from Moldova. The ministry added that the epidemiological investigation is being conducted, and all types of Covid-19 variants and their development are being constantly monitored in the country. Also on Tuesday, the ministry reported 1,487 new Covid-19 cases, [...]
Melbourne welcomes vaccinated Sydney residents without quarantine
FILE PHOTO: A lone woman, wearing a protective face mask, walks across a city centre bridge as the state of Victoria looks to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, July 16, 2021. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders/File Photo SYDNEY— Travel restrictions between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities, eased on Wednesday (Oct 20) as Victoria opened its borders to fully vaccinated residents from New South Wales amid a rapid rise in immunisation levels. With cases trending lower in New South Wales, including Sydney, residents will be allowed quarantine-free entry into Victoria for the first time in more than three months. Travellers from Melbourne who wish to enter Sydney, however, must undergo a two-week home quarantine. Daily infections in Victoria rose to 1,841 on Wednesday, up from [...]
Covid-19 update: 60 new community cases reported today
The number of new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand has dropped from yesterday's record high, with 60 new cases reported today. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas The Ministry of Health said 56 of today's cases were in Auckland and four were in Waikato. Yesterday the ministry reported 94 new community cases, the highest number since the pandemic began. There were also two cases reported at the border today. Twenty-two of today's 60 cases are yet to be linked to earlier cases. There are 166 unlinked cases from the past 14 days. There are 43 people in hospital, including five in intensive care. The number of community cases connected to the current outbreak is now 2158 and there have now been 4854 cases in this country since [...]
Covid-19 briefing: Years 11-13 students to return to class next week, govt confirms
Secondary school students in Years 11-13 who live in alert level 3 areas will be able to return to the classroom on 26 October, Education and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed. Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have held the government's latest briefing on the response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Auckland and Waikato. Watch the Covid-19 update here: There were 60 new community cases today, down from yesterday's record high. Hipkins said the decisions on schools and early learning services in alert level 3 areas were finely-balanced ones. "Exams are racing up for our senior secondary school students in particular and the stresses and strains that learning from home creates become more evident by the day. "We want to get our young people back [...]
PH Gov’t aims to vaccinate 70% of population by February election period
PHILIPPINES— A little over 30% of the country's eligible population are fully-vaccinated, four months before February 2022 The national government aims to vaccinate 70% of the Philippine population before the start of the election period in February, said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday, October 20. "Vaccinate at least 70% of the total population before the election period so meaning before February or the election period, we have already vaccinated more or less 70%," Galvez said in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang. The target is part of government efforts to ensure a safe elections come May 2022, when Filipinos are expected to vote in a new president, vice president, senators, district and party-list representatives, and local government officials. Galvez said the government currently has about [...]
24M Filipinos fully vaccinated against Covid-19: Galvez
MANILA – More than 24 million individuals have so far been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Philippines, the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 said on Tuesday. (File photo) During President Rodrigo Duterte's taped Talk to the People, NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said 24,498,753 Filipinos were fully vaccinated that is around 31.76 percent of the country's eligible population. Galvez said the Philippines has administered 52.7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines nationwide, 28.2 million of which were given as first doses. The government, he said, is targeting to scale up its vaccination rollout to 1.5 million jabs a day to inoculate at least 50 percent of the country’s target population by yearend. He noted [...]
Group of 17 missionaries and family members kidnapped in Haiti
Five children were among group of 16 US citizens and one Canadian abducted by gang members after orphanage visit Police in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The country been struggling with a sharp increase in gang-related kidnappings. Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP A group of 17 missionaries, including five children, have been kidnapped by an armed criminal gang in Haiti. The group – 16 Americans and one Canadian citizen – were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a statement from the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, which supports 9,000 children in Haitian schools and sent out a message asking supporters to pray for its members. The statement said the mission’s field director was working with the US embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man [...]
Over 52M vaccine doses administered in PH
SANITATION. An airport worker disinfects the boxes containing 720,000 doses of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday (Oct. 16, 2021). The Philippines has so far administered 52,157,598 first and second doses. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) MANILA – The Philippines has administered 52,157,598 doses of Covid-19 vaccines as of Sunday. The National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard showed 27,921,074 were given as first doses while 24,236,524 were utilized as second doses. Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, said the government has started to send the bulk of vaccines to areas outside the National Capital Region. "Supply is no longer an issue for our country as of [...]
Japan PM says Fukushima wastewater release can’t be delayed
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. (File photo: AP/Hiro Komae) TOKYO— Japan's new prime minister on Sunday (Oct 17) said the planned mass disposal of wastewater stored at the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant cannot be delayed, despite concerns from local residents. Speaking at his first visit to the facility since taking office, Fumio Kishida said his government would work to reassure residents nearby the plant about the technical safety of the wastewater disposal project. The Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered a triple meltdown in 2011 following a massive earthquake and tsunami. Kishida's brief tour of the facility by its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, focused on the ongoing decommissioning of the plant, and the massive amount of treated but still radioactive water [...]
Household living costs surge 4.9 percent
The Consumer Price Index rose to an annual rate of 4.9 percent in the September quarter Photo credit: GettyImages. Living costs have surged for Kiwi households with the whopping 4.9 percent annual jump in the Consumer Price Index. Released by Statistics New Zealand on Monday, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) uses a set sample of goods and services (e.g. food, housing, health and transport), to measure price changes on a quarterly and annual basis. As a measure of inflation, latest CPI figures reflect high price rises are hitting the back pockets of Kiwi consumers. Annual price inflation (the difference between the September 2020 quarter and the September 2021 quarter), was 4.9 percent. The quarterly change in prices (June 2021 quarter compared to the September 2021 quarter), was 2.2 percent. [...]
NZ commits $1.3 billion to combating climate change
New Zealand has carved off a sizeable chunk of its foreign aid budget towards combating climate change, committing $NZ1.3 billion to support vulnerable communities. The pledge, over four years, is being made in the run-up to November's climate change conference in Glasgow, known as COP26. Half of the commitment will go towards Pacific nations. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who travelled by boat to the tiny Pacific territory of Tokelau in her first term in office, said the funding would "assist lower income countries to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change". "I have seen and heard first-hand the impact of climate change in our region," she said. "We need to continue to step up our support for our Pacific family and neighbours who are on [...]
ACT proposes $250 tax relief for vaccinated Kiwis
ACT wants to give every immunised New Zealander a $250 tax break, which could be redeemed at any time after the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. (Source: 1 NEWS) Using cash incentives to encourage vaccination has been widely debated - with Sir John Key previously suggesting a $25 voucher for under 30s. Overseas, New York City began a US$100 incentive for people receiving their first dose in July, and a study in Sweden found cash incentives helped with a four per cent increase among reluctant participants. ACT leader David Seymour said their policy was named "vax bucks" and would "reward New Zealanders for doing the right thing and following the rules". "If you’ve had the vax and paid your tax, you deserve some relief." He said ACT's [...]
Chinese military condemns US and Canada over warships in Taiwan Strait
Countries ‘colluded to provoke and stir up trouble’ in region that China claims as its territory The Strait of Taiwan. China sent around 150 aircraft into the zone over a four-day period. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images The Chinese military has condemned the United States and Canada for each sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait last week, saying they were threatening peace and stability in the region. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and has mounted repeated air force missions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the past year, provoking anger in Taipei. China sent about 150 aircraft into the zone over a four-day period beginning on 1 October in a further heightening of tension between Beijing and Taipei that has sparked concern [...]
Back to school, but still in lockdown for many
Nearly 400,000 children in Auckland, Northland and Waikato are starting the final school term of the year learning from home today. Photo: 123RF Schools in the three regions are remote learning because they are in alert level 3, though in Northland and Waikato that status was scheduled to change tonight. Auckland principals told RNZ re-engaging children and preparing teenagers for NCEA exams were their priorities for the fourth term. Carmel College principal Chris Allen said her school would start term four with just one student on site. The biggest job ahead was preparing senior students for NCEA exams in November, she said. "There's not many weeks left before the externals start. How do we provide them with the revision exercises. We haven't been able to hold mocks. [...]
Covid-19 update: 41 new community cases reported in NZ today
There are 41 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today as the country tries to push vaccination rates up on Super Saturday. Photo: RNZ // Angus Dreaver There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry said there were also two new cases in managed isolation. It said 20 of the community cases are linked, and 21 remain unlinked with investigations continuing. There are 124 unlinked cases from the past 14 days. One of today's new cases is in Waikato. The ministry said the case is a household member of two existing cases and is already in a quarantine facility in Auckland. There are now 31 people in hospital, all in Auckland, including six in intensive care. There were 65 new cases yesterday. There [...]
Ardern spreads vaccination message at Pasifika event in Porirua
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is urging Kiwis to get vaccinated for Covid-19, kicking off the Super Saturday vaccination push at a Pasifika youth event in Porirua. She thanked community leaders and local youth for their efforts in promoting those around them to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. “There is nothing more important today than making sure we are vaccinating our people for our people to protect our communities," Ardern said. "I want to start by thanking and acknowledging the rangatahi who are here to make sure that their peers, their friends, the community that they share and love are protecting themselves and their whanau." The Pasifika Vax Festival was set up in Cannons Creek by Capital and Coast DHB to help encourage young Pacific people to get the vaccine. [...]
Photos: New Zealanders get vaccinated on Super Saturday
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders are taking advantage of Super Saturday to get a Covid-19 vaccination. People at a Pasifika vaccination event at the Manurewa netball courts (Source: 1 NEWS) Over 500 clinics around the country are open, including on an Air NZ plane in Auckland, and in Dunedin's Octagon. Here are some photos from events. People at a vaccination event in Dunedin's Octagon (Source: 1 NEWS) Ticket at Auckland's SkyTower on Super Saturday (Source: 1 NEWS) People at Air NZ's vaccination event at Auckland Airport (Source: 1 NEWS) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern chats to health staff at a Pasifika vaccination event on Super Saturday. (Source: 1 NEWS)
Victoria 1993 new cases, 7 deaths; NSW 319 cases, 2 deaths
Victoria has recorded 1993 Covid-19 cases and seven deaths. The new infections were detected from 79,214 test results and bring the total number of active cases in the state to 21,647. An ambulance being cleaned at Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne. (File photo). Photo: AFP This weekend may be the last Melburnians spend in lockdown, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming last week that restrictions would be eased when 70 percent of Victorians aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated The state is on track to meet that milestone this week. The latest data shows 87.6 percent of people in that group have received at least one vaccine dose, and 63.8 percent have been fully vaccinated. Under the roadmap laid out by the state government, when the 70 percent [...]
MP David Amess dies after being stabbed at constituency meeting
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Conservative MP attacked during regular surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex UK- The Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed several times during a surgery at his constituency in Essex, police have said. Amess, 69, an MP since 1983 who had represented Southend West in Essex since 1997, was attacked at a church in Leigh-on-Sea. He is the second MP to be killed in just over five years, after the murder of Jo Cox. Essex police said a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers were called to the scene at about 12.05pm on Friday, the force said, to reports that Amess had been stabbed, confirming he was the victim. A statement said: “Despite the best [...]
US to lift travel ban for fully jabbed on 8 November
GETTY IMAGES The US has said that it will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from 33 countries on 8 November. Under new rules announced by the White House, vaccinated people who have had a negative test in the 72 hours before travelling will be allowed to enter. The move marks the end of the tough restrictions that have been imposed on travellers since early last year. "This policy is guided by public health, stringent and consistent," a White House spokesman said. The new rules will apply to Schengen countries - a group of 26 European nations - as well as the UK, Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, and South Africa. The current rules bar entry to most non-US citizens who have been in the UK, China, [...]
NSW home and hotel quarantine to end for vaccinated residents and tourists
NSW residents and even tourists flying in from overseas will no longer have to enter any form of quarantine in a massive shake-up for travellers. Say goodbye to hotel and even home quarantine, with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet saying the mandatory measure for vaccinated travellers will be a “thing of the past”. Speaking to media on Friday, Perrottet announced that returning vaccinated Australians will be able to fly into the state from overseas on November 1, and providing they have a negative PCR test, enter society freely. “From November 1, those people returning to Australia … and those who want to come back, who want to visit Australia and come to Sydney, hotel quarantine will be a thing of the past,” he explained. Premier Dominic Perrottet has reopened the [...]
Covid-19 update: 65 new community cases in NZ today
There are 65 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi There was no media conference today. In a statement, the ministry said 34 of these cases are linked, 10 are household contacts, and 31 remain unlinked with investigations continuing. There have been 107 unlinked cases in the past 14 days. There was also one new case in managed isolation. There were 71 new cases in the community yesterday. Thirty-four people are in hospital, with six in intensive care. There have now been 1855 cases in the current community outbreak and 4538 since the pandemic began. The ministry said 68,003 vaccine doses were given yesterday, including 15,121 first doses and 52,882 second doses. No new cases were reported in Waikato today, although [...]
US, Greece expand defence ties amid Mediterranean tensions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias shake hands after signing the renewal of the US-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement at the State Department in Washington, DC, on Oct 14, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP) WASHINGTON- Greece on Thursday (Oct 14) expanded a defence agreement with the United States days after ratifying a separate deal with France in a tacit signal to Turkey following high tensions. The agreement signed in Washington marks a deepening of US relations with a longstanding European ally, despite a growing focus by President Joe Biden's administration on Asia. Greece and the United States signed a five-year extension of the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement, which has been renewed each year since 1990, with an understanding it will remain in force [...]
Children’s vaccination begins; regional rollout eyed within Oct.
National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and United States Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) MANILA – Vaccination of minors age 15 to 17 begins Friday, with the initial rollout for provinces targeted before the month ends. National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday night said the Department of Health has conducted a simulation after inspecting the eight initial Metro Manila hospitals selected for the pilot. "We are ready. We've given 1,700 Pfizer (doses) to each vaccination site and in fact, there are many hospitals and local government units who are asking also for the pilot," he told reporters upon the arrival of some 862,290 [...]
Six dead as Beirut gripped by worst street violence in 13 years
Armed clashes erupt at demonstrations demanding end to judge’s investigation of huge blast last year Gunfire and violence in Beirut as tensions erupt over blast investigation – video At least six people have died in Beirut’s worst street violence in 13 years, as hundreds of armed militia men took to the streets and much of the city was forced into lockdown by heavy fighting. The bloody violence took on a sectarian tone that invoked images of the Lebanese civil war and alarmed residents who had long feared that the multiple crises ravaging the country could spark a deadly conflagration. The trigger for the clashes in neighbourhoods near the justice courts, which left dozens more injured, was a protest by members of Amal and Hezbollah, two predominantly Shia political [...]
Vaccinated NZers overseas demand access to home isolation
Home isolation for low-risk positive Covid-19 cases could become available as early as next week, as high case numbers threaten to overwhelm the country's managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities. Photo: 123RF A question this raises is: why let Covid-positive people self-isolate at home when fully vaccinated and tested New Zealanders who are stranded overseas due to the lack of MIQ spots cannot? Yesterday there were 71 new cases of Covid-19 reported yesterday, all of them in Auckland. So what do the public think about home isolation as an option? In Takapuna, one woman said it was a good idea, given the government put in place strict protocols. "I guess the devil is in the detail and it depends on the technology that's going to be used and [...]
NZ ranked 9th in net zero emission readiness index
New Zealand has cracked the top 10 in a new index looking at net zero emission readiness, but it is ranked below some of the most heavily industrialised countries in the world. Photo: 123RF The Net Zero Readiness Index from business advisory firm KPMG, looked at 32 countries from developed and emerging economies. Sector readiness covered the five highest emitting sectors: electricity and heat, transport, buildings and industry and agriculture. New Zealand is ranked 9th, behind countries including France, Germany Japan and the leader Norway. KPMG executive chair Matt Prichard said the 9th placing was partly down to the strength of the other countries. "We've come off less well in the survey in terms of our capacity and our capability. Most of the countries that are ranked ahead [...]
Covid-19: Ashley Bloomfield says shorter home isolation periods likely for vaccinated
Those who contract Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated are likely to require shorter periods in isolation, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says. ‘Vaccinating furiously' continues to be an important part of New Zealand's Covid-19 response, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says. Photo: 2021 Getty Images Bloomfield told Morning Report that vaccinated people appeared to be infectious for a shorter period of time. "They're less likely to pass on the virus and if they are infectious, they are infectious for a shorter period so therefore, especially if they're asymptomatic ... they would only require a shorter period at home." By contrast, those who are unvaccinated - even if they didn't have symptoms - were more likely to pass on the virus, Bloomfield said. "So they would [...]
UN starts vaccinating people against Ebola in Congo
The WHO said officials have begun vaccinating people in eastern Congo against Ebola, after it was confirmed last week that the disease killed a toddler. Photo / AP Photo / Jerome Delay, file The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that officials have begun vaccinating people in eastern Congo against Ebola, after it was confirmed last week that the disease killed a toddler. The UN health agency said in a statement that people at high risk of catching the disease, including the young boy's family members and health workers, would receive first doses of the vaccine made by Merck. WHO said about a thousand doses of the vaccine arrived in Goma, the capital of Congo's North Kivu province, and 200 doses were sent to Beni, a city near [...]
China set to send 3 astronauts on longest crewed mission yet
The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft is transported to the launching area at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China's northwestern Gansu province. (Photo: AFP) BEIJING- China is preparing to send three astronauts to live on its space station for six months - a new milestone for a programme that has advanced rapidly in recent years. It will be China's longest-ever crewed space mission and set a record for the most time spent in space by Chinese astronauts. The Shenzhou-13 spaceship is expected to be launched into space on a Long March-2F rocket early Saturday (Oct 16) morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The first crew who served a 90-day mission aboard the main Tianhe core module of the space station returned [...]
New Zealand modelling shows Covid cases could peak at 5,300 a week in Auckland next year
Plans for how health system would deal with surge revealed as country records 71 new cases New Zealand modellers predict Auckland and the neighbouring Northland region could face 5,300 Covid cases a week in 2022 even with a vaccination rate of 90%. Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock New Zealand is preparing to face up to 5,300 cases of Covid-19 a week in Auckland and the neighbouring region of Northland alone next year, even with a vaccination rate of 90%, according to modelling from the Ministry of Health. The minister of health, Andrew Little revealed the plan for how the health system could manage a surge in cases after the current vaccination drive, as the country recorded 71 new cases on Thursday. It includes upping intensive care (ICU) beds, preparing to [...]
Norway bow and arrow attack: suspect showed signs of radicalisation, say police
Danish man, who is in custody in connection with deaths of five people, is Muslim convert A forensic expert at the scene of the attack in Kongsberg, south-eastern Norway. Photograph: Terje Bendiksby/NTB/AFP/Getty A Danish man suspected of killing five people and injuring two more in a bow-and-arrow attack in Norway is a Muslim convert with previous criminal convictions who had been flagged as a possible Islamic extremist, police have said. “We’re talking about a convert to Islam,” Norwegian police chief Ole Bredrup Sæverud said. There were “previously fears linked to his radicalisation” but establishing motive would be “complicated … and will take time”, he said. Five people, four women and one man, aged between 50 and 70 were killed, and two others, including an off-duty police officer, seriously [...]
Covid-19: Calls for Auckland DHBs to get tough on employees who refuse vaccination
Auckland's district health boards (DHBs) must take a harder line to ensure all staff are vaccinated, an expert in public health says. File image. Photo: 2021 Getty Images Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Monday that high-risk workers in the healthcare sector would need to be fully vaccinated by 1 December and would need to have received their first dose by October 30. It includes general practitioners, community health nurses, midwives, paramedics, and all healthcare workers in sites where vulnerable patients are treated, including intensive care units. Data released by DHBs on Wednesday shows Counties Manukau has the lowest level of staff vaccination in the Auckland region, with 92 per cent of employees fully vaccinated, and 95 percent having had one jab. That compares to 94.3 percent [...]
French study of over 22m people finds vaccines cut severe Covid risk by 90%
Largest study of its kind also finds vaccines appear to protect against worst effects of Delta variant Researchers compared 11m vaccinated over-50s with the same number of unvaccinated from the same age group between 27 December 2020 and 20 July. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Vaccination reduces the risk of dying or being hospitalised with Covid-19 by 90%, a French study of 22.6 million people over the age of 50 has found. The research published on Monday also found that vaccines appear to protect against the worst effects of the most prevalent virus strain, the Delta variant. “This means that those who are vaccinated are nine times less at risk of being hospitalised or dying from Covid-19 than those who have not been vaccinated,” the epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik, who oversaw [...]
NZ’s major cities moderately vulnerable to property downturn – study
The country's major cities are moderately vulnerable to a property downturn, according to a new study. Among the main centres Auckland was seen the most vulnerable to a property downturn. Photo: 123RF Property research firm CoreLogic has used property, credit, and economic data to assess how regions might be hit by a market or economic downturn. The Property Vulnerability Index showed many of the country's most vulnerable markets are smaller centres located in the central North Island, while the upper South Island and Canterbury regions look less vulnerable than most of the rest of the country. "It's also important to note the areas expected to underperform may not necessarily see values fall; but in relative terms they face the greatest economic risks which makes them more vulnerable to [...]
Covid-19: 43 new cases in the community today
There are 43 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Photo: 123rf Figures supplied by the Ministry of Health show 40 of those are in Auckland and three in Waikato. There are three new cases at the border including one historical case. All three of the Waikato cases were known contact and were already in isolation Of today's new community cases, 24 are epidemiologically linked and 19 are yet to be linked - interviews are ongoing to determine links. There are 74 unlinked cases from the past 14 days. In addition, there are 16 epidemiologically linked subclusters. Of these, five are active, one is contained and 10 are dormant. There are also 14 unlinked subclusters. Of these, five are active, zero are contained and nine are dormant. [...]
Māori-led vaccination drive reaches 80 percent of Te Whānau ā Apanui’s population
More than 80 percent of the Te Whānau ā Apanui area population has been vaccinated due to the proactive efforts of a rural general practice in Te Kaha. So far 87.7 percent of people in Te Whānau ā Apanui area have had their first vaccination and 80 percent have been fully vaccinated since they started administering vaccinations on 11 May (File photo). Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin The area consists of the iwi boundaries which encompass from Pōtaka to Hawai on the East Coast. Te Kaha Medical Centre GP Rachel Thomson said, according to their data, there were 1432 eligible to get vaccinated. So far 87.7 percent have had their first vaccination and 80 percent have been fully vaccinated since they started administering vaccinations on 11 May. [...]
Covid-19: 35 new community cases in NZ today as alert level decision looms
There are 35 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today as Cabinet is set to review the alert level settings this afternoon. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas In a statement, the Ministry of Health said all of today's new cases are in the Auckland region. Of the new cases, 14 have known links to existing cases (including four household contacts) and 21 remain under investigation, the ministry said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed the positive case identified in Katikati in Bay of Plenty at the weekend has been retested and the result has come back negative. Cabinet will decide at 4pm today whether to change alert levels. Critical decisions for Auckland today include whether schools go back when term 4 starts next week. Last week [...]
‘Long 100 days’: Sydney reopens as Australia looks to live with COVID-19
People eat lunch on a park bench while surrounded by ibises as a view of the Sydney Opera House is seen in Sydney on Oct 10, 2021, a day before the expected easing of coronavirus restrictions. (Photo: Steven Saphore/AFP) SYDNEY- Sydney's cafes, gyms and restaurants welcomed back fully vaccinated customers on Monday (Oct 11) after nearly four months of lockdown as Australia aims to begin living with COVID-19 through higher vaccinations and to gradually reopen the country. Some pubs in Sydney, Australia's largest city, opened their doors at 12.01am local time on Monday as friends and families huddled for a midnight beer, television footage and social media images showed. "I think everybody across the state is pretty excited for what has been a long 100 days," New South Wales state [...]
Czech president in hospital after shock election defeat for PM
Fears of a political crisis as Miloš Zeman, an ally of Andrej Babiš, is admitted to intensive care unit It is unlikely that the Czech president, Miloš Zeman, will be able carry out his customary post-election role while in ICU. Photograph: Koca Sulejmanović/EPA The Czech Republic is facing political upheaval and a possible power vacuum after its billionaire prime minister, Andrej Babiš, suffered a surprise general election defeat and then saw his most powerful backer and sole potential saviour, the country’s president, Miloš Zeman, taken to hospital, apparently gravely ill. In a stunning upset that confounded pollsters’ forecasts, Babiš’ populist Action for Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO) 2011 party finished second in this weekend’s popular vote behind the centre-right Spolu (Together) alliance, which previously vowed not to form a government with [...]
New Zealand signs deal to purchase new Covid-19 treatment
New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to secure a deal for the new Covid-19 treatment molnupiravir. Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral treatment for Covid to report clinical trial results. Photo: Merck Pharmac and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the agreement this morning. Pharmac said the oral antiviral drug would be used to treat New Zealanders with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms. The agreement with supplier Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) is subject to the drug being approved by Medsafe. An initial supply of 60,000 courses will be sent to New Zealand after Medsafe approves the drug, Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt said in a statement. "MSD recently announced trial results showing that molnupiravir considerably reduced hospitalisations and deaths from Covid-19. While these [...]
Singapore to extend vaccinated travel lane scheme to eight more countries, including US, UK, Spain
SINGAPORE- Singapore is extending its vaccinated travel lane scheme to eight more countries, allowing those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Singapore without having to serve quarantine. From Oct 19, fully vaccinated travellers from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States will be able to enter Singapore under this arrangement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on Saturday (Oct 9). This expansion is being conducted in a "cautious and step-by-step manner" to help "reclaim and rebuild" Singapore's status as an international aviation hub with global connectivity, said CAAS. The latest announcement comes after the "experience and confidence gained" from the first two vaccinated travel lanes with Brunei and Germany, which were launched last month, it added. It also comes a day [...]
Victoria records 1890 new COVID-19 cases, five deaths
AUSTRALIA- Victoria has recorded 1890 new COVID-19 cases and five further deaths after Saturday set yet another national daily record. A further 39,861 vaccines have been administered and 74,105 tests were conducted. There are warnings daily infection rates could hit keep rising, after 1965 were recorded yesterday. There are fears Victoria's daily case numbers could continue to rise. (Jason South) But Victoria still plans to push ahead and re-open at 70 per cent double vaccination rates, in accordance with the national plan. Already changes have been made to the state's lockdown rules, with Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson confirming that secondary close contacts will not need to isolate. While it has been the policy in Melbourne for some time, it will now be extended to all of Victoria. [...]
Covid-19 update: 60 new community cases reported in NZ today
The Ministry of Health has announced 60 new community cases of Covid-19 today - 56 in Auckland, three in Waikato and the one in Bay of Plenty announced last night. Photo: 123rf There have been no cases reported in Northland There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said 41 of today's new cases have been linked to earlier cases. Yesterday, the Ministry reported 34 new community cases, including three in Waikato. None were in Northland. Later in the evening they announced another person had tested positive in Auckland, and had been crossing the border to travel to Katikati in the Bay of Plenty. The person was following rules allowing them to travel to move house, and had been tested regularly. Residents of Katikati [...]
China denounces ‘insane’ former Australian PM Abbott for Taiwan remarks
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks next to Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during their meeting in Taipei, Taiwan October 7, 2021. Central News Agency/Pool via REUTERS TAIPEI- China's embassy in Australia said on Saturday (Oct 9) that former prime minister Tony Abbott was a "pitiful" politician after he denounced Chinese pressure against Taiwan during a visit to the island. Abbott visited Taiwan, which is claimed by China, in a personal capacity this week. He met President Tsai Ing-wen and condemned China for its aggressive actions, aimed not only at his country but also Taiwan. "Its relative power might have peaked with its population ageing, its economy slowing and its finances creaking. It is quite possible that Beijing could lash out disastrously quite soon," he said at a security [...]
Man stabbed four times on Flaxmere street
Hawke's Bay police are investigating an assault in Flaxmere where a man received stab wounds to his back and neck. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin Police received a report just before 5.20am yesterday that a man had been assaulted as he walked along Chatham Road near Chatham Park. The victim received four small stab wounds as a result - three to his back and one to his neck. He remains in hospital in a stable condition. Police want to speak to anyone who was in the Chatham Road area, particularly between Margate Avenue and Omahu Road, early yesterday morning and may have information that could assist. The offender is described as a skinny male in his early twenties, approximately 182cm tall, with short hair and wearing a light-coloured [...]
Sara Duterte tests positive for COVID-19
PHILIPPINES- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has tested positive for COVID-19, according to her office on Saturday. Her office said she has mild symptoms and is currently in an isolation center with her other family members who needed medical attention. “The family requests for complete privacy at this time and respectfully urge the public to refrain from sending tokens for well wishes,” the Davao City mayor’s office wrote in a Facebook post. Duterte’s office also advised those who came in close contact with the mayor in the last 14 days to self-monitor for symptoms and take an RT-PCR test five to seven days “from your contact with her.” Duterte, who rejected calls for her to run for president next year, is seeking a third term as mayor. — VBL, GMA [...]
Trump holds Iowa rally as poll in early voting state shows strong support
Former president stays quiet on possible 2024 White House run Trump at a pre-election rally in Dubuque, Iowa in November last year. A Des Moines Register poll showed 53% of Iowans view Trump favourably. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump returned to Iowa on Saturday for a campaign-style rally, on the heels of a poll showing strong support in the state which traditionally kicks off presidential elections. Trump has not announced a second run for the White House. Instead, he has maintained control of his party by repeating lies about electoral fraud in his defeat by Joe Biden; attempting to block a congressional investigation of the deadly Capitol attack by supporters seeking overturn that defeat; fundraising strongly; and bragging about how he would defeat potential rivals including the [...]
Sebastian Kurz: Austrian leader resigns amid corruption inquiry
EPA / Sebastian Kurz said he would fight the charges against him Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has stepped down, after pressure triggered by a corruption scandal. He has proposed Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as his replacement. Mr Kurz and nine others were placed under investigation after raids at a number of locations linked to his conservative ÖVP People's Party. He denies claims he used government money to ensure positive coverage in a tabloid newspaper. The allegations this week took his coalition government to the brink of collapse after its junior partner, the Greens, said Mr Kurz was no longer fit to be chancellor. The Greens began talks with opposition parties, who were threatening to bring a vote of no confidence against the chancellor next week. Greens leader and Vice [...]
Priti Patel’s fury as Johnson blocks public sexual harassment law
Home Office fears PM views aggressive targeting of women and girls as ‘mere wolf whistling’ amid moves to create specific offence A demonstration outside Scotland Yard in London on Thursday highlighting the issue of violence against women. Sources say the PM underestimates public anger. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/Getty Images Boris Johnson has infuriated the home secretary by overruling attempts to make public sexual harassment a crime. This has prompted concern at the Home Office that the prime minister views the issue as mere “wolf whistling”, rather than the aggressive targeting of women and girls going about their daily lives. Sources say tensions have emerged between Johnson and Priti Patel, and other senior Home Office figures, after he blocked plans to make public sexual harassment a specific offence. Patel’s consultation on [...]
Covid-19 Delta outbreak: New locations of interest – Katikati Op shops and hardware store
Katikati secondhand shops, a bottle store, Tauranga dairy and Ngatea service station are some of the latest locations of interest visited by a person who had Covid-19. The person, who had just moved to the small Bay of Plenty town from Pukekohe, was fully vaccinated and had tested negative for the virus five times before making the move south. Two train rides between Middlemore and Papakura have also been listed on the Ministry's website. The latest locations are: Seoul Trading House Dairy Grafton, Tuesday October 5 between 9.25 and 9.35am, Wednesday October 6 between 9.25and 9.35am and Thursday October 7 between 9.25and 9.35am. • Katikati Antiques and Interiors Katikati, Thursday October 7 between 10.45am and 12.15pm, • Mural Town Traders Ltd Katikati, Thursday October 7, between 10.55am and 12.20pm, [...]
South Auckland train stations move closer to construction
Three more train stations in South Auckland are moving closer to construction. New stations are being planned for Drury Central, Paerata and Drury West (file picture). Photo: RNZ / Gill Bonnett Under the Covid-19 recovery fast tracking law, KiwiRail is seeking planning approval for new stations at Drury Central and Paerata. Its chief operating officer for capital projects David Gordon said in a statement that the stations would provide better access to public transport for the fast growing area. He said additional work is being done to finalise details for the third station at Drury West, with planning approvals to be processed under the Resource Management Act. Subject to approval by a fast-track consenting panel, construction on the first two stations is expected to begin in 2023. "With [...]
NRL: NZ Warriors release troublesome prop Kane Evans from final year of contract
Prop Kane Evans and NZ Warriors have officially parted ways. The NRL club has announced it had released the Australian forward from the final year of his contract, allowing him to pursue a deal in the UK Super League. Evans, 29, was signed from Parramatta Eels on a two-year deal, but struggled to work his way into the rotation, with onfield indiscretions ultimately overshadowing any impact he had as a player for the Warriors. Last season, he gained notoriety during the Warriors' fiery clash with Cronulla Sharks, where he was sin-binned twice, after retaliating to Sharks centre Will Chambers’ provocations, including a blatant punch. Two rounds earlier, Evans was fined $5000 by the NRL for an expletive comment written on his wrist, as he sat on the bench as [...]
New strain of Delta detected in NSW as state records 646 new local COVID-19 cases
A new strain of Delta has been detected in New South Wales - but at this stage there is no indication it is any more transmissible or severe than existing strains. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant announced today that eight people had a COVID-19 strain that does not match the current variant currently circulating in Sydney. Seven of those cases are within the same household. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said a new strain had been detected. (Jessica Hromas) "There's no indication that this new strain presents any differences regarding transmission or vaccine effectiveness or severity," Dr Chant said. "We're undertaking some investigations into the source and how the transmission occurred. "We'll update you again when the information is available." The state has recorded 646 new local [...]
Secret group of US military trainers has been in Taiwan for at least a year
Small contingent of US special forces and marines training local forces in latest sign of rising US-China tensions Taiwan special forces personnel walk behind an armoured personnel carrier during an annual military drill in Taichung, central Taiwan, in 2017. Photograph: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images The US has been secretly maintaining a small contingent of military trainers in Taiwan for at least a year, according to a new report, the latest sign of the rising stakes in US-China rivalry. About two dozen US special forces soldiers and an unspecified number of marines are now training Taiwanese forces, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The trainers were first sent to Taiwan by the Trump administration but their presence had not been reported until now. US troops have not been permanently based [...]
World food prices hit 10-year peak
PARIS— World food prices rose for a second consecutive month in September to reach a 10-year peak, driven by gains for cereals and vegetable oils, the United Nations (UN) food agency said yesterday. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also projected record global cereal production this year, but it said this would be outpaced by forecast consumption. FAO's food price index, which tracks prices of the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 130 points last month, the highest since September 2011, according to the agency's data. The figure compared with a revised 128.5 for August. The August figure was previously given as 127.4. On a year-on-year basis, prices were up 32.8 per cent in September. Agricultural commodity prices have risen steeply in the past year, fuelled by harvest [...]
9 things you need to know about Merck’s new Covid-19 treatment pill
The pills are meant for people who are sick with Covid-19 but are not in the hospital.PHOTO: NYTIMESNEW YORK (NYTIMES) American pharmaceutical firm Merck has announced that its new pill to treat Covid-19 reduced the risk of hospitalisation and death by about 50 per cent. Merck plans to seek emergency authorisation for the antiviral pills to be used in the United States. Here's what you need to know. 1. Who will get the pills? The pills are meant for people who are sick with Covid-19 but are not in the hospital. Merck's phase three clinical trial enrolled only unvaccinated people who were considered high risk, such as older people or those with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Initially, the drug might be available only for [...]
Covid-19 update: 44 new cases in the community today
There have been 44 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the community today, including three in Waikato, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement the ministry said 12 of the new cases are yet to be linked to earlier cases. Yesterday, there were 29 new cases in the community. Five of those were in Waikato. There have now been 25 cases in Waikato in the current outbreak.
Abdulrazak Gurnah wins the 2021 Nobel prize in literature
Zanzibari novelist becomes first black African writer in 35 years to win prestigious award ‘The theme of the refugee’s disruption run throughout his work’ … Abdulrazak Gurnah. Photograph: Simone Padovani/Awakening/Getty Images The Nobel prize in literature has been awarded to the novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah, for his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents”. Gurnah grew up on one of the islands of Zanzibar before fleeing persecution and arriving in England as a student in the 1960s. He has published 10 novels as well as a number of short stories. Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel committee, said that the Gurnah’s novels – from his debut Memory of Departure, about a failed uprising, to [...]
Covid 19 Delta outbreak: If cases continue to rise, pandemic ‘could be as deadly as Spanish flu pandemic’ – researcher
A leading Māori health researcher says there is now a real risk that the spread of Covid within the Māori community could have devastating consequences if many continue to stay unvaccinated. And if more positive cases start to show up around the country - particularly in places with a high population of Māori - the situation could be as bad as the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918, he said. Dr Rawiri Taonui said evidence showed that the Delta strain of the virus had spread at a much higher rate among Māori after Auckland dropped to alert level 3 just over two weeks ago. Speaking to TVNZ's Breakfast programme this morning, he said: "It's spreading into the marginalised periphery of the Māori community - and that's happened during the second [...]
Shortage of NZ wine in the UK amid low grape yields, strong demand
The UK is being hit by a shortage of New Zealand wine as exporters struggle with low grape volumes and strong demand. Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens said the industry did see the issue coming following two seasons of low grape yields coupled with shipping and labour problems. Photo: Corina Rainer / Unsplash The UK is New Zealand's second largest export market for wine, but according to a report by the British newspaper The Independent some of the country's favourite brands of sauvignon blanc could disappear from shelves in the run up to Christmas. Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens said it was a frustrating situation, but one the industry did see coming following two seasons of low grape yields, coupled with shipping and labour problems. [...]
Vaccine certificates: Uncertainty over enforcement, extent of essential services
Businesses are asking the government for more clarity on how they will be affected by the rollout of a vaccine certificate for domestic use. Some cafes and restaurants have already stated publicly they do not want to ban unvaccinated customers or staff. Photo: 123rf From November, the public will be able to download or print their vaccine certificate containing a QR code. The government has confirmed they will be required at large, high-risk events like festivals, while they won't be needed to access essential services. Cabinet is working to determine how widely they will be used and more information will be made available in a few weeks. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were there are other critical aspects the government still needs to iron out the [...]
Kāwhia case confirmed by mayor
TOM LEE/STUFF Kāwhia is a small town on the Waikato west coast, south of Raglan. A person has tested positive for Covid-19 in the township of Kāwhia, south of Raglan - where recent community cases have been confirmed. Ōtorohanga district Mayor Max Baxter confirmed the Kāwhia news, telling Stuffhe was alerted to the positive cast on Wednesday. “I got the call from my chief executive, who got the call from the Defence Force.” He said he expected more testing stations to be set up – and that the case might prompt a turnaround for the region’s low vaccination rates. “There has been [low take-up] and that’s really, really disappointing. If there’s a positive, it’s going to open people’s eyes.” He said that while he understood while some people [...]
National Party leader Judith Collins criticises vaccine certificates and mandates
New Zealand's vaccine certificates are coming but they're "far too late", National Party leader Judith Collins says. National Party leader Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Cabinet had agreed to the use of vaccine certificates in Aotearoa, and they were likely to be a digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code. Today, National Party leader Judith Collins told Morning Reportthe government should have been working on vaccine certificates a long time ago. "The UK had one since May, the EU since June and now it appears from the roll out that we saw yesterday ... that we now have IT people at the Ministry of Health working on one. "It's just far too late." Covid-19 response Minister Chris Hipkins told [...]
US still committed to Iran diplomacy but has options if it fails: Biden aide
A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria, on Jul 14, 2015. (Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria) WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden's national security adviser told his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday (Oct 5) that diplomacy is the best way to rein in Iran's nuclear program even as he reaffirmed Biden's warning to Tehran that Washington could turn to other options if negotiations fail. Biden senior aide Jake Sullivan hosted Israeli national security adviser Eyal Hulata for talks which, according to a US official, gave the two allies a chance to share intelligence and develop a "baseline assessment" of how far Tehran's nuclear program has advanced. Under a 2015 deal, Iran curbed its uranium enrichment program, a possible pathway to [...]
Biden says Republican stonewalling on debt ceiling risks U.S. default
WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden said on Monday the federal government could breach its $28.4 trillion debt limit in a historic default unless Republicans join Democrats in voting to raise it in the two next weeks. Senate Republicans, led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have twice in recent weeks blocked action to raise the debt ceiling, saying they do want action but will not help by voting for the move. Republicans say Democrats can use a parliamentary maneuver known as budget reconciliation to act alone. Top Democrats have rejected that approach. "Raising the debt limit comes down to paying what we already owe ... not anything new," Biden said at a White House news conference. Asked if he could guarantee the United States won't breach the debt limit, the president [...]
Bali airport to reopen to travellers from some countries on Oct 14: Indonesian coordinating minister
A traveller walks through the nearly empty international arrivals terminal of Gusti Ngurah Rai airport amid the spread of COVID-19 in Bali on Apr 1, 2020. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo JAKARTA— Indonesia will reopen Bali's airport to some international travellers on Oct 14, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan on Monday (Oct 4). Speaking at a virtual press conference, Mr Pandjaitan said that the airport on the popular tourist island will be open for travellers from some countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. “Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport will be opened internationally on Oct 14, 2021, as long as it fulfils the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the (COVID-19) task force. "Every international arrival passenger must [...]
SG Parliament passes Bill to deal with foreign interference after 10-hour debate
A screenshot of Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam speaking during a debate on the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill in Parliament on Monday (Oct 4). SINGAPORE: Legislation designed to counter foreign interference was passed in Parliament on Monday (Oct 4), with a majority of 75 to 11. The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill (FICA), tabled in Parliament three weeks ago, seeks to prevent, detect and disrupt the use of hostile information campaigns and local proxies by foreign entities intending to interfere in domestic politics. All People’s Action Party (PAP) MPs present voted for the Bill, as did four Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs), while 10 Workers’ Party (WP) MPs and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leong Mun Wai from Progress Singapore Party (PSP) voted against it. Two NMPs abstained. The Bill [...]
NZ govt urged to ban seabed mining for Pacific’s sake
A New Zealand Supreme Court ruling against seabed mining has been described as important for the Pacific region. After a long legal process the Supreme Court has ruled against a bid by Trans Tasman Resources to mine the South Taranakiseabed. The ruling was welcomed by Te Paati Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer of Ngāti Ruanui iwi in South Taranaki, who led legal challenges against the bid. A map showing the area covered by the South Taranaki Bight Project. Photo: Trans-Tasman Resources Ngarewa-Packer is wary about seabed mining companies courting Pacific islands governments with promises of money and claims that seabed minerals will help the fight against climate change. "This isn't about the planet and this isn't about people, and I think if there's anything that a pandemic environment has [...]
Watch: PM Jacinda Ardern gives briefing on Covid-19 vaccine certificate
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is giving an update on the Covid-19 vaccine certificate planned for New Zealand. Watch here from about 1pm: New Zealand's "vaccine passport" is likely to be a digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code. However, the certificates could be misused because there is no identification needed for the proposed system and people did not have to provide ID when getting their inoculation. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said venues could ask for ID alongside a vaccine passport to mitigate the risk. Ministry of Health officials Shayne Hunter (Deputy Director-General Data and Digital) and Michael Dreyer (General Manager, National Digital Services) will also outline how the certificate will work. This morning, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said mandating vaccinations was doubtful, but vaccine certificates were [...]
Shares in China property giant Evergrande suspended pending ‘major transaction’
Trading halt sends markets Asian stocks falling amid speculation debt-laden group will sell off property management arm The China Evergrande Centre building sign in Hong Kong, where shares in the debt-laden company have been suspended. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Trading in shares of debt-laden China Evergrande was suspended by the Hong Kong exchange on Monday after the enormous Chinese developer missed a key bond interest payment last week, its second offshore debt obligation in a week. Evergrande, which has $305bn (£225bn) of debts, said trade was suspended “pending the release by the company of an announcement containing inside information about a major transaction”, sparking speculation it could sell its profitable property management unit. Global Times, the Chinese state newspaper, reported that rival property company Hopson Development plans to buy [...]
Fumio Kishida becomes Japan’s prime minister
Applause in Japan's Lower House of Parliament after Fumio Kishida was chosen as the new prime minister on Oct 4, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TOKYO— Japan's parliament on Monday (Oct 4) voted Fumio Kishida the country's next prime minister, as public broadcaster NHK said he was set to dissolve the body next week and call an election for Oct 31. He is also expected to announce a Cabinet including both holdovers and fresh faces. The soft-spoken scion of a Hiroshima political family, Kishida beat popular vaccine chief Taro Kono to win the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last week. He easily won a vote on Monday in parliament's lower house, where the LDP's ruling coalition holds a commanding majority, taking 311 votes to the 124 for opposition [...]
Covid-19: What Aucklanders can and can’t do outside in new-look alert level 3
With Auckland entering its eighth week of lockdown, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's newly-announced three-step plan to move down alert levels is likely to be a pressure release. Speaking at Monday’s 4pm post-Cabinet press conference, Ardern announced a plan to reduce lockdown restrictions, which will allow people a few more freedoms in New Zealand’s largest city. Step one of the plan comes into effect from 11.59pm on Tuesday, October 5. Not everything is clear about what people can do, but the outlines will see people once again able to mix and see friends – albeit always outside. To help clear some things up here is a list of some of the things Aucklanders can and can’t do under step one of the three-step plan: How big a gathering can I [...]
Auckland to remain in alert level 3, some restrictions ease
From midnight tomorrow, Tāmaki Makaurau will remain in alert level 3 but Aucklanders will have some restrictions eased. Photo: POOL / NZME The prime minister has set out a three-stage roadmap to easing restrictions and has outlined what will change from 11.59pm tomorrow. The Director-General of Health says restrictions will ease in the region over four to eight weeks. "I'm sure like everybody, particularly in Auckland, we're looking forward to a summer where we can enjoy freedoms and our ticket to that is vaccination, so the next four to eight weeks into early December is critical to get our vaccination rates up." Cabinet has agreed the rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 2 - with the only change being the 100 person limit in hospitality [...]
Staff shortages spreading to all corners of UK business, survey finds
Brexit, global supply chain issues and the ‘long tail of Covid-19’ creates ‘perfect storm for UK firms’ One in six jobs in hospitality are vacant but shortages have spread now throughout the entire UK economy.Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock Staff shortages are rippling out from the haulage, farming and hospitality sectors to almost all parts of the economy, putting “severe pressure” on medium-sized business across the UK, a new survey has warned. More than a quarter of the 500 firms polled said the lack of staff was putting pressure on their ability to operate at normal levels, with reduced stock – due to the resulting supply chain disruption – hurting their business. While some firms had considered cutting production, others were planning to raise prices, leading to concerns over rising [...]
Covid-19: 29 new community cases today as Cabinet prepares to decide on alert levels
There are 29 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today as Cabinet prepares to decide on alert levels. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were also two new cases at the border. It said 28 of the new cases were in Auckland and one was in Waikato. In the Waikato region, Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, and Hamilton City https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/452846/raglan-s-move-to-level-3-another-kick-in-the-guts-for-local-businesses moved into to alert level 3] today and will stay there for at least five days. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning said Cabinet would be looking to ease lower risk options in Auckland and the cases in the Waikato were not material to that decision. She said there were other options rather than simply [...]
Pandora Papers: Secret wealth and dealings of world leaders exposed
The secret wealth and dealings of world leaders, politicians and billionaires has been exposed in one of the biggest leaks of financial documents. Some 35 current and former leaders and more than 300 public officials are featured in the files from offshore companies, dubbed the Pandora Papers. They reveal the King of Jordan secretly amassed £70m of UK and US property. They also show how ex-UK PM Tony Blair and his wife saved £312,000 in stamp duty when they bought a London office. The couple bought an offshore firm that owned the building. The leak also links Russian President Vladimir Putin to secret assets in Monaco, and shows the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis - facing an election later this week - failed to declare an offshore investment company [...]
US condemns ‘provocative’ Chinese activities near Taiwan
FILE PHOTO: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen waves to the media aboard the PFG-1112 Ming Chuan, a Perry-class guided missile frigate, after a commissioning ceremony at Kaohsiung's Zuoying naval base, Taiwan November 8, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu TAIPEI— The United States urged China on Sunday (Oct 3) to stop its "provocative" military activities near Taiwan, after the island scrambled jets to warn away close to 100 Chinese military aircraft entering its air defence zone over a three-day period. Taiwan, a democratically governed island that is claimed by China, has complained for more than a year of repeated missions near it by China's air force, often in the southwestern part of its air defence zone close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. On Friday, Saturday and again on Sunday, Taiwan's defence ministry reported [...]
Auckland motorway road rage shooter’s jail term thrown out, gets home detention instead
Auckland's Southwestern Motorway, where a man and his brother chased a couple with young children before shooting at the car. Photo / Google A road rager who pursued a young family for 10 minutes before shooting at the family's car has had his jail sentence thrown out. Dekota Chase Simpson will instead serve a sentence of home detention after a jail sentence imposed at Manukau District Court was quashed. On May 10 last year, Simpson and his brother were driving along South Auckland's Roscommon Rd in Wiri. A newly-published High Court decision showed Simpson was driving and his brother was in the front passenger seat. An adult couple were in another car with two children, aged 12 and 13. "They pulled out of a service station and on [...]
News North Korea to reopen inter-Korean hotlines on Monday
A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su SEOUL - North Korea said on Monday it will restore severed inter-Korean hotlines starting Monday but urged South Korea to step up efforts to improve relations, state media KCNA reported. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his willingness last week to reactivate the hotlines, which North Korea cut off in early August in protest against joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, just days after reopening them for the first time in a year. The official KCNA news agency said the lines will be reconnected on Monday at 9:00 a.m. (1200 GMT) but called for Seoul to fulfil its "tasks" to recover strained cross-border ties, without elaborating. [...]
Auckland International Airport appoints Carrie Hurihanganui as new chief executive
Auckland International Airport has poached Air New Zealand's chief operating officer Carrie Hurihanganui as its new chief executive. Carrie Hurihanganui was previously Air New Zealand's chief operating officer. Photo: Supplied US-born Hurihanganui joined the airline in 1999 as an international cabin crew member, and then worked her way up the company. Airport company chair Patrick Strange said Hurihanganui was highly regarded in the industry. "We are confident that her leadership, operational knowledge and focus on customer experience will ensure Auckland Airport's strong recovery from the pandemic and return to growth as the emerging robust recovery in international aviation and travel reaches New Zealand." Auckland Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood leaves the job in November. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro She will succeed Adrian Littlewood, who leaves [...]
‘There are other options available’ than moving Auckland down an alert level – Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Cabinet will be looking to ease lower risk options in Auckland and the cases in the Waikato are not material to that decision. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: POOL / Stuff / Robert Kitchin The Covid-19 community cases that emerged in Waikato yesterdayhave been genomically linked to the Auckland outbreak. More positive cases have been detected overnight in the household of the Raglan case which was reported yesterday. Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, and Hamilton City in Waikato in the Waikato region went back to alert level 3 at midnight and will stay there for at least five days. Ardern told Morning Report the "movement" in the Waikato was not "material" to the alert level decision considerations for Auckland. "For us it is [...]
Global Covid-19 deaths hit 5 million as Delta variant sweeps the world
Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with unvaccinated people particularly exposed to the virulent Delta strain. A man takes photos of some of the more than 670,000 white flags covering 20 acres of the National Mall in Washington in an art memorial for Covid-19 victims by Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg called In America: Remember. Photo: AFP The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. More than half of all global deaths reported on a seven-day average were in the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and India. While it took just over a year for the Covid-19 death toll to hit 2.5 million, [...]
Swap Oktoberfest 2021 for a New Zealand beer festival
Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk festival held in Munich, Germany in late September. Photo / 123rf Be thankful you're not in Germany right now. For a nation that consumes almost 100 litres of beer per person per year, produces around 91 million hectolitres and churns it out across 1300 breweries, Oktoberfest 2021 – the country's most beer-centric festival – has been cancelled. Contrary to its misleading name, the Munich-based event (which is also the world's largest folk festival) runs from mid-late September for 16-18 days, in which time a belch-inducing seven million litres of beer will be guzzled, alongside copious amounts of traditional Bavarian food. Namely, meat, because it isn't Oktoberfest without the Würstl sausage sweats. Prone to a goblet of the golden stuff ourselves in New [...]
Phuket opens to all vaccinated travellers
BANGKOK: Fully vaccinated travellers from any country can now book holidays to tourism haven Phuket, the Thai government has announced, under tweaks to a struggling quarantine-free travel scheme. Thailand's tourism industry has been on its knees, with the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions slashing visitor numbers from 40 million in 2019 to a mere trickle over the last two years. Pre-virus, the sector made up a fifth of Thailand's national income, and the travel curbs have fed into the country's worst economic performance in more than two decades. The kingdom launched a "sandbox" scheme in July, which allowed fully vaccinated travellers from countries considered low-to-medium risk to roam free on the popular beach island for a fortnight, and then afterwards travel to the mainland without quarantine. Last week, authorities [...]
Air New Zealand introduces ‘no jab, no fly’ policy for international travellers
Air New Zealand is introducing a “no jab, not fly” policy for international travellers. “Being vaccinated against Covid-19 is the new reality of international travel – many of the destinations Kiwis want to visit are already closed to unvaccinated visitors,” Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran said. ”The quicker we get vaccinated, the sooner we can fly Kiwis to places like New York, Vancouver and Narita.” The policy change will come into effect on February 1, from when any traveller aged 18 or over on the international network would have to be fully-vaccinated. The policy will apply to all inbound and outbound international passengers. A spokeswoman said the airline was reviewing whether the same policy would be rolled out to domestic flight. “We’ll spend the next few months making [...]
ACC to spend $44.9 million on sexual violence prevention
ACC is spending nearly 45 million dollars on a bid to prevent sexual violence, including $11.7 million for kaupapa Māori approaches. Photo: 123RF Over the next four years it aimed to tackle the underlying causes of sexual violence and to do work on changing attitudes and behaviours. The agency would work on the problem alongside other government agencies, specialist services, providers, iwi and communities. ACC minister Carmel Sepuloni said Aotearoa-New Zealand had unacceptable rates of sexual violence. Almost a quarter of adults had experienced sexual violence, one of the highest rates for countries in the OECD. And minister Sepuloni said about 16 percent of people are affected by sexual violence before they turn 18 years old. "These high rates cannot continue, we need to put in place systems [...]
Two new Covid-19 community cases reported in Waikato
Two new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Waikato, the Ministry of Health has confirmed this morning. Photo: 123rf.com One case is in Raglan and the other is in Hamilton East. "Potential links with both cases to the Auckland outbreak are being worked through," said the ministry in a statement. "A number of exposure events for both cases are in the process of being worked through by public health staff. Any that are locations of interest will be listed on the Ministry of Health website." The Health Ministry said the Raglan case is currently self-isolating and will be moved to a quarantine facility. They were tested on 1 October after feeling unwell and their infectious period is determined to be from 27 September. This person has three household [...]
Auckland truck driver who visited Manawatū tests positive
Thirteen new locations of interest including service stations, a supermarket and a Burger King are among locations of interest after an Auckland truck driver who travelled to Palmerston North tests positive. Photo: 123rf The Ministry of Health announced the positive detection earlier this evening. The case was identified in a routine surveillance test which was done in Auckland yesterday, and which returned a positive result earlier today. The locations of interest include Countdown Three Kings in Auckland, service stations in Taupiri, Hunterville, Palmerston North and Taihape and Burger King in Rangitikei Street in Palmerston North. The Ministry of Health advises that anyone who was at any of the locations of interest needs to stay at home, monitor for symptoms and get tested. All the locations, plus times and [...]
PRRD drops VP bid, announces he’s quitting politics in 2022
FOR VP. President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (left), who filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City on Saturday (Oct. 2, 2021). Duterte also announced his retirement from politics, saying he has opted to listen to the will of the people. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) MANILA , PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo R. Duterte caught not a few by surprise on Saturday when he announced his retirement from politics after he steps down from office in June next year. Duterte made the pronouncement when he accompanied Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, his former longtime aide, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng [...]
Sara Duterte files COC as Davao City Mayor reelectionist in next year’s polls
DAVAO CITY , PHILIPPINES— Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as re-electionist for mayor in the city Saturday, October 2. Mayor Sara arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 11 office on Ramon Magsaysay Avenue on Saturday at around 4:15 p.m. to formally file her certificate of candidacy. Should the incumbent city mayor win the post in 2022 elections, it will be her fourth non-consecutive term, having been mayor for the first time from 2010 to 2013. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio drops by the regional office of the Commission on Elections to fill up documents as an official mayoralty candidate of Davao City in next year’s national and local elections. (Facebook Page of Sara Duterte/Manila Bulletin) Mayor Sara is the Regional [...]
Emergency visa scheme extended in major U-turn by Boris Johnson
Threat of Christmas being ruined by driver shortages forces ministers to expand range and duration of visas Government reserve fuel tankers parked in Cambridgeshire on Friday. About 100 army drivers will be used.Photograph: Terry Harris/Rex/Shutterstock Boris Johnson’s government has made a dramatic U-turn in an attempt to save Christmas – with a raft of extended emergency visas to help abate labour shortages that have led to empty shelves and petrol station queues. New immigration measures will allow 300 fuel drivers to arrive immediately and stay until the end of March, while 100 army drivers will take to the roads from Monday, the government announced late on Friday. About 4,700 further food haulage drivers will arrive from late October and leave by the end of February. The rules mean [...]
Biden upbeat on rare Capitol Hill visit but domestic agenda hangs in jeopardy
President meets Democrats for talks and insists ‘it doesn’t matter whether it’s six minutes or six weeks – we’re going to get it done’ Biden on Capitol Hill on Friday. ‘We’re going to get this thing done,’ Biden said, as he exited the caucus room.Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP Democrats returned to the Capitol on Friday deeply divided but determined to make progress on Joe Biden’s ambitious economic vision, after an embarrassing setback delayed a planned vote on a related $1tn measure to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Biden on Friday made a rare visit to Capitol Hill to meet privately with House Democrats amid a stalemate that has put his sprawling domestic agenda in jeopardy. The visit comes after after the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, delayed a vote on part [...]
Merck’s COVID-19 pill cuts risk of death, hospitalization by 50% in study
If authorised, molnupiravir would be the first oral antiviral medication for Covid-19.PHOTO: REUTERS NEW JERSEY— Merck & Co Inc's experimental oral drug for COVID-19, molnupiravir, reduced by around 50% the chance of hospitalization or death for patients at risk of severe disease, according to interim clinical trial results announced on Friday. Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics plan to seek US emergency use authorization for the pill as soon as possible, and to submit applications to regulatory agencies worldwide. Due to the positive results, the Phase 3 trial is being stopped early at the recommendation of outside monitors. "This is going to change the dialogue around how to manage COVID-19," Robert Davis, Merck's chief executive officer, told Reuters. If authorized, molnupiravir, which is designed to introduce errors into the [...]
6 presidential aspirants, 3 VP hopefuls submit COCs
MANILA – Twenty-three aspirants for national positions filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) while 18 party-list groups submitted their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONAs) during the first day of the filing period on Friday. REELECTIONIST. Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto (center) is flanked by his celebrity parents, Connie Reyes (left) and Vic Sotto, when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy at the local Commission on Elections office on Friday (Oct. 1, 2021) morning. His runningmate will be former Pasig congressman Robert Jaworski Jr. (Contributed photo) Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said the low turnout may not be related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “We don't think the pandemic is actually an issue here because this is exactly the pattern we see every time we [...]
Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Kaikōura has highest rate of fully vaccinated people
Right now, the Kaikōura District is New Zealand's top town for Covid-19 vaccination. Data supplied by the Ministry of Health shows as of Wednesday, 55 per cent of its population have had both jabs. Kaikōura narrowly beats Marlborough and Central Otago for the top spot, they are tied for second on 54 per cent. An additional 17 per cent of the population have received their first dose only. Health services manager at Kaikōura Healthcare Angela Blunt told the Herald although it was a surprise, she has known for a while they had been doing well. Kaikōura narrowly beats Marlborough District and Central Otago District for the top spot. Photo / George Heard "The community has got behind it. We have done lots of the boring stuff, planning, organising and [...]
Govt scraps plans for Waitematā Harbour cycle and pedestrian bridge
The government has scrapped plans to build dedicated cycle and pedestrian bridge over Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. An aerial view of the proposed Northern Pathway Waitemata Harbour crossing. Photo: Supplied/Waka Kotahi Transport Minister Michael Wood had admitted the project didn't get the public support it needed to go ahead, and the $785 million earmarked for the project will now be spent on other initiatives. "The government is committed to providing better access to walking and cycling and reducing greenhouse emissions through our transport investments, but this particular project won't be part of that mix," he said. "It didn't get the public support needed for a project of its scale and we acknowledge that." Work will continue to provide pedestrians and cyclists with other ways to get across the harbour, [...]
Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Business groups say keeping Auckland border shut is ‘not an option’
New Zealand's three largest business groups are calling for the Government to relax the rules around who can move across Auckland borders, after being caught "completely by surprise" by news the Prime Minister had already ruled the changes would not be reviewed. On Thursday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern caught even Beehive officials by surprise when she announced that when Cabinet considers whether to lower the alert level in Auckland on Monday, it will not even contemplate the removal of the borders to both the north and south of the city. "At the moment, we do have control of the outbreak, but we do have an outbreak, so we will continue to assess the role of the boundary as we go," Ardern said. "But at the moment it is not [...]
PH Poll season kicks off
PHILIPPINES— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) starts accepting today, October 1, certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for next year's national polls. Thousands of aspirants for elective positions have until October 8 to formalize their candidacy. The Comelec has assured it is prepared to handle the expected heavy volume of CoC filers. On their toes Members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force perform a simulation drill near the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City on September 20, 2021 in preparation for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national and local elections from October 1 to October 8. Quezon City policemen also conduct a drill at Eton Centris where local candidates will file their COCs. Photos by Mike Alquinto and John Orven Verdote "I can say [...]
Australia to reopen borders from November, easing 18-month-old travel restrictions
FILE PHOTO: A mostly empty domestic terminal at Sydney Airport is seen after surrounding states shut their borders to New South Wales in response to an outbreak of COVID-19 in Sydney, Australia, Dec 21, 2020. (Reuters/Loren Elliott) SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday (Oct 1) that an 18-month ban on Australians travelling abroad will be lifted from next month, easing one of the toughest COVID-19 restrictions imposed globally. Reopening the international border for citizens and permanent residents will be linked to the establishment of home quarantine in Australia's eight states and territories, Morrison said, meaning that some parts of the country will reopen sooner than others. The first phase of the plan will focus on vaccinated citizens and permanent residents being allowed to leave Australia, with [...]
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns as corruption investigation launched
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that she is stepping down from the role after an investigation into her relationship with a former MP. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says Covid-19 numbers are stabilising. Photo: AFP Berejiklian says she will resign as soon as the Liberal Party can elect a new leader. She will also resign from parliament. "I've had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, one I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect I have are the people of New South Wales and the high regard with which I have the office of Premier." Watch the press conference here: Berejiklian said she had always acted with integrity "My first consideration has always been the well-being and welfare of the people of [...]
Covid-19 in focus: Developments on 30 September
New cases of Covid-19 dropped significantly today - down from a worrying 45 new cases yesterday to 19. Photo: RNZ One of the new cases was outside Auckland - a secondary school student in Northern Hauraki who had been self-isolating for 10 days and tested positive after becoming symptomatic. The government said it still had a broad control of the Delta outbreak. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said maintaining control was key while vaccination rates climbed. "We simply do not have enough people vaccinated in Auckland or in New Zealand to tolerate a widespread outbreak but maintaining control is not a given," she said. "We still need the restrictions that we're using, I know they're incredibly hard and they will ease but for now they're doing a job for [...]
‘Seventeen days of hell’: Police piece together past 3 weeks after missing Marokopa family returns home
Police are now trying to piece together the last 17 days after a missing Marokopa family returned home after going missing almost three weeks ago. Thomas Phillips and his three children - Jayda Jin, 8, Maverick, 6, and Ember, 5 - had not been seen since September 11. His ute was found on a nearby beach, facing out to sea. Police and emergency services - as well as hundreds of locals and volunteers - spent days searching for the family in the area of Kiritehere and Marokopa. Phillips and his children returned to a family farm at 8am this morning. Phillips' mother Julia Phillips told Stuff the children were "absolutely fine". "They are as bouncy as ever and very well," she said. Inspector Will Loughrin, Waikato West Area Commander [...]
Three hurt as tornado tears through New South Wales
A tornado has ripped through the NSW Central West in Australia, destroying property and causing multiple injuries. The tornado hit Clear Creek, north-east of Bathurst, on Thursday afternoon, whipping up debris and damaging homes. Photos and videos show a huge dark cloud covering the sky with the base of the tornado creating a flurry of damage in its wake. DEAN WHITING VIA BOM NSW The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed a tornado occurred in the Australian state. At least three people in the region were injured, NSW Ambulance said. A 47-year-old man suffered cuts to his arm at the property destroyed by the tornado at Curly Dick Rd Meadow Flat east of Bathurst. He was taken to Orange Hospital for observation. 9NEWS A tornado has ripped through Central West [...]
PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty revisions ‘tricky’: Lorenzana
(File photo) MANILA – The question on whether to revise or not the Philippines' 70-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States is tricky as it has security implications, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday, "I go back to my previous question, is the MDT still relevant or does it need to be appropriated, replaced, or revised? This question is tricky as it has implications for the security of both parties and individually," he said during an online Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies forum titled "70 Years of the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty". Lorenzana also admitted that while the US is open to the idea of revisiting the MDT, an outside party [...]
1Sambayan picks VP Leni as presidential bet in Eleksyon 2022
Vice President Leni Robredo has been chosen by the opposition coalition 1Sambayan as its presidential candidate for the May 2022 elections. In an online briefing on Thursday, lead convenor and retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said they expect Robredo to make a decision on her political plans soon. “We expect to meet with her and explain to her why we have chosen her. We hope that she will accept the challenge,” he said. In a statement issued shortly after 1Sambayan’s announcement, Robredo thanked the coalition for the endorsement and asked the Filipino people to pray with her so that “our decision will be what is best for our country.” Carpio said Robredo was chosen through a selection process that included a survey among 1Sambayan members and coalition partners, [...]
Democrats barrel toward make-or-break vote as crucial 24 hours begins
White House admits talks ‘precarious’ as series of legislative and fiscal deadlines loom for Biden’s $1tn public works measure Nancy Pelosi indicated it was possible she would delay a Thursday vote on the infrastructure bill while Biden worked to secure an agreement with two centrist holdouts on his broader social policy package. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA The next 24 hours will make clear whether Democrats are on the verge of pushing through a once-in-a-generation expansion of the social safety net or nearing a complete collapse of Joe Biden’s ambitious domestic agenda. The stakes are as high as ever as Democrats barrel toward a make-or-break vote on a $1tn public works measure, with almost no margin for error and little time left to break an impasse that threatens [...]
Kim Jong-un orders hotline with the South to reopen as he condemns ‘cunning’ US
North Korean leader said Biden offer of dialogue is ‘a facade’ and blamed the US for ‘hostile policy’ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un has condemned a US offer of dialogue as a “facade”, state media reported, but said he had ordered officials to restore communication lines with South Korea to “promote peace”. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, the North Korean leader accused the US of continuing a “hostile policy” against his nuclear-armed country, despite the Biden administration’s offers of negotiations without preconditions. Talks between Pyongyang and Washington have been at a standstill since the collapse of the February 2019 Hanoi summit between Kim and then-president Donald Trump over what the North would be willing to give up in return for sanctions relief. Under [...]
Taxi company fined $150,000 for price fixing
A Wellington taxi company has been hit with a $150,000 penalty by the Commerce Commission relating to fare price fixing. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson Hutt and City taxis admitted to breaching the Commerce Act by agreeing with two competing companies to implement a minimum $25 charge for pick-up trips from Wellington Airport's on-demand taxi-rank. It's been labelled cartel conduct, which the Commerce Commission says harms businesses trying to compete fairly. The Court noted the fact that Hutt and City, and its directors, were aware of the price fixing - and all but one director approved it - spoke to the seriousness of the conduct.
Covid-19 exposure risk at Middlemore Hospital after two patients test positive
Dozens of patients at Middlemore Hospital have been potentially exposed to Covid-19 after two patients with the virus presented last night. Middlemore Hospital Photo: LDR / Stephen Forbes The two patients turned up at the emergency department for non-Covid-19 reasons but were subsequently tested and returned positive results. "In the first case, the patient answered no to all screening questions but, while in triage, clinical staff noted a very minor cough and took steps to isolate and test them. They subsequently returned a positive Covid-19 result," the Ministry of Health said in a statement. This patient was now in a Covid-19 isolation ward at Middlemore Hospital. "In the second case, the patient answered yes to one of the screening questions, which was also a symptom consistent with the [...]
Zespri kiwifruit tests positive for Covid-19 in China
Zespri kiwifruit have been pulled from some supermarket shelves in China after a batch of fruit tested positive for Covid-19. The kiwifruit company on Friday afternoon said it had launched “emergency management plans” in response to the Covid scare, and the Government was supporting its discussions with Chinese authorities. Samples from a batch of New Zealand kiwifruit being sold in a supermarket in the Jiangsu province of China had tested positive for the virus, according to a report published in the Global Times, a nationalist tabloid with strong ties to China's Communist Party, on Friday. The troubling test result came late in the kiwifruit season, and Zespri has confirmed it will not affect exports to China. The fruit which tested positive for the virus was shipped from Tauranga on [...]
US envoy to Haiti resigns over ‘inhumane’ decision to deport migrants
Daniel Foote excoriates Washington in letter addressed to Antony Blinken for deporting hundreds from a border camp Border patrol will no longer use horses in Del Rio, says Psaki – video The US envoy to Haiti has resigned after just two months in the role, in protest at what he called the Biden administration’s “inhumane” mass deportation of Haitian migrants and asylum seekers to what he said was a highly dangerous “collapsed state”. Daniel Foote’s angry resignation letter is a serious blow for an administration which came to office promising a more humane approach to immigration in the wake of Donald Trump’s policy of child separation. The state departmentsaid he had given a misleading account of his resignation. A senior official said that Foote had advocated sending in [...]
China sends jets and bombers near Taiwan as Beijing opposes island’s trade deal bid
Nuclear-capable bombers entered air defence zone, says Taipei, amid simmering row over competing bids to join regional trade agreement China sent 18 fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone on Thursday amid a growing row over regional trade membership. Photograph: AP China has voiced opposition to Taiwan joining a major trans-Pacific trade deal as it flew 24 planes – including two nuclear-capable bombers – into the self-ruled island’s air defence zone, the biggest incursion in weeks, Taiwanese officials said. Last week Beijing submitted its own application to become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Taiwan has lobbied for years to join and announced on Thursday that it had officially applied to be part of the CPTPP, which was signed by 11 Asia-Pacific [...]
Covid-19 wrap for 24 September: Single figures for new cases, Auckland’s first weekend at level 3
Auckland is heading into its first weekend in alert level 3 this Friday evening, and the upper Hauraki area in a "bespoke" level 4 is looking forward to dropping back to level 2 at midnight on Saturday. Auckland heads into its first weekend in level 3, Hauraki will move to level 2 at midnight saturday, police have released checkpoint data and Māori and Pasifika should have been prioritised for vaccines, experts say. Photo: RNZ It's also the first time in weeks that daily case numbers have dropped to single figures, with only nine new community cases reported today. New cases The number of new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand dropped to single figures for the first time in weeks, with nine new cases, the Ministry [...]
NZ’s housing market boom ranked second in the world
Low interest rates have fuelled house-buying in New Zealand in the last 12 months. Photo / Getty Images New Zealand’s housing boom remains the second-fastest in the world in terms of house price growth since the global pandemic, new figures show. Research from global real estate agency Knight Frank found that house prices in New Zealand grew 25.9% in the 12 months to the end of June, the highest rate of growth the country’s housing market had seen since 2003. New Zealand ranked second out of 55 countries on Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index – for the third quarter in a row. Turkey, where house prices have risen 29.2% over the year to June was ranked first. Australia, which has seen annual house price growth of 16.4%, [...]
GDP for September quarter could mirror contraction in June – economist
Activity in the services sector has plummeted during the lockdown, as sales, new orders and deliveries ground to a halt. Sales activity, supplier deliveries, new orders and stock inventories were all in deep contraction over the past month. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas The BNZ-Businesss New Zealand Performance of Services Index (PSI) for August fell 20.3 points to 35.6, down from 55.9 in July. A reading below 50 indicates the sector is in contraction, while anything above signals the industry is expanding. "While the August result wasn't quite as bad as the 26.0 it plunged to in April 2020, the September 2021 result might be the better marker as the first half of August's trading would have been solid, if July's PSI result of 55.9 was [...]
Calls for tougher gambling laws to protect Pasifika in NZ
There are calls for regional New Zealand to bring in tougher laws to protect Pasifika against gambling harm. Photo: RNZ/ Dan Cook New Zealand's Pacific peoples experience a disproportionate level of gambling harm compared to the rest of the country. Christchurch City Council has renewed its 'sinking lid' policy, in place since 2004, which prevents new gambling licences in pubs and clubs from being approved. It also means existing licences cannot be transferred to other locations. Pasifika peoples in New Zealand make up 21 percent of all people seeking treatment for gambling. 'Saturated by pokie machines' A spokesperson for the Pacific gambling support service, Mapu Maia, Gerhart Berking said in Pasifika were more likely to live in areas with higher deprivation and greater opportunities to gamble, navigating [...]
Covid-19: 22 new community cases as government to decide on alert levels
There are 22 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas In a statement, the ministry said there was also one new case at the border - from the United Kingdom. The cases arrived on 10 September via United Arab Emirates and is now in a quarantine facility in Auckland. Three of the new cases are in Whakatīwai but are being counted in the Auckland total, the ministry said. That brings the total number of community cases in the current outbreak to 1071. There are 1051 in Auckland (677 of whom have recovered) and 17 in Wellington (all of whom have recovered). The ministry said 17 of today's 22 new community cases have been epidemiologically linked. Five [...]
Duterte to speak at UN General Assembly debate on Sept. 21
For the second time since he took office in 2016, President Duterte is expected to address the United Nations (UN) and put forward the Philippines’ stand on urgent issues such as coronavirus (COVID-19) response, and human rights concerns, among others. President Rodrigo Duterte (Malacañang File Photo) According to a Malacañang statement on Sunday, September 19, the President will speak on the first day of the High-Level General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 21. He is set to address the international community on Tuesday, September 21, within the 1600H-1800H window, New York time, or between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. of September 22, Manila time. Malacañang said President Duterte will put forward the Philippines’ interest on many issues [...]
Over 18 million individuals in PH fully vaccinated vs COVID-19
A senior citizen in Muntinluap poses with the sign “we got fully vaccinated” after getting the single shot johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine (MunCoVac) Over 18 million people in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), data from the national government showed. Based on the government’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, a total of 18,475,950 people already completed the required vaccine dosage as of Sept. 18. A total of 22,771,602 people were already partially vaccinated. Of the fully vaccinated, more than 2.17 million were healthcare workers, 4.26 million were senior citizens, six million were persons with comorbidities, 4.58 million were essential workers, and 1.45 million were indigents. For the partially vaccinated, 2.50 million were healthcare workers, 3.49 million were senior citizens, 5.76 million were persons with [...]
‘Highly effective’ ovarian cancer treatment could help thousands of women
New drug combination shrunk tumours significantly in 46% of patients with treatment-resistant form of disease A phase 1 trial of a drug combination, VS-6766 and defactinib, was found to shrink tumours in patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Photograph: Science Photo Library/Alamy Thousands of women with ovarian cancer could benefit from a revolutionary drug combination after it was shown to shrink tumours in half of patients with an advanced form of the disease. The pair of drugs – which work together to block the signals cancer cells need to grow – could offer a new treatment option for women with a type of ovarian cancer that rarely responds to chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Experts said the “fantastic” results from early trials of the new drug combination, presented at [...]
Pro-Putin party wins majority in Russian elections despite declining support
Partial results show ruling United Russia party will retain power in parliament after winning over 45% of the vote Members of the pro-Putin United Russia party greet supporters. Despite its win, polls show a weaker performance than the last parliamentary election held in 2016. Photograph: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Russia’s ruling United Russia party, which supports president Vladimir Putin, retained its majority in parliament after a three-day election and a sweeping crackdown on its critics, despite losing around one fifth of its support, partial results on Monday showed. With 33% of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said United Russia had won just over 45% of the vote, with its nearest rival, the Communist party, at around 22%. Although that amounts to an emphatic win, it would be a [...]
‘Burnt out’: Philippine nurses battle COVID-19, resignations
About 40 per cent of private hospital nurses have resigned since the start of the pandemic. (File photo: AFP/Maria Tan) MANILA— Exhausted nurses in the Philippines are struggling to care for patients as colleagues contract COVID-19 or quit a profession that was dangerously understaffed even before the pandemic. The country is enduring a record rise in infections, fuelled by the Delta variant, with the health department reporting a nursing shortfall of more than 100,000 - forcing those left to work long hours for little pay on often precarious short-term contracts. "They are tired and burned out," nursing director Lourdes Banaga, at a private hospital south of Manila, told AFP. "At the start of the pandemic, we had almost 200 nurses," said Banaga, director for nursing services at the Lipa Medix [...]
Rainy in many parts of PH due to LPA, ITCZ
(SCREENGRAB FROM PAGASA) PHILIPPINES— Scattered rain showers may persist over Visayas and some parts of Luzon and Mindanao due to the prevalence of a low pressure area (LPA) and intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, Sept. 19. PAGASA estimated the location of the LPA at 125 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar at around 3 a.m. Weather specialist Grace Castañeda said the LPA has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical depression but may bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Bicol Region, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Quezon province. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have generally fair weather conditions but with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly [...]
Migrants in Texas: Thousands moved to processing centres
US officials have moved thousands of migrants away from a Texas border town that has seen an influx of mostly Haitian migrants over the past week. More than 10,000 people have gathered under a bridge connecting Del Rio in Texas to Mexico's Ciudad Acuña. Local officials have struggled to provide them with enough food or services. Some 2,000 people were moved to immigration and processing stations on Friday. The US government says it plans to fly the migrants back to where they began their journeys. Flights are expected to start on Sunday, with the US currently negotiating returns with the countries in question. EPA The US government says it plans to fly the migrants back to where they began their journeys The makeshift camp at Del Rio [...]
Covid 19 Delta outbreak Australia: NSW record 1083 new cases, Victoria records 507, multiple deaths
New South Wales have recorded 1083 new Covid-19 cases today. During the latest reporting period 13 people have died from Covid. NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there was more than 100 people requiring ventilatiors. "We have 1238 with COVID admitted to hospital, with 234 in intensive care, and 123 require ventilation. Sadly, we have seen 13 deaths from people with COVID yesterday, nine men and four women," he said. Easing of restrictions for NSW Restrictions will be eased in LGAs of concern in Sydney's west and south west. The changes come into effect on Monday September 12 at 12.01am (NSW). Victoria- 507 new cases Victoria has recorded 507 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases today, as new cases continue to rise during lockdown. It's the eighth straight day Victoria [...]
Person dies after driving at high speed and hitting power poles
A person has died after a car crashed in the early hours in Mount Roskill, Auckland. Police said in a statement that a car was seen driving at excess speed on Dominion Road around 1.30am. It was not pursued but was observed on cameras. The driver lost control at high speed at the Dominion Road and Mount Albert Road intersection. The car then rolled and continued on hitting power poles and the front of a building. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and died at the scene. A scene examination is continuing this morning and the road will remain closed until this is completed, the spokesperson said.
Covid-19 update: PM speaks live from the Beehive
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay are giving a live Covid-19 update from the Beehive. Watch it live here: Yesterday the Ministry of Health reported 20 new community cases of the virus, all in Auckland. The figure was a spike after several days of lower numbers, with 11 cases reported on Friday and 13 on Thursday. At the time all but one of the 20 new cases had been traced and linked to known contacts. Auckland police yesterday complained about lots of people out and about on the roads and at beaches, despite level 4 rules in place for the region that allow only essential travel. They called for everyone to keep to the rules until the outbreak is contained and lockdown [...]
Covid-19 update: 24 new community cases reported in NZ
There have been 24 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today - the second daily increase in a row. Photo: 123RF The Health Ministry said 21 of today's cases had a known connection with previous cases. All of today's cases were in the Auckland area and all of Wellington's 17 cases have now recovered. There have now been 1050 total cases associated with the current community outbreak. There were 20 community cases yesterday, 19 were household or known contacts of other cases, and only one was unlinked, the ministry said. Eleven and 13 cases were reported on the previous two days. There are 13 people in hospital with the coronavirus, with four in ICU or HDU. There were no new cases in managed isolation today. [...]
Canada election in dead heat; Liberals drop candidate
HAMILTON, Ontario— Canada's election is in a dead heat two days before the Sep 20 vote, according to a new poll on Saturday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Conservative rival both campaigned in the same seat-rich region to scour up votes. The latest Sondage Leger poll conducted for the Journal de Montreal and the National Post newspapers put the Conservatives one percentage point ahead of Trudeau's Liberals, with 33 per cent over 32 per cent. The tightness of the race has put the focus on turnout, with low turnout historically favouring the Conservatives. The Leger poll put the third-place left-leaning New Democratic Party at 19 per cent. Trudeau, 49, called an early election, seeking to convert approval for his government's handling of the pandemic into a parliamentary majority. [...]
Japan to reopen borders for some visa holders as part of quarantine policy changes
The arrival zone of the international flight terminal at Tokyo's Haneda Airport in December | REUTERS In a major change to border-control measures, Japan will from Monday allow re-entry to all returnees from six countries blacklisted over the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The six countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka — have been covered by a near-total entry ban on foreign nationals, including those who have been vaccinated and those with a valid residence status in Japan. The entry ban was imposed earlier this year as part of Japan’s quarantine measures on all foreign nationals who spent time in the six countries within 14 days prior to their intended arrival. The government announced Friday evening that the measure, which [...]
Baptism of fire as Liz Truss heads to US amid submarine row
As France accuses the US and Australia of ‘lies and duplicity’, new UK foreign secretary faces major diplomatic incident on her first official overseas trip Newly appointed foreign secretary Liz Truss in Downing Street on Friday for the first cabinet meeting of Boris Johnson’s reshuffled team. Photograph: Mark Thomas/Rex Liz Truss is heading for a furious diplomatic confrontation with France on her first trip abroad as foreign secretary, as anger mounts in Paris over the cancellation of a £48bn nuclear submarine contract. Truss, whose appointment was one of the biggest surprises of Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle last Wednesday, will arrive in the US on Sunday before a four-day visit to New York and Washington during which she is aiming to promote the prime minister’s vision of “global Britain” [...]
Philippines tries new tack in COVID-19 curbs to reopen more businesses
A man opens his food stall while the government allowed some business establishments to operate with health restrictions on Sep 16, 2021 in Quezon city, Philippines. (Photo: AP Photo/Aaron Favila) MANILA— Restaurants, salons and other small businesses in the Philippine capital region reopened on Thursday (Sep 16) after being shut for weeks, as the government shifts to localised lockdowns from wide-scale mobility controls in a bid to revive the pandemic-hit economy. The targeted lockdown approach being piloted in Metro Manila, an urban sprawl of 16 cities and home to 13 million people, may be replicated in other parts of the country if it proves successful in boosting business activity while keeping the spread of coronavirus in check. "We are elated that our restaurant has reopened. Our employees will now [...]
Asian shares stabilise but global growth fears nag
HONG KONG— Asian shares steadied in early trading on Friday after losses earlier in the week, but China jitters and global growth concerns weighed on investors' minds, while the dollar sat near a three-week high. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan recovered from early losses to trade flat, but was still down 2.7per cent on the week. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.5per cent after posting its lowest close in 10 months the day before, as the saga around China Evergrande Group lurched towards a conclusion, unsettling investors. The embattled property developer's shares dropped a further 5per cent on Friday. Australian shares fell 1.03per cent, as a fall in iron ore prices hurt miners. However, Chinese blue chips eked out a 0.26per cent rise and Japan's [...]
Covid-19 update: 11 new community cases in New Zealand
There are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has announced. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi All are in Auckland and just two of the new cases are not yet linked to current cases. There has now been a total of 1007 cases linked to the current community outbreak. There were also five new cases in MIQ. Yesterday, the ministry reported 13 new cases in the community, as numbers continued to trend down. Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said today there are currently nine epidemologically linked sub-clusters. There are also 10 unlinked sub-clusters that have emerged - two are active, three are contained and five are dormant. She said this meant the country can be cautiously optimistic that the current [...]
Clinton lawyer charged with lying to FBI during Trump-Russia inquiry
Michael Sussmann is second person to be indicted in William Barr-ordered investigation of the investigators Michael Sussmann is alleged to have falsely told the FBI he did not represent any client when he handed over documents on links between the Trump Organization and a Russia-based bank. Photograph: AP An attorney who represented Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign was indicted on Thursday for lying to the FBI. The development was part of special counsel John Durham’s ongoing examination of the origins of the FBI’s investigation into ties between Russia and former US president Donald Trump’s election campaign. Michael Sussmann, a partner with Perkins Coie who also represented the Democratic National Committee in connection with Russia’s hack of the organization, is accused of making false statements during a 19 September 2016, [...]
Fossilised long-legged giant penguin identified as new species
Skeleton found by children in New Zealand helps fill in gaps in natural history A modern-day emperor penguin. The prehistoric penguin found in 2006 in Waikato, New Zealand, was much larger. Photograph: Mark Mitchell/AP In January 2006 a group of children in summer camp in Waikato, New Zealand, went on a fossil-hunting field trip with a seasoned archaeologist. They kayaked to the upper Kawhia harbour, a hotspot for this sort of activity, and they expected to find fossils of shellfish and the like, as they regularly did on these Hamilton junior naturalist club expeditions. But on this day, just before heading home, close to where they’d left the kayaks and well below the high tide mark, they noticed a trace of fossils that looked like much more than [...]
New South Wales records 1284 new Covid-19 cases, 12 deaths
New South Wales recorded 1284 new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian Photo: AFP There were 12 fatalities in the reporting period. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state was "inching closer and closer" to the 70 per cent double dose rate. She said half of people in NSW aged over 16 were now fully vaccinated. NSW will trial home quarantine for returning Australians who are fully vaccinated "in the next couple of weeks", the Premier said. The pilot, to be operated and monitored by NSW Health and NSW Police, will trial a seven-day home quarantine program for around 175 people. Currently, people coming to NSW from overseas must quarantine in a hotel for 14 days. Participants in the pilot, which will [...]
China, France denounce US nuclear sub pact with Britain, Australia
The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China's growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea China on Thursday, September 16, denounced a new Indo-Pacific security alliance between the United States, Britain and Australia, saying such partnerships should not target third countries and warning of an intensified arms race in the region. Under the arrangement, dubbed AUKUS, the United States and Britain will provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines. France, which loses its own submarine deal with Australia called the plans brutal and unpredictable. The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China's growing power and influence, particularly its [...]
Timaru tragedy: Three children dead, woman in hospital as police begin homicide inquiry
Police have confirmed three children have died at a property in Timaru. Detective Inspector Scott Anderson are providing an update and said the deceased were siblings. Two were 3 and the other was 7. The police forensic team have arrived at the property and a scene examination will get underway soon. Photo / George Heard A woman was transported to Timaru Hospital and is in a stable condition. They arrived in Timaru from South Africa in the last week. No one else is being sought in relation to the deaths. Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin then spoke to the tragedy. He said it was a very difficult time for the community - particularly following the fatal crash recently where five teens were killed. Police would not be drawn [...]
Covid-19 update: Govt gives latest details on current Delta outbreak
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay are providing a media update on the current Covid-19 outbreak. Watch the government Covid-19 update here: From today, truck drivers and others crossing the Auckland alert level border must show they've had a Covid-19 test within the past seven days. The new rule kicked in as Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare confirmed to Morning Report that a truck driver's positive Covid-19 test result came through after surveillance testing this week. Contact tracing linked an Auckland truck driver to the existing outbreak. He delivered supermarket supplies to Cambridge, Hamilton and Tauranga and four new areas of interest were announced by the Health Ministry this morning, three of those in Tauranga.
AUKUS: Chance of war between China and West ‘low’ but still a risks of ‘incidents’ – former New Zealand Defence Minister
A former New Zealand Defence Minister believes the chances of a major war between Western powers and China in the coming decade is fairly low, but says there is a risk of "incidents". The United States, United Kingdom and Australia on Thursday announced a new defence and security pact which will see the trio share information about technologies and coordinate their efforts to confront emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific. While none of the official statements made by any of the countries specifically mentioned China, it's widely accepted the new tripartite group is looking to counter the superpower's growing influence in the region. "It's obvious this whole deal is about China, no question about that, and that's obvious to anyone who thinks about it," Wayne Mapp, the former New Zealand [...]
School holiday dates to remain unchanged – Minister Hipkins
School holiday dates in Auckland will not be changed because of the lockdown, Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Some parents had raised concerns that students would have missed too much class time because of the level 4 restrictions, and Hipkins had been seeking advice from ministry officials about the effects of bringing the holidays forward. However, this morning he said he had concluded that the status quo remained the best course of action and the school holidays would remain in line with the rest of the country beginning on 2 October. "Keeping the holidays as they are will avoid disrupting the plans already in place for students, families and educators, including curriculum and activity planning and families planning their holidays, and will [...]
Covid-19: 13 new cases in Delta outbreak, truck driver case crossed Akl boundary to Waikato
There are 13 new cases of Covid-19 in the Delta community outbreak, bringing the total to 996. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield gave the update in a press conference on Thursday. Among the new cases is a truck driver who crosses the Auckland boundary doing deliveries, stocking supermarkets, Ardern said. Their contact is “limited” to drop-offs and deliveries. CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF The truck driver was carrying out work activities before they had been identified as a contact, and there is “no evidence” they have done anything wrong, officials say. Bloomfield said the driver was tested after being identified as a household contact of another case. The truck driver went to Hamilton, Cambridge and Tauranga. It is unclear yet whether this was during the [...]
Covid-19 briefing: Gathering limits could increase under level two
If Auckland does move down an alert level next week, the rest of the country will also see some easing of the alert level 2 rules, according to the prime minister. Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have given an update on Covid-19 case numbers and the response. Watch it here: There were 13 new community cases reported today. Ardern addressed the current alert level system and said as long as Auckland is at alert level 3 or 4, the rest of the country should stay at alert level 2. She said Cabinet has considered the settings at level 1, and had decided that alert level 1 will remain the same. "At this level, we remain prepared," she said. "We don't have Covid in the community, [...]
All set for granular lockdown, alert level system- PNP
PHILIPPINES— All is set for the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the governments begins the implementation of the granular lockdown and the alert level system in Metro Manila tomorrow, Sept. 16. PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said personnel of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have already been instructed to familiarize the guidelines and continuously coordinate with the local government units of Metro Manila for the enforcement of the rules and even for necessary adjustments. “We are continuously coordinating with the LGUs in Metro Manila for proper enforcement of these rules—from the identification of areas that would be placed under lockdown up to the distribution of assistance to the affected residents,” he added. Part of the security adjustment, according to Eleazar, was the shortened curfew hours that [...]
Air NZ offered free flight change from Auckland to Hamilton departure
A man is surprised Air New Zealand suggested travelling out of lockdown in Auckland to Hamilton to take advantage of the offer of a free-of-charge flight change. Photo: camfoto/123RF The man, who RNZ has agreed not to name, says he was helping a family member rearrange flights previously booked from Auckland to Wellington set for this week. The flight was cancelled due to lockdown and converted into credit. The man then messaged Air New Zealand on Facebook asking about its policy towards waiving fare differences when rebooking flights. It replied its policy did not allow that, but if they wanted to keep the same travel dates it could offer a free change to a flight out of Hamilton at the same cost out - as long as they [...]
Covid-19 lockdown: Auckland businesses question how ‘essential’ is defined
The issue of which businesses are and aren't essential during Auckland's level 4 lockdown has some businesses frustrated and disheartened as their finances continue to dwindle. A deserted Auckland on the first day of the current lockdown on 17 August. Photo: RNZ / Robert Smith If all goes well and Covid-19 case numbers continue to drop, the government has announced Auckland could move to alert level 3 as early as Tuesday. Until then non-essential businesses around the city are sitting tight and waiting for the storm to pass. But the question of what constitutes an essential business is increasingly a grey area. Why, for example, can you get a box of donuts and a bottle of gin delivered to your house but not a book or a [...]
Reopened MIQ bookings welcomed but ‘still the same number of needles in the haystack’
At 8am on Monday the new MIQ 'lobby' system will open its virtual doors with 3000 spots on offer. Barriers outside a managed isolation facility. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi New Zealanders stuck overseas will have one hour to get in, where they'll be put in a randomised queue and given a spot when they reach the front. Mike Newell, spokesperson for the Grounded Kiwis group which advocates for a fairer MIQ system, said lifting the pause was a good start. But he said the timing might be off for some New Zealanders overseas. "It's not a great time for people that are, say, in the Middle East or in Asia, and it might not be a great time for somebody that is working on an oil rig. [...]
UK, US and Australia launch landmark security pact
Britain, the US and Australia have announced a special security pact to share advanced technologies including nuclear-powered submarine know-how. An Astute-class British Navy nuclear submarine (file). The new defence partnership will initially focus on a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian Navy Photo: AFP The partnership, labelled Aukus, aims to "defend our shared interests in the Indo-Pacific", the leaders of the three nations said in a joint statement. Along with technology, industrial bases and supply chains will also be shared. The defence pact could see Australia scrap a deal to build French-designed submarines, Australian media report. France won a $A50 billion contract to build 12 submarines for the Australian Navy in 2016. The deal was Australia's largest-ever defence contract. However, the construction of submarines has been hit [...]
New Zealand bill to ban LGBTQ conversion practices receives record 100,000 submissions
Activists hopeful the majority of submissions will be in favour, amid previous signs of support and large social media campaign New Zealand’s Labour party is likely to have the numbers to ban LGBTQ conversion practices without support from the opposition National party. Photograph: Lukas Coch/EPA More than 100,000 people have sent in submissions on New Zealand’s plan to ban LGBTQ conversion practices – more than have ever been made on a piece of legislation. “We’ve already made history with this movement and we’re not even done,” said Shaneel Lal, an activist and organiser in the movement to ban conversion practices. “People really and truly care about this because in 2021 it is not appropriate to erase queer identities.” The government received a total of 106,700 submissions on the [...]
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles into sea, South Korea military says
Launch comes as Chinese foreign minister is in Seoul to discuss stalled nuclear diplomacy and two days after North tests a new long-range cruise missile Reports North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles came as China and South Korea met to discuss stalled nuclear diplomacy efforts. Photograph: 朝鮮通信社/AP North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea’s military has said, two days after the North claimed to have tested a new missile in its first weapons test in six months. South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff (JCS) said the missiles flew from a central inland area towards the waters off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast and that further analysis with US officials was under way. “Our military maintains a full [...]
Pak’nSave security guard assaulted by woman who refused to wear mask
Two people, including a Black Power gang member, have been charged for assaulting a Takanini Pak'nSave security guard after a woman refused to wear a face mask and took exception to being offered one. A file image of supermarket checkouts. Source: 1 NEWS Police said a woman became aggressive at the guard when she was offered a face covering. She left the Auckland store and later returned to the supermarket with two other men. The woman allegedly punched the guard and the two men chased the guard with weapons. Police were called and arrested two people in the nearby area. A 26-year-old woman has been charged with assault and was also issued an infringement for failing to wear a face mask. A 33-year-old man, a patched Black Power [...]
Chinese property giant Evergrande under ‘tremendous pressure’
FILE PHOTO: An exterior view of China Evergrande Centre in Hong Kong, Mar 26, 2018. (Reuters/Bobby Yip) BEIJING: Embattled Chinese property giant Evergrande on Tuesday (Sep 14) conceded it is under "tremendous pressure", a day after insisting it will avoid a bankruptcy that many fear could have a huge impact on the world's number-two economy. The Hong Kong-listed developer is sinking under a mountain of liabilities totalling more than US$300 billion after years of borrowing to fund rapid growth. The group was downgraded by two credit rating agencies last week while its shares tumbled below their 2009 listing price, as a battery of bad headlines and speculation of its imminent collapse ran out across Chinese social media. On Monday anxious investors protested at the Shenzhen headquarters of the sprawling [...]
Chinese students hit by US visa rejections amid tension
Chinese students are joining companies and individuals whose plans have been disrupted by U.S.-Chinese tension After a semester online, Wang Ziwei looked forward to meeting classmates who are returning to campus at Washington University in St. Louis. But the 23-year-old finance student said the U.S. revoked his student visa on security grounds. Wang is among at least 500 students the Chinese government says have been rejected under a policy issued by then-President Donald Trump to block Beijing from obtaining U.S. technology with possible military uses. Students argue it is applied too broadly and fume at what they say is an accusation they are spies. “The whole thing is nonsense,” Wang said. “What do we finance students have to do with the military?” The students join companies and individuals whose [...]
Putin watches huge display of firepower during Zapad war games
The Zapad exercises are likely Russia's largest in Europe since the Cold War. MULINO FIRING RANGE, Russia -- Russian President Vladimir Putin watched a huge display of firepower put on by his military Monday when he attended the finale of what is believed to be the largest Russian war games held in Europe since the Cold War. The joint exercises with Belarus -- called Zapad -- take place every four years and their main phase began last week, involving tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks, aircrafts and warships at sites across western Russia and in Belarus. Zapad -- which means "West" in Russian -- is intended to test the country's ability to fight a major war with NATO on its western border. The exercise has its [...]
Malaysian govt, PH opposition sign historic bipartisan deal; polls not expected before Aug 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (centre) inking the cooperation deal with Pakatan Harapan on Sept 13, 2021.PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is not expected to go to the polls for at least another year, under a historic bipartisan deal signed between the government and main opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan (PH) on Monday (Sept 13) that paves the way for political stability and institutional reforms. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, accompanied by several members of his administration, inked the deal with PH, led by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim, at a signing ceremony in Malaysia’s Parliament, hours after the Lower House sat for the first time under Datuk Seri Ismail’s administration. Mr Ismail said in a statement that the deal, which is [...]
Judith Collins questions Jacinda Ardern’s ‘short and sharp’ COVID-19 lockdown plan as Auckland enters fifth week
National leader Judith Collins is questioning Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's plan for a "short and sharp" lockdown as Auckland enters its fifth week of heavy restrictions. Ardern announced on August 17 that New Zealand would enter alert level 4 lockdown after the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 was discovered in the community. "We want to be short and sharp rather than light and long. We've seen what happened in Sydney," she said at the time. "We don't want that experience here. If we all comply, it lifts our chances of getting out of this earlier." But as Auckland enters its fifth week still under alert level 4 restrictions, businesses are getting impatient, and the Opposition is calling for answers. "This lockdown will now be the longest ever since [...]
Covid-19: ‘There is nothing holding us back in Auckland when it comes to vaccines’ – PM
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are giving an update of the government's Delta outbreak response. Watch the government Covid-19 update here: There are 15 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, Dr Bloomfield said. Meanwhile, Ardern says the theme of the past few days has been "vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate with a particular focus on Tāmaki Makaurau in what we intend to be their last week in level 4". "There is nothing holding us back in Auckland when it comes to vaccines. "There's capacity to administer 220,000 doses of vaccine in the region this week." Ardern says if 130 people get their first dose this week, "Aucklanders will hit 80 percent coverage of first vaccinations in one week's time". She reiterates that vaccinations [...]
Covid-19 update: 15 new cases in the community
There are 15 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, the Ministry of Health has announced. Photo: AFP Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says there are no unlinked cases today. The one case from yesterday that was not linked to the outbreak, has now been linked, Dr Bloomfield said. He said 10 cases in the outbreak are yet to be epidemiologically linked. Bloomfield says the focus for testing is in the following suburbs - Massey, Māngere, Favona, Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Ōtara. Anyone with cold and flu symptoms is urged to get a test. He says families with children are urged to get tested together. So far this month, 15,685 essential workers in the Auckland region have been tested with no positive cases identified. "On contact tracing we're [...]
Facebook: some high-profile users ‘allowed to break platform’s rules’
XCheck system ‘whitelists’ well-known users who are given special treatment, says Wall Street Journal report Facebook users are placed on the XCheck list if they meet criteria such as being newsworthy, influential or popular. Photograph: Dado Ruvić/Reuters Facebook gives high-profile users special treatment, which includes immunity from its rules for some, and allowed Brazilian footballer Neymar to post nude pictures of a woman who had accused him of rape, according to a report. The XCheck or “CrossCheck” system steers reviews of posts by well-known users such as celebrities, politicians and journalists into a separate system, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. Under the programme, some users are “whitelisted” – not subject to enforcement action – while others are allowed to post material that violates [...]
Kiwibank customers still facing money access issues following cyberattack
The bank has promised to reimburse customers out of pocket due to the DDoS attack. Photo credit: Getty Images Kiwibank customers are still facing internet banking and app issues five days after a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack first took out its website. The New Zealand state-owned bank had issues last week during the cyberattack, along with ANZ Bank, Metservice and NZ Post. And while ANZ customers had ongoing issues until the weekend, it had appeared Kiwibank's problems had been resolved. But that wasn't the case. A social media update from the company this morning said it was "expecting Internet Banking and our App to be intermittent today". "Some customers may be able to access our services and some may have issues from time to time. We’re [...]
Suspicious parcel arrives at Parliament, fire crews on scene
Fire crews are assessing a suspicious package at Parliament. Photo / Michael Neilson. NEW ZEALAND— The fire department is on-site at Parliament after the delivery of a suspicious parcel. A spokesman for Ardern confirmed it's not an explosive but precautions are being taken nonetheless. Several fire engines and the hazmat unit are at the scene. A police spokeswoman said they were notified just after 10am about reports of "an item of interest" located at Parliament. "Inquiries are underway to determine what the item is and assess any risk." One area of Parliament has been isolated as a precaution, she said. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the item was sent in the post and received on level eight of the Beehive, the floor below Jacinda Ardern's office, [...]
Auckland can’t afford to wait in level 4 for high vaccination rates – immunologist
A leading immunologist says although widespread vaccination is the only long-term way to curb Covid-19, the immunisation rate should not be the only factor in ending the elimination strategy. Central Auckland at midday on 27 August. Photo: RNZ / Robert Smith Director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and the programme director of the Vaccine Alliance, professor Graham Le Gros, says social and economic pressures and how much people can withstand restrictions should also determine when to abandon elimination. "This is only one event that got across the border and look at the mayhem, one month lockdown, a billion dollars a week that's just not sustainable in the long term and all the pressure that people are under ... the family issues, the schools, the devastation to [...]
Asean ministers to start talks on regional digital economy agreement by 2025
The roadmap highlights digital initiatives that are expected to boost the region's competitiveness over the immediate and longer term.PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE — As Asean continues to grapple with Covid-19 cases and an uncertain recovery, its economic ministers have committed to conducting a study on a region-wide digital economy pact by 2023. They also agreed to start negotiations on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement by 2025. A focus on digital transformation to enable the smooth flow of goods and services and data will help ensure the region continues to draw global trade and investments, and better position itself for future growth, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said at meetings with his counterparts last week. "Asean remains fully committed to free and open [...]
FBI releases declassified 9/11 document after Biden’s order
The American flag is unfurled at the site where a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon 20 years ago, on Sept 11, 2021.PHOTO: NYTIMES WASHINGTON— The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday (Sept 11) released the first document related to its investigation of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and allegations of Saudi government support for the hijackers, following an executive order by President Joe Biden. Relatives of the victims had called on Mr Biden to skip memorial events to mark Saturday's 20th anniversary if he did not declassify documents that they have contended will show Saudi Arabian authorities supported the plot. The partially redacted 16-page document released by the FBI outlined contacts between the hijackers and Saudi associates, but no evidence the government [...]
U.N. seeks $600 million to avert Afghanistan humanitarian crisis
A family from Afghanistan walk next to fence to cross into Pakistan at the Friendship Gate crossing point, in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman, Pakistan September 6, 2021. REUTERS/Abdul Khaliq Achakzai GENEVA— The United Nations is convening an aid conference in Geneva on Monday in an effort to raise more than $600 million for Afghanistan, warning of a humanitarian crisis there following the Taliban takeover. Even before the Taliban's seizure of Kabul last month, half the population - or 18 million people - was dependent on aid. That figure looks set to increase due to drought and shortages of cash and food, U.N. officials and aid groups warn. An abrupt end to billions of dollars in foreign donations following the collapse of Afghanistan's Western-backed government and the ensuing victory [...]
Granular lockdowns to be implemented ‘without warning,’ says DILG
Granular lockdowns will be implemented by surprise, according to Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, contrary to earlier pronouncements that residents will be informed in advance. The remark comes just days before the government targets to release the guidelines for the new COVID-19 alert system, either on Monday, September 13, or Tuesday, September 14. “Wala namang warning, hindi mo malalaman. Ang nakakaalam lang kasi ng datos ay ang City Health office,” Malaya said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview that was featured in a report by Mav Gonzales on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday. “Kasi it would defeat the purpose kung may warning, o di mag-aalisan ‘yung mga tao, may clustering nga doon,” he added. [There will be no warning, you will not know. Only the City Health Office has [...]
DepEd ‘not ready’ for SY 2021-2022 school opening, teachers’ groups say
PHILIPPINES— Teachers’ groups maintained that the Department of Education (DepEd) is “not ready” for the Sept. 13 school opening as concerns under the distance or blended learning set-up, which was first implemented last school year, remain “unaddressed.” (Photo from ACT Philippines Facebook Page) The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), in separate statements, challenged the DepEd and the Duterte administration to address their concerns as they feared that the new school year might be just a “repeat” of the previous one. Citing reports from the ground, TDC National Vice Chairperson Olivia De Guzman said that days before classes start, “we receive, many teachers are still waiting for the provided modules while others are doing their last-ditch effort of printing and reproduction using their [...]
UK vaccine volunteers to help prepare for next virus at new Pandemic Institute
The Liverpool site will work with other international centres to research the threat of emerging disruptive diseases Liverpool’s new Pandemic Institute will be based in the Paddington Village area of the city. A new scientific institute which aims to prevent future pandemics might have been able to save thousands of lives by accelerating vaccine development had it existed before December 2019, its researchers believe. Liverpool’s new Pandemic Institute will include a new human challenge facility, where volunteers will test new vaccines and treatments under controlled conditions. If vaccine candidates could have been tested during the first wave of infections, the jabs would have been ready months earlier, according to Professor Daniela Ferreira, the head of clinical sciences at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), and one of the [...]
France’s former health minister charged over handling of Covid crisis
Agnès Buzyn accused of ‘endangering the lives of others’ after early statements minimised risk of pandemic Agnès Buzyn, a former doctor, resigned as France’s health minister in mid-February 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photograph: Lucas Barioulet/AFP/Getty Images France’s former health minister Agnès Buzyn has been charged over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic after investigators at a special court in Paris concluded there were grounds to prosecute her. Buzyn has been charged with “endangering the lives of others”, according to the prosecutor in a special court that deals with ministerial accountability. A second possible offence of “failure to stop a disaster” was not brought. The former doctor, who will be able to appeal against the charge, attended a hearing at the court on Friday, [...]
Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil organisers charged under national security law
GETTY IMAGES Chow Hang Tung, a human rights lawyer, was arrested earlier this year and charged with promoting unauthorised assembly Three members of a pro-democracy group in Hong Kong have been charged with subversion after the group was accused of working as a "foreign agent". The Hong Kong Alliance is known for organising the city's famed annual vigil for victims of the deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. The group said chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and vice-chairs Albert Ho and Chow Hang Tung were charged on Thursday. The alliance itself was also charged and hit with financial penalties. The arrests were made under a controversial new national security law which China imposed on Hong Kong last year. Mr Lee and Mr Ho are currently serving jail sentences for their roles [...]
Covid-19 update: 23 new community cases reported today
There have been 23 new cases of Covid-19 in the community reported in New Zealand today, more than double the amount reported yesterday. Photo: 123rf.com There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said some volatility in the case numbers was likely at this stage as "we expect some changes in the numbers as day 5 and day 12 tests for contacts of cases are due, and we do further investigations of any new unlinked cases". "This does serve as a strong reminder of the importance of following the Covid-19 alert level rules wherever you are, and to get tested if you have any symptoms or have been at a location of interest at the specified times." Yesterday, there were 11 cases reported [...]
A case of money laundering? AMLC check sought on Pharmally’s transactions
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to look into the financial dealings of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation as lawmakers doubted that it can take on billions-worth of government contracts. Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation Huang Tzu Yen attends the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s virtual hearing on the government’s purchase of COVID-19 supplies on September 7, 2021 (Screencapture from Senate livestream/YouTube) At the resumption of the Senate panel’s inquiry Friday, September 10, on the purchases made by the Department of Health (DOH) during the COVID-19 pandemic, senators continued to question the over P8 billion in contracts awarded to Pharmally despite the foreign firm having a small paid-up capital of P625,000 when it was incorporated in 2019. Based on its financial statements submitted to the Securities and [...]
Signal No. 4 still in effect as ‘Kiko’ moves towards Batanes
(PAGASA) PHILIPPINES— Typhoon “Kiko” (international name “Chanthu”) has passed to the east of Babuyan Island and is now heading towards Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, Sept. 11. As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of the typhoon was located 75 kilometers (km) south of Basco, Batanes. It may pass close or make landfall in Batanes in the next 12 hours, PAGASA said. Kiko has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 265 kph while moving north-northwest at 15 kph. “The typhoon is forecast to maintain its strength while traversing the Babuyan-Batanes area in the next 12 hours but is forecast to begin weakening later [...]
Filipino talent to spur BPO sector’s growth
BPO TALKS (Clockwise from top left) Institute for Labor Studies senior officer Ellah Delerio, The Manila Times President and CEO Dante ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines lead for talent attraction and academe linkages Zoe Diaz de Rivera, and Times business columnist Ben Kritz during the Times forum Resiliency and adaptability at all times of the BPO industry — bedrock of PH employment, held online on Sept. 10, 2021. SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK LIVE The country has a deep bench of talent that could help its business process outsourcing (BPO) industry attract more foreign clients. Speaking Friday at The Manila Times online forum, "Resiliency and adaptability at all times of the BPO industry - bedrock of Philippine employment [...]
Memorial held in Christchurch for 9/11 terror attacks
A service to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks has been held Christchurch today. Photo: RNZ / Belinda McCammon The memorial is marked by steel salvaged from ground zero from tower two of the World Trade Centre and was gifted to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand acknowledgement of there help at the scene in the weeks that followed the attack. Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel told the small gathering she was overwhelmed with the memory of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent terror attack that had happened in Christchurch since then and acknowledged the trauma the city had been through. Fire and Emergency NZ head Paul Henderson paid tribute to the first responders of 9/11 and to those in Christchurch, saying the city had had [...]
US Biden and China’s Xi hold first call in seven months
GETTY IMAGES This is only the second call between the leaders since President Biden took office Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken with his US counterpart Joe Biden for the first time in seven months. A White House Statement said both leaders had "discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict". This is only the second call between them since President Biden took office. US- China relations have been tense, with clashes over issues like trade, espionage and the pandemic. "The two leaders had a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge," the White House Statement added. "This discussion, as President Biden made clear, was part of the [...]
Singapore facing increasing likelihood of ‘exponential rise’ in COVID-19 cases, quick action needed: MOH
People wearing protective face masks in a public place on Jul 7, 2021, amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore. (File photo: Marcus Mark Ramos) Health Risk Warnings will be sent out to people linked to COVID-19 clusters requiring them to be tested and to self-isolate Frequency of rostered routine testing for people working in higher-risk industries to be increased from once a fortnight to once a week Companies not subject to mandatory rostered routine testing will get eight antigen rapid test kits per employee for routine testing Ang Hwee People wearing protective face masks in a public place on Jul 7, 2021, amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore. (File photo: Marcus Mark Ramos) Health Risk Warnings will be sent out to people linked to COVID-19 clusters requiring them to be tested and to [...]
Nurses’ organisation horrified at hundreds of daily visitors to patients at Auckland DHB
Hundreds of visitors are being allowed to visit Auckland DHB hospitals every day, despite the region being at the highest Covid-19 alert level due to the Delta outbreak. Auckland City Hospital. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says it is absurd that the DHB has the softest visitor policy of any DHB in the country, despite the heightened risk in Auckland. NZNO has been raising concerns about the inconsistent visitor policies as well as poor visitor behaviour, including people refusing to wear masks and turning up in groups. WorkSafe is now involved and Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) says it will now be involving health and safety representatives in further decision making. NZNO acting nursing and professional services manager Kate Weston told Nine [...]
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to stand as vice-president
REUTERS Rodrigo Duterte became president of the Philippines in 2016 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted his party's nomination to run as vice-president in the next election. The constitution bars Mr Duterte from a second term and rivals have accused him of seeking to cling onto power. But Mr Duterte claimed that he is driven by love of his country. There has been speculation he would seek a politically weak running mate in order to rule from the number two role, the BBC's Celia Hatton reports. Mr Duterte has also mused publicly that as vice-president, he would be immune from prosecution by the International Criminal Court for ordering what he's called "a war on drugs" that has killed thousands. But it is unclear whether he would retain legal [...]
Afghanistan: A new order begins under the Taliban’s governance
REUTERS The Taliban's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced the new government in a press conference on Tuesday The phrases have tripped off the tongues of Taliban for quite some time. "We're working to establish an inclusive government that represents all the people of Afghanistan," promised Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar when he recently arrived in Kabul to start talks aimed at forming a leadership to move the movement from guns to government. "We would like to live peacefully," vowed Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid at the first press conference in the capital after the Taliban suddenly swept into power on 15 August. "We don't want any internal enemies and any external enemies." Judge them by their actions, not their words, has become the mantra of a fast-expanding league of [...]
Auckland terrorist’s bail not opposed by police, despite PM saying everything was done to keep him jailed
Police did not oppose bail for the Auckland terrorist when charged with assaulting two prison officers last year, Stuff can reveal. Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen was shot dead by police on Friday after he stabbed shoppers in LynnMall Countdown. At the time, he was serving a sentence of supervision in the community for possessing Islamic State propaganda videos, depicting extreme violence. He was also on bail for an attack on Corrections officers in June 2020, which left one officer requiring surgery on a broken nose. On Thursday, the Crown filed a stay of proceedings in the matter, allowing Stuff to reveal how Samsudeen got bail. Court documents released to Stuff show that on July 9 last year, a joint memorandum from the prosecutor for police and his defence lawyer [...]
Australia to have vaccine passport system ready within weeks for international travel
The Morrison government is developing internationally recognised vaccination certificates, trade minister Dan Tehan says The Australian government is working on a QR code with the International Civil Aviation Organisation so travel can resume as vaccination rates rise. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters The Morrison government will have a system in place within weeks to support the resumption of international travel as vaccination rates rise, the trade minister, Dan Tehan, says. With senior federal ministers meeting on Wednesday to continue work around vaccine passports, Tehan told reporters the resumption of international travel would require “a system that can enable recognition of vaccination – a vaccination certification scheme”. “We’re in the process of planning that so that in the coming weeks we will have a system up and ready so when we [...]
Covid-19: Delta outbreak could push NZ’s reopening back by months, expert says
Plans to reconnect New Zealand with the rest of the world will be set back, potentially by months, by the current Covid-19 Delta variant outbreak in the country. File image. Photo: 123RF University of Otago epidemiologist professor Michael Baker told Morning Report that was partly due to Aotearoa's limited capability to launch new initiatives - but there were multiple reasons reopening would be pushed back. "The most obvious one is exactly what we've been talking about, that our capacity to launch new initiatives is limited," Baker said. "It's a finite capacity, and so much of it is now being taken up with this … battle against this outbreak, so that has occupied probably a couple of months of effort by the time it's finished, so that will inevitably [...]
PEZA to hold a Focused Group Discussion with Chinese Business Community
PHILIPPINES— In time with China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in collaboration with Philippine Embassy in China, Philippine Trade and Investment Center- China, and 86 Links Group will be holding its Global Biz with PEZA: A Focused Group Discussion with Chinese Business Community on September 9,2021 at 10AM-12:NN (PST). The forum will be conducted via Zoom. Details are provided below: Topic: PEZA at CIFIT2021 Time: Sep 9, 2021 10:00 AM Beijing, Shanghai Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.com.cn/j/87141477591 Meeting ID: 871 4147 7591
Biden to visit New York, New Jersey to survey Hurricane Ida’s destruction
President Joe Biden speaks about hurricane response efforts amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in La Place on Sept. 3, 2021.PHOTO: NYTIMES WASHINGTON— US President Joe Biden will visit New York and New Jersey on Tuesday (Sept 7) to view the destruction wrought by last week's Hurricane Ida, which has left at least 57 dead and four missing in the eastern United States. Biden will travel to New York City's Queens borough and Manville, New Jersey, the White House said on Monday. He has approved disaster declarations for Louisiana, where Ida hit on Aug 29 with sustained winds of 240km per hour (240 kph), and for New York and New Jersey, which were deluged with rain and intense flooding that killed dozens in the Northeast. Biden's disaster declarations qualify [...]
4 areas remain under Signal No. 3 as Jolina crosses Samar
PHILIPPINES— Four areas remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 on Tuesday as Typhoon Jolina continued to move west northwestward over Samar Sea toward Masbate. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Jolina -- which made its fourth landfall at Almagro, Samar at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday -- is seen to make another landfall in the vicinity of Masbate within 12 hours. "Beyond the next 12 hours, 'JOLINA' will move northwestward towards Burias Island and the vicinity of Ragay Gulf before making another landfall in the vicinity of southeastern Quezon tonight or tomorrow early morning," it added. Jolina first made landfall in the vicinity of Hernani, Eastern Samar at 10 p.m. on Monday. After that, it made landfalls at Daram and Sto Niño, both in Samar. Jolina is [...]
Testing workers at regional borders ‘the price of more freedoms’ – Jacinda Ardern
Essential workers between regional borders getting tested every week will allow other New Zealanders the freedom of lower alert levels, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Arden told Morning Report the Delta variant of Covid-19 had generated "more mystery cases for us a little later on in a level 4 environment than what we've had before". It is one of the reasons the borders are being tightened and those crossing will need a weekly test. "We're looking to work with employers, particularly in the freight industry to try and make it as easy as possible." Some companies were already using saliva testing for surveillance of staff, but Ardern said the government was looking at whether to contract specifically providers to [...]
Watch live: Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield give Covid-19 update
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are providing an update on the Covid-19 outbreak. They are due to speak at 1pm. Watch the Covid-19 update here: Twenty cases have been reported every day for the last three days, so hopes are pinned on seeing figures in the tens or lower. Ardern announced yesterday that regions outside of Auckland will move to alert level 2 from 11.59pm. But it is not level 2 like in previous lockdowns, instead "delta 2", as she coined it, comes with new rules. They also confirmed essential workers crossing alert level boundaries will be required to undergo weekly testing.
Thousands gather for pro-Bolsonaro rallies as critics fear for democracy
Followers arrive in Brasília and São Paulo in hope of staging show of support for beleaguered Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro reacts to supporters outside the presidential palace in Brasília on Monday. Photograph: Eraldo Peres/AP Thousands of diehard Jair Bolsonaro followers have converged on Brazil’s political and economic capitals hoping to stage a colossal show of support for their beleaguered president amid mounting fears over the future of Brazilian democracy and of possible skirmishes with the government’s opponents. The rightwing nationalist, who recently warned Brazil could face a political “rupture”, is expected to address packed independence day rallies in Brasília and São Paulo on Tuesday in what observers say is an increasingly weak politician’s attempt to project strength. Bolsonaro’s approval ratings have plummeted in recent months as corruption allegations [...]
Japan PM candidate Kishida calls for $270 bln-plus stimulus package -media
Fumio Kishida, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker and former foreign minister, announces his candidacy for the party's presidential election at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, August 26, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Summary BOJ must maintain price goal, stimulus - Kishida Govt must prop economy with big fiscal, monetary support Stimulus package to be funded by bond issuance TOKYO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Fumio Kishida, a strong contender to succeed Yoshihide Suga as Japan's prime minister, called for a stimulus package of more than 30 trillion yen ($273 billion) to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus pandemic, a magazine reported. Kishida also said that if he were to become prime minister, he would have the Bank of Japan maintain its 2% inflation target and massive [...]
U.S. Justice Dept. says will protect Texas abortion clinics that come under attack
An exam room at the Planned Parenthood South Austin Health Center is shown in Austin, Texas, U.S. June 27, 2016. REUTERS/Ilana Panich-Linsman WASHINGTON— The U.S. Justice Department on Monday said it would not tolerate attacks against people seeking or providing abortions in Texas, as the agency explores ways of challenging the state's recently enacted law that imposed a near-total ban on abortion. The law, known as SB8, leaves enforcement up to individual citizens, enabling them to sue anyone who provides or "aids or abets" an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland said in a statement the department would “protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services” through a 1994 law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act). [...]
NZ outside Auckland to drop to ‘Delta level 2’
With the exception of the Auckland region, the country will move down the lockdown ladder tonight, and this time alert level 2 comes with tougher rules. Indoor venues have a limit of 50 people and restaurant diners have to mostly remain seated. Photo: 123rf Cinemas, restaurants, bars, and night clubs can open up, but indoor venues have a limit of 50 people and face coverings are mandatory in most public venues. Kelly Rogers, who owns cinemas in Tauranga, Upper Hutt and Auckland, says it'll be a different movie experience than people are used to. "With the new protocols where there are fewer people able to be in the cinema at any one time, we'll have bigger social distancing, so there'll be two to three seats between everyone, maybe [...]
Robredo gets support in Northern Mindanao
A file photo of Vice President Leni Robredo during the Women2020 in Taguig City. TMT FILE PHOTO PHILIPPINES— Multisectoral groups from different parts of Northern Mindanao launched on Saturday "Northern Mindanao for Leni" as their support for the possible presidential bid of Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo. "Northern Mindanao for Leni" was launched online at 5 p.m. "Northern Mindanao for Leni" is composed of multisectoral groups from Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte. "We support the candidacy of VP Leni Robredo to run for [the] presidency to better our ailing country," said Carl Cesar Rebuta, one of the convenors of "Northern Mindanao for Leni." "Kami'y naniniwala na tanging sa ilalim lang ng liderato ni VP Robredo magkakaroon ng tunay [...]
‘Duterte won’t tolerate corruption with appointees’
President Rodrigo Duterte SIMEON CELI/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO Malacañang on Saturday reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte would not tolerate corruption among his appointees, responding to Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao's statement that the Chief Executive is "too defensive" when his people are tagged in corruption issues. "Senator Pacquiao, I can tell you I've had personal experiences with the President. ... It does not matter to the President if you are close to him - and I've proven that," Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a virtual press briefing. "All of them were sacked. So, I have personal knowledge that when there is data and proof on allegations of corruption, the President does not look the other way," he added. Pacquiao earlier called on Duterte to "stop tolerating" his appointees [...]
Second Afghan evacuee boy dies in Poland after eating toxic mushrooms
Six-year-old pronounced dead a day after his younger brother also died after eating soup made from death cap mushrooms Death cap mushrooms are extremely toxic and responsible for 90% of all mushroom poisoning deaths.Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images A second child of an Afghan family evacuated from Kabul to Poland has died after eating soup containing death cap mushrooms, which the family had unknowingly gathered in a forest outside their quarantine centre. The six-year-old boy received an emergency liver transplant but doctors were unable to save him. His five-year-old brother died on Thursday at Poland’s main children’s hospital in Warsaw, where both were treated. The boys’ 17-year-old sister was treated at the hospital and released, in good condition. Doctors said the dose of toxins was less damaging to an [...]
Ministers face showdowns on post-Brexit green bill weeks before Cop26
Peers’ challenge to government may see it arguing for lower environmental standards at home while hosting global summit Air pollution over London. Campaigners are concerned that the new Office for Environmental Protection will not be able to hold the government to account in the same way as the European court of justice. Photograph: Nick Ansell/PA Ministers are facing a fortnight of showdowns with peers over weak post-Brexit green protections just weeks before the Cop26 summit on the environment. An alliance of crossbench and opposition peers has tabled more than 100 amendments to the environment bill in an attempt to beef up protections for nature, air quality and water standards and give the new green watchdog more powers. With four sessions of parliamentary debate over the next two weeks, [...]
Immigration New Zealand shuts its Beijing office
Visa processing at what used to be New Zealand's largest immigration centre has closed. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Before the pandemic, the Beijing office decided half of all temporary visas - about 10,000 a week. Withdrawing visa processing from China ends a long programme of overseas office closures, including in India, South Africa and the Philippines in March. The only Immigration New Zealand offices that now process visas abroad are those in the Pacific. Immigration New Zealand says most staff have been able to work remotely during lockdown on online visas, including work visas since Tuesday. But waiting times for paper applications, such as residence and variations of conditions, have been affected. Staff decided 82,000 visas last summer, compared to 200,000 in the summer before the first [...]
Covid-19 briefing: ‘We’ve got to do this once, and we’ve got to do it right’ – deputy PM
Case numbers might be falling, but deputy prime minister Grant Robertson says the government will not be relaxing restrictions until it is confident there are no unknown cases lurking in the community. Robertson and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have given a briefing on the latest Covid-19 situation. Watch it here: Dr Bloomfield said there were 20 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Yesterday, the death of a woman from Covid-19 was reported, along with 20 new cases of Covid-19 in the community. Dr Bloomfield said anyone with any symptoms were the most important group to get tested. "Please don't just put this down to a cold, or decide for yourself it is something minor. Please do get a test. "So saying, two weeks of alert [...]
LynnMall attacker ‘brainwashed’ by neighbours, mother says
The mother of the LynnMall attacker says he was brainwashed by neighbours from the Middle East. Armed police at LynnMall on Friday, the day of the attack. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen, a 32-year-old refugee originally from Sri Lanka, was shot dead by undercover police after stabbing six people inside Countdown in LynnMall on Friday. His mother, Ismail Fareeda, has told a TV channel in Sri Lanka that neighbours from Syria and Iraq radicalised Aathil Samsudeen when he was injured in a fall in Sri Lanka in 2016. She said her son then started posting radical views on social media. Fareeda said there was a change in her son after he left Sri Lanka and settled in New Zealand in 2011. She said her [...]
Covid-19 update: 20 new community cases reported in New Zealand, one new death
The number of new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand has fallen to 20 today, but there has been one further death, the Health Ministry has revealed. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi There were 28 new community cases reported yesterday. There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said a woman in her 90s who was a confirmed case of Covid-19 died in North Shore Hospital last night. It said she had a number of underlying health conditions, which meant it was not clinically appropriate for her to receive ventilator or ICU care. The woman was admitted to hospital on 28 August from home. She was a household contact of a case and had been confirmed as a case before admission to hospital. [...]
Biden orders declassification of Sept. 11 investigation documents
The order lays out specific timelines over the next six months for the release of the documents with some set to be released as early as next week’s 20th anniversary of the terror attack. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is ordering the widespread declassification of information collected during the U.S. investigation of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks following growing pressure to do so from family members of the victims. The order lays out specific timelines over the next six months for the release of the documents, with some set to be released as early as next week’s 20th anniversary of the terror attacks. Information should only remain classified if its release would pose a clear national security risk, and shouldn't remain classified “in order to conceal violations of law, [...]
Ida victims: What we know about those killed in N.Y., N.J.
"Ayúdame por favor" — help me please. Those were some of the last words of Roberto Bravo of Brooklyn, a family member said. Remnants of Tropical Storm Ida battered the East Coast late Wednesday and early Thursday, causing record rain, powerful flash floods and devastating tornadoes. In New York and New Jersey, at least 42 people were killed. New Jersey had the highest death toll, at 25. Gov. Phil Murphy said on NBC's "TODAY" show that six people are missing. "All of these deaths are related either directly or indirectly to flooding and water, either in cars or homes," Murphy said. "It's an absolute tragedy." A majority of New York state's 17 deaths were in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio called the deaths a "tragic loss." "We're [...]
Late Chinese scientist paves way for PH hybrid-rice production
MANILA – Former and current leaders of the Philippine government paid tribute to the contribution of Chinese scientist and professor Yuan Longping to Filipino farmers who benefited largely from his hybrid rice varieties. RICE GENIUS. The late Chinese scientist Yuan Longping (left) visits a rice farm in Laguna on April 17, 2003. The agronomist who introduced hybrid rice production in the Philippines died at 91 years old last May in China's Hunan province. (Photo courtesy of Henry Lim Bon Liong/Xinhua) In a virtual conference on Friday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Longping’s successful agricultural research paved the way for the Philippines to increase its rice sufficiency, among others. “The Philippine government, especially in the agriculture sector, will be forever grateful for his [Longping’s] involvement in teaching the [...]
The Mu Covid-19 variant: What is it and why does WHO list it as ‘variant of interest’?
The Mu variant, also known scientifically as B1621, was first identified in Colombia in January this year.PHOTO: AFP A new coronavirus variant known as Mu, first identified in Colombia in January, is being closely monitored. About 4,500 cases of the Mu variant have been reported across the globe, with more than half of them discovered in the United States. It has also been reported in other South American countries, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. Here is more information on the variant: What is it? The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Aug 30 added the Mu variant - known by scientists as B1621 - to the list of “variants of interest” because of preliminary evidence that it can evade antibodies. The Mu variant has a “constellation of mutations that indicate [...]
Japan’s struggling PM Suga steps down, sets stage for new leader
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who took over after Shinzo Abe resigned last September citing ill health, has seen his approval ratings drop below 30% as the nation struggles with its worst wave of COVID-19 infections ahead of a general election this year. Nicolas Datiche/ Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a surprise move on Friday he would step down, setting the stage for a new premier after a one-year tenure marred by an unpopular COVID-19 response and sinking public support. Suga, who took over after Shinzo Abe resigned last September citing ill health, has seen his approval ratings drop below 30% as the nation struggles with its worst wave of COVID-19 infections ahead of a general election [...]
LynnMall terrorist’s name suppression revoked, but remains secret for now
Name suppression for the man responsible for yesterday's terror attack at a west Auckland supermarket has been revoked, but his name cannot be published yet, with the High Court giving his family at least 24 hours to seek further suppression orders. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi The Sri Lankan national was shot dead by police after stabbing six people inside Countdown in LynnMall. Suppression orders prevented details about his identity and background from being made public. The Crown filed an urgent application last night to have the court orders lifted, so details about the man's identity and background could be made public. In a judgment last night, Justice Wylie said there was no longer any proper basis for the suppression orders. But he said the man's family live [...]
Highest number of new COVID-19 community cases in Singapore, with 210; new cluster at Changi General Hospital
File photo of Changi General Hospital. (Photo: Facebook/Changi General Hospital (CGH)) SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 216 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases as of noon on Friday (Sep 3), including 210 community infections. According to data from the Ministry of Health (MOH), this is the highest daily number of COVID-19 community cases in Singapore since the start of the pandemic, surpassing the 182 community cases recorded on Jun 20 this year. The remaining six locally transmitted cases reported on Friday were infections in dormitories. Of the 216 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, 109 were unlinked to previous infections. Fifty-six of the new infections were linked to previous cases and had been placed on quarantine, said MOH. Another 51 linked infections were detected through surveillance testing. This is the fourth consecutive day where unlinked locally [...]
New Zealand stabbings: man shot dead by police after ‘terrorist attack’ in Auckland
Jacinda Ardern says attack was carried out by a ‘violent extremist’ who followed Islamic State ideology and was being monitored by police Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a press conference after a man injured six people at an Auckland supermarket on Friday in a terrorist attack Photograph: Robert Kitchin/AAP An attack at a New Zealand supermarket was “a terrorist attack” by a “violent extremist” who follows Islamic State ideology and who had been under heavy surveillance by police, prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said. A man was shot dead on Friday afternoon by police after entering a West Auckland supermarket and stabbing at least six people, who are now in hospital. The alleged terrorist was a Sri Lankan national who arrived in New Zealand in 2011 and [...]
China’s Alibaba to invest billions by 2025 for ‘common prosperity’
Move comes on back of Beijing encouraging firms to share wealth as part of a drive to ease inequality Alibaba’s funds will go towards areas such as subsidies for small and medium-sized enterprises and improving insurance protection for gig economy workers. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters China’s Alibaba Group will invest 100bn yuan ($15.5bn) by 2025 in support of “common prosperity”, it said, becoming the latest corporate giant to pledge support for the initiative driven by the president, Xi Jinping. Beijing has been encouraging companies to share wealth as part of the effort to ease inequality in the world’s second-largest economy. Other companies that have made similar announcements include Tencent Holdings, which also pledged 100bn yuan, and Geely Automobile. The government-backed Zhejiang News website said Alibaba’s funds will go towards [...]
Victoria records 208 new local cases of Covid-19 and one further death
Victoria has recorded 208 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and one more person has died with the virus in the state. Central business district in Melbourne. (File photo). Photo: AFP Of the new cases, 96 are linked to known outbreaks. The health department has not provided information about the number of new cases who were in isolation for their infectious period. The death recorded overnight is the third fatality this week from Victoria's Delta outbreak, which now stands at 1180 active cases. The new cases were identified from 48,572 test results received yesterday, while there were 33,511 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites. According to federal health department figures, 58.1 percent of the eligible Victorian population has received their first dose of a vaccine, while 36 [...]
Covid-19 live update on 3 September: Grant Robertson, Caroline McEnlay speak to media
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McEnlay are holding a Covid-19 update. Watch the update here: Today is the first day in alert level 3 for Northland, while Auckland remains the only region in the country to remain at alert level 4. Yesterday, there were 49 new cases of Covid-19 linked to the Delta outbreak.
Afghanistan: Taliban expected to announce new government
Official says ceremony is being prepared at presidential palace in Kabul – two weeks after Islamist militia seized control Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid (centre, holding shawl) is accompanied by officials before addressing a media conference on 31 August. Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty The Taliban are expected to announce a new government in Afghanistanwithin hours, as chaos in the country deepened and aid experts warned of imminent economic collapse. More than two weeks after the Islamist militia seized control, sources told Agence-France Presse that the cabinet could be presented after morning prayers on Friday and Ahmadullah Muttaqi, a Taliban official, said on social media that a ceremony was being prepared at the presidential palace in Kabul. The private broadcaster Tolo said an announcement was imminent. The movement’s supreme leader, Haibatullah [...]
Thousands join protest in Bangkok demanding prime minister’s resignation
Demonstrators show the three-finger salute during a protest over the Thai government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation, in Bangkok, Thailand, Sep 2, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa) BANGKOK: Thousands of people protested in central Bangkok on Thursday (Sep 2) to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and said they would return every day until he leaves office. The demonstration at the Asoke intersection in central Bangkok was one of the biggest such gatherings this year despite a warning from the police earlier in the day that protests are banned due to COVID-19 restrictions. Protests against Prayut have gained momentum since late June as groups who sought his removal last year return with broader support from people angered by a worsening [...]
Pharmally bags P2B more pandemic deals in 2021 | Evening wRap
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Pharmally's financial statement for 2020 shows that its sales that year was a whopping P7.49 billion – indicating that all these may have come solely from the P7.9 billion contracts that it got from the government. After the Duterte government awarded Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation P7.9 billion worth of contracts in 2020 despite the latter having only P625,000 in paid-up capital, the newly registered company declared a net income of P264.7 million that year. The company – whose executives have links to an ex-adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte and some of them wanted in Taiwan – is poised to earn more as the government has awarded them at least four additional contracts in 2021 totalling P2.3 billion. These are: P507.3 million for 517,613 PPE (personal protective equipment [...]
Robredo may consider running for president in 2022 due to public clamor—spox
The outpouring of support for Vice President Leni Robredo over the past few weeks did not fall on deaf ears as her spokesman said on Thursday, September 2, that she will consider these when she soon makes her decision about the 2022 polls. (Vice President Leni Robredo/Facebook) Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that they are thankful for the volunteer groups that came out to support the vice president, and they are hoping that she will let them know this September if she intends to run as president. “Mahigit 200 groups itong nakaraang linggo ang lumabas at nananawagan kay VP Leni na siya ay kumandidato. At definitely, pakikinggan niya iyan, iko-consider niya sa kaniyang desisyon (More than 200 groups in the past week came out to call on VP [...]
Watch live: Covid-19 update for 2 September
The prime minister and director-general of health are giving a Covid-19 update, ahead of Northland's potential move to alert level 3 at midnight tonight. Watch the update here: There were 75 new cases of Covid-19 announced in the community yesterday. At yesterday's briefing, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said almost 70 percent of the eligible population had received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or had booked to had one.
WHO monitoring new Covid-19 variant named ‘Mu’
All viruses mutate over time and most mutations have little or no effect on the properties of the virus.PHOTO: REUTERS GENEVA — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it is monitoring a new coronavirus variant known as "Mu", which was first identified in Colombia in January. Mu, known scientifically as B1621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", the global health body said on Tuesday (Aug 31) in its weekly pandemic bulletin. The WHO said the variant has mutations that indicate a risk of resistance to vaccines and stressed that further studies were needed to better understand it. "The Mu variant has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape," the bulletin said. There is widespread concern over the emergence of new virus [...]
PH surpasses 2 million COVID-19 cases
The Philippines has marked another grim milestone in its fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as confirmed cases already exceeded two million on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Department of Health (DOH) (MANILA BULLETIN) The country has recorded 2,003,955 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began last year, based on the latest case update of the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH recorded 14,216 new cases on Wednesday. It took 128 days for the country’s total tally to hit two million since the country hit the one-million mark last April 26, 2021. Based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 dashboard, the Philippines is on the 20th spot among countries with the high number of confirmed cases as of Aug. 30. Seven percent or 140,949 of the total case count are [...]
Sara Duterte: Bong Go, Win Gatchalian offered to run as my VP in Eleksyon 2022
PHILIPPINES— Senators Bong Go and Sherwin Gatchalian have personally offered to run as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's vice presidential candidate in Eleksyon 2022, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday. In a statement on her official Facebook page, Sara again denied Duterte's claim on national television that Senator Imee Marcos visited her in Davao to discuss Marcos' wish to run as her vice president. "I can confirm the people who have personally expressed their offer to run as my vice president: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian [and] Senator Bong Go," Sara said. Duterte has said that he would run for vice president but would not do so if Sara would run for president. Sara answered 'yes' in early July when she was asked if she was open [...]
Japan finds another Moderna COVID-19 vial suspected to contain foreign substance
FILE PHOTO: Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" and a medical syringe are seen in front of a displayed Moderna logo in this illustration taken October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic TOKYO: Japan reported a fresh contamination case involving Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, the fourth such incident in less than a week, threatening to slow the country's sputtering inoculation campaign. Kanagawa prefecture said on Tuesday (Aug 31) several black particles in one Moderna vaccine vial were found upon checking for foreign substances before its use, and it has put the rest of the lot on hold. Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna shots last week after being notified of contamination in some of the supply. Moderna and Spanish pharma company Rovi, which [...]
Taiwan says China can ‘paralyse’ its defences, threat worsening
A Taiwan domestically-built Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) releases flares during annual Han Kuang military drill simulating the China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) invading the island, in Pingtung county, southern Taiwan Aug 25, 2016. (Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu) TAIPEI: China's armed forces can "paralyse" Taiwan's defences and are able to fully monitor its deployments, the island's defence ministry said, offering a stark assessment of the rising threat posed by its giant neighbour. Beijing is stepping up military activities around the island, which it views as Chinese territory. It has never renounced the use of force to bring democratic Taiwan under its control. In its annual report to parliament on China's military, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, Taiwan's Defence Ministry presented a far graver view than it did last [...]
Democrats condemn supreme court for failing to block Texas abortion law
Critics denounce law as unconstitutional and a threat to women’s health Senator Mazie Hirono: ‘They’re hoping we don’t notice.’ Photograph: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock USA— Top Democrats across the country are condemning the US supreme courtover its silence on Texas’s latest and most extreme abortion law to date after it came into effect on Wednesday. The so-called “Heartbeat Act”, which was signed into law by Greg Abbott, the state’s Republican governor, in May, bans abortions at six weeks and does not make exceptions for incest and rape. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to sue any abortion provider who violates the law. Texas is the first state to ban abortion this early in pregnancy since Roe v Wade, and last-minute efforts to halt it through an appeal to the [...]
Auckland’s three main hospitals build more specialist rooms for Covid-19 patients
All three of Auckland's main hospitals are building more negative pressure rooms to keep up with the Delta strain of Covid-19. Middlemore Hospital. Photo: LDR / Stephen Forbes The city's district health boards have revealed details of the work that is going on at the same time as they treat 32 Covid-19 patients between them, eight in intensive care. A DHB spokesperson said the negative pressure rooms were being built at Middlemore, Auckland City and North Shore hospitals in general wards, intensive care units and emergency departments. They were adding more of the rooms, which prevent the virus spreading to other areas because of the increased transmissibility of Covid, she said. The work included engineering to create the ability to have negative pressure, and more minor building work [...]
New Zealand in ‘uncharted territory’ attempting to keep Delta R number below 1 – Covid-19 modeller
New Zealand is in "slightly uncharted territory" as it attempts to drive the R number of the Delta variant outbreak down under 1 for a sustained period, a Covid-19 modeller says. The R number (reproduction number) is the average number of people infected by someone with the virus. If the R number's bigger than 1, the outbreak grow. If it's less than 1, the number of cases goes down. Photo: 123rf.com The Ministry of Health reported 75 new cases in the community yesterday, a number that was no cause for alarm, according to Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, despite being up from the 49 reported the day before. Bloomfield said the R value, based on the latest modelling, continued to be promising. There was a 90 [...]
Covid-19 lockdown day 14: How it happened
As the rest of the country outside Auckland and Northland prepare to drop down alert levels at midnight, a further drop in Covid-19 community cases today added to optimism Aotearoa is getting on top of the Delta outbreak. Photo: RNZ The Ministry of Health announced 49 new infections, all in Auckland, which brings the total number of cases to 612. "Of the cases yesterday, only 23 percent are considered to have been infectious in the community," Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said this afternoon. Bloomfield was less optimistic about locating the original source of the Delta variant outbreak, admitting today health officials may never find it. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wanted "the tail of this outbreak to be as short as possible". "Every day for me [...]
54.5M Covid-19 jabs arriving in Sept.-Oct.
MANILA – The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 said 54.5 million doses of the coronavirus disease vaccines are slated for delivery within the next two months. During President Rodrigo Duterte's pre-recorded Talk to the People aired Tuesday morning, NTF chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said 25 million doses are expected in September and 29.5 million in October. The vaccines, procured and donated, are 22 million doses of Sinovac, 15 million doses of Pfizer, five million Moderna, two million each of AstraZeneca and Sputnik Light, six million from the COVAX Facility, and 2.5 million doses donations of countries. As of Aug. 30, Galvez said the Philippines has a total of 48,885,590 doses About 137 million more doses may be delivered in the remaining months this year, he added. (Screenshot [...]
Watch live: PM Jacinda Ardern and Dr Ashley Bloomfield give a Covid-19 update
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are speaking to media about the latest case numbers and Covid-19 response. Watch it live here: Dr Bloomfield says there are 49 new cases of Covid-19 today, all in Auckland. Bloomfield yesterday welcomed the lower number of new cases - 53, down from 83 the previous day - but with lower testing numbers on Sunday cautioned against putting too much stock in it, saying it was just one data point. Ardern also announced Auckland would remain in lockdown until at least 14 September, and Northland would likely move into level 3 just two days after the rest of the country's Tuesday night change. Today Ardern says alert level 3 for all of Aotearoa south of Auckland is progress [...]
Covid-19 update on 31 August: 49 new cases in the community
There are 49 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, bringing the total number of cases to 611. Photo: 123rf.com Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said all of the new cases are in Auckland. "It does provide further reassurance that our public health efforts are slowing the spread of the virus," Bloomfield said. Of the new cases, 66 percent are family contacts, he said. "Of the cases yesterday, only 23 percent are considered to have been infectious in the community." Bloomfield said a Corrections officer at Springfield Corrections facility has tested positive for Covid-19 and 23 staff had contact with that person. All were isolating. About 120 people in the Waikato facility were in contact with the person and they had been separated now, he said. Inmates were [...]
China urges nations to ‘actively guide’ Taliban government
US should work with international community to help Afghanistan run government functions, Wang Yi says Wang Yi: ‘If the US side also hopes to bring bilateral relations back on the right track, it should stop blindly smearing and attacking China.’ Photograph: Tingshu Wang/Reuters China’s top diplomat has urged the international community to engage with Afghanistan’s new Taliban government and “guide it actively”, in a phone call with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang Yi, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister, also said that Washington should work with the international community to help the new regime run governmental functions normally, according to a statement. He added that the US’s “hasty withdrawal” could allow terrorist groups to “regroup and come back stronger”. [...]
EU removes six countries including US from Covid safe travel list
Travellers from Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and North Macedonia also affected by move Henri-Coanda international airport, in Otopeni, Romania. The EU’s ‘white list’ necessitates countries having fewer than 75 new cases daily for every 100,000 people over the previous 14 days. Photograph: Robert Ghement/EPA The EU has removed six countries, including the US, from a Covid “white list” of places whose tourists should be permitted entry without restrictions such as mandatory quarantine. A majority of EU countries had reopened their borders to Americans in June, in the hope of salvaging the summer tourism season although most required a negative test ahead of travel. The move was not, however, reciprocated by the US. The EU’s white list necessitates having fewer than 75 new cases daily for every 100,000 people [...]
Auckland remains in level 4 for 2 weeks, Northland likely to move to level 3 from midnight Thursday
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says if the country had not moved into lockdown, daily case numbers could have been around 550. Cabinet has confirmed all of New Zealand south of Auckland will move to level 3 from 11.59pm on Tuesday night. Ardern says this will be for at least a week, to be reviewed at Cabinet next week. Northland will likely join the rest of the country at alert level three from 11:59pm on Thursday, Ardern says. Cabinet has also confirmed Auckland will remain at alert level four until 14 September. Cabinet will consider next steps for the region on 13 September. Ardern says level 4 "is making a difference". "The job is not yet done and we do need to keep going." For Auckland and Northland, Ardern says [...]
New C.1.2 COVID variant may be highly transmissible, reduce vaccine protection — expert
The new coronavirus variant, C.1.2, could be more infectious and reduce vaccine protection, an expert said on Monday, Aug. 30. (JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) In an interview with DZBB, infectious diseases and tropical medicine expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said the new variant has an implication that it might be highly transmissible. “Mayroon siyang mutation sa spike protein, kagaya noong nakita sa Alpha, Beta, at Gamma. Ibig sabihin mabilis kumakapit doon sa host cell… so ibig sabihin na may implication siya na puwede maging highly transmissible siya (It has mutation in its spike protein just like Alpha, Beta and Gamma. It means it sticks quickly to the host cell… so it means there is an implication that it might be highly transmissible),” he told DZBB. The [...]
PH’s Maya-3, Maya-4 cube satellites reach Int’l Space Station
The Philippines’ Maya-3 and Maya-4 cube satellites have been successfully delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday night, Aug. 30. Photo captured from NASA’s live stream The country’s first Philippine university-built satellites were among the cargos that hitchhiked aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that left Earth on Aug. 29. In a tweet, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon successfully docked at the ISS at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time (10:30 p.m. Manila time). “@SpaceX‘s Dragon spacecraft arrived at the @Space_Station, delivering over 4,800 pounds of @ISS_Research, equipment, supplies, and cargo to the crew,” it added. The Mayas were designed and developed by the first batch of scholars under the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation, and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program’s Space Science [...]
US military completes withdrawal from Afghanistan
A US Airforce aircraft takes off from the airport of Kabul on August 30, 2021 (Photo: AFP/Aamir Quereshi) KABUL: The US military has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan to end a brutal 20-year war - one that started and ended with the hardline Taliban in power, despite billions of dollars spent trying to rebuild the conflict-wracked country. Celebratory gunfire rang out in Kabul in the early hours of Tuesday (Aug 31), and elated senior Taliban officials hailed the event as a watershed moment. The withdrawal came after the fraught final days of a frantic mission to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans who had helped the US-led war effort - and which left scores of Afghans and 13 US troops dead in a suicide attack last week. [...]
PH records highest single day COVID-19 case tally at 19,441; death toll surpass 33K
(MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO) The Philippines saw another record for the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in a single day as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 19,441 new infections on Saturday, Aug. 28. This latest count beat the previous highest daily count last Aug. 23 with 18,332 cases then. Active COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 142,679, the DOH said. Of these cases, 95.5 percent were mild, 1.8 percent were without symptoms, 0.6 percent were in critical condition, 1.1 percent were severe, and 0.99 percent were in moderate condition. The DOH previously reported that most of the new cases were found in the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal,Quezon), and Central Visayas. The Philippines cumulative tally of confirmed cases already [...]
NSW announces six deaths, new case total of 1218
New South Wales has recorded 1218 Covid-19 cases and six deaths in its update today. It's the largest number ever recorded by an Australian jurisdiction in a 24-hour period. A health worker collects a swab sample to test for Covid-19 at a drive through testing site in Sydney earlier this month. Photo: AFP "To 8pm last night, there were 1218 cases of community transmission, and we extend our deepest condolences to six families of loved ones who died of Covid," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at a press conference in Sydney. Gladys Berejiklian Photo: AFP "Three people in their 80s, three people in their 70s, four of them were unvaccinated and two of them had only had one dose of the vaccine. "So again, we extend our deepest [...]
Covid-19 update: 83 new community cases reported in New Zealand
There have been 83 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield leaving after the Covid-19 response and vaccine update at Parliament Photo: Pool / NZME Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says 82 of the new cases are in Auckland, with one new case in Wellington. The Wellington case is a close contact of an existing case, and was in isolation with no exposure in the community while infectious. Dr Bloomfield and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have held a media briefing on the latest developments in the government's fight against the Covid-19 Delta outbreak. Watch the briefing here: Dr Bloomfield said 34 people are now in New Zealand hospitals with the coronavirus, including [...]
Afghanistan drone strike targeted Islamic State ‘planner’ in car, US says
US says there were no known civilian casualties but community elder claims women and children among victims US armed forces personnel at an evacuation control checkpoint at Hamid Karzai international airport.Photograph: US Marines/Reuters The US drone strike in Afghanistan targeted two “planners and facilitators” from the Islamic State’s local affiliate who was travelling in a car near the eastern city of Jalalabad, US official sources said on Saturday. The strike came two days after Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport, as western forces running the airlift braced for more attacks. The US president, Joe Biden, has promised to hunt down those responsible, striking in a place and time of his choosing. In a statement last night, Biden promised further [...]
Chinese university appears to ask for lists of LGBTQ+ students for ‘investigation’
Survey by Shanghai University that asked colleges to research the political stance and ‘state of mind’ of members of LGBTQ+ communities has sparked alarm China authorities have a worsening intolerance for gender and sexual minority groups, particularly those engaged in activism. Photograph: How Hwee Young/EPA A well-known Chinese university appears to have asked its colleges to make lists of their LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, according to a purported internal directive published online on both Chinese and foreign social media platforms. Shanghai University has not confirmed the request or responded to queries about its intention, but it has sparked alarm among young Chinese people, coming after a crackdown on campus groups and organisations supporting LGBTQ+ and feminist communities. The “Campus Survey”, citing “relevant requirements”, asked [...]
Final British troops leave Afghanistan to end 20-year campaign
Last civilian flight left earlier, with 14,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan in past fortnight UK has not forgotten those who still need to leave Afghanistan, says ambassador – video The final UK flight carrying troops and diplomatic personnel has left Kabul airport, bringing to an end Britain’s 20-year campaign in Afghanistan. The last evacuation flight left earlier on Saturday. About 14,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan by British forces in less than two weeks, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said now was a time to reflect on the UK’s mission in Afghanistan. “Twenty years ago, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the first British soldier set foot on Afghan soil aiming to create a brighter future for the country and all [...]
Two arrested after alleged car thefts, property damage
Two youths have been taken into custody after an early morning crime spree across Christchurch. The youths were spotted in Rolleston near Christchurch but failed to stop for police. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Police say two cars were stolen before 6am today. The first was taken from the Hoon Hay area, before it was ditched, and a second car taken. The police were then called to an attempted burglary in Rolleston, south of the city. Although the offenders fled the scene, they returned and allegedly used the car to damage property. Just before 7am, the car was spotted by police on Rolleston Drive, but it failed to stop. It eventually came to a stop almost 30 kilometres away. The youths were taken into custody and the stolen [...]
Covid-19 outbreak: 20,000 contacts identified
More than 20,000 contacts in the Auckland outbreak have now been identified, Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has confirmed. Dr Bloomfield said more than 12,000 of them have been contacted, and 62 percent have returned a test result. He says there will be more than 1200 contact tracers in call centres around the country over the next few days. Dr Bloomfield and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins are now providing an update in regards to the current outbreak. Watch the update here: There were 62 new cases of Covid-19 in the community reported in New Zealand in the past 24 hours. A record 80,000 New Zealanders got a vaccine yesterday, while testing numbers also reached a record high - nearly 50,000 across the country. "Every test that is [...]
Duterte: I will run for vice president
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night declared that he would run for vice president in Eleksyon 2022. "Gusto talaga ninyo? Oh, sige, tatakbo ako ng bise presidente. Then I will continue the crusade. I'm worried about the drugs, insurgency, and criminality," Duterte said in his weekly public address. "I may not have the power to give direction or guidance but I can always express my views in public for whatever it may be worth in the coming days," he added. Earlier in the day, the PDP-Laban faction headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Duterte agreed to run for vice president "[a]fter being presented with popular calls from PDP Laban regional, provincial, and down to barangay councils aspiring for a transition of leadership that will guarantee continuity of the [...]
Covid-19: Nearly 1000 new community cases in Australia’s worst day of pandemic
Nearly 1000 new cases of Covid-19 have been found in Australia as outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne worsen. Health authorities in New South Wales on Wednesday announced 919 new locally acquired cases, marking Australia’s highest total since the coronavirus pandemic began. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also confirmed two deaths, including a woman in her 30s and a man in his 80s. LISA MAREE WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES Police are seen patrolling Victoria Park in Sydney, Australia. NSW has reported more than 800 new local cases each day since Sunday. Meanwhile, the state of Victoria announced 45 new Covid-19 cases as the spread continued in Melbourne. The new cases announced on Wednesday take the state’s total number of active coronavirus cases to 538. Health authorities worry Victoria is on course to fall [...]
Vaccination saline error: Parties demand transparency from government
The government must explain to New Zealanders what it knows, what it doesn't, and what it will do after people were potentially given saline instead of a vaccine, opposition parties say. National Party Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says the biggest worry is that the Ministry of Health does not appear to know who the five people are that may be affected. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RNZ understands an investigation has begun after staff at the Highbrook vaccination centre last month realised there was an extra vial left over at the end of a day of 732 vaccinations. It indicates people may have been given saline - a salt water solution - instead. Vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris, a member of the government's Covid-19 immunisation implementation advisory group, [...]
Taliban could close Kabul airport if allies delay exit, says Wallace
The Taliban could use armed force to close Kabul airport if the US and its allies try to extend the 31 August deadline for the evacuation from Afghanistan, the UK defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has said. Speaking a few hours before the start of a virtual G7 leaders’ summit chaired by Boris Johnson, Wallace confirmed Britain would still like the deadline to be extended to allow more time for British nationals and Afghans who have worked with the military during the past 20 years to be flown out. But, in a series of media interviews, Wallace said extending the rescue operation into September was “unlikely” because of Joe Biden’s desire to stick to the 31 August deadline and the Taliban’s strong opposition to revising the timetable. In an interview [...]
Biden rejects allies’ pleas to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond end of August
Joe Biden has rejected the pleas of domestic and international allies to keep troops in Afghanistan for evacuation efforts beyond the end of the month, citing the growing threat of a terrorist attack. In a move likely to fuel criticism that America is abandoning Afghan partners to the Taliban, the US president made clear that he is resolved to withdraw forces from Kabul airport by next Tuesday’s deadline. “We are currently on a pace to finish by August the 31st,” Biden said at the White House on Tuesday. “The sooner we can finish, the better. Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops.” The president acknowledged that completing the airlift – one of the biggest in history – by 31 August depends on the Taliban continuing to [...]
Covid-19: Contact tracing system under pressure as outbreak grows
Auckland health authorities are urgently recruiting more contact tracers as the national system hits capacity just five days into the outbreak. Some laboratories have gone from processing hundreds of tests a day to thousands Photo: AFP The tracers are vital to the Covid-19 response because they get people who have been in contact with the virus isolated before they can infect others. Laboratories, testing sites and vaccination centres are also straining at the seams as the health system struggles to keep pace with the Delta incursion. Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the country's contact tracing system was working at 100 percent, with its Covid surge plan in full use. Auckland, home to the vast majority of the 8667 contacts identified so far, is now looking [...]
‘Habagat’ to bring scattered rain showers, thunderstorms over western PH
(PAGASA) PHILIPPINES— The southwest monsoon or “habagat” will bring cloudy weather and some rain showers over the western section of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, Aug. 23. Rain showers are expected over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms. PAGASA warned the public against flash floods or landslides that may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often associated with short-lived heavy rain, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail. Weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said PAGASA has not monitored a weather [...]
32 Filipinos still in Afghanistan, 22 await repatriation, DFA says
Screengrab image of chaos in evacuation site near Kabul Airport that leaves seven people dead. From Agence France-Presse tweet accessed on August 22, 2021. An estimated 32 Filipinos are still in Afghanistan, majority of whom have requested for repatriation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Sunday. According to the DFA Situation Bulletin released Sunday afternoon, out of the 32 Filipinos in Afghanistan, there were 22 who requested company or government repatriation after the Taliban forces took control of capital Kabul. advertisement There were eight who do not wish to be repatriated at this time, even as the country was placed under Alert Level 4 — the highest security warning given by the government — on August 15. Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine government undertakes mandatory evacuation [...]
Delta outbreak investigations done by physicians throughout NZ – Verrall
High-risk contact tracing is being managed by doctors and nurses around the country, Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says, as more tracers are recruited for Auckland. Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RNZ has reported the contact tracing system has hit capacity and Auckland health authorities are recruiting more staff to do the vital work while laboratories, testing sites and vaccination centres are also straining at the seams. Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the system with this outbreak is to call everyone a close contact, and there is a wide range of different risk within that. Many cases just need daily calls, and more people are being recruited to help with that part of the work, she said. "Rest assured [...]
Taliban searching for people who worked for NZ, interpreter says
An interpreter who worked for the New Zealand Defence Force in Afghanistan says time to leave is running out, with reports of the Taliban going door-to-door looking for those who worked with the government. Newly absorbed personnel in the Afghan security forces take part in a military training in Bandejoy area of Dara district in Panjshir province on August 21, 2021, days after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Photo: AFP Basir Ahmad is in hiding in Kabul. He and 34 others from the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) have been promised a flight out. They were becoming increasingly anxious over how that would actually happen, he said. "Each person calls me 10 or 20 times each day asking for that information and I don't have it. They say how [...]
Philippine new COVID-19 cases may exceed 20K daily —UP team
Checkpoint in Pasay City during NCR ECQ on August 6, 2021 (DANNY PATA) New coronavirus cases in the Philippines may surpass 20,000 daily if government interventions to avert the further spread of the highly infectious Delta variant fail, an official of the University of the Philippines COVID-19 response team said Sunday. Dr. Jomar Rabajante, spokesman for the UP team, said their projections were based on the continued spike in COVID-19 cases all over the country, with more than 16,000 on Saturday and the highest ever tally at 17,231 the day before. "Inaasahan natin na sa mga susunod na araw, posible pang tumaas, umabot ng more than 20,000" (Daily cases could possibly reach more than 20,000 in the coming days), Rabajante said over Dobol B TV. Also, Rabajante said that [...]
Trump stages Alabama rally as state struggles with Covid surge
Ex-president backs Mo Brooks, who is running for Senate and sympathised with man who threatened to blow up US Capitol Donald Trump arrives at a rally in Sarasota, Florida, in July. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images Donald Trump was due to stage a rally in Alabama on Saturday night, in a city that has declared a Covid emergency and in support of a congressman who both backed Trump’s attempt to overturn the election and this week sympathised with a man who threatened to blow up the US Capitol. The former president will speak in Cullman, Alabama, in part in support of Mo Brooks’ bid to swap his place in the US House for a Senate seat. Like other southern, Republican-run states, Alabama is struggling with a surge in cases [...]
Covid-19 update: 21 new community cases reported in New Zealand today
There have been 21 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today - 20 in Auckland and one in Wellington. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins have given the latest Covid-19 update this afternoon. There were also three new cases in managed isolation. Dr Bloomfield said there were now a total of 72 cases associated with the Auckland outbreak. The Wellington case was first reported yesterday but is included in the national tally today. There are now six confirmed cases in Wellington Dr Bloomfield said there are 8677 contacts that have been formally identified and virtually all of those are considered 'close contacts'. "The number of contacts has increased significantly, something we had expected as we identify more cases and locations of [...]
Israeli aircraft strike Hamas sites in Gaza as hostilities escalate
Cross-border gunfire earlier on Saturday seriously injured an Israeli soldier and wounded 41 Palestinians Palestinian protesters evacuate an injured youth on a stretcher amid the clashes with Israeli security forces.Photograph: APAImages/Rex/Shutterstock Israeli aircraft struck Hamas sites in Gaza late on Saturday, the military said, in an escalation of hostilities after earlier cross-border gunfire seriously injured an Israeli soldier and wounded 41 Palestinians, including two critically. The injuries came during a Gaza protest organised by the enclave’s Islamist rulers, Hamas, and other factions in support of Jerusalem, where Palestinian clashes with Israeli police helped spark an 11-day Israel-Hamas conflict in May. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered near the strip’s heavily fortified border, where some tried to scale the border fence and others threw explosives towards Israeli troops, the Israeli military said. [...]
Morrison defends Afghanistan withdrawal as ADF evacuates 300 more on four flights
Prime minister says Australia had no choice but to leave as presence ‘entirely conditional’ on US Australian citizens and visa holders on board an air force flight departing from Kabul. A further 300 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan. Photograph: SGT Glen McCarthy/Department of Defence The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has defended Australia’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and its evacuation of citizens and visa holders, saying Australia was left with no choice once the United States made its decision to leave. The Australian Defence Force evacuated another 300 people on four flights overnight, including Australian citizens, and Afghan visa holders for Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand. But Morrison did not match a guarantee given by Joe Biden to citizens that they would all be safely evacuated, saying [...]
Singapore, US relations have always been ‘on track’, says Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at an interview with CNA. (Photo: Marcus Marc Ramos) SINGAPORE: The relationship between Singapore and the United States has always been “on track”, said Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan ahead of US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Southeast Asia. “I think it's worth emphasising the point that through successive administrations, both Democrats and Republicans, we've actually had excellent relations with them,” said Dr Balakrishnan in an interview airing on CNA on Sunday (Aug 22). He said that there has been a “steady tempo of meetings and interactions” through the administrations of presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, including state visits and the Trump-Kim Summit in 2018, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted such interactions. “To be honest with you, diplomacy does need [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Ashley Bloomfield gets vaccine jab
Director general of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield received his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine this morning. Bloomfield said afterwards he was "feeling great, actually". "It's really nice to have got to this point," Bloomfield said. Bloomfield received his jab at Wellington's Pipitea Marae, which had only just been stood up as a vaccination centre to cater for increased demand for jabs and greater social distancing. He said he had not received Sunday's latest case numbers, which will be announced at 1pm. Bloomfield acknowledged there was increased demand on the system. "Last Sunday if you were booking your vaccination there were a lot of slots - that's not the case now. "One of the things we've seen of course with the outbreak is huge interest in people getting their vaccination [...]
Country’s largest drive through vaccination centre set up at airport
A drive through vaccination centre will open today in Auckland to make up for appointments pushed out due to the alert level 4 lockdown. US health workers prepare to vaccinate a motorist at a drive through event in Deltona, Florida earlier this year. Photo: AFP The centre, set up at the park and ride site at Auckland Airport, will be open for a week. Matt Hannant from the Northern Region Health Co-ordination Centre said the spots were by invitation only and would prioritise those who missed their appointment as well as including some essential workers. "You're going to drive into the site, a few screening questions, get you registered and then there's a series of vaccination tents in the carpark - pop up to one of those, quick [...]
Positive Covid-19 case among staff at Pukekohe High School
A staff member at Pukekohe High School has tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: Pukekohe High School An email, seen by RNZ, was emailed to students' families on Saturday. Seven Auckland schools now have a positive Covid-19 case linked to them. The Catholic girls' secondary school McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu and Catholic boys' secondary school De La Salle College in Māngere have each confirmed that one of their students has tested positive. Avondale College, Northcote College and Lynfield College have one case each as well. Meanwhile, another positive case has been found linked to Western Springs College/Ngā Puna o Waiōrea in Central Auckland. In an email read by RNZ, parents were notified on Saturday evening that a student at the College had tested positive for Covid-19. The student [...]
163 new COVID-19 cases drive up total cases at PNP to 33,184
The total confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Philippine National Police went up to 33,184 on Saturday after 163 new infections were reported, data from the PNP Health Service showed. Recoveries went up to 31,317 after 152 new cases recovered. Active cases totalled 1,768 while the death toll remained at 99, same as on Friday. The Philippines on Friday logged a new all-time high 17,231 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide tally to 1,807,800. The country’s active cases climbed to 123,251, the highest since April 20. The Department of Health also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,653,351 after 5,595 more patients recovered from the illness. Meanwhile, 317 new fatalities brought the death toll to 31,198. —KG, GMA News
Delta variant community transmission present in the country —Philippine Genome Center
The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Saturday said there is already a community transmission of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in the country. "Para sa amin sa Philippine Genome Center, mayroon ng community transmission ng Delta variant sa bansa. Marami nang kaso na hindi alam kung saan nagmula," PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said in an interview on Dobol B TV. (For us at the Philippine Genome Center, there is community transmission of the Delta variant in the country. The source of the transmission of a lot of the cases could no longer be traced.) "Sa aking palagay, may kinalaman ang Delta variant sa pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID-19," she added. (In my opinion, the Delta variant is a factor in the increase of COVID-19 cases.) [...]
UK government makes U-turn on Afghan embassy guards
All of the 125-member security team will now be given the right to enter the UK Afghans board a military plane at the Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul. Photograph: Spain Ministry Of Defence/Reuters The government has made a dramatic U-turn on its refusal to offer support to a team of 125 Afghan guards who protected the British embassy in Kabul, and has promised they will all be granted the right to enter the UK. The decision followed growing criticism of the government’s rejection of applications for help for all the Afghan national members of the embassy security team, because they had been hired through an outsourced contractor. The Guardian reported on Thursday that most of the 125-member security team had been informed they were ineligible for the UK’s [...]
Long waiting times for Healthline despite 300 staff taking calls
Healthline has brought on more than 300 extra staff over the last few days, in response to the huge increase in calls. Some people have had to wait 50 minutes to speak to someone. Photo: freestocks / Unsplash But people are still reporting lengthy wait times as they try to get advice about covid-19. Whakarongorau Aotearoa runs the Covid-19 healthline services. Chief executive Andrew Slater said Thursday was Healthline's busiest day on record, with almost 33,000 calls across the various services. The Covid-19 vaccination helpline is answering about 1700 calls an hour. As at 4pm Friday, there were over 900 staff taking calls. "We continue to activate our surge plans and increase our resources across the Covid-19 Healthline services. For example, in the last three days we have bought [...]
Australia’s Victoria reports 61 local COVID-19 cases
FILE PHOTO: A lone man wearing a protective face mask sits at an unusually quiet State Library as the state of Victoria looks to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, July 16, 2021. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders MELBOURNE: Australia's second most populous state Victoria reported 61 new locally acquired coronavirus cases in the 24-hour period to Friday (Aug 20) evening, health officials said on Saturday. There were an additional 16 local cases that were recorded on a rapid testing platform and will be reported in Sunday's numbers, officials said. Melbourne, home to five million people, entered into its sixth lockdown since on Aug 5, just weeks after exiting the last one, to quell an outbreak of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Ismail Sabri Yaakob is Malaysia’s next prime minister: Palace statement
Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves to media as he leave after meeting with the King at national palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug 19, 2021. (Photo: AP/FL Wong) KUALA LUMPUR: Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be the next prime minister of Malaysia, the palace said on Friday (Aug 20), following several days of political uncertainty. Comptroller of the Royal Family and Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement said that as 114 lawmakers have nominated Mr Ismail Sabri as their candidate for prime minister, the majority is sufficient to form a new government. “With that and in line with Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, His Majesty has consented to appoint Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera MP) as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia," the statement read. [...]
Coronavirus: Latest on COVID-19 community outbreak – Saturday, August 21
New Zealand is currently at alert level 4 nationwide, until at least 11:59pm Tuesday. Experts generally expect it to be lengthened - particularly in Auckland, where most of the cases are. More cases were reported late on Friday - one each at the University of Auckland, De la Salle College and McAuley High School. Earlier that day, 11 new community cases of COVID-19 were announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday, three of them in Wellington. The official total - not including the cases reported later on Friday - is 31, 19 confirmed as linked to the cluster. The rest are under investigation, but there are "plausible" links in most cases. Finance Minister Grant Robertson told Newshub Nation we should expect more cases today and "things will get worse before [...]
Coronavirus: Latest on COVID-19 from around the world overnight – Saturday, August 21
Here's the latest on the pandemic from around the world overnight. Americas United States The US Transportation Security Administration on Friday extended its requirements that people wear face masks on planes, buses and trains, as well as in airports, through January 18. Jamaica Jamaica will prohibit residents from leaving their homes for seven days spread over three weekends to contain an upsurge in coronavirus infections and shield its healthcare system, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said. Asia-Pacific Nations from Australia to Vietnam announced more drastic curbs and longer lockdowns for citizens on Friday, as authorities struggle to rein in outbreaks of the highly infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Australia In Sydney, 2 million residents, or roughly 40 percent of its population, face curfew from 9pm to 5am next [...]
Covid-19: Two Auckland schools confirm students test positive
Two South Auckland secondary schools have confirmed that one of their students has tested positive for Covid-19. Two students, one at De La Salle College and one at McAuley High School, have tested positive to Covid-19. Photo: Google Maps Catholic girls' secondary school McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu, and Catholic boys' secondary school De La Salle College in Māngere both have students who have tested positive for Covid-19 and were at school when infectious on 17 August. All staff and students of both schools are now considered close contacts and must stay in isolation at home for 14 days. They are being told they must isolate for the full 14 days even if New Zealand moves out of alert level 4. De La Salle College principal Myles Hogarty [...]
Biden to ‘mobilize every resource’ to get Americans home from Afghanistan
Embattled president promises: ‘We will get you home’ Biden endeavors to evacuate Afghans who supported US Joe Biden at the White House on Friday. He said: ‘Let me be clear. Any American who wants to come home, we will get you home.’ Photograph: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Rex/Shutterstock Joe Biden, under mounting pressure to evacuate American citizens from Afghanistan, has said the US is considering “every means” to get people to Kabul airport, promising: “We will get you home.” The embattled president again defended his decision to end the 20-year intervention by withdrawing US forces, which resulted in the Afghan government’s total capitulation to the Taliban, and denied that it hurt Washington’s standing with allies. Media reports from Kabul have described outbursts of chaos and violence in which Taliban [...]
Afghanistan reports of torture and killing contradict Taliban’s promises
Fighters tortured Hazara men to death, say witnesses, and relative of journalist killed Afghans gather on a roadside near the military part of Kabul airport hoping to flee the country after the Taliban’s takeover. Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty Images Evidence of Taliban killings, detentions and intimidation is emerging across Afghanistan, ominously contradicting the hardline Islamist group’s promise earlier this week not to take revenge against its opponents. With reports of the Taliban going door to door searching for people who worked with the former Afghan government or western countries, claims have also emerged of Taliban fighters torturing and killing members of an ethnic minority in Afghanistan after overrunning their village last month. Amnesty International said its researchers had spoken to witnesses in Ghazni province who recounted how the Taliban killed [...]
Biden says he did not see a way to withdraw from Afghanistan without ‘chaos ensuing’
In an exclusive ABC News interview, Biden opens up on his decision to withdraw. EXCLUSIVE: Biden remarks on Afghanistan exit President Joe Biden told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he does not know how he could have prevented chaos while withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan. In an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, and the president's first since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, President Joe Biden stood firm in his defense of the United States' withdrawal, but asserted for the first time that he believes the chaos was unavoidable. "So you don't think this could have been handled -- this exit could have been handled better in any way, no mistakes?" Stephanopoulos asked Biden. "No, I don't think it could have been handled in a way [...]
DOST eyes PH Ivermectin clinical trials to begin in September
PHILIPPINES— The clinical trials on the use of Ivermectin as a treatment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will begin next month, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Wednesday, Aug. 18. (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the eight month-long study could be expected by September. “It has yet to start in September,” he told the Manila Bulletin in a Viber message. The project was initially eyed to be implemented by the first week of June this year to January 2022. It is expected to be conducted by a research team from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila- Philippine General Hospital (PGH), led by Dr. Aileen Wang. The study aims to provide data on the efficacy, safety, and effect [...]
Over 365,000 doses of government-bought Pfizer vaccine arrive in Philippines
PHILIPPINES— A total of 365,040 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have arrived in the Philippines. According to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, a total of 313,560 vaccines doses landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at around 8 p.m. The NTF said the 51,480 of the 365,040 doses earlier arrived in Cebu past 6 p.m. Of the total count, 51,480 doses will be flown to Davao from NAIA on Thursday morning. The vaccines, procured by the Philippine government, were welcomed by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and United States Chargé d’Affaires John Law. “‘Yung karamihan dito ‘yung bibigyan natin are those areas na hindi pa nabibigyan ng Pfizer. We are trying to roll out to them,” Galvez said in a press conference. (Most of these [...]
WHO condemns rush by wealthy nations to give Covid vaccine booster
Move likened to handing out lifejackets to those who already have them while letting others drown Millions of people around the world haven’t received a first Covid-19 vaccine. Photograph: Léo Corrêa/AP “We’re planning to hand out extra lifejackets to people who already have lifejackets, while we’re leaving other people to drown without a single lifejacket,” said Dr Mike Ryan, the director of the WHO’s health emergency programme. “The fundamental, ethical reality is we’re handing out second lifejackets while leaving millions and millions of people without anything to protect them.” Earlier this month, the WHO called for a moratorium on Covid vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between wealthy and poor countries. That has not stopped a number of countries moving forward [...]
Chinese president vows to ‘adjust excessive incomes’ of super rich
Chinese Communist party to crack down on almost weekly creation of billionaire company bosses Xi Jinping told officials that the government should ‘regulate excessively high incomes’. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock China’s president has vowed to “adjust excessive incomes” in a warning to the country’s super-rich that the state plans to redistribute wealth to tackle widening inequality. According to reports in state media, Xi Jinping told officials at a meeting of the Chinese Communist party’s central financial and economic affairs commission on Tuesday, that the government should “regulate excessively high incomes and encourage high-income groups and enterprises to return more to society”. The commission said it would pursue its “common prosperity agenda”, which has become the main focus of China’s policymaking after reports of discontent within the party’s central committee over [...]
Watch live: Covid-19 outbreak linked to Australian case taken to Middlemore Hospital
The current cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand have been linked to an Australian case who was taken to Middlemore Hospital earlier this week. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are providing a Covid-19 update on day two of the nationwide lockdown. Ardern said the current positive cases have been linked via genome sequencing to a traveller who arrived from NSW on a managed red zone flight. That person returned a positive day one test on 9 August and was transferred to Middlemore Hospital on 16 August. Watch the live update here: She said the period in which cases were in the community was relatively short, but new information could change this conclusion. Ardern said primary lines of investigation are staff at the Crown [...]
Covid-19 update: 11 new community cases today
There are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says. There are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing shows the Auckland outbreak is linked to a person who travelled to New Zealand from NSW on a managed red zone flight. That person returned a positive day one test on 9 August and was transferred to Middlemore Hospital on 16 August, she said. Officials are now investigating staff at the Crown Plaza MIQ facility and Jet Park quarantine hotel. They do not believe the virus slipped into the community via Middlemore Hospital. Meanwhile, new locations [...]
Covid-19 NZ: How the coronavirus cases in Auckland’s Delta variant outbreak are connected
It’s been reported around the world: New Zealand went into lockdown after a single case of Covid-19 in Auckland. But as case numbers climb, and with fewer than 1 million Kiwis fully vaccinated, experts are convinced it was the right decision. On Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Health said officials were investigating a new case of Covid-19 in the community, dubbed Case A. That evening, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a nationwide alert level 4 lockdown for at least three days from midnight. Auckland and the Coromandel, where the infected person recently visited, would be in lockdown for seven days. Overnight, the ministry confirmed the first case detected – a 58-year-old tradesman who lives in Devonport, on Auckland’s North Shore – had been infected with the Delta variant of [...]
IMF suspends Afghanistan’s access to funds
GETTY IMAGES Afghan people line up outside AZIZI Bank to take out cash as the bank suffers amid money crises in Kabul The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Afghanistan will no longer be able to access the lender's resources. The move follows the Taliban's takeover of the country last weekend. An IMF spokesperson said it was due to "lack of clarity within the international community" over recognising a government in Afghanistan. Resources of over $370m (£268m) from the IMF had been set to arrive on 23 August. These funds were part of a global IMF response to the economic crisis. Access to the IMF's reserves in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) assets, which can be converted to government-backed money, have also been blocked. SDRs are the IMF's unit of exchange [...]
UAE hosting Afghan ex-president Ashraf Ghani ‘on humanitarian grounds’
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani said he fled to avoid a "flood of bloodshed".PHOTO: REUTERS ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday (Aug 18) that it is hosting former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani "on humanitarian grounds", after he fled his country amid a Taleban takeover. Mr Ghani's whereabouts had been unknown after he fled Afghanistan at the weekend in the face of a sweeping advance by the Taleban. "The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds," the ministry said in a brief statement. Mr Ghani left Afghanistan on Sunday as the Taleban closed in on Kabul, before the insurgents walked into the Afghan capital unopposed. [...]
US lawmakers to probe Biden administration over ‘horrifying’ Afghanistan withdrawal
Afghans gather outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country on Aug 17, 2021.PHOTO: EPA-EFE WASHINGTON— Members of the US Congress, including many of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats, said on Tuesday (Aug 17) they were increasingly frustrated with events in Afghanistan, vowing to investigate what went wrong. "The events of recent days have been the culmination of a series of mistakes made by Republican and Democratic administrations over the past 20 years," Senator Bob Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. "We are now witnessing the horrifying result of many years of policy and intelligence failures," Mr Menendez said. Mr Menendez said his committee would hold a hearing on US policy toward Afghanistan, including negotiations between former Republican President [...]
Afghanistan: Who’s who in the Taliban leadership
AFGHAN ISLAMIC PRESS Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada is a political and religious leader who is the third Supreme Commander of the Taliban The Taliban took many by surprise as it swept across Afghanistan in just 10 days, quickly taking control of towns and cities. It is not yet known who will take charge of the new government. But what do we know about who is leading the Taliban today? 1. Hibatullah Akhundzada Hibatullah Akhundzada became the supreme commander of the Taliban in May 2016. In the 1980s, he participated in the Islamist resistance against the Soviet military campaign in Afghanistan, but his reputation is more that of a religious leader than a military commander. Akhundzada worked as head of the Sharia Courts in the 1990s. After first seizing power in [...]
Photos: New Zealand wakes up to first day of the Covid-19 level 4 lockdown – again
Typically bustling streets were empty, traffic jams ceased to exist and only a handful of people could be seen out and about as the country entered day one of the level 4 lockdown. Auckland CBD's Queen Street. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Bond Auckland's CBD was unrecognisably subdued compared to the usual bustling activity on its streets with just a few buses and rubbish trucks making use of the near-empty roads. RNZ reporter Jordan Bond said there was barely anyone in the central city this morning. While standing on Queen street, he could see just three people, "This is far far quieter than the level 3 lockdowns," he said. Only rubbish trucks and buses can be seen on Queen Street in Auckland's CBD. Photo: RNZ/Jordan Bond Meanwhile in the [...]
132 Filipinos await airlift from troubled Afghanistan as 35 arrive in PH
OUT OF KABUL As chaos swept the Afghan capital on Sunday following the Taliban’s advance, some 640 Afghans managed to make it inside a US Air Force transport aircraft that flew them to safety in Doha, Qatar. —REUTERS MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-five Filipinos who were airlifted out of Afghanistan by the United States government and their employers have arrived in Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday. The DFA said there were 132 other Filipinos still in Afghanistan waiting to be repatriated as the Taliban swiftly seized Kabul after US-led foreign military forces withdrew from the country after 20 years. The 35 Filipinos, not 32 as earlier reported, were flown by their respective companies from Afghanistan to Doha, Qatar, where they boarded the DFA-chartered plane [...]
China holds live-fire exercises near Taiwan in response to ‘provocations’
Army says warships, anti-submarine aircraft and fighter planes sent to the south-west and south-east of island A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet. The country’s military activity towards Taiwan has increased over the past year. Photograph: AP China has launched live-fire air and sea exercises near Taiwan in response to what it called “external interference and provocations by Taiwan independence forces”. According to a statement from Col Shi Yi, the spokesperson of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command, warships, anti-submarine aircraft and fighter planes were dispatched to the south-west and south-east of Taiwan on Tuesday. In response, Taiwan’s defence ministry said: “The nation’s military has a full grasp and has made a full assessment of the situation in the Taiwan strait region, as well as related developments [...]
Pacquiao son joined nat’l party to prepare for dad’s 2022 presidential bid –Matibag
PDP-Laban Secretary-General Melvin Matibag on Tuesday claimed that Senator Manny Pacquiao’s son, Jimuel, is currently active in a national political party to prepare for his father’s 2022 presidential bid. PHILIPPINES— PDP-Laban Secretary-General Melvin Matibag on Tuesday claimed that Senator Manny Pacquiao’s son, Jimuel, is currently active in a national political party to prepare for his father’s 2022 presidential bid. In a virtual interview, Matibag said Jimuel Pacquiao is sitting as the Youth Affairs Committee chairman of the Labor Party of the Philippines. “We also got hold of a document learning that the son of Senator Manny Pacquiao is very active in one of the national political parties,” he said. “Mukhang there’s a plan sa group nila Senator Manny Pacquiao to put up a lot of national political parties [...]
Bill legalizing absolute divorce gets nod of Lower House panel
PHILIPPINES— The bill legalizing absolute divorce in the country hurdled committee approval on Tuesday, August 17 and is headed for the second time for plenary delbierations in the House of Representatives. Divorce wedding Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the principal authors of the bill, said “no less than Speaker Lord Allan Velasco” is supportive of the enactment of the still unnumbered measure. The House Committee on Population and Family Relations chaired by Guimaras Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava approved the measure during a zoom meeting that was allegedly off-limits to the media. The committee-approved measure consolidated three separate legislative measures proposing absolute divorce as an alternative for the dissolution of marriage. A similar bill had been introduced for [...]
Infra improvements boost e-commerce growth
MANILA – Infrastructure improvements are among the factors that will further boost electronic commerce (e-commerce) in the country, along with demographics and people’s ability to adapt to innovations. In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, Foxmont Capital Partners Managing Partner Franco Varona said while a lot of investors are focusing on Singapore for technology-related investments, the Philippines is starting to attract some of these businesses. He said Indonesia’s experience about a decade ago, when it dominated the Southeast Asian technology-related inflows, can also happen in the Philippines since the volume of funds that entered the former are now looking at other areas to be invested in. “So what does that actually mean for the Philippines? That actually means that the Singaporeans are sitting in Singapore with a lot of capital [...]
Muhyiddin resignation: Some Malaysians weary of politicking, hope for improved COVID-19 response
An electronic shop staff wearing a face mask watches live broadcast of Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin speak at a shopping outlet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Aug 16, 2021. (AP Photo/FL Wong) KUALA LUMPUR: The resignation of Mr Muhyiddin Yassin as Malaysian prime minister this week has plunged the country into political uncertainty, with ordinary Malaysians weary of politicking and concerned that this would be an unnecessary distraction as COVID-19 rages. Those interviewed by CNA also claimed that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government had underperformed in handling the pandemic. Mr Muhyiddin, 74, who stepped down on Monday (Aug 16), is currently Malaysia’s shortest-serving prime minister at just over 17 months. Throughout his tenure, he faced leadership challenges not just from the opposition parties, but also from an ally [...]
Covid-19: Four new community cases include nurse at Auckland City Hospital
New Zealand has four new cases of Covid-19 in the community, all connected to the case discovered yesterday, which is confirmed as the highly transmissible Delta variant. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone One of the new cases is a nurse at Auckland Hospital. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told RNZ's Morning Report the health worker was fully vaccinated "The health workforce are very well versed and mapping these issues and have done in the past. We have had Covid-positive cases in our health workforce before. What's different on this occasion is that we have this individual who is fully vaccinated." Ardern said the four new cases were the workmate of the 58-year-old Devonport man and the workmate's close or household contacts. "It confirms level 4 [...]
Covid-19 community case: Nationwide level 4 lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an alert-level 4 lockdown starting at 11.59pm tonight for seven days in Auckland and Coromandel, and three days elsewhere. Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield briefed media after a Cabinet meeting on the Covid-19 community case identified in Auckland today. Watch the media briefing here: Vaccinations have also been paused for 48 hours. The Ministry of Health announced about 2.30pm today a new case had been found in the community in Auckland, saying a link between the case and the border or managed isolation had not been established. Health officials had been interviewing the case so contacts could be traced and any locations of interest identified. This evening health officials released five locations of interest in the Coromandel, which has been published [...]
First Lambda infection a local case – DOH
THE pregnant woman who is the country's first case of the Lambda variant of Covid-19 never travelled abroad, an indication that she was infected by someone in her community, the Department of Health (DoH) said. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Monday the 35-year-old patient came from a cluster of cases in Western Visayas. She tested positive for Covid-19 on July 22 and genome sequencing further revealed that she was infected with the Lambda variant, Vergeire said in a television interview. Vergeire said backtracing has begun to determine the patient's close contacts, which could be someone who had recently returned to the Philippines after travelling abroad. The World Health Organization classifies Lambda as a "variant of interest," meaning that further investigation is being done to determine just how [...]
New community case of Covid 19 in Auckland
Health officials are investigating a new community case of Covid 19 in Auckland. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry of Health said further updates would be provided once additional information came to hand. The link between the case and the border or managed isolation is yet to be established. The Auckland Regional Public Health unit is now undertaking interviews with the case for contact tracing purposes. The statement urged Aucklanders to exercise social distancing and caution. "While we collect more specific information all New Zealanders are reminded of the basic public health measures of mask wearing and hand washing," it said. "In particular anyone in Auckland catching public transport this afternoon or who cannot socially distance in public spaces should wear a mask as [...]
Afghanistan: striking image appears to show 640 people fleeing Kabul in packed US military plane
Image obtained by Defense One shows hundreds of Afghans inside US military cargo plane C-17 Globemaster III, flown from Afghanistan to Qatar on 15 August 2021, following the fall of the capital Kabul to the TalibanPhotograph: Courtesy of Defense One Hundreds of people crammed into a US carrier in a desperate attempt to escape Kabul after Taliban forces took control of the capital An extraordinary image has emerged that appears to show hundreds of Afghans packed into a US military cargo plane, in a desperate attempt to flee Kabul after the fall of the capital to the Taliban. The picture obtained by US defence and security news site Defense One is believed to show 640 people crammed into a C-17 Globemaster III, among the highest number of people [...]
Body of newborn baby found at Auckland recycling facility
LAWRENCE SMITH/STUFF The body of a newborn baby was discovered at Visy Recycling’s material recovery facility in Onehunga, Auckland. The body of a newborn baby has been found at an Auckland recycling facility. Police are “extremely concerned” for the wellbeing of the baby's mother, who may need urgent medical attention. Officers were called to Visy Recycling in Onehunga on Monday night and are currently carrying out a scene examination. Auckland City Police Detective Inspector Scott Beard said numerous enquiries are underway, and the priority is to identify and locate the mother. Police have checked with hospitals, and continue to work closely with them, he said. The baby's death was referred to the coroner's office on Monday, and a post-mortem examination for the baby will be carried out [...]
New Zealand to trial new Covid-19 vaccine
New Zealand has been chosen to be part of a late-stage trial for a new European Covid-19 vaccine. New Zealanders can currently access the Pfizer vaccine. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The VLA2001 vaccine, created by French biotech company Valneva, has already been trialled on approximately 4000 volunteers in Europe. The company is now looking for 300 adults across New Zealand. The participants must be older than 56 and not have previously had Covid-19 or received a Covid-19 vaccine. Director of Southern Clinical Trials Christchurch Dr. Simon Carson is the lead coordinating investigator for the New Zealand trial. He said New Zealand's low case numbers and slower vaccine rollout is a large part of the reason for the trials being conducted here. "The trial began in the UK [...]
Afghanistan: PM says situation is ‘distressing’, focus is on bringing NZers home
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she has spoken with families in Afghanistan and the immediate focus is on bringing New Zealanders, those at risk, and their immediate families to New Zealand. Watch the PM speaking here: Afghanistan has been in global headlines after US and other western forces pulled out of the country, leaving the Taliban to retake control of the country. Yesterday, Ardern announced New Zealand would try to bring New Zealanders and those who helped New Zealand's forces in Afghanistan to leave the country, sending a C-130 Hercules aircraft to assist in evacuations. Today, Ardern says the New Zealand Defence Force is working alongside other countries and partners, and is talking about deploying a significant number of personnel to secure landing sites. "Certainly I am aware [...]
Muhyiddin Yassin’s 17 months in office marked by COVID-19 and dissent within ruling coalition
File photo of Muhyiddin Yassin speaking in parliament. (Photo: Malaysia's Department of Information) KUALA LUMPUR: Mr Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister on Monday (Aug 16). He is the shortest-serving prime minister in the country’s history, having occupied the top office for less than 18 months. The 74-year-old was sworn in as prime minister in March last year after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, but lost parliamentary majority this month when one of his Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), withdrew its support for him. His time in office has been marked by an unprecedented health and economic crisis as well as infighting within his ruling bloc. Here’s a look back at his tenure: COMING INTO POWER Mr Muhyiddin came [...]
Delta now dominant coronavirus variant, says Genome Center head
PHILIPPINES— The more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant has overtaken the other variants detected in the Philippines, Dr. Cynthia Saloma, executive director of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), said Monday. "The Delta variant really has overtaken the other variants of concerns," Saloma said in a Palace briefing when asked if the Delta variant is already the dominant variant in the country. "Dati marami tayong Beta at saka Alpha, ngayon po yung ating mga sampling na nai-sequence pinakamarami na po ang Delta variant [Before we have many Beta and Alpha cases, now based on samplings that we sequenced it's mostly Delta variant]," she added. In a separate briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Delta variant, which was first detected in India, has been detected in nearly all regions of [...]
Donald Trump demands Joe Biden ‘resign in disgrace’ over Afghanistan
Donald Trump has issued a statement saying United States President Joe Biden should "resign in disgrace" over the situation in Afghanistan. In his statement, Trump blamed Biden for the Taliban's swift surge in Afghanistan, as the US continues the process of pulling out its troops from the country. "It is time for Joe Biden to resign in disgrace for what he allowed to happen in Afghanistan, along with the tremendous surge in Covid, the border catastrophe, the destruction of energy independence, and our crippled economy," the statement said. "It shouldn't be a big deal, because he wasn't elected legitimately in the first place," Trump added, despite no evidence of any voter fraud. The former US President has been critical of Biden's handling of the situation in Afghanistan and this [...]
‘A serious problem’: Vaccination rates not tracked at east Auckland border facility
A public health expert is flabbergasted the government cannot provide specific vaccination information for a new Auckland border facility. It comes as questions remain over how many workers at Tamaki Marine Park - some of whom are now considered border staff - have been vaccinated. The marina, surrounded by a busy commercial area, is being used as a transfer zone for shipping crew stepping off international flights or out of MIQ. On Friday there were two crew transfers. One was ferried offshore from MIQ after a negative Covid-19 test, and another back to shore to isolate. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) told Checkpoint it is business as usual. But it is also business as usual for border workers to get a vaccine as a priority. For [...]
Haiti earthquake: Rescuers search for survivors as death toll climbs to 1,297
REUTERS There are reports of hospitals being overwhelmed in the city of Les Cayes Officials in Haiti have confirmed at least 1,297 people are dead after a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean nation on Saturday. Rescuers are picking through rubble in a desperate search for any survivors. Homes, churches and schools were among buildings flattened in the quake. Some hospitals were left overwhelmed and in need of supplies. An unknown number of people are missing and about 5,700 have been injured, officials say. The disaster compounds problems facing the impoverished nation, which is already reeling from a political crisis following the assassination of its president last month. The south-west of Haiti appears to have suffered the worst of the damage, especially around the city of Les Cayes. Footage [...]
Trudeau calls for snap election in hopes of winning back voters
Polling suggests Canadian PM’s Liberals are in the position to capture close to the 170 seats needed for majority government Justin Trudeau in Montreal on 5 August. Photograph: Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has called a snap election, gambling that voters will reward his administration’s handing of the coronavirus pandemic with a parliamentary majority as he pulls the plug on a two-year minority government. On Sunday morning, Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon to request she dissolve parliament — a request she approved. “The decisions your government makes right now will define the future your kids and grandkids will grow up in,” Trudeau told reporters after meeting with Simon. “So in this pivotal, consequential moment, who wouldn’t want a say?” For the last two years, Trudeau [...]
The fall of Kabul: a 20-year mission collapses in a single day
President Ashraf Ghani flees Afghanistan as Taliban sweep into city to seize control of country Chaos at Kabul airport as Taliban seize control of Afghan capital – video The final collapse of the 20-year western mission to Afghanistan took only a single day as Taliban gunmen entered the capital, Kabul, on Sunday, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and America abandoned its embassy in panic. Even the militants themselves were surprised by the speed of the takeover, co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar admitted in a video statement in the evening. Now the group faces the challenge of ruling, he added. They are expected to proclaim a new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan soon. Many in Kabul do not trust promises made by the former insurgents of an amnesty for [...]
Covid-19: Five new cases in managed isolation
There are five new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation. Three of the cases travelled from Fiji, one travelled from Russia via Singapore and another travelled from the UK, the Ministry of Health announced in a statement on Monday. There are two historical cases in managed isolation. New Zealand’s total number of confirmed cases is 2,570. Further wastewater samples from Tauranga and Mount Manganui last Wednesday have returned negative results, said the ministry in the update in relation to the Rio De La Plat ship where 11 crew members had Covid-19. FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGES There are five new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation, the Ministry of Health announced in an update on Monday. (File Photo) Meanwhile, wastewater testing is scaling up, now reaching 26 sites in total. [...]
Covid-19: NSW records seven deaths and 478 new cases
There have been 478 locally acquired cases of Covid 19 and seven deaths were recorded overnight, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at a briefing today. A health worker takes a swab at a drive-through Covid-19 testing station in the Sydney suburb of Smithfield. Photo: AFP Four of those who died were aged in their 80s, two were in their 70s and one was a man in his 40s. A 15-year-old boy also died - he was receiving treatment for a serious medical condition and was also a confirmed Covid-19 case. Today's figures are the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths recorded in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. There are currently 391 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 66 people in intensive care, 28 of [...]
Last major Afghan city in the north falls to the Taliban
Mazar-i-Sharif was a government stronghold and its loss leaves only Kabul and another city unconquered Displaced Afghans in Kabul on 14 August, desperate to have their travel documents confirmed. Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images The Taliban captured Mazar-i-Sharif, the country’s fourth-largest city and the government’s last major stronghold in the north on Saturday, as they tightened their grip on the country and closed in on Kabul. The US president, Joe Biden, said America would not reverse its decision to leave Afghanistan, despite the Taliban advances. “I was the fourth president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan – two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war on to a fifth.” He pledged only an increased deployment of 5,000 troops to accelerate the [...]
Foreign Affairs considers how to help NZers in Afghanistan as cities fall to Taliban
The foreign affairs Ministry (MFAT) is looking into how to help New Zealanders who are in Afghanistan as more cities fall under control of the Taliban. The Taliban now controls much of Afghanistan, pictured a Taliban fighter with a rocket-propelled grenade in Herat. Photo: AFP New Zealand does not have diplomatic staff in Afghanistan, but the Government said 17 New Zealanders have registered as living there, though there may be others who have not registered. More than half of the country has now been captured by Taliban fighters, including most regional capitals, as US-led forces leave the country. Taliban fighters are moving closer to the capital Kabul, and have just captured Mazar-i-Sharif, the last major city in northern Afghanistan which was an anti-Taliban bastion and had been under [...]
Australia’s Victoria reports 21 new local COVID-19 cases
FILE PHOTO: Healthcare workers administer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests at a drive-through testing centre on the first day of a seven-day lockdown, as the state of Victoria looks to curb the spread of an outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, May 28, 2021. REUTERS/Sandra Sanders SYDNEY: Australia's Victoria state on Saturday (Aug 14) reported 21 locally acquired cases of COVID-19, up from 15 a day earlier, while Melbourne, the state capital, is in its second week of an extended lockdown. Of the new cases, 10 have spent time outside while infectious, the state's health department said. All cases were linked to a current outbreak. Victoria, Australia's second-most populous state and home to nearly 7 million people, entered into its sixth lockdown since the pandemic began on Aug 5, weeks after a brief [...]
Police launch homicide investigation after death of 16-year-old in Fendalton, Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND— There were 80 people at the Christchurch party which ended last night with a fatal stabbing, in a Fendalton house that had been rented for the event. The scene of the fatal stabbing on Medbury Terrace, in the suburb of Fendalton Photo: RNZ / Belinda McCammon Police were called to the scene and found three people with serious stab wounds, including a 16-year-old who later died in Christchurch Hospital. The two other victims - aged 14 and 17 - are in a serious, but stable condition. Police use a drone at the scene of the fatal stabbing. Photo: RNZ / Belinda McCammon Police said this morning the house in Medbury Terrace, in the upmarket suburb of Fendalton, had been rented specifically for the gathering. They [...]
174 new COVID-19 cases drive up PNP total infections to 32,239
PHILIPPINES—The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 174 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which increased the total tally of infections in the organization to 32,239. Of this number, 1,915 cases are active, data from the PNP Health Service showed. Total recoveries climbed to 30,235 after 100 new recoveries were reported. The death toll remained at 89. The Department of Health (DOH) meanwhile on Friday reported 13,177 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily infections reported since April 2 when over 15,000 new cases were logged. The new infections also pushed the country’s active cases to 96,395, marking the first time that active cases surpassed 90,000 since April 24. The DOH also announced that total recoveries climbed to 1,587,069 after 4,322 more patients recovered from the illness. Meanwhile, 299 new fatalities brought [...]
Meet the 7 Pinoy virologists who will be ‘at heart of anatomy’ of soon-to-rise PH Virology and Vaccine Institute
Balik Scientists. Balik Puso. Balik Pilipinas. (Photos from DOST) PHILIPPINES— Seven Filipino virologists who were trained abroad responded to the call of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to be part of the first-of-its-kind Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines or VIP. As they are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña on Friday, Aug. 13, they are expected to share their expertise in the study and development of local vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and their scientific researches on virology and other diseases. It has been noted that from 1975 to 2020, the DOST was able to work with 564 Balik Scientists through 716 engagements under its ‘brain gain’ flagship initiative, [...]
UK and US send troops to aid evacuation from Afghanistan as Taliban advance
Pentagon aims to send in 3,000 soldiers to ‘aid reduction’ of nationals and Afghans with visas Displaced Afghans in Kabul. The Taliban are advancing towards the capital, after claiming to have captured Kandahar on Thursday. Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images The US and UK have scrambled reinforcements to Kabul to help evacuate their diplomats, soldiers and citizens as well as thousands of Afghans who have worked with them, as the Taliban advance towards the capital. The Pentagon announced it would send three battalions, about 3,000 soldiers, to Kabul’s international airport within 24 to 48 hours of the announcement on Thursday. The defence department spokesman, John Kirby, said the reinforcements would help the “safe and orderly reduction” of US nationals and Afghans who worked with the Americans and consequently had been [...]
Child sex abuse couple committed ‘worst possible violation’
The actions of a couple who teamed up to sexually abuse children aged between three and 14 have been described as sickening and depraved and offending that grossly violated society's norms. Andrew Alan Williams left, Laken Maree Rose right, in the High Court in Rotorua. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae Andrew Alan Williams, aged 54 and 32 year old Laken Maree Rose have been sentenced to long prison terms after appearing in the High Court in Rotorua on Friday. Williams received a sentence of 23-years 5-months, with a non-parole period of 9-years 4-months. Rose was given 19-years 5-months and she must serve of 7-years 9-months before parole can be considered.. The now former couple were active within the equestrian world and the offending often took place either at [...]
NSW reports 345 new local Covid cases, two deaths, Victoria reports 21, police arrest 73 at Melbourne anti-lockdown protest
New South Wales has reported 345 new locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, at least 60 of whom had been infectious in the community. Two men in their 90s who had tested positive for Covid died in the Australian state overnight. One of the men had one shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and the other had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. A record of nearly 152,000 Covid tests were carried out in NSW in the 24-hour reporting period. DARRIAN TRAYNOR/GETTY IMAGES A man is arrested by members of Victoria Police as anti lockdown protesters rallied in Melbourne on Wednesday night. Victoria reported 21 new cases of Covid-19 acquired in the state on Thursday, of which 17 were linked to current outbreaks in [...]
Who is Kathy Hochul? What to know about Cuomo’s lieutenant governor
With New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation amid accusations of sexual harassment and criticism over his handling of coronavirus in nursing homes, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will become New York's next governor. Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat, will be the state's first woman governor. A former member of Congress, Hochul supported abortion rights and same-sex marriage in one of the state’s more conservative congressional districts. As Erie County clerk, she once garnered attention for opposing a plan to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, a plan Cuomo later embraced and helped pass a decade later. Cuomois mired in dueling scandals, which includes accusations from three women that he sexually harassed them or otherwise made them feel uncomfortable. In one case, former aide Lindsey Boylan accused him of delivering a kiss on the lips without consent. [...]
Thailand to start human trials on nasal spray for Covid-19 vaccines
About 6.8 per cent of Thailand's population have received two doses of a vaccine.PHOTO: EPA-EFE BANGKOK — Two coronavirus vaccines administered using a nasal spray being developed in Thailand are due to start human trials by the end of this year, after promising results in trials involving mice, a government official said on Wednesday (Aug 11). Developed by the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the vaccines are based on the adenovirus and influenza, deputy government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said. After conducting trials in mice, the first phase of human trials should start by the end of this year, pending approval from the food and drug regulator, she said. The trials will also test protection against the Delta variant, Ms Ratchada said, with the second phase [...]
New Zealand moves closer to passing ‘self-identification’ law
WELLINGTON— New Zealand progressed with its plans to make it easier to change a person's sex on their birth certificate on Wednesday (Aug 11) as legislation moved through Parliament with support from all political parties. The self-identification Bill was introduced to ensure that New Zealand has the best process for transgender, non-binary and intersex people to formally acknowledge their gender, the government said in a statement, after the Bill had its second reading in Parliament on Wednesday. "There has been strong, ongoing public interest in this Bill and I am excited to see it moving towards becoming law. I look forward to hearing from everyone interested in the proposals," Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti said in a statement. The Bill will now go back to a parliamentary select committee [...]
China court sentences Canadian Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison for spying
Michael Spavor (right, on screen) was detained in 2018 along with compatriot Michael Kovrig.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - A Canadian businessman charged with spying after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, a day after another Canadian’s death sentence was upheld. Michael Spavor, who has been under arrest since Dec 2018, was handed the jail sentence in Dandong city in north-east Liaoning province on Wednesday (Aug 11) morning. A day earlier, another Canadian, Robert Schellenberg, had his death sentence for drug trafficking upheld by a court in Shenyang city, also in Liaoning. Spavor, whose hearing had taken place behind closed doors in March, was found guilty by the Dandong Intermediate People’s Court of stealing and supplying state secrets to other countries. In a statement, [...]
Magnitude 7.1 quake shakes Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental, nearby provinces
Intensity V was felt in General Santos City while Intensity IV was felt in Koronadal City and Tampakan, South Cotabato. An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck off the coast of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental early Thursday morning, PHIVOLCS reported. Earlier, PHIVOLCS reported that the epicenter was off the coast of Mati City, also in Davao Oriental, with a 7.3 magnitude. The quake, which occurred at 1:46 a.m., was at a depth of 39 kilometers and tectonic in origin. The earthquake was felt in the following areas: Intensity V - Governor Generoso, City of Mati, Baganga, and Lupon, Davao Oriental; City of Tagum, City of Panabo, Carmen, and Nabunturan, Davao del Norte; General Santos City; Alabel, and Malungon, Sarangani. Intensity IV - City of Davao; Kiblawan, Davao del Sur; City [...]
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine: rare blood clot syndrome has high mortality rate
Researchers found that clots occurring after first dose of Oxford jab affected otherwise young and healthy people In the under 50s, blood clots occurred in one in 50,000 people who received the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. Photograph: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock Although extremely rare, a blood clot syndrome after the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine carries a high risk of death and can occur in otherwise young and healthy people, UK researchers have found. In those aged under 50, blood clots occur in around one in 50,000 people who have received the vaccine, data suggests. Researchers examined the symptoms, signs and outcomes in 220 confirmed and probable cases who presented in UK hospitals between 22 March and 6 June. “It’s important to stress that this kind of reaction to [...]
Polish parliament passes controversial new media ownership bill
Government wins vote despite losing majority after coalition partner walks out and widespread national protests The Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki. Opponents see the media bill an attempt to silence an often critical broadcaster. Photograph: Olivier Matthys/AP Polish MPs have passed a controversial new media ownership law that could lead to the country’s largest remaining independent TV station losing its licence, but at the cost of several key votes that put the government’s longterm future in doubt. After a night of protests in Warsaw and 80 other towns and cities against the bill, which opponents see as an attempt to silence an often critical broadcaster, the law passed on Wednesday by 228 votes to 216 in the 460-seat lower house. The vote came amid stormy scenes after the [...]
Covid-19: Risk-based border to open from early 2022 – PM Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand will begin testing self-isolation instead of MIQ for vaccinated people this year, with a new border system based on low, medium and high-risk entry paths kicking in from early 2022, the government has announced. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Vaccinations will also be open to all eligible ages from 1 September and the gap between first and second doses will be moved to six weeks instead of three, as the government continues with its elimination strategy. People should also expect the rules around mask wearing and QR code scanning to change at higher alert levels. The government has been responding to the Skegg report on reconnecting New Zealand with the rest of the world. The report was based on work by a group of public health [...]
PH joins 20 other countries in US-led SEACAT maritime exercise in Singapore
PHILIPPINES—Maritime forces from 21 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, kicked off with the 20thiteration of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) in Singapore on Tuesday, August 10. Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (US Pacific Fleet) SEACAT is a multilateral exercise aimed to enhance cooperation among Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures. The 10-day exercises will be broken up into two phases: the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) seminar which will be conducted virtually, and the sea phase which will be in-person. According to a statement provided by the United States Pacific Fleet, SEACAT scenarios are designed to encourage countries to use maritime forces [...]
PH to join investment, trade fair in China
MANILA – The Philippines will be joining the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021 from Sept. 8 to 11 in Xiamen, China. PH PAVILION. The Philippine Pavilion at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2020. The Philippines will again join the international fair as a Guest Country of Honor at the CIFIT 2021 in Xiamen, China from Sept. 8 to 11, 2021. (Photo courtesy of BOI) “For the second year in a row, the Philippines is once again given the distinct recognition as CIFIT’s Guest Country of Honour in 2021 to showcase the best of our country as a leading investment destination. This recognition is not surprising given that the Philippines and China share a long and rich history steeped in both culture [...]
Andrew Cuomo resigns in wake of damning report on sexual harassment
New York governor announced that he was stepping aside and said his resignation will be effective in 14 days Andrew Cuomo resigns after sexual harassment allegations – video The New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, has resigned following an investigation by the state attorney general that found he sexually harassed multiple women, most of whom worked for him, and also retaliated after some made complaints. The governor made a public announcement on Tuesday morning that he was stepping aside and said his resignation will be effective in 14 days. He began defiantly by criticizing Attorney General Letitia James’s report and warning New Yorkers about the dangers of “a bias or a lack of fairness in the justice system”, then said he thought his behavior was acceptable but acknowledged [...]
Moderna vaccine may be superior to Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 Delta variant: Reports
Moderna booster shot may be necessary soon for anyone who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines earlier this year.PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK —The mRNA vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech may be less effective than Moderna's against the Delta variant of the coronavirus, according to two reports posted on medRxiv on Sunday (Aug 8) ahead of peer review. In a study of more than 50,000 patients in the Mayo Clinic Health System, researchers found that the effectiveness of Moderna's vaccine against infection had dropped to 76 per cent last month - when the Delta variant was predominant - from 86 per cent early this year. Over the same period, the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had fallen to 42 per cent from 76 per cent, researchers said. While both vaccines remain [...]
Signs of a third Covid-19 wave in at least 10 Indian states
A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a man at the City Railway station in Bangalore, on Aug 2, 2021.PHOTO: EPA-EFE BANGALORE - Signs of a third Covid-19 wave have emerged in India, with at least ten states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala in the south, reporting a rise in R-value, which means that each infected person is transmitting the coronavirus to many more people than in the past three months. The R-value, or reproduction factor, is an important tool epidemiologists and policymakers use to check the prevalence and spread of Covid-19. India's average R-value is 1.01 now. This means every infected person is transmitting the coronavirus to more than one other person. When the country was gripped by a devastating second Covid-19 wave [...]
Victoria records 20 new local cases as Melburnians asked not to enter regions
Victoria has recorded 20 new local cases of COVID-19, with at least 15 of those infectious in the community. There were 34,892 tests to midnight and all of the new cases are linked to existing outbreaks. The rise in figures comes as police across Victoria are warning drivers not to flee Melbourne's lockdown for regional areas, with number plate checks in place. Police will be checking number plates but there won't be a 'ring of steel' around Melbourne this time. (9News) Officers will be monitoring the roads in the absence of the ring of steel that fenced in city residents last year. Regional Victoria is waking to its first morning out of lockdown after no new COVID-19cases were recorded in the areas. Yesterday Victoria recorded 11 new cases, all [...]
Power supply still tight as Transpower delivers apology, explains situation
Transpower says power supply this morning remains tight but it is hopeful it will not need to ask lines companies to again reduce their load. Transpower operates the national power grid (file image). Photo: Paul Moss Photographer Artist NZ [CC BY-SA 2.5] Electricity demand reached an all-time high last night and, combined with insufficient generation, it resulted in blackouts to some parts of the country as power distributors responded to Transpower's demand to reduce the burden on the national grid. Transpower - which operates the grid - said "At the moment we have a very tight generation to demand mix this morning and we also we will manage that extremely carefully. "At this point in time we haven't made any request in terms of reducing demand. We focus [...]
After 17 months, Canada reopens its border to vaccinated US visitors
Canada has lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, holiday or visit on Monday (Tuesday NZT) while the United States is maintaining similar restrictions for Canadians, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from Covid-19 travel bans. US citizens and legal residents must be both fully vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19 within three days to get across one of the world’s longest and busiest land borders, and Canadian officials warn they won't sacrifice safety for shorter border waits. Travellers also must fill out a detailed application on the arriveCAN app before crossing. On the first morning that US citizens were allowed to cross into Canada again, it was slow going in the tiny border town of Derby Line, Vermont, where long stretches passed without any [...]
COVID-19: More than half of 94 Port of Tauranga workers who boarded COVID-stricken container ship test negative
More than half of the 94 port workers who boarded a COVID-stricken container ship docked at the Port of Tauranga have tested negative, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Tuesday morning. Speaking to The AM Show, Hipkins confirmed 65 of the port workers have returned negative results after potentially being exposed to the virus last week. On Monday, it was announced that 11 of the 21 crewmen on-board the Rio De La Plata container ship had tested positive for COVID-19. The crew had been swabbed by public health staff prior to the ship travelling to Napier, its next stop. As a precaution, the 94 workers who had contact with the vessel were required to remain at home until returning a negative test result. The two staffers who spent the most [...]
Police officer acquitted of four family violence charges, hung jury on two charges
A police officer has been acquited of four out of six charges relating to family violence. Photo / Stock NEW ZEALAND— A police officer who stood trial on six family violence charges has been acquitted of four, and no verdict was reached by the jury on two charges. The senior constable denied any violence towards his ex-wife and cruelty towards her son during their seven-year marriage. He gave evidence at his trial at Auckland District Court in June. The Herald can reveal today the man, who has name suppression, was found not guilty of two charges of assault with intent to injure, one charge of injuring with intent to injure and one charge of injuring with reckless disregard. The man admitted to slicing the nose of his ex-wife [...]
Biden administration increases border deportations and prosecutions to deter migration
The Biden administration is ramping up deportations and prosecutions of migrants crossing the southern border illegally amid a 21-year high in migrant arrests and concerns about the rapid spread of the coronavirus Delta variant. U.S. authorities are now flying Central American migrants deep into the Mexican interior using a Trump-era public health order that was extended indefinitely last week, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, who said the expulsions are meant to curb repeat border crossings and the spread of the coronavirus. The Biden administration has also restarted "expedited removal" flights for some migrant families who can't be expelled to Mexico under the public health authority, known as Title 42. Since the end of July, the U.S. has carried out six expedited removal flights to Central America, [...]
Power outages: PM Jacinda Ardern says ‘not good enough that we couldn’t heat homes’
New Zealanders not having power on one of the coldest nights of the year was not acceptable, Energy Minister Megan Woods has just told media. And Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said while she wants to find out if last night's event - in which power was cut to thousands of North Island homes - could have been prevented, "it was not good enough that we could not warm our homes". Ardern said they should know more about what happened this afternoon. Transpower earlier today said Kiwis were close to another power crisis this morning after tens of thousands of Kiwis were plunged into darkness last night. General manager of operations Dr Stephen Jay told the Herald he couldn't rule out any further disruption to the network, stating "the emergency [...]
Thousands flee Greek island as wildfires raze forest and homes
Firefighters tackle blazes on two fronts on Evia as heatwave-driven devastation across southern Europe continues Sky glows red over ferry evacuating people from Greek island fire – video Thousands of people have fled wildfires that are destroying vast swathes of pine forest and razing homes on Greece’s second-largest island, Evia, as devastating summer blazes rage from southern Europe to Siberia. “We have ahead of us another difficult evening, another difficult night,” Greece’s deputy civil protection minister, Nikos Hardalias, said on Sunday, adding that nearly a week after the blazes started, strong winds were driving two major fire fronts in the north and south of the island. Seventeen firefighting planes and helicopters were in action on the island, just north-east of the capital, Athens, where fires in a northern [...]
PNP allows persons travelling for medical, humanitarian reasons to cross borders
PHILIPPINES— Persons whose travels are medical and health-related, including dental and check-up appointments, will be allowed to cross the borders of Metro Manila which is currently under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said those travelling for medical reasons are actually considered as the other APOrs (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) along with those who travel for humanitarian reasons. photo: Ali Vicoy “Kasama sa other APORs ang mga kababayan nating may appointment sa mga doktor at yung mga kababayan nating kailangang umuwi dahil namatayan ng immediate family members, o may manganganak na asawa at iba pang mga kadahilanan na parte ng ating kulturang Pilipino (Included in the Other APORs are those who have appointments with doctors and those whose immediate [...]
Schools ‘devastated’ after five teens killed in horror Timaru crash
Friends of five teenagers killed when an overloaded car crashed into a power pole, snapping the vehicle in half, may be planning a car event with burnouts in their honour. The crash, one of the worst in recent history, happened shortly before 7.30pm on Saturday at the intersection of Seadown and Meadows roads in Washdyke, near Timaru. One of the victims was found dead in the boot. The 19-year-old driver, who was on a restricted licence, was the only survivor. The victims were Javarney Drummond, 15, Niko Hill, Andrew Goodger, Jack Wallace and Joseph McCarthy. The boys were all aged 15 or 16. Police were yet to speak to the driver, Aoraki area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said on Monday. They did not know where the group were going [...]
Israeli survey finds 3rd Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose has similar side effects to 2nd
Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are pictured in a vaccination centre in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb 3, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) JERUSALEM: Most people who received a third dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine felt similar or fewer side effects than they did after receiving the second shot, according to an initial survey in Israel. Israel began offering the booster shots about 10 days ago to people over age 60 as part of efforts to slow the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. That effectively turned Israel into a testing ground for a third dose before approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. Israel's largest healthcare provider, Clalit, said on Sunday (Aug 8) it had administered a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to more than 240,000 people. About 4,500 people, all of [...]
Guests at Obama birthday party delete Instagram posts after former president seen dancing at ‘epic’ bash
Manager TJ Chapman called it the 'party of all parties' A guest at former President Barack Obama’s 60th birthday bash said he was forced to delete Instagram photos he posted of himself at the star-studded event on Martha's Vineyard Saturday night. Rapper Trap Beckham and his manager, TJ Chapman, posted Instagram photos of the food and décor at the event, as well as themselves smoking marijuana, which is legal in Massachusetts, but the photos were later deleted under the event’s photography ban, the New York Post reported. Beckham and Chapman both posted about having to delete the photos. "Had to delete everything due to the rules," Beckham said, the Post reported. "It was epic for sure. If any videos surface it’s going viral. He danced the whole time. Nobody [...]
Tokyo 2020: New Zealand’s best moments
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games came to a close after 17 days of sporting excellence from the world's elite athletes. We take a look back at some of the New Zealanders' key moments. Clockwise from top: Lisa Carrington, Ellesse Andrews, the men's rowing eight and Tom Walsh. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021 Tokyo 2020 will be forever etched into New Zealand sporting history due to Lisa Carrington's gold medal winning efforts that saw the Ōhope-raised canoeist become the country's most successul Olympian. Kicking things off with a dominant display in the K-1 200m event, Carrington set the tone for the rest of her Olympic campaign. What was so obvious about the way she took on the event was just how much faster, stronger and powerful she looked from the [...]
Afghanistan war: Taliban capture three regional capitals
Afghan security forces have faced a major blow with the loss of Kunduz/Reuters The Taliban have captured three regional capitals in Afghanistan as they continue to make sweeping territorial gains in the country. They seized control of the key northern city of Kunduz on Sunday, as well as Sar-e-Pul and Taloqan. It means five regional capitals have fallen to the militants since Friday, with Kunduz being their most important gain this year. The city is well connected to other areas, including the capital Kabul. Violence has escalated across Afghanistan after US and other international forces began to withdraw their troops from the country, following 20 years of military operations. Taliban militants have made rapid advances in recent weeks. Having captured large swathes of the countryside, they are now [...]
In pictures: Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony
The Tokyo Olympic Games have come to an end, and although this delayed, pandemic-plagued event is quite unlike any games in history, one thing has stayed the same - opening and closing ceremonies. Fireworks go off around the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: AFP or licensors Dame Valerie Adams was named to be the New Zealand team's flagbearer for the closing ceremony. A volley of white-and-gold fireworks streaked above the nearly empty Olympic Stadium, emphasising again the oddity of an Olympic Games held without spectators. The stage looked sparse even as athletes marched in carrying their national flags. Many of the best-known athletes have already left Tokyo and were not able to attend Sunday's event. Athletes are supposed to fly [...]
US Senate passes Bill to help Taiwan regain WHO status
Flags of Taiwan and US are placed for a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan, on Mar 27, 2018. (Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu) WASHINGTON: The US Senate passed a Bill late on Thursday calling on the State Department to submit a plan to help Taiwan regain its observer status at the World Health Organization, one of several US bids to boost Taiwan as it faces pressure from Beijing. Taiwan is excluded from most global organisations such as the WHO, the UN health agency, because of the objections of China, which considers the island one of its provinces and not a separate country. The legislation, passed by unanimous consent, was sponsored by Senators Bob Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. [...]
PH to end Tokyo Olympics as top-performing Asean team
MANILA – From a group of athletes struggling to take that elusive Olympic gold, the Philippines is just a formality away from walking away as the best in Southeast Asia. PH OLYMPIANS. The Filipino athletes who led the Philippines' successful campaign in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Hidilyn Diaz (upper left) - gold medalist, women's 55-kg. weightlifting; Nesthy Petecio (upper right), silver medalist, women's boxing featherweight division; Carlo Paalam (lower left), silver medalist, men's boxing flyweight division and Eumir Marcial (lower right), bronze medalist, men's boxing middleweight division. (Photos courtesy of Tokyo 2020 Twitter page and Hidilyn Diaz Twitter account) The Philippine team to this year's Tokyo Olympics is set to end its campaign as the top-performing country among Southeast Asian nations in terms of which medals they won. [...]
Google launching new Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell in New Zealand on August 25
The devices detect people, animals and vehicles, providing specific alerts for them. Photo credit: Supplied Kiwis looking to make their homes smarter and more secure are being offered new options later this month as Google launches its next generation Nest Cams and Doorbells. The new models include the internet giant's first battery-powered camera that can be used indoors or outdoors and its first battery-powered doorbell. The devices will go head-to-head with the likes of Amazon's Ring doorbells and a multitude of security cameras available locally. The Nest Doorbell can be wired or battery-powered and has a typical battery life of two and a half months, depending on how busy the doorway and environment is. It can record 960x1280 pixel video at up to 30 frames per second (fps) [...]
Biggest ever rocket is assembled briefly in Texas
IMAGE SOURCESPACEX The Starship upper-stage was hoisted for a fit-check with the Super Heavy booster The American SpaceX company has stacked the biggest rocket ever constructed. The vehicle's two segments - an upper-stage called Starship and a booster called Super Heavy - were connected together at the firm's Starbase R&D facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Standing roughly 120m (400ft) in height, the SpaceX rocket dwarfs any previous launch system. When it eventually lifts off, it will produce about twice the thrust of the vehicles that sent men to the Moon. The main engines on Apollo's famous Saturn V rockets delivered some 35 meganewtons (nearly 8 million pounds of force) off the pad. The new SpaceX Super Heavy booster should achieve around 70 meganewtons. A massive crane was [...]
Jacinda Ardern says there’s no magic vaccine number that will see NZ open the border
Jacinda Ardern has a lot on her mind as she prepares to sketch the public a course out of the Covid pandemic. She talks to Henry Cooke about why there won’t be a clear milestone when New Zealand has vaccinated enough people, why 2021 is harder than 2020, and her commitment to climate change policy. There’s not going to be a magic number. Jacinda Ardern is happy to crow about hitting two million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine as she sits down for a long interview with Stuff on Wednesday evening, but she’s also clear that she won't be able to point to some milestone like Scott Morrison is in Australia, some percentage of the population vaccinated or number of doses in arms and say: That’s it, no more [...]
Six EU states overtake UK Covid vaccination rates as Britain’s rollout slows
Malta, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Ireland overtake UK in fully jabbed percentages Six EU states have now fully inoculated a larger share of their total populations with a coronavirus vaccine than the UK, after the bloc’s dire initial rollout took off while Britain’s impressive early jab rate has slumped. According to government and health service figures collated by the online science publication Our World In Data, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Ireland have all overtaken the UK in terms of the percentages of their populations who are fully vaccinated. While Britain’s hugely successful campaign was bound to slow first as it ran into harder-to-reach, more vaccine-hesitant groups, the rate of decline is dramatic: the UK is currently administering a fraction of the daily doses of some EU [...]
NSW has worst day of Covid pandemic with 319 new cases, five deaths and lockdown of Armidale
Deaths linked to latest coronavirus outbreak reaches 27 as four new cases recorded in Newcastle The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, announced a lockdown of the Armidale LGA while reporting 319 new Covid cases and five deaths. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP New South Wales has recorded its worst ever daily increase in Covid infections, at 319 new locally acquired cases, as the state continues to grapple with a deepening crisis. The state also recorded five deaths, three of which are linked to an outbreak at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s west, which was sparked by a health worker becoming infected and transferring coronavirus to patients. Five deaths have been linked to the hospital outbreak, and the latest deaths were a woman in her 80s, a man in his [...]
Google boss Larry Page secured New Zealand residency under wealthy investor category
Immigration officials have confirmed Google co-founder Larry Page applied for New Zealand residency under a category for wealthy investors. Larry Page. Photo: AFP / Getty This week it was revealed the American billionaire travelled here from Fiji earlier this year because his child needed medical treatment. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said Page submitted his application under the investor plus category in November 2020. It could not be processed until he entered the country, so it was approved in February. The investor plus category requires applicants to invest at least $10 million in New Zealand over three years. INZ said the application included the necessary documentationand was assessed as meeting immigration requirements. Page arrived in Auckland with his child in January after the Ministry of Health approved a request [...]
Director-General of Health apologises to select committee for providing incorrect information
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has apologised to Parliament's health select committee for providing them incorrect information. Dr Ashley Bloomfield has apologised for providing incorrect information about a UN worker from Fiji who was seriously ill with Covid-19 to Parliament's health select committee. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone On Wednesday, he told MPs he had not personally discussed the case of a United Nations worker from Fiji who was seriously ill with Covid-19 with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. But, in a letter to the committee chair Labour MP Liz Craig, Bloomfield said he did exchange text messages with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed about the matter. An application for the worker to travel to New Zealand for medical [...]
International travel: UK country listings update
From 4am Sunday 8 August, the fully vaccinated amber rules will apply to France. At the same time, Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia will move to green list. Bahrain, India, Qatar and UAE will move to amber list. Georgia, Mayotte, Mexico and Reunion will move to red list. arrivals from France will no longer need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway to be added to the government’s green list for travel India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will also be moved from the red to the amber list Georgia, Mexico, La Reunion and Mayotte added to the red list to safeguard domestic vaccine rollout The UK government has today (5 August 2021) announced [...]
Dollar firms as Fed members talk of tightening
FILE PHOTO: Four thousand U.S. dollars are counted out by a banker counting currency at a bank in Westminster, Colorado November 3, 2009. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo SYDNEY : The dollar was poised to push higher on Thursday as hawkish comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve led markets to bring forward the likely timing of a policy tightening there, while action in Europe and Japan remain distant prospects. The euro was down at US$1.1837, having recoiled from a top of US$1.1899 overnight and marking another failure to crack resistance around US$1.1910. The dollar also bounced to 109.51 yen, from a trough of 108.71 on Wednesday, negating what had been a bearish break on the downside. The rally came after Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida said conditions for an interest rate [...]
Boeing 737 MAX departs for key test flight in China
FILE PHOTO: The Boeing logo is pictured at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition fair at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil August 14, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker//File Photo SEATTLE/BEIJING: A Boeing 737 Max jet departed for China on Wednesday (Aug 4) to conduct a flight test as part of the US planemaker's attempt to gain approval in the vital travel market following two fatal crashes, people familiar with the matter said. Flight-tracking site FlightRadar24 showed a 737 MAX 7 test plane taking off from Boeing Field near Seattle at 8.17am local time bound for John Rodgers Field outside Honolulu, the first leg of its trip across the Pacific. Boeing and China regulators have scheduled re-certification flights and testing in the coming days, though the precise timing and how long [...]
Armed police responding to incident in Ōpaheke, south Auckland
RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF A large black SUV has crashed on the corner of Ōpaheke Rd AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND— Armed police are responding to an incident in the south Auckland suburb of Ōpaheke. The public is being advised to avoid the area. Cordons are in place at the intersections of Great South Rd and Settlement Rd, Opaheke Rd and Alexander St, Opaheke Rd and Onslow Rd, and King Edward Ave and Settlement Rd. RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF Armed police at the scene of the incident, in the south Auckland suburb of Ōpaheke. “As this situation is still unfolding no further information is available at this very early stage,” police said in a statement. “However, a further update will be provided when it is available.” Photos from the scene show a large black [...]
BIR stretches deadline for tax payments
Bureau of Internal Revenue PHILIPPINES— The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadline for filing of returns and payment of tax due in light of the community quarantine measures in the country. The extension was ordered under Revenue Memorandum Circular 91-2021, which was signed on BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay in consideration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in other locations. The circular, according to Dulay, is issued to "extend the deadline of filing of returns and payment of the corresponding taxes due thereon, and submission of reports and attachments, falling within the period from August 6, 2021 to August 20, 2021 for taxpayers under ECQ and MECQ" "The deadline falling within the abovementioned dates are [...]
Asian markets recover
TOKYO: Asian equities mostly rose on Wednesday, continuing the recent volatile theme in global markets as optimism over the economic recovery and coronavirus vaccinations plays off against concerns about the fast-spreading Delta variant and China's regulatory crackdown. A forecast-beating corporate earnings season and constant reassurance from the US Federal Reserve over its ultra-loose monetary policies have also been unable to soothe fears that the outlook might not be as rosy as initially hoped with sentiment changing day by day. Still, in the morning on Wednesday was an up day following a record close for the S&P 500 on Wall Street and helped by some bargain-hunting. The spread of the Delta virus variant remains the major stumbling block to the recovery as a sharp spike in new infections around the [...]
‘Gorio’ to turn into tropical storm – Pagasa
PHILIPPINES— The low pressure area (LPA) spotted northeast of Batanes has developed into Tropical Depression "Gorio," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday. "Gorio" was spotted 785 kilometers northeast of the town of Itbayat in Batanes. Packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 70kph, the tropical depression is moving east-northeast at 20kph, the weather bureau said. "It is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday morning," the weather agency said. Occasional rains may prevail in Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and northern Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands. The rest of the country will [...]
Asean to SCS parties: Avoid actions that may escalate disputes
MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has called on all parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes in the South China Sea. In a joint communiqué released on Wednesday, Asean said all member states reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation in the area. "We further reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS," it read. "We emphasized the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states, including those mentioned in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China [...]
Covid-19 vaccine update: Two million doses administered in New Zealand
People aged 55 and up will be able to book vaccines from Friday, five days earlier than planned, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. He also says New Zealand's rollout of the Pfizer vaccine has reached the two-million mark, with 2,021,024 doses given by midnight last night. Chris Hipkins and joint head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Megan Main have given a coronavirus and vaccine update this afternoon. Watch the update here: Hipkins also revealed Mainfreight and Fonterra are initial employers who would act as workplace vaccination sites, and will be followed by the Warehouse Group, and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare. Yesterday was a record day for vaccinations with more than 42,000 inoculations, and DHBs continuing to track more than 3 percent ahead of the plan, Hipkins says. Second [...]
Govt and Reserve Bank agree on new moves to tighten mortgage lending
NEW ZEALAND— Mortgage lending rules are to be toughened after the government has given the Reserve Bank approval to tighten loan-to-value ratios and move to bring in debt-to-income ratios. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson In a statement, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the central bank would start consulting reducing low deposit lending by banks to no more than 10 percent of their total lending from the current 20 percent. The measure would come into force on 1 October. The government has also given RBNZ approval for debt-to-income ratios or interest rate floors, to ensure borrowers can afford to service mortgages. "This change will ensure that the Reserve Bank has the flexibility to respond to emerging financial stability risks and deploy appropriate [...]
Travel bubble: MSD to partially refund beneficiary stuck in Sydney
A beneficiary who was stuck in Sydney with her sick sister will be paid back hundreds of dollars after a Ministry of Social Development U-turn. Joanne Minimita, left, and Debbie Ngare in Sydney. Photo: Supplied On 11 June, Joanne Minimita (Tainui) flew to her sibling Debbie Ngare (Tainui), who is too ill to travel. Ngare has breast cancer, thyroid cancer, diabetes and emphysema and has recently had blood clots in her lungs. She was too sick to fly to New Zealand when the bubble opened, so her whānau paid for Minimita to visit her. "We hadn't seen [Debbie] for two years since our brother passed away, with her going through all her mamae at the same time and always getting a new illness," Minimita said. But when the travel [...]
Duterte approved funds for P1,000 to P4,000 cash aid for 80% of NCR population —Go
MANILA, PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Monday night the funding for the cash aid to be given to 80% of the population of the National Capital Region as the region is set to be placed under enhanced community quarantine on August 6, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go announced. The cash assistance will be P1,000 per individual or a maximum of P4,000 per household belonging to the low-income group. "Nagpapasalamat ako kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagtugon sa ating apela na magbigay ng ayuda sa mga pinakamahihirap na maaapektuhan ng ECQ sa NCR simula Agosto 6 hanggang 20," Go, Duterte's longtime aide, said in a post on Facebook. (I am grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte for hearing our appeal to give financial assistance to the poor who will be affected [...]
India sending warships through South China Sea as China questions German frigate’s intentions
India has announced several of its Navy warships will soon sail through the South China Sea, the latest country to send vessels towards the contested waters. The Indian Defence Ministry on Tuesday announced a "Task Force of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet" will set sail in August to South East Asia, the South China Sea and into the Western Pacific. The fleet comprises a number of warships, with at least three ships built in India and "equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors". The Indian Navy will partake in a number of exercises while on voyage, including with the Japanese and Australian navies. The deployment, which the ministry says seeks to underscore "peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries" and strengthen India's bonds with other countries in the [...]
Harris to push back on China’s South China Sea claims during Asia trip
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks before participating in a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House in Washington, U.S., May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo WASHINGTON- Vice President Kamala Harris will focus on defending international rules in the South China Sea, strengthening U.S. regional leadership and expanding security cooperation during her trip to Vietnam and Singapore this month, a senior White House official told Reuters. Harris will be the first U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam as Washington seeks to bolster international support to counter China's growing global influence. The U.S. official said Washington saw both countries as critical partners given their locations, the size of their economies, trade ties and security partnerships on issues such [...]
U.S., Indonesia commit to South China Sea defense in ‘strategic dialogue’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi talks to members of the media after a bilateral meeting at Department of State in Washington, U.S., August 3, 2021. Jose Luis Magana/Pool via REUTERS WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday the launch of a "strategic dialogue" with Indonesia, and Washington said the two countries committed to working together on issues that include defending freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Meeting in Washington, Blinken and Indonesian Foreign Minster Retno Marsudi also committed to work together against COVID-19 and the climate crisis and to boost bilateral trade and economic ties, the State Department said. Indonesia is the largest country and economy in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), [...]
New York Governor Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, report finds; he vows not to quit
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes a statement in this screen grab taken from a pre-recorded video released by Office of the NY Governor, in New York, U.S., August 3, 2021. Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo/Handout via REUTERS NEW YORK - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo groped, kissed or made suggestive comments to 11 women in violation of the law, the state's attorney general said on Tuesday, prompting local prosecutors to launch a criminal investigation and reigniting calls for him to resign or be impeached. The findings of a five-month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment found the governor created a "toxic" workplace and that his office illegally retaliated against the first accuser to go public. After State Attorney General Letitia James unveiled the probe's conclusions, President Joe [...]
China authorities to test all Wuhan’s 11 million residents amid new Covid cases
Eight cases reported in city where coronavirus first emerged in 2019 Eight cases have emerged in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: Getty Images Chinese officials have ordered all 11 million residents of Wuhan to be tested for Covid-19, after new cases emerged in the city for the first time in more than a year. On Tuesday the national health commission reported eight cases in Wuhan, the city where Covid-19 was first detected in late 2019, before spreading around the world. The cases – three of which were symptomatic and five asymptomatic – were among 84 new cases reported across China in the 24 hours to Monday evening. On Tuesday, Wuhan health official Li Tao said they were “swiftly launching comprehensive nucleic acid testing” [...]
Iranian-backed forces suspected of tanker hijacking off UAE coast
Panama-registered Asphalt Princess was reportedly seized by eight to nine armed individuals The incident, reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, comes after an attack on the Mercer Street tanker (pictured) off the coast of Oman last week. Photograph: Ali Haider/EPA Iranian-backed forces are suspected of being behind the seizure of a tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, after Britain’s maritime trade agency reported a “potential hijack” in the area on Tuesday by eight to nine armed individuals. Maritime security sources identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged asphalt tanker that was reportedly intercepted in an area in the Arabian Sea leading to the strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil exports flow. Maritime security analysts at Dryad Global [...]
Unemployment rate falls to lowest in nearly a year
NEW ZEALAND— The unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in nearly a year. Photo: 123RF Official data shows the jobless rate in the June quarter was 4 percent, down from 4.7 percent in the previous quarter. The rate was better than the 4.5 percent forecast by analysts, and is below the level before the pandemic. The fall was driven by strong job creation and more people finding work. The under-utilisation rate, which measures slack in the job market, fell to 10.5 percent. Annual wage growth hit 2.2 percent.
More than 110M COVID vaccines sent to 60 countries, US says
The White House says the U.S. has donated and shipped more than 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 60 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia The Breakdown: US meets President Joe Biden’s vaccine goal. The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The U.S. has donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia, the White House announced Tuesday. President Joe Biden was expected to discuss that milestone and more later Tuesday in remarks updating the public on the U.S. strategy to slow the spread of coronavirus abroad. The announcement comes amid a rise in infections in the U.S., fueled by the highly contagious delta strain of the virus, which led U.S. public healthofficials last week to [...]
Belarus exile group leader Vitaly Shishov found dead in Kyiv, police say
Police open murder investigation after activist discovered in park after failing to return from a run Vitaly Shishov, the head of Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU), which helps fleeing Belarusians, was found dead in Kyiv. Photograph: Instagram The head of a Kyiv-based non-profit organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution has been found dead in a park in the Ukrainian capital, police have said, raising suspicion that he may have been murdered. Vitaly Shishov, the head of Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU), was reported missing by his partner on Monday after he failed to return from a run and could not be reached on his mobile phone. “Belarusian citizen Vitaly Shishov, who had gone missing in Kyiv yesterday, was today found hanged in one of the Kyiv parks, not far [...]
Human Rights Commission receives 30 complaints about MIQ booking
The Human Rights Commission wants more options for disabled people to secure a space in MIQ. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi It had received 30 complaints about the online booking portal, including claims that it discriminates against older people, disabled people and blind people who can't fill in the form quickly enough to get a voucher. Meg Douglas Howie, who designs web services for the government, is among the complainants. She said she was spurred to action after learning the President of the World Blind Union, from Auckland, couldn't book an MIQ spot. "If you're someone who uses websites more slowly - and that could be for a bunch of reasons, for example you're older and you've got arthritis or you're blind and you're listening to the dates [...]
NZ Government making apology over Dawn Raids
Representatives from many Pacific nations have gathered to hear the government's apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s. Watch the ceremony live here: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will deliver the apology for the raids which occurred under both Labour and National governments. The Dawn Raids resulted in the deportation and prosecution of many Pacific Islanders, even those who remotely looked Pasifika, despite many overstayers at the time being British or American. Both political parties have accepted that the raids were racist.
Live: Government to give Dawn Raids apology for racially targeting Pacific overstayers
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Minister Aupito William Sio got emotional as he talked about his family’s dawn raid experiences at the announcement of the apology in June.
Covid-19: NSW records 239 new community cases, Queensland detects nine
New South Wales has recorded 239 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases as of last night, while Queensland recorded the highest number of local cases since August 2020. Health workers taking swab samples from residents at a Covid-19 drive-through testing clinic in Sydney on 28 July, 2021. Photo: AFP or/ Saeed Khan Twenty-six of NSW's cases were infectious in the community, while 35 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period and the isolation status of 98 cases remains under investigation. NSW Health said the source of 124 cases was under investigation. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was beginning to see the virus was being mostly contained in the regions which were under enhanced lockdown orders. "The one positive take out is at the virus has [...]
Protesters in downtown Kuala Lumpur demand PM Muhyiddin’s resignation
Protesters are calling for a full parliamentary sitting and automatic bank loan moratoriums to ease Covid-19 fuelled hardship.PHOTO: GM KUALA LUMPUR - Several hundred protesters marched peacefully in Kuala Lumpur's city centre on Saturday (July 31) to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Roads around Merdeka Square, where National Day parades were often held, were sealed off as protesters dressed in black took to the streets. The demonstration was organised by a coalition of youth and civil society groups, called the Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (People's Solidarity Secretariat). Some brought mock corpses wrapped in white cloth to symbolise the high number of daily Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia, in a criticism of the government's handling of the pandemic. The coalition is also calling for a full parliamentary sitting and automatic bank [...]
Vaccines still best weapon as Delta threatens gains: WHO
Health workers remove the body of a Covid-19 victim who died while isolating at home in Bandung, Indonesia, on July 28, 2021.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - The world is at risk of losing ground in the fight against Covid-19 because of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, but vaccines remain the most effective weapon against it, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference that health systems in many countries were now being overwhelmed. He said on Friday (July 30): “Hard-won gains are in jeopardy or being lost.” WHO’s top emergency expert Mike Ryan noted that the fight had become tougher, emphasising nonetheless that vaccines remained the most potent defence against the disease. He said: “We are fighting the same [...]
Canada says Delta variant ‘formidable foe’ at start of fourth wave
A shopper is illuminated by a beam of light as she walks down a hallway in Sherway Gardens Mall during the stage two reopening from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 30, 2021. REUTERS/Alex Filipe OTTAWA - Canada must vaccinate as many people as possible and cautiously relax public health measures as COVID-19 case numbers creep higher at the start of what could be a fourth wave, the country's top health official said on Friday. Rising case counts suggest "we are at the start of the Delta-driven fourth wave, but that the trajectory will depend on an ongoing increase in fully vaccinated coverage and the timing, pace and extent of reopening," Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam told reporters. "Delta is a formidable foe," she added. [...]
Indian, Chinese army officers meet to defuse border standoff
In this Sep 14, 2017, file photo, a banner erected by the Indian army stands near Pangong Tso lake near the India-China border in India's Ladakh area. (Photo: AP/Manish Swarup) NEW DELHI: Top Indian and Chinese army commanders met on Saturday (Jul 31) after a gap of three months to discuss the expeditious disengagement of thousands of forces in a bid to ease the 15-month border tensions and clashes. Indian army spokesman Colonel Sudhir Chamoli said the meeting started on Saturday on the Chinese side of the border in the eastern Ladakh region but gave no other details. The meeting was expected to end later Saturday and both sides were likely to issue statements on Sunday. The 12th round of army-level talks appears to have been pushed by a meeting of the [...]
US top diplomat Blinken to court Southeast Asia in virtual meetings next week
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards his plane to depart for his return to the United States from Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Jul 29, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet virtually with Southeast Asian officials every day next week, a senior state department official said on Saturday (Jul 31), as Washington seeks to show the region it’s a US priority while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar. The top US diplomat will attend virtual meetings for five consecutive days, including annual meetings of the 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other nations and separate meetings of the Lower Mekong subregion countries Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. "I think it's a clear demonstration of our commitment to the [...]
Police man NCR Plus checkpoints as border control tightened amid Delta variant cases
Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday began strictly monitoring motorists passing through checkpoints in the National Capital Region Plus in a bid to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. At a bridge at the boundary of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and North Caloocan, police checked on every vehicle entering Metro Manila to see if motorists and passengers are authorized persons outside residence (APOR), according to a report by Luisito Santos on Dobol B TV. They asked for IDs and the purpose of the trip of the motorists. Only those with essential travel were allowed to pass through. Police also checked on the passengers of vehicles if they were following minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face [...]
Nesthy Petecio to fight for gold in Olympic women’s featherweight finals
Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Boxing - Women's Featherweight - Semifinal - KKG - Kokugikan Arena - Tokyo, Japan - July 31, 2021. Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines reacts after winning her fight against Irma Testa of Italy. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino A second gold medal for the Philippines could now be within reach. Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio bested Irma Testa of Italy via split decision, 4-1, in the semifinals of the women's featherweight division of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics' boxing tournament Saturday at the Kokugikan Arena. Against a much taller foe, Petecio initially struggled with Testa's reach as the Italian secured the first round, 10-9, for all five judges. The Filipina fighter then became more aggressive in the second round to score a 10-9 of her own. It all came [...]
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has recorded over five million new registrants as of July 10, less than three months before signup ends. Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Saturday posted on Twitter that Comelec has processed 5.45 million registrants. “As of July 10, we have around 5.45 million registrants @COMELEC. If we automatically reactivate 6.3 million that would be a record,” her Twitter account @rowena_guanzon read. The nationwide registration will end on September 30. The Comelec has yet to update the approved applications as of the Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing on July 19. The poll body also tackled a possible online revalidation of registered voters who have been deactivated for not participating in the last two elections. “Comelec en banc will study if we can use online [...]
French protests grow against extended health pass scheme
200,000 take to the streets to oppose proof-of-vaccination for hospitals, trains, and cultural and leisure centres Protesters in Paris march against the French government’s ‘health pass’ requiring proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative test result to visit leisure and cultural venues. Photograph: Christophe Petit-Tesson/EPA Thousands of people have protested in Paris and other French cities over a mandatory coronavirus health pass for entry to many public venues, introduced by the government as it battles a fourth wave of infections. Protesters injured three police officers in Paris, a police spokesperson said. The interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, said on Twitter that 19 demonstrators were arrested, including 10 in Paris. It was the third weekend in a row that people opposed to President Emmanuel Macron’s new Covid-19 measures have [...]
IRS must turn over Trump tax returns to Congress, DoJ says
Department says House panel has ‘sufficient reasons’ for requesting returns as Nancy Pelosi hails ‘victory for the rule of law’ Trump at a rally in Sarasota earlier this month. Trump has fought hard to keep his tax returns from public view.Photograph: Octavio Jones/Reuters The US Department of Justice on Friday ordered the Internal Revenue Service to hand Donald Trump’s tax returns to a House committee, saying the panel had “invoked sufficient reasons” for requesting them. The news was a second blow for Trump in a matter of hours, after released DoJ memos revealed that as part of his campaign to overturn his election defeat by Joe Biden, he pressured top officials to falsely label the 2020 election as corrupt, then “leave the rest to me”. House speaker Nancy Pelosi [...]
NZ monitoring ongoing arrests of Fiji opposition politicians
New Zealand has reiterated its concern with ongoing police questioning of opposition politicians in Fiji. Several opposition MPs as well as two former prime ministers have been taken in by police this week. Lynda Tabuya is one of the Fiji opposition MPs taken in by police for questioning in recent days Photo: Supplied Police said the opposition members were being questioned under the Public Order Act in relation to their criticism of a government land bill. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced New Zealand's concern following the first spate of arrests on Sunday Following ongoing detention of political figures in the past two days, a ministry spokesperson says the government is continuing to monitor the situation in Fiji. They said the New Zealand High Commission in Suva is [...]
China’s talks with Taliban could be a positive thing, US says
Delegation from militants meets Chinese foreign minister as Beijing seeks to extend influence in Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, left, the Taliban co-founder, and the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, meeting in Tianjin, China, on Wednesday. Photograph: Li Ran/AP The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has said that Beijing’s interest in Afghanistan could be a “positive thing”, after China gave a warm and very public welcome to a senior Taliban delegation. Nine officials from the militant group, which is eager for political recognition to bolster the impact of its military victories across much of Afghanistan, met China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, in the coastal city of Tianjin on Wednesday. Photographs showed Wang welcoming Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar , the Taliban’s co-founder and head of its political commission, with [...]
Tokyo Olympics: Chinese badminton player apologises after repeatedly dropping f-bomb during match
A Chinese badminton player has apologised after she was heard repeatedly swearing during a match at the Tokyo Olympics. Chen Qingchen, 24, was heard swearing loudly throughout her women's doubles match against South Korea on Tuesday. During the games, Chen repeatedly yelled the word "cao" which is the equivalent to "f**k" in Mandarin Chinese. After her and her teammate, Jia Yifan lost the first game she let out a string of profanity. She swore again during her second game yelling, "Wo cao! Awesome! Cao!". "Cao" she shouted again as she scored once more. Chen went on to yell "cao" several more times before defeating the South Korean team Kim So-Yeong and Kong Hee-Yong and winning a ticket to the semi-finals. "Wo Cao" is internet slang that loosely translates to [...]
8.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska – largest in US in 50 years
A still image from video shows vehicles evacuating Homer Spit following a tsunami warning after the quake, in Homer, Alaska.PHOTO: REUTERS An 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Alaska late on Wednesday (July 28), prompting a tsunami warning for parts of the state and a tsunami watch as far as Hawaii. They were lifted within hours. It was the largest earthquake in the United States in 50 years, seismologists said. The earthquake was detected about 120km south-east of Chignik, Alaska, about 10.15pm local time, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. The earthquake was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Earthquake Center reported. In Kodiak, tsunami sirens blared and people began moving to higher ground as word of the warning spread. There [...]
Japan hits 10,000 Covid-19 daily cases for first time; experts call for new ideas
The bulk of the new Covid-19 cases are centred in the four Greater Tokyo prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama.PHOTO: AFP TOKYO - Japan reported more than 10,000 Covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time on Thursday (July 29), alarming experts who warned that the government seemed to have run out of ideas on how to stem the spread of infections. The surge in cases will likely pile the pressure on Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, whose support is plummeting at the worst possible time before an election, which is due by Oct 21. Thursday's tally of 10,699 new infections surpassed the day-old record of 9,576 cases by 11.7 per cent. Mr Suga, addressing reporters in a doorstop interview, acknowledged the presence of "various opinions" [...]
Tunisia in turmoil as president purges officials and seizes judicial power
Days after PM’s overthrow fears grow that Kais Saied will undo democratic gains achieved by Arab spring Tunisians take to the streets after President Kais Saied suspended parliament for 30 days. Photograph: EPA Tunisia’s president has launched a purge of senior officials, including prosecutors and judges, and taken on judicial powers, days after overthrowing the prime minister and imposing emergency law. Kais Saied’s crackdown has dragged the country deeper into uncertainty days after its elected parliament was suspended for a month in a shock move that brought a decade of faltering democracy to a sudden halt. The actions of Saied, a relative newcomer to politics, have been widely labelled a coup, and there are fears that the north African state could end up with the sort of autocratic regime [...]
U.S., Russia hold nuclear talks in Geneva after summit push
Russian and U.S. state flags fly near a factory in Vsevolozhsk, Leningrad Region, Russia March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo/File Photo/File Photo GENEVA/WASHINGTON—Senior U.S. and Russian officials on Wednesday restarted talks on easing tensions between the world's largest nuclear weapons powers and agreed to reconvene in September after informal consultations, the State Department said. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov headed their delegations at the meeting at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Geneva. TASS news agency cited Ryabkov as saying he was satisfied with the consultations and that the United States showed readiness for a constructive dialogue at the talks. Armed with mandates from their leaders, it was the first time in nearly a year that the sides had held so-called [...]
Women’s pair rowers win New Zealand’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics
MAJA HITIJ/GETTY IMAGES Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler of New Zealand celebrate winning the gold medal in the women's pair at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler have won New Zealand’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics. On Friday, they'll seek to win a second. The New Zealand women's pair rowers claimed gold in their A final on Thursday at the Sea Forest Waterway on Thursday, heading home the Russian Olympic Committee and Canada. It was NZ's fourth medal of the games to date after triathlete Hayden Wilde captured bronze on Monday, and women's double scullers Brooke Donoghue and Hannah Osborne and the men's rugby sevens team gained silver on Wednesday. The New Zealanders trailed Canada for the first half of the 2000m [...]
NZ wins silver medal in double sculls
The New Zealand rowers Brooke Donoghue and Hannah Osborne have won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. They finished second behind Romania in the women's double sculls with the Netherlands third. The pair started slowly and were fourth after the first 500 metres, but improved to second by the 1000 metre mark. They were unable to make any impression on the Romanians who finished almost five seconds clear. It is New Zealand's second medal following Hayden Wilde's bronze medal in the men's triathlon. Brooke Donoghue and Hannah Osborne have won silver in the women's double scull. It's New Zealand's second medal of the Games. Photo: Photosport "I'm just incredibly proud, we had an awesome race - we absolutely did our best and I'm stoked to have an Olympic [...]
NCR stays under GCQ ‘with heightened restrictions’ until Aug. 15
MANILA , PHILIPPINES— President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation to extend the general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions in Metro Manila until August 15, Malacañang announced on Wednesday. EXTENDED. President Rodrigo Duterte approves the recommendation to extended general community quarantine “with heightened restrictions” in Metro Manila and 19 other areas during his Talk to the People at the at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park on Wednesday night (July 28, 2021). The decision was made after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) observed an increase in the daily attack rate, two-week average attack rate, and health care utilization rate in the country’s metropolis. (Screengrab from RTVM) The stricter GCQ has been retained in Metro Manila, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for [...]
New Zealand rated best place to survive global societal collapse
Study citing ‘perilous state’ of industrial civilisation ranks temperate islands top for resilience Bunker repurposed for a US ‘doomsday’ community. A study proposes that countries able to grow food for their populations, protect their borders from unwanted mass migration and maintain an electrical grid, are best placed to withstand severe shocks. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA New Zealand, Iceland, the UK, Tasmania and Ireland are the places best suited to survive a global collapse of society, according to a study. The researchers said human civilisation was “in a perilous state” due to the highly interconnected and energy-intensive society that had developed and the environmental damage this had caused. A collapse could arise from shocks, such as a severe financial crisis, the impacts of the climate crisis, destruction of nature, [...]
Who’s behind Australia’s anti-lockdown protests? The German conspiracy group driving marches
German-based Worldwide Demonstration helped coordinate rallies across Australia, with their message amplified by local anti-vaxx and ‘freedom’ influencers Thousands gather across Australia in anti-lockdown protests – vide A German-based conspiracy group helped to drive a series of anti-lockdown protests across Australia which saw dozens of people arrested and hundreds fined after violent clashes with police. Police arrested more than 60 people and fined 107 more after a crowd of about 3,000 gathered in Sydney on Saturday to protest against the city’s lockdown. Coordinated by a loose network of conspiracy-laced groups, including some with links to the far right, rallies took place in cities across Australia and the globe, with violent clashes between demonstrators and police in Sydney. Protests against Covid restrictions have become common throughout the pandemic. [...]
Petecio assured of bronze medal after latest win in Olympic boxing
The Philippines' Nesthy Petecio (red) reacts after winning against Colombia's Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda at the end of their women's feather (54-57kg) quarter-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on July 28, 2021. Luis Robayo/AFP MANILA, Philippines – Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio is guaranteed of at least a bronze medal after outpointing Yeni Arias Castaneda of Colombia in the women’s featherweight quarterfinal of the 2020 Olympics at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on Wednesday. Petecio thus secures the Philippines’ second Olympic medal after Hidilyn Diaz won a historic gold in weightlifting Monday night. She made easy work of Congo’s Marcelat Sakobi in her Olympic debut last Saturday, then took care of World No. 1 Yu-Ting Lin of Chinese Taipei in [...]
‘Habagat’ continues to threaten most of Luzon, W. Visayas parts of the Philippines
MANILA – Rains that may result in flooding and landslides will continue to prevail over most parts of Luzon and Western Visayas due to the southwest monsoon, a weather forecaster said on Wednesday. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) "Monsoon rains, or light to heavy rains, will be experienced over (the) Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro," said Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Flooding or landslides are likely, he added. The same weather condition is expected over Metro Manila, the rest of Cagayan Valley, the rest of the Cordillera region, the rest of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, northern Palawan including [...]
PM, Bloomfield and Verrall discuss new phase of vaccine rollout
The first segment of the 2 million people in group 4 are now eligible to receive their Pfizer doses, beginning with 60 to 64-year-olds, the government has confirmed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Covid-19 vaccination programme is significantly expanding from today, with another 350,000 dose shipment of vaccines arriving yesterday. Ardern, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall held a media briefing on the start of the major new phase of the country's vaccine rollout. Watch the briefing here: Ardern said the Te Awa vaccination centre in Hamilton, where the statement is being held, is the largest in Waikato and thanked the team at the centre and Tainui for their help. Some 1.7 million first doses have been administered in New Zealand, and [...]
UK rejects EU’s Northern Ireland moves, saying Brexit deal must be renegotiated
Downing Street says Brussels overtures are insufficient and ‘comprehensive’ solutions needed Negotiator David Frost looking on as Boris Johnson signed the UK-EU trade deal in December 2020. Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images Boris Johnson has rejected Brussels’ latest attempt to iron out problems with the post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, insisting that the withdrawal agreement signed last year must be renegotiated. A series of proposals published by the European Commission on Monday with the aim of easing implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol were said to be insufficient for the scale of the problems. A UK government spokesperson said the two sides instead needed “comprehensive and durable solutions”. David Frost, the minister responsible for Brexit issues, has said that without a major change to the legal text of the protocol, [...]
Haitian presidential security chief arrested over Moise assassination
The casket of slain Haitian president Jovenel Moise at his funeral on Jul 23, 2021. (File photo: AFP/Valerie Baeriswyl) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Haitian police said on Monday (Jul 26) that they had arrested the head of Jovenel Moise's security as part of the ongoing investigation into the president's Jul 7 assassination. Security chief Jean Laguel Civil is suspected of involvement in the plot to that saw Moise killed at his home in the middle of the night by armed commandos who bypassed the president's guards without firing a shot. Civil had already been placed in solitary confinement at a prison in Delmas, near Port-au-Prince. "I can confirm that Jean Laguel Civil was arrested Monday by police as part of the investigation into the assassination of president Jovenel Moise," police spokeswoman Marie Michelle Verrier [...]
Suhayra Aden repatriation: National MP Gerry Brownlee suggests following Australian laws on revoking citizenship
National Party MP Gerry Brownlee. Photo / Mark Mitchell National Party's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee's comments about whether New Zealand should follow Australia's law on revoking citizenships - in light of a terror suspect's repatriation - is stirring up debate. New Zealand-born Suhayra Aden, 26, and her two children were detained by Turkey after trying to illegally cross the Syrian border earlier this year. Her citizenship for Australia - where she had mostly lived prior to leaving for Syria - was revoked by the Government without New Zealand's consultation. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed New Zealand and Turkish authorities had struck a deal for the 26-year-old and her children to be repatriated. While National Party deputy leader Shane Reti told RNZ that the Government's repatriation decision [...]
U.S. will not lift travel restrictions, citing Delta variant, White House says
WASHINGTON- The United States will not lift any existing travel restrictions"at this point" due to concerns over the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant and the rising number of U.S. coronavirus cases, the White House confirmed on Monday. The decision, which was first reported by Reuters, comes after a senior level White House meeting late on Friday. It means that the long-running travel restrictions that have barred much of the world's population from the United States since 2020 will not be lifted in the short term. "Given where we are today ... with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday, citing the spread of the Delta variant in the United States and abroad. "Driven by the Delta variant, [...]
Woman critically injured after being struck by logging truck in Waipukurau, road closed
A woman is in a critical condition after being hit by a logging truck in Waipukurau on Tuesday morning. Photo / Rachel Wise A pedestrian is critically injured after being struck by a logging truck on the main road through Waipukurau on Tuesday morning. Emergency services were alerted to the crash near the intersection of Herbert St and Pōrangahau Rd in central Waipukurau about 11.20am. A woman with critical injuries is being transported to hospital by rescue helicopter, a police spokesperson confirmed. The road has been closed between Russell St and Northumberland St. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and follow directions by emergency services on-site for an alternate route. The New Zealand Transport Agency advised on its website at 11.50am that the road is likely to remain [...]
US combat forces to leave Iraq by end of year
IMAGE COPYRIGHTANADOLU AGENCY image captionIraq's prime minister says there is no need for any foreign combat forces on Iraqi soil President Joe Biden has said US combat forces will leave Iraq by the end of this year, though troops will continue to train and advise the Iraqi military. The announcement came after Mr Biden held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House. There are currently 2,500 US troops in Iraq helping local forces counter what remains of the Islamic State group. Numbers of US troops are likely to stay the same but the move is being seen as an attempt to help the Iraqi PM. The US presence in Iraq has become a major issue since top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and the leader [...]
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: full medal table
Find out who’s topping the leaderboard at the Olympic Games, and drill down to discover which events each country won medals for About the medal table As is traditional, the table prioritises the number of gold medals won. On this basis in 2016, the United States led the field with 46 golds, with Great Britain second on 27 and China third with 26. If countries have the same number of gold medals, the order is then dictated by which has the most silvers, and finally bronze if the numbers are still identical. The US won 121 medals overall in Rio, while China had more medals overall than Britain, 70 to 67. UK Sport has said it hopes Team GB will win “between 45 and 70” medals in Tokyo. Japan, [...]
Nine takeaways from Duterte’s last SONA
From going over his accomplishments to joking about his own mortality, President Duterte’s candidness took over his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Here are nine takeaways from the President’s speech. 1. Dreams and achievements President Duterte looked at what his administration has achieved in his speech. He went over his dreams and vision of a better life for all Filipinos, the reforms and radical changes that needed to be made, and how he tangled with men of wealth and influence. He stressed the importance of good governance, his push for free education and universal healthcare, giving adequate food and housing, and campaigning for environmental preservation and respect for culture. The President also went over a passionate subject– peace and security. He recalled increasing the salary [...]
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins first ever Olympic gold for Philippines
Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz competes in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (AFP) Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made true to her promise to end the gold medal drought for the Philippines as she ruled the 55-kilogram category in women’s weightlifting in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Tokyo International Forum Monday, July 26. Five years after settling with the silver medal in the Rio Olympics, Diaz successfully lifted 127kgs — an Olympic record –– on her third and last attempt at clean and jerk which gave her a total of 224kgs. The 30-year-old Diaz had her best lift of 97kgs in snatch. Her total of 224kgs also set an Olympic mark. China’s Liao Qiuyun, [...]
Duterte’s final Sona: A ‘legacy of change’
PREVIEW OF MONDAY’S PROTESTS Artists from Ugatlahi Artists Collective put the finishing touches on the 2D artwork depicting President Duterte as a gecko over his declaration to run for vice president in 2022 and stay in power. —RICHARD A. REYES MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to talk about his “legacy of change” and enumerate his administration’s achievements when he delivers today his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (Sona) before the joint session of Congress. The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has been busy the past weeks conducting a series of pre-Sona forums, featuring members of various Cabinet clusters, under the theme “Pamana ng Pagbabago” (Legacy of Change). It has also been churning out on social media statistics on what it termed were [...]
Hayden Wilde wins bronze in men’s triathlon at Tokyo Olympics
Hayden Wilde has won New Zealand's first medal at the Tokyo Olympics, taking bronze in the men's triathlon in Odaiba Bay. Photo: Photosport Wilde was 37th after the opening swim leg but made up ground on the bike and started the final run leg in the top ten. He quickly moved into the top three and that's where he would remain for the rest of the race, running his way to bronze and Aotearoa's first medal of Tokyo 2020. Fellow New Zealander Tayler Reid was also in the top ten at the start of the run and eventually finished 18th. Wilde's bronze is New Zealand's first Olympic triathlon medal since Bevan Docherty won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games. Hamish Carter won gold with Docherty silver at the [...]
New Zealand-shaped front brings heavy rain, wild winds, and flood risk
BRADEN FASTIER/STUFF A pedestrian navigates their way to work in central Nelson during rain on Monday, with more expected through the day. Many areas are being battered by heavy rain and wild winds as a New Zealand-shaped front rolls west across the country. Severe weather warnings were in force for Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Nelson, and Westland on Monday morning, with heavy rain expected. People in Auckland and Fiordland were warned to brace for strong winds, and there were also a number of less severe weather watches in force across the country. HOSSEIN SOLTANLOO/UNSPLASH Auckland had 40 millimetres of rain on Monday morning (file photo). MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said all the morning’s warnings and watches related to an active weather front coming [...]
Putin says Russian navy can carry out ‘unpreventable strike’ if needed
Sailors line up on a deck of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine K-549 Knyaz Vladimir before the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg, Russia July 25, 2021. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS MOSCOW: The Russian navy can detect any enemy and launch an "unpreventable strike" if needed, President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday (Jul 25), weeks after a UK warship angered Moscow by passing the Crimea peninsula. "We are capable of detecting any underwater, above-water, airborne enemy and, if required, carry out an unpreventable strike against it," Putin said, speaking at a navy day parade in St Petersburg. Putin's words follow an incident in the Black Sea in June when Russia said it had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in the path of a British warship to chase it [...]
Dietary supplements causing severe liver injuries in Australians, with some requiring transplants, study shows
Researchers say cases linked to products claiming to promote muscle growth or weight loss are rising and more rigorous oversight is needed Some experts warn the actual rate of harm of supplement-induced liver injuries in Australia is likely much higher as the study only examined severe cases admitted to hospital. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo The number of patients being admitted to hospital with severe liver injuries caused by herbal and dietary supplements claiming to promote muscle growth or weight loss is increasing, with some people harmed so severely they required a liver transplant. A study led by Dr Emily Nash from the Royal Prince Alfred hospital examined hospital records of 184 adults admitted to the AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre with drug-induced liver injury between 2009 and 2020. [...]
Emmanuel Macron ‘pushes for Israeli inquiry’ into NSO spyware concerns
French president reportedly spoke to Naftali Bennett to ensure ‘proper investigation’ after Pegasus project NSO has said Macron was not a ‘target’ of any of its customers, meaning the company denies he was selected for surveillance using Pegasus. Composite: Guardian Design/Romain Gaillard/Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock Emmanuel Macron has reportedly spoken to the Israeli prime minister, Naftali Bennett, to ensure that the Israeli government is “properly investigating” allegations that the French president could have been targeted with Israeli-made spyware by Morocco’s security services. In a phone call, Macron expressed concern that his phone and those of most of his cabinet could have been infected with Pegasus, hacking software developed by the Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group, which enables operators of the tool to extract messages, photos and emails, record calls and secretly activate [...]
New Zealand’s wait for an Olympic swimming medal continues
New Zealand swimmer Lewis Clareburt has faded to finish seventh in the men's 400m individual medley final on day two of the Tokyo Olympics. Lewis Clareburt after the 400m IM final in Tokyo. Photo: John Cowpland/Photosport Ltd 2021 After a slow butterfly leg, Clareburt took the lead on the backstroke and was second behind American Chase Kalisz at the end of the breaststroke. Kalisz, the Rio silver medallist, held on to win gold, while the chasing pack swamped the Wellingtonian on the second lap of the freestyle. Another American Jay Litherland, who is a New Zealand passport holder, claimed silver ahead of Australian Brendon Smith. Clareburt finished eight tenths of a second off the podium in 4 minutes 11.11 seconds, more than one and a half seconds slower [...]
Air New Zealand ‘willing and able’ to increase flights from Australia
The clock is ticking and New Zealanders have until 11.59pm on 30 July to get on a quarantine-free flight back home from Australia. However, travellers from New South Wales must go through managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ). Air New Zealand aircraft. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon The trans-Tasman travel bubble is paused for at least eight weeks as the Delta variant continues to spread. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told Morning Reportthe airline would do everything to help New Zealanders wanting to return this week from Australia. "Trust us," he said. "We have seen plenty of people reach out over the weekend. We've got about 7500 people booked to return to New Zealand through to midnight this Friday." The prime minister this morning said it was [...]
Britain faces ‘decades of financial risk’ as £370bn pandemic bill mounts
MPs call for immediate inquiry into Covid response to learn the lessons of what went wrong Nurses on the ICU at Milton Keynes hospital. Some 32 billion items of PPE were ordered by the Department of Health as of May 2021. But of these only 11 billion have so far been distributed. Photograph: David Levene/the Guardian Taxpayers will be left facing “significant financial risk for decades to come” because of the levels of emergency government spending on the pandemic, totalling more than £370bn, a powerful committee of MPs says today. In two separate reports, the all-party public accounts committee (PAC) paints a daunting picture of the lasting financial strain caused by the first 16 months of combating Covid-19, and says the government must not wait until after the [...]
Tokyo Olympics, July 25: Kiwi swimmer Clareburt falls short in bid for medal – Live
1:42pm - Heartbreak for the Wellingtonian, who finishes with a time of 4:11.22s - two seconds slower than his qualifying time from Saturday night, whihc would have had him in line for silver. American Chase Kalisz claims gold with a time of 4:09.42. Silver goes to the US' Jay Litherland (4:10.28) and bronze to Aussie's Brandon Smith (4:10.38) 1:38pm - No medal for the Kiwi! It's all over. Just unable to accelerate through the final freestyle leg and he falls to seventh. 1:37pm - Still in second in the freestyle, about to turn again. 1:36pm - Clareburt turns into second as the American streaks ahead in the breaststroke. 1:35pm - Clareburt pacing himself, moves into first place as the breatstroke begins. 1:34pm - Into backstroke, Clareburt surges into second. [...]
Philippines floods: thousands flee Manila after days of torrential rain
One person has died as officials struggle to provide adequate Covid-safe emergency shelter for nearly 15,000 residents People wade through the flood water brought by heavy monsoon rains in Rizal province east of the Philippine capital, Manila. Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Thousands of residents have fled flooded communities and swollen rivers in the Philippine capital, Manila, and outlying provinces after days of torrential monsoon rains that left at least one villager dead. Officials say they are struggling to open more emergency shelters in order to allow social distancing among the displaced residents and prevent evacuation camps from turning into epicentres of Covid-19 infections. In the hard-hit city of Marikina in the capital region, nearly 15,000 residents were evacuated to safety overnight as waters rose alarmingly in a major river. “This situation [...]
Covid-19 update: Two new cases in MIQ, none in the community
Testing shows two new cases have been detected in MIQ, and none in the community, officials say. Photo: 123rf In a statement from the Ministry of Health, it said there were also two new historical cases aboard the Playa Zahara ship. The new new imported cases came from the United States and the United Kingdom. It said the number of active cases in New Zealand is 58 and the total number of confirmed cases is 2506. "One previously reported positive case has now been reviewed and classified as 'not a case' and a second previously reported positive case is now reclassified as under investigation. Both cases have been removed from our total tally of cases." Yesterday three new positive cases of Covid-19 were announced in managed isolation facilities. [...]
Delta variant changed approach to trans-Tasman bubble: Robertson
The Government won't be reopening the trans-Tasman bubble until it is "comfortable" community transmission in Australia is contained, the Deputy Prime Minister says. Grant Robertson speaks with Q+A about the eight-week suspension of the trans-Tasman bubble. Source: 1 NEWS The bubble was suspended on Friday night for at least eight weeks as New South Wales and other parts of Australia grapple with the Delta variant. Grant Robertson told Q+A the Government's "precautionary approach" to the bubble had changed from a state by state basis to one that was Australia wide due to Delta's higher transmissability. "The reality, particularly on the mainland of Australia, is that unfortunately those are big borders, it’s very hard, and because it’s so transmissible, we’ve seen with Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, even Western Australia and [...]
Lucky Auckland player wins $17 million Lotto Powerball
One lucky player from Auckland is many millions richer after winning Saturday's massive Lotto draw. Source: 1 NEWS The player took home $17 million from Powerball First Division and $166,667 from Lotto First Division. The winning ticket was sold at West City Lotto in Auckland. The player is the 13th Powerball winner this year. Five other Lotto players from around the country each won $166,667 with Lotto First Division in the live Lotto draw. Meanwhile, Strike Four has rolled over and will be $800,000 on Wednesday night.
Five largest burning wildfires in the USA and what we know about them
As wildfire seasons in many areas throughout the nation start earlier and last longer, 2021 is on track to be another devastating year for fires. As of Saturday, there are a total of 88 large wildfires burning in the U.S., and they have already destroyed 1,456,925 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. With help from unprecedented heat waves and drought, new fires are rapidly igniting, sometimes quicker than they can be contained. The fires, which have predominantly affected the western region of the country, have created nationwide air pollution and resulted in thousands of evacuations. "We're seeing an environmental change where we are more susceptible to these wildfires," said Josh Dozor, general manager of medical and security assistance at International SOS. "It's growing in severity." Using data [...]
New limits on sea-run salmon for Canterbury anglers announced
Canterbury anglers will only be able to catch two sea-run salmon a season from October instead of two a day. File photo of wild salmon. Photo: 123RF Fish and Game has introduced the new season bag limit in a bid to recover salmon stocks. Council chair Ray Grubb said the wild sea-run salmon fishery has been in decline for over 20 years. "Over the last 10 years, the number of salmon running to spawn has decreased dramatically. We need to take urgent action to aim for recovery of the fish stocks, as salmon are really, really important for a whole bunch of our anglers and the deterioration is not one way anyone's comfortable with." Fish and Game had to seek regulatory change from the government to put in [...]
Bali running out of oxygen as Indonesia ponders COVID-19 curbs
A medical worker pulls an oxygen cylinder to be delivered to the emergency ward at a government-run hospital amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, July 23, 2021, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo/ via REUTERS JAKARTA: The Indonesian island of Bali is running out of oxygen for its COVID-19 patients as infections surge, the chief of its health agency said, as Southeast Asia's biggest country struggles with the region's worst COVID-19 epidemic. Bali, famous for its tourist beaches and temples, along with the main island of Java and 15 other regions are under tight coronavirus restrictions, due to expire on Sunday (Jul 25). The government is debating whether to extend them or not. Police officers walk as they guard [...]
From US$84,000 to US$100: Malaysia a step closer to eliminating hepatitis C with new, affordable drug
World Hepatitis Day is observed on Jul 28 every year and this year’s theme is “Hepatitis Can’t Wait”. Hepatitis C elimination in Malaysia may be possible after it made diagnosis and treatment more affordable and accessible. A general skyline view of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan) KUALA LUMPUR: When Nurul Huda Abd Halim discovered in 2015 that she had hepatitis C virus shortly after donating blood, she was worried about getting another cancer. The 26-year-old kitchen helper in Kuala Lumpur had recovered from lymphoma then. She was well aware that hepatitis C virus, which is transmitted through blood, could cause liver cirrhosis, scarring and cancer if untreated. A silent killer, it could take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. The first highly [...]
Olympics ceremony: Naomi Osaka lights flame as Tokyo’s ‘games of hope’ open
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has lit the Olympic cauldron to mark the formal start of Tokyo 2020, in an opening ceremony shorn of glitz and overshadowed by a pandemic but celebrated as a moment of global hope. Fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. Photo: AFP Organisers also paid tribute to medical workers as athletes from across the world paraded into an almost empty stadium, their smiles hidden behind masks for the first time. Normally a star-studded display teeming with celebrities, the ceremony was low-key, with fewer than 1000 people in attendance, strict social distancing rules and signs calling on spectators to "be quiet around the venue". "With the world in a tough situation because of the coronavirus [...]
PH reaches nearly 500K daily jabs; 5.5M Pinoys fully vaccinated
MANILA – The Philippines achieved another milestone in its national vaccination program on July 22 with the administration of 472,356 coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines nationwide, the highest the country has registered so far. With this development, 5,560,029 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated while 10,866,238 doses have been given as the first dose. (PNA photo by Joey Razon) “We are now past the crawl and walk stages, as we gradually run towards our goal of inoculating half a million Filipinos per day this quarter. This is a preview of better things to come in the remaining six months of 2021,” National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said [...]
Covid: England facing weeks of ‘pingdemic’ disruption to services and food supply
No 10 scrambles to extend self-isolation exemption scheme for critical workers as companies and councils warn of chaos Empty supermarket shelves are seen on 23 July in London. Luke Pollard, shadow environment secretary, said food supply security is fundamental and empty shelves ‘show the system is failing’. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images England is facing weeks of disruption to bin collection, transport and food supply due to staff self-isolating, companies and councils have warned, amid concerns the 16 August date to lift quarantine for the double-vaccinated could be delayed. No 10 was on Friday scrambling to set up a system to let more key workers take daily tests rather than isolate for 10-days, over fears that large parts of the economy could grind to a halt over the so-called [...]
Philippines becomes first country to give green light to grow enriched ‘golden rice’
It is hoped that the genetically engineered rice, which aims to tackle vitamin A deficiency, could help fight malnutrition globally Golden rice breeder Mallikarjuna Swamy examines golden rice at the IRRI transgenic screenhouse in Los Banos, Laguna province, south of Manila CREDIT: IRRI/AFP Nutrient-enriched “golden rice”, a major innovation in fighting malnutrition, could be on Filipino tables within just 18 months after the government became the first in the world to approve the crop. The Philippines has given the green light for farmers to plant the rice, a genetically engineered grain containing higher levels of beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A. It is hoped that the crop will have a big impact in tackling vitamin A deficiencies among the country’s poorest families. Around one in five children [...]
China retaliates with sanctions on former US commerce secretary, others
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross speaks during the third annual US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, Sep 14, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Erin Scott) BEIJING: China said on Friday (Jul 23) that it has imposed counter-sanctions on US individuals including former US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross in response to recent US sanctions on Chinese officials in Hong Kong. The sanctions are the first imposed by China under its new anti-foreign sanction law, passed in June, and come days before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is due to visit China amid deeply strained ties. China also imposed unspecified "reciprocal counter-sanctions" on current and former representatives of a range of organisations, including the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Other institutions named included the National Democratic [...]
Australia’s most populous state declares ‘national emergency’ over Covid outbreak
New South Wales announces 136 new local Delta cases with Sydney under the strictest lockdown measures it has experienced Police officers patrol at the Sydney Opera House amid Covid lockdown. Photograph: James D Morgan/Getty Images Australia’s most populous state has declared a “national emergency” as it struggles to contain a record-breaking surge of the Delta variant of Covid-19 amid a lockdown affecting half the country. The state of New South Wales announced 136 new locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 on Friday, with continued community transmission among essential workers, including in supermarkets and pharmacies. More than a year after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, NSW has broken records for daily case numbers on consecutive days, and the city of Sydney is under the strictest lockdown measures it has ever experienced. [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Transtasman travel bubble closed for eight weeks – Kiwis told ‘come home now’
The Government has shut the transtasman travel bubble for at least the next eight weeks. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged the 'devastating' impact the Australian Covid outbreak was having on people's lives. She willed the country a speedy recovery, but warned the movement of people could complicate the recovery, she said. Ardern she would not risk the hard work put in by the team of 5 million by keeping the bubble open when the risk was high from the Delta variant. The Delta variant had materially changes the risk profile for the transtasman bubble, she said. In the view of our health officials there is greater risk now than when they opened the travel bubble with Australia. Advice for Kiwis currently in Australia can be found at the bottom [...]
Climate change and recent flooding: What you need to know
The wild weather in the Buller and Marlborough regions last weekend resulted in the third major flooding event in New Zealand this year. Questions are being asked about "one-in-100-year" events that seem to be happening more and more often. But climate scientists have been warning about how climate change will influence severe weather for a long time. Perhaps it's the frequency of severe flooding this winter, coupled with the warmest June on record for New Zealand and the timing of deadly floods in Europe and rampaging fires in the US, Canadaand Russia, that's really hitting it home for people at the moment. So how is climate change involved, how are "one-in-100-year" events classified, and what does it all mean? RNZ is here to clear it all up. Photo: RNZ [...]
Tropical Cyclone ‘Fabian’ Tracker
(PAGASA) 5 a.m., July 24 Typhoon “Fabian” left the Philippine area of responsibility around 11 p.m., Friday, July 23. As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of typhoon Fabian was estimated at 640 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes 11 p.m., July 23 Typhoon Fabian slightly weakened as it is about to leave the country’s area of responsibility. PAGASA estimated the center of the eye of typhoon Fabian at 560 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes around 10 p.m. and will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the next three to six hours. Fabian is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph while moving north-northwest at 10 kph. 5 p.m., July [...]
Magnitude 6.6 quake hits Batangas, felt in Metro Manila, nearby provinces
MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Batangas on Saturday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Phivolcs said it traced the epicenter of the earthquake 16 kilometers southwest of Calatagan, Batangas. It had a depth of 116 kilometers. The earthquake, recorded at 4:49 a.m., was of tectonic origin, according to Phivolcs. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. added that due to the earthquake’s depth, there is no threat of a tsunami or tidal wave. Some parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal also experienced tremors. Subsequently, another earthquake hit the same area of Batangas at 4:57 a.m., and its magnitude was recorded at 5.1 with a depth of 107 kilometers. Phivolcs added that while no damage is expected, there may [...]
Phivolcs lowers Taal Volcano’s status to alert level 2
MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday night announced the lowering of Taal Volcano's alert level status from level 3 (magmatic unrest) to level 2 (decreased unrest). (PNA file photo) "Following the phreatomagmatic eruption of the main crater on July 1, and 19 weak phreatomagmatic bursts caused by the interaction of magma and water until July 9, there has been a cessation of eruptive activity at Taal Volcano," it said in an advisory. Volcanic unrest has since been characterized by renewed seismic activity, generally declining volcanic gas emission, very slight ground deformation, and positive microgravity anomalies. Since July 1, Phivolcs has recorded 1,195 volcanic earthquakes caused by the movement or eruption of magma from the volcano. Their [...]
Olympics: Comfortable start for NZ rowers in Tokyo
The New Zealand rowing squad has enjoyed a successful opening day at the Tokyo Olympics with all bar one directly qualifying for the quarter or semi-finals. Emma Twigg and Jordan Parry both comfortably advanced to the quarterfinals of their respective single sculls events with Twigg winning her heat and Parry finishing second in his. Parry gained selection ahead of two time Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale. Twigg told Sky Sport she was pleased to simply be back racing after a year and a half away. "It's been a long time coming and it was certainly a bit off a lung buster... certainly a few nerves as the Olympics is a special event but I guess it's a good thing that we experience nerves because you know it means something," she [...]
Germany floods: 155 still missing as hopes of further rescues fade
President of federal disaster relief organisation says she does not expect to find any more survivors Residents clear debris after heavy rains caused flooding along the river Erft in the village of Bad Muenstereifel.Photograph: Sascha Steinbach/EPA At least 155 people remain missing a week after record rainfall caused devastating floods in western Germany, as the president of the country’s disaster relief organisation said she “did not expect” rescuers to find any more survivors. “We are currently still searching for missed ones as we are clearing debris or pumping out cellars,” said Sabine Lackner of the federal agency for technical relief, a volunteering organisation belonging to the German ministry of the interior. “But sadly at this stage it is very likely that victims can only be recovered and not rescued,” [...]
‘I might not make it’: passengers tell of horror as Chinese subway floods
Footage shows water filling carriages in Zhengzhou metro system, trapping people inside Photos taken by Weibo user merakiZz- show a deluged subway car in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Composite: AFP via Getty Images As flood water swirled around their chests, passengers on the Zhengzhou metro carriage clung to the handrails and struggled to breathe in the diminishing space between them and the roof. Some felt faint, and one woman was heard calling family members to give them banking and other information in the apparent fear she might not see them again. Across Chinese digital and social media, horrifying stories have spread of people trapped in floods caused by what authorities said was a once-in-a-millennium rain event that hit the province of Henan, prompting the highest level of weather warning. At [...]
Food recall: Salads, sandwiches, wraps sold across New Zealand may have listeria
Salads, sandwiches and wraps sold at supermarkets and petrol stations throughout New Zealand are being recalled due to the possible presence of listeria bacteria. The Ministry of Primary Industries alerted Kiwis on Wednesday morning that LSG Sky Chefs New Zealand is recalling specific batches of products due to the risk of listeria. No reports of illness have been received by New Zealand Food Safety. They include some of its Naturezone brands, Wild Bean Café brands, its Starbucks peri peri chicken pide, sweet chilli chicken sandwich, and chicken schnitzel sandwich. The specific brands and products affected can be found here. The use by dates of affected products include July 19, 21, 22 and 23. New Zealand Food Safety national manager food compliance services, Melinda Sando, says customers should check the [...]
182 new local COVID-19 cases in Singapore; Haig Road and Chong Pang markets closed after 35 infections detected
SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 182 new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections as of noon on Tuesday (Jul 20), with 142 cases linked to the Jurong Fishery Port cluster. This makes it the largest active cluster in Singapore, with 321 cases in all, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its nightly update. Fourteen more infections have been traced to the KTV cluster, taking the total number of cases in the cluster to 207. Among the new cases announced on Tuesday, 156 are linked to previous infections, with 81 already placed on quarantine and 75 detected through surveillance testing. The remaining 26 infections are not linked to previous cases, said MOH. Two of the new cases are seniors above 70 years old who were not vaccinated and are at risk of serious illness, the ministry added. (Image: Ministry [...]
Former Trump adviser Tom Barrack charged with acting as agent of UAE
He's accused of using his influence with Trump to aid the United Arab Emirates. Tom Barrack, a longtime friend of Donald Trump's who chaired the committee that raised more than $100 million for his inauguration, has been charged with acting as an agent of a foreign government and obstruction of justice. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said Tuesday that in 2016, Barrack illegally sought to use his influence with the new president on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. In May 2016, according to the indictment, Barrack "took steps to establish himself as the key communications channel for the United Arab Emirates" to the Trump campaign and, that same month, gave a co-defendant a draft copy of an energy speech then-candidate Trump was preparing to deliver. The co-defendant then sent [...]
At least 40 million Americans are experiencing poor air quality. Hazy skies across US attributed to wildfires in West Many Americans are experiencing poor air quality Tuesday as the smoke from over 80 wildfires travels across the country. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Much of the United States is under an ominous, hazy sky on Tuesday as smoke spreads from the massive wildfires in the West. At least 40 million Americans are experiencing poor air quality. The hazy skies have even reached New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images The Statue of Liberty sits behind a cloud of haze on July 20, 2021 in New York City. These New York City photos show the difference between Tuesday and a typical sunny day. Sam Wnek/ABC View of New York City (top) on July 20, [...]
2022 polls seen to boost economic recovery
MANILA, PH — An economist is projecting the economy to return to pre-pandemic growth levels by 2022 due partly to the impact of the May 2022 national polls. In a report Tuesday, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said inflation and interest rates are also expected to be back to pre-pandemic levels next year. RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort (File photo) “Economic recovery could accelerate shortly before or during the 2022 election year (as early as the latter part of 2021 or about a year from now),” he said. Last year, growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), [...]
National Party calls for return of Armed Response Teams
The National Party says the police commissioner was "wrong" to put a stop to the Armed Response Teams (ARTs). National Party leader Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Violent criminal behaviour directed at police is ramping up like never before, according to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. Last week, two separate shootings - one in Hamilton and one in Auckland - within the space of 24 hours, has shone a spotlight on the threat being posed to officers. The Police Association is demanding improvements to make frontline police officers feel safer. National is calling for ARTs to be reinstated to tackle the rise in gun violence. National Party leader Judith Collins told Morning Report there needed to be people who were full time and specifically trained to deal [...]
NZX stabilises as global shares slide amid recovery fears
The local sharemarket has escaped the latest round of global market volatility unscathed. Investors buying selected leading stocks helped the NZX recover after a dip earlier in the day. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The benchmark top-50 index closed flat after initially falling more than 100 points, just under 1 percent, to a three-week low. But the New Zealand market recovered halfway through the day as investors bought selected leading stocks. Meanwhile, stock markets in other parts of the world dropped on fears that increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases would hamper economic recovery. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index was down by around 1 percent in Tuesday's trade to hit its lowest level in six months. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled by more than 2 [...]
COVID-19: New Zealand records six border cases, no new community infections
New Zealand has reported six new border cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said. There are no cases in the community. The Ministry of Health said of the six border infections, three are previously reported cases aboard the Mattina container ship in Bluff. Marshall Island-flagged vessel the Mattina came into port on Sunday night and all 21 crew members were tested on Monday morning. The ship remains in quarantine and all crew remain on board. "As we reported earlier today, nine of the 21 crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship have returned positive results," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. "Eight of the nine confirmed cases are symptomatic. They are well enough to remain on board. "Officials will be closely monitoring the health [...]
NSO clients spying disclosures prompt political rows across world
Concerns that phone-hacking software may have been used to spy on political opponents spark fury The Congress Leader, Rahul Gandhi, India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and former president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto. Composite: Guardian/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock/Reuters/Alamy/EPA Revelations about the use of spying tools sold to governments by NSO Group sparked furious political rows across the world on Monday after evidence emerged to suggest the surveillance firm’s clients may have sought to target their political opponents. Amid growing concern over the apparent abuse of NSO’s powerful phone-hacking spyware, Pegasus, Amazon confirmed it already had cut some of its ties to the Israeli surveillance company. The stock price of Apple dipped amid worries about the privacy and security of its handsets. NSO claims [...]
Possibly explosive material found at Founders Heritage Park in Nelson
The public is being asked to avoid the Founders Heritage Park in Nelson after explosive material was found. Photo / NZH The public is being asked to avoid the Founders Heritage Park in Nelson as items in the facility are checked for an explosive material. A police spokesperson said the NZ Defence Force's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is carrying out an assessment of the material on Atawhai Drive. **** A post on the Nelson City Council facebook page said the items are being checked for picric acid. "Picric acid was widely used in early forms of medicine and medical supplies, including on gauze pads and as an antiseptic. It is a volatile substance sensitive to heat, friction and shock, and has been used as a military explosive. [...]
Indonesia reports record coronavirus deaths ahead of Hari Raya Haji
A total of 1,338 Covid-19 patients died in the past 24 hours, bringing total deaths to 74,920 since the pandemic began. PHOTO: AFP JAKARTA - Indonesia reported record-high coronavirus deaths on Monday (July 19) as the world's fourth most populous country decides whether to extend an ongoing partial lockdown due to end on Tuesday (July 20). A total of 1,338 Covid-19 patients died in the past 24 hours, bringing total deaths to 74,920 since the pandemic began. New infections totalled 34,257 on Monday, the lowest in the past two weeks. The number of tests on Monday was 160,000, lower than the more than 200,000 daily average. The country has a total of 2.91 million cases. The record daily death toll comes as the country - which has the world's [...]
US Defense Secretary to visit Vietnam, Philippines
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (File photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool) WASHINGTON : US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Vietnam and the Philippines later this month, the Pentagon said on Monday (Jul 19). "Secretary Austin's visit will demonstrate the importance the Biden-Harris Administration places on Southeast Asia and on ASEAN as an essential part of the Indo-Pacific's architecture," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
How will England’s domestic Covid vaccine passports work?
To enter nightclubs and some other venues, proof of two coronavirus jabs will be compulsory for most The queue for Egg nightclub in London as rules in England were initially unlocked at midnight on 19 July.Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA What changes have ministers announced? The main one is the full introduction of what might be called domestic vaccine passports: from the end of September, people in England will have to prove they have had both Covid doses to enter nightclubs, as well as for what are described as “other venues where large crowds gather”. How is this different to what is in place now? It is a change of policy on two fronts. Firstly, under the fourth and supposedly final stage of unlocking, which began on Monday, all businesses were [...]
Pause on quarantine-free travel from Victoria to New Zealand extended
The pause on quarantine-free travel from Victoria to New Zealand has been extended as "precautionary but necessary" measure. File image. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said officials met today and decided a better understanding of the developing situation in Victoria was needed. Today, the state extended its lockdown as it recorded 13 new community cases of Covid-19. New South Wales recorded 98 new cases today and the state premier said a hard lockdown was the only way to "crush" the outbreak. The pause on quarantine-free travel from Victoria and New South Wales would be reviewed again on Wednesday 21 July, the MOH said. "Victoria remains in lockdown and, with a growing number of people considered linked to the outbreak, Australian health authorities advise [...]
NZ in ‘position of vulnerability’ over China hacking accusations
New Zealand has put itself in a vulnerable position by joining other Western allies and Japan in accusing China of state-sponsored cyber attacks, an intelligence analyst says. The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been accused of wider espionage activity and a broader pattern of "reckless" behaviour. Photo: 123rf New Zealand has joined the US, UK, the EU, Britain, Australia, Japan and Canada in publicly calling out Beijing for hacking. In statements overnight they have accused China of the major cyber attack on Microsoft Exchange servers earlier this year, affecting at least 30,000 organisations globally. Western security services believe it signalled a shift from a targeted espionage campaign to a smash-and-grab raid, leading to concerns Chinese cyber-behaviour is escalating. The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) has also [...]
Duterte: We may need to restore stricter restrictions due to Delta variant
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said that the Philippines may have to reimpose stricter restrictions after the Department of Health confirmed the incidence of local cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19. In his weekly Talk to the People, Duterte issued this warning as the country reported 35 Delta variant cases, of which, 11 are local cases. "The reported local cases in the country is a call for serious alarm and concern," Duterte said in his weekly briefing with Cabinet secretaries. "We may need to reimpose stricter restrictions to avoid mass gatherings and avoid super spreader event," he added. Duterte said some Asian countries such as Indonesia were already under stricter restrictions due to the Delta variant. "I urge the DILG... to impose existing restrictions with greater urgency," [...]
Two athletes in Olympic Village test positive for covid, the first instances of athlete infections in Village
Athletes from Kazakhstan arrive at Narita International Airport on July 17 for the Tokyo Olympics. (Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images) TOKYO — Two athletes residing in the Olympic Village tested positive for covid, officials said Sunday, the first instances of athlete infections inside the Village, underscoring growing fears about the spread of the virus during the Games that are set to begin in five days. That means three people have now tested positive inside the Village, an area of Tokyo where Games personnel reside, dine and get tested and is closed off to the public. On Saturday, officials confirmed the first positive case inside the Village of an individual who was not an athlete. All three people came from the same country and are participating in the same sport, and have [...]
Government reveals Tourism Infrastructure Fund decisions
More than $18 million has been earmarked to boost tourism infrastructure, with extra attention for the hardest-hit South Island regions. Photo: Dom Thomas Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has announced details of the 57 projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. Those hardest hit from the loss of international visitors would receive more than half the funding, he said. The areas include Fiordland, South Westland, Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie District and Kaikōura. "The five South Island areas were heavily reliant on international tourism. Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwi travellers embrace the call to 'do something new' but these South Island regions are still doing it tough, he said. "Government funding for these projects will provide much-needed local employment while borders are tightly controlled to keep us [...]
Government announces financial aid for flood-hit Coasters, Marlborough
The government has pledged $300,000 to help the sodden Buller district, as 1000 people in Westport are unable to return home. Kris Faafoi and Damien O'Connor have flown over the flood-hit region on the West Coast today. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A further $100,000 will be provided to the Marlborough District, which has also been hit hard by flooding. Alongside that, the event has been classified a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking another $200,000 for flood-affected farmers and growers across the West Coast and Marlborough regions. Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi said the money will be provided through mayoral relief funds. "While it is too early to know the full cost of the damage, we expect it to be significant and this contribution will help communities [...]
PDP-Laban ousts Pacquiao as president, installs Cusi
Philippines - Ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Saturday ousted Senator Manny Pacquiao as party president and installed Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as his replacement. "I will live by the oath I took," said Cusi, after he was sworn in by President Rodrigo Duterte, who is party chairman. Cusi's assumption came shortly after Pacquiao's post was declared vacant. Pacquiao, who is in the United States to prepare for his title boxing fight against Errol Spence, was expelled from his post in the party just seven months after he took oath as PDP-Laban president. In a statement, Pacquiao slammed the assembly: "Kung sa tingin nila Cusi at iba pa na mas importante ang politika sa ngayon, bahala na sila. Sa huli, isa lang naman ang tanong na [...]
Washington Nationals game halted after shooting outside park, fans told to leave
Four people were injured in the shooting outside Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals game was called to an abrupt halt on Saturday night after a shooting outside the stadium. The team confirmed there was a shooting outside the Third Base Gate at Nationals Park. After initially telling fans to stay in their seats due to an "incident" outside, they were then told to exit the stadium through the Centerfield or Right Field gates. The game was in the bottom of the sixth inning when fans heard loud pops outside the park. The game was halted as fans were seen heading for the concourse and some even exited the stands onto the field and into the dugouts. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department said two people were shot outside the park [...]
Wild weather: What you need to know
Parts of the West Coast and top of the South Island have been cut off due to flooding, while states of emergency have been declared in Marlborough and Buller. Photo: SUPPLIED/ Marlborough District Council Hundreds of people in Marlborough and Buller were evacuated today, joining hundreds who were evacuated on Friday night and must spend another night away from their homes. Picton is now cut off from the rest of the South Island, the latest town to be cut off as flooding and high river levels leaves roads impassable. The Transport Agency says Westport, Tākaka, Collingwood, Murchison, Springs Junction and Nelson are also isolated due to the current weather conditions. Here is a summary of what is happening in each area. Four areas of Marlborough evacuated Marlborough [...]
UK ‘very interested’ in hosting US Space Force radar station
RAF chief says system to track objects up to 22,000 miles from Earth is ‘incredibly important’ RAF Fylingdales can only detect objects up to 12,000 miles away while the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability would look much further into space. Photograph: John Giles/PA An American space force plan to develop a global monitoring system to track objects up to 22,000 miles from Earth could establish radar stations in the US, UK and Australia. The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, is in the US for talks over the plans, and said on Saturday the British were “very interested” in the project and hosting one of the American radar stations. China is challenging US military and technological dominance in a number of theatres, including in [...]
President Biden says Facebook, other social media ‘killing people’ when it comes to COVID-19 misinformation
His comments come one day after the surgeon general issued a new advisory. One day after the surgeon general warned Americans about what he called the "urgent threat of health misinformation," President Joe Biden didn't mince words when asked for his message to platforms like Facebook about COVID-19 misinformation. "They're killing people," he said. As the president was leaving the White House for Camp David on Friday afternoon, he was asked, specifically, "On COVID misinformation, what's your message to platforms like Facebook?" Biden answered, "They're killing people. I mean, it really -- look, the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated. And they're killing people." Jonathan Ernst/Reuters President Joe Biden talks to the media as he departs for a weekend visit to Camp David from the White House [...]
10 new cases of Covid-19 in MIQ, ship Playa Zahara in quarantine berth
There have been 10 new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation and quarantine over the past two days and none in the community, the Ministry of Health has announced. Photo: 123rf.com The figure includes three of the four Viking Bay mariners who remain aboard the ship quarantined at Queens Wharf in Wellington. Welfare and health checks were being carried out daily, and plans were in place should any of them become unwell, the Ministry said in a statement this afternoon. Two further cases were reported deemed historical and not considered infectious. A further case from India reported on Friday as historical had now been reclassified as under investigation and had been removed from New Zealand's tally. Fourteen previously reported case had now recovered, it said. The number of [...]
Kremlin papers appear to show Putin’s plot to put Trump in White House
Exclusive: Documents suggest Russia launched secret multi-agency effort to interfere in US democracy Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The documents appear to confirm the Kremlin possesses compromising material on Trump. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP Vladimir Putin personally authorised a secret spy agency operation to support a “mentally unstable” Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election during a closed session of Russia’s national security council, according to what are assessed to be leaked Kremlin documents. The key meeting took place on 22 January 2016, the papers suggest, with the Russian president, his spy chiefs and senior ministers all present. They agreed a Trump White House would help secure Moscow’s strategic objectives, among them “social turmoil” in the US and a weakening of the American president’s negotiating position. Russia’s three [...]
Wild weather: Rare ‘red warning’ issued for parts of South Island
A rare 'red warning' has been issued for parts of the South Island, where strong winds and rain are starting to hit. MetService has issued a 'red warning' for heavy rain from Fox Glacier north to Buller. Photo: MetService MetService issued the warning, just the third issued since 2019, and said the heavy rainfall could bring significant flooding and the risk of slips from central Westland to Buller. "A red warning is in force for significant heavy rain from central Westland to Buller. Flooding is likely, as are slips and disruption to transport. Some communities could become isolated, and livestock should be moved to high ground," it said. It also said up to 400mm of rain in the ranges, and 200mm on the coast, is expected to fall [...]
Three more Thai islands open to vaccinated travellers despite surge in COVID-19 cases
Thailand is expanding its vaccinated tourist scheme to Samui, Tao and Phangan islands. (Photo: AFP/Romeo Gacad) BANGKOK: Three more Thai islands opened to vaccinated foreign tourists on Thursday (Jul 15) despite a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases propelled by the Delta variant. The islands - Samui, Tao and Phangan - welcomed visitors as part of the kingdom's push to revive its battered tourism industry. Thailand launched its "sandbox" scheme on Jul 1, allowing vaccinated travellers to visit Phuket Island. Tourists do not have to quarantine in a hotel but cannot leave Phuket for two weeks. Under Thursday's expansion, tourists must stay at an approved hotel on Samui for a week and can leave their accommodation on day four. Advertisement They will have to produce a negative COVID-19 test before being allowed [...]
20,000 Afghan interpreters asking for US asylum
Former Afghan interpreters, who worked with US troops in Afghanistan, demonstrate in front of the US embassy in Kabul in June 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (AFP) - About 20,000 Afghans who worked as interpreters for the United States during its war in Afghanistan and now fear retribution from Taleban insurgents have applied for evacuation, the White House said on Thursday (July 15). "There are approximately 20,000 Afghans who have applied," Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. Psaki said those are all former translators for the military or other entities, whom the Taleban have targeted. However, the United States will also consider applications by the families of the interpreters, she said, without specifying how many family members would be allowed. According to some estimates, the number of people eligible to [...]
Asia’s Air Travel May Take Three Years to Recover From Pandemic
Asian air travel may take another three years to recover fully from the devastation wrought by the pandemic, lagging behind rebounds in other regions and offering a stern headwind for refiners making jet fuel. It’ll take until 2024 for international air travel across the region to reach pre-virus levels, a year after global traffic hits that milestone, according to the International Air Transport Association. Similarly, consultancy Energy Aspects says jet fuel consumption will reach pre-pandemic volumes only in 2023-2024. The drawn-out timelines highlight the difficulties facing Asia and the likely consequences for jet fuel, a traditionally prized part of the oil-products market. Low rates of vaccination in many countries, the challenge posed by the fast-spreading delta variant, and persistent lockdowns have all set back the recovery even as the [...]
China to launch national carbon trading market ‘very soon’
China's emissions trading scheme is seen as a key tool to help it reduce its carbon footprint and meet its emission targets.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - China’s long-awaited national carbon trading market, set to be the world’s largest, will be launched very soon and include more than 2,000 power companies in its initial stage, the country’s environment ministry said on Wednesday (July 14). Together, these firms account for about four billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, said vice-minister of ecology and environment Zhao Yingmin. The world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, China accounts for 27 per cent of the world’s emissions. In 2019, China’s greenhouse gas emissions amounted to some 14.09 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to figures from the Rhodium Group. Mr Zhao, who was speaking at [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: More mariners infected and five new cases in MIQ
There are five new cases of Covid-19 in recent returnees in MIQ and 21 cases detected at the border. The Ministry of Health earlier today confirmed that a shipping vessel now headed for a port in Christchurch has been struck by Covid; with 16 out of 18 crew members infected. Members of the crew were tested for the virus at Port Taranaki on Tuesday, after several people on board reported flu-like illnesses, the ministry said. The vessel, named the Playa Zahara, is now on its way to Lyttelton Port. Authorities say they are working on arrangements for those on board once they arrive sometime tomorrow. "This includes whether they quarantine aboard the ship or are transferred to a quarantine facility on shore," a statement said this morning. Authorities in [...]
Three Waters reforms: Government spends $2.5bn to keep councils on even ground
The government plans to splash $2.5 billion on ensuring the Three Waters reform programme leaves no council worse off. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Nanaia Mahuta Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the funding along with a joint statement with Local Government New Zealand at the organisation's conference in Blenheim this afternoon. Opposition leader Judith Collins says the funding amounts to a bribe, and while National is in support of funding it would tie the funding for councils to housing provision. The government's proposed reforms would see management for the country's 67 councils' storm, drinking and waste water - the "three waters" - moved into the hands of four regional entities which would begin operations from 1 July [...]
Malaysia Cabinet pledges ‘full support’ for PM Muhyiddin following UMNO withdrawal
FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin speaks during opening remarks for virtual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2020, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Cabinet ministers have declared "full support" for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a week after the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) urged him to step down. In a statement issued by Cabinet members on Wednesday (Jul 14), the ministers said that they have unanimously decided to continue throwing their support behind Mr Muhyiddin. "Cabinet members, in the Cabinet meeting on Jul 12, 2021, have unanimously decided to continue giving full support to the leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin as Malaysia's prime minister," the statement read. They added that each government decision was collectively made by the Cabinet, after taking the [...]
Ex-senator among three new suspects after murder of Haiti president
Police seeking a fired government official, a former opposition senator and a convicted cocaine smuggler Haitian police standing guard in Port-au-Prince on Monday as protests were planned after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Photograph: Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters Authorities in Haiti say they are seeking a former senator, a fired government official and a convicted cocaine smuggler as suspects in the investigation into the killing of President Jovenel Moïse. A sprawling investigation has so far taken in a quixotic galaxy of alleged actors, including Colombian guns for hire, a US-based Haitian pastor and a Florida-based security firm. Amid a continuing power struggle and renewed claims that some of those arrested may have been tricked into their involvement, the exact circumstances of Moïse’s killing last week remain murky. The latest [...]
Wellington IRD staff sent home after earthquake assessment
Hundreds of Inland Revenue staff have been sent home after it was found their central Wellington office tower may not be safe in an earthquake. The Asteron building. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan When looking to renew the lease at The Asteron building on Featherston Street, the IRD received a poorer seismic assessment than previously issued. Up to 1000 staff will work from home until the building can be strengthened. Inland Revenue said no decision had been made on whether it will now renew the lease. The 17-storey block is Wellington's largest office building.
India states considering two-child policy and incentives for sterilisation
Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat have announced draft legislation which would see anyone with more than two children denied benefits and in some cases jobs Several of India’s most populous states are considering bringing in a two-child policy and incentivising sterilisation. Photograph: Arun Sankar/AFP/Getty Images Several Indian states are considering implementing a controversial two-child policy and incentivising sterilisation as a means of population control. The state of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with a population larger than Brazil, has announced draft legislation which would see anyone with more than two children denied state benefits, subsidies and government jobs. After a family has two children, there will also be incentives if one of the parents undergoes voluntary sterilisation. The bill was put forward by the Uttar Pradesh state [...]
End to Covid rules for England ‘leaves 3.8m vulnerable people feeling abandoned’
Charities warn that shift on 19 July to personal choice on virus precautions is instilling fear in many most at risk The government is advising clinically extremely vulnerable people to ‘continue to take extra precautions to protect themselves’. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Cancer patients, disabled people and other clinically extremely vulnerable groups say they will feel unsafe stepping the house after hearing that mask and social distancing requirements are to be abandoned, charities have warned. Campaigners estimate that 3.8 million people have been left feeling abandoned by the government’s shift towards promoting “personal responsibility” as the sole means of navigating the surging Covid-19 infection rates in England. It means many people wary of coming into close contact with others who are infected will have to resort to self-imposed shielding. [...]
Public at risk, confine infected mariners to MIQ rooms – Des Gorman
The best way to mitigate risk posed by 15 Covid-19 infected crew members at a MIQ facility is to lock them in their rooms with no breaks, a professor of medicine says. Grand Mercure Hotel usually allocates one floor for Covid-19-infected people, but has opened up a second level. Photo: RNZ / Denise Garland University of Auckland's Des Gorman told Morning Report the Wellington public had been exposed to undue risk because the system designed to keep the virus out the country had not be executed. Viking Bay fishing vessel crew members were transferred from the ship berthed in Wellington to the Grand Mercure Hotel in the capital yesterday. One of the infected crew was confirmed as having the virulent Delta variant. The hotel usually keeps one floor [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: NSW bracing for four-week lockdown extension as Sydney Delta outbreak grows
The foundations have been laid for Sydney's lockdown extension to be announced today. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian hinted the shutdown would be extended after locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 ran rampant. Since Sunday, community transmission has spread across the city - with 77, 112 and 89 cases daily. Two people have died since Friday after contracting the virus. The strongest indication the lockdown would remain past July 16 was the announcement of a huge support scheme for businesses affected in the city last night, which economists say is based on the assumption the lockdown will last another four weeks. This would see it lifting mid-August, rather than this coming Friday. The state posted 89 new infections yesterday and a second death – with at least 21 of those cases [...]
US sees biggest annual inflation jump since 2008
As widespread COVID-19 vaccinations allowed the world's largest economy to relax pandemic restrictions, Americans have resumed spending and traveling but have faced rising prices for used cars, gasoline, hotels and airline fares. WASHINGTON - The United States saw its biggest surge in inflation in more than a decade last month, according to government data released Tuesday, hitting consumers and challenging the White House and Federal Reserve narrative that the price spike will fade in the coming months. As widespread COVID-19 vaccinations allowed the world's largest economy to relax pandemic restrictions, Americans have resumed spending and traveling but have faced rising prices for used cars, gasoline, hotels and airline fares. That trend could undermine already-tentative support for President Joe Biden's economic plan, including his massive jobs and infrastructure [...]
Pulse Asia: Sara leads presidential bets, Duterte leads VP polls for Eleksyon 2022
Philippines- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte dominated the latest polls for possible presidential and vice presidential candidates for Eleksyon 2022, according to a Pulse Asia survey released Tuesday. According to the pollster, the presidential daughter is the most preferred candidate for the presidency, with 28% if the May 2022 presidential elections occurred during the survey period from June 7 to June 16. She was followed by Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno with 14%, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. with 13%, and Senator Grace Poe with 10%. Senator Manny Pacquiao got 8% while Vice-President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo received 6%, and Senator Panfilo Lacson had 4%. The younger Duterte has consistently led presidential preference surveys over the past year, but has expressed hesitation about running. [...]
US weighs digital trade deal to counter China in Asia
The deal would show the Biden administration is interested in pursuing new trade opportunities.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - White House officials are discussing proposals for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies as the administration seeks ways to check China's influence in the region, according to people familiar with the plans. Details of the potential agreement are still being drafted, but the pact could potentially include countries such as Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, according to one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is not public. The deal could set out standards for the digital economy, including rules on the use of data, trade facilitation and electronic customs arrangements, according to another person. It also would show the [...]
In symbolic end to war, US general departs Afghanistan
US General Austin Miller, (L) shakes hand with Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, at a ceremony in Kabul, as Miller relinquishes command during the final phase of America?s withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan Jul 12, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Phil Stewart) KABUL: The US general leading the war in Afghanistan, Austin Miller, relinquished command on Monday (Jul 12) at a ceremony in Kabul, in what was a symbolic end to America's longest conflict even as Taliban insurgents gain momentum across the country. Miller, America's last four-star commander to serve on the ground in Afghanistan, stepped down ahead of a formal end to the US military mission there on Aug 31, a date set by President Joe Biden as he looks to extricate the country from the two-decade-old war. Addressing a small gathering [...]
Veggie prices soar in June, marking highest rise in four years
The latest Statistics New Zealand Food Price Index shows veggie prices have shot up 15 percent. Photo credit: Getty Images. In what is a timely reminder to shop for in-season produce, last month saw the highest rise for vegetable prices in four years. The Statistics New Zealand food price index, which measures changes in food prices, shows veggie prices, including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, capsicum and broccoli, shot up 15 percent in June compared to May (8.5 percent with seasonal adjustments). Overall food prices rose 1.4 percent over the June month - up 2.8 percent on the same time last year. Statistics New Zealand consumer prices manager Matthew Sansfield said heading through winter, due to the change of season, it's typical to see prices for many veggies rise. "However, [...]
NZ Government launched cryptocurrency inquiry to understand benefits and risks
The inquiry will "further our understanding of this increasingly important topic" Photo credit: Getty Images An inquiry into the nature, impact and risk of cryptocurrencies has been announced by Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Committee. It will look into the nature and benefits of cryptocurrencies as well as the risks to both users and Aotearoa as a whole. "This inquiry will give us a good opportunity to further our understanding of this increasingly important topic," Dr Duncan Webb, chairperson of the committee said. The terms of reference will examine how cryptocurrencies are created and traded - including the environmental impact of crypto coin mining. Mining is a way people acquire cryptocurrency without buying it. Miners receive the currency as a reward for using computer processing power to solve complex [...]
Cuba protests: Arrests after thousands rally against government
Dozens of people have been arrested in Cuba after thousands joined the biggest protests for decades against the island's Communist government, media and opposition sources say. Cubans have been angered by the collapse of the economy, food and medicine shortages, price hikes and the government's handling of Covid-19. The protests are significant as critics face harsh punishment for dissent. The island's president called for his supporters to "fight" the protesters. One of those at Sunday's protests, named only as Alejandro, told BBC Mundo: "There is no food, no medicine, there is no freedom. They do not let us live." Protesters shouted "freedom" and "down with the dictatorship" in demonstrations across Cuba, including the capital Havana. "We are not afraid. We want change, we do not want any more dictatorship," [...]
Covid-19: 13 more positive cases on quarantined fishing vessel Viking Bay
Another 13 crew from the quarantined fishing vessel Viking Bay have tested positive to Covid-19, the Ministry of Health says. The Viking Bay sailed into Wellington on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Two crew had previously been reported as confirmed with the virus. All 15 mariners have been transferred to an a quarantine facility onshore in Wellington. Five remained on board to maintain the safety of the vessel and have returned negative test results so far. The ministry said they would be tested again in coming days. Of the crew who had now returned a positive result, 12 were regarded as being in the early stages of their infection. One returned a result indicating either a very early infection or a historical infection. The initial two mariners [...]
Fatal shooting of Matthew Hunt: Man pleads guilty to murder of police constable
A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Auckland police constable Matthew Hunt in June last year, during a routine traffic stop in Massey. Eli Epiha on trial at the Auckland High Court. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Meanwhile, a second officer who was shot in the leg and seriously injured can today be named as David Goldfinch. RNZ can reveal 25-year-old Eli Epiha pleaded guilty to Hunt's murder and dangerous driving last Wednesday. A court order meant the plea could not be reported until now. Epiha denies the attempted murder of Goldfinch and he is on a trial before a jury of seven men and five women in the High Court in Auckland. Justice Venning told the jury that they must not assume because he was [...]
Climate crisis ‘may put 8bn at risk of malaria and dengue’
Reducing global heating could save millions of people from mosquito-borne diseases, study finds A mosquito infected with bacteria to prevent it spreading dengue, Zika and chikungunya. If emissions keep rising at the current rate, the dengue transmission season could be four months longer in 50 years. Photograph: Apu Gomes/AFP/Getty Images Global development is supported by More than 8 billion people could be at risk of malaria and dengue fever by 2080 if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise unabated, a new study says. Malaria and dengue fever will spread to reach billions of people, according to new projections. Researchers predict that up to 4.7 billion more people could be threatened by the world’s two most prominent mosquito-borne diseases, compared with 1970-99 figures. The figures are based on projections [...]
Virus variants threaten global recovery, G20 warns
FILE PHOTO: Participants attend the G20 high-level tax symposium during the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting in Venice, Italy, July 9, 2021. G20 Italy/Handout via REUTERS VENICE, Italy (Reuters) - An upsurge in new coronavirus variants and poor access to vaccines in developing countries threaten the global economic recovery, finance ministers of the world's 20 largest economies warned on Saturday. The G20 gathering in the Italian city of Venice was the ministers' first face-to-face meeting since the start of the pandemic. Decisions include the endorsement of new rules aimed at stopping multinationals shifting profits to low-tax havens. That paves the way for G20 leaders to finalise a new global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% at a Rome summit in October, a move that could recoup [...]
France pushes for 25% target for taxing multinationals’ super-profits
Office buildings are seen at the financial and business district of La Defense, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Paris, France, November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier VENICE (Reuters) - Countries should be able to tax a quarter of big multinationals' profits no matter where they are earned, France proposed on Saturday at a G20 finance ministers meeting focused on overhauling the rules for cross-border corporate taxation. Key details remain to be hammered out after G20 finance chiefs formally endorsed the outline of plans that would make new rules for where multinationals get taxed and set a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The emergence of digital commerce has made it possible for big tech firms to book profits in low-tax countries regardless where they money [...]
Judith Collins launches National campaign demanding Government policy debate, He Puapua first target
National leader Judith Collins wants a debate on Government policy. Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell National wants the Government to spend more time discussing its policies with the electorate, and leader Judith Collins has launched a campaign today urging Kiwis to "demand the debate" on new policies. In the campaign, National will pick Labour ideas it feels haven't been properly discussed with voters at the election, and urge voters to demand a debate on them. "The Labour Government continues to make policy announcements that were never campaigned on and will have a significant impact on New Zealanders," Collins said today, as she unveiled the first in a series of billboards for the campaign. "From the car tax, cancelling promised infrastructure projects, the $785 million Auckland cycle bridge, rushed [...]
COVID-19: Another ship off coast of New Zealand carrying crew with ‘flu-like symptoms’ – Ministry of Health
Photo credit: Getty Images Two days after a pair of mariners tested positive for COVID-19, a second ship wants to come back to shore in New Zealand having reported crew suffering from "flu-like symptoms", the Ministry of Health has revealed. The fishing vessel, foreign-owned but operating from New Zealand, has requested to dock here. However the ministry says it is not currently in New Zealand's territorial waters and presents no immediate risk. The ship will undergo the usual pratique declarations and the situation will be assessed by the local public health unit. "This situation will be updated by Customs as more information comes to hand," a press release reads. It comes after the ministry announced on Tuesday that two mariners on a ship off the coast of Taranaki had tested [...]
New World takes the lead on phasing out single use plastic produce bags
A trial being run by New World this month is helping Foodstuffs supermarkets take a step towards achieving their sustainability goal of using only reusable, recyclable or compostable material in their retail and private label packaging by 2025. And while getting rid of single-use plastic packaging might seem like a no-brainer, Debra Goulding, Foodstuffs New Zealand's sustainable packaging programme manager, says it's actually far more complicated than people think. "None of the packaging is there for the sake of it being there, it all has a very specific purpose," she says. Retail packaging includes things like plastic produce bags, sheets of paper around food items bought from the bakery section, and the tray and plastic covering on meat sold at the deli. Such packaging has a number [...]
New Zealand passport pandemic proof in Henley power rankings
The New Zealand Passport has held its value as an 'investment' nationality during the pandemic. Photo / Getty Images Japan has retained its position as the world's most powerful passport amid continued disruption to international travel. Granting visa free access to 193 countries the Japanese travel document has held on the top ranking position, head of Singapore (192) and South Korea (191). However, these familiar top travel document hides the overall weakening of previously high-value documents amid ongoing pandemic travel restrictions. In spite of the current state of emergency ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympics, Japan has retained the top spot. However, when Covid travel restrictions are taken into account the Japanese passport's impressive 193 visa waiver countries drop to just 75. An effective power equivalent to the [...]
Weather: Colder temperatures forecast, particularly for South Island
Frosty temperatures are forecast for parts of the country over the next few days as a polar blast closes in. The chilly conditions come after sub-zero conditions have already been felt in some places early this week. WeatherWatch said the cold change this week is gradually turning more polar and while some areas are yet to feel the cold, it may not peak for others for a few more days. "The slow-moving cold change is coming in waves with more surges of polar air coming in over the next 36 hours, before easing this weekend," a spokesman said. The conditions are, however, due to affect some regions further north and to the east. "Despite this cold change, there are lulls where it warms up a little more by a [...]
US official warns China against ‘catastrophic’ move on Taiwan
Kurt Campbell says Beijing assessing world’s response to Hong Kong crackdown to understand potential reaction on Taiwan Kurt Campbell said the US had tried to send a ‘clear message of deterrence across the Taiwan Strait’. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images A senior US official has warned China not to seek emboldenment from its Hong Kong crackdown to move against Taiwan, as Japan’s deputy leader said it would defend Taiwan against an attack. Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on the US national security council, told a forum on Tuesday the US had tried to send a “clear message of deterrence across the Taiwan Strait” and any attempt by China to move on Taiwan would be “catastrophic”. The ruling Chinese Communist party considers Taiwan to be a province of China despite [...]
Clinical trials under way to create vaccine for RSV
An infectious disease specialist is hopeful about progress to create a vaccine for RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus which can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed. Photo: 123RF A surge in cases of the dangerous and potentially fatal respiratory virus is affecting babies across the country. Starship in Auckland is postponing surgeries to make room for children needing treatment. Paediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Tony Walls from the University of Otago is involved in international clinical trials for two new vaccines to help combat the virus. He told Morning Report no other RSV vaccines have made it to big trials before. He said one of the vaccines would be given to pregnant women, in the same way that whooping cough vaccine is given to pregnant [...]
Live updates, July 7: 500,000 NZers fully vaccinated, ‘roll-out ramping up’
3.30pm: Seymour unhappy with lack of Janssen roll-out plan Act’s David Seymour is questioning the lack of a vaccine roll-out plan for the Janssen jab. The one-dose shot has just been given provisional approval from Medsafe, but Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said it won’t be formally approved by cabinet until next month. Speaking in parliament, PM Jacinda Ardern said she did not yet know when the roll-out of the Janssen vaccine would begin. But David Seymour thought the government should have been more prepared. “In the world we live in, the prime minister and her government make it up as they go, have no forward planning or sequencing, and still vacillate for weeks if not months waiting for the vaccine to arrive in New Zealand, then working out how [...]
Israel sees drop in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protection against infections, still strong in severe illness
A medical worker prepares to administer a vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as Israel continues its national vaccination drive, during a third national COVID lockdown, in Ashdod, Israel, on Jan 4, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen) JERUSALEM: Israel reported on Monday (Jul 5) a decrease in the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illness but said it remained highly effective in preventing serious illness. The decline coincided with the spread of the Delta variant and the end of social distancing restrictions in Israel. Vaccine effectiveness in preventing both infection and symptomatic disease fell to 64 per cent since Jun 6, the Health Ministry said. At the same time the vaccine was 93 per cent effective in preventing hospitalisations and serious illness from the coronavirus. The ministry in its statement [...]
England to end COVID-19 lockdown: No face masks, no distancing, no WFH order
People, some wearing protective face masks, walk along a platform at Oxford Circus underground station, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain, July 4, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans on Monday (Jul 5) for the final step in easing England's COVID-19 lockdown, including the removal of laws governing social distancing and face coverings, and an end to official advice to work from home. Johnson said he expected the lifting of restrictions to go ahead on Jul 19. He said a final decision would be announced on Jul 12. Some elements, including education and travel policy, will be announced later this week. Here's the plan: FACE MASKS Regulations mandating face masks will be lifted. The government will continue to recommend certain [...]
4 additional bodies found after remaining building demolished in Surfside, Florida
Searches will continue 24 hours a day until everyone is pulled out. Search and rescue teams have recovered four additional bodies in the pile of rubble from a collapsed building in Surfside, Florida, following the demolition of the remaining building, according to officials. First responders were able to search in areas previously inaccessible due to the instability of the portion of Champlain Towers South that still stood following the partial collapse on June 24, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters at a press conference Monday morning. Three bodies were recovered in the morning and an additional body was found in the afternoon, according to officials. The death toll now stands at 28, with 117 still unaccounted for, Levine Cava said. The newly accessible areas were likely where [...]
Germany relaxes restrictions for travelers from UK and other countries
FILE PHOTO: Passengers walk through a terminal at Frankfurt Airport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Frankfurt, Germany, April 1, 2021. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s public health institute said on Monday the United Kingdom, India, Portugal and Russia were no longer “areas of variant concern”, reducing travel restrictions for people arriving from those countries. All four countries had been downgraded to “high incidence areas”, the Robert Koch Institute said, meaning their citizens can now travel to Germany and quarantine on arrival for 10 days. The quarantine period can be shortened to five days if they test negative for COVID-19. “If you have spent time in a high incidence area prior to entry, the relevant test may not be conducted earlier than five [...]
PH’s COVID-19 vaccination drive: At least 11.7 million doses administered so far
FILE PHOTO: The word “COVID-19” is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration MANILA, Philippines — More than 11.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered nationwide as of July 4, according to the Department of Health (DOH). The health agency’s data released Monday indicated that at least 8.8 million individuals have received their first doses of the coronavirus shot while over 2.8 million have been fully vaccinated. The total doses administered in the 18th week of the national vaccination drive reached a “record high” of 1,778,989 doses, the DOH said. The country started vaccinating against the new coronavirus in the first week of March. In the last seven days, the country has administered an average of 254,141 [...]
Covid-19: Government looking at longer-term MIQ facilities
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says the government is looking into longer-term options for managed isolation and quarantine. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo: Dom Thomas Hipkins told Morning Report the government was considering options of buying or leasing some of the existing facilities used for MIQ, or setting up new ones. "We've been looking at a range of options and it may be that we look to continue with some of our facilities in the longer term, whether that's buying them, whether it's leasing them, whether it's doing something different," he said. "We may look at standing up some different looking facilities. Again, those are longer-term options, bearing in mind that to build a facility takes quite some time, but I think we are likely to need this [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Seven Covid cases in MIQ today as travel bubble re-opens with some Australian states
There are seven new Covid cases in managed isolation facilities to report today. The new cases include travellers from Cambodia, Bahrain and India. The total number of actives cases in this country is now 39, the Ministry of Health said in today's update. Meanwhile officials still can't seem to get one contact of the Covid-infected Australian tourist who visited Wellington to have a coronavirus swab. "Of those 2,726 total contacts, 2670 or 98% of people have returned an initial negative result, an increase of 21 negative test results since yesterday," the ministry said. "Thirty-three people have been granted a clinical exemption and 22 require no further action." The remaining person is being actively followed up by contact tracing teams, officials said today. Today's case numbers come as Australians from [...]
Operation Trojan Shield: Well-known Kiwi entertainer charged with $6m money laundering conspiracy
New Zealand police promised more arrests following the global crackdown on organised crime, and last week two men in Rotorua were charged with allegedly working with key crime figures living overseas. Jared Savage reports. A well-known New Zealand entertainer has been charged with conspiracy to money launder $6 million for an alleged organised crime group, following the so-called "sting of the century". Millions of private conversations thought to be impossible for law enforcement to intercept were, in fact, being shared on the Anom encrypted platform created by the FBI and the Australian Federal Police in a sting called Operation Trojan Shield. This unprecedented treasure trove of intelligence was shared with a dozen countries, including New Zealand, and dovetailed with an ongoing investigation into large-scale drug smuggling allegedly linked to [...]
Saudi Arabia pushes back on UAE opposition to OPEC+ deal
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks via video link during a virtual emergency meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 9, 2020.Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS DUBAI, July 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister pushed back on Sunday against opposition by fellow Gulf producer the United Arab Emirates to a proposed OPEC+ deal and called for "compromise and rationality" to secure agreement when the group reconvenes on Monday. It was a rare public spat between allies whose national interests have increasingly diverged, spilling over into OPEC+ policy setting at a time consumers want more crude to aid a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the [...]
UK’s Johnson to set out plan for final lockdown easing on Monday
People wear protective masks as they walk through the city centre, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Manchester, Britain, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out plans for the final step of easing lockdown in England on Monday, including guidance on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, the government said. The remaining legal restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are due to be lifted on July 19, with the decision whether to go ahead scheduled for July 12. Data suggests that cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased, but the link to hospitalisations and deaths has been weakened by the vaccination programme, the government said. People will learn to live [...]
Hundreds of Afghan security forces flee as districts fall to Taliban
Militants’ advance continues as Britain nears end of its two-decade deployment to country Afghan soldiers on a road at the frontline of fighting with the Taliban near the city of Badakhshan in northern Afghanistan on Sunday. Photograph: Nazim Qasmy/AP The Taliban’s rapid advance through northern Afghanistan continued on Sunday with more than a dozen districts falling to the militants, as Britain entered the final days of its two-decade deployment to Afghanistan. More than 300 members of the Afghan security forces fled across the border into Tajikistan to escape the militants, and Badakhshan and Takhar provinces are now largely under Taliban control, beyond the respective regional capitals. There have been no public announcements about when the last British troops will fly out. Senior sources had recently said the US [...]
Death toll climbs to 47 in Philippine military plane crash, 49 others injured
The remains of a Philippine military C-130 plane that crashed in Patikul town, Jolo province, southern Philippines on Jul 4, 2021. (Photo: AFP/ Joint Task Force-Sulu) MANILA: All 96 passengers of the Philippine Air Force plane that crashed on Sunday (Jul 4) have all been accounted for, military chief Cirilito Sobejana said on Monday. The death toll from the crash was 47, while 49 military personnel were injured, Sobejana told Reuters in a phone message. The Department of National Defence said on Sunday three civilians on the ground were also killed, and four civilians were injured. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had ordered an investigation of the incident, which would begin after rescue and recovery operations had been completed. Army personnel work at the site after a Philippines [...]
Chinese astronauts complete first space walk outside new Tiangong space station
The mission, which came days after Beijing celebrated the 100th anniversary of its ruling Communist Party, was televised by state broadcaster CGTN. Astronauts Nie Haisheng (R), Liu Boming (C) and Tang Hongbo before shortly before they set off on their mission to the Tiangong space station.GREG BAKER / AFP - Getty Images HONG KONG — Two astronauts completed the first spacewalk outside China’s new orbital station on Sunday to set up cameras and other equipment using a robotic arm, state media reported. As Earth rolled past below them, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo climbed out of the airlock of the Tianhe or “Heavenly Harmony” module of the Tiangong space station and spent 7 hours performing their tasks, the Chinese space agency said. The third crew member, Commander Nie Haisheng, [...]
Taal Volcano sulfur emission highest on Sunday: Phivolcs
MANILA, PH – Taal Volcano recorded “anomalously high” volcanic SO2 (sulfur oxide) gas emission on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its 4:15 p.m. bulletin. The levels of volcanic SO2 gas emission were recorded at an average of 22,628 tonnes per day, the highest ever recorded in Taal. HELP. Relief operations are initiated by Tanauan City’s Social Welfare and Development Office for residents of Sitio Mahabang-Buhangin on Saturday (July 3, 2021). A medical team also gives free consultations to those experiencing respiratory ailments due to the effects of volcanic smog. (Photo courtesy of OCD Facebook) Since midnight, there have been a total of 26 strong and very shallow low-frequency volcanic earthquakes associated with magmatic degassing recorded beneath the eastern sector of the volcano island. [...]
At least 45 people die in military plane crash in Philippines
At least 50 injured people pulled from burning wreckage of C-130 Hercules after it crashed when it missed runway At least 45 people were killed and more than 50 injured when a Philippine military aircraft carrying troops crashed and burst into flames after missing the runway in the south of the country, officials said. Three of those who died were on the ground. Ninety-six people, most of them recent army graduates, were onboard the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft when the accident happened as it tried to land on Jolo island in Sulu province at about midday on Sunday. Some jumped from the fuselage as it crashed. Photos taken by the local media outlet Pondohan TV and posted on Facebook showed the wrecked body of the plane engulfed in flames. [...]
New Zealand may be caught up in massive global hack – tech expert
The latest global ransomware attack may have affected IT for 11 schools in New Zealand. Photo: 123RF The attack came to light early yesterday, hitting a Miami-based IT company, Kaseya, and infiltrating companies using that firm's software. The Ministry of Edcuation said it is working with the schools to provide support and will continue to identify if other schools have been impacted. The ministry's deputy secretary business enablement and support, Zoe Griffiths, said any school that believes they may have Kaseya VSA software installed should first contact their IT provider. They should also undertake the recommended steps in an advisory on the CERT NZ website. Earlier today, IT security expert Daniel Ayers said New Zealand organisations may have been caught up in the ransomware attack. Ayers said this [...]
Rare New Zealand black-fronted tern seen in Australia for first time
A rare, endangered New Zealand bird has been seen in Australia for the first time. Black-fronted tern on the Ashley Rakahuri River Photo: Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group Birdwatchers are still marvelling at the unexpected sighting of a black-fronted tern, which was seen in late June in Newcastle, in the New South Wales Hunter region. The NSW Woodland Bird Program manager at Birdlife Australia, Mick Roderick, said it was an incredible discovery because the tern was endemic to New Zealand. "It's a mind-blowing sighting that we're still trying to make sense of," he said. "I've also been in touch with New Zealand researchers, and they're all very excited about it too. "This is a bird nobody expected to see in Australia. It's a New Zealand breeding endemic. It has taken [...]
Government launches inquiry into migrant labour in seafood sector
A ministerial inquiry will look into the seafood sector's reliance on migrant workers and how to attract more New Zealanders into the jobs. Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. Photo: RNZ/ Dom Thomas Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker said Covid-19 border restrictions had highlighted the sector's vulnerability due to its reliance on migrant labour. That had sped up industry and government efforts to increase New Zealanders' participation in the sector. It is estimated the peak number of migrant workers in the sector in the year ending March 2019 was about 1850 (20 percent) although there are likely to be fewer now. "Some businesses in the sector have reduced their reliance on migrant workers since border restrictions were imposed, but some deep sea vessels in particular are still 100 [...]
Zespri growers vote down plan to fight illegal China kiwifruit
Zespri kiwifruit growers have voted down a plan to tackle illegal SunGold plantings in China. Zespri licenses the right to plant its popular SunGold kiwifruit. Photo: Creative Commons The kiwifruit giant owns the rights to the gold fruit and there are 8,000 hectares planted in New Zealand which generate billions of dollars in exports earnings. This year growers paid a median price of $550,000 [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/443545/zespri-profit-soars-to-290m-despite-incredibly-difficult-conditions for the licence to plant one hectare of G3 - SunGold - vines. But Zespri estimates there are over 5500 hectares of unauthorised plantings of the fruit in China. In a bid to limit the unauthorised plantings, last year Zespri started considering running trials with the Chinese growers, seeing it as a win-win situation. Growers were recently asked to vote on the proposal [...]
Global tax reform: 130 countries commit to minimum corporate rate
Landmark moment for world economy with OECD plan that also covers prevention of profit-shifting The OECD’s secretary general, Mathias Cormann, with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken (right), at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Efforts to force multinational companies to pay a fairer share of tax have taken a decisive step forward after 130 countries and jurisdictions agreed to plans for a global minimum corporate tax rate. In a landmark moment for the world economy, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a statement committing each of the countries to a two-pillar plan to radically reshape the global tax system. Building on an agreement between the G7 in London last month, the latest breakthrough brings together all of the nations in the [...]
Afghan civilians take up arms against Taliban as foreign troops depart
Citizens react to spiralling violence with militants seizing at least 50 of county’s nearly 400 districts since May Haji Ghoulam Farouq Siawshani (centre with grey waistcoat and silver turban ), former oil trader turned militia commander, with his men. Photograph: Akhtar Mohammed Makoii Haji Ghoulam Farouq Siawshani watched the Taliban rampage across northern Afghanistan this month, weighing up the threat from militants on his doorstep. Then, 10 days ago, the former oil trader turned militia commander issued a call to arms. “Where the Taliban go, they bring destruction, and they are one kilometre away from my village,” he told the Guardian. “We decided to respond.” He now leads a few dozen men he armed with ageing Kalashnikovs, in Gozara district, just south of the ancient trade and cultural [...]
Annastacia Palaszczuk extends Queensland Covid-19 lockdown for Brisbane and Moreton Bay
Annastacia Palaszczuk has extended the three-day snap lockdown past 6pm tonight for parts of the state, in a blow to Queenslanders. Annastacia Palaszczuk has extended the three-day snap lockdown past 6pm tonight for parts of the state, in a blow to Queenslanders. “The Brisbane City Council and Moreton Bay local government areas, the lockdown will continue for 24 hours,” the Premier said. The stay-at-home orders will end tonight for Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, Townsville and Palm Island. “There will be restrictions that continue to apply – those restrictions will be in place for the next two weeks,” she said. “That means everyone will have to carry a mask on them and wear that mask whenever they’re outside of their home, [...]
Major legal challenge against Climate Commission
High-powered lawyers are challenging the Climate Change Commission's ambition in the High Court, Marc Daalder reports A coalition of more than 300 lawyers has filed suit against the Climate Change Commission and Climate Minister James Shaw in the High Court. They allege the commission's recommended emissions budgets and advice on strengthening New Zealand's Paris Agreement target are not consistent with the international climate pact, the Zero Carbon Act or limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels. "The Climate Change Commission’s advice looks ambitious on a first glance. However, when you dig into the detail, it fails to adequately address the scale and urgency of the task and is inconsistent with the legislation and international agreements it is meant to address," Jenny Cooper QC, the president of Lawyers for Climate Action [...]
ANZ changes apartment lending rules in bid to help first homebuyers
More Kiwis may soon get a shot at tackling the property ladder, as ANZ makes changes to its lending rules for apartments. Auckland City apartments Source: istock.com The country’s biggest bank is reducing the apartment size at which its customers are required to have a higher deposit. ANZ’s New Zealand Managing Director Ben Kelleher said the change comes as the bank looks to do its bit to help the inflated housing market, where many first home buyers struggle to make their way in. “Apartments are often a more affordable entry point into the housing market. In addition, as cities intensify, apartments are becoming more common and popular choices for home buyers.” Now, customers will only need a 20 per cent deposit for freehold, standard apartments that are considered 38 [...]
WATCH: Taal Volcano erupts, evacuation recommended
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Thursday raised Alert Level 3 over Taal volcano after its main crater spewed a "short-lived dark phreato-magmatic plume one kilometer-high with no accompanying volcanic earthquake". "This means that there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions," Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told The Manila Times. Phivolcs recommended the evacuation of those living near Taal Volcano Island (TVI) and in the high-risk villages of Agoncillo and Laurel, Batangas due to possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami. “The public is reminded that the entire volcano island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island, as well as high-risk villages of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited," the Phivolcs chief said. Solidum said communities [...]
Canada weather: Dozens dead as heatwave shatters records
Dozens of people have died in Canada amid an unprecedented heatwave that has smashed temperature records. Police in the Vancouver area have responded to more than 130 sudden deaths since Friday. Most were elderly or had underlying health conditions, with heat often a contributing factor. Canada broke its temperature record for a third straight day on Tuesday - 49.6C (121.3F) in Lytton, British Columbia. The US north-west has also seen record highs - and a number of fatalities. Experts say climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves. However, linking any single event to global warming is complicated. US President Joe Biden said the heatwave was tied to climate change in a speech on Tuesday as he pitched a plan to update [...]
Winter outlook: More mild months to follow NZ’s likely hottest June
Rachel Ashton plays with her pug Frankie on the summit of Auckland's Mt Roskill as the sun sets on a crisp winter evening last Wednesday. June could set a new temperature record. Photo / Jason Oxenham What's expected to go down as New Zealand's warmest June on record will be followed by more unseasonably mild weather over the next three months, Niwa's just-issued outlookpredicts. But, unlike last month's generally tidy conditions, it's likely to come with more week-to-week swings. The agency predicted that, overall, temperatures were "very unlikely" to be colder than average between now and the end of September, although occasional cold snaps and frosts could still happen. Above average temperatures were most likely for the east and west of the South Island, with about equal chances [...]
Bodies of two children, ages 4 and 10, found in rubble of collapsed building; death toll rises to 18: What we know
SURFSIDE, Fla. – The bodies of two children were found in the rubble of the collapsed condo building outside Miami on Wednesday, raising the death toll in the disaster to 18. The children were 4 and 10 years old, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who provided the update at an afternoon news conference. The number of missing people is now 145. "Any loss of life, especially given the nature of this unexpected, unprecedented event, is a tragedy,'' Levine Cava said. "But the loss of our children is too great to bear." Earlier in the day, Levine Cava has said four additional victims had been identified, at the time bringing the total to 16. Search officials vowed to press on with the rescue effort around the clock despite the possibility [...]
China celebrates Communist Party’s 100th anniversary
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionChina has seen a ramped-up propaganda drive in recent weeks China is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Communist Party, in the culmination of a huge propaganda drive. Officials have not disclosed a programme but President Xi Jinping is expected to give a speech on Thursday. The country has seen several large-scale events and a media blitz in recent weeks promoting a party-approved version of China's history. Hong Kong is also marking its handover anniversary on the same date. How has China prepared for this anniversary? The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which was founded in 1921, came to power 72 years ago after a long civil war. In that time the country has undergone massive changes - but some of [...]
Covid tourism freeze could cost global economy $4tn by year end
Turkey, Ecuador and South Africa will be among hardest hit as pandemic-related losses reach $2.4tn, says UN report Antalya, Turkey. Turkey’s economy will contract by 7.8% in the best-case scenario and 9.1% in the worst case, according to the report. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty The cost to the global economy of the tourism freeze caused by Covid-19 could reach $4tn (£2.9tn) by the end of this year, a UN body has said, with the varying pace of vaccine rollouts expected to cost developing nations and tourist centres particularly dear. Nations including Turkey and Ecuador will be among the hardest hit by the severe disruption to international tourism, with holiday favourites such as Spain, Greece and Portugal also badly affected. Pandemic-related losses have reached up to $2.4tn this year, [...]
Surfside building collapse latest: Death toll increases to 12
President Joe Biden will travel to Surfside, Florida, on Thursday. Families cling to hope as rescue workers race against time after building collapse Workers have moved more than 3 million pounds of concrete in their six-day search for survivors in Surfside, Florida. At least a dozen people are dead and 149 others remain unaccounted for after a 12-story residential building partially collapsed in South Florida's Miami-Dade County last week, officials said. A massive search and rescue operation entered its sixth day on Tuesday, as crews continued to carefully comb through the pancaked pile of debris in hopes of finding survivors. The partial collapse occurred at around 1:15 a.m. local time last Thursday at the Champlain Towers South condominium in the small, beachside town of Surfside, about 6 miles north [...]
Chinese embassy dismisses claims spies infiltrating NZ universities
The Chinese embassy has hit back at claims spies are infiltrating universities in New Zealand, calling the accusations groundless and "pure hearsay". The Chinese embassy says reports of Chinese intelligence gathering in New Zealand universities is "pure hearsay". Photo: 123RF Three university lecturers in Chinese politics and history have spoken out about their classes being observed and sometimes photographed by unenrolled individuals. The academics - featured in the new podcast series Red Line - suspect the information is being fed back to the Chinese Communist Party. In a statement to RNZ, the Chinese embassy in New Zealand dismissed the suggestions. "The so-called Chinese 'intelligence gathering' in NZ universities is pure hearsay," the statement said. "We hope the relevant side could view this from an objective and rational [...]
Water reforms: New entities proposed to take responsibility of infrastructure
Further details have been released of the biggest shake-up of water and sewage infrastructure seen in generations. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone They outlined four publicly owned entities covering Auckland, Northland, central North Island including Taranaki, east coast North Island, including the top of the South Island, and a fourth covering the remainder of the South Island. The four entities would be run by boards appointed with input from councils and with expertise in water infrastructure. Photo: Supplied / Department of Internal Affair They would also include Māori representation. In a statement, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said without the reforms, councils would struggle to pay for an estimated $120 billion to $185bn worth of infrastructure needed over the next three decades. [...]
7 Things To Know About Māori Culture In New Zealand
“Kia ora!” Maori culture in New Zealand is a key part of Kiwi life, running deep in daily life here – from the cuisine, language, and locals’ attitudes, to what children learn at school and how the country is governed. Whether you live here or are just visiting, it’s important to understand the culture and customs here. Sure, you’re probably already familiar with the famous Haka ceremonial dance (you can thank the All Blacks rugby team for that!), but there’s so much more to Māori. Here are some interesting things to know to get you started… 1. Māori Are The Indigenous People of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Reo (the Māori language) is an official language of the country, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language. In 2013, one [...]
US strikes hit Iran-backed militia facilities in Iraq and Syria
The US military has carried out air strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting operational and weapons storage facilities of Iran-backed militia. Photograph: US Air Force/AFP/Getty Images The US has carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria, in response to drone attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq. The strikes on Sunday targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, described the airstrikes as “defensive”, saying they were launched in response to an “ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in Iraq”. “The United States took necessary, appropriate and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation – but also to send a clear [...]
Government to consider mandatory masks, QR code scanning – PM Jacinda Ardern
The government plans to consider advice on mandatory mask wearing at alert level two and higher, and mandatory QR code scanning in high-risk areas. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing this afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet had commissioned advice on making QR code scanning mandatory at some high-risk locations, and would look to consider that advice next week. Locations considered high-risk could include include bars and restaurants and other places where people were at an increased risk, she said. The government would also consider mandating face mask use in regions that were at alert level 2 and higher as well as some high-risk places, she said. Mask wearing is already mandatory on public transport. "The rise of the Delta variant and the risk is poses to the [...]
U.K. health minister resigns after breaking Covid rules by kissing aide
Matt Hancock resigned Saturday, a day after he apologized for breaching social distancing rules with the aide. Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock giving the latest Covid-19 update in the House of Commons in London on Feb. 9, 2021.Jessica Taylor / AFP - Getty Images file LONDON — Britain's health minister Matt Hancock quit on Saturday after he was caught breaking Covid-19 rules by kissing and embracing an aide in his office, enraging colleagues and the public who have been living under lockdown. Hancock, 42, wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after The Sun newspaper published photos on Friday of the married minister embracing senior aide Gina Coladangelo, who he had appointed to a taxpayer-funded role to scrutinize the performance of his department. The tabloid said the closed [...]
Classified Ministry of Defence documents found at bus stop
IMAGE COPYRIGHTPA MEDIA Classified Ministry of Defence documents containing details about HMS Defender and the British military have been found at a bus stop in Kent. One set of documents discusses the likely Russian reaction to the ship's passage through Ukrainian waters off the Crimea coast on Wednesday. Another details plans for a possible UK military presence in Afghanistan after the US-led Nato operation there ends. The government said an investigation had been launched. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it is investigating "an incident in which sensitive defence papers were recovered by a member of the public". The MoD employee concerned reported the loss at the time, it said. The documents, almost 50 pages in all, were found in a soggy heap behind a bus stop in [...]
Global report: rise in Delta variant cases forces tougher restrictions
Moscow reports highest death toll of any Russian city, while Delta variant forces tighter restrictions in the Asia-Pacific region A book fair at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, this month. From 28 June new restrictions will apply in Moscow.Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Moscow has recorded the highest Covid-19 daily death toll of any Russian city so far, as the highly contagious Delta variant forced tougher restrictions on countries across the Asia-Pacific region and fuelled mounting concern over holiday travel in Europe. Vaccinations have brought infection numbers down in many wealthy countries, and curbs on daily life continue to ease in much of the EU and US, but experts warn the fast-spreading strain means the pandemic – while slowing globally – is far from over. The World Health Organization [...]
Fil-Am among dozens missing in Miami condo collapse
MIAMI: A Filipino-American who loved to play the piano and her Chilean husband lived on the 10th floor of the building. One flight down were Cuban immigrant grandparents who had dreamed of retiring at the beach. And just a week ago, a young Paraguayan arrived to work as a nanny. The Champlain Towers South condominium was a true reflection of Miami's international mix - South American immigrants, Orthodox Jews, foreign retirees. The 12-story building's stunning collapse on Thursday quickly became a symbol of international tragedy, as families around the world hoped for news of loved ones in a terrified state of limbo. A Chilean man, Claudio Bonnefoy, and his Filipino-American wife, Maria Obias Bonnefoy, lived on the 10th floor of the building. The husband, 85, a lawyer, is the [...]
Covid-19 scare in capital: Partner’s diagnosis confirms need to see more test results – modeller
Confirmation that a Sydney man's partner is positive for the Delta variant means test results from locations the couple visited in Wellington towards the end of their stay are critical, a Covid-19 modeller says. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Sydney man was confirmed as infectious while he visited the city the weekend before last, prompting the government to announce that it was extending alert level 2 in the capital until 11.59pm on Tuesday. Covid-19 modeller Professor Michael Plank. Photo: Supplied. Covid-19 modeller Professor Michael Plank from the University of Canterbury said testing for the virus in Wellington remains a top priority. But fewer than 700 people got tested in the region on Saturday, about the same time as when their [...]
Chinese Communist Party spies in NZ universities, lecturers suspect
Chinese Communist Party spies are infiltrating New Zealand universities, three lecturers in Chinese politics and history suspect. Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod Auckland University lecturer Dr Stephen Noakes said people who were not enrolled in his course had attended his lectures and appeared to be gathering intelligence. Two other academics reported similar experiences in Wellington and Christchurch. Their stories feature in the new podcast series Red Line, made by RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions, released today. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is known for wanting tight control over what is said about China and its history both inside and outside of China. Noakes said on one occasion someone took pictures in his lecture theatre. "There was someone I did not recognise in the room and that person was pointing [...]
Taiwan reports first domestic case of Delta COVID-19 variant
People wearing protective face masks shop at a market in Taipei, Taiwan on Jun 8, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Ann Wang) TAIPEI: Taiwan reported its first domestically transmitted case of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus on Saturday (Jun 26), tightening controls in a southern part of the island where the cases have occurred. Taiwan is battling a cluster of domestic infections, almost all of them due to the previously globally dominant Alpha variant, though numbers are steadying and the outbreak has been comparatively small. Six people in Pingtung county had been confirmed to have the Delta variant, including two who returned this month from Peru, where they are suspected of bringing the infection from, said Health Minister Chen Shih-chung. One of them has been classified as a domestic infection, [...]
Covid: NSW sees 30 new Covid cases as Sydney locks down
IMAGE COPYRIGHTEPA The Australian state of New South Wales has reported 30 new Covid cases on the second day of Greater Sydney's two-week lockdown. An expanded lockdown now covers 5m people in Greater Sydney, as well as the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong. Cases of the highly infectious Delta variant now stand at 110. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday that she expected that figure to rise. "Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase even beyond what we have seen today because we are seeing that people in isolation, unfortunately, would have already transmitted to all their house contacts," she said. Stay-at-home orders will remain in place until 9 [...]
Miami building collapse: 159 missing, officials say
The number of people listed as missing after the collapse of a 12-storey building in the US city of Miami has risen to 159, officials say. Four people are known to have died. The mayor of Miami-Dade says they "still have hope" of finding survivors. Search teams working around the clock have reported hearing people banging beneath the debris. What caused the 40-year-old building to collapse early on Thursday morning remains unclear. At least 102 people have now been accounted for, but it is uncertain how many were in the building when it came down. Dozens of people have been evacuated from what is left of the structure. President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, meaning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) will help state agencies [...]
Taguig to open 24-hour vaccination hub for A4 individuals
Philippines- The Taguig City government is set to launch a 24-hour mega vaccination site that will cater exclusively to government and economic frontliners in the A4 category. In a statement, the city government said the vaccination site will be located at the High Street Vaccination Hub in Barangay Fort Bonifacio. The vaccination hub will be open until 12 a.m. this week until the city reaches its goal of opening it up 24/7. The vaccination site is part of the effort to extend vaccination hours to accommodate those who cannot get vaccinated due to the nature of their work, the city government explained. "Vaccination should be fast, safe and accessible. Those three things are important to us when we strategize our rollout plan. I encourage all our citizens to sign [...]
‘I’m trying to save American democracy’: Donald Trump returns to rally stage in Ohio
Former President Donald Trump returned to campaign mode with a vengeance Saturday night, vowing at a rally in Ohio that Republicans would take back Congress, bemoaning his loss in last November’s election and retaliating against a GOP congressman who voted to impeach him. Calling the event “the very first rally of the 2022 election,” Trump predicted next year's elections would result in "giant Republican majorities" in both chambers of Congress. “We’re going to take back the House, and we're going to take back the Senate,” he promised the crowd at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, about a half-hour southwest of Cleveland. “We have no choice,” he added. The event marked Trump's return to the kind of mass rallies that fueled his White House campaigns. Since he left office in January, Trump’s [...]
Covid-19: Five Australian flights potentially exposed to virus as flight attendant tests positive
Passengers and crew members from five Virgin Australia flights are being contacted after a flight attendant tested positive to Covid-19. Virgin confirmed that the cabin worker returned a positive reading after undertaking a rapid test result on Saturday night. In a statement, the airline said the affected crew member is a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case from a known cluster in Sydney. Virgin said it was contacting all staff who were deemed close contacts. All would be asked to get tested and isolate. New South Wales Health on Saturday night (local time) issued a public health alert for the flights, saying all NSW passengers were being considered close contacts and must call its Covid-19 line, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. ALBERT [...]
New Zealand’s largest grid-connected solar power plant up and running
New Zealand's largest grid-connected solar power plant is up and running at Kapuni in South Taranaki. The Kapuni Solar Power Plant can produce enough electricity for more than 520 homes. Photo: Supplied / Sunergise The 2.1 megawatt Kapuni Solar Power Plant features 5800 ground-mounted photovoltaic panels and can generate enough electricity to power more than 520 homes. The Todd Corporation has developed the project under the Sunergise brand. Sunergise general manager Paul Makumbe said the plant represents Sunergise's first step into ground-mounted solar in New Zealand. "The energy landscape in New Zealand is changing, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and solar plants like Kapuni will help by producing clean, renewable energy," Makumbe said. Sunergise provides rooftop solar to commercial customers in New Zealand. A related company, [...]
Your weather: Antarctic blast on its way to New Zealand
In this graphic windchill below zero is shown in blue. Image / WeatherWatch An Antarctic blast is about to hit the country, temperatures will noticeably drop tonight and some parts of the South Island will soon experience windchill around freezing. A cold front begins to sweep northwards tomorrow allowing air, which originates from the Antarctic Ice Shelf, to affect weather across the country, according to MetService. WeatherWatch predicts the coldest air will arrive on Monday evening when temperatures will plunge overnight across the South Island and some of the North Island. The cold air will travel further north on Tuesday overnight. According to WeatherWatch, coastal parts of Southland and Otago will experience windchill hovering around freezing on Monday afternoon, with -5C possible in the more exposed coastal [...]
Restrictions on visa processing outside New Zealand
Temporary visa applications from outside New Zealand or a quarantine-free travel zone are currently suspended, unless you are exempt. Immigration New Zealand has suspended visa processing for most individuals who are outside New Zealand, unless they meet the strict border exception criteria or are currently in a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone. The Government has extended the suspension to 6 February 2022. The suspension can be lifted if the border restrictions change. Immigration New Zealand will continue to process visas for those who are not subject to the COVID-19 border restrictions, and for those who have been granted a border exception.
Bridge strike sparks cancellations, delays to trains on Auckland’s southern line
Auckland Transport is warning commuters to expected delays on the southern line after a Papakura train bridge was struck by a vehicle. Photo / Supplied South Auckland train commuters are being warned to expect delays after bridge was struck by a vehicle this morning. Auckland Transport said all Southern line train services were cancelled between Homai and Papakura with passenger services ending at Homai train station. The incident had happened before 11am at Subway Rd, Papakura. Those travelling by train were being told to expect delays and cancellations.
Covid-19 health experts push for compulsory mask wearing in alert level 2
Health experts say they are mystified over the government's reluctance to enforce mandatory mask wearing and QR code scanning under alert level 2. Under alert levels 1, 2 and 3 in New Zealand masks are only compulsory on public transport, domestic flights and in taxis. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Masks are compulsory on public transport, domestic flights and in taxis under alert level 1 but these rules do not expand under alert level 2. Instead, Wellingtonians are currently being asked to wear masks when they cannot socially distance two metres in public spaces and one metre indoors. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has reiterated that while mandating masks is always on the table, current public health advice does not justify these measures. Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker [...]
Covid-19: Crucial day five test results expected today
The first of the crucial day five test results are expected today, after Wellingtonians turned out in their thousands to be swabbed for Covid-19 yesterday. Hataiti Park Covid-19 testing centre. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A Sydney man visited more than a dozen locations in the capital at the weekend before testing positive on Monday. The Ministry of Health advised all contacts - people at same location as the man - to isolate and have a test five days after they were potentially exposed. For thousands of people who were at Te Papa and two large bars on Saturday that was yesterday so some of those results are likely to be available today. Day five was chosen because most infected people - but not all - have signs [...]
Taiwan’s foreign minister says ‘we need to prepare’ for military conflict with China
Taipei, Taiwan (CNN)China's escalating military intimidation of Taiwan shows the self-governed island "needs to prepare" for a possible military conflict, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in an exclusive interview with CNN. His warning came one week after the island reported the largest daily incursion by Chinese military planes into Taiwan's self-declared Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The incursion -- by 28 Chinese warplanes including fighter jets and bombers -- did not violate Taiwanese sovereign airspace or international law, but it was seen as show of strength by China's People's Liberation Army. "As Taiwan decision makers, we cannot take any chances, we have to be prepared," Wu told CNN in Taipei on Wednesday. "When the Chinese government is saying they would not renounce the use of force, and they [...]
NCEA subject changes: Ministry looks to add agribusiness
A proposal for agribusiness to be taught as a high school subject is being welcomed by an agricultural academic. Public feedback is being sought on the changes put forward (File image). Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller As part of a suggested overhaul of NCEA subjects, the Ministry of Education has proposed developing agribusiness as a separate subject to business studies. Public feedback is being sought on the changes put forward, with consultation set to close in early August. Education Minister Chris Hipkins said some proposals were intended to recognise learning already happening in schools. Lincoln University agribusiness and commerce dean Hugh Bigsby said when students had learned some agribusiness in high school, it made a big difference when they picked up tertiary study. "If you've done Year 13 [...]
IMAGE COPYRIGHTREUTERS image captionThe attack took place at the Petraki Monastery in Athens A priest has been arrested in Athens after he threw acid on seven bishops of the Greek Orthodox Church, police say. The attack took place during a disciplinary hearing against the 36-year-old priest on Wednesday afternoon, according to police. Three bishops are being treated in hospital for the burns, mostly on their faces. A policeman, who ran to help the bishops, was also taken to hospital. The suspect, a priest who risked being expelled from the church, was accused of being involved in drug trafficking, according to the ANA press agency. The bishops were meeting to discuss defrocking him - stripping him of his priesthood - after he was allegedly discovered to be in possession [...]
World’s largest cruise line aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050
The largest cruise company in the world, Carnival, has announced it “aspires” to be carbon-neutral by 2050, one of a list of goals it released ahead of its annual sustainability report expected later this year. Another major player in the industry, Norwegian Cruise Line, announced its own goals to slash carbon emissions on Wednesday by purchasing carbon offsets. Corporate and governmental pledges to stem the emissions of greenhouse gasses are essential to slowing down the impacts of climate change. Carnival also released firm targets for 2030, including reducing air emissions 50 per cent from 2015 levels; expanding the use of alternative fuels like liquefied natural gas (a fossil fuel), fuel cells and biofuels; and slashing the relative emissions of each ship. SUPPLIED Carnival said it aspires to create a [...]
Crushing climate impacts to hit sooner than feared: Draft UN report
With 1.1 deg C of warming clocked so far since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the climate is already changing, says the report.PHOTO: AFP PARIS - Climate change will fundamentally reshape life on Earth in the coming decades, even if humans can tame planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, according to a landmark draft report from the UN's climate science advisers obtained by Agence France-Presse. Species extinction, more widespread disease, unliveable heat, ecosystem collapse, cities menaced by rising seas - these and other devastating climate impacts are accelerating and bound to become painfully obvious before a child born today turns 30. The choices societies make now will determine whether our species thrives or simply survives as the 21st century unfolds, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says in [...]
France and Germany want EU summit with Vladimir Putin
After Joe Biden’s meeting with the Russian president, leaders think the bloc can reset relations and help contain its eastern rival Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, left and centre, have sugggested an EU summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AP France and Germany have suggested inviting Vladimir Putin to a summit with the EU as part of a broader reset of the bloc’s relations with Russia. The proposal from Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel comes after Joe Biden’s Geneva summit with the Russian president, and supporters of the idea argue that European leaders can deliver the same direct messages about Russian behaviour while keeping the door open to compromise and cooperation. Critics of closer ties to the Kremlin are concerned that it would reward Putin at a time [...]
‘Painful farewell’: Hongkongers queue for hours to buy final Apple Daily edition
Million copies printed of last issue as journalists at newspaper that was forced to close mourn ‘historical moment’ moment’ Large crowds queue in Hong Kong for final Apple Daily edition – video Across Hong Kong on Thursday morning the queues stretched for hundreds of metres, wrapping around corner after corner. Starting before dawn, crowds in the city of 7.5 million people lined up for hours to buy the final print edition of the Apple Daily newspaper, forced to close by authoritieswhich had accused it of national security offences. Normally selling 80,000 copies a day, they printed a million. It was in such hot demand that by mid morning Hongkongers were crowdsourcing an online spreadsheet of convenience stores that still had copies for sale. “Hong Kongers bid a painful [...]
More Covid-19 testing centres on Wellington’s first day at alert level 2
The number of testing sites in Wellington has doubled after a Covid-19 scare prompted by an Australian tourist who visited the capital on the weekend. Wellington's Lambton Quay and Cuba Streets were quiet, but testing stations were busy, on the first day of the capital being in alert level 2. Photo: RNZ The Wellington region shifted into alert level 2 at 6pm last night and is expected to stay there until at least 11.59pm on Sunday. Cabinet will review the alert level decision on Sunday morning. The Australian tourist visited a series of restaurants, bars and tourist attractions in the capital on Saturday and Sunday before returning to Sydney on Monday morning and subsequently testing positive for Covid-19. Health authorities are still waiting for full genomic sequencing, but [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: New Zealanders first to trial Chinese-developed vaccine
The new Chinese covid vaccine has already been given to some young people who have signed up to the NZ-based trial. Photo / NZCR A group of New Zealanders will be the first humans to trial a new second generation covid vaccine out of China. About 25 young people have this week started being jabbed with the ReCov vaccine as a part of a clinical study. The trial is being run in partnership with vaccine developer Jiangsu Rec-Biotechnology in China and New Zealand Clinical Research, which has centres in Auckland and Christchurch. NZCR is running the trial which will see 100 people vaccinated with ReCov by September. If successful, a larger trial involving thousands of participants would likely also be carried out in New Zealand. The vaccine will be [...]
PH, Singapore co-leaders in ASEAN study on regional populations’ immune response to COVID-19 vaccination
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has announced that the Philippines and Singapore are co-leading a regional study to look into the levels of immunity against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the communities within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (Photo from DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña’s Facebook Page) DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the first multi-country regional study is one of the two COVID-19 research proposals officially endorsed during the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (IAMMSTI-11) and the 79th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-79) as part commitment to strengthen regional cooperation on science and technology. Both meetings were held virtually on June 15-17. “The Philippines and Singapore are [...]
Former PH President Aquino passes away at 61
Manila, Philippines- Former President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III, who championed “Daang Matuwid” campaign and scored a landmark ruling against China’s aggressive claims in West Philippine Sea, has passed away, according to a relative of the family. He was 61. A file photo of the late President Benigno S. Aquino III (Malacañang) Aquino, son of pro-democracy icons the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon Aquino, was rushed to the Capital Medical Center in Quezon City and died after a heart failure. The former President, fondly called PNoy during his stint in Malacañang, battled lung cancer and went through dialysis for his ailment. He recently had an angioplasty.Aquino, known for his simple and humble leadership, was the country’s 15th President from June 2010 to June 2016. [...]
Wellington events and attractions scramble with cancellations and postponements
Event cancellations and temporary closures have flowed thick and fast in Wellington, following the news the city was to move to alert level 2 at 6pm on Wednesday. Wellington's central Cuba Street. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Among the significant casualties, is the government apology for the 1970s Dawn Raids. The prime minister was to make the formal apology at a commemoration event at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 26 June, but it will be rescheduled for a later date. However Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says government MPs and ministers - who were largely in Wellington during the time the Covid-19 positive traveller was, will not participate in any large gatherings over 100 people anywhere in the country. Live updates: Wellington's first day at Covid-19 alert level [...]
US has ‘wrong’ expectation for dialogue, says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister
Kim Yo Jong is a key adviser to her brother AFP/JORGE SILVA SEOUL: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Tuesday (Jun 22) that Washington had "wrong" expectations for dialogue with Pyongyang and was facing "greater disappointment", state media reported. Kim Yo Jong's comments came after US national security advisor Jake Sullivan described her brother's first reaction to Washington's recent review of its approach to the North as an "interesting signal". The Biden administration has promised a practical, calibrated approach, including diplomatic efforts, to persuade the impoverished North to give up its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. In response, the North's leader Kim last week said Pyongyang must prepare for both dialogue and confrontation. Washington considered his comments as interesting, Sullivan told [...]
Canada’s Trudeau angrily questions China seeking probe of indigenous children’s remains
People visit a makeshift memorial on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, after the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc band council encouraged mourners to take part in a national day of prayer to honour the remains of 215 children that were found at the site in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, on Jun 6, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier) GENEVA/OTTAWA: China and its allies called on Tuesday for an investigation into the discovery of the remains of indigenous children in Canada at the site of a former boarding school, prompting an angry response from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The remains of 215 children, some as young as three years old, were found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia that closed in 1978, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Nation said on [...]
Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis: Heavy fighting reported
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionEthiopia's army took control of Tigray's capital, Mekelle, in November last year Heavy fighting has broken out in several areas in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray between rebels and federal troops, reports say. The rebel Tigray Defence Force (TDF) said it had seized several towns, where witnesses have told the BBC they have seen its fighters patrolling. The federal Ethiopian army dismissed the claim, saying it was fake news. This is the most serious fighting since November, when the Ethiopian government declared victory in the conflict. Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the war that started almost eight months ago. Following the fighting, some five million people in Tigray are in need of food aid and more than 350,000 are [...]
Wellington Covid-19 visitor: Locations of interest include Te Papa, central city bar and pharmacy
The positive Covid-19 traveller to Wellington visited to Te Papa, an inner city bar and a central city pharmacy, among locations of interest identified by the Ministry of Health. The positive Covid-19 tourist went to an exhibition in Te Papa and visited an inner Wellington bar and a central city pharmacy on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas The man, who along with his partner spent the weekend the capital as a tourist, tested positive for the virus on return to Australia. Four close contacts in New Zealand have been identified and are isolating. Follow the latest on RNZ's live updates The Ministry of Health has released the first six locations visited by the tourists. Locations of interest Qantas Flight QF163 Sydney to Wellington, arrived at Wellington [...]
China gives 1-billionth COVID shot, eyes ambitious vaccination target
Medical workers inoculate students with the vaccine against the coronavirus disease at a university in Qingdao, Shandong province, China on March 30, 2021. China Daily via Reuters China on Sunday announced it had administered its one-billionth shot in the world's biggest coronavirus inoculation drive, as Brazil's death toll from the pandemic passed 500,000. The global death toll from COVID-19 is now more than 3.8 million and many nations are still battling outbreaks, but vaccine drives in some countries are allowing activities that were unthinkable a few months ago. China's vaccine milestone came after the number of shots administered globally passed 2.5 billion on Friday, according to an AFP count from official sources. But the Asian giant's vaccination efforts initially got off to a slow start after a successful [...]
Wellington may face Covid lockdown after visit by infected Australian tourist
Healths officials are racing to trace the movements and close contacts of visitor who toured New Zealand capital last weekend The Australian visitor who had coronavirus visited Wellington from Sydney last weekend. The New Zealand capital faces a potential lockdown. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images New Zealand is racing to track the in-country movements of a tourist with Covid-19 who tested positive on their return to Australia, with the possibility of a lockdown of the capital, Wellington, not ruled out. The traveller spent a weekend visiting Wellington from Sydney, and visited a number of sites around the city, including popular tourism spot Te Papa, the national museum. At this stage, it is assumed they caught coronavirus in Sydney before travelling. Four close contacts have already been identified and are [...]
China’s ambassador to the US to leave after eight years
Longest-serving envoy Cui Tiankai says relations between the countries ‘at a crossroads’ Cui Tiankai speaks to Chinese media in Alaska in March. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex China’s ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, has announced he will leave Washington after eight years, saying US-China relations are at a “crossroads” as the US recalibrates its engagement policies. Cui, whose departure has been the subject of speculation for months, wrote a farewell statement calling on Chinese people in the US to defend their right to be there, and to “shoulder a great responsibility and mission” in furthering the bilateral relationship. “Sino-US relations are at a critical crossroads, and the US’s China policy is undergoing a new round of restructure, facing a choice between dialogue and cooperation, or confrontation and conflict,” he [...]
Fishing restrictions and new protection areas for Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana
Fully protected marine areas will increase from less than 0.3 per cent to over 5 per cent of the 1.2 million hectare marine park that runs from Te Arai to Waihi. Photo / 123RF The Government will ban trawl fishing from most of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and create 18 new protection areas, in a major new environmental plan. Ocean advocates say the proposals could represent the "most positive change for the Gulf in a generation" but warn stronger action is needed to undo generations of overfishing, destructive fishing methods and pollution. Under the Government's long-awaited response to the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari plan for the Hauraki Gulf, which was first published in 2016, fully protected marine areas would increase from less than 0.3 per cent to over [...]
Aung San Suu Kyi tells lawyers trial testimony against her is wrong
Min Min Soe, a lawyer assigned by the National League for Democracy party to represent deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, meet journalists in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Jun 21, 2021. (Photo: AP) BANGKOK: Lawyers for Myanmar's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, said on Monday (Jun 21) she told them some of the testimony against her was wrong in her trial on criminal charges that could send her to prison and end her political career. In the trial, now in its second week. Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with illegally importing walkie-talkies for her bodyguards’ use, unlicensed use of the radios, spreading information that could cause public alarm or unrest, and violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign. Critics of the ruling military government say the [...]
10 Most Picturesque Places in New Zealand
Photo: Blue Planet Studio / Adobe Stock New Zealand’s scenery is nothing short of picture perfect. While travelling in New Zealand, you are sure to be amazed by postcard-like landscapes at every corner. For those who love photography or even those who simply enjoy sightseeing, New Zealand is the ideal place to visit. While the entire country is gorgeous, there are a few areas that stand out for being the most picturesque places in New Zealand. Here, we have narrowed it down to the top 10 most picturesque places in New Zealand so you’re sure not to be miss out on the most beautiful spots! 1. Bay of Islands Photo: photo.eccles / Adobe Stock A 3.5-hour drive north of Auckland sits the Bay of Islands. The [...]
Lorde announces first NZ tour in five years
Lorde will tour Australia and New Zealand for the first time in five years, announcing she plans to return to stages across the country early next year. The 2022 tour will be the singer's first tour since 2017 Photo: Getty / 2018 Jeff Kravitz The New Zealand songstress dropped the single and video for 'Solar Power' earlier this month, and the Solar Power album will be released later this year via Universal Music. She will then tour nine locations in New Zealand and Australia in February and March next year. It will be the first time she has toured the region since her sold-out Melodrama tour in 2017. She will play at Electric Avenue festival in Christchurch on 26 February, and the first show of her tour will [...]
Duterte says he won’t face ‘ex-colonizers’ in ICC
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is never going to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his administration's crackdown on illegal drugs. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Presidential photo by Joey Dalumpines) Duterte, in a pre-recorded speech late Monday night, lambasted the ICC after former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought authorization to allow the conduct of an investigation into the alleged crime against humanity committed during the administration’s drug war. “Itong ICC, b*llsh*t itong (This ICC is b*llsh*t). Why would I defend or face an accusation before white people? You must be crazy. Yung mga colonizers ito noon (They used to be colonizers). They have not atoned for their sins against the countries that they invaded including the Philippines. Tapos eto ngayon [...]
Tokyo 2021 Olympic stadiums: every venue hosting the postponed 2020 Games
A total of 42 venues will be used, 27 of which are split between the Heritage Zone and Tokyo Bay Zone in the Japanese capital A combination of old and new for the Games in Tokyo The delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in will be staged at a total of 42 venues, 27 of which are in and around the Japanese capital. Those 27 are split into the Heritage Zone and Tokyo Bay Zone with the other 15 outlying venues. The Heritage Zone contains iconic arenas which were a part of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and will be reused in various forms, while the Tokyo Bay Zone houses 16 venues, as well as the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre. The Olympic village can be found at the intersection of the [...]
Tasmanian devils relocated to Australian island wipe out entire penguin population
The Tasmanian devils were moved to Maria Island to protect them from a deadly facial tumour disease that had spread on mainland Australia CREDIT: PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images The relocation of endangered Tasmanian devils to a remote Australian island to ensure their survival from a deadly contagious cancer has backfired after they wiped out the local population of penguins. Twenty-eight healthy Tasmanian devils were introduced in 2012-13 to Maria Island, which previously had no population of the animals, to act as “insurance” against the species dying out from the facial tumour disease that had spread on the mainland. Since then, numbers have risen to more than 100, but with tragic consequences for the local population of little penguins on the 44-square-mile island, which appear to have fallen victims to the [...]
Support for first NZ transgender Olympic athlete Laurel Hubbard grows
A former world-class cyclist and trans-rights advocate says Laurel Hubbard's Tokyo Olympics selection has been a long time coming. Laurel Hubbard. Photo: Elieko / IWF World Championships Kristen Worley was the first transgender athlete to go through gender testing under the IOC's 2004 rules. She said the physical and psychological challenges Hubbard would endure were monumental - and the weightlifter would need support. Hubbard is one of five weightlifting athletes selected for the New Zealand Olympic team. She is tipped as a medal contender in the women's super heavyweight category. "I'm very supportive of Laurel and her personal endeavours. For me it's about ensuring her safety as an athlete and her participation in Tokyo," Worley told Morning Report. She said there was a need for better education of [...]
Southern Motorway road crash: Two dead, three hurt, say police
Two people have been killed and three seriously injured after a crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway this morning. Northbound lanes of the motorway have been closed at Highbrook for much of Sunday morning, with only one lane opening shortly before 12pm. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating. Two people have died and one is in a critical condition following a crash on the Southern Motorway near East Tamaki. Photo / Hayden Woodward Emergency services were called to the crash at 3.34am. Police said they were called to the scene between the Highbrook Drive off-ramp and Highbrook Drive on-ramp. "Sadly, two people died at the scene," said police. "Three others were transported to hospital with serious injuries." The motorway is expected to be closed for some time while emergency services [...]
UN General Assembly calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar
The United Nations logo is seen on a window in an empty hallway at United Nations headquarters during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate in New York on September 21, 2020. © Mike Segar, Reuters/File Photo The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The General Assembly adopted a resolution with the support of 119 countries some four months after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in a coup. Belarus requested the text be put to a vote and was the only country to oppose it, while 36 abstained, including China and Russia. [...]
Australia takes wine dispute with China to WTO
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionChina has accused Australia of illegal "dumping" practices Australia will file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) after China imposed up to 218% tariffs on its wine last year. China says the tariffs were increased because of trading malpractice, which Australia denies. Australia says it remains open to engaging directly with China to resolve the issue. China is the top market for Australian wine exports and wineries say they have been badly hit by the hikes. The decision to take the dispute to the WTO was made after extensive consultation with winemakers, the Australian government said in a statement. "The government will continue to vigorously defend the interests of Australian winemakers using the established system in the WTO to resolve our [...]
Covid: Brazil hits 500,000 deaths amid ‘critical’ situation
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionThe virus continues to spread in Brazil amid a lack of co-ordinated measures The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 500,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, as experts say the outbreak could worsen amid slow vaccination and the start of winter. The virus continues to spread as President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to back measures like social distancing. The health institute Fiocruz says the situation is "critical". Only 15% of adults are fully vaccinated. Congress is investigating the government's handling of the pandemic. President Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, which he has sought to loosen. The opposition accuses the president of delaying the purchase [...]
South Auckland tornado: More than 1200 mostly Papatoetoe, Manurewa homes affected
One person is dead, one injured and residents of more than 1200 mostly Papatoetoe homes - 60 of which are now uninhabitable - have been left picking up the pieces after an ordinary Saturday morning turned to terror when a tornado ripped through South Auckland. It was just before 8.30am when the tornado struck, in a matter of seconds tearing off roofs and garage doors, uprooting trees, smashing windows, toppling a truck and power poles - some on to cars - and leaving stunned residents cowering and praying in their homes from Manurewa to Papatoetoe. They estimated more than 1200 homes had been affected by the tornado, with the majority without power. An Auckland Emergency Management spokeswoman said a family of eight and a family of three were provided [...]
Researchers find biological links between red meat and colorectal cancer
A butcher stocks a display case with steaks at a store in Novato, California.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - Eating less red meat is standard medical advice for preventing colorectal cancer, but the way it causes cells to mutate has remained unclear, and not all experts were convinced there was a strong link. A new paper in the journal Cancer Discovery has now identified specific patterns of DNA damage triggered by diets rich in red meat - further implicating the food as a carcinogen while heralding the possibility of detecting the cancer early and designing new treatments. Prior research establishing the connection was mainly epidemiologic, meaning that people who developed the condition were surveyed on their eating habits, and researchers spotted associations with colorectal cancer incidence. But a lack of [...]
US sends 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan
Moderna vaccine is administered in Taiwan AFP/Sam Yeh WASHINGTON: The United States announced on Saturday (Jun 19) that 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were on their way to Taiwan in a move likely to draw disapproval from Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island. China expressed fury earlier this month when US senators visited Taiwan and announced the vaccine donation amid simmering tensions between Washington and Beijing. "Wheels up! Our donation of 2.5 million vaccine doses is on the way to Taiwan," State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote in a tweet. The number of shots is about three times as many as announced during the US delegation visit to Taiwan. Taipei has accused Beijing of hampering its efforts to secure enough doses. China's ruling Communist Party has never controlled Taiwan but [...]
Over 8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Philippines —Galvez
An estimated 1,000 Filipino seafarers flock to Palacio de Manila along Roxas Boulevard on Thursday, June 17, 2021, to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. The seafarers will be administered with Pfizer vaccine. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday, June 20, 2021, says more than 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the country. DANNY PATA Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday said more than eight million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the country. A total of 8,050,711 jabs were administered nationwide as of June 18, according to data from the National Vaccination Operations Center. Of this number, 5,953,810 jabs were for the first dose, while 2,096,901 were for the second dose. “There’s no letup in our vaccination campaign. All sectors of society are working [...]
‘Build, Build, Build’ delivers, sets up infra for future
MANILA – With the Duterte administration entering its final year, the “Build, Build, Build” program continues to deliver its promise of creating infrastructure that improves the lives of Filipinos in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges, Cabinet secretaries said in a media briefing Friday. Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Vince Dizon, who is also president and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), assured that while “Build, Build, Build” continued to make progress, it is also setting up the foundation in terms of infrastructure for the next administration and beyond. “We only have less than one year left in the Duterte administration. Whoever the next president will be, it is incumbent upon the next administration to not only continue, but [...]
New Zealand and United Kingdom to reach free trade agreement in August
New Zealand will reach a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom in August, Trade Minister Damien O’Connor says. O’Connor met with his British counterpart, Secretary of Trade Liz Truss, in London on Thursday, New Zealand time, and issued a statement early on Saturday. An “agreement in principle” would be reached in August. “I reaffirmed New Zealand’s wish to see a high-quality agreement concluded with the UK as swiftly as possible,” he said. “For New Zealand that means receiving a market access offer that eliminates tariffs and provides commercially meaningful access from day one of the agreement.” LIZ TRUSS/TWITTER Trade Minister Damien O'Connor bumps elbows with UK Secretary of Trade Liz Truss, at their meeting in London early on Friday morning, NZ time. The deadline for the deal [...]
Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi hailed as Iran’s new president
Three main rivals congratulate candidate whose election is likely to unlock talks on reviving nuclear deal Ebrahim Raisi hailed as Iran’s new president – video Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline head of Iran’s judiciary, has been hailed the country’s new president after his three main rivals congratulated him on his victory and preliminary results showed he had secured 17.8m votes, a huge 14.5m more than his nearest rival. With 90% of the votes counted, Iranian officials said 28.6 million people had cast their ballots. More than 41 million did so in 2017. Official results will be published later on Saturday, but it appears Raisi secured well over 50% of the vote, avoiding the need for a runoff. Raisi issued a victory statement, saying he will form a “hard-working, anti-corruption and revolutionary” [...]
Council teams assess damage after yesterday’s tornado
Council teams are going house to house in South Auckland today, inspecting the damage from yesterday morning's tornado. A house damaged in yesterday's tornado. Photo: Shamsher Randhawa Papatoetoe was the worst-hit suburb, with roofs and trees uplifted, windows broken and power lines brought down. Emergency services spent the night supporting neighbourhoods hit by wild weather. Auckland Emergency Management estimates 60 homes are uninhabitable. Auckland Emergency Management Controller Parul Sood said it is running a Welfare Centre at the Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre but only two families needed help with accommodation overnight. About 1200 homes were affected and power is still out to many of them. Sood said council staff will inspect properties today. "So the building inspection team will be going out and having a bit more detailed [...]
SWS: Jobless Filipinos down to 12.2 million in May
SWS’ April 28 to May 2 poll found adult joblessness at 25.8% (representing 12.2 million Filipinos), down 1.5 points compared to 27.3% (equivalent to 12.7 million) in November last year. Around 12.2 million Filipinos were unemployed as of May, a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. SWS’ April 28 to May 2 poll found adult joblessness at 25.8% (representing 12.2 million Filipinos), down 1.5 points compared to 27.3% (equivalent to 12.7 million) in November last year. May’s figure, however, is 8.3 points higher than the pre-pandemic level of 17.5% in December 2019. Joblessness hit a record-high 45.5% in July 2020 before making a steady decline. Government data, meanwhile, showed the number of unemployed Filipinos grew to 4.14 million in April as key areas in the country [...]
PH to receive COVID-19 vaccine donation from Japan; 6.4M more doses arriving by end-June
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — The Philippines is among the countries receiving COVID-19 vaccine donations from Japan, a Cabinet official said on Tuesday. "Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi just announced this morning the donation of Japan-made AstraZeneca vaccines to some countries, including the Philippines," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said during the inquiry of the Senate Committee of the Whole on vaccine procurement. He said Philippine officials have yet to be informed of the exact number of doses. Japan also pledged donations to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand in June and July. Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko also confirmed the news. "We'll make sure to deliver them at the soonest time possible," he said in a tweet. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the country will receive a [...]
Hong Kong police arrest editor-in-chief of Apple Daily newspaper in raids
Ryan Law among five directors detained under national security legislation imposed by Beijing Hong Kong police arrest editor of Apple Daily newspaper – video Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested the editor-in-chief and four other directors of the Apple Daily newspaper in early morning raids involving hundreds of officers, over their role in the publication of dozens of articles alleged to be part of a conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The city’s security chief, John Lee, accused those arrested of using “journalistic work as a tool to endanger national security”, and issued a chilling warning to residents and other media. “Normal journalists are different from these people,” Lee said. “Please keep a distance from them.” The police force’s national security department said the five had been arrested [...]
Operation Trojan Shield: Man, 50, arrested in Raglan
A 50-year-old man was due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Friday. Photo: RNZ More than 30 people have so far been arrested in New Zealand in connection with Operation Trojan Shield, in which an FBI-run encrypted app allowed police to monitor discussions of drug shipments and other crimes. Police said a 50-year-old man who had warrants out for his arrest was found in Raglan last night. He will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday on a range of offences.
Covid-19: PM Jacinda Ardern pleased with vaccination programme as she prepares to get immunised
Despite about only 7.7 percent of the population being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is pleased with progress of the immunisation programme. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Dom Thomas There are over 340,000 people in the country who are fully vaccinated, and some time next week, it's expected the millionth dose will be administered. "I am pleased with that progress," Ardern - who will get her own vaccination today - told Morning Report. Yesterday, she said the country was at "107 percent of target" as she revealed details for the vaccine rollout to Group 4. The vaccine is currently being delivered to Group 3 - people who are at risk of getting very sick from Covid-19. They must be aged 65 or above and meet other [...]
Golden Mile car ban plan: Wellington businesses worry over risk to sales
Wellington retailers in the central shopping corridor are scared a plan to ban cars from the area will cause businesses to close or abandon the area. An artist's impression of Courtenay Place being free of cars. Photo: Supplied / Let’s Get Wellington Moving What is known as the Golden Mile - Lambton Quay, Manners and Willis Streets and Courtenay Place - will only be open to buses, cyclists and pedestrians. The car ban in the busy arterial corridor will come into effect in 2024, and is part of the beleaguered $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving transport programme. The Golden Mile project is about prioritising pedestrians and public transport above other transport users. All car parks along the route will be removed, and footpaths widened by 75 percent. [...]
Hospitals to trial NZ Blood breakthrough allowing blood to be stored 100 times longer
Blood donations could soon be kept for up to two years rather than a week. Photo credit: NZ Blood The New Zealand Blood Foundation (NZ Blood) has revealed a groundbreaking new method of storing blood, that will allow it to have a longer shelf life - from seven days to two years. NZ Blood has created a new storage bag that allows blood donations to be frozen without any complications. It's a boon for hospitals, who use the blood for transfusions and post-operative emergency situations, such as open heart surgery. Dr Richard Charlewood, Transfusion Medicine Specialist at NZ Blood, says the technological breakthrough has been "a triumph of Kiwi ingenuity". "Quite literally it will be revolutionary for our health services throughout regional New Zealand with rural hospitals able [...]
State of the Gulf: Leaked document reveals proposals to revive Hauraki Gulf
A leaked document has revealed proposals included in the proposed Government strategy to revive the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Dean Purcell Proposals to vastly increase marine protections in the ailing Hauraki Gulf and ban trawling in all but "carefully selected" corridors have been revealed in a leaked document. The document also outlines Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker's proposals to reform the New Zealand commercial fishing industry, including progress on the rollout of cameras on commercial vessels. The document, produced for the Labour Party's Infrastructure and Environment Committee, outlines a suite of papers to be taken to Cabinet that will "underpin the Government's work on Oceans and Fisheries". It was reportedly leaked to the Act Party and published online. A spokesman for Parker said the minister would not [...]
One dead, two injured in north Auckland crash
A crash involving a truck and two cars on State Highway 1 at Puhoi this morning has left one person dead and put two others in hospital with moderate injuries. Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown Traffic was being diverted and motorists were experiencing significant delays.
PM Jacinda Ardern reveals Covid-19 vaccine plan for group 4
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given details about the vaccine rollout plan for the general population who so far haven't been eligible - group 4. In a press conference this afternoon, Ardern said the vaccine plan started by targeting NZ's available vaccine by protecting those at greatest risk. "We are currently at 107 percent of target," she says, "but need to be careful of not getting too ahead of ourselves". She says the next five weeks will focus on the over 65 age group. "From the end of July, the bulk of the vaccines will arrive but we still won't get all the supply at once, with four weeks notice of the size of the vaccine delivery. It will be weekly." The rollout needs to be staggered in the [...]
Japan to issue vaccine passport for travel abroad
Japan's vaccine rollout started off slow but has picked up speed in recent weeks Charly TRIBALLEAU AFP Japan said on Thursday it will make a vaccine passport available from next month for Japanese travellers, as governments around the world experiment with ways to relaunch tourism and business trips. "We are preparing to issue a certificate of vaccination for those who need one... when they visit foreign countries," top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters. The certificate will be paper-based rather than digital and will be issued by local governments from sometime next month, he said. The European Union is working on a digital vaccine passport for this summer so it can welcome back badly needed tourists, and some EU countries plan to introduce certificates at the national level. The [...]
First astronauts blast off for China’s new space station
Hugely prestigious event for China as Beijing prepares to mark 100th anniversary of ruling Communist party China launches three astronauts towards new space station – video China’s first crewed spacecraft in nearly five years blasted off from the Gobi desert on Thursday morning, carrying astronauts to the new Tiangong space station. A Long March-2F rocket carried the three astronauts in the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft, and was expected to dock with Tianhe, the main section of the Tiangong station, about six to eight hours later. The astronauts, Nie Haisheng, 56, Liu Boming 54, and Tang Hongbo, 45, had earlier been honoured in a modest ceremony at the Jiuquan satellite launch centre. It is China’s first human mission to space since 2016, and the longest ever scheduled, with the team expected [...]
VIDEO: Elephants in Tour in China
A herd of 15 wandering elephants on an epic trek through southwestern China
NSW to ban single-use bags and other plastic items as WA moves to dump coffee cups
Western Australia is the first jurisdiction to take action on plastic coffee cups and lids. Photo / Getty Images Plastic bags and straws are among items one state in Australia will ban to protect the environment, but another jurisdiction has gone even further with plans to dump coffee cups. New South Wales will aim to ban many common plastic items in a bid to protect the environment and reduce waste, while Western Australia is taking it even further by scrapping coffee cups. The NSW state government announced on Sunday it would seek to ban items such as single-use plastic bags, cotton buds and straws, as part of a five-year plan costing $356 million. "We want NSW to be a leader when it comes to reducing waste, maximising recycling [...]
Covid-19 coronavirus: Auckland vaccination invites for those aged over 65
All Aucklanders aged 65 and over will receive a Covid vaccination invite within the next week. Four new community vaccination centres are also due to open in Albany, Tamaki, Pukekohe and Takanini by the end of June. More than 110,000 people aged 65+ in the Auckland region will have received an invitation by text or email by Friday, health officials announced today. The invitations will be issued automatically via text message or email, so people will not need to do anything until they receive their invitation. All remaining Group 3 invitations, including the 164,000 Aucklanders who have underlying health conditions, will be sent by mid-July. "We're really excited to be extending our programme further to keep more of our older population safe," said Matt Hannant, programme lead at Northern [...]
Counter-terrorism conference told Christchurch mosque shootings could inspire another extremist
NZSIS director-general Rebecca Kitteridge speaking at the counter-terrorism hui in Christchurch today. Photo / George Heard New Zealand's top spy boss has warned there is a "realistic possibility" that the Christchurch mosque shooter's terrorist actions could inspire another white identity extremist attack. The country's first annual hui on countering terrorism and violent extremism, He Whenua Taurikura, which has attracted global experts, spy chiefs, senior police bosses and tech players, opened in Christchurch today. It comes after recommendations in the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the March 15, 2019, terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques. Rebecca Kitteridge, director general of spy agency the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), spoke as part of a panel examining the "dynamic nature of the terrorism and violent extremism risk". New Zealand has [...]
Duterte extends VFA abrogation by another six months – Locsin
President Duterte has decided to extend the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) by another six months, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced on Monday. Locsin said the decision was relayed to him and to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez during their meeting with the President. According to Locsin, the six months extension of the suspension of VFA’s termination will provide the President time to study and both sides to further address the former’s “concerns” regarding particular aspects of the agreement. When asked about what specific concerns that Duterte would like to address in the agreement with the US, DFA Executive Director for Strategic Communications Ivy Banzon-Abalos said they are still waiting for Malacañang to identify the areas the President would [...]
Israeli experts to visit PH, share best practices on COVID-19 response
Experts from Israel will visit the country this month to share their best practices on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response, including vaccine deployment. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. presents updates on the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination program during President Duterte’s public address on June 14, 2021. (Screenshot courtesy of PTV livestream) During President Duterte’s pre-recorded public address on Monday night, June 14, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the foreign experts’ visit will take place on June 20 to 25. “Israel experts will visit the Philippines on June 20 to 25 to share their best experience on the vaccine deployment,” he said. Israel is among the countries that have successfully vaccinated a majority of its population at a quick pace. Figures from international monitoring website “Our World in Data” showed [...]
Nato summit: leaders declare China presents security risk
Communique is first time alliance has asserted it needs to respond to Beijing’s growing power Joe Biden and the Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, meet during the summit in Brussels on Monday.Photograph: Stéphanie Lecocq/AFP/Getty Images Nato leaders have declared China presents a security risk at their annual summit in Brussels, the first time the traditionally Russia-focused military alliance has asserted it needs to respond to Beijing’s growing power. The final communique, signed off by leaders of the 30-member alliance at the urging of the new US administration, said China’s “stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order”. After the summit, Joe Biden said that the US had a “sacred commitment” to come to the defence of its Nato allies in an effort to [...]
NZX Top 50 index retreats from record-high as tide turns on yield-driven stocks
The local sharemarket is likely to lag many other developed markets as the influence of former high flying stocks diminishes and the threat of higher interest rates looms. Other leading markets in the United States, Britain, and Australia have all been in or about record territory. (File image) Photo: 123RF The NZX Top 50 index surged to a record high in early January, but has since retreated about 8 percent as the tide has turned on large yield-driven company stocks, such as the power companies (gentailers), which included Genesis, Mercury, Contact, and Meridian. By comparison other leading markets in the United States, Britain, and Australia have all been in or about record territory, driven by continued easy money policies of central banks. Hobson Wealth Partners director Brad Gordon [...]
Outgoing UN aid chief slams G7 for failing on vaccine plan
Outgoing UN aid chief Mark Lowcock slammed the Group of Seven wealthy nations on Monday for failing to come up with a plan to vaccinate the world against Covid-19, describing the G7 pledge to provide 1 billion doses over the next year as a "small step." Outgoing UN aid chief Mark Lowcock. Photo: EU Commission / Pool / Hans Lucas "These sporadic, small-scale, charitable handouts from rich countries to poor countries is not a serious plan and it will not bring the pandemic to an end," Lowcock, who steps down on Friday, told Reuters. "The G7, essentially, completely failed to show the necessary urgency." The leaders of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada met in Cornwall, England over the weekend and also agreed to [...]
More than 1.8 million fully vaccinated in PH, reports Roque
More than 1.8 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in the country since the government’s free inoculation drive started last March. Workers belonging to the A4 priority group are inoculated with Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines inside a cinema-turned vaccination hub in a mall on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 (ALI VICOY/MANILA BULLETIN) According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, 1,855,472 people got their second doses of the coronavirus shots after the government administered 6.8 million jabs as of June 13. The list of people with complete vaccination included 964,781 frontline health workers, 471,425 senior citizens, 412,246 persons with comorbidity, and 7,020 essential workers. The country has so far received over 12.7 million coronavirus vaccines, including the most recent 100,000 Sputnik V doses from Russia and 2.2 million Pfizer [...]
China accuses G7 of ‘manipulation’ after criticism over Xinjiang and Hong Kong
The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom has responded angrily to the communique and accused the G7 of ‘interfering’ G7 leaders called on China to respect human rights. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images China has accused the G7 of “political manipulation” after it criticised Beijingover its human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. In a communique after a three-day summit in England, G7 leaders criticised China over abuses against minorities in the Xinjiang region and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, while US President Joe Biden called for Beijing to “start acting more responsibly in terms of international norms on human rights”. The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom responded angrily on Monday, and accused the G7 of “interfering”. “The Group of Seven (G-7) takes advantage of Xinjiang-related issues to [...]
Philippines vaccinates 127,000 essential workers vs COVID-19
A medical worker transfers a COVID-19 vaccine dose into a syringe during an inoculation program inside the Makati Coliseum, which was converted turned into a vaccination site, on May 5, 2021. Basilio H. Sepe, ABS-CBN News MANILA - The Philippines has vaccinated 127,614 workers a week since the national government began inoculating Filipinos employed in essential sectors. The government earlier said some 12 million from Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Rizal, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao will be prioritized in the inoculation of essential workers. "Ang challenges natin aside sa supply is 'yung pagpapatupad ng minimum health protocol," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press conference. (Our challenge aside from supply is the implementation of minimum health protocols.) "We have seen crowding these [...]
Government to formally apologise for Dawn Raids – Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will make a formal government apology for the 1970s Dawn Raids on 26 June at a commemoration event in the Auckland Town Hall. She made the announcement today alongside Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. Watch the announcement here: There was strict criteria Cabinet needed to apply when deciding to make an apology, including whether a human injustice must have been committed and was well documented, victims must be definable as a distinct group, and they continued to suffer harm, connected to a past injustice, Ardern said. Cabinet decided the criteria had been met in relation to the Dawn Raids, Ardern said. There have been two previous government apologies meeting these criteria: the Chinese poll tax in 2002 and an apology to Samoa for [...]
GDP figures expected to show tiny boost in growth
The economy may have avoided a double-dip recession to start the year due to strong domestic spending and a surging construction sector. Strong activity in the construction sector is continuing to provide a strong boost to the economy. Photo: 123RF Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the three months to March are due on Thursday, and the consensus among economists is that the economy grew by about 0.7 percent, after contracting by 1 percent in the December quarter. This puts activity above earlier predictions, which suggested the economy could slip back into contraction over the quarter and into another recession because of the absence of international tourists spending freely during the peak summer season. Westpac acting chief economist Michael Gordon said pockets of the economy that were oriented [...]
New Zealand Government to apologise for dawn raids of the 1970s targeting Pasifika
After almost 50 years, the Government is set to apologise for the dawn raids of the 1970s that terrified the Pacific community. Newshub understands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will announce details of a Government apology for the Dawn Raids at her post-Cabinet press conference. Started by Labour and continued when Sir Robert Muldoon's National took over later that decade, the raids saw Polynesians targeted by police - despite most overstayers being European/Pakeha, according to the Government's New Zealand History website. People weren't just accosted in their homes - they were also stopped on the streets and asked for documents, "anything that proved a person's right to be in the country". In April, a renewed call for a formal state apology was made. "We are seeking formal recognition of an era of [...]
UFO hunters say Pentagon report will vindicate them and ‘open Pandora’s box’ on aliens
Debbie Ziegelmeyer saw her first UFO when she was walking out of a supermarket in Arnold, Missouri with her husband and young children in 1979. "We were coming out of Kmart and we saw two silver metallic discs overhead," she told The Telegraph. "They were one on top of the other. It was 2.30pm in a bright blue sky. It was all over the local TV news. "Then they claimed it was weather balloons escaped out of Texas. I don't believe that. It was so windy that day it was hard to hold the shopping cart, and those things were stationary in the air." The experience led Ziegelmeyer to become a civilian UFO investigator. She now heads the Missouri chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). The organisation has [...]
Johnson defends G7 deal amid criticism of final communique
Green campaigners and anti-poverty groups say Cornwall summit failed to address challenges facing the world Boris Johnson speaks at a press conference on the final day of the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall.Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA Boris Johnson has sought to defend the deal struck by G7 leaders at the Cornwall summit, as green groups and anti-poverty campaigners said the rich nations’ club had failed to match the scale of the challenges facing the world. The final communique contained no early timetable to eradicate coal-fired emissions, offered only 1bn extra coronavirus vaccines for the world’s poor over the next 12 months and made no new binding commitments to challenge China’s human rights abuses. Campaigners expressed profound disappointment at the failure to attach new cash to the communique’s aspirations to [...]
Concerns Wellington city construction projects will stall due to extreme workforce shortage
Doubt is being thrown over the deliverability of big construction projects in the capital, where it is forecasted nearly 140 percent more workers are needed to be able to complete the pipeline of work. There is $3.4 billion worth of projects being undertaken over the year, but there is a workforce shortage of 138 percent. Photo: RNZ/ Dom Thomas Across the entire country, it is estimated an extra 65,000 workers are needed to be able to complete the programme of works being launched by both the private and state sector. Some are now wondering if many projects will not be delivered, due to lack of workers. The situation is particularly precarious in the capital, where there are plans to spend $18 billion over the next four years on [...]
PSI services sector reading points to economic growth amid challenges – Economist
The services sector has continued to expand above its long-term average, led by new orders and activity. Photo: 123rf The BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) was 56.1 points, which was down 5.1 points from its highest ever result in April but above its long term average of 53.9. A PSI reading above 50.0 indicates the service sector was generally expanding. New orders/business were at 62.1 points and activity/sales at 58.7 points, while supplier deliveries contracted at 45.1 points. BNZ Senior Economist Doug Steel said the current strength in the PSI and Performance of Manufacturing Index, which was 58.6 points last month, pointed to economic growth over coming quarters. However, he said there were significant challenges including the general lack of international tourism and foreign students [...]
G7 to counter China’s Belt and Road initiative with infrastructure project
European Council President Charles Michel (left) U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga take a family photo on the first day of the Group of Seven leaders summit in Carbis Bay, England, on Friday. | EPA / VIA BLOOMBERG CARBIS BAY, ENGLAND – The Group of Seven rich nations will announce on Saturday a new global infrastructure plan as a response to China’s Belt and Road Intiative (BRI), a senior official in U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration said. The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said the United States would also push the other G7 leaders for “concrete action on forced labor” in China, and to include criticism of Beijing in their final communique “This is not just about confronting or taking on China,” [...]
At least 18 die as hospital hit in shelling of Syrian city
Children and hospital staff killed in attack on northern city Afrin, which is held by Turkish-backed rebels Damage to the Al-Shifaa hospital in the Syrian city of Afrin. At least 18 people were killed when the city was shelled on Saturday. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Shelling of the rebel-held city of Afrin in northern Syria killed at least 18 people, many of them when a hospital was hit, a war monitor said. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a doctor, three hospital staff, two women and two children died at al-Shifaa hospital, which is held by Turkish-backed rebels, on Saturday. A rebel commander also died at the hospital, the observatory said, adding that 23 people were injured. An AFP correspondent shot footage of white-helmeted aid workers [...]
Thousands sign petition denouncing mosque attacks film
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she was not consulted on a film about the Christchurch terror attacks, intended to centre on her response. The Muslim community says it wasn't properly consulted about the making of a new movie. Photo: AFP Yesterday it was announced a film with the working title 'They Are Us' would be made, focusing on the prime minister's response to the 2019 attacks which killed 51 people. Meanwhile, a petition to shut down the film had collected more than 20,000 signatures by early afternoon after being launched last night. In a statement to RNZ today, Ardern said that film-makers did not consult her in any form about their plans. She stopped short of condemning the film, despite the public petition asking her to do so. [...]
Jacinda Ardern says she wasn’t consulted on Christchurch terror film, wants it to focus on someone else
Jacinda Ardern wants a new film in development about the aftermath of the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks to focus on someone else. The movie, They Are Us, has caused outrage since its announcement on Friday. Among the criticisms are that it's too soon, the victims and Muslim community weren't adequately consulted, and that it will perpetuate the 'white saviour' narrative by putting Ardern at the centre. "The project follows Ardern's response to the tragic events and the remarkable achievements of her government and citizens who rallied behind her message of compassion and unity to ban assault rifles in New Zealand," Deadline - which broke the news - reported. Australian actress Rose Byrne will portray the Prime Minister, whose response to the atrocity was widely praised worldwide. "While it's for [...]
Biden administration reallocates $2.2 billion in Trump border wall funds to military projects
WASHINGTON – The Biden administration said Friday it will divert $2.2 billion previously allocated for former President Donald Trump's border wall to military projects. The Department of Defense said that the funding would go towards 66 projects in 11 States, 3 territories, and 16 countries. Some of the projects include: $10 million for the Missile Field Expansion at Fort Greely in Alaska, which is part of America's defense against North Korean ballistic missiles. It was due for an expansion to add two missile interceptors. More than $25 million for the 2nd Radio Battalion Complex in North Carolina. Congress provided funds for the new complex to co-locate two battalions, improve capabilities and efficiencies in training for combat readiness, and meet the growing threat of cyber warfare. $79 million for Spangdahlem Elementary School for U.S. Military Children in Germany, [...]
New ‘robust’ blueberry varieties available to New Zealand growers
Eleven new blueberry varieties are being made available to New Zealand growers, with the aim of increasing export opportunities. Plant and Food Research has licensed new blueberry varieties. Photo: Supplied / Plant and Food Research The crown research institute, Plant and Food Research, has licensed the new offerings, which it said produced larger fruit with good flavour and had been adapted to grow in a wider range of climates. Plant varieties manager Emma Brown said the new varieties were more robust, which made them better suited for international freight. "There's a range of new genetics, with improved characteristics and a range of adaptability for growing regions across New Zealand," Brown said. "The fruit is typically slightly more robust and through the improved firmness of the fruit they just [...]
Israel ex-top spy reveals Mossad operations against Iran
The outgoing head of the Israeli spy agency Mossad has given a revealing interview about the country's operations against Iran. Yossi Cohen retired as the head of Mossad last week. Photo: AFP Yossi Cohen gave details about the theft of Iran's nuclear archive. The warehouse raid in 2018 ferried tens of thousands of documents out of the country to Israel. He also hinted at Israeli involvement in the destruction of Iran's nuclear facility at Natanz, and the assassination of a nuclear scientist. Cohen retired as the head of Mossad last week. He spoke to journalist Ilan Dayan on Channel 12's Uvdadocumentary programme, which was broadcast on Israeli television on Thursday night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Cohen as Mossad chief in late 2015. He joined the agency in [...]
Iran sends warship on rare Atlantic mission amid Venezuela speculation
The destroyer Sahand and the intelligence-gathering vessel Makran departed last month Iranian state TV released a short clip of the destroyer cruising through the Atlantic’s rough seas. Photograph: AP An Iranian destroyer and support vessel are now sailing in the Atlantic Ocean on a rare mission far from the Islamic Republic, Iran’s state TV has reported, amid speculation that the ships could be bound for Venezuela. The destroyer Sahand and the intelligence-gathering vessel Makran departed last month from Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas, said Adm Habibollah Sayyari, Iran’s deputy army chief, on Thursday. He described the mission as the Iranian navy’s longest and most challenging voyage yet, without elaborating. Iranian state TV released a short clip of the destroyer cruising through the Atlantic’s rough seas. The video was [...]
Marine sector worried superyachts moored in NZ will leave
The marine industry is in talks with government officials to set up a trans-Tasman sea bubble for cruising and superyachts to bring much-needed business to the struggling sector. Photo: 123rf It is worried the 20 superyachts moored here will sail to Australia, which lets vessels in from New Zealand without quarantine. This comes after 10 superyachts linked to global rich listers, including the media and casino tycoon James Packer, were given permission to enter New Zealand but never arrived in time for the America's Cup. Whangārei-based company Oceania Marine is one of the bigger superyacht refit specialists in the country and it is doing it tough. The maritime border here is closed to all but approved trade vessels and a few other small categories. Marketing manager Jim Loynes [...]
Week in Politics: Climate change decisions will test the government
Analysis - The government has to decide how far it will go with the Climate Change Commission's proposals, ministers are relieved with news confirming more vaccines, and Nick Smith leaves Parliament with an apology. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Climate Change Minister James Shaw review the commission's report on the day of its release. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas "The road will be steep and it will be tough at times." Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern got it right when she warned how hard it's going to be to meet New Zealand's climate change targets, and what a difficult task the government has ahead of it. The Climate Change Commission released its report on Wednesday - a road map showing the government how New Zealand can cut greenhouse gas [...]
Covid-19 update: Five new cases in MIQ as another person transferred to hospital
There are five new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ) reported today and another person has been transferred to hospital. Photo: LDR In a statement, the Ministry of Health said two people with Covid-19 were being treated at Middlemore Hospital - both were transferred from the Auckland quarantine facility. One was transferred yesterday afternoon and the other one overnight on Tuesday and was reported the following day. "Both are in a stable condition and were taken to hospital safely using strict infection prevention and control measures which are in place for all hospital transfers from managed isolation and quarantine facilities," the ministry said. It said for privacy reasons, no further details would be released. Photo: Ministry of Health There are no community cases. The [...]
Takeaway food and drink litter dominates ocean plastic, study shows
Just 10 plastic products make up 75% of all items and scientists say the pollution must be stopped at source A turtle tries to eat a plastic cup: consumer items such as food containers make up the largest share of litter origins, the study found. Photograph: Paulo Oliveira/Alamy Stock Photo Plastic items from takeaway food and drink dominate the litter in the world’s oceans, according to the most comprehensive study to date. Single-use bags, plastic bottles, food containers and food wrappers are the four most widespread items polluting the seas, making up almost half of the human-made waste, the researchers found. Just 10 plastic products, also including plastic lids and fishing gear, accounted for three-quarters of the litter, due to their widespread use and extremely slow degradation. The scientists [...]
Global report applauds NZ police, but advises financial intelligence unit boost
A global watchdog for money laundering and terrorist financing has found New Zealand's police do a good job seizing proceeds of crime and have a robust understanding of money laundering risks. The Financial Action Task Force report praised New Zealand's asset restraint teams. Photo: 123RF But it did find several shortcomings in the police's Financial Intelligence Unit that needed shoring up, saying it could do with better analytical tools, and could benefit from the potential of financial intelligence to detect criminal activity by people not already known to law enforcement. The Financial Action Task Force, based in Paris, released its Mutual Evaluation of New Zealand in April. The head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Detective Inspector Christiaan Barnard, wrote his notes on the report in a document released [...]
G7 leaders will call for fresh WHO inquiry into Covid origins, leaked communique suggests
Statement indicates leaders will also commit to delivering a billion vaccine doses and plans to tackle forced labour US president Joe Biden is said to have initiated the G7 call for a fresh investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Leaders at the G7 summit will call for a new, transparent investigation by the World Health Organization into the origins of the coronavirus, according to a leaked draft communique for the meeting. The call was initiated by Joe Biden’s administration and follows the US president’s decision to expand the American investigation into the origins of the pandemic, with one intelligence agency leaning towards the theory that it escaped from a Wuhan laboratory. The broad consensus among scientific experts remains that the most likely [...]
Photos: Elephant Stars
Since March last year, a group of 15 elephants left South Yunnan Province, China wildlife reserve, immigrated to north direction. These lovely wild elephants went through several big cities, got warm welcome from people along the road, and are well protected by local government units. They have many fans all over the world. They're still on the way to find their heaven. Our news website will report the updates. -Photos from Tencent
Jacinda Ardern warns of ‘consequences’ after three Melburnians caught trying to enter New Zealand
Authorities say Australian family was picked up at Auckland airport after flying in from Sydney despite ban due to Victorian Covid outbreak New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has warned of ‘consequences’ for Australians breaking NZ’s border controls. NZ has placed a pause on travel from Victoria given the current Covid outbreak in Melbourne. Photograph: Peter Meecham/AAP Jacinda Ardern has warned there are “consequences” for people breaking New Zealand’s coronavirus border controls after three Melburnians were caught trying to enter the country during the Australian city’s lockdown. New Zealand has placed a pause on travel from Victoria given the current outbreak in Melbourne but authorities revealed on Wednesday the family was picked up at Auckland airport last week after flying in from Sydney. The country’s director general of health, [...]
Visa extensions for 10,000 workers, dairy industry gets border exception
About 10,000 foreign workers on temporary visas are being allowed to stay in the country for another six months to help ease labour shortages while the border remains shut. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says the extension would offer some certainty to employers. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Migrants on Working Holiday and Supplementary Seasonal Employment visas due to expire between 21 June and the end of December will have their visas automatically extended. Those on a Seasonal Employment visa can now also pick up work in any industry, not just horticulture or viticulture. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said, while employers should try to take on New Zealand workers, this extension would give them some certainty. "It will also put the minds of visa holders at ease knowing they [...]
Nurses and DHBs on heading back to negotiations after strike
The nurses and midwives' union and district health boards (DHBs) will be discussing where to from here after failed pay negotiations led to a strike yesterday. Photo: RNZ / Nick Munro Thousands took to the streets, including nurses and supporters, to protest for better pay and conditions. The DHBs and New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) will today discuss a possible further date for negotiations, and listen to feedback from union members. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said the government was totally committed to getting back to the negotiating table, represented by the DHBs. "Obviously there are some financial constraints in the wake of Covid but we do understand the importance of this workforce and we want to negotiate in good faith," Robertson told First Up. The pay settlement [...]
Māori group calls for share of 5G spectrum
Māori in the telecommunications industry are campaigning for a share of Aotearoa's air waves. Māori Spectrum Working Group chief executive Antony Royal. Photo: RNZ The interim Māori Spectrum Working Group is hosting a conference today, focused on discussions with the Crown about recognising Māori interests and rights within the radio spectrum, which includes television and radio broadcasting, mobile phones, and wifi. Working group chief executive Antony Royal said the Piki ake, Kake ake National Māori Spectrum hui was a response to the government's plans to auction the 5G spectrum in much the same way it auctioned the 3G spectrum in 1999 and the 4G spectrum in 2013. During the auctioning of the previous two spectrums, the group sought to establish rights for Māori within the radio spectrum. The [...]
U.S. Senate passes sweeping bill to address China tech threat
The U.S. Capitol building is seen behind security fencing that has been up around the building since shortly after the January 6, 2021 siege on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 28, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein The U.S. Senate voted 68-32 on Tuesday to approve a sweeping package of legislation intended to boost the country’s ability to compete with Chinese technology. The desire for a hard line in dealings with China is one of the few bipartisan sentiments in the deeply divided U.S. Congress, which is narrowly controlled by President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats. The measure authorizes about $190 billion for provisions to strengthen U.S. technology and research - and would separately approve spending $54 billion to increase U.S. production and research into semiconductors and telecommunications equipment, including $2 billion dedicated [...]
Here’s everything you need to know about the nurses’ strike
Some of the country's nurses will be swapping their scrubs for placards on Wednesday as part of a nationwide strike. The industrial action, lasting 8 hours, will take place on Wednesday, June 9 after 30,000 nurses voted to reject the latest offer in the current round of multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) negotiations. Strikes will be happening throughout the day right across the country, from about 11am until 7pm. In Auckland, nurses will march up Queen St at 1pm. In Wellington, a rally will march to Parliament in the early afternoon. Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday's strike: KAVINDA HERATH/STUFF Nurses are striking across Aotearoa on Wednesday. (File photo of a previous primary care nurse strike in Invercargill) Who is striking and why? Some nurses, midwives and healthcare [...]
World’s most liveable city: Auckland wins as Covid shakes up rankings
Previous first-place holder Vienna fell out of the top 10 as cities in New Zealand, Australia and Japan fared best in rankings A view of Auckland from the Sky Tower. The Economist Intelligence Unit has named the New Zealand city the world’s most liveable. Photograph: Ian Dagnall/Alamy The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual ranking of most liveable cities, propelling Auckland to top spot in place of Vienna, which crashed out of the top 10 altogether as the island nations of New Zealand, Australia and Japan fared best. The Austrian capital had led the list since 2018 and for years ran neck and neck with Melbourne at the top of the survey of 140 urban centres. New Zealand’s elimination of Covid-19 within its borders, [...]
Dutch to investigate business trio’s €100m face mask deal
Scrutiny of government procedures after ‘not-for-profit’ PPE contract led to ‘€20m enrichment’ Medics in Amsterdam equipped with protective clothing last year. The investigative website Follow the Money looked at the financial reward gained by a former civil servant, Sywert van Lienden, and his partners, from a PPE deal with China. Photograph: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images The Dutch government has promised an independent investigation into a supposedly not-for-profit €100m (£86m) deal to buy face masks from China last year that ended up making three young entrepreneurs about €20m richer. The investigative website Follow the Money (FTM) revealed that Sywert van Lienden, 30, a former civil servant turned TV pundit and activist, who co-wrote the manifesto of the Christian Democrat (CDA) party (part of the ruling coalition), netted [...]
Nurses strike: Money should be for nurses over health system reform – National Party
The Opposition says health money should be spent on essential staff like nurses rather than on expensive back-office restructures. National Party health spokesperson Shane Reti. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas About 30,000 nurses will strike for eight hours tomorrow, after rejecting a second offer from the district health boards. When the government announced in May that wages in the public sector would be restricted for three years, the Nurses Organisation warned that the decision might push its members to vote for strike action. National Party health spokesperson Shane Reti told Morning Reporthe could not understand why the government would set aside $486 million to restructure the health system, but keep pay restrictions for public servants. "To land them with a pay freeze, I'm afraid, is unacceptable and just [...]
Japanese Olympic official dies after jumping in front of train
A senior official at the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) jumped in front of an underground train in an apparent suicide on Monday morning, private broadcaster Nippon Television said, citing Tokyo metropolitan police sources. The police are investigating the details surrounding the death of the official, Yasushi Moriya, 52, viewing it as apparent suicide, the television network said.
‘Very slow’ progress on resolving Myanmar crisis is ‘disappointing’: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Chongqing, China on Jun 7, 2021. (Photo: Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs) SINGAPORE: The “very slow” progress being made to resolve the ongoing crisis in Myanmar is disappointing, said Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday (Jun 7). The situation in Myanmar was among the issues discussed at Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, China. “All of us were united on the need for an immediate cessation of violence, on the need for the release of detainees and for meaningful negotiations and dialogue to occur among all parties," Dr Balakrishnan told Singapore reporters over a call from Chongqing. “And even the appointment of an ASEAN envoy only makes sense if there is [...]
US approves first new Alzheimer’s drug in 20 years
The first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease for nearly 20 years has been approved by regulators in the United States, paving the way for its use in the UK. (File image) Photo: 123RF Aducanumab targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, rather than its symptoms. Charities have welcomed the news of a new therapy for the condition. But scientists are divided over its potential impact because of uncertainty over the trial results. At least 100,000 people in the UK with a mild form of the disease could be suitable for the drug if it were to be approved by the UK regulator. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there was "substantial evidence that aducanumab reduces amyloid beta plaques in the brain" and [...]
New Zealand police involved in international operation targeting organised crime
Police have been involved in a large international operation targeting organised crime. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller They say a number of people charged with drug dealing and money laundering offences will appear in court today. Earlier, they said search warrants were executed in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. National Organised Crime Group director detective superintendent Greg Williams will speak at a media briefing at 11am. Police have not released any further details about the searches nor the international aspect of the operation. However, media reports from around the world are saying there has been a large international bust co-ordinated by Europol - the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. The European Union police agency also said it would hold a press conference about the [...]
U.S. seizes $2.3 mln in bitcoin paid to Colonial Pipeline hackers
The Justice Department on Monday recovered some $2.3 million in cryptocurrency ransom paid by Colonial Pipeline Co, cracking down on hackers who launched the most disruptive U.S. cyberattack on record. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said investigators had seized 63.7 bitcoins, now valued at about $2.3 million, paid by Colonial (COLPI.UL) after last month's hack of its systems that led to massive shortages at U.S. East Coast gas stations. The Justice Department has "found and recaptured the majority" of the ransom paid by Colonial, Monaco said. An affidavit filed on Monday said the FBI was in possession of a private key to unlock a bitcoin wallet that had received most of the funds. It was unclear how the FBI gained access to the key. A judge in San Francisco [...]
Biden order bans investment in dozens of Chinese defense, tech firms
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday that bans U.S. entities from investing in dozens of Chinese companies with alleged ties to defense or surveillance technology sectors. The move, which his administration says expands the scope of a legally flawed Trump-era order, drew anger from Beijing. The Treasury Department will enforce and update on a "rolling basis" the new list of about 59 companies, which bars buying or selling publicly traded securities in target companies, and replaces an earlier list from the Department of Defense, senior administration officials told reporters. The order prevents U.S. investment from supporting the Chinese military-industrial complex, as well as military, intelligence, and security research and development programs, Biden said in the order. "In addition, I find that the use of Chinese surveillance [...]
Forum head calls for answers on Japan’s plans to dump nuclear waste
The head of the Pacific Islands Forum wants more answers from Japan on its plan to dump wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant in the Pacific. Japan plans to dump more than a million tonnes of contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was wrecked in an earthquake in 2011. Photo: Koji Ito / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP) Secretary General Henry Puna called for a frank discussion ahead of a meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, after that organisation said Japan's dumping plan was technically feasible. The Japanese government has said it plans to release more than a million tonnes of contaminated wastewater from the wrecked plant into the sea. Puna has demanded clarity over what impact those plans will [...]
IMF and World Bank urge G7 to release surplus vaccines
A woman walks past a sign reading "Vaccination" in a vaccination center in Nantes as part of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination campaign in France, June 3, 2021. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo The heads of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Thursday urged the Group of Seven advanced economies to release any excess COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries as soon as possible, and called on manufacturers to ramp up production. In a joint statement to the G7, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass also called on governments, pharmaceutical companies and groups involved in vaccine procurement to boost transparency about contracting, financing and deliveries. "Distributing vaccines more widely is both an urgent economic necessity and a moral imperative," they said. "The coronavirus pandemic will [...]
US Treasury says G7 expected to endorse US global minimum tax proposal
The G7 wealthy democracies are expected to endorse Washington's proposal for an ambitious global corporate minimum tax when their leaders meet later this week in Britain, a US Treasury official said on Wednesday. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in late May that he expected strong support from G7 countries for the US minimum tax proposal, and said it would help solidify support for Biden's tax plans among US lawmakers. Photo: 2020 Getty Images The official said in an emailed statement that the Treasury expected the meetings of the Group of Seven finance ministers on Friday and Saturday in London to provide momentum for advancing global corporate tax negotiations toward a broader G20 finance meeting in July in Italy. A full endorsement is expected at the culmination of [...]
Four dead, several injured in crash near Ashburton
Four people have died after a truck and van crashed near Ashburton this morning. Area Commander Inspector David Gaskin said three people died at the scene and one died in hospital. He said the accident happened after a van collided with a heavy truck. Two people from the van were injured - one is in serious condition and the other in critical condition, Inspector Gaskin told media. He said the driver of the truck has moderate injuries. "This is an absolute tragedy." He said he was not in a position to release any further details, but said they were not from the area. One patient has been taken to Christchurch Hospital. Earlier, Fire and Emergency said at least one person appeared to be trapped when firefighters arrived.
UK tightens borders and travel rules as variants spark new alarm
PHE data indicates dominant variant ‘more likely to cause serious illness’ as Grant Shapps warns of threat to reopening on 21 June Flights at Heathrow airport this February. Portugal was scheduled on Thursday to be removed from the UK’s green list for travel without quarantine. Photograph: Getty Images Ministers have moved to tighten Britain’s borders as new data suggests the Delta coronavirus variant is much more likely to cause serious illness and is circulating more rapidly within schools. With England’s reopening on 21 June hanging in the balance, the government removed Portugal from the green list of countries and added seven more countries to the red list – moves that provoked fury within the travel industry and left many holidaymakers in limbo. Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, [...]
Hong Kong: 7,000 police ready to enforce ban on Tiananmen anniversary protests
Officers mobilised to break up the once-traditional events to mark the brutal crackdown against dissent in China 32 years ago An artist takes part in a performance in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark the Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Thousands of police will enforce a ban on protests in Hong Kong on Friday for the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, a traditional day of pro-democracy people power that China has made clear it will no longer tolerate. Discussion of Beijing’s decision to use tanks and troops against peaceful democracy protests on 4 June, 1989 is all but forbidden on the mainland. And Hong Kong’s traditional status as the only place in China where large-scale commemorations were tolerated appeared to be coming to an end. For [...]
COVID-19: No new cases in the community, six in managed isolation
Six new cases of COVID-19 have been picked up at the border, but the community remains COVID-free, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced during a press conference on Wednesday. One previously reported case has now recovered, bringing the total number of active cases in New Zealand to 18. Four of the six returnees arrived on May 28 from Qatar via a to-be-confirmed transit destination and tested positive on day three of their stays. Another arrived on May 28 from Brazil via Qatar and also returned a positive result on day three. The sixth case travelled on a direct flight from Malaysia on June 1 and tested positive on arrival. All are quaranting in Auckland. Dr Bloomfield and Associate Minister of Health, Dr Ayesha Verrall, provided an update on [...]
GDP figures show Australia’s economy has recovered from pandemic
Australia’s economic activity has recovered from the pandemic, with latest figures revealing the nation’s strong rebound from the virus. Australia’s economic activity has recovered from the pandemic, with latest figures revealing the nation’s strong rebound from the virus. National gross domestic product for the March quarter rose 1.8 per cent and was fuelled by a big surge in private investment and housing. “With 1.8 per cent growth in the March quarter 2021, Australian economic activity has recovered to be above pre-pandemic levels and has grown 1.1 per cent through the year,” ABS head of national accounts Michael Smedes said. Private investment contributed 0.9 percentage points to the growth, with machinery and equipment investment recording its strongest quarterly rise since 2009. Dwelling investment rose 6.4 per cent and was supported [...]
Pentagon report revealing classified UFO encounter secrets to be released imminently
A landmark report detailing exactly what the US government and military knows about UFOs will be made public imminently. A groundbreaking report by the Pentagon, compiled using decades of military intelligence about UFO encounters, will be released imminently. The US Congress passed legislation in December mandating the Department of Defence and the National Intelligence Director to produce a report about ‘Unidentified Aerial Phenomena’ within six months. That deadline is reached today, with those around the world who believe the truth is out there now eagerly awaiting its contents. Former president Barack Obama hinted at the significance of the report during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden last month. “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there is footage and records of [...]
China confirms first human case of H10N3 bird flu strain
Man, 41, in Jiangsu, diagnosed on 28 May but risk of avian virus spread is low, says state health agency Chicken carcasses at a wholesale poultry market in Shanghai. Many strains of avian flu are present in China and some sporadically infect people. Photograph: AP A 41-year-old man in China’s eastern province of Jiangsu has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu, although health officials in China said the risk of large-scale spread remained low. The man, a resident of the city of Zhenjiang, went to hospital on 28 April after developing a fever and other symptoms, China’s national health commission said. He was diagnosed as having the H10N3 avian influenza virus on 28 May, the commission said though it [...]
Malaysia protests ‘suspicious’ Chinese air force activity over South China Sea
Ambassador to be summoned after 16 Chinese planes allegedly flew into Malaysian air space off Borneo A Chinese Xian Y-20 aircraft that Malaysian authorities said flew in its air space off Sarawak on Borneo.Photograph: Royal Malaysian Air Force/AFP/Getty Images The foreign ministry of Malaysia has said it would summon China’s envoy to explain an “intrusion” by 16 air force planes into its airspace, after the south-east Asian country’s military detected “suspicious” activity over the South China Sea. Malaysia’s air force said it scrambled jets on Monday after the planes flew within 60 nautical miles off Sarawak state of Malaysian Borneo. It described the incident as a “serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety”. The Chinese planes did not contact regional air traffic control despite being instructed to [...]
Prison murder trial: Gruesome stompings part of jail life, inmate tells jurors
An inmate accused of a frenzied, gang-related murder has given jurors a taste of barbaric conditions in New Zealand prisons. Lopeti Telefoni is one of three men who deny murdering Mongrel Mob prisoner Blake John Lee at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo. Seconds after he flashed a hand signal, Lee was punched. Paul Simon Tuliloa is one of three men who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Blake John Lee. Photo / Michael Craig He was then repeatedly stomped on and stabbed dozens of times when members of different gangs were placed together in a prison yard. "I've seen jail fights where people get stomped on the head like this and no one dies," Telefoni told the High Court in Auckland today. Telefoni said Lee flashed a gang signal, and [...]
New Zealand water infrastructure spend could reach $185b by 2051 – studies
Household water - running through pipes and out taps - could incur a bill of $14,000 a year in coming decades. The studies estimate $120 billion to $185b investment will be needed over 30 years, but say water-related jobs and infrastructure spending could mean a $14b to $23b boost in GDP. Photo: 123RF A ream of studies released today in the government's drive to overhaul New Zealand's decrepit and sometimes dangerous water systems, forecast $120 billion to $185 billion in extra investment would be needed by 2051. "Difficult political decisions about charging" is one of the most immediate challenges, analysts say. The systems for drinking water, stormwater and sewage (Three Waters) were badly exposed by the fatal Havelock North drinking water contamination of 2017. The government said the [...]
U.S. administers 294.9 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines – CDC
A woman receives a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 18, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/File Photo The United States has administered 294,928,850 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of Sunday morning and distributed 366,316,945 doses, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Those figures are up from the 293,705,050 vaccine doses the CDC said had gone into arms by May 29 out of 366,314,625 doses delivered. The agency said 167,733,972 people had received at least one dose while 135,087,319 people are fully vaccinated as of Sunday. The CDC tally includes two-dose vaccines from Moderna (MRNA.O) and Pfizer/BioNTech (PFE.N), , as well as Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N) one-shot vaccine as of 6 a.m. ET (1000 GMT) on Sunday.
Japan’s April factory output rises on capital goods demand
Smoke rises from a factory during the sunset at Keihin industrial zone in Kawasaki, Japan, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Japan's industrial output extended gains in April as manufacturers benefited from a recovery in appetite for capital goods, especially in key overseas markets. The world's third-largest economy is expected to grow in the current quarter at a much slower pace than previously thought after the government extended coronavirus emergency measures in Tokyo and other major areas. Separate data on Monday showed retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, surged in April, thanks largely to favourable statistical base effects from a year earlier, when the country was under an even stricter coronavirus curbs. Official data released on Monday showed factory output grew 2.5% from the previous month in April, [...]
Biden move to investigate Covid origins opens new rift in US-China relations
Beijing reacts angrily to calls for WHO to carry out second phase of investigation, while US intelligence split on virus’s likely origin On Thursday the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said it was ‘extremely unlikely’ the virus had come from a laboratory in Wuhan. Photograph: Jason Lee/AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden’s decision to expand the US investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, with one intelligence agency leaning towards the theory that it escaped from a Wuhan laboratory, has opened a new divide in his administration’s already tense relationship with China. Biden said on Thursday that he would publish the results of the 90-day inquiry, which has made a priority for the intelligence agencies. The move represents a dramatic turnaround from the administration’s policy until now of leaving [...]
Biden administration won’t seek to rejoin Open Skies Treaty after 2020 exit
(CNN)The Biden administration will not seek to reenter the Open Skies Treaty with Russia in response to that country's "failure to take any actions to return to compliance," a State Department spokesperson said Thursday. The 1992 treaty allows member countries to conduct short notice, unarmed, reconnaissance flights over the other countries to collect data on their military forces and activities. The US formally withdrew from the treaty last year under the Trump administration, citing Russia's violations. But the Biden administration's decision to not seek reentry is especially notable as it takes one potential area of immediate collaboration off the table as President Joe Biden prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month. The Associated Press first reported on the decision. "The United States regrets that the Treaty [...]
New Zealand won’t accept ‘master-servant relationship’ with China to derive economic benefits – expert
New Zealand isn't going to accept a "master-servant relationship" with China just to derive economic benefits, an international relations expert says. It comes amid a 60 Minutes Australia commercial questioning whether New Zealand is betraying our trans-Tasman partner for a "fast Chinese buck". The promotional video advertises an upcoming episode looking into New Zealand's relationship with China. Including a deep voiceover, melodramatic background music, and interviews with the likes of Mike Hosking, the advertisement suggests New Zealand is turning into "New Xi-land" and ditching Australia "for a fast Chinese buck". Robert Patman, a politics and international relations professor at the University of Otago, says while he believes Australia would like New Zealand to speak out publicly and in unison with Five Eyes against human rights breaches in China, we [...]
More than 50 dead and dozens still missing after boat sinks in northwest Nigeria
Survivors of the Kebbi boat disaster receive treatment at a local hospital on Wednesday. (CNN)More than 50 people have died and dozens are still missing after an overloaded boat capsized in the northwestern Nigerian state of Kebbi on Wednesday, according to government authorities. There were at least 150 passengers on board, most of whom are from Kebbi State and are believed to be traders, authorities said. Abdullahi Buhari, Chairman of Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where the incident occurred, told CNN late on Thursday that the death toll had risen to 53, with that number expected to rise. Buhari added that 22 people had been rescued and that following a stay in hospital, they had been discharged. Earlier on Thursday, Abbas Rabiu Kamba, Acting Executive Director for [...]
World’s largest vaccine monitoring study to be run from Auckland Uni
The University of Auckland is set to co-ordinate the largest global vaccine monitoring study ever undertaken. Photo / Supplied The University of Auckland is set to coordinate the largest global vaccine monitoring study ever undertaken. University subsidiary UniServices has been awarded nearly $8 million by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the major three-year study, which will be undertaken by the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN). The university will act as the global coordinating centre for the study, which will follow some 300 million people – a vastly larger sample than the tens of thousands involved in clinical trials. "Never before have so many vaccines been developed and deployed so quickly, to meet so urgent a need," said the study's principal investigator, Associate Professor [...]
German voters’ view of personal wealth causes problems for the left
Analysis: left-of-centre parties struggle to cut through as survey shows ‘everyone thinks they are middle class’ Shoppers in Alexanderplatz, Berlin. The misconception of wealth inequality causes an ‘immense challenge’ for leftwing parties. Photograph: Filip Singer/EPA It is a country with levels of wealth inequality more similar to the US than France, and one where the richest 10% of the population already owned two-thirds of the national wealth before the pandemic further widened the gap. Yet the inequality of German society and how to fix it is likely to play a minor role in the race to September elections this year, with those parties expected to offer solutions – the centre-left Social Democratic party (SPD) and the leftwing Die Linke – struggling in the polls. A new study offers answers [...]
German scientists say they can help improve vaccines to prevent blood clots
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs have caused rare blood clots but scientists say they can be redesigned to avoid problem There have been 309 cases of blood clots in the UK out of 33 million people given the AstraZeneca vaccine.Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP A team of German scientists believe that they have worked out why some people given the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines against Covid-19 develop blood clots – and claim they can tell the manufacturers how to improve the vaccine to avoid it. The key is in the adenovirus – the common cold virus that is used to deliver the spike protein of the coronavirus into the body, say Rolf Marschalek, a professor at Goethe university in Frankfurt, and colleagues. The mRNA vaccines developed [...]
Prominent businessman jailed for indecent assaults and corruption
A prominent businessman has been jailed for indecently assaulting three men and attempting to convince one of them to dissuade a witness. Photo: Supplied / NZME In the High Court at Auckland, Justice Venning sentenced the rich-lister to two years and four months in prison. After a four-week trial in March, the rich-lister was found guilty of three charges of indecent assault relating to three men, and two charges of attempting to dissuade a witness. The three men accused the businessman of indecently assaulting them at his house in 2001, 2008 and 2016. The public gallery was packed - those present included victims. Victim impact statements read out described how the assaults had caused significant trauma to them. The businessman was silent as the sentence was read out. [...]
Foreign Minister warns New Zealand could be caught in Australia-China trade war
New Zealand could be swept up in the Australia-China trade war, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has warned. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas In an interview with The Guardian, Mahuta also advised exporters to diversify in the case trade relations with China sour. "We cannot ignore, obviously, what's happening in Australia with their relationship with China. And if they are close to an eye of the storm or in the eye of the storm, we've got to legitimately ask ourselves - it may only be a matter of time before the storm gets closer to us," Mahuta told The Guardian. That Australia-China relationship is one Mahuta is concerned about. She has previously urged New Zealand to diversify its trade arrangements and [...]
Trump investigation: NYC prosecutor convenes grand jury, signaling charges could be coming – report
WASHINGTON — The prosecutor overseeing the criminal probe into former President Donald Trump, his close orbit and his business has convened a grand jury that could decide on any indictments, according to a report on Tuesday. The Washington Post first reported that Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan district attorney, recently convened the grand jury that will sit three days a week for six months. According to the Post, the grand jury will hear several matters beyond just Trump's during that time. The investigation has been examining potential tax and bank-related fraud. Prosecutors are especially interested in whether Trump overvalued his properties and obscured debts in order to obtain valuable loans and other financial negotiations. The convening of the grand jury indicates that Vance believes he has a case against Trump or someone [...]
US to reopen Palestinian diplomatic mission in Jerusalem
Secretary of state Antony Blinken also announces aid to help rebuild Gaza as he begins Middle East trip Blinken: US will reopen Jerusalem consulate and provide aid to help rebuild Gaza – video The US will reopen a mission in Jerusalem to manage diplomatic relations with Palestinians, which had been downgraded by the Trump administration, the US secretary of state has said. On a trip to the Middle East designed to shore up last week’s ceasefirebetween Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, Antony Blinken also announced the Biden administration would ask Congress for $75m (£53m) in aid for Palestinians, including $5.5m in immediate aid for rebuilding Gaza. He had earlier pledged at a meeting with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that the US would not allow Hamas to [...]
Mafia boss’s YouTube claims rattle Turkish government
Sedat Peker accuses senior government figures of crimes including murder, rape, corruption and drug trafficking Sedat Peker’s YouTube videos have racked up more than 30m views. Photograph: YouTube Turkish television shows are popular fare throughout the Muslim world during Ramadan, full of tales of palace intrigue and the criminal underworld. This year’s surprise hit, however, isn’t fictional. The notorious real-life mob boss Sedat Peker has electrified Turkey with a series of YouTube videos over the last three weeks in which he has levelled an array of allegations – including murder, rape, rampant corruption and drug trafficking – at prominent Turkish government figures. The dizzying claims stretch back decades and are unsubstantiated. But the timing of Peker’s hour-long monologues, in which he portrays himself as a whistleblower, is devastating [...]
Covid-19: Vaccinations for wider NZ public pushed back by weeks
The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine for the wider New Zealand population has been moved back by weeks. The Ministry of Health has changed the timeline on when the general public will be vaccinated from "from July" to "from the end of July". In the latest update from the government this afternoon, Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins says he would not read too much into the wording change, and says the government was "endeavouring" to start vaccinating group four in July. Hipkins said Pfizer had not given the government its delivery schedule for the vaccine from July onwards, but said it has committed to delivering all the vaccines by the end of September. Watch the latest government update here: Hipkins said all DHBs have started rolling out the vaccine for [...]
EU imposes new economic sanctions on Belarus over ‘hijacked’ flight
EU’s 27 heads of state call for the immediate release of opposition blogger Roman Protasevich Belarusian channels published a Roman Protasevich video address after his arrest. Photograph: Twitter EU leaders triggered new economic sanctions against Belarus and punitive measures against its national airline as a dissident taken from a “hijacked” Ryanair flight was paraded on the country’s television news apparently confessing to crimes against the state. In a summit communique swiftly agreed in Brussels on Monday night, the EU’s 27 heads of state and government condemned the forced landing of flight FR4978 in Minsk and called for the immediate release of opposition blogger Roman Protasevich and his Russian girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. The statement came shortly after the release of a video in which Protasevich denied reports that he had [...]
‘A matter of time’: New Zealand’s foreign minister warns China ‘storm’ could be coming
In an interview with the Guardian, Nanaia Mahuta says exporters must diversify to protect themselves from a potential cooling of ties with Beijing Nanaia Mahuta Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images New Zealand could find itself at the heart of a “storm” of anger from China, foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta has warned, saying exporters needed to diversify to ensure they could survive deteriorating relations with Beijing. Mahuta’s comments come as the New Zealand government faces increasing pressure to take a firmer stance on human rights violations and crackdowns by China, putting the spotlight on the potential repercussions for countries who provoke Beijing’s ire. Neighbouring Australia is in a deepening trade war with China, which Mahuta likened to being at the centre of a storm – one which could easily engulf [...]
New restrictions across Melbourne as the COVID-19 cluster grows
A raft of new restrictions will be introduced across Greater Melbourne as the city’s new COVID-19 cluster continues to grow. New restrictions are being introduced across Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul JeffersSource:News Corp Australia A raft of new restrictions will be introduced across Melbourne tonight as Victoria’s new COVID-19 cluster continues to grow. Another new case of COVID-19 was detected in Melbourne overnight, bringing the total number of infections in the cluster to five. The new case is a man in his 60s and was been identified as a close contact of one of the previous cases. It comes after Victorian officials announced on Monday that four people in Whittlesea had tested positive to coronavirus, including a man in his 30s, a man in his 70s, a woman [...]
More than 210 people injured after 2 LRT trains collide in Kuala Lumpur
The damaged front of an LRT train after it collided with another train, causing multiple injuries to commuters. (Images: Twitter/Bernama/Prasarana Malaysia Berhad) KUALA LUMPUR: More than 210 people were injured after two LRT trains collided in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (May 24) evening. Videos and photos of the incident on social media showed broken glass panels and several commuters bleeding. Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa tweeted that early reports indicated that an LRT carrying passengers collided with another LRT that was "empty", resulting in passengers being "thrown" and "falling". He added that the train with passengers was travelling from Ampang station. Malaysian civil defence officers evacuating injured commuters following a collision between two LRT trains. (Photo: Twitter/Bernama) Malaysian fire and rescue personnel evacuating injured commuters following a collision between two LRT trains. (Photo: Twitter/Bernama) "The [...]
Australia-UK trade deal raises hopes in New Zealand
Talk of zero-tariff trade between the UK and Australia has sparked hope that a similar deal can be achieved for farmers here, but New Zealand's Trade Minister says there is still "work to do." (File image) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon According to the BBC, the UK has offered trade deal terms to Australia under which both countries would phase out tariffs on imports over 15 years. If accepted, it would also lead to quotas being phased out. New Zealand is engaged in its own Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the UK, with the next round of talks scheduled for June and July. Export New Zealand executive director Catherine Beard said [...]
PM, finance minister visit Hillside Workshop in Dunedin
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has paid a visit to Dunedin's Hilliside Workshop, which is set to get a $85 million boost for new facilities.' The Government earlier this month reaffirmed its commitment to the South Dunedin facility as part of its 10-year rail plan. Hillside would receive the $85 million for new facilities to assemble about 1500 wagons. State Owned Enterprises Minister Dr David Clark said at the time the investment meant local jobs, rebuilding expertise, youth training opportunities, a boost to Otago's economy, and a more self-reliant railway. Transport Minister Michael Wood said about 445 jobs would be created between Hillside and a new South Island Mechanical Maintenance Hub in Christchurch. The Hillside investment alone will support up to 150 construction jobs and up to 45 operational KiwiRail [...]
Auckland Council meeting to confirm big rises in rates and water bills over next decade
Auckland Council is set to approve a new budget today that will hit households with an average 43 per cent rates rise and 111 per cent rise in water costs over 10 years. Five days after Finance Minister Grant Robertson unveiled a "recovery" Budget for the country, Goff will today land his own recovery package for Auckland. Goff says the city's "recovery budget" is the single largest infrastructure package in its history, but has been quiet about the cost Aucklanders will pay for the $31.8 billion spend-up. Auckland Council is expected to raise rates in the region by 5 per cent and water bills by 7 per cent. Photo / File His plan is to maintain essential services and high levels of spending on infrastructure to help Auckland and [...]
Dame Cindy Kiro to be next Governor-General of New Zealand – Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Dame Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro will be the next Governor-General of New Zealand. From 2003 to 2009 Dame Cindy was the Children's Commissioner, and holds a PhD in social policy and an MBA in business administration. She has been an associate professor and head of Massey University's school of public health, and has a role at the Royal Society. She will take office as Governor-General at a ceremony on Thursday 21 October this year, after Dame Patsy Reddy's five-year term ends on 28 September with a State farewell to be held on 6 September. Ardern announced the decision in the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at 3pm this afternoon. "Dame Cindy will take up the role of Governor-General in October and remain in it for [...]
Covid-19 update: Six new cases in managed isolation
There have been six new cases of Covid-19 reported in managed isolation facilities since Friday, with no new cases found in the community. Photo: AFP In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the six new imported cases came from Saudi Arabia, India, the USA and Malaysia. There are 27 active cases in New Zealand and there has been a total of 2312 confirmed cases. There were three new cases of Covid-19 reported in managed isolation facilities and none in the community on Friday, which was the ministry's last update. The Ministry also said today that a historical case has been identified, after a mariner returned a weak positive test result before transferring to their vessel. "The mariner confirmed they had a positive test result overseas earlier in [...]
Martian rover Zhurong takes first drive on surface of Mars, China says
A screen broadcasts a CCTV state media news bulletin about the Chinese Mars rover Zhurong.THOMAS PETER / Reuters BEIJING — A remote-controlled Chinese motorized rover drove down the ramp of a landing capsule on Saturday and onto the surface of the Red Planet, making China the first nation to orbit, land and deploy a land vehicle on its inaugural mission to Mars. Zhurong, named after a mythical Chinese god of fire, drove down to the surface of Mars at 10:40 a.m. Beijing time (10:40 p.m. ET), according to a post on the rover's official Chinese social media account. China this month joined the United States as the only nations to deploy land vehicles on Mars. The former Soviet Union landed a craft in 1971, but it lost [...]
Philippines reiterates call for respect, adherence to int’l law during China meeting
Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso met with her Chinese counterparts during the 6th meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. During the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea attended by Philippine and Chinese delegations, the Philippines reiterated its call for respect and adherence to international law as well as the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's claims over the disputed waters. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), both delegations “had friendly and candid exchanges” on the West Philippine Sea situation during the consultation. “There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area,” the DFA said in a [...]
The Latest: UN Security Council urges aid for Palestinians
The U.N. Security Council is welcoming the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers and calls for full adherence to the cessation of hostilities UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council is welcoming the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers and calls for full adherence to the cessation of hostilities. Saturday's statement was approved by all 15 members of the council. It said the council “mourned the loss of civilian lives resulting from the violence” and “stressed the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza.” The statement further said it was urgent to restore calm and “reiterated the importance of achieving a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side [...]
Skies turn fiery red, residents flee as volcano erupts near Congolese city
GOMA, Congo — Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo erupted for the first time in nearly two decades Saturday, turning the night sky a fiery red and sending lava onto a major highway as panicked residents tried to flee Goma, a city of nearly 2 million. There was no immediate word on any casualties, but witnesses said that lava already had engulfed one highway that connects Goma with the city of Beni in North Kivu province. Mount Nyiragongo’s last eruption, in 2002, left hundreds dead and coated airport runways in lava. More than 100,000 people were left homeless in the aftermath, adding to the fear in Goma on Saturday night. “We are already in a total psychosis,” resident Zacharie Paluku told The Associated Press. “Everyone is afraid; people are running away. We [...]
Germany declares UK a Covid-19 virus variant region
People enjoy their evening at bars and restaurants at the old town in Duesseldorf, Germany, on May 21, 2021.PHOTO: EPA-EFE BERLIN - Germany's public health institute on Friday (May 21) declared Britain and Northern Ireland a Covid-19 virus variant region, requiring anyone entering the country from the United Kingdom to quarantine for two weeks on arrival. Cases of a coronavirus variant of concern first found in India continued to climb in Britain. "We want to play it safe," a German government source said. "In this important phase of the vaccination campaign, the entry of problematic mutations must be avoided as far as possible." The classification, which takes effect from midnight on Sunday (2200 GMT Saturday), means the quarantine rules also apply to people with full vaccination protection and [...]
Biden, South Korea’s Moon express willingness to engage Pyongyang
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) and US President Joe Biden at a joint news conference at the White House, on May 21, 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON - The United States and South Korea are both willing to engage in diplomacy with North Korea to reduce tensions, said President Joe Biden on Friday (May 21), adding that he was willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions. Washington and Seoul also announced greater cooperation in producing more Covid-19 vaccines, securing semiconductor chip supply chains, and combating climate change, as Mr Biden met with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in. Mr Moon was the second foreign leader to be hosted by Mr Biden since he took office, after Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga last [...]
Pfizer and AstraZeneca ‘highly effective’ against India Covid variant
A Public Health England study has revealed the vaccines can be up to 88% effective after a second dose A second dose of the vaccines gives greater protection. Photograph: Dinendra Haria/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs are highly effective at protecting people from the strain of the Covid-19 virus first found in India, a study by Public Health England (PHE) has found. The analysis, carried out between 5 April and 16 May, found the Pfizer vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the India variant two weeks after a second dose, compared with 93% effectiveness against the Kent strain. For its part, the AstraZeneca jab was 60% effective, compared with 66% against the Kent variant over the same period. The difference in effectiveness between the [...]
Australian academic Yang Jun to face spying trial in China
Australian writer Yang Hengjun. (Photo: Reuters/Twitter, Yanghengjun) SYDNEY: Chinese-born Australian academic and author Yang Jun will go on trial in China on espionage charges next week, after spending more than two years in detention, Canberra's foreign minister has confirmed. Yang is one of two high-profile Australians detained in China on spying allegations amid escalating tensions between Canberra and Beijing. The trial for Yang, who also goes by his pen name Yang Hengjun, will begin on Thursday, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement late Friday. "Despite repeated requests by Australian officials, Chinese authorities have not provided any explanation or evidence for the charges facing Dr Yang," Payne said. "We have conveyed to Chinese authorities, in clear terms, the concerns we have about Dr Yang's treatment [...]
Ten people fined for entering New Zealand without Covid-19 test
Ten people have been fined after travelling to New Zealand without proof they tested negative for Covid-19. File photo. Photo: camfoto/123RF Customs said more than 23,000 people - or 99.5 percent of travellers - had complied with the requirement introduced in January. About 800 people have been exempt. The rule does not apply to children younger than two years old, some diplomats, some air crew, and travellers from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands. Forty five people were given warnings because they could not prove they were exempt, or had a negative test result before travelling. Of the 10 people fined, four have paid. The maximum fine is $1000.
Fighter who was punched from behind dies in hospital
A young Tongan fighter who was left critically injured after he was punched from behind in central Auckland last weekend has died. A young Tongan fighter who was left critically injured after he was punched from behind in central Auckland last weekend has died. Fau Vake Photo: Instagram / Fau Vake Twenty-five-year-old Fau Vake - a fighter at City Kickboxing who trained with UFC champion Israel Adesanya - was left in a coma after being punched from behind in Symonds Street during the early hours of last Sunday morning. Fau Vake Photo: Supplied A statement from City Kickboxing confirmed that Vake had died this weekend. [...]
Biden signs anti-hate crime act following wave of attacks against Asian Americans
WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden on Thursday (May 20) signed into law an Act aimed at combating a wave of hate crimes, most prominently against Asian Americans. The Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act creates hate crime units in law enforcement agencies and mandates expedited investigations of hate crimes among other things. “My message to all of you who are hurting is, we see you, and the Congress has said, we see you. And we are committed to stop the hatred and the bias,” President Biden said at a signing ceremony. “We have to change the hearts of the American people” he said. “Hate can be given no safe harbor in America. I mean it, no safe harbor. It can’t be dismissed, like ‘well that’s just what happens.’” “Silence is complicity” [...]
Japan could freeze all Myanmar aid, foreign minister warns
Japan is a top donor to Myanmar, and has already suspended new aid after the military coup. (File photo: AFP/STR) TOKYO: Tokyo could freeze all aid to Myanmar, Japan's foreign minister warned in an interview published on Friday (May 21), as the military junta continues to use lethal force against opponents of its coup. Japan is a top donor to Myanmar, and has already suspended new aidafter the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But Toshimitsu Motegi, speaking to the Nikkei newspaper, said the freeze could be expanded. "We don't want to do that at all, but we have to state firmly that it will be difficult to continue under these circumstances," he told the newspaper. "As a country that supported Myanmar's democratisation in various ways, and [...]
Bernie Sanders introduces resolution blocking $735m weapons sale to Israel
Progressive senator says US needs to examine if sale of weapons is ‘simply fueling conflict’ ‘I believe that the United States must help lead the way to a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians,’ Bernie Sanders said on Twitter. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a resolution blocking a $735m US weapons sale to Israel on Thursday, mirroring a symbolic action by the House of Representatives in response to conflict between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas leaders. “I believe that the United States must help lead the way to a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” the progressive senator said on Twitter. He added: “We need to take a hard look at whether the sale of these weapons is actually helping do that, [...]
Protesters at the ANZAC Day March in Sydney
A group of Australian protesters showed their protest signs on April 25 at the ANAZC War Memorial in Hyde Park South when the Sydney's ANAZC Day March was going on. The March, with participation of veteran or descendant aims to honor those who served the defense of Australia or its interests, especially remembering those who paid the supreme sacrifice or otherwise suffered as a result of their service. The Sydney protesters made a critical voice at the March, for the request to investigate the scandal of the Australian army which was reported to kill children in Afghanistan and commit sexual violence inner the army. The protesters also criticized the vassal state policy of the government, saying Australians are not dogs of the U.S.A.
Gaza conflict: New Zealand welcomes Israel, Hamas ceasefire agreement
Israel and Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and killed at least 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis. At 2am local time, just as the ceasefire took effect, frenzied life returned to the streets of Gaza. People went out of their homes, some shouting "Allahu Akbar" or whistling from balconies. Many fired in the air, celebrating the truce. Like the three previous wars between the bitter enemies, the latest round of fighting ended inconclusively. Israel claimed to inflict heavy damage on Hamas but once again was unable to halt the Islamic militant group's nonstop rocket barrages. Almost immediately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced angry accusations from [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Bangladesh journalist faces death penalty for allegedly stealing government documents
Journalist Rozina Islam could face the death penalty after allegedly taking photos of secret documents related to Covid-19 in Bangladesh. Photo / Twitter A journalist in Bangladesh could face the death penalty for breaching strict government secrecy laws while reporting on the country's coronavirus outbreak. Rozina Islam, who works for media outlet Prothom Alo, was arrested this week for allegedly stealing official government documents related to Covid-19. Police reports claim Islam took photos of documents related to the procurement of vaccines at the government's Health Ministry in Dhaka. Bangladeshi journalists have since rallied for Islam, forming a human chain outside the Health Ministry after she was charged. Her colleagues claim she was physically harassed after being detained for her crime, which carries a maximum penalty of death. [...]
Budget 2021: What you need to know
This year's Budget has delivered benefit rises, money for Māori housing and an increase in Pharmac's budget. Here are the key Budget announcements. Photo: Dom Thomas Benefit rises Main benefit rates will be increased by between $32 and $55 per week by April 2022. Benefits rise in two stages: $20 a week on 1 July this year and the rest on 1 April 2022. Student allowance and student loan for living costs go up by $25 a week on 1 April 2022. Sole parent support rises $36 to $434 a week. Supported living payment for a sole parent rises $36 to $485, for a couple with children it goes up $42 to $320, and a couple without children will be entitled to $305 a week. The payment for a [...]
Nancy Pelosi calls for US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
US House speaker says leaders who attend Games would lose moral authority because of China’s treatment of Uyghur minority US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China.Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for a US diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, criticising China for human rights abuses and saying global leaders who attend would lose their moral authority. US lawmakers have been increasingly vocal about an Olympic boycott or venue change, and have lashed out at American corporations, arguing their silence about what the State Department has deemed a genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China was abetting the Chinese government. Pelosi, a Democrat, told a bipartisan congressional hearing on the [...]
Panic as 300-metre-high skyscraper wobbles in China
SEG Plaza in Shenzhen, one of country’s tallest buildings, evacuated after it inexplicably starts shaking One of China’s tallest skyscrapers was evacuated on Tuesday after it began to shake, sending panicked shoppers scampering to safety. The near 300 metre (980ft) high SEG Plaza in Shenzhen, southern China, inexplicably began to shake at around 1pm, prompting an evacuation of people inside while pedestrians looked on open-mouthed. The building was closed by 2.40pm, according to local media reports. Completed in 2000, the tower is home to a major electronics market as well as various offices in the centre of one of China’s fastest-growing cities. Officials are investigating what caused the tower in the city’s Futian district to wobble, according to a post on the Twitter-like Weibo platform. “After checking and analysing [...]
New Zealand High Commission to India employee dies from Covid-19
A staff member at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi has died of Covid-19. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the man, an Indian citizen, died in hospital two days ago. "As you can imagine, we've given the embassy time to process what's happened," she said. "Everyone was living on compound like a family. Our thoughts and aroha are with the family at this time. "Any loss of life is extremely sad and I know that MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) whānau need time to process what has happened under extenuating circumstances of this global pandemic." The staff member had started at the Commission in 1986 under Sir Edmund Hillary, who was high commissioner at the time. She said [...]
UK ‘faces labour shortage’ as Covid and Brexit fuel exodus of overseas workers
Experts say recovery at risk amid sharp fall in EU workers and dwindling interest in UK jobs from abroad A sharp decline in the numbers of EU workers and a steep decline in overseas jobseeker interest may fuel labour shortages. Photograph: Alamy Britain’s employers are struggling to hire staff as lockdown lifts amid an exodus of overseas workers caused by the Covid pandemic and Brexit, industry figures reveal. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the recruitment firm Adecco, employers plan to hire at the fastest rate in eight years, led by the reopening of the hospitality and retail sectors as pandemic restrictions are relaxed in England and Wales on Monday. However, in a sign of growing pressures in the jobs market amid rapid [...]
Lockdowns and panic-buying in Taiwan as Covid cases rise
Country widely considered to have had one of best pandemic responses now racing to contain outbreak Soldiers spray disinfectant in Wanhua district, Taipei. Photograph: Ann Wang/Reuters Taiwan reported 206 new local cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, breaking the previous day’s record high of 180 as authorities brought in the strictest measures yet in a bid to contain the virus. The outbreak, which began about three weeks ago among employees of the national airline and a connected quarantine hotel, has now produced about 85% of Taiwan’s total number of locally transmitted cases since the pandemic began. The sudden rise in cases in a country widely considered to have had one of the world’s leading pandemic responses prompted partial lockdown measures in two cities including the capital, Taipei, and sent [...]
Fire-damaged PGH calls for donations
MANILA, Philippines — The state-owned Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Sunday called for emergency donations after a fire damaged its pay hospital building. In a Facebook post, the PGH administration appealed for food and nonfood donations for patients, as well as breast milk for premature and sick babies. The University of the Philippines’ Office of the Student Regent (OSR) also initiated a donation drive and urgently asked for industrial fans to help clear the smoke from the fire, oxygen tanks and linen. “As an institution within the UP System, the OSR offers its time and resources to assist all efforts related to relief, rehabilitation and response whenever disasters and calamities arise in different parts of the country,” it said in a statement. “We are open to partnership with institutions [...]
China’s emissions now exceed developed world’s total output
The massive scale of China's emissions highlights the importance of Beijing's drive to peak emissions before 2030.PHOTO: EPA-EFE BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - China now accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the world's developed nations combined, according to new research from Rhodium Group. China's emissions of six heat-trapping gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, rose to 14.09 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, edging out the total of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members by about 30 million tonnes, according to the New York-based climate research group. The massive scale of China's emissions highlights the importance of President Xi Jinping's drive to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach net-zero by 2060. China accounted for 27 per cent of global emissions. The [...]
Israel-Gaza fighting enters its second week with no end in sight
An Israeli air strike in Gaza destroyed several homes, killing 42 people, including 10 children, on May 16, 2021.PHOTO: AFP GAZA/JERUSALEM (REUTERS) - Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group faced mounting international calls for a ceasefire in hostilities that entered their second week on Monday (May 17) with no end in sight. World concern deepened with an Israeli air strike in Gaza that destroyed several homes on Sunday and which Palestinian health officials said killed 42 people, including 10 children, and persistent rocket attacks on Israeli towns. Injecting more urgency into Washington's calls for calm, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on Twitter: "All parties need to deescalate tensions - the violence must end immediately", after he spoke with Egypt's foreign minister about ongoing violence in [...]
Saudi Arabia lifts quarantine requirement for COVID-19 vaccinated foreign visitors
Travellers wearing face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia, May 31, 2020. (File photo: REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri) LONDON: Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday (May 16) that foreign visitors arriving by air from most countries will no longer need to quarantine if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Visitors from 20 other countries - including the United States, India, Britain, Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates - remain banned from entering the kingdom, however, under measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The civil aviation authority said that from May 20, non-Saudi visitors arriving in the kingdom from eligible countries by air who are fully vaccinated, or have had COVID-19 and recovered, will no longer have to spend seven days in government-approved hotels as long as they [...]
Singapore studying if it should extend the time between COVID-19 vaccine doses: Ong Ye Kung
A healthcare worker prepares to administer a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination exercise at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore on Dec 30, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Lee Jia Wen, Ministry of Communications and Information, handout) SINGAPORE: Singapore is studying if it should change its COVID-19 vaccination strategy to extend the time between vaccine shots to allow more people to get protection from a first dose, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Sunday (May 16). Given the increasing number of community cases, Mr Ong said experts are studying if Singapore should give as many people as possible one dose of the vaccine first, and delay the second dose. If implemented, this will take place in phase two of the country's vaccination programme. So far, Singapore has followed the [...]
Thunderstorms, rain and snow: Cold weather set to continue
Fog has begun to roll into Christchurch which is sitting at 1.5C at 8am. Photo / Hamish Clark A low-pressure system is continuing to bring cold and wet weather to much of the country. Dunedin's hill suburbs have now been included in MetService's forecast for snow Tuesday morning. Until yesterday, Dunedin was not expected to get snow like the rest of Otago and Southland. However, meteorologist Ashlee Parkes said the updated forecast now showed snow showers would fall to 300m around Dunedin. "We are expecting snow down to significantly low levels early on Tuesday morning — about 300m in Dunedin and about 200m in parts of Southland and Clutha. "It is a showery flow, so there will be snow showers for a brief time in the early [...]
National Party leader Judith Collins says her job is ‘safe’ following damning Newshub political poll
National Party leader Judith Collins says it is normal for the opposition leader to take a fall in ratings after an election. Photo / Mark Mitchell National leader Judith Collins has hit back following a damning political poll, saying she was getting positive feedback over National holding the Government to account on its "radical interpretations". National leader Judith Collins told Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB that she didn't believe the numbers in the poll and that it contradicted positive feedback she was getting. The Newshub-Reid Research poll comes after weeks of National accusing the Government of having a "separatism by stealth" agenda. She said it was also the first poll to be run since the election "so it was normal for the Opposition leader to take a fall [...]
Wealthy investors due to arrive on new border exemption
Hundreds of foreign investors are expected to arrive New Zealand in coming months as a result of new border exemptions allowing wealthy investors linked to two government programmes to visit. Under the exemptions officials are able to identify and invite key people from companies to visit New Zealand in order to facilitate high-value international investment and technology expertise into the country. Photo: 123RF The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) expects 220 wealthy individuals will arrive over the next year, bringing hundreds of millions in direct investment, job creation and skills. MBIE said it has not publicised the border changes widely because it only applies to those shoulder-tapped by state agencies. The two new border exemptions get the briefest of descriptions on the Immigration NZ website [...]
Almost 3,000 inmates, officials in Thai prisons test positive for COVID-19
Anti-government protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul posts notes outside the Bangkok Remand Prison during a demonstration calling for the abolition of Thailand's lese majeste royal defamation laws in Bangkok on March 3, 2021. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP BANGKOK: Thailand’s Department of Corrections reported on Wednesday (May 12) that nearly 3,000 inmates and officials in two Thai prisons have tested positive for COVID-19. In a statement, the department said it carried out tests among its employees and inmates and found 2,835 people infected with the coronavirus. “The Department of Corrections performed proactive testing among 100 per cent of officials and inmates and found people infected with COVID-19 in jails/prisons, including the Central Women's Correctional Institution, which has 1,040 cases in total, and the Bangkok Remand Prison, which has 1,795 [...]
SFO files criminal charges against six people in Labour Party donations case
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has filed criminal charges against six people in relation to a donation made to the Labour Party in 2017. Serious Fraud Office director Julie Read. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox The SFO has declined to name the defendants as they may seek name suppression, but says none are sitting MPs or current or former Labour officials. In a statement, Labour Party general secretary Rob Salmond said the party had complied with the law. He said Labour had not sought any suppression orders, but would not comment further as the matter was before the courts.
Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern makes pre-Budget speech
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is making a pre-Budget speech to Business NZ in Auckland today. Watch the PM's pre-Budget speech here shortly: Titled 'Reconnecting to the World' Ardern is to talk about the border, trade, immigration and child poverty. Finance Minister Grant Robertson indicated that Budget 2021 "will be a recovery and wellbeing budget". Details of the Budget will be revealed next Thursday, 20 May.
Israel vows not to stop Gaza attacks until there is ‘complete quiet’
Defence minister rules out ceasefire as Israeli military says it has killed four senior Hamas commanders Smoke billowing over Gaza City on Wednesday as airstrikes and rocket fire continued. Photograph: Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Israel will not stop its military operation in Gaza until “complete quiet” has been achieved, the country’s defence minister has said, as airstrikes and rocket fire continued throughout Wednesday. As the death toll from the most serious conflict between Israel and the Palestinians for nine years mounted, international leaders called for restraint amid fears of a full-scale war. At the same time of the exchange of bombs and rockets between Israel and Gaza, there has been an upsurge in ethnically motivated attacks in mixed neighbourhoods inside Israel by both Jewish and Arab mobs. Joe Biden spoke [...]
Covid-19 vaccine update: 120,000 New Zealanders now fully vaccinated – Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins
The number of Covid-19 vaccination doses in New Zealand should hit the half million mark in the next two weeks, Minister for the Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins has revealed. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Hipkins has given an update on the vaccine at the Beehive Theatrette in Wellington. Watch the update here: Hipkins said that as of midnight, 388,877 doses of the vaccine had been administered, an increase of 83,000 on the same time last week. He added that 120,000 of those people had received their second dose. "Overall, we're tracking ahead of plan. Based on these statistics we're expecting to hit the half million mark within the next fortnight." He acknowledged healthcare workers, vaccinators and district health boards (DHBs) for their efforts in the immunisation programme. The national [...]
Germany to bring forward climate goals after constitutional court ruling
Government proposes net zero deadline of 2045 instead of 2050, but critics demand actions not numbers The coal-fired Neurath power station. Coal-powered energy is currently scheduled to be phased out by 2038. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images Germany’s government is to revise its emission reduction targets after the country’s constitutional court declared the current climate protection measures insufficient, aiming to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045 rather than 2050. The finance minister, Olaf Scholz, and the environment minister, Svenja Schulze, laid out a legislative proposal on Wednesday to cut emissions by 65% from 1990 levels by 2030. An 88% reduction of carbon emissions is to be reached by 2040. Germany’s emission levels are currently 40% lower than they were in 1990, meaning it would require a reduction of a [...]
More than 205 Palestinians wounded in Jerusalem al-Aqsa clashes
Confrontations at holy site leave 17 Israeli police officers wounded, with international calls for calm Israeli police clash with Palestinians at al-Aqsa mosque – video More than 205 Palestinians and 17 Israeli police officers were wounded during a night of intense clashes at a sacred Jerusalem site that holds the Dome of the Rock, medics and police said, a serious escalation in a weeks-long rise in violence. Tensions in Jerusalem have soared recently, with Palestinians complaining of oppressive restrictions during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. An upcoming Israeli court ruling on whether authorities can evict dozens of Palestinians – and give their homes to Jewish settlers – has further inflamed the situation. Tens of thousands of worshippers had gathered on Friday for weekly prayers at the hilltop [...]
Government commits $53 million to help fight cervical cancer
Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. File photo / Mark Mitchell The Government will spend $53 million to help fight cervical cancer. The money will help complete the design of - and implement - a new humanpapillomavirus (HPV) test, Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verall said this morning. HPV is the cause of 99 per cent of cervical cancer. She said this would make a "real difference". The new test, which will replace the current smear test, is a simple and quick swab that women can choose to do themselves. "This will help to reduce the barriers to getting screened," Verrall said. She said initial modelling predicted the move to HPV screenings would prevent about 400 cervical cancers over 17 years. "It will save around 138 lives". A [...]
Ardern and Macron to co-chair Christchurch Call leaders’ summit
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French president Emmanuel Macron will co-chair a Christchurch Call leaders' summit next week. Jacinda Ardern and Emmanuel Macron ahead of the Online Extremism Summit in Paris in May 2019. Photo: AFP / 2019 Anadolu Agency The Christchurch Call was initiated by Ardern in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019 and aims to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The second anniversary virtual summit will be held next Saturday, and will involve governments, tech companies and civil society. In a joint statement, Ardern and Macron said leaders will agree on a work plan and priorities for the year ahead. "We expect the call community to refine its focus, redouble its efforts, and agree to a priority work [...]
UK and NZ want Free Trade Agreement across the line as soon as possible
British High Commissioner to New Zealand Laura Clarke says the United Kingdom and New Zealand are committed to accelerating the process of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Photo: 123rf.com The UK is keen to have FTAs with 80 percent of its current trading partners as part of its post-Brexit strategy, with its sights also set on joining the Trans-Pacific partnership (CPTPP). Clarke told Morning Report that Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor and the UK's Secretary of State for International Trade spoke of wanting to make progress "as fast as we can". "Actually to have got as far as we have after just four rounds is actually pretty good going," she said, adding that the next round of talks were scheduled for June and July. [...]
Covid-19 vaccines in New Zealand: What you need to know
Explainer - New Zealand aims to be able to give all over-16s the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the year, but there has been much confusion over who gets it and when. RNZ is here to clear it all up. Photo: RNZ / Vinay Ranchhod Who gets the Covid-19 vaccine? The plan is for basically everyone in New Zealand to get the vaccine, for free. The government has secured enough vaccines to immunise the entire population of New Zealand, and then some. That doesn't include people under 16 years old however, because of a need for more testing, although trials for young people are showing some promise. Some other people cannot get vaccines because they have problems with their immune system, or because of allergic reactions. What is [...]
Auckland University student sick with infectious tuberculosis
Health authorities are tracking down University of Auckland staff and students who may have had contact with a student with infectious tuberculosis. A student at the University of Auckland is sick with infectious tuberculosis. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook Medical officer of health Shanika Perera said Auckland Regional Public Health Service was recently notified of the TB case. The infected student attended MEDSCI203, MEDSCI205 and CHEM390 courses while contagious. Dr Perera said less than 10 students had close contact with the infected student and they had been offered a TB test. The risk of infection was low for other students and staff and they were notified by email. "Symptoms of TB to watch out for include a persistent cough for more than three weeks, sometimes with blood in [...]
Twenty-five killed in deadliest Rio police raid since 2005
Officers from Rio's Civil Police are seen during a police operation against drug traffickers in the Jacarezinho favela on May 6, 2021.PHOTO: AFP RIO DE JANEIRO (REUTERS) - At least 25 people were killed in a shootout between suspected drug traffickers and police in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday (May 6), one of the state’s deadliest police raids, police said. People targeted in the raid in the poor Jacarezinho neighbourhood tried to escape across rooftops as police arrived in armoured vehicles and helicopters flew overhead, television images showed. The firefight forced residents to shelter in their homes. The victims included one police officer, and the remainder were suspected members of the drug gang. Among the dead were leaders of the drug-trafficking gang that dominated life in the slum, [...]
China claims space junk will land in international waters as US watches on
Chinese media says space junk will land in international waters when it makes its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere this weekend. The claims, published in Global Times, a daily tabloid run by the Chinese Communist Party, say reports the Long March 5B rocket is "out of control" and could land in an inhabited area are "hype". The Global Times said the situation is "not worth panicking about". The article claimed the debris was likely to "burn up during re-entry … leaving only a very small portion that may fall to the ground, which will potentially land on areas away from human activities or in the ocean". It comes as the US Pentagon said the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was aware of the situation, and tracking the rocket's trajectory [...]
ANZ reports half-year net profit of $930m
The country's biggest bank has posted an improved profit on the back of increased home lending, reduced bad loans, and a drop in expenses. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon ANZ reported a net profit of $930 million in the six months ended March, up 18 percent on the year earlier's $789m. Lending volumes increased driven by home loan growth, which was partially offset by a fall in commercial lending as well reduced income after it sold UDC Finance last year. Customer deposits rose 1.6 percent, with gross lending up 3.5 percent, over the previous six-month period. The amount set aside for bad and doubtful debts fell $302m, resulting in $70m being credited to its bottom line. "Across the economy, businesses have generally fared better than we expected [...]
Bank of New Zealand’s half-year cash profit rises to $660 million
Another major retail bank has seen its profits surge driven by the strong economic rebound from Covid-19 and lack of bad debts. BNZ chief executive Angie Mentis says the strength of the economic rebound was key to the profit improvement (File image). Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMAS The Bank of New Zealand's (BNZ) half-year cash profit rose to $660 million from $367m the year before. Leaving aside one-off items, the net profit was up by a more modest 13 percent to $563m. The bank, owned by Australia's NAB, had small increases in deposits and lending and managed a small increase in its margins. Chief executive Angie Mentis said the strength of the economic rebound, helped by government and Reserve Bank measures, was a key to the [...]
MIQ bookings set to be available in six-month window
Travellers to New Zealand will soon be able to book managed isolation six months in advance, government documents show. Photo: 123RF The two-week stay in hotel accommodation have been compulsory for more than a year. So far, MIQ vouchers have only been available three to four months in advance. But an Official Information Act response shows MIQ will move to a six-month booking window in the coming weeks. In the documents, MIQ general manager Christina Sophocleous-Jones said unreliable flight information had hindered the voucher system, so her team had been seeking accurate flight data. "The Ministry [of Business, Innovation and Employment] will look to move to a six-month booking horizon in the coming weeks, once flight schedules for the northern summer are confirmed." Dama Black has been trying to [...]
Nepal facing ‘human catastrophe’ similar to India’s amid Covid surge
Country appeals for international help, with vaccines in short supply and a reported 47% positivity rate Workers wearing personal protective equipment enlarge a crematorium in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 5 May as the number of people dying from Covid rises. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters Nepal is struggling to contain an explosion in Covid-19 cases, as fears grow that the situation in the Himalayan country may be as bad, if not worse, than in neighbouring India, with which it shares a long and porous border. Following warnings by health officials earlier this week that the country was on the brink of losing control of its outbreak, Nepal has appealed for urgent international help. As the country reported its highest daily number of new infections – 9,070 – the prime minister, KP [...]
EU efforts to ratify China investment deal ‘suspended’ after sanctions
Political outreach to promote the massive trade agreement stalls after tit-for-tat sanctions prompted by Beijing’s policy in Xinjiang The European commission vice-president, Valdis Dombrovskis, says current relations between Brussels and Beijing are not conducive to further work on the trade deal. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters The European Commission has said that efforts to ratify a massive investment deal with China have been in effect suspended after tit-for-tat sanctions were imposed over China’s treatment of its Uyghur population in March. “We now in a sense have suspended … political outreach activities from the European Commission side,” said the commission’s executive vice-president, Valdis Dombrovskis, on Tuesday. He said that the current state of relations between Brussels and Beijing was “not conducive” for the ratification of the deal, which is known as EU-China [...]
Pfizer forecasts $26bn from annual sales of Covid-19 vaccine
Vaccine will generate 73% more than forecast based on contracts signed until mid-April The jab is priced at $39 for two doses in the US and about $30 in the EU. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images The US drugmaker Pfizer has smashed its sales forecasts and now expects to bring in $26bn (£19bn) of revenue from its Covid-19 vaccine this year, with its soaraway product accounting for more than a third of the company’s annual income. The company had expected the vaccine to bring in $15bn over the course of 2021, and the 73% increase in expected revenues to $26bn is still likely to be an underestimate as it counts only orders received by the middle of April and Pfizer is expected to sign more multibillion dollar supply [...]
Philippines’ top diplomat swears at China online, tells nation to leave disputed waters
File photo of a Philippine coast guard ship sailing past a Chinese coast guard ship near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in May 2019. (File photo: AFP/Ted Aljibe) MANILA: The Philippines' top diplomat unambiguously told Beijing where to go on Monday (May 3), as the government insisted that Chinese vessels were still illegally lingering in the disputed South China Sea. "China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see... O... GET THE F*** OUT," Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweeted. The latest spat between Manila and Beijing over the resource-rich waters - which China claims almost entirely - flared up in March after hundreds of Chinese boats were spotted inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. China has refused repeated calls from the Philippines to [...]
India COVID-19 cases soar past 20 million: Official data
India has added around 8 million new COVID-19 cases since the end of March. (Photo: AFP/Sanjay Kanojia) NEW DELHI: India's total COVID-19 caseload soared past 20 million on Tuesday (May 4), official data showed, as the pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the country's hospitals. In the past 24 hours, India added 357,229 cases, taking the total to 20.3 million, according to the health ministry. Deaths rose by 3,449 to 222,408. Many experts suspect the true number to be much higher. India has added about 8 million new cases since the end of March in a ferocious new wave blamed on virus variants and the government having allowed most activities to resume as well as huge religious and political gatherings. This has overwhelmed India's chronically underfunded healthcare system, leading to dire [...]
First signs of New Zealand housing market slowing – new report
New data has found a reduction in demand in nationwide housing valuations which could be the first signs of the housing market slowing. 6File photo. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon CoreLogic House Price Index tracks property value change and its latest report has found a reduction in demand of valuations, down 11 percent compared to the previous 6 months. "There are signs that there are fewer buyers talking to banks about issuing them mortgages to buy another property," CoreLogic Head of research Nick Goodall said. From now until the rest of the year, the impact of the official reimplementation of the LVR is expected to cool the market. He said anecdotes throughout April were of quieter open homes, a greater share of auctions "passing in" and fear of [...]
G7 UK and US urge G7 to ally against threats from Russia and China
Dominic Raab and Antony Blinken call for defence of open societies and rules-based order Antony Blinken, left, and Dominic Raab hold a press conference after their meeting in London on Monday.Photograph: Reuters Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, and the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, have called for a revitalised and broadened alliance of G7 nations determined to defend open societies and the rules-based order from the threats posed by the autocracies of China and Russia. Speaking after a meeting in London on Monday, Raab said he saw “an increasing demand and need for an agile cluster of countries that share the same values and want to protect the multilateral system”. He said the fact the UK had invited Australia, South Korea, India and South Africa to [...]
At least 13 dead as Mexico City metro overpass collapses
Official say 13 dead and 70 injured as videos on Mexican television and social media showed the overpass falling on to cars below Rescuers work at a site where an overpass for a metro partially collapsed with train cars on it at Olivos station in Mexico City Photograph: Luis Cortes/Reuters A rescue operation was under way after a Mexico City metro overpass partially collapsed on Monday night. At least 13 people died in the incident and about 70 were injured, civil protection authorities in Mexico said. Videos on Mexican television and social media showed train cars hanging in mid-air as sirens blared nearby. Footage on Milenio TV showed the overpass collapsing on to cars on a road below. Another video showed emergency medical crews and firefighters at the scene [...]
Covid hits seven staff at NZ High Commission in India
About seven people have caught Covid-19 in the compound of the New Zealand High Commission in Delhi over recent weeks. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says at least one staff member is seriously ill at the New Zealand High Commission in India. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern released the number this morning, but could not confirm whether the cases were New Zealand citizens or local people employed at the high commission. Ardern told Morning Report there were roughly 40 staff working in the compound, which had been operating under lockdown for almost a year. At least one seriously ill staff member was being treated in a care unit within the compound. Ardern believed the person was a local employee who lived in the [...]
Covid-19: NZ teacher stranded in Mongolia faces uncertain future
New Zealander Mark Chapman, who is in limbo as he awaits a flight out of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, is trying to stay upbeat despite being uncertain when he will see his family again. Chapman is a teacher at the International School in the capital city of Mongolia. He is in his ninth lockdown and separated from his wife and children who are in Aotearoa. He has weathered a freezing winter with air quality he describes as "apocalyptic" and now he's feeling the pressure: his job ends in mid-June at which point his visa runs out and he loses his apartment - but there are no flights to be had. Home seems a long way away. He told Saturday Morning that he doesn't know when he will able to fly [...]
New Zealand urged to update money laundering prosecution guidelines
New Zealand's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures have been marked as adequate but a review has identified some gaps. Photo: 123RF The latest report from the Financial Action Task Force, the global watchdog for money laundering and terrorist financing, assesses the risks New Zealand faces and looks at what laws and measures are in place and how well they are working. It praised New Zealand for its work in recovering the proceeds of crime and for agencies' ability to work together to use intelligence to investigate suspected crimes and trace and seize illicit assets. "The New Zealand Police Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) produces and disseminates a wide range of financial intelligence products, which generally support the operational needs of competent authorities," the report said. "However, New [...]
Collins says her party won’t stand for ‘racist separatism’ New Zealand
National Party leader Judith Collins says her party will not pursue policies of 'racist separatism' when dealing with poverty and lack of opportunity in New Zealand. National Party leader Judith Collins says her party's discussion document was not a secret. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Collins said socio-economic statistics pointing to inequities faced by Māori reflected poverty and simply highlighted the need to address obstacles in the way of all citizens to achieve success in society. She said not all Māori faced poverty and held up deputy leader and National's health spokesperson Shane Reti up as an example of someone who had worked hard to get ahead. Collins made her comments on Morning Report in response to questions over an internal discussion document circulating among National Party members [...]
Government told to include fully-funded ambulance service in health reform
The government is being told its huge health system overhaul should include a fully funded ambulance service. The St John ambulance service relies in part on donations and volunteers. File image Photo: St John / Supplied In countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, ambulances are paid for by their governments - but here in Aotearoa the St John service service relies in part on donations and volunteers. First Union said the upcoming Health New Zealand initiative - which will see the district health boards turned into a single entity - was an opportune moment for change. Funding from the government for St John is about 80 percent with about $190 million provided for the life-saving service each year. But the union's spokesperson Jared Abbott said bridging the remainder [...]
PM talks to media after discussing issues on NZ’s relationship with the US
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce to discuss issues relating to New Zealand's relationship with the United States. Watch the PM speaking here: "For us Five Eyes will continue and will always be very very strategically important to New Zealand. But always going forward we will continue to make sure that we work with our partners around issues like human rights, democracy and as we have always done, we will make sure we raise those concerns in those arenas on an ongoing basis because that is keeping with New Zealand foreign policy," Ardern says. Ardern says New Zealand has an independent foreign policy: "We have chosen partners par se, we have always chosen to stand on our values, which is strongly embedded in [...]
Former Obama White House adviser arrested for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from charter schools he founded
Seth Andrew speaks about charter schools on C-SPAN in 2017 (CNN)A former White House senior adviser for the Obama administration who helped found a network of charter schools is accused of allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the schools and attempting to launder the funds in order to get a lower interest rate on a mortgage for a Manhattan apartment, according to federal prosecutors. Seth Andrew was charged by prosecutors in the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York with wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements to a bank. Prosecutors say Andrew helped create a network of charter schools based in New York City in 2005, and left the network in 2013 for a job at the US Department of Education, and [...]
China offers South Asian countries help with accessing COVID-19 shots
The fiancee of a person who died of COVID-19 breaks down during their cremation in Guwahati, India, on Tuesday, Apr 27, 2021. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) BEIJING: China said on Tuesday (Apr 27) that it had offered help to South Asian countries in accessing COVID-19 vaccines, but India did not attend a regional video conference on the matter, although it is currently suffering the world's worst wave of the pandemic. China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the conference attended by Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to which China's neighbour and regional rival India was also invited, the Chinese foreign ministry said. There was no immediate comment from the Indian government. Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is displayed on a screen as he [...]
Australia suspends travel from India
Australia has just announced it will suspend all direct flights from India until 15 May, and place restrictions on some indirect routes. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Photo: AFP Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this afternoon that all flights from India to Australia would be temporarily halted, as the India continues to deal with a record-breaking Covid-19 outbreak that has plunged its medical system into chaos. The pause which includes repatriation flights into the Howard Springs facility near Darwin, will last until 15 May and the decision will be reviewed before then. Morrison said indirect flights through other cities like Doha, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur had been paused by their respective governments. He also said Australia would send a range of goods to India to help as [...]
Tax rules eased for start-ups facing losses
The rules on the carry-forward of tax losses have been eased to the delight of growing start-up companies and their investors. Photo: nito500/123RF The previous tax law, which was said to be among the most restrictive in the OECD, was changed last month to make it easier for start-up companies to make use of business losses in their early years, when investment could result in big changes to their shareholder register. The original rule had a business continuity test, which included a requirement that tax losses in past years could only be used if 49 percent of the shareholders then were still on the register. Simpson Grierson tax partner Barney Cumberland said the restrictive approach had acted as an impediment to capital raising for early and growth stages [...]
Northlanders over 50 can now get Covid-19 vaccine
A big drop in the age limit for accessing the Covid-19 vaccine means anyone over 50 can now get their shot at Northland immunisation clinics. A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19. Photo: AFP or licensors Northland District Health Board said it changed the age limit when it realised people over 65 had been offered their flu vaccine last week. Those who took it would have to wait two weeks before getting their Covid-19 immunisation, meaning fewer people were eligible for their Covid-19 shot. Northland DHB said the age was changed to reduce any vaccine waste and to accommodate the age of Northland's rural communities. There was a large queue of people waiting to get the Covid-19 vaccine when the Whangārei clinic opened at [...]
Pressure mounts on Johnson over alleged ‘let the bodies pile high’ remarks
Tory sources have lent weight to claim PM said he’d prefer thousands of deaths to another lockdown Boris Johnson during a visit to Llandudno on Monday. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Boris Johnson faced mounting pressure on Monday night as Conservative insiders added weight to claims that the prime minister said he would rather see bodies pile up than order another lockdown. Faced with fury from relatives of the bereaved, Johnson and senior ministers emphatically denied he said “no more fucking lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands” after reluctantly approving a second England-wide lockdown late last year. The claim followed a briefing war at the weekend between Johnson and his former chief aide Dominic Cummings, who resigned from Downing Street after what was believed [...]
Palmerston North hospital upgrade: construction yet to start
A stopgap upgrade of parts of rundown Palmerston North Hospital is proceeding slowly, reaching the stage of doing a developed design. Palmerston North Hospital Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas The $26 million project aims to expand surgical and related services in operating theatres that are old and too cramped. It was announced in January 2020 as part of a $300m injection to hospital projects nationwide. Architects came up with a preliminary design last month. Midcentral District Health Board said funding had been approved, the project was within budget and it was working on finding builders. The aim is to end up with nine operating theatres compared with seven now; four procedure rooms instead of just two; and to set up a new cardiac lab. The new facilities [...]
New Zealanders in India ‘just want to get home’
New Zealanders stuck in India are desperate for help, as the country experiences a devastating second wave of Covid-19 cases. Patients take a stroll at a quarantine centre for Covid-19 coronavirus infected patients at a banquet hall that was converted into an isolation centre to handle the rising cases of infection in New Delhi. Photo: AFP India reported more than 350,000 daily cases on Monday, and more than 2800 deaths, with overcrowded hospitals running low on supplies. New Zealander Kiri Tepana moved to India just over a year ago when her husband was denied a visa to stay in New Zealand. She's isolating at home with him and their two daughters in a small village in Punjab, and said the latest wave of Covid-19 cases was [...]
Attack sends Chinese American New York man to hospital
© Getty Images A New York man is hospitalized in critical condition after he was the victim of what is thought to be an anti-Asian attack, USA Today reported. The 61-year-old Chinese American man was attacked on Friday, New York City police said. The victim was collecting cans in East Harlem when the suspect attacked him from behind, knocked the him to the ground and and repeatedly stomped on his head, according to USA today. In a Saturday tweet, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack “outrageous.”. ADVERTISEMENT “This is outrageous. Make no mistake, we will find the perpetrator and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” De Blasio said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said on Sunday that he’s sending his state hate crimes [...]
EU official: Vaccinated Americans can visit Europe this summer
© Greg Nash Americans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to visit the European Union this summer, more than a year after nonessential travel was suspended between the U.S. and Europe amid the pandemic. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told The New York Times in Brussels on Sunday that EU member states will “accept, unconditionally” people who are inoculated with European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines. “The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” von der Leyen told the Times. “This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.” “Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.,” she added. The [...]
Australia defence minister says conflict with China over Taiwan ‘should not be discounted’
China has been increasingly clear about its reunification ambitions with Taiwan, says Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton.PHOTO: REUTERS MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - Conflict with China over Taiwan "should not be discounted", but Australia will work with its allies in the region to try and maintain peace, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said on Sunday (April 25). "I don't think it (conflict) should be discounted," Mr Dutton said in a television interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) when asked whether the prospects of a conflict over Taiwan are growing. He added that China has been increasingly clear about its reunification ambitions with Taiwan. "People need to be realistic about the activity," Mr Dutton said. "There is militarisation of bases across the region. Obviously, there is a significant amount [...]
Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble to start on May 26: Sources
Hong Kong and Singapore may announce as soon as April 26 a start to their two-way air travel bubble.PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI/ AFP HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) - Hong Kong and Singapore may announce as soon as Monday (April 26) a start to their highly anticipated two-way air travel bubble, according to people familiar with the matter, after multiple delays. Flights under the agreement - which allows people to travel quarantine-free between the two financial hubs - will begin from May 26, said the people, who asked not to be identified as they are not authorised to speak publicly. The number of flights will be increased by June 26 if there are no further outbreaks in either city, one of them said. Hong Kong and Singapore have been working on the [...]
NZSIS counterterror focus on white supremacists found new targets quickly
The spy agency took two years to implement a major shift in how it targeted threats, but once it did, the rewards were almost immediate. NZ Security Intelligence Service director Rebecca Kitteridge speaks after the release of the final report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. Photo: RNZ / Sam Rillstone The Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) got 10 leads on right-wing extremists in the lead-up to the Christchurch mosque attacks. This came within a few months of the SIS shifting from an overriding focus on Islamists and threats it knew about, to looking much harder at ones it did not, notably white supremacists. Summaries of its strategies - newly released to RNZ under the OIA by the SIS - alongside [...]
All 53 on board sunken Indonesian submarine confirmed dead, more debris found: Military chief
The Indonesian military displays an orange submarine escape suit at a press conference in Bali on the sunken submarine KRI Nanggala 402 on Apr 25, 2021. (Photo: Kiki Siregar) BALI: All 53 crew members on board a sunken Indonesian submarine have been confirmed dead, with debris of the vessel found, said Indonesia's military chief on Sunday (Apr 25). Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said search teams had received "visual images" which have been confirmed as parts of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine, such as the rear vertical rudder, anchors and the outside of the pressure body. "... Based on authentic evidence we state that KRI Nanggala 402 has sunk and all of the crew members have died. "Therefore, with deep sadness, as the commander, I declare that 53 KRI Nanggala 402 [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Perth lockdown – New Zealand-Western Australia travel suspended; Air NZ flight cancelled
The six-day-old transtasman bubble has suffered its first major setback. Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins last night halted travel between New Zealand and Western Australia after Perth and a neighbouring region went into a three-day lockdown. The lockdown of Perth and the Peel region came after authorities discovered two people infected with Covid-19 had been in the community for five days, and there were numerous locations of interest, including a pool, eateries, short-stay accommodation and a Qantas flight to Melbourne. The situation was "emerging and serious", West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said in announcing the lockdown, which began at midnight (4am NZT). As set out in the transtasman bubble protocols, travel between New Zealand and Western Australia had been "paused", pending further advice from the state government, Hipkins said. "New [...]
New Zealand stands firm on decision not to criticise China via Five Eyes
New Zealand has criticised as "ill-informed" suggestions its part in the Five Eyes alliance is at risk amid fears over Beijing's influence. Earlier this week, New Zealand said it was "uncomfortable" with letting the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with Australia, Canada, US and Britain dictate its dealings with China. Insiders said the Government would not be corralled into sabotaging its relationship with China, its main trading partner, and would not outsource its foreign policy as rhetoric over China became increasingly bellicose. New Zealand has been reluctant to sign joint statements from Five Eyes partners criticising China over its crackdown in Hong Kong and the arrests of activists there. But it played down suggestions the intelligence-sharing group had fundamental differences over China. Phil Goff, New Zealand's former foreign affairs minister, [...]
Anzac Day 2021: Dawn services and parades in Auckland and across New Zealand
Prince William and Kate have delivered a special message - and a sweet gift - to New Zealand to commemorate Anzac Day. In a written message delievered along with a batch of Anzac biscuits in London, the Duke of Cambridge says the "Anzac qualities of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship are admired as fiercely as ever before". His message and gift came as thousands of New Zealanders today gather together across the country to mark Anzac Day - for the first time in two years, after Covid-19 restrictions meant the anniversary had to be marked without public services in 2020 for the first time since 1916. Prince William and Kate paid tribute to the "indomitable spirit" and "courage" of Australian and New Zealand forces as he joined [...]
Inspection finds peeling walls and residue at US plant that ruined 15m Johnson & Johnson vaccine dose
Food and Drug Administration report describes concerning conditions at Baltimore site where manufacturing was halted A vial of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. An FDA report said a site where manufacturing was halted was not ‘clean and sanitary’. Photograph: Mark Lennihan/AP A US Food and Drug Administration inspection report found unsanitary conditions and other problems at a Baltimore manufacturing plant that ruined more than 15m doses of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The FDA reported the plant operated by Emergent BioSolutions “is not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition”. The report says the paint on the plant’s walls were peeling in several areas and paint flecks were found on the floor. The report also found brown residue on the walls and floors. In late March, the drugmaker [...]
Leading finance firms sign up to Mark Carney forum on low-carbon investment
Barclays, HSBC and Axa among 160 firms in global alliance to hasten transition to net zero economies Banks have joined the new Glasgow forum which aims at ‘mainstreaming climate finance’ but which does not set deadlines for ending fossil fuel investment. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images Banks and financial institutions with more than $70tn assets have pledged to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and ensure their investment portfolios align with the science on the climate. In the initiative, chaired by Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, 160 companies, including 43 banks from 23 countries, will set targets to cut the carbon content of their assets by 2030, in line with an overall goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The forum, the Glasgow Financial Alliance [...]
New Zealand’s first hydrogen bus takes its maiden voyage, as Auckland grapples with its transport emissions
As New Zealand’s first hydrogen-powered bus took off on its maiden voyage in Auckland yesterday afternoon, hardly a murmur could be heard, nor was exhaust gas coming out of its tail end. The bus's departure from Botany Town Centre shortly after 1pm marked the beginning of a two-year trial for Auckland Transport. The trial will compare the hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle’s performance and its operating costs to similar diesel and electric buses doing the same route. The prototype’s trial marks the next step of Auckland Transport's push to achieve an emissions-free bus fleet by 2030. Bus drivers had been testing the $1.175 million prototype bus on the road, initially without passengers, after it was unveiled at Ports of Auckland at the end of March. Bus driver Roanne Paea told [...]
Bank deposits up to $100,000 to be guaranteed by Government
Finance Minister Grant Robertson says Cabinet has finalised new measures aimed at protecting New Zealanders’ interests in the banking and financial system. File image of $50 and $100 notes. Source: 1 NEWS The new measures include guaranteeing deposits of up to $100,000 per eligible institution. In a statement this morning Robertson says this number was increased from $50,000 after feedback and will fully protect 93 per cent of depositors. The reforms will also include a new process for setting lending restrictions, such as loan-to-value ratios. Robertson said the changes, which are the final part of a comprehensive review of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act, have been the subject of extensive consultation. Grant Robertson. Source: Q+A "Taken together, the recommendations will considerably strengthen New Zealand’s financial system safety [...]
Indonesia searching for missing submarine north of Bali with 53 on board
The KRI Nanggala submarine is believed to have disappeared in waters about 95km north of Bali. Photo / AP Indonesia's navy is searching for a submarine that went missing north of the resort island of Bali with 53 people on board, the military said Wednesday (local time). Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the KRI Nanggala 402 was participating in a training exercise when it missed a scheduled reporting call. The submarine is believed to have disappeared in waters about 95km north of Bali, he said. Tjahjanto said the navy has deployed scores of ships to search the area, including a hydrographic survey ship, and has asked for help from Singapore and Australia, which have submarine rescue vessels. The Indonesian Defence Ministry said the submarine lost contact after being [...]
New police station in Mt Roskill, Auckland, opens
Police have opened a new station in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill. The new Mt Roskill police station. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook The build was part of a modernisation programme for police properties. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and Police Minister Poto Williams cut the ribbon at the official ceremony this morning. The new base opened after more than two years of planning, is fitted out with new features to provide better access for the public, and can house nearly 100 staff. It comes after several stations across New Zealand were merged or closed in recent years. Coster said the new station highlighted the police commitment to carry out duties in more "fit-for-purpose" workplaces. Police commissioner Andrew Coster at the opening. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Sydney businesses welcome Kiwis: ‘It’s a big momentum lift’
Sydney tourism operators are over the moon to be welcoming back New Zealanders taking advantage of the quarantine-free travel arrangement. Photo: 123RF Soaking in the sights of Sydney on top of the Harbour Bridge is a key attraction in the city. Bridge Climb Sydney group chief financial officer Deb Zimmer said the past year had been very challenging. "We had a pretty rocky start, obviously we had to close for three months. We were shut from March to June. Then we started to reopen but just shorter days. We used to be open every day of the week and then we started opening three days a week. We're just about to start opening five. So we're stepping up gradually," she said. "But it's been very hard for us. We've [...]
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin convicted of murder in George Floyd case
In this image from video, former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin listens as the verdict is read in his trial for the 2020 death of George Floyd, on Apr 20, 2021, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo: Court TV via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS: Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on Tuesday (Apr 20) of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the deadly arrest of George Floyd, a milestone in the fraught racial history of the United States and a rebuke of law enforcement's treatment of black Americans. The 12-member jury found Chauvin, 45, criminally liable in Floyd's death last year after considering three weeks of testimony from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officials and medical experts. Jurors began their deliberations on Monday. In a confrontation [...]
Auckland Aiport worker has UK strain of Covid-19 – Hipkins
Genomic sequencing has shown the strain of Covid-19 a Managed Isolation and Quarantine worker has is the UK variant and is most closely linked to a passenger that arrived 10 April, the Covid-19 Response Minister says. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The MIQ worker, who cleans high-risk planes at Auckland International Airport, tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday. Chris Hipkins told Morning Report he was awaiting confirmation that the worker cleaned the plane of the most closely linked returnee. "The match is exactly the same, it's identical, so that would suggest it's person to person [contact]." An investigation currently underway would uncover how the person picked up the virus, he said. However, it was possible that with the air conditioning switched off in planes as they were cleaned, droplets [...]
Long-term NZSIS officer runs Thompson and Clark surveillance operations
A former long-term Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) officer is running private intelligence operations for the controversial private investigation company Thompson and Clark. This includes the tracking and monitoring of ex-members of the Exclusive Brethren as reported by Radio New Zealand yesterday. The former intelligence officer, known only by his first name Gerry, uses skills and surveillance techniques learned while working for over thirty years for the NZSIS to assist Thompson and Clark’s private clients. This includes covert surveillance teams, tailing cars and watching houses, photographing people in public places, and extensive monitoring of social media. Covert car tracking devices have also been used. RNZ reported that Thompson and Clark staff have conducted many hundreds of hours of active surveillance against past Exclusive Brethren members in the past two years, assisting [...]
Pacific Ocean storm intensifies into year’s first super typhoon
Waves crash the shore in the province of Catbalogan in Samar, Philippines, on April 18, 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS MANILA (REUTERS) - Strong winds and high waves lashed the eastern Philippines on Monday (April 19) as the strongest typhoon ever recorded in April barrelled past in the Pacific Ocean, killing one man and triggering flooding in lower-lying communities, disaster officials said. The national weather bureau issued a severe wind and heavy rainfall warning on Monday, saying "destructive typhoon-force winds extend outward up to 110km from the centre of the storm". More than 100,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas, according to provincial disaster agencies. The core of Surigae, or Bising as the storm is known locally, is not expected to hit land. But with a diameter of 500km and [...]
Masks come off as Israel vaunts coronavirus victory
Pedestrians walking along a boulevard in Tel Aviv after Israel rescinded the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors, on April 18, 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israelis stepped into the streets without masks on Sunday (April 18) for the first time in a year, a key milestone as the country vaccinates its way out of a coronavirus nightmare. “It’s very strange but it’s very nice,” said Ms Eliana Gamulka, 26, after getting off a bus near the busy Jerusalem shopping boulevard of Jaffa Street and removing her face covering. “You can’t pretend that you don’t know anyone any more,” she smiled. With over half the population fully vaccinated in one of the world’s fastest anti-Covid 19 inoculation campaigns, the health ministry announced on Thursday that masks would no longer [...]
New Zealand says ‘uncomfortable’ with expanding Five Eyes
The New Zealand flag. (File photo: AFP/Marty MELVILLE) SYDNEY: New Zealand said it is "uncomfortable" with expanding the role of the Five Eyes, a post-war intelligence grouping which also includes the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, recently criticised by China. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in a speech that New Zealand sought a predictable diplomatic relationship. New Zealand will find it necessary to speak out on issues where it does not agree with China, including developments in Hong Kong and the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, she said in a speech on Monday (Apr 19) to the government-funded New Zealand China Council. In later comments to media reported by New Zealand's Newshub, Mahuta said New Zealand did not favour [...]
Services sector expanding for first time in five months
The services sector is back in expansion for the first time in five months. Photo: 123RF The BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) for March was 52.4 points, which was up 2.7 points from February and the strongest result since July. However it was below the long-term average of 53.8, with a reading above 50.0 indicating the service sector was generally expanding. The move back into expansion was in line with last month's manufacturing sector activity, which soared to record levels, towering over the long-term averages for production and new orders. New orders, sales and employment also led the services sector back into expansion, while supplier deliveries and inventories remained in contraction. "Any sustained shift towards the services sector exhibiting ongoing expansion will need to see activity/sales and [...]
Japan asks Myanmar to release detained Japanese journalist
Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi raises his hands as he is escorted by police upon arrival at the Myaynigone police station in Sanchaung township in Yangon, Myanmar when he was briefly held on Feb 26, 2021. (Photo: AP) TOKYO: Japan's government said on Monday (Apr 19) that it is asking Myanmar to release Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi who was arrested at his home in Yangon. BBC Burmese quoted a witness as saying Kitazumi was taken into custody by troops on Sunday night. He was asked to raise both hands and was taken away in a car, it said. Kitazumi has not been charged yet and diplomats are seeking permission to visit him in jail, a spokesman told AFP on Monday, adding that he had been transferred overnight from a police watchhouse [...]
India struggles with record COVID-19 count and bed shortage; political rallies continue
People wait to receive a COVID-19 vaccination jab in Mumbai, India on Apr 18, 2021. (Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool) BENGALURU: India's daily COVID-19 cases jumped by a record 273,810 on Monday (Apr 19) as the health system crumbled under the weight of patients, bringing total infections closer to that of the United States, the world's worst hit country. India's hospitals are struggling with a shortage of hospital beds and oxygen supplies as infections pass the 15 million mark, second only to the United States. The country's deaths from COVID-19 rose by a record 1,619 to reach a total of 178,769. Despite soaring infections, politicians continued to hold mass rallies across the country for state elections. Social media was flooded with people complaining about the lack of beds, oxygen cylinders and drugs, and [...]
$15 trillion Investor group calls for banks to set tougher climate targets
A group of investors managing $US11 trillion ($NZ15t) in assets has called on banks to set tougher emissions targets ahead of a meeting of world leaders aimed at accelerating efforts to fight climate change. Photo: 123RF The group, which includes Pimco, the world's biggest bond investor, and Britain's biggest asset manager, Legal & General Investment Management, said they wanted lenders to set 'enhanced' pledges to decarbonise their lending books. While a number of the world's biggest banks have already said they have an 'ambition' to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, many have yet to specify how they plan to do so and continue to fund heavy emitting activities. "The problem we face today is that too many banks are failing to consider climate harm [...]
Minister calls to expand NZ international trade arrangements
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta is urging New Zealand to diversify its trade arrangements and not put all its eggs all one basket with China. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Mahuta has also raised concerns about loan arrangements between China and other Pacific Nations. The comments were made in a keynote speech at the New Zealand China Council meeting in Wellington today. China has been the country's largest trading partner since 2017. "This is a relationship in which all New Zealanders have an interest, and it is a relationship that the government approaches keeping in mind all New Zealanders' long-term interests," Mahuta said. She noted the recent upgrade to the country's fair trade agreement with China which would modernise the existing agreement and [...]
New UK trial studies if people can catch coronavirus again
A nurse attends to a patient on a COVID-19 ward at Milton Keynes University Hospital, amid the spread of the pandemic in the UK on Jan 20, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Toby Melville) LONDON: British scientists on Monday (Apr 19) launched a trial that will deliberately expose participants who have already had COVID-19 to the coronavirus again, to examine immune responses and see if people get reinfected. In February, Britain became the first country in the world to give the go-ahead for so-called "challenge trials" in humans, in which volunteers are deliberately exposed to COVID-19 to advance research into the disease caused by the coronavirus. The study launched on Monday differs from the one announced in February as it seeks to reinfect people who have previously had COVID-19 in [...]
Macron says France “finalizing” plans to ease restrictions for vaccinated travelers
Washington — France is finalizing plans to lift restrictions for Americans traveling to the country who have received their COVID-19 vaccines, French President Emmanuel Macron said, as the nation grapples with another surge in coronaviruscases. "We will progressively lift the restrictions of the beginning of May, which means that we will organize in the summer time with our professionals in France for French European citizens, but as well for American citizens," Macron said in an interview with "Face the Nation" that aired Sunday. "So we are working hard to propose a very concrete solution, especially for U.S. citizens who are vaccinated, so with a special pass, I would say." France is currently in its third national lockdown as it battles another wave of coronavirus infections, with schools closed through [...]
Mahuta warns against economic overexposure to China
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has delivered a significant speech on New Zealand-China relations, saying China must act in ways consistent with its role as a growing power Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says there are some issues on which New Zealand and China do not and cannot agree. File photo: Lynn Grieveson New Zealand must not put all its eggs in one basket when it comes to trade, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has warned in a major speech on Aotearoa-China relations. Mahuta has also signalled the Government’s concern about so-called ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ in the Pacific, saying China’s contribution to the region’s stability should not come through financing loans. In an address to the New Zealand China Council, Mahuta said the relationship with China was “necessary [...]
New Zealand will not be tied to Australia for other border re-openings – Jacinda Ardern
While the trans-Tasman bubble is "a significant day" for New Zealanders, any moves to open the borders to other countries will need to be be based on hard evidence, the prime minister says. The border will open to other parts of the world in stages based on research and data, Jacinda Ardern says. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon After months of discussions, the trans-Tasman bubble is officially open. The prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia are describing it as a world-leading arrangement that promotes travel between the two countries, without letting Covid-19 into the community. Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison say the Pacific Islands are next on the list. Opening up to the Pacific does not need to be done in lock-step with Australia, Ardern told [...]
Russia expels 20 Czech diplomats after blast blamed on Skripal suspects
The Czech Republic said it had informed Nato and European Union allies that it suspected Russia of causing the 2014 blast.PHOTO: AFP MOSCOW/PRAGUE (REUTERS) - Moscow expelled 20 Czech diplomats on Sunday (April 18) in a confrontation over Czech allegations that two Russian spies accused of a nerve agent poisoning in Britain in 2018 were behind an earlier explosion at a Czech ammunition depot that killed two people. Prague had on Saturday ordered out 18 Russian diplomats, prompting Russia to vow on Sunday to "force the authors of this provocation to fully understand their responsibility for destroying the foundation of normal ties between our countries". Moscow gave the Czech diplomats just a day to leave, while Prague had given the Russians 72 hours. The Czech Republic said it [...]
Fukushima: Japan announces it will dump contaminated water into sea
Environmental groups and neighbours condemn plan to release more than 1m tonnes of contaminated water in two years’ time The storage tanks for treated water are seen at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Japan. Photograph: Sakura Murakami/Reuters Japan has announced it will release more than 1m tonnes of contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, a decision that has angered neighbouring countries, including China, and local fishers. Official confirmation of the move, which came more than a decade after the nuclear disaster, will deal a further blow to the fishing industry in Fukushima, which has opposed the measure for years. The prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, told a meeting of ministers on Tuesday that the government had decided that [...]
Trans-Tasman travel – Here’s what you need to know
After a year of waiting, quarantine-free 'green' flights between Australia and New Zealand will run from today - only the second such travel bubble operating in a world still under siege from Covid-19. Photo: 123RF We join Taiwan and Palau as neighbours providing reciprocal, restriction-free travel, after achieving joint success in eliminating community cases and controlling Covid-19 it at the border. However, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned, travel isn't without its risks, with the Covid-19 status of both countries fluid and changeable. Here's what you need to know about the travel bubble. All Australian states and territories are participating in quarantine-free travel with New Zealand. However, you will need to check that the state or territory you want to land in, or travel onwards to, is [...]
Kris Faafoi announces new border exceptions for relatives of some migrant workers
New border exceptions will allow partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders, who themselves hold visas, into New Zealand. It is one of a number of exceptions announced by Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi. Watch the announcement here: The government is fixing an anomaly which meant migrant workers who entered the country before last year's Covid-19 border closure could not bring their families but those who came after could. It has been reported that 5000 family members are affected by the rule. Only temporary visa holders who were overseas when the border closed, but who normally live here, can apply to enter under the border exceptions. Offshore visa applications for the families of healthcare workers are also covered under the exceptions, meaning once again these workers can apply [...]
Polyfest 2021 day three: Tongan, Niue and Samoan stages
Hundreds more performers shone on the Polyfest stages today as the competition began for Tonga, Samoa and Niue. Auckland's Polyfest 2021 returned after two years of disruption and cancellations and although school participation numbers had dwindled, the passion was still very much alive. RNZ's Mabel Muller and Dan Cook were there to capture the action from day three.
Magic mushrooms show promise in treatment for depression, study says
Trial suggests psilocybin combined with psychological therapy is as effective as antidepressant drug One of the authors of the study warned against seeking out mushrooms for DIY treatment. Photograph: Imperial College London/PA Magic mushrooms have a long and rich history. Now scientists say they could play an important role in the future, with their active ingredient a promising treatment for depression. The results from a small, phase two clinical trial have revealed that two doses of psilocybin appears to be as effective as the common antidepressant escitalopram in treating moderate to severe major depressive disorder, at least when combined with psychological therapy. “I think it is fair to say that the results signal hope that we may be looking at a promising alternative treatment for depression,” said Dr Robin [...]
Sweden has highest new Covid cases per person in Europe
Figure of 625 new infections per 1m people is many times larger than Nordic neighbours People queue for their vaccine against Covid-19 at the Stockholmsmässan centre in Stockholm, Sweden.Photograph: Fredrik Sandberg/EPA Sweden has reported Europe’s highest number of new coronavirus infections per head over the past week and has more patients in intensive care than at any time since the pandemic’s first wave. The Scandinavian country, which has opted against strict lockdowns but gradually ratcheted up its still mostly voluntary restrictions, has a seven-day average of 625 new infections per million people, according to ourworldindata.org. That compares with 521 in Poland, 491 in France, 430 in the Netherlands, 237 in Italy and 208 in Germany, the data showed. The figure was many times higher than the 65, 111 [...]
New Zealand introduces climate change law for financial firms in world first
FILE PHOTO: The town of Glenorchy on Lake Wakatipu and Otago river in New Zealand. (Reuters/Henning Gloystein) SYDNEY: New Zealand has become the first country to introduce a law that will require banks, insurers and investment managers to report the impacts of climate change on their business, minister for climate change James Shaw said on Tuesday (Apr 13). All banks with total assets of more than NZ$1 billion (US$703 million), insurers with more than NZ$1 billion in total assets under management, and all equity and debt issuers listed on the country's stock exchange will have to make disclosures. "We simply cannot get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 unless the financial sector knows what impact their investments are having on the climate," Shaw said in a statement. "This [...]
More than 18,200 people visited Singapore through unilateral border openings; 70% from China
Travellers walking out from the arrival hall at Changi Airport Terminal 1 (Photo: Jeremy Long) SINGAPORE: More than 18,200 visitors have entered Singapore on an Air Travel Pass from places that Singapore has unilaterally opened its borders to. The figure, as of Apr 8, includes about 2,400 travellers from Australia, 800 from Brunei, as well as 12,800 from mainland China, which made up about 70 per cent of the total number. There were also 300 Air Travel Pass visitors from New Zealand, 800 from Taiwan and 1,100 from Vietnam, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in response to queries from CNA. The Air Travel Pass allows short-term, leisure travellers to enter Singapore without any restriction on their itineraries. This is different from the reciprocal green lanes between countries, which are for essential or business travel. [...]
Turkey’s economic turmoil drives Bitcoin frenzy
Investors turn to cryptocurrency after Erdoğan’s sacking of central bank governor caused further fall in lira A man holds a physical imitation of a Bitcoin at a cryptocurrency exchange near the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.Photograph: Ozan Köse/AFP/Getty Images The neighbourhood teahouse is a focus of daily life across Turkey, an Ottoman tradition that has endured through the centuries. At the Red Lightning teahouse in Çorum, the enterprising owners have one foot in the past and one in the future: it’s the first one in the country where customers can pay in bitcoin. “Everyone we know in Çorum is starting to invest in cryptocurrency. We think that in five years or so regular currency will be in decline, it will be replaced by digital ones. So we wanted to be in [...]
Largest Chinese breach of Taiwan air zone in a year after US warning
China sends 25 military jets a day after US secretary of state’s comments about Beijing’s aggression A file photo from February 2020 of a Taiwanese military jet in the foreground flanking a Chinese bomber passing near Taiwan. Photograph: AP Twenty-five Chinese military jets breached Taiwan’s defence zone on Monday, the island’s government has said, after a senior US official warned of an “increasingly aggressive” Beijing. The defence ministry scrambled aircraft to broadcast warnings to leave after Chinese jets, including 18 fighters, entered the island’s southwest air defence identification zone for a 10th straight day. The incursion – the largest in a year – came after the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, on Sunday warned China not to attempt to change the status quo around Taiwan, saying to [...]
NZ Becomes First In World For Climate Reporting
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says Aotearoa New Zealand has become the first country in the world to introduce a law that requires the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on their business and explain how they will manage climate-related risks and opportunities. The Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosure and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been introduced to Parliament and will receive its first reading this week. “It is important that every part of New Zealand’s economy is helping us cut emissions and transition to a low carbon future This legislation ensures that financial organisations disclose and ultimately take action against climate-related risks and opportunities, “Becoming the first country in the world to introduce a law like this means we have an opportunity to show [...]
COVID ‘long Way From Over’ As Cases And Deaths Surge – WHO
The COVID-19 pandemic is “a long way from over” but there are many reasons to be optimistic and it’s possible the pandemic can be brought under control “within months”, the head of the UN health agency said on Monday. Although January and February saw six consecutive weeks of plummeting COVID-19 cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said that had gone into reverse, with last week yielding “the fourth-highest number of cases in a single week so far”. “We have now seen seven consecutive weeks of increasing cases, and four weeks of increasing deaths”, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at a regular media briefing. Keep physical distancing More than 780 million doses of vaccine have now been administered globally, but several Asian and Middle Eastern countries have seen large [...]
2020 Prime Minister’s Science Prize winners
There are some familiar faces as well as some new names among the Prime Minister’s Science Prize winners this year. Two of the five prizes are awarded for efforts to better understand and communicate the Covid-19 pandemic. A team of 24 researchers working on covid-19 modelling with Te Te Pūnaha Matatini has won the 2020 Prime Minister's Science Prize. Photo: University of Auckland The five Prime Minister’s Science Prizes are New Zealand’s most valuable research awards. Awarded annually, they are worth nearly $1 million. A real team effort The team prize, worth half a million, has been awarded to a consortium of 24 researchers working together in the field of complexity science as part of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence. In early 2020, director Shaun Hendy saw [...]
Police, Defence Force and Transport Agency contractor spending up by at least 15%
Private contractors and consultants are doing well out of government spending propelled by the pandemic and big IT projects. Photo: 123rf Thousands of them were collectively paid more than a billion last year by 17 of the largest departments or agencies. The Covid-19 response has forced spending up, and there's more to come, say several agencies in their annual reviews. Caught in the crosshairs, the Social Development Ministry expects its spending on contractors to rocket up 50 percent this year, to $93 million, as it starts up IT projects delayed by the pandemic. Public Services Minister Chris Hipkins is forecasting greater demand for contractors for the next 12 months, due to the pandemic and one-off capital projects like building classrooms, but says overall the trend is down. Yet, even [...]
Tropical Cyclone Seroja makes landfall in Western Australia
The destructive core of tropical cyclone Seroja is moving inland north of Geraldton in Western Australia after wind gusts of up to 170km/h were reported during landfall. The storm hit the Western Australian coast south of Kalbarri at 8.00pm AWST on Sunday as a category three system. At 10.00pm AWST the storm weakened to a category two system as it continued moving inland. Cyclone Seroja is travelling at around 55km/h and significant impacts are expected to extend south and inland through to Wheat Belt communities overnight. The cyclone will weaken as it moves further inland today but is still likely to result in damaging wind gusts and heavy rain. A severe weather warning is current for areas to the southeast of the Tropical Cyclone Warning area. The Bureau of [...]
India protests US Navy’s transit through its exclusive economic zone
India's military monitored the movement of the USS John Paul Jones (pictured) as it headed towards the Malacca Straits.PHOTO: AFP NEW DELHI (REUTERS) - India protested to the United States for a navy vessel conducting a transit through its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without consent, the foreign ministry said on Friday (April 9), in a rare row between the friendly navies of the two countries. The USS John Paul Jones "asserted navigational rights and freedoms," inside India's EEZ in line with international law by sailing about 130 nautical miles (241km) west of India's Lakshadweep islands, the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement on Wednesday. But an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement that UN rules did not allow such passage without consent. "The Government [...]
Pacquiao dares hate crime suspects: ‘Ako labanan mo, duwag!’
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — Senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao took to social media to challenge hate crime suspects amid waves of reported anti-Asian violence in the United States. Pacquiao joined the voices of other celebrities and personalities in condemning Asian-American attacks. "Tigilan nyo ang pag-atake sa mga Pilipino na walang laban. Ako labanan mo, duwag!" the Filipino boxing icon said in his Facebook post. [Translation: Stop attacking Filipinos who can't defend themselves. Fight me instead, you coward!] Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion and oldest welterweight champion in boxing history. He holds a record of 62 wins, seven losses, and two draws in a career that spans over two decades. The recent hate-crime attack involved a 65-year-old Filipino-American woman. The assault was captured [...]
Coronavirus: WHO chief criticises ‘shocking’ global vaccine divide
IMAGE COPYRIGHTREUTERS image captionThe WHO-led Covax scheme is designed to boost vaccine supplies to poorer nations around the world The World Health Organization (WHO) has criticised what it describes as a "shocking imbalance" in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor countries. The group's chief said a target of seeing vaccination programmes under way in every country by Saturday would be missed. The WHO has long called for fairer distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. It is leading the Covax scheme which is designed to get jabs to poorer nations. So far, more than 38 million doses have been delivered to around 100 countries under the scheme. Covax hopes to deliver more than two billion doses to people in 190 countries in less than a year. In [...]
Elon Musk startup shows monkey with brain chip implants playing video game
Neuralink video appears to show monkey controlling game paddle simply by thinking Elon Musk co-founded the San Francisco-based Neuralink in 2016. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters The billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup released footage on Friday appearing to show a monkey playing a simple video game after getting implants of the new technology. The three-minute video by Neuralink shows Pager, a male macaque with chips embedded on each side of its brain, playing Mind Pong. Although he was trained to move a joystick, it is now unplugged. He appears to control the paddle simply by thinking about moving his hand up or down. “First @Neuralink product will enable someone with paralysis to use a smartphone with their mind faster than someone using thumbs,” Musk tweeted on Thursday. Neuralink works by [...]
Kindness shown in ship’s sinking unites Chinese and Māori cultures in Northland
The kindness which formed an enduring relationship between two cultures has been hailed as a powerful example for all New Zealanders. The joining of Māori and Chinese cultures was recognised in Northland on Saturday at the historical SS Ventnor memorial dedication ceremony. Held at Opononi on the edge of the Hokianga Harbour, the ceremony brought together about 200 people with different backgrounds, ethnicities and languages. LUCY XIA/STUFF A lion dance pays tribute to deceased Chinese miners whose remains sank with the SS Ventnor in 1902, at the SS Ventnor memorial dedication ceremony at Opononi. The story of the SS Ventnor is one that was almost lost in time. In 1902 the ship was chartered by association [...]
Kōkako population increasing in Pirongia Forest Park
The kōkako population in the Pirongia Forest Park in Waikato is expected to reach about 60 this year after the native bird had disappeared from the maunga in the 1990s. Predators, such as rats, stoats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs threaten the survival of the kōkako. Photo: supplied A joint project between the Department of Conservation and the Pirongia Te Aroaro O Kahu Restoration Society (PRS) has worked to bring back the kōkako. About 40 were released in the park in 2017 and 2018 to kickstart a breeding programme. Clare St Pierre from the society said with the latest nesting season over it is hoped another 20 chicks will be raised successfully. ''It was in the 1990s the last were captured to stop them going extinct, so DOC arranged [...]
Govt increases Air NZ loan by $600m
The government has increased how much money Air New Zealand can borrow, as it defers its plan for a capital raise until September. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook The national carrier had initially planned to tap shareholders for a cash injection around June. However, the company has delayed that until late September as it assesses recent developments such as the vaccine roll-out, an extension to the airfreight capacity scheme, and the opening of a trans-Tasman bubble. "These developments are good news and fundamental to Air New Zealand's return to success, but the storm hasn't cleared yet," Air New Zealand chair Therese Walsh said. To ensure the company has sufficient cash reserves until then, the government has increased loan to the airline by $600 million to a total of $1.5 [...]
Commentary: Singaporean companies are not spared the impact of Myanmar’s political woes
Besides coping with changed rules, Singaporean businesses have come under increased scrutiny by international and Myanmar activists, says ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s Dr Su-Ann Oh. Unrest -- including a widespread strike -- has crippled Myanmar's economy AFP/STR SINGAPORE: Singaporean businesses, like other enterprises in Myanmar, have been trying to navigate the turbulent waves created by the military coup on Feb 1. Their operations have been affected in three main ways: Everyday disruptions brought about by political protests against the coup, challenges raised by the measures taken by the military government to assert control over resistance to the coup, and greater scrutiny of Singaporean businesses and their links with the Myanmar military. In the first few days after the coup, internet blackouts and communication blocks set [...]
Iran starts up advanced centrifuges in nuclear deal breach
The type of centrifuges used at Iran's uranium enrichment plant in Natanz are one of the key restrictions it signed up to under a troubled 2015 nuclear deal with major powers AFP/HO TEHRAN: Iran announced on Saturday (Apr 10) it has started up advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges in a breach of its undertakings under a troubled 2015 nuclear deal, days after the start of talks on rescuing the accord. The United States had said on Friday that it had offered "very serious" ideas on reviving the accord but was waiting for Tehran to reciprocate, something Saturday's move signally failed to do. President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated the three cascades of 164 IR-6 centrifuges, 30 IR-5 and another 30 IR-6 devices at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in a ceremony broadcast [...]
Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa to get tougher steps to fight coronavirus
Special countermeasures likely to apply to capital's 23 wards and Musashino, the city of Kyoto and Naha The Japanese government will decide Friday to put Tokyo plus Kyoto and Okinawa prefectures under the novel coronavirus quasi-emergency stage following a resurgence in infection cases there. The stage, under which powerful “priority” measures can be taken under a recently revised law, is expected to run from Monday until May 11 in Tokyo and until May 5 in Kyoto and Okinawa. The decision will be made Friday at a meeting of the government’s coronavirus response headquarters, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering taking the priority measures mainly in the densely populated 23 special wards and the nearby city of Musashino, informed sources said. The measures will [...]
World leaders react to news of Duke of Edinburgh’s death
World leaders have expressed sympathy and sorrow at the Duke of Edinburgh's death. Archive photo: Prince Phillip in 2015 Photo: AFP In a statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family. "Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family," Ardern said. "Prince Philip will be fondly remembered for the encouragement he gave to so many young New Zealanders through The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. In over 50 years of The Award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme. "New Zealanders will [...]
COVID-19 variants could drive up economic hit on Tokyo by ¥4 trillion
A woman films with her mobile phone on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Friday. | AFP-JIJ University of Tokyo economists estimate the capital could take an additional ¥4 trillion economic hit if highly contagious coronavirus variants spread quickly across the city, but says the impact can be mitigated if infections are slowed. A relatively speedy spread of mutations in Tokyo could leave the capital dealing with over 1,400 daily infections in May — up from around 500 in recent days — an increase that would make variants a major source of new COVID-19 infections by around July, the estimate shows. Such a scenario would expand the economic loss in Tokyo by ¥3.76 trillion, according to the team led by Taisuke Nakata, an associate professor of economics, and [...]
Alibaba fined $2.8 billion on competition charge in China
BEIJING (AP) — Alibaba Group, the world’s biggest e-commerce company, was fined 18.3 billion yuan ($2.8 billion) by Chinese regulators on Saturday for anti-competitive tactics, as the ruling Communist Party tightens control over fast-growing tech industries. Party leaders worry about the dominance of China’s biggest internet companies, which are expanding into finance, health services and other sensitive areas. The party says anti-monopoly enforcement, especially in tech, is a priority this year. Alibaba was fined for “abusing its dominant position” to limit competition by retailers that use its platforms and hindering “free circulation” of goods, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced. It said the fine was equal to 4% of its total 2019 sales of 455.712 billion yuan ($69.5 billion). “Alibaba accepts the penalty with sincerity and will ensure [...]
Air New Zealand starts to sell direct flights to Tasmania
Air New Zealand has started selling tickets for the airline's direct flights to Tasmania. (file picture) Photo: Supplied / Air New Zealand The Auckland to Hobart service will be the airline's first new international route since the Covid-19 pandemic started. The first flight is set to depart at 9am on the 22 April and will operate on Thursdays and Sundays. Chief executive Greg Foran said it is exciting to be launching a new route after a year of being predominantly a domestic airline. "It's really exciting to be launching a new route alongside reopening our other Australian ports after a year of being predominantly a domestic airline," he said in a statement. Foran said the non-stop service opens a direct link between Auckland and a potential 540,000 Tasmanian [...]
Adapting at pace: One year of MIQ in New Zealand
The leaders of MIQ have paid tribute to a system they describe as a cornerstone of New Zealand's Covid-19 elimination strategy. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas One year ago today, all arrivals at New Zealand airports began to be taken to managed isolation hotels for a 14-day stay. Since then, 130,600 people have passed through the 32 border hotels. Joint head Megan Main said staff working at the facilities had made "considerable personal sacrifices" to keep those people safe. More than 850 people have tested positive for Covid-19 during their stay - including about 95 current cases. Main said MIQ had been a process of continuous improvement and the biggest learning curve had been adapting "at pace". "If something goes wrong, we get together and learn from [...]
US unveils new rules for government contacts with Taiwan
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces his appointment of Gayle Smith as the new State Department Coordinator for Global COVID-19 Response and Health Security as he speaks about U.S. leadership in fighting the coronavirus pandemic at the State Department in Washington, Monday, April 5, 2021. (Al Drago/Pool via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department on Friday unveiled new rules for U.S. government contacts with Taiwan that are likely to anger China but appear to reimpose some restrictions that had been lifted by the Trump administration. The department announced the changed policy in a statement that said the Biden administration intends to “liberalize” the rules to reflect the “deepening unofficial relationship” between the U.S. and Taiwan. However, the revised guidelines don’t include all the changes put in place by [...]
World shares mixed, US futures higher
Men wearing protective masks stand in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm as a car passes by in Tokyo Friday, April 9, 2021. Shares fell Friday in most Asian markets after China reported a stronger than expected rise in prices that could prompt authorities to act to cool inflation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) BANGKOK (AP) — European shares opened higher on Friday and U.S. futures gained after a lackluster session in Asia. Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1% to 15,222.44 and the CAC 40 in Paris picked up 0.3% to 6,182.93. Britain’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 6,932.51. The future for the S&P 500 inched up 0.1% and the future for the Dow industrials added 0.2%. Asian shares were mostly lower after [...]
Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99
FILE - In this Wednesday Aug. 2, 2017 file photo, Britain's Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, attends a Parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in central London. Buckingham Palace says Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died aged 99. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP, File) LONDON (AP) — Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life, has died, Buckingham Palace said Friday. He was 99. His life spanned nearly a century of European history, starting with his birth as a member of the Greek royal family and ending as Britain’s longest serving consort during a turbulent reign in [...]
Ardern invited to US-led summit on the climate crisis
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is among 40 world leaders invited to a virtual summit on climate to be hosted by US President Joe Biden. Jacinda Ardern will be among leaders asked to share their countries climate plans, when a climate summit happens later this month. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Leaders Summit on Climate on 22-23 April will underscore the urgency - and the economic benefits - of stronger climate action, the White House said in a statement. The US regards the event as a forerunner to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow in November. The virtual meeting will be live-streamed for public viewing. It reconvenes the US-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for [...]
Beijing colour-codes buildings to show workers’ Covid vaccination rates
Chinese capital rolls out grading system as part of campaign to vaccinate 560m people by June A man walks past a blue sign indicating workers’ Covid vaccination rates on the door of a printing business in Beijing. Photograph: Leo Ramirez/AFP/Getty Images Beijing authorities are colour-coding buildings to show the public the rates of vaccination among businesses’ employees, as part of a campaign to vaccinate more than 560 million people by June. In recent weeks, green signs have appeared in the shopping centre in the Chinese capital’s financial district. The circular design showed a health worker in full PPE, holding a giant syringe and a medieval knight-style shield, and text declaring the vaccination rate of workers in the area was more than 80%. Other buildings with rates [...]
Festival drug testing law to be made permanent – Minister Little
The government has given a permanent all clear for pill testing at summer festivals, allowing partygoers to check whether their illicit drugs have been laced. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas MPs rushed through interim legislation under urgency late last year to ensure volunteer checkers would not be prosecuted over the holiday period. The bill is set to expire in December but Health Minister Andrew Little says fresh legislation would be passed this year, making it permanent. He says Victoria University of Wellington research shows 68 percent of festival-goers who used the service changed their behaviour as a result. Some disposed of the drugs that had been tested, some reduced the amount of drugs they took, and most 87 percent said that as a result of talking to the [...]
Macron to close elite school that hothouses French leaders
Institution has been pathway to power for country’s elite, including four French presidents The former French president François Hollande (right) and his successor Emmanuel Macron in 2017. Both leaders studied at ENA. Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Emmanuel Macron is expected to officially announce on Thursday the closure of the École Nationale d’Administration, the elite French finishing school for the country’s leaders where he studied. Known as ENA, the grande école has been the hothouse for France’s top civil service and a pathway to power in the public and private sectors. Four French presidents, including Macron, have passed through its doors as have dozens of ministers and business leaders. Founded by Gen Charles de Gaulle in October 1945 with the idea of breaking the upper-class hold over France’s higher [...]
Great Britain’s electricity system has greenest day ever over Easter
Sun and wind generated 60% of all electricity on Monday, data shows Solar farm on Godley Reservoir in Hyde, Manchester. Sunshine and windy weather helped National Grid to lowest carbon intensity recorded since 1935. Photograph: Ashley Cooper pics/Alamy Stock Photo Great Britain’s electricity system recorded its greenest ever day over the Easter bank holiday as sunshine and windy weather led to a surge in renewable energy. The power plants generating electricity in England, Scotland and Wales produced only 39g of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour of electricity on Monday, according to National Grid’s electricity system operator, the lowest carbon intensity recorded since National Grid records began in 1935. The new low smashed the grid’s previous record of 46g on 24 May last year, during the country’s greenest ever [...]
New Zealand temporarily suspending travel from India – PM Jacinda Ardern
Travel into New Zealand from India - including for New Zealand citizens and residents - is being temporarily suspended because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield confirmed this afternoon that a border worker had tested positive for Covid-19. Bloomfield also announced 23 new positive Covid cases in managed isolation, 17 of whom had arrived from India. Ardern says she is focusing on the new cases at the border today. "Cases of the virus have been on the rise internationally ... with surges particularly in Brazil and India... we are starting to see this global trend mirrored here," she says. "We are temporarily suspending entry into New Zealand for travellers from India." The travel ban will be from 11 [...]
Russian President Putin signs law allowing him to serve two more terms
The legislation gives Russian leader Vladimir Putin the possibility to stay in power until 2036.PHOTO: REUTERS MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (April 5) gave final approval to legislation allowing him to hold office for two additional six-year terms, giving himself the possibility to stay in power until 2036. The 68-year-old Russian leader, who has already been in power for more than two decades, signed off on the Bill on Monday, according to a copy posted on the government's legal information portal. Putin proposed the change last year as part of constitutional reforms that Russians overwhelmingly backed in a vote in July. Lawmakers approved the new Bill last month. The legislation will allow Putin to run in presidential elections again after his current and [...]
All DHBs now operating vaccination programmes- Bloomfield
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says all New Zealand's district health boards are now operating vaccination programmes, and vaccine numbers are likely to increase further. He was speaking at today's Covid-19 vaccine update, alongside Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare. Bloomfield says 90,286 vaccine doses administered have been administered so far and New Zealand is likely to hit the 100,000 milestone in the next couple of days. He says 147 adverse reactions to the vaccine have been recorded, and three of those cases are considered serious. All those involved an allergic reaction of some kind and no new safety concerns have been identified in New Zealand. Henare received his first Pfizer vaccine dose at a clinic in Porirua this morning. He is one of several politicians with a [...]
Research shows promising development in hunt for HIV vaccine
Though they've shown success, the trials are still in the very early stages. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images After more than 30 years of attempts, there may be a promising advance in the search for a vaccine for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS if left untreated. Now, preliminary data from an early stage clinical trial out of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, suggests that a new HIV vaccine may hold promise. "These are very early studies. But nonetheless, they are provocative," said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, who was not involved in the clinical trial. Although the vaccine candidate will still [...]
Race to find dozens missing in deadly Indonesia, Timor-Leste floods
Rescuers retrieving a victim's body in Nelemamadike village, East Flores, after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. (Photo: AFP/National Search and Rescue Agency/Handout) LEMBATA: Rescuers were searching for dozens of people still missing on Tuesday (Apr 6) after floods and landslides swept away villages in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, killing at least 120 people and leaving thousands more homeless. Torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Seroja turned small communities into wastelands of mud, uprooted trees and sent about 10,000 people fleeing to shelters across the neighbouring Southeast Asian nations. Indonesia's disaster management agency said it had recorded 86 deaths in a cluster of remote islands near Timor-Leste, where another 34 have been officially listed as dead since the disaster struck on Sunday. Authorities revised down a higher [...]
Janet Yellen pledges greater US international co-operation
GETTY IMAGES The US "isolated ourselves and retreated from the international order that we created," Janet Yellen said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has signalled a stronger engagement on issues from climate change to human rights to tax evasion, pledging to restore America's economic leadership. "America first must never mean America alone," she said in her first major speech on its overseas economic policy. Ms Yellen is also keen for greater global co-operation, rolling back Donald Trump's protectionist policies. She also raised the issue of a global corporate tax rate. "Over the last four years, we have seen first hand what happens when America steps back from the global stage," Ms Yellen said pointing to a reversal of Mr Trump's international economic policies. The US "isolated ourselves and [...]
New Zealand, Australia travel no-quarantine bubble to start on 19 April – Ardern, Hipkins
Conditions for quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand have been met, and a bubble will start in less than two weeks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.
Christchurch: Treasures arise from cathedral ruins, 10 years after earthquake
Finds include 1980s time capsules, old collection boxes and a nativity scene with figures heads ‘taken clean off’ A rescue worker looks through the rubble of the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch, New Zealand after the February 2011 earthquake Photograph: Simon Baker/REUTERS Ten years on from Christchurch’s devastating earthquake, the Catholic Diocese has discovered that it is missing a pair of angels. As work continues to deconstruct the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Barbadoes Street – extensively damaged in the 2011 quake, along with most of the central city – many treasures thought lost have been recovered. Triona Doocey, archivist for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, has been documenting the finds on Facebook – among them, decades-old time capsules, a charity collection box full of [...]
Dozens jailed in New Zealand for coronavirus breaches
Large proportion of Māori among the more than 400 people to be convicted draws concerns about police bias A police officer on patrol in Wellington during the first day of New Zealand’s first lockdown in March last year. Dozens of people have been sent to prison for Covid breaches. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images More than 400 New Zealanders have been convicted of breaching coronavirus restrictions, with one in five of them sentenced to prison terms. New Zealand passed new laws in May last year that gave the Ministry of Health special powers and provided a legal framework for closing businesses, enforcing lockdowns or creating stay-at-home orders during the pandemic. Over the past year, thousands of New Zealanders broke those rules – with more than 7,500 breaches [...]
Gusty severe weather and high fire danger prompt warnings
Fire fighters spent last night battling two small vegetation fires in high winds, and much of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island are being warned to prepare for severe weather today. Photo: Supplied/ MetService MetService has issued a number of weather warnings and watches, with northwesterly wind gusts of up to 130 km/h expected in exposed places, particularly around the Canterbury High Country. The northwest flow will bring high temperatures, with Dunedin, Timaru and Christchurch expected to reach the mid to late twenties. People in rural Otago and Canterbury are asked to avoid lighting fires today, to prevent the flames being spread by the wind. At 10.40pm last night Otago fire crews were called to Taieri Mouth Road, south of Brighton, following [...]
Tourism New Zealand forecasting billion-dollar economy boost if trans-Tasman bubble opens
Welcoming Australians back to Aotearoa could result in a billion dollar boost to our economy if a trans -Tasman bubble opens in the coming weeks. Before Covid-19, Australia was our biggest overseas market, making up about 40 percent of international visitors (file image). Photo: 123rf.com That's the latest forecasting from Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) ahead of Tuesday's expected opening date announcement. TNZ interim chief executive René de Monchy said it would be very welcome news after a tough year for tourism. Before Covid-19, Australia was our biggest overseas market, making up about 40 percent of international visitors. That accounted for about $2.7 billion a year. "And by our modelling if a Australia opens up in the coming weeks, it could be up to $1b and maybe even [...]
US couple arrested while trying to join ISIS in Yemen
The case demonstrated that extremist groups still exert a pull on some people in the US.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US couple was charged on Thursday (April 1) with support for a terror group after trying to board a Yemen-bound ship to join the ISIS militant group, the Justice Department said. James Bradley, 20, of New York and Arwa Muthana, 29, from Alabama were stopped on Wednesday as they stepped onto the gangplank of a cargo ship in Newark, New Jersey. The Justice Department said that Bradley had expressed violent extremist views since at least 2019, and in contacts with an undercover law enforcement agency last year repeatedly said he believed in the ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) group. He also told the undercover [...]
Stock markets hit new records on Biden spending plan
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES Asian markets rose on Friday following a record-breaking session on Wall Street. The S&P 500 broke the 4000-point barrier for the first time, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones also made gains. Investors were buoyed by President Joe Biden's new $2.3tn (£1.7tn) infrastructure spending plan and growing optimism about the economy. Markets in Tokyo and Seoul were up more than 1%, while Shanghai was also in positive territory. Trading was thin in Asia, as markets in Hong Kong and Australia were closed for Good Friday. Renewed optimism The latest highs in the US point to renewed confidence among investors that the economic recovery is gaining pace. The S&P 500 has gained 7% since the start of 2021, although the Nasdaq is about 5% below its peak [...]
Jordan arrests: Former crown prince says he is under house arrest
Jordan's former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein has sent a video message through his lawyer, saying he is under house arrest and criticising the way the country is being governed. In the video which is nearly six minutes long, Prince Hamzah says the chief of the Jordanian armed forces told him he was "not allowed to go out, communicate with people or to meet with them". He said that a number of his friends had been arrested, his security had removed and his internet and phone lines had been cut. Earlier the Jordanian military said it had asked Prince Hamzah not to engage in activities that could be used to undermine the country's security.
Philippines extends coronavirus curbs in capital, nearby provinces
FILE PHOTO: Police officers man a checkpoint as the country's capital returns to stricter lockdown measures amid rising coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 29, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a strict lockdown in the capital region and adjacent provinces by at least one week to try to contain a renewed surge in coronavirus infections, his spokesman said on Saturday (Apr 3). The Philippines, which has the second-highest COVID-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia, reported 12,576 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, putting further strain on the healthcare system. Restrictions, which include a ban on non-essential movement, mass gatherings and dining in restaurants, will remain for at least another week, Duterte's spokesman, Harry Roque, said in [...]
Taiwan train crash survivors recount horror and loss
Passengers gave harrowing testimony of making their way out of the train, half of which was lodged inside the narrow tunnel. (Photo: AFP/Handout) HUALIEN, Taiwan: Survivors of Taiwan's worst rail crash in decades have recounted their desperate efforts to find loved ones in the twisted wreckage of the train at what should have been the start of a holiday weekend. Friday's crash, which killed at least 50 people and injured more than 170, was caused by a collision with a vehicle that slipped onto the tracks just as the train went into a narrow tunnel near the eastern coastal city of Hualien. Many passengers were heading to their home towns to tidy the graves of their ancestors at the start of the annual four-day Tomb Sweeping Festival. Instead, [...]
Auckland Central Library closed until further notice after building issues
Auckland's Central Library has closed its doors this week as its roof is fixed. Photo: Google Maps The waterproof layer on the surface of the 50-year-old building is being replaced, which involves breaking off the concrete surface, grinding the old waterproof membrane and laying a new one. There are several layers on the roof of the Lorne Street building and the project is expected to take until the end of the year. A spokesperson said a decision on the best options for continuing to deliver the library service will be made after Easter. The library was temporarily closed on 22 March due to a precautionary evacuation after an unpleasant odor was reported by staff and customers, which was associated with the building works. It remained closed [...]
Italy expels two Russian officials over espionage case
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio is seen at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (not pictured) after a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on October 14, 2020. Rome (CNN) Italy is expelling two Russian officials in connection with an espionage case, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday on his Facebook page. The expulsions followed the arrest Tuesday of an Italian navy captain and the detention of a Russian military officer who is stationed in Rome, both on charges of espionage. The two men were "caught in flagrante and by surprise" and were arrested right after the Italian navy captain gave classified information to the Russian officer 'in exchange for money,'" the Carabinieri, or Italian paramilitary police, said in a press release. The Russian [...]
Spratly Islands: Philippines’ Locsin seeks concessions on Beijing trip
Manila has demanded more than 200 Chinese vessels leave Whitsun Reef as a South China Sea dispute again threatens to escalate into confrontation Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers set to meet, days after Philippines said its military aircraft received warnings from the anchored ships The Philippines has repeatedly asked the 200-plus Chinese vessels to leave Whitsun Reef. Photo: Reuters Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin will meet Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Friday facing an uphill task to convince Beijing to withdraw more than 200 ships from Whitsun Reef in the disputed South China Sea. Manila on Wednesday called on China to “immediately withdraw” the vessels, which are inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) at the reef in the Spratly Islands, about 320km (175 nautical miles) west [...]
Chinese coronavirus vaccines’ efficacy data ‘meets WHO requirements’
Products made by Sinopharm and Sinovac ‘have levels of efficacy that would be compatible with [WHO] requirements’, chairman of Strategic Advisory Group of Experts says Vaccines now on verge of being accepted for the Covax Facility, which aims to make billions of doses available to people in poorer countries A vaccine made by China’s Sinopharm could soon be added to the products distributed by the Covax Facility. Photo: Reuters Two Chinese Covid-19 vaccines are a step closer to being included in the Covax Facility – the global initiative to ensure poorer countries receive fair access to such products – after the head of a World Health Organization (WHO) experts group said their efficacy data was in line with the required standards. The information about the vaccines was presented [...]
New Zealand tycoon Ron Brierley pleads guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images
Businessman will be sentenced later over allegations more than 1,600 images of child abuse were stored on a database Ron Brierley was arrested at Sydney international airport in December 2019 over possession of child sexual abuse images. Photograph: Jenny Evans/Getty Images One of New Zealand’s most well-known businessmen has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images, including some showing children as young as two. Ron Brierley’s pleas on three charges in an Australian court have sparked a rarely invoked procedure to strip him of the knighthood he received more than 30 years ago. New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern said she was initiating a forfeiture process for the honour, which requires approval from the Queen. Brierley faces a maximum of 10 years in prison when he is [...]
New Zealander back from Myanmar raising funds for anti-coup protesters
SUPPLIED Development workers Hannah Cunneen and Rowan Hamill-McMahon have returned from Myanmar and want New Zealanders to support the protest movement. Hannah Cunneen and Rowan Hamill-McMahon reluctantly and guiltily left Myanmar last week, vowing to help the anti-coup civil disobedience campaign. Martin van Beynen reports. The long queues stretched out the door of Yangon (Rangoon) International Airport. People, mostly foreigners, were leaving in droves with everything they had, including their pets. In the three hours it took development workers Hannah Cunneen, 33, originally from Ashburton, and her partner, British national Rowan Hamill-McMahon, 31, to get in the airport door, they had ample time to consider those left behind. “We [...]
No evidence of trafficking in case of Chinese men to be deported, immigration minster says
Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi says he has been assured the 10 men facing deportation to China have been afforded their rights. Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Two of the 10 men - who officials say were working illegally at construction sites in Auckland - are due to be deported at 11pm tonight - and some others in the next week, according to their lawyer. Green MP Ricardo Menendez-March, who was among a delegation to visit the men today, wants the deportations paused to allow an investigation into claims of migrant exploitation and human trafficking. But Faafoi said he had been assured the proper processes were followed and Immigration had not found any evidence of trafficking. In a statement, Faafoi said: "We [...]
Philippine military says it has spotted more ‘illegal’ South China Sea structures
An aerial view of an uninhabited island of the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, Apr 21, 2017. (File photo: REUTERS/Erik De Castro) MANILA: The Philippine military said on Thursday (Apr 1) it has documented illegal manmade structures on Union Banks in the South China Sea's Spratly Islands, near areas where hundreds of Chinese vessels had massed last month. Military chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said the structures were not far from islands and features claimed by the Philippines inside its exclusive economic zone. He did not say which country had built the structures or the extent of the construction. They were discovered on Mar 30, during one of the military's maritime flight patrols over the South China Sea, where it has been closely monitoring the activities of the Chinese vessels [...]
Ukraine says Russia massing troops on border, US warns Moscow
Ukraine has been locked in a conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014. (Photo :AFP/Anatolii Stepanov) KIEV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (Apr 1) accused Moscow of building up troops on his country's border as the United States warned Russia against "intimidating" Ukraine. Kiev has been locked in a conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014, and this week Ukrainian officials reported Russian troop movement in annexed Crimea and on the border, near territories controlled by Moscow-backed separatists. On Thursday, Zelensky's ministers discussed the escalating security situation with Western allies including US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. "Muscle-flexing in the form of military exercises and possible provocations along the border are traditional Russian games," Zelensky said in a statement. He accused Moscow of seeking to create "a threatening atmosphere" as [...]
Pfizer vaccine has 91% efficacy for up to six months, trial shows
Findings based on two doses three weeks apart are first to show shot remains effective for many months US navy personnel prepare doses of the Pfizer vaccine for administration. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech protects against symptomatic Covid for up to six months, an updated analysis of clinical trial data has found. In a statement released on Thursday, the companies reported efficacy of 91.3% against any symptoms of the disease in participants assessed up to six months after their second shot. The level of protection is only marginally lower than the 95% achieved soon after vaccination. The findings are the first to demonstrate that the vaccine remains effective for many months, an outcome that doctors and scientists had [...]
Minimum Wage Increases To $20
New Zealand- The Council of Trade Unions is welcoming the introduction of the new legal minimum wage of $20 per hour from 1 April 2021. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said, "it’s important that the $20 minimum wage has finally become a reality. "Over 170,000 Kiwis will have a pay rise, and for those who were on the previous minimum wage of $18.90, working a 40 hour week, they will have an increase of $44 a week (before tax)." "We know that thousands of working people do not earn enough to provide for a comfortable life for them and their whanau. They are the working poor; struggling to meet the costs of basics like food and housing. Increasing the minimum wage has a real and meaningful impact on these people’s [...]
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine proves safe and effective for kids ages 12 to 15, company study shows
The COVID-19 vaccine from drug company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech vaccine is safe for and extremely effective in adolescents, according to a company-sponsored study released early Wednesday. In adolescents 12 to 15 years old, vaccination led to a higher protective antibody response than in adults and was seen to be 100% effective against symptomatic disease, the study of 2,260 adolescents found. The two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been authorized for use in those 16 and up based on previous trials, but not in younger adolescents. Last week, the companies began testing their vaccine in children ages 5 to 11; next week, they will begin testing in ages 2 to 5, and later will look at children 6 months to 2 years. Results from those trials should be available later this year. Moderna, which [...]
Tourism Infrastructure Fund to refocus on Covid-19 hit regions – minister
A tourism fund to help local councils build infrastructure for visitors is set to re-open. The Queenstown Lakes application is one of the ones that will be prioritised. Photo: 123RF Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will now be prioritised for regions hardest hit by the fallout of Covid-19. The fund last allocated money for councils in November 2019. Nash said $13 million is expected to be allocated for the funding, although the final amount has not been determined. "I have updated the criteria for projects to be prioritised by the fund. It will now better reflect the reality that jobs and businesses in some regions, particularly the South Island, are harder hit by the loss of international tourists than other regions," Nash said. Applications [...]
New Zealand chief executives cautious but positive about global economic outlook
Chief executives remain cautious about the global economic outlook despite New Zealand's better-than-expected response to the pandemic. Photo: RNZ / Robert Smith An annual global survey by PwC of more than 5050 chief executives in 100 countries has found just 39 percent of 89 New Zealand chief executives surveyed believe the global economy would improve this year, compared with 70 percent of Australian chief executives and 76 percent of chief executives around the world. PWC New Zealand chief executive Mark Averill said New Zealand's closed border was perhaps one of the reasons for the lower rate of optimism. "New Zealand is a smaller market, we've probably been a bit more restrictive, so therefore that's got challenges around labour pool. We've also got greater dependency on sectors like tourism," [...]
Isis claims deadly attack in northern Mozambique
Attack on port town of Palma has forced hundreds of people to flee amid fierce fighting Photo posted on ISIS account purportedly shows insurgents who attacked Palma, Mozambique. Photograph: Twitter The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a town in northern Mozambique last week that forced hundreds of foreign contractors to flee amid fierce fighting. Local police and soldiers were reported to have secured control of most of Palma on Monday, after hundreds of Islamist insurgents who overran the small port last week withdrew to surrounding forests and fields leaving a trail of devastation. In a statement issued on official media channels, Isis claimed insurgents killed more than 55 members of local security forces and Christians, including those from “Crusader nations”, and destroyed official [...]
Malaysia pays S$102.8 million in compensation for terminated KL-Singapore HSR project
An artist's impression of a KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) station. (Photo: MyHSR) SINGAPORE: Malaysia has paid more than S$102 million in compensation to Singapore for the terminated Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, ministers from both countries said on Monday (Mar 29). The payment of S$102,815,576 (RM320,270,519) has been made to Singapore for costs incurred for the development of the HSR project, and in relation to the extension of suspension of the project, Singapore's Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said in a joint statement. "The two countries reached an amicable agreement on the amount following a verification process by the Government of Malaysia. This amount represents a full and final settlement in relation to the termination of the bilateral agreement," [...]
Covid-19: Two cases in MIQ, no new community cases
Testing has found two new cases of Covid-19 in people in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities, and no new community cases, the Ministry of Health says. Photo: 123rf.com In a written statement, the ministry said the two new cases arrived on the same flight as 10 cases detected yesterday, which travelled from India via UAE. "These recent positive cases do not necessarily indicate an issue with pre-departure testing, since people may not have been infectious at the time of pre-departure testing," the ministry said. "They may have been incubating the virus at the time or be exposed to the virus after being tested." The ministry said it did not consider the cases from India as entirely unexpected, given the country was reporting the highest number of [...]
PH to get only 100,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine from Russia
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is so far slated to receive only 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the country’s vaccine manager, disclosed Monday during the pre-recorded briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that was televised Monday night. The government is currently in talks with Gamaleya for a vaccine supply and has requested three million doses, but the firm only committed 100,000 doses, Galvez said. According to Galvez, he, along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, will talk to Russia Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to negotiate for more doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. “We really need three million doses because these can be used on senior citizens,” Galvez said. Duterte [...]
MFAT approved military equipment export permits to UAE Land Forces
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) approved export permits for military equipment that was sent to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key partner in Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Yemen, in 2018 and 2019. File photo: Saudi armed forces march during a parade in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 13, 2018, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: AFP Experts say the information heightens concerns that New Zealand may have contributed to war crimes in Yemen following revelations last month that similar exports were approved for Saudi Arabia. It comes as MFAT reviews its export controls regime to ensure it's fit for purpose. Since 2015, at least 100,000 people have died in Yemen's civil war, which has also displaced millions and [...]
Covid-19 tests results, vaccine passports easily available on dark web
A cybersecurity expert says New Zealanders on the dark web are discussing the fake Covid-19 test results and vaccine passports. Photo: Jenya/123rf The documentation is widely available overseas for about $US25. However, there is no evidence that New Zealanders or people heading here have obtained the forged documents. Darkscope International cybersecurity expert Joerg Buss told RNZ's First Up it was fairly easy to fake reports because there was no centralised way to track test results. "At the moment we are scanning more than 200 million dark web pages per week. We do see an increase in Covid-19 vaccine proof or Covid-19 test result but also there were some tests results on offer in certain marketplaces." He said some entries were about $US25 (approx $NZ35) to be paid in [...]
Czech billionaire Kellner killed in Alaska helicopter crash
Billionaire Petr Keller and four others were killed in the crash. PHOTO: EPA-EFE/PPF GROUP PRAGUE (REUTERS) - The Czech Republic's richest man, billionaire Petr Keller, was killed in a helicopter crash in Alaska, his financial group PPF said on Monday (March 29). He was 56. PPF said five people died in the crash, the circumstances of which were being investigated. We announce with the deepest grief that, in a helicopter accident in Alaska mountains on Saturday, March 27, the founder and majority owner of the PPF group, Mr Petr Kellner, died tragically," PPF said in a statement. Mr Kellner was a towering business figure of the Czech post-communist era, with his wealth estimated at US$17.5 billion (S$23.6 billion) according to Forbes. Prime Minister Andrej Babis offered his [...]
China picks UAE as regional production hub for Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine
The Sinopharm vaccine can be transported and stored at normal refrigerated temperatures.PHOTO: REUTERS DUBAI (BLOOMBERG) - The United Arab Emirates will start producing China's Sinopharm vaccine next month in a deal that deepens Beijing's influence in the Arab Gulf, long a bastion of United States power. Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries PSC said on Sunday (March 28) that it signed a contract to start manufacturing the vaccine from April. With the accord, the UAE will become the first Gulf state to set up a coronavirus vaccine production facility, boosting its efforts to become a supply hub to the Middle East and beyond. The company, also known as Julphar, said it signed the agreement with Abu Dhabi's G42 Medications Trading. G42, which describes itself as an artificial intelligence and cloud [...]
South China Sea military risks rising, APSI security summit officials warn
Military leaders say trade routes in the South China Sea face increased risk and New Zealand cannot be complacent about it. A Chinese Navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills in the South China Sea on January 2, 2017. Photo: STR / AFP The two-day Asia Pacific Security Innovation Summit has attracted influential military, diplomatic and other officials from around the world to discuss to security. The Covid-19 pandemic has not put a stop to the security threats faced in our region, Asia Pacific Security Innovation forum chair Dr Anita Abbott said. She said there was a growing security risk in oceans, particularly in the South China Sea. "Many players are arming themselves. What for? Is it for cooperation, competition or for shared interests? [...]
Suez Canal backlog: New Zealand containers caught up in blockage
There are fears the Ever Given ship's six-day occupation of the Suez Canal could spell a domino effect in New Zealand's shipping supply chains. Tug boats and dredgers on March 27, 2021, attempting to free the ship Ever Given, which was lodged sideways and impeding all traffic across Egypt's Suez Canal. Photo: Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP Before the Ever Given was refloated today, locals, importers and exporters were already preparing for potential months worth of headaches. The skyscraper-sized ship has been blocking as many as 50 ships a day from getting through their main route between Europe and Asia, and has more than 300 ships waiting in traffic either side of it. The breakthrough happened after diggers removed 27,000 cubic metres of sand. It's unclear [...]
Severe weather warnings issued as front moves over New Zealand
Taranaki and Waitomo are especially at risk. Photo credit: MetService + Getty Severe weather warnings are being issued as a front over the South Island on Sunday moves north, with MetService saying the humid conditions are "favourable for thunderstorm development". The front came off the Tasman Sea on Sunday morning, bringing heavy northerly rain to the West Coast. A heavy rain warning has been issued until 11pm on Sunday for the ranges of Nelson west of Motueka, along with the ranges of Buller and Westland from Otira northwards. "Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 15mm/h," MetService says. Another warning has been issued for Richmond Range and Rai Valley where 75 to 100mm of rain is expected, with peaks of 10 to [...]
Stuck in Suez Canal: Thousands of animals packed tight in ship hulls
Stranded container ship Ever Given is seen after it ran aground, in Suez Canal, Egypt, on March 26, 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS ISMAILIA (BLOOMBERG) - Of all the millions of tons of cargo that's piled up in the Suez Canal, none is more delicate than the animals crammed into the hulls of several of the ships. Little information is available, with neither canal officials nor shipping executives willing to talk, but data compiled by Bloomberg indicate as many as 10 vessels stuck in and around the canal could be carrying livestock. Given the Europe-to-Saudi Arabia itinerary, they are most likely carrying sheep. While much of the waylaid cargo is commodity products such as oil that can be stored on ships for long periods, livestock need food and water, and such [...]
Iran-China sign 25-year cooperation pact: Teheran
The pact will be signed by visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.PHOTO: REUTERS/SAUDI ROYAL COURT TEHERAN (AFP) - Iran and China signed a 25-year “strategic cooperation pact” Saturday (March 27) in the latest expansion of Beijing’s flagship trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative as the United States rivals move closer together. Negotiations for the deal, launched five years ago, sparked controversy in Iran last year and virtually no details of its contents have been released. China is Iran’s leading trade partner and was one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil before then US president Donald Trump reimposed sweeping unilateral sanctions in 2018 after abandoning a multilateral nuclear agreement with Teheran. The China- Iran pact, which Teheran said included “political, strategic and economic” components, was signed by the two [...]
This affects all of us’: Marches, rallies against Asian hate crimes see widespread participation
Hundreds of people took to the streets this weekend to demonstrate against violence toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders following the shooting in Atlanta last week that killed eight people, six of them women of Asian descent. Marchers gathered in major cities nationwide, including New York, Washington, Chicago, San Fransisco and Tusla, Okalahoma. There has been a significant increase in violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide during the pandemic, including a 6% uptick in online harassment, such as the use of racist and xenophobic slurs. In one recent incident, a 75-year-old woman was punched by man in the streets of San Francisco. "We are Americans, we are mothers, we are friends, we live here," said Ling Liu, who marched in Indianapolis on Saturday. "We love our community. This affects all of us, and [...]
China sanctions US and Canadian individuals, entities over Xinjiang
FILE PHOTO: Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing, China January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang BEIJING: China announced tit-for-tat sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a rights advocacy body late Saturday (Mar 27), in response to sanctions imposed earlier this week by the two countries over Beijing's treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang. Two members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins, as well as Canadian MP Michael Chong and a Canadian parliamentary committee on human rights are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese foreign ministry said. At least one million Uighurs and people from other mostly Muslim groups have been held in camps in northwestern Xinjiang, according [...]
China reported 8 new mainland COVID-19 cases
People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk down a pedestrian overhead bridge in Beijing, Sunday, March 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) BEIJING: China reported 8 new COVID-19 cases on Mar 27, compared with 12 new infections the previous day, the country's national health authority said on Sunday (Mar 28). The National Health Commission said in a statement that all of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to 19 from 27 cases a day earlier. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 90,167 while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,636. Source: Reuters/ta
Foreign spy working in New Zealand – SIS
The Security Intelligence Service says it has found a person in New Zealand who is working for a foreign state's intelligence services. The SIS says the individual is a New Zealand citizen who is collecting intelligence against New Zealand based people and relaying it to the foreign state's embassy in New Zealand. Photo: 123RF In its annual report, the SIS says the individual is a New Zealand citizen, but did not specify which country they are working for. It says the person is almost certainly collecting intelligence against New Zealand-based people, who are viewed as dissidents by the foreign state's government. "The target of our investigation uses overt and covert means to collect identifying information about these individuals and pass it to the foreign state's embassy in [...]
114 killed in Myanmar’s deadliest day of coup
The top military officer from the United States and nearly a dozen of his counterparts are set to condemn the deadly use of force by Myanmar's security forces and say the country's military has lost credibility with its people. Relatives weep during the funeral of a person killed during the latest day of protests in Yangon, Myanmar. Photo: AFP The joint statement, obtained by Reuters ahead of its planned release this weekend, is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe. It came after news reports that Myanmar security forces have killed 114 people, including children, in a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, the bloodiest day of violence since last month's military coup. The killings, [...]
Landlords still raising rents despite best financial circumstances – Swarbrick
The Green Party's housing spokesperson says landlords are crying "crocodile tears" after a year of amazing capital gains and falling mortgage interest rates. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government this week announced its plans to help first-home buyers into the market, by increasing the caps for financial support, and extending the bright-line test to 10 years. Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick said following the announcement the loudest voice in the room has been the concerns of investors, rather than renters and sole home owners. She said there's a narrative focusing on "mum and dad homeowners" but a large portion of the country's homes are owned by people who have a portfolio of properties. "Thirty percent of the homes in this country are owned by people who [...]
Israel, UAE see success in pace of Covid-19 vaccine roll-outs
People vaccinated against Covid-19 and holding a "green pass" attend a concert in Tel Aviv, on March 5, 2021.PHOTO: AFP Israelis are attending pop concerts and football matches. Residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are lounging by swimming pools and dining at eateries at midnight. Both countries have set a blistering pace in their vaccine roll-outs. Israel and the UAE's small populations, of nine million and close to 10 million, respectively, account for the success in the speed of their vaccination drives, although experts also noted that both acted quickly to secure vaccines. Israel launched its vaccination drive last Dec 19, and as at Sunday, over 55 per cent of its population have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Almost 49 per [...]
Hundreds take overseas holidays despite ‘don’t travel’ advice
Some New Zealanders have not waited for an Australian travel bubble before taking leisure trips across the ditch - with about 27 holidaymakers heading there and back over Christmas and New Year. Australia is among the top four destinations of more than 400 holidaymakers who headed overseas before the end of January. Photo: AFP They're among at least 424 Kiwis who've taken return trips overseas in the past year and ticked "holiday/vacation" on their departure card, since a Do Not Travel advisory appeared on the government's SafeTravel website on 20 March 2020. Managed isolation became mandatory for returnees last April and there has been more demand than rooms ever since, with people needing to book as far as 16 weeks in advance unless they met extremely [...]
UK PM Johnson praises capitalism and greed for vaccination successes
Capitalism and greed gave Britain its success in vaccinating its population, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told lawmakers in a closed meeting, praising pharmaceutical companies for developing a shot in record time. Johnson's comments may inflame already-strained relations with the EU. Photo: AFP The comments, reported by The Sun newspaper, were made by Johnson during a Zoom meeting and could inflame a row with the European Union which is considering a ban on vaccine exports to Britain. "The reason we have the vaccine success is because of capitalism, because of greed my friends," The Sun newspaper quoted him as saying during a meeting with Conservative lawmakers to rally them to support coronavirus restrictions. The Sun reported that he later added: "Actually I regret saying it" and that he [...]
‘Prelude to occupation’: worries flare in Philippines as Beijing tells US not to provoke confrontation over Chinese ships
Foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr says the Philippines might invoke its defence treaty with the US to deal with presence of Chinese ships in its waters Duelling statements from the Chinese and American embassies have also fuelled anxiety and speculation in the Philippines Chinese maritime vessels at the Whitsun Reef Photo: AFP Beijing could be testing Washington’s commitment to its allies with the incursion of ships believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel into Manila’s exclusive economic zone, analysts say. Philippine officials on Sunday reported that about 220 Chinese vessels had been anchored at the Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef, in the South China Sea since March 7. There are growing concerns over the issue in the Southeast Asian nation, with the American and [...]
Type 55: Feast Your Eyes on China’s ‘Sort of’ Stealth Destroyer
China has launched its new stealthy Type 055 Destroyer into the Sea of Japan in what appears to be a provocative show of power through the Tsushima Strait, calling attention to its ambitious plan to deploy a quasi-stealthy warship while also doubling the sheer size of its fleet of destroyers over the course of the next five years. The new destroyer, called the Nanchang, is reported in Chinese newspapers as having an ability to fire anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine missiles, and even some land-attack missiles, all while operating with some measure of radar eluding capacities. The bow of the ship does appear to incorporate a blended hull-body with curves designed to deflect radar pings away from the ship and therefore not generate any kind of return rendering. [...]
Hong Kong and Macau suspend Covid Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine over packaging flaw
Governments stress there is no safety risk but the stoppage is the latest blow to rollouts of the coronavirus vaccine around the world People queue up at a vaccination centre after Hong Kong suspended use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Hong Kong and Macau have suspended the use of Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine after being informed of a packaging problem affecting one batch of vials. Although officials stressed that they did not believe there was a safety risk, the stoppage is the latest blow in efforts to roll out mass vaccination programmes against a virus that has killed more than 2.7 million people around the world. “For the sake of precaution, the current vaccination must be suspended during the period of investigation,” Hong Kong’s government said in [...]
Israel election: early results suggest extended deadlock
Benjamin Netanyahu may need to build alliance yoking together far right and Islamists Benjamin Netanyahu, greets supporters at the Likud party final election event after early exit polls. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA Early results from Israel’s fourth snap election suggested yet another stalemate, with Benjamin Netanyahu looking to cobble together a coalition by partnering with extreme nationalist, hardline religious and far-right parties. With close to 90% of votes counted on Wednesday, the prime minister’s Likud party was clearly leading with about 30 seats. The opposition head, Yair Lapid, had roughly 18. However, Netanyahu and Lapid will each need to convince rival parties in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to join them to form a majority government of 61 seats. That prospect appeared in doubt for both men, suggesting [...]
Government’s plan to help first-home buyers: What you need to know
A suite of changes designed to "tilt the balance" toward first-home buyers have been unveiled by the government today, so what are they? The government plans to help first-home buyers into the market, by increasing the caps for financial support, and extending the bright-line test to 10 years. Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly First-home buyers If you're a first-home buyer, from 1 April the income caps for the First Home Loan and the house price caps under the First Home Grants scheme will increase. For the First Home Loan scheme, borrowers can get a home loan with just a 5 percent deposit if they earn under $95,000 a year for one person, or under $150,000 for two or more people buying together. These loans are underwritten by Kāinga Ora [...]
U.S. “deeply concerned” as China tries Canadians in secret in case seen as Huawei retaliation
Beijing — The trial of Michael Kovrig, the Canadian detained for more than two years in China on espionage charges, started on Monday, with relations between Ottawa and Beijing in freefall. The hearing comes days after the closed-door trial of another Canadian man, with both detained in apparent retaliation for Canada's arrest on a U.S. extradition warrant of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Kovrig, a former diplomat, was detained in 2018 and formally charged last June with spying at the same time as his compatriot, businessman Michael Spavor. On Monday, police cordoned off an area outside the Beijing court as Canadian diplomats were denied entry and turned away. A court official told reporters no entry was allowed because the trial is a national security case. Jim Nickel, the charge d'affaires of the [...]
AstraZeneca says advanced trial shows its COVID-19 vaccine is 79% effective
London — AstraZeneca said Monday its COVID-19vaccine provided strong protection against disease and complete protection against hospitalization and death across all age groups in a late-stage U.S. study. The British drug manufacturer also said its experts didn't identify any safety concerns related to the vaccine, including any surrounding a rare blood clot that was identified in Europe. Scientists found no increased risk of clots among the more than 20,000 people who got at least one dose of the AstraZeneca shot. AstraZeneca said the advanced trial data on the vaccine it developed along with Oxford University shows it is 79% effective. Although the vaccine has been authorized in more than 50 countries, it hasn't been given the green light in the U.S. yet — and has struggled to gain public [...]
Biden infrastructure, jobs spending push could hit $4 trillion: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will be briefed by advisers this week on infrastructure, climate and jobs proposals being considered by the White House that could collectively cost as much as $4 trillion, according to people familiar with discussions. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the state of vaccinations during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response event in the East Room at theWhite House in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Biden advisers are weighing a price tag of between $3 trillion and $4 trillion for new legislative action, including repairing the country’s crumbling infrastructure and tackling climate change, one source said. A second source said Biden advisers have a package of proposals totaling up to $3 trillion for infrastructure and other priorities they [...]
Australia backs sanctions against Chinese officials over ‘serious human rights abuses’
Australia has backed international sanctions against two Chinese officials for "serious human rights abuses" against Uighur Muslims. Foreign Minister Marise Payne - in a joint statement with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta - said the two governments supported the measures announced by the US, UK, Canada and the European Union overnight. "The Australian and New Zealand Governments today reiterate their grave concerns about the growing number of credible reports of severe human rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang," the statement said. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Federal Government backed international sanctions against Chinese officials over the treatment of Uighurs. (Nine) "In particular, there is clear evidence of severe human rights abuses that include restrictions on freedom of religion, mass surveillance, large-scale extra-judicial [...]
Hundreds rally in Atlanta to support Asian American community after fatal shootings
Demonstrators gather at Liberty Plaza, near the Georgia state Capitol in Atlanta, on March 20, 2021.PHOTO: NYTIMES ATLANTA (REUTERS) - Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday (March 20) in support of the Asian American community after a shooting at three local day spas this week left eight people dead, six of them Asian women. The killings followed a year of mounting anti-Asian violence in the United States, which community leaders say is due to Asian Americans being blamed for the coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Crowds of people wearing masks, waving American flags and carrying posters that read "We are not the virus" and "Stop Asian Hate" stood in front of the golden-domed Georgia State [...]
South China Sea: alarm in Philippines as 200 Chinese vessels gather at disputed reef
Philippines defence chief says vessels at Whitsun reef are manned by militias rather than fishermen, and accuses Beijing of ‘provocation’ A photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows Chinese vessels moored at Whitsun reef in the disputed South China Sea on 7 March. Photograph: Pcg-Ntfwps Handout/EPA The Philippines’ defence chief has demanded more than 200 Chinese vessels he said were manned by militias leave a South China Sea reef claimed by Manila, saying their presence was a “provocative action of militarising the area.” “We call on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights and encroaching into our sovereign territory,” defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement on Sunday, adding without elaborating that the Philippines would uphold its sovereign rights. [...]
Philippines reports record rise of COVID-19 cases as curbs tightened
An officer carries a child over a barrier near a concrete wall built in the middle of a road for security and safety concerns from a nearby prison amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 22, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez MANILA: The Philippines on Monday (Mar 22) reported a record daily rise of 8,019 COVID-19 infections, as authorities implemented tighter curbs in the congested capital region and hospital capacity neared critical levels in some areas. In a bulletin, the health ministry said total confirmed cases had reached 671,792, while deaths increased by four to 12,972. It was the third time the Philippines has posted a fresh high in daily cases in the past four days. "Exercise extra caution to prevent the quick spread of [...]
EU approves sanctions over China, Myanmar abuses
Ethnic Uighur women demonstrated near the Chinese consulate in Istanbul. (Photo: AFP/Ozan Kose) BRUSSELS: EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday (Mar 22) approved sanctions over abuses in China, Myanmar and Russia, as the bloc expands measures targeting global rights breaches. The 27 nations are due to place four Chinese officials and one state-run entity on a blacklist over Beijing's crackdown on the Uighur minority after ambassadors gave the go-ahead last week. The highly symbolic move - reported by EU diplomats and expected to be formally unveiled in the EU's official journal later Monday - is the first time Brussels has hit Beijing over human rights abuses since it imposed an arms embargo in 1989 after Tiananmen Square China's foreign ministry has warned that Beijing will [...]
North Korean diplomats leave Malaysia after ties cut over US extradition row
Kim Yu Song, counsellor at the North Korean embassy in Malaysia, carries his luggage into a bus at the embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Mar 21, 2021. (Photo: AP/Vincent Thian) KUALA LUMPUR: North Korean diplomats in Malaysia shuttered their embassy and flew out of the country on Sunday (Mar 21), after Pyongyang severed diplomatic ties over the extradition of a citizen to the United States. The North Korean flag and embassy signage have been removed from the premises in a Kuala Lumpur suburb and the gates were chained up. Ties between North Korea and Malaysia have been virtually frozen since the 2017 assassination of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two days after Kuala Lumpur extradited a North Korean man to the [...]
Survey reveals Māori grief and anger at daily experiences of racism
Dr Rāwiri Tinirau, director of the Whanganui-based Te Atawhai o te Ao research institute. Photo / Supplied New research released today shows that 93 per cent of Māori in Aotearoa experience racism every day, and even more – 96 per cent – say racism is a problem for their whānau. Legal definitions of racism and discrimination fall short of describing the breadth, depth and true cost of racism to Māori, the research finds. That cost includes impact on both physical and mental health. The research – Whakatika: A Survey of Māori Experiences of Racism – was launched in Wellington today by the independent Māori institute for environment and health, Te Atawhai o te Ao. Dr Rāwiri Tinirau, who is the director of the Whanganui-based kaupapa Māori [...]
Trans-Tasman travel: Date for bubble to be announced on 6 April – Ardern
Several concerns need to be resolved before a trans-Tasman bubble can go ahead, but the government hopes on 6 April to announce a start date, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. Ardern has been speaking to media this afternoon after a Cabinet meeting. She says 2020 was one of the most challenging years New Zealand has faced as a country. It will have been one year since we went into level 4 lockdown on Wednesday. She says it is the government's intention that everyone in the country who can be vaccinated will be by the end of the year. The vaccine will be "individual armour" and allows us to move our Covid-19 defences away from a "collective barricade", she says. She says there are a series of concerns that must [...]
Myanmar military junta adds bribery charge on Aung San Suu Kyi
The junta charged Ms Aung San Suu Kyi with violating an anti-corruption law, which carries a maximum of 15 years in prison.PHOTO: AFP YANGON (BLOOMBERG) - Myanmar's military regime piled more charges on ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi as it seeks to justify a Feb 1 coup and ensure she stays behind bars. The junta charged Ms Suu Kyi with violating an anti-corruption law, which carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, according to a broadcast on state-run MRTV. That adds to four other charges the junta had previously filed at a court in Naypyitaw, the capital. The broadcast showed a video clip of Say Paing Construction chairman Maung Weik saying that he paid US$550,000 (S$737,000) to Ms Suu Kyi at her residence in four [...]
Taiwan clears AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines, shots may start next week
Taiwan's first vaccines - 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shot - arrived on the island earlier this month.PHOTO: REUTERS TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Taiwan has completed checks on its first batch of AstraZeneca Plc Covid-19 vaccines and the first shots may start being administered from Monday (March 22), Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said. Taiwan's first vaccines - 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shot - arrived on the island earlier this month, though they have yet to start being administered. In a video statement late on Wednesday, Mr Chen said the doses, which came from a South Korean factory, had now cleared the last of the checks by Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration. The aim is to start administering them from as early as Monday, he added. Around 60,000 [...]
Malaysia PM Muhyiddin unveils RM20 billion economic stimulus package
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveiling the Pemerkasa package on Mar 17, 2021. (Photo: Bernama) KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a new economic stimulus package worth RM20 billion (US$4.8 billion) on Wednesday (Mar 17), one year after Malaysia first imposed a lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. This is the sixth package unveiled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. "To revive economic activity, I am pleased to announce that the government will implement the Strategic Programme to Empower the People and Economy or Pemerkasa worth RM20 billion, with a new fiscal injection of RM11 billion from the government," Mr Muhyiddin said in a live address. The programme comprises 20 strategic initiatives to boost economic growth, support business and extend targeted assistance to the people and [...]
Auckland money laundering: police arrest 10, seize $10m in assets
Police have arrested 10 people in Auckland as part of an investigation into money laundering. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid said 12 warrants were carried out by the Financial Crime Group. More than $10 million worth of assets including four properties and three vehicles in St Heliers, Kumeu and New Lynn, and $200,000 worth of jewellery, were seized. Police also restrained 23 bank accounts, as well as cash and cryptocurrency wallets. The nine men and one woman aged between 32 years old and 70 are due to appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow and on 23 March 2021. They face a range of charges including money laundering and possession of methamphetamine for supply. Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid of the Financial Crime Group [...]
America’s Cup: Victory on home waters for Team NZ
Team New Zealand has successfully defended the America's Cup on home waters. Photo: AFP The Kiwi syndicate wrapped up a 7-3 series win over Luna Rossa with a 46 second victory in race 10 of the regatta on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday. "It's absolutely unreal," Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling said on board Te Rehutai. "Just coming back to the chase boat and seeing all the people involved in this campaign over three or so years and how many Kiwis are out here supporting the event again. "We've had messages from everyone from the Prime Minister to high school kids to just about anyone you could think of with support and it just means the world to us as a team. "I don't think you could think [...]
Atlanta massage parlor shootings leave eight dead including six Asian women
Man taken into custody after shootings at three locations, amid rising number of attacks on Asian Americans in the US A series of shootings at three massage parlors in the Atlanta area have left eight people dead, the majority of them women of Asian descent, leading to fears the killer had a racial motive. A 21-year-old man, Robert Aaron Long, is a suspect in the shootings, and was taken into custody in south-west Georgia about 150 miles (240km) from the city after his car was intercepted by police after a manhunt. The killings occurred amid a rising number of attacks on Asian Americans across the US since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Six of those killed were Asian while two were white. “It appears that they may be [...]
Global oil demand ‘could exceed pre-Covid levels without clean energy moves’
Figures from International Energy Agency dash hopes that world consumption had peaked The IEA’s report found that a rebound in oil demand could lead the world’s appetite for crude to break above 100m barrels of oil a day for the first time by 2023. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters The world’s oil demand could exceed pre-Covid 19 levels within the next two years unless concrete government action and legislation leads to a much stronger move towards clean energy, according to the International EnergyAgency. Figures from the global energy watchdog threaten to dash hopes that the world’s consumption of oil may have peaked in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic caused oil demand to plummet by 9m barrels a day. The IEA’s influential report found that a rebound in oil demand, particularly [...]
China to only allow foreign visitors who have had Chinese-made vaccine
Move raises questions as China’s vaccines not approved in many countries to which it is opening travel A vial of the Chinese-made Sinovac coronavirus vaccine. Chinese vaccines have been approved for use in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand and Iraq. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters China is resuming visa processing for foreigners from dozens of countries, but only if they have been inoculated against Covid-19 with a Chinese-made vaccine. The move has raised questions about the motivations behind the demand, given China’s vaccines are not approved in many of the countries to which it has opened travel and that it will not accept foreign vaccines made elsewhere, including those approved by the World Health Organization. Beijing had largely banned non-essential travel into China during the pandemic. Resumption of [...]
Court rules that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional
A district court in Japan ruled Wednesday that the government's failure to recognize same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. "Legal benefits stemming from marriages should equally benefit both homosexuals and heterosexuals," the Sapporo District Court said, according to The Associated Press. But the court didn't go along with the plaintiffs' request for $9,100 in compensation per person for the difficulties they've suffered. The case was part of a series of lawsuits filed by same-sex couples arguing that they've suffered because they can't marry, reports the Japan Times. Many of the couples sued on Valentine's Day 2019, with actions being brought in Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Another group of same-sex couples filed suit in Fukuoka in September 2019. Japan is the only country in the G7 that doesn't allow same-sex couples [...]
Trump urges people to get COVID vaccine, saying it’s safe and works
Former President Trump again urged people to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying he would recommend vaccination to "a lot of people that don't want to get it, and a lot of those people voted for me." In an interview Tuesday night on Fox News, Mr. Trump acknowledged that people were free to decide for themselves whether they would be vaccinated against the virus. "We have our freedoms and we have to live by that and I agree with that also. But it is a great vaccine. It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works," he said. Mr. Trump has promoted the vaccination before. When he appeared Feb. 28 at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, he said, "Everybody, go get your shot." But public health experts [...]
North Korea warns US against ‘causing a stink’
North Korea has sent a message to the US, warning President Joe Biden’s administration against “causing a stink at its first step”. North Korea has issued a message to America, warning President Joe Biden and his administration against “causing a stink at its first step”, hours after the White House said it had not received a response to its outreach to Pyongyang. Leader Kim Jong-un's influential sister, Kim Yo Jong – a key adviser to her brother – offered “a word of advice to the new administration of the United States that is struggling to spread the smell of gunpowder on our land”. “If it wants to sleep in peace for (the) coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step,” she [...]
Michael Baker: NZ and Australia ready for travel bubble
The National Party says the time for a trans-Tasman travel bubble is now, calling on the Government to begin quarantine-free movement with Australia immediately. University of Otago epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says Australians pose an 'incredibly low' Covid-19 risk to Aotearoa. Professor Baker spoke to Māni Dunlop.
Texting, landlines decrease in New Zealand as internet usage rises – Commerce Commission
New Zealanders are sending fewer text messages and disconnecting the landline but upping their internet usage, according to the latest telecommunications report from the Commerce Commission. New Zealanders are texting less but their internet usage has increased by 37 percent, according to the Commerce Commission. Photo: 123RF The report shows for the year to June broadband usage grew 37 percent on the year earlier, likely accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdown, and more people opting for unlimited usage plans. Text messages sent fell 13 percent and landline connections were down 12 percent, while copper connections fell 24 percent as more households moved to fibre networks. There were now 57 percent of of households on fibre, 13 percent on fixed wireless and 28 percent on copper. By 2023, 87 [...]
NZ’s coal imports highest in 14 years, but Energy Minister berates ACT’s ‘utterly false’ suggestion why
Energy Minister Megan Woods has hit back at claims from ACT that New Zealand’s highest annual coal import figure in 14 years is linked to the ban on future coal and gas exploration. Source: 1 NEWS New Zealand imported just shy of 1.1 million tonnes of coal in 2020, the most since 1.24 million tonnes were imported in 2006, data from MBIE shows. Coal imports last year were also more than the amounts brought into the country in 2018 and 2018 combined. ACT climate change spokesperson Simon Court says the record coal imports was evidence the Government’s “marketing-led environmentalism has been mugged by scientific reality”, adding that the “environmental case for allowing natural gas exploration is now overwhelming”. “Our trading partners have reduced emissions by using natural [...]
Hundreds feel magnitude 4.7 earthquake centred near Gisborne
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has caused "moderate" shaking south of Gisborne this afternoon. Felt map for earthquake south of Gisborne. March 15, 2021. Source: GeoNet GeoNet says the earthquake struck 25km south of Gisborne at 2:12pm. The quake was 30km deep and according to GeoNet the shaking was "moderate". Just over 1200 people have reported feeling the quake, with most listing it as "light" shaking. The earthquake was centred just offshore of the east coast south of Gisborne.
Minneapolis reaches $27M settlement with George Floyd’s family in wrongful death lawsuit
MINNEAPOLIS – City leaders approved a $27 million settlement Friday with the family of George Floyd in a wrongful death lawsuit over his death in police custodythat spurred protests worldwide and a national reckoning on racial justice. The Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to approve the settlement Friday, and Mayor Jacob Frey was expected to sign it, according to city officials. The settlement includes $500,000 to be directed to enhance the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue business district where Floyd died, according to the city and a statement from Ben Crump, lead attorney for the family. "George Floyd’s horrific death, witnessed by millions of people around the world, unleashed a deep longing and undeniable demand for justice and change," Crump said in a statement Friday. He called it the largest [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland moves to alert level 1 from midday Friday, announces Jacinda Ardern
Auckland has now returned to alert level 1 - with no restrictions on crowd gatherings - 14 days since the last community case of Covid-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. The move is a godsend for organisers of major events such as the America's Cup - two races are scheduled for each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons - the Auckland Cup horse-racing event on Saturday and the Blues-Highlanders Super Rugby match on Sunday. The Government has been under fire for not announcing the decision despite Cabinet meeting last night. Ardern said the Government wanted to wait to see the results of the last day-12 tests. Shortly after 11.30am, Ardern confirmed Auckland would move out of level 2 at midday today after the Valentine's Day cluster was contained. [...]
Reports of Anti-Asian hate crimes rose nearly 150% in major U.S. cities last year
A new study based on police department statistics across major U.S. cities found a nearly 150% surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020, while overall hate crimes fell by 7%. The numbers reflect a growing trend of discrimination against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The report, released this week by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, examined hate crimes in 16 of America's largest cities, found the first spikes rose alongside COVID-19 cases in March and April. New York City saw the highest jump, rising from 3 to 28. Boston and Los Angeles followed, with increases from 6 to 14, and 7 to 15, respectively. The report is limited to crimes reported to local police departments. Meanwhile, "hate incidents," [...]
Person dead after truck collides with car in Bay of Plenty’s second fatal crash today
A person has died after a truck collided with a car in the Bay of Plenty this morning. Source: 1 NEWS Emergency services were called to the crash in Athenree Gorge, along State Highway 2, just before 6.40am today, police said in a statement. Another person involved in the crash sustained moderate injuries. The road is due to reopen shortly, after being closed for most of the morning, police said. It's the second fatal crash in the region today, after a person was killed in the early hours of the morning in Aongatete. The single vehicle collision was reported around 2am on Work Road. Police inquiries in to both crashes are ongoing.
NASA is naming new features discovered on Mars in Navajo language
As NASA's Perseverance rover starts to discover and identify interesting new features on the surface of Mars, the team back on Earth will need to start naming them — and they've chosen to honor the Navajo Nation first. Since landing on the surface of the red planet on February 18, the Perseverance rover has sent back some 7,000 images, moved its seven-foot-long robot arm, undergone a post-landing software upgrade and taken a short test drive. It is just the beginning of its long journey to hunt for signs of ancient life. The rover team has now named a rock, the first scientific focus of the rover, "Máaz," the Navajo word for "Mars." Working with the Navajo Nation, the team will continue naming new features in the Navajo language, NASA [...]
Record $31 Billion Investment To Help Auckland Build Back Better
The Government and Auckland Council are building on their record transport investment to help Auckland meet the long-term challenges of climate change and housing, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff announced today. The Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) 2021-31 package invests $31 billion into critical transport infrastructure and services across Auckland. ATAP largely reflects and builds upon the $28 billion 2018 package, which focused on developing a rapid transit network, walking and cycling, safety and unlocking growth. Michael Wood said the updated package continues the work started last term to unlock Auckland. “There are a number of projects already underway which are helping with our economic recovery and will reduce congestion, like the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path, upgrades to SH20B and the Northern [...]
China successfully launches Long March 7A rocket after failed first attempt
China's Long March 7A rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province on March 12. (CNN) China successfully launched its new-generation Long March 7A rocket early Friday morning on its second attempt, sending an experimental satellite into orbit. The rocket launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, in China's southern Hainan province. Photos from the scene show crowds gathered with tents at a distance, waiting to witness the liftoff. The rocket carried the Shiyan-9 satellite to test new technologies such as space environmental monitoring, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). CASC built the experimental satellite in only eight months, setting a record for mid- to large-size remote sensing satellites, said the government-owned space contractor. The Long March 7A is a [...]
No reason to stop using AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: WHO
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A test tube labelled "vaccine" in front of an AstraZeneca logo in this illustration taken, September 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo GENEVA: The World Health Organization said on Friday (Mar 12) there was no reason to stop using AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine after several European countries suspended the roll-out over blood clot fears. The WHO said its vaccines advisory committee was currently looking at safety data and stressed that no causal link has been established between the vaccine and clotting. Health authorities in Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Italy and Romania postponed or limited the roll-out of AstraZeneca vaccines after isolated reports of recipients developing blood clots. "AstraZeneca is an excellent vaccine, as are the other vaccines that are being used," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters at a briefing [...]
‘A huge opportunity for space’: What going car-lite means for Singapore’s 1.4 million parking lots
SINGAPORE: With the push to go car-lite reducing demand for parking spaces in Singapore, authorities are looking to convert more lots for other uses. Already, the rooftops of some Housing and Development Board (HDB) car parks will be used for urban farming. And the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced earlier this month that it would pave over some roadside parking lots along Havelock Road to widen walking paths, as part of wider efforts to make walking and cycling more convenient. "With significant improvements made to the public transport network and first-and-last mile connectivity such as cycling paths and better walking connectivity, an increasing number of places can be conveniently accessed," said LTA, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and HDB on Wednesday (Mar 10). "This reduces reliance on private transport and the demand [...]
Quarantine-free travel from Niue to NZ to begin this month
Quarantine-free travel from Niue to New Zealand will begin on 24 March. Photo: Supplied/ Air NZ The Premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement this morning that the one way bubble would commence on Wednesday 24 March (NZT). Tagelagi said Niue was unique as one of the few countries in the world that was completely free of Covid-19. "This Covid-19 Free status is significant for the ongoing health and safety of Niue as well as the opportunities it creates for trade and the resumption of travel destination to New Zealand." Ardern indicated that status gave her confidence about the move. "Niue has no reported cases...and its stringent border controls mean we can be confident it is safe to [...]
Air NZ resumes flights to Sydney, Melbourne
Air New Zealand has resumed quarantine-free flights to Sydney and Melbourne. Photo: Supplied / Air New Zealand Services were suspended following the February Covid-19 outbreak in Auckland. However, an update from the Australian Government has given the go-ahead for flights to resume. Air New Zealand operated three Auckland-Sydney services and two Auckland-Melbourne services today to enable customers impacted by the travel suspension to get to where they need to go. Quarantine-free flights to Brisbane remain suspended until the 20 March at the request of the Queensland authorities.
G-7 powers urge China to end ‘oppression’ in Hong Kong
Hong Kongers participate in a flash mob march to show solidarity with Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the US on March 7, 2021.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (AFP) - Group of Seven (G-7) powers on Friday (March 12) demanded that China honour commitments in Hong Kong and end "oppression" against democratic activists after Beijing forced sweeping changes of the city's election system. Beijing's rubber-stamp parliament on Thursday passed reforms that said that only "patriots" can run the city, which was guaranteed a separate system before Britain handed over control in 1997. "Such a decision strongly indicates that the authorities in mainland China are determined to eliminate dissenting voices and opinions in Hong Kong," Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States as well as the European Union [...]
Auckland bars, restaurants brace for alert level change announcement
Bars and restaurants in Auckland may be starting level 1 on the backfoot with possibly only a few hours to prepare for a Friday night capacity crowd. Bar. Photo: 123rf.com Cabinet has already made the decision but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will only announce it at 11.30am. That's leaving the hospitality industry in the lurch - not able to risk ordering lots of food and drink for a big night out, just in case level 1 is delayed. With no community cases in more than a week and no evidence of any spread of Covid-19, it is likely that Auckland will join the rest of the country in level 1. Businesses are hoping for a boost to the coffers but they are not certain of a [...]
No visas for superyacht passengers, non-essential crew – Immigration NZ
Immigration New Zealand told the crew on superyacht Bold only those essential for its operation would be granted a visa. The 85m-long pleasure craft was destined for New Zealand but due to visa constraints is now its heading to Australia for refit work worth three-quarters of a million dollars. The yacht owner and crew had been hoping to watch the America's Cup races today. In a statement, Immigration said seven of the 23 crew were not given border exemptions. "For foreign crew to be granted an exception to enter New Zealand under these circumstances, they must be considered essential for the operation of bringing the ship to New Zealand for the purpose it was granted permission by the Director-General of Health," INZ national border manager Peter Elms said. "This [...]
Reclusive Chinese water tycoon Zhong Shanshan is now Asia’s richest person
Mr Zhong Shanshan's net worth has surged to US$85 billion and made him the seventh-richest person on the planet.PHOTO: EN.NONGFUSPRING.COM BEIJING (AFP) - Until recently, few people had even heard of the Chinese billionaire with a gruff reputation who built a fortune on China's seemingly unquenchable demand for his ubiquitous red-capped bottled water. But reclusive Mr Zhong Shanshan has become Asia's richest man following the stock listings last year of his Nongfu Spring mineral water and separate pharma company Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise, which has tapped into massive demand for Covid-19 test kits. Mr Zhong's net worth has surged to US$85 billion (S$114 billion) and made him the seventh-richest person on the planet, Hurun Report, a China-based compiler of "rich lists", said last week. Called a "lone [...]
China building offensive, aggressive military, top US Pacific commander says
Hong Kong (CNN)China is assembling an increasingly offensive military and expanding its regional footprint, as Beijing steps up efforts to supplant American military power in Asia, a top US commander warned Congress on Tuesday. "I cannot for the life of me understand some of the capabilities that they're putting in the field unless it is an aggressive posture," Adm. Philip Davidson, the head of US Indo-Pacific Command, said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I see them developing systems, capabilities and a posture that would indicate that they're interested in aggression," Davidson said. Adm. Philip Davidson, head of US Indo-Pacific Command Davidson, who in the hearing defended budget requests for billions of dollars of new weaponry in the Pacific, said the increased investment was necessary to deter [...]
Covid-19 vaccine: 2m New Zealanders will get first dose within four months
Frontline health workers and people in high-risk settings including older people in South Auckland, people in residential care and older people - particularly Māori and Pacific - will get vaccine priority, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. At today's 1pm Covid-19 briefing, Hipkins - who was joined by Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield - said there were no new cases of the coronavirus in the community and just one case in managed isolation today. The one new case today is a person who returned from the US and tested positive in routine testing a day or so after arrival. They are in an Auckland quarantine facility. Dr Bloomfield said all close contacts and other contacts to date have returned negative results from the aircrew member who tested positive at [...]
Queen Elizabeth says saddened by Prince Harry and Meghan’s experiences
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex pose for a picture with some of Queen's Young Leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception following the final Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony, in London, Britain, on Ju 26, 2018. (Photo: John Stillwell/Pool via Reuters) LONDON: Queen Elizabeth said on Tuesday (Mar 9) the British royals were saddened by the challenging experiences of her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan and promised to privately address revelations about a racist remark about their son. Meghan and Prince Harry's tell-all TV interview with Oprah Winfreyaired on US television on Sunday has plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the 1997 death of Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana. In the two-hour show, Meghan accused Britain's royal family of raising concerns about how [...]
In message to China, Biden to meet Australia, India, Japan PMs
President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Mar 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will hold first-ever joint talks on Friday (Mar 12) with the leaders of Australia, India and Japan, boosting an emerging four-way alliance often cast as a bulwark against China. It will be one of the first summits, albeit in virtual format, for Biden, who has vowed to revive US alliances in the wake of the disarray of Donald Trump's administration. "That President Biden has made this one of his earliest multilateral engagements speaks to the importance that we place on close cooperation with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday. Amid rising tensions with [...]
Call for KiwiSaver investors to be able to split savings between funds
KiwiSaver investors should be able to split up their savings between different funds and providers to diversify, according to a leading investment analyst. File image. Photo: 123RF At present investors can switch the type of funds they are in and switch from one provider to another, but it is not possible to be with two different providers. The government is currently reviewing the default KiwiSaver providers, but no changes to the rules are expected. Summer KiwiSaver investment committee chairperson Martin Hawes said he would like to see it happen. "A lot of people ask can they have two funds, and the answer is they can't, but what they're really looking for is perhaps being able to diversify KiwiSaver, so they get a bit of management diversification. "But [...]
Australian cryptocurrency Qoin makes marketing push in New Zealand
An Australian based cryptocurrency appears to be making a marketing push in this country amid criticism about its operations in its home base. File image. Photo: 123RF Qoin - which is owned by the same company that operates Bartercard - has been suffered a backlash in Australia after it was expelled from the industry group Blockchain Australia, with concerns being raised about the transparency of its dealings. The concerns centre on a perceived conflict of interest with the owners of Qoin, BPS Financial Limited, also owning the only marketplace on which it can be traded, Block Chain Trade Exchange. Qoin has been aiming to entice "mum and dad" investors, with the currency being offered as a way for consumer to buy goods and services as well as investing in. [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern says Pfizer deal simplifies way to mass vaccination, could open border
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the bulk purchase of additional Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines has simplified New Zealand's path to achieving herd immunity by the end of the year. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas An additional 8.5 million doses will arrive in the second half of the year, creating enough for five million people to get the two jabs needed to be fully protected against Covid-19. Ardern and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins made the announcement at a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday. She told Morning Report New Zealand was on track to vaccinate the population by the end of the year and that the bulk Pfizer vaccine order had simplified matters. She said that, although some wouldn't be vaccinated - including children under 16 and sceptics of the [...]
Singapore to vaccinate migrant workers against COVID-19, starting with 10,000 dormitory residents
A migrant worker undergoes a swab test in Singapore on Apr 28, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Edgar Su) SINGAPORE: COVID-19 vaccinations for migrant workers in Singapore will begin with 10,000 people living in the country's five largest dormitories, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Mar 8). This batch of workers have never been infected by COVID-19, said the ministry, adding that their vaccinations will be conducted at the five dormitories. Workers who have been fully vaccinated can be subjected to a lower frequency of testing that is conducted every 28 days instead of the current 14-day cycle. Vaccinations will progressively be made available to other migrant workers, said MOH. Migrant workers living in dormitories made up about 90 per cent of Singapore's COVID-19 tally. Infections among this group have [...]
Myanmar security forces trap protesters, media outlets ordered shut
Tear gas and fire extinguisher gas float around demonstrators during a protest against the military coup in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Mar 8, 2021. (Phoot: REUTERS/Stringer) YANGON: Myanmar security forces cornered hundreds of young protesters overnight in a district of Yangon and threatened to hunt for them door to door as the United States and United Nations appealed for them to be allowed to leave. Thousands of people defied a night time curfew to take to the streets of Myanmar's main city in support of the youths in the Sanchaung district, where they had been holding the latest daily protest against the Feb 1 coup. The army takeover and arrest of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi has plunged Myanmar into chaos. Security forces have killed over 60 protesters and [...]
12 Republican-led states sue President Biden over climate change order
WASHINGTON — Twelve Republican-led states Monday sued President Joe Biden over his first executive order aimed at climate change, alleging he lacked the constitutional authority to implement new rules about greenhouse gases. The federal lawsuit, led by Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt of Missouri, argues Biden violated the separation of powers clause in the Constitution because Congress, not the president, has the power to regulate. On his first day in the White House, Biden signed Executive Order 13990, directing federal agencies to calculate the "social cost" of greenhouse gas pollution by estimating "monetized damages" to inform future federal regulations. This includes changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property damage from increased flood risk and the value of ecosystem services. But the 12 states that are plaintiffs say assigning such values is a "quintessentially legislative action that falls within Congress’s exclusive [...]
Two months and nearly 300 Capitol riot arrests later, the FBI is hunting hundreds more
In the two months since an angry mob forced its way into the U.S. Capitol, agents in all but one of the FBI’s 56 field offices have been drafted to track down those who participated in the deadly insurrection. Investigators who typically work cases involving the trafficking of drugs, child pornography and sex have taken calls from rioter’s angry ex-wives and former girlfriends and employers turned tipsters. They’ve mined tens of thousands of photos and videos. They followed trails the rioters left on social media bragging about being inside the Capitol, like the Florida man toting a rostrum or the New Hampshire man who snapped a selfie with a pilfered bottle of wine. And they’ve arrested almost 300. But, as many as 500 remain at large of the 800 who [...]
New Zealand: Ardern’s decision to drop regular interview gives fuel to political foes
Prime minister was already under fire for her recent handling of the Auckland Covid outbreak Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking, who supports the opposition National party, claims that Jacinda Ardern is ‘over being held to account’ Photograph: Newstalk ZB New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has cancelled one of her highest-profile regular media appearances, surprising commentators and fuelling criticism that she is dodging tough questions. Newstalk ZB’s morning show host Mike Hosking on Monday announced that Ardern would no longer be appearing for a weekly interview: a regular segment observed by New Zealand’s prime ministers for more than 30 years. In a statement provided to media, Ardern’s office confirmed that the schedule of media appearances had been reviewed “and while it hasn’t reduced overall, it has changed”. Ardern [...]
Young men take up arms in northern Ethiopia as atrocities fuel insurgency
Anger over violence that UN says could amount to war crimes drives recruitment in Tigray A man mourns the victims of a massacre allegedly perpetrated by Eritrean soldiers in the village of Dengolat. Photograph: Eduardo Soteras/AFP/Getty Images Ethiopian troops and their allies in the restive northern province of Tigray face a growing insurgency fuelled by a series of massacres and other violence targeting civilians. The country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, launched a military offensive four months ago to “restore the rule of law” by ousting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the political party in power in the province, following rising tensions and a surprise attack on a federal army base. Despite government claims of a significant improvement in the security situation in recent weeks, tens of thousands of [...]
OECD Annual Inflation Picks Up To 1.5% In January 2021 While Euro Area Records Sharp Increase To 0.9%
Annual inflation in the OECD area picked up to 1.5% in January 2021, compared with 1.2% in December 2020. Following a rebound between December and January, the annual decline in energy prices was less pronounced in January (minus 3.9%) than in December (minus 6.5%), while food price inflation slowed slightly to 3.1%, compared with 3.2% in December. OECD annual inflation excluding food and energy, also increased slightly, to 1.7% in January, compared with 1.6% in December. © Scoop Media
Govt Purchases Enough Pfizer Vaccines For Whole Country
The Government has guaranteed that every New Zealander will have access to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, after securing an additional 8.5 million doses, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “The Government has signed an advance purchase agreement for 8.5 million additional doses, enough to vaccinate 4.25 million people. The vaccines are expected to arrive in New Zealand during the second half of the year,” Jacinda Ardern said. “This brings our total Pfizer order to 10 million doses or enough for 5 million people to get the two shots needed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.” The Government’s original agreement with Pfizer was for approximately 1.5 million doses, enough to vaccinate 750,000 people. “The decision to make Pfizer New Zealand’s primary vaccine provider, was based on the fact the Pfizer vaccine [...]
Auckland traffic: Harbour Bridge crash causing delays for southbound motorists
The two-car prang is likely to cause delays for those heading south over the Auckland Harbour Bridge from 12.30pm onwards. Photo / NZTA A crash on the Auckland Harbour Bridge is causing delays for southbound commuters. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the crash was currently blocking the far left of the southbound lanes. The agency tweeted that the crash happened at 12.25pm and asked motorists to pass the scene with care. Delays should also be expected. SH1 AKL HBR BRIDGE, SOUTHBOUND - 12:25PM A crash is blocking the left lane (lane 1 of 4) southbound on the harbour Bridge currently. Pass with care and expect some delays until cleared. ^TP pic.twitter.com/biaUE8k3WM — Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 7, 2021 The crash was cleared 10 [...]
NZ seafarers working overseas plead for priority MIQ spots
Seafarers stranded outside the country are seeking unrestricted access to managed isolation. Seafarers are missing out on MIQ rooms because they only get a few days' notice about leaving their vessels. (file pic) Photo: 123RF While there are managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) rooms set aside for air crew and seafarers who have been in New Zealand waters, people who work in foreign waters must book their stay using the Managed Isolation Allocation System. They say they're missing out on spots, getting stuck overseas and forgoing seeing their families for months because they don't know very far in advance when they will disembark their vessels. Rainer Hillberg said he had spent eight months away from his wife, baby and stepson to keep his job as a 'fly in, fly [...]
Switzerland referendum: Voters support ban on face coverings in public
Switzerland has narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women. People hold signs during a protest hours after Switzerland voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women. Photo: AFP Official results showed the measure had passed by 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent in Sunday's referendum. The proposal was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) which campaigned with slogans such as "Stop extremism". A leading Swiss Islamic group said it was "a dark day" for Muslims. "Today's decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority," the Central Council of Muslims said in [...]
Malaysian PM Muhyiddin starts official visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is making a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday (March 6) departed for official visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), only his second official trip abroad since assuming office on March 1 last year. His only official overseas trip before this was to Indonesia on Feb 4 and 5, when he met President Joko Widodo. Tan Sri Muhyiddin is making a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will be performing the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and will also visit Madinah, Islam's second holiest city, before the meetings with the Saudi ruler. PM Muhyiddin, in his Facebook, [...]
Scientists find new Covid-19 mutation in Oregon
The researchers have so far found just a single case of this formidable combination.PHOTO: OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (OHSU)/FACEBOOK OREGON (NYTIMES) - Scientists in Oregon have spotted a home-grown version of a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that first surfaced in Britain - but now it's combined with a mutation that may make the variant less susceptible to vaccines. The researchers have so far found just a single case of this formidable combination, but genetic analysis suggested that the variant had been acquired in the community and did not arise in the patient. "We didn't import this from elsewhere in the world - it occurred spontaneously," said Associate Professor Brian O'Roak, a geneticist at Oregon Health and Science University who led the work. He and his colleagues [...]
Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee charged by US with cryptocurrency fraud
John McAfee and his accomplices reaped more than US$13 million (S$17.45 million) from the fraud and money-laundering schemes.PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - John McAfee, the antivirus software pioneer whose former company still bears his name, has been indicted on fraud and money-laundering conspiracy charges stemming from two cryptocurrency schemes, the US Justice Department said on Friday (March 5). Authorities accused McAfee and his bodyguard, Jimmy Gale Watson Jr, of exploiting McAfee's large Twitter following to artificially inflate prices of "altcoins" through a so-called pump-and-dump scheme, and concealing payments McAfee received from startup businesses to promote initial coin offerings. The Justice Department said McAfee and his accomplices reaped more than US$13 million (S$17.45 million) from the schemes. The charges were brought in Manhattan federal court. The Commodity Futures [...]
Italy prosecutors seek life for US pair accused of killing cop
US defendants Finnegan Lee Elder (left) and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth arrive for the hearing in Rome, March 6, 2021.PHOTO: EPA-EFE ROME (AFP) - Italian prosecutors on Saturday (March 6) requested life sentences for a pair of young US citizens accused of murdering an Italian police officer two years ago while holidaying in Rome. Officer Mario Cerciello Rega, 35, died from knife wounds in July 2019 after he and a colleague, both in plain clothes, had a nighttime confrontation with Finnegal Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth. Elder has admitted stabbing Cerciello Rega multiple times with an eight-inch combat knife, but has said he and Natale-Hjorth were jumped by men they thought were drug dealers. "It was an aggression, a violent, deadly, disproportionate attack," prosecutor Maria Sabina Calabretta told a court [...]
Moderna reaches supply deal with Philippines for 13 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: Moderna said on Saturday (Mar 6) it has agreed to supply the Philippines government 13 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, with deliveries set to begin in mid-2021. The company will work with regulators to pursue necessary approvals prior to the distribution, it said in a press release. Moderna said it expected to reach a separate deal with the Philippines government and private sector to supply an additional 7 million doses. In January, the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration approved the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency use.
Hundreds of Thai protesters rally to demand leaders’ release
BANGKOK: Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Thai capital on Saturday (Mar 6) evening to demand that authorities release some protest leaders from jail, defying an order late Friday banning public gatherings in the city A youth-led protest movement sprang up last year calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former junta leader, and reform of the powerful monarchy. Thai courts have denied recent requests for bail for some of the jailed protest leaders. "Release our friends," shouted the protesters in unison, as they gathered in front of a criminal court, which was surrounded by barbed wire. A water cannon truck could be seen behind the gates of the court. Anti-government protesters march to the criminal court during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, on Mar 6, 2021. [...]
Trump reportedly told Republican party to stop using his name for fundraising
Party bodies have used former president’s name while fundraising for Republicans who voted for his impeachment Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando. Photograph: Joe Skipper/Reuters Donald Trump has told the Republican National Committee and other party bodies to stop using his name and likeness in fundraising efforts, it was reported on Saturday. “President Trump remains committed to the Republican party and electing America First conservatives,” Politico quoted an unnamed adviser to the former president as saying about the legal cease-and-desist notice, “but that doesn’t give anyone – friend or foe – permission to use his likeness without explicit approval.” The website previously reported that Trump’s ire was stoked by bodies including the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) [...]
Covid-19: US Senate passes major $1.9tn relief plan
The US Senate has voted to approve America's third major spending package to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The relief plan has been championed by US President Joe Biden. Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP The $US1.9 trillion ($NZ2.6tn) plan passed by 50 votes to 49. It will head to the House of Representatives on Tuesday where it is expected to be endorsed. The relief plan has been championed by President Joe Biden, but Republicans have criticised it as too costly. Biden's Democratic Party compromised on a key issue ahead of the vote. There were long discussions over federal unemployment benefit, which Democrats agreed to lower from $400 to $300 a week. The benefit would be extended until 6 September under the plan. The package also [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus vaccination: 550,000 Kiwis have ‘wait and see’ attitude
More than 550,000 New Zealanders unlikely to accept a Covid-19 vaccination say that's because they'd rather wait and see if others get any side effects. The Ministry of Health has released full results of polling into attitudes to the vaccine rollout, following an Official Information Act request from the Herald, and having earlier publicised only top-line findings. Polling was done in September and December last year, and a report after the December polling shows: • An estimated 555,100 adults who said they'd be unlikely to be vaccinated gave a main reason as, "I'd rather wait and see if others who have taken it suffer any side effects" - indicating this large group could be eventually convinced of vaccine safety. • People who chose "I don't trust any vaccine" were [...]
Earthquake swarm: More than 140 quakes of magnitude 4 or greater recorded since Friday
Seismologists have recorded more than 140 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher since a 7.2 earthquake caused householders to flee low-lying East Coast areas on Friday morning. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook much of the North Island on Friday. GNS Science experts are researching the relationship between them and the even bigger sea-floor quakes of magnitude 7.4 and 8.1 which hit the Kermadec Islands - 1000km - later on Friday morning. Seismologist Matt Gerstenberger said there were questions about whether the East Cape jolt was a single rupture or something more complicated. Gerstenberger said generally after a large earthquake a lot of quakes of varying size could be expected, but over time they would become fewer and smaller. But he warned there is still an increased probability of a [...]
ANZ fined $280,000 by High Court for misleading customers over credit card insurance policies
New Zealand's largest bank has been fined $280,000 by the High Court for misleading hundreds of customers over credit card insurance policy breaches "hiding in plain view". ANZ New Zealand (ANZ) accepted it violated the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA) as part of a resolution with the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) after legal proceedings were filed by the regulator in June last year. The bank charged customers for credit card repayment insurance (CCRI) which offered no cover or benefit and issued duplicate policies between April 2014 and November 2019. CCRI covers some or all of a person's credit card repayments in certain circumstances such as redundancy, bankruptcy, injury, illness or death. ANZ earlier said it identified 390 customers who had more than one CCRI policy and a further [...]
Earthquakes and tsunami threats in New Zealand: How Friday unfolded
This Friday was expected to herald a possible reduction in Covid-19 alert levels for many New Zealanders, but the first big shake off East Cape in the wee hours of the morning meant a sudden change of plans for many. Three earthquakes off the coast of New Zealand today has meant threat of tsunami for many on the coast, prompting towns to be evacuated, their people sheltering on high ground for hours. Read how it all unfolded... Photo: RNZ At 2.27am a severe 7.1 magnitude quake struck 100km east of Te Araroa. It was widely felt across the North Island and parts of the South Island - by 3am, nearly 60,000 people reported feeling it on Geonet. A shift manager at McDonald's Gisborne, Miles Downes, said he felt [...]
Tokyo Olympics will be closed to fans from abroad, hints Games organiser
Situation is tough,’ says committee president Japanese press report decision has been made Tokyo organisers will focus on essentials. Photograph: Viola Kam/Sopa Images/Shutterstock The new president of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee has hinted that foreign fans will not be allowed at this summer’s Games amid reports in the Japanese press that a decision had already been made to exclude them. “If the situation is tough and it would make the [Japanese] consumers concerned, that is a situation we need to avoid from happening,” the committee president, Seiko Hashimoto, told reporters after online talks with the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach. The Japanese newspaper Mainichi stated on Wednesday before the meeting with Bach that officials had already made up their minds ahead of a final announcement on the [...]
More than $352m returned to Kiwis with cancelled travel plans
Kiwis have had $352 million refunded from their cancelled travel plans. Photo / 123r The Government says its scheme to get Kiwis' cancelled travel plans refunded has seen more than $352 million returned. The Consumer Travel Reimbursement Scheme was launched in October to help travel agents pivot to help travellers get their money back from airlines and holidays. Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark said New Zealanders were at risk of not seeing a cent of their money because it was locked offshore. "This means more money is coming back into the local economies as Kiwis now look to holiday domestically supporting the local tourism industry." The scheme was launched in October 2020 and pays New Zealand-based travel agents 7.5 per cent of the value of all cash [...]
Auckland lockdown threatens to split ‘team of five million’
Checkpoints, swabs and isolation make residents in New Zealand’s biggest city question the government’s approach to Covid-19 Motorists wait in line for a Covid-19 test in Auckland as New Zealand’s largest city goes into lockdown.Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock The catch cry of “be kind” – which prime minister Jacinda Ardern impressed upon New Zealand since its first lockdown a year ago – is in danger of being replaced with a less positive mantra as Aucklanders struggle through their second Covid-19 lockdown in a fortnight. The country’s biggest city has been in level-three lockdown since Sunday morning as a result of two cases of community transmission, which were found to have happened while an earlier period of level-three restrictions were in place – threatening to fracture the unity of the “team of [...]
Glow-in-the-dark sharks found in New Zealand waters
Sharks that glow in dark of the ocean have been seen for the first time off the coast of New Zealand. Researchers suggest the sharks' glowing underbellies may help them hide from predators or other threats beneath them. Photo: ©Dr J. Mallefet FNRS, UCLouvain Belgian scientists were able to document three species of luminous deepwater shark while on a research expedition to the Chatham Rise area of ocean floor, east of the mainland. Marine biologist Dr Jérôme Mallefet, of UCLouvain university in Belgium, said scientists knew the sharks would be able to produce blue light but it had not been be documented. "Thanks to NIWA I was able to collect some of them and finally to see [them] glowing," he told Morning Report. "It was so magnificent." Mallefet [...]
Nearly 20m receive first dose of Covid vaccine in the UK
Government data shows 19.6m get first jab and up to 770,000 inoculated a second time Since 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, more than 20.5m jabs have been administered across the country. Photograph: Jacob King/AP More than 20 million people in the UK have received at least a first dose of coronavirus vaccine, with under 4% of those given as second doses. Government data shows that of the 20.5m jabs given in the UK up to 26 February, 19.6m were first doses. About 770,000 of the doses given were second jabs, an increase of nearly 33,000 on figures released the previous day. This means just over 1.1% of the UK population have been fully vaccinated with two doses. A [...]
China takes aim at Australian universities with latest boycott
A new ploy from the Chinese government could see an Aussie sector, which was already hit hard by COVID-19, suffer another crippling blow. Australian universities have already been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. But now, a new ploy by the Chinese government could see institutions across the country suffer another crippling blow. Many Australian universities rely on international students as a major part of their revenue, with that crucial stream abruptly cut off by the pandemic and subsequent border closures. The international education sector brought $37.5 billion to the Australian economy between 2019 and 2020, with China accounting for a staggering $10.5 billion of that figure. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has sparked hopes that international student levels could soon be on the rise, but unsettling reports coming [...]
PH banking system key to economic recovery: Diokno
MANILA – The Philippines’ banking system has proven its resiliency several times and the current pandemic is not an exemption, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno. (File photo) In his speech during The Manila Times virtual economic forum on Friday, Diokno said the domestic banking system remains sound and stable amid the virus-induced pandemic. He said the sector’s performance is among the key factors why the economy is expected to recover this year. The other factors are the quarter-on-quarter gross domestic product (GPD) improvement in the last quarter of 2020, better business and consumer outlooks, within-target inflation, ample domestic liquidity, robust external payments position, and manageable fiscal deficit. Diokno said domestic financial [...]
Philippines to receive AstraZeneca doses on March 1
MANILA, PHILIPPINES The vaccines will come a day after Sinovac’s CoronaVac arrives in the country. The Philippines will receive 525,600 doses of vaccines developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Monday, March 1, Presidential Spokesperson confirmed on Saturday, February 27. The vaccines are part of the first round of allocated doses from the COVAX facility, from which the Philippines is entitled to 44 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. (READ: What is COVAX and why does it matter for getting vaccines to developing nations?) “We thank the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) towards this end,” Roque said. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency [...]
Philippines’ Duterte signs indemnity Bill for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
File photo of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (File photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez) MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday (Feb 26) signed into law a Bill that gives indemnity to vaccine-makers if their COVID-19 shots cause adverse side effects, days before the country starts its lagging inoculation programme. Despite having one of the highest number of coronavirus infections in Asia, the Philippines will be the last Southeast Asian nation to receive its initial set of vaccines. In a statement, the presidential office said the law would fast-track the purchase and administration of vaccines. It covers the creation of a 500 million pesos (US$10.26 million) indemnity fund to cover compensation for potential serious adverse effects stemming from the doses' emergency use. COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers would be immune from lawsuits for [...]
Five-point Plan To Get New Zealand Out Of Lockdown
Press Release: New Zealand National Party National is urging the Government to get on top of the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Auckland by adopting a five-point plan for managing community cases, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti say. National’s five-point plan for managing community outbreaks: Introduce rapid antigen testing – nasal swab tests that return results in 15 minutes. Roll out high intensity, well-staffed testing stations across Papatoetoe and at every single location of interest Conduct higher intensity wastewater testing at suburb and sub-suburb levels in Papatoetoe Set aside enough vaccines for all border and port workers, then priority vaccinate South Auckland Increase monitoring of people who are required to self-isolate, including spot checks Mr Bishop says New Zealand should follow the example [...]
NZUSA Calls For Increased Student Support With Yo-yoing Alert Levels
Press Release: NZUSA The New Zealand Union of Students' Associations is calling for increased student support to ensure that students can continue to study amid fluctuating Alert Levels. "With this morning’s increase in COVID Alert Levels, students face yet more uncertainty and stress at the start of the academic year. They've already had their orientations disrupted by COVID; the Government cannot allow this virus to ruin their entire year" says National President Andrew Lessells. "Government needs to step up for students to make sure they can access technology, to make sure they can pay their rent, to make sure they can afford to survive." With the increase in Alert Levels also comes significant mental hardship for the 400,000 students across Aotearoa. The Government has committed $25 million to mental [...]
Covid-19: Auckland back in alert level 3, the rest of New Zealand alert level 2
Auckland is back at alert level 3 this morning, while the rest of the country has moved to alert level 2 following two new Covid-19 community cases that could not be directly linked to earlier cases. Central Auckland at 9am on the first morning of the latest level three lockdown. Photo: RNZ / Robert Smith Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement at a briefing at 9pm last night saying that the alert level changes would come in from 6am today and would be in place for seven days. She said Cabinet would assess the alert levels but it was likely that Auckland would remain in alert level 3 for the full seven days. Ardern said the announcement comes after two new Covid-19 community cases that could [...]
Japan women’s minister opposes plan to allow keeping of birth names
Tamayo Marukawa among 50 conservative MPs to urge local body not to support policy change Japan’s minister for women’s empowerment and gender equality, Tamayo Marukawa. Photograph: Jiji Press/EPA Japan’s minister for women’s empowerment and gender equality, Tamayo Marukawa, is among a group of conservative MPs who have opposed a legal change that would allow women to keep their birth name after marriage. Japan is one of only a few industrialised countries where it is illegal for married couples to have different surnames. The country’s civil code, introduced in 1896, requires married couples to share a surname and while it does not stipulate which name they should adopt, in practice women take their husband’s name in 96% of cases. Pressure to change the law has built in recent years. In [...]
Ghana Becomes First Country to Receive COVAX Vaccines
Another ninety countries and eight territories have agreed to pay if they choose to receive vaccines via COVAX, which aims to deliver close to two billion doses of coronavirus vaccines around the world this year. The world’s first COVAX Facility shipment has landed in Ghana, providing the West African nation with six hundred thousand potentially life-saving doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. According to Ghana’s Information Ministry, the initial vaccine doses already have been prioritized for frontline medical workers, people over age sixty, and those with preexisting health conditions. The mass vaccination campaign will launch on March 2. “The government of Ghana remains resolute at ensuring the welfare of all Ghanaians and is making frantic efforts to acquire adequate vaccines to cover the entire population through bilateral and [...]
US finds Saudi crown prince approved Khashoggi murder but does not sanction him
Biden administration to target ‘counter-dissident’ activity and Saudi official but not Mohammed bin Salman personally Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has long been accused of involvement in the killing of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Photograph: Bandar Aljaloud/AP US intelligence agencies have concluded in a newly declassified intelligence report that Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, approved the 2018 murder of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi – but Washington stopped short of targeting the future Saudi king with financial or other sanctions. The four-page report released on Friday confirmed the long-suspected view that the 35-year-old future king had a personal hand in the violent murder of one of his most prominent critics, a columnist and former Saudi insider who was living in exile in the [...]
Airstrike in Syria faces pushback from Democrats
Democratic lawmakers question legal authorities Biden used to order the strike. Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images A day after President Joe Biden ordered the first military action of his presidency, an airstrike in Syria, his administration finds itself in the unlikely position of defending the move to Democratic lawmakers concerned about the legal authorities used to justify it. Thursday night's airstrike targeted a compound used by two Iranian-backed militias the U.S. believes are responsible for rocket attacks in Iraqthat wounded Americans. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed on Friday casualties resulted from the airstrike in eastern Syria. Visiting Houston on Friday, Biden told reporters that the message he was sending to Iran with the attack in Syria was "you can't act with impunity, be careful." John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said [...]
Global stock markets drop as inflation fears prompt sell-off
UK FTSE was down 2.5%, its biggest one-day fall in percentage terms since the end of October The FTSE 100 closed down 168 points at 6,483, a 2.5% drop. Photograph: Refinitiv Global stock markets ended February deep in the red, as fears of higher inflation prompted a sell-off in government bonds and spread anxiety across financial markets. The UK’s FTSE 100 index fell 168 points to 6,483, a 2.5% drop – the biggest one-day fall in percentage terms since the end of October. The UK stock market suffered the heaviest losses in Europe, while Germany’s Dax fell 0.67%, France’s CAC slid 1.4%, Italy’s FTSE MiB shed 0.9% and Spain’s Ibex lost 1.1%. The Europe Stoxx 600 index tracking the biggest European companies fell 1.7% and is down 2.5% over [...]
Covid-19 update: No new community cases reported today in NZ
There have been no new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, a day after it was revealed a new case had worked a shift at an Auckland KFC outlet. Photo: 123rf.com In a statement, the Health Ministry said there was just one new case in managed isolation. The new community case revealed yesterday was a person linked to the Auckland February cases who had been in quarantine since Tuesday, but had worked a late shift at KFC Botany Downs on Monday evening. Customers who entered the KFC store during that shift have been considered close contacts, while those who used the drive through during that time have been designated as 'casual plus contacts'. They have all been advised to get tests today and the close [...]
Pfizer Covid vaccine 94% effective, study of 1.2m people finds
A major study of data from Israel showed Pfizer shot cut symptomatic cases drastically across all age group The first big real-world study of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be independently reviewed shows the treatment is highly effective in preventing Covid-19. Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images The first major real-world study of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be independently reviewed shows the shot is highly effective at preventing Covid-19, in a potentially landmark moment for countries desperate to end lockdowns and reopen economies. Until now, most data on coronavirus vaccines has come under controlled conditions in clinical trials, leaving an element of uncertainty about how the results would translate into the real world. The research in Israel – two months into one of the world’s fastest rollouts, providing a rich source [...]
Thailand says it nears a COVID-19 vaccine passport, hopes to welcome tourists in Q3
Tourists wear protective masks at Emerald Buddha temple, which is usually full of tourists, amid fears of COVID-19 in Bangkok, Thailand, Mar 16, 2020. (File photo: REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun) BANGKOK: Thai authorities are preparing a plan to ease restrictions for travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus, senior officials said on Wednesday (Feb 24), as the country looks to revive a tourism industry battered by travel curbs. Measures for vaccinated visitors would be introduced step-by-step and could include shortening the mandatory quarantine for all arrivals from two weeks to three days for those vaccinated, or waiving it entirely, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said. "We have to be fast because we want to start welcoming tourists in the third quarter," he told Reuters. The TAT plans to begin [...]
$400,000 Fine For “carefully Crafted” Home Funding Group Scheme
Press Release: Commerce Commission A company which falsely claimed to offer a savings scheme to assist low-income families buy a home has been fined $400,000 following a Commerce Commission investigation. In a formal proof hearing in the Auckland District Court on 12 January, Home Funding Group Limited (HFG) was convicted on two charges under the Fair Trading Act 1986. HFG is in liquidation and did not appear at the hearing. HFG offered services to prospective home buyers who found it difficult to save for a deposit or qualify for bank finance. It claimed to operate a savings scheme which could assist customers to purchase a home with a deposit as low as 5%. However, customers’ payments were not paid into or treated as being in any form of savings [...]
2020 The Costliest Year For Severe Weather – Customers Get $248m Support From Insurers
Press Release: Insurance Council of New Zealand Insurance support for communities around the country hit by extreme weather events has hit a new annual record of $248m, with insurance customers making more than 13,600 weather related claims for the twelve months to December 2020. The revised figure includes the preliminary cost of the severe weather and floods across the Greater Wellington region 29 November - 1 December, and the freak hailstorm that hit the Nelson-Marlborough region on Boxing Day 26 December. "Sudden and unexpected extreme weather can leave widespread losses for individuals and their communities in its wake. The preliminary support from insurers for the Boxing Day hailstorm is $41m but the true costs are much higher." says Tim Grafton CE ICNZ. "It is sobering to think of the [...]
Housing affordability worst in at least 17 years, report finds
Buying a home is increasingly out of reach for many New Zealanders as housing affordability plummets to historically low levels. Income inequality needs to be considered more when seeking solutions for the housing crisis, an expert says. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon A report by CoreLogic found average property values surged 6.1 percent in the final three months of last year, while they went up more than 11 percent for the whole of 2020. CoreLogic senior property economist Kelvin Davidson said while wages had fared better than expected given the pandemic, average household incomes were not keeping pace with property values. "Based on the historical data we have, houses are as unaffordable as they've been at any time for at least 17 years, maybe longer," Davidson [...]
Prince Philip is said to be responding well to treatment in the hospital. Photo / Getty Images The Sydney Morning Herald was forced to quickly remove a pre-prepared obituary for Prince Philip seemingly published by accident on Monday afternoon. An article titled "Prince Philip Through the Years" appeared in the paper's obituary section at around 5pm, with it unclear whether a coincidental retrospective article was put in the wrong section of the paper, or it was in fact a very awkward oversight. The Duke of Edinburgh is very much still alive and, according to family members, "doing OK" as he remains in hospital for "rest and observation". On Monday afternoon, an eagle-eyed Twitter user noticed the curious article, which was sold as "The life and times of [...]
Viruses don’t always produce respiratory symptoms – Epidemiologist professor Michael Baker
Epidemiologist professor Michael Baker says the spectrum of symptoms experienced by people with the UK variant of Covid-19 is quite broad - and can include muscle aches and fatigue. Photo: 123rf.com Several people in the country's newest Covid-19 cluster have reported experiencing muscle aches and fatigue. Those in the cluster, 11 people, all have the UK variant of the virus. The UK Variant - also known as B.1.1.7 - was first found in September of 2020 and has since spread throughout the world. A study carried out by the UK Office of National Statistics surveyed Covid-19 patients between 15 November and 16 January and found the variant to be up to 70 percent more infectious than the original strain. Fatigue, headaches and muscle pain were all common symptoms [...]
Australian states tighten travel restrictions as New Zealand cluster grows
Travellers arriving in Australia from New Zealand face tighter restrictions in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania in response to a growing COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland. At least eight cases have been linked to a cluster at a high school in Auckland that was discovered on February 14 and triggered a snap three-day lockdown in New Zealand’s largest city. The cluster emerged days after quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand resumed. CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES The cluster was discovered days after quarantine-free “green flights” from New Zealand to Australia resumed. NSW Health is contacting travellers who have arrived on quarantine-free flights from New Zealand since Saturday, February 20, to check if they had been to any venues of concern visited by an infectious person. “As a precaution, people who have [...]
‘We stand together’: ethnic Chinese rally in Myanmar against coup
Yangon: The chorus of banging pots and pans begins in Chinatown at about 8pm. The district in Myanmar’s commercial city of Yangon is normally festooned with bright red lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year. But when the Year of the Ox arrived in mid-February, the usual festive atmosphere was gone - replaced by a tension in the air. Demonstrators display a picture of Chinese president Xi Jinping, with a message requesting not to support military coup during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar.CREDIT:AP Here, and across the country, swelling ranks of young ethnic Chinese protesters are joining mass rallies against the junta that abruptly deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government. Many are united by rumours that China is helping the regime [...]
Air New Zealand to trial Covid vaccine passport on Sydney flights
Airline aims to ‘streamline health verification’ for travel as vaccinations begin Air New Zealand to trial Covid vaccine passport on Sydney flights using an app developed by the International Air Transport Association. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters Air New Zealand will trial a digital vaccine passport in April on flights between Auckland and Sydney. As vaccination begins in Australia, attention has turned to the potential resumption of international travel and how Australia could track whether potential visitors have been vaccinated. Several tech companies have been working with the World HealthOrganization to develop a secure digital vaccination record system that could be used to prove to airlines and governments that passengers have had a Covid vaccine. One such app, Travel Pass, developed by the International Air Transport Association, will be trialed by [...]
Supreme court rejects Trump bid to block tax records from prosecutor
Court’s order is a win for the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr, who has been seeking Trump’s tax records since 2019 Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on 6 August 2020. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP In a significant defeat for Donald Trump, the supreme court on Monday declined to step in to halt the turnover of his tax records to a prosecutor in New York City. The court’s action was the apparent culmination of a lengthy legal battle that had reached the high court before. Trump said it was part of “the continuing political persecution of President Donald J Trump”. Having left the White House on 20 January, Trump has lost the legal protections of office. He faces jeopardy on multiple fronts. In New [...]
Canada votes to recognize China’s treatment of Uighur population as genocide
Parliament’s move was not supported by Trudeau and likely to raise diplomatic tensions between the two nations Umer Jan attends a rally on 19 February outside the Canadian embassy to encourage Canada in labeling China’s treatment of its Uighur population as genocide. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters Canada has become the second country in the world to describe China’s treatment of its Uighur minority as a genocide, following a contentious parliamentary vote which is likely to further raise diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Lawmakers approved the non-binding motion, brought forward by opposition Conservatives, to recognize China’s actions in the north-western Xinjiang province as a genocide against Muslim Uighurs. Prime minister Justin Trudeau and senior members of cabinet did not attend the vote on Monday. All other Liberal members present voted [...]
Mayor in PNG arrested with gun and cash near election recount
The mayor of Wabag in Papua New Guinea's Enga province has been arrested in Chimbu province while armed and carrying significant cash. Papua New Guinea police Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades Kennedy Kiak's arrest took place in the Chimbu capital Kundiawa where a recount of votes for the 2017 election in Enga's Kandep district is underway. EMTV reported that Kiak had been charged for possession of an unlicensed firearm, resisting arrest and assaulting police. Police say that when apprehended he was in posession of $US22,000. The Police acting Eastern End Commander, Joseph Tondop, warned people not to attempt to disturb the work of the Electoral Commission. "We will take whatever action that is necessary to deal with anyone who takes any advantage, especially the people outside who might want [...]
PM makes alert level announcement for Auckland
Auckland will drop from Covid alert level 2 and join the rest of New Zealand at alert level 1, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. Watch Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern make the announcement here: Cabinet met this afternoon to decide whether the risk of Covid-19 spreading has diminished enough for Auckland to move to alert level 1. Eight cases that had recently emerged had all been linked and close contacts of the mother of a family at the centre of the outbreak had all produced negative results, she said. Cabinet had decided to make face coverings mandatory in all public transport across NZ at levels one and two. People will be able to remove face coverings to eat or drink, but children under 12 are exempt, as are people [...]
U.S. stocks close lower for third day as investors weigh economic data, rising bond yields
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)AP Referenced Symbols DJIA -0.38% SPX -0.44% COMP -0.72% WMT -6.48% MAR +0.49% RIGL +5.08% LLY -2.59% HRL +1.13% GOLD -2.45% TWLO +7.73% SHCOMP -0.94% 000300 -1.62% GME -11.43% AMC -0.72% U.S. stock indexes closed down but off the session’s lows on Thursday, as investors digested economic data showing little improvement in the labor market and weighed a rise in bond yields on worries over potential inflation amid elevated commodity and energy prices. An increasing pace of coronavirus vaccinations, declining case numbers, good quarterly corporate earnings, and hope for a better economy in the second half of 2021 have helped to lift stocks to record highs this month but investors are now finding fewer reasons to [...]
Boris Johnson to pledge surplus Covid vaccine to poorer countries at G7
PM to counter accusations that richest countries are piling up supplies and creating global inequality Boris Johnson will say that the UK will share any surplus vaccines and vow to cut the time it takes to develop a vaccine from the unprecedented 300 days achieved last year to 100 days. Photograph: Geoff Caddick/PA Boris Johnson will lead efforts to fend off accusations that the world’s richest countries are hoarding Covid vaccines by pledging at a G7 summit that the UK will donate surplus doses to poorer countries and cut to 100 days the time it takes to produce new jabs. Both Russia and China are threatening to win an escalating vaccine diplomacy war by sending their vaccines direct to Africa, while the G7 club of wealthy nations continues to [...]
Mars rover landing: Nasa’s Perseverance safely touches down in search of life
Radio signals confirmed that the six-wheeled rover had survived its perilous descent and arrived within its target zone Nasa mission control erupts as Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars – video Nasa’s science rover Perseverance, the most advanced astrobiology laboratory ever sent to another world, streaked through the Martian atmosphere on Thursday and landed safely on the floor of a vast crater, its first stop on a search for traces of ancient microbial life on the Red Planet. Mission managers at Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory near Los Angeles burst into applause and cheers as radio signals confirmed that the six-wheeled rover had survived its perilous descent and arrived within its target zone inside Jezero crater, site of a long-vanished Martian lake bed. The robotic vehicle sailed through space for nearly [...]
Biden to announce US will donate $4 billion for COVID-19 vaccines for poor countries
The move comes as the U.S. grapples with its own shortages. Life expectancy dropped a full year as the coronavirus spread during the first half of 2020 with Black Americans suffering the most, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control. Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images President Joe Biden plans to announce on Friday that the United States will contribute $2 billion to a U.N.-backed program seeking to distribute COVID-19 vaccine doses to people in the poorest countries in the world, according to senior Biden administration officials. Congress had already allocated the money in December for the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide to Gavi, an international vaccine distribution alliance. Congress provided a total of $4 billion and the officials said that the U.S. would give the [...]
Covid-19: First jab of Pfizer vaccine to be administered to vaccinators today
Nine days shy of a year since the country's first confirmed case, the first Covid-19 vaccine in New Zealand will be given today. Vaccinators are the first in the queue to get the jab of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: AFP The first people immunised will not be border workers or their families but vaccinators - the people with the important job of administering the shots. The government says months have gone into planning the logistics of the transport and distribution of the vaccines. The first here, and the only Medsafe-approved so far, is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, requiring constant storage at -70C. Dr Joe Bourne, part of the Covid vaccine immunisation programme, said with training and dress rehearsals now complete, they were ready for the rollout. "We've [...]
Biden says China to face repercussions on human rights
Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn global criticism for holding Uighurs in internment camps and other human rights abuses.PHOTO: AFP MILWAUKEE (REUTERS) - China will pay a price for its human rights abuses, US President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday (Feb 16), responding to queries at a televised event on the Asian nation's handling of Muslim minorities in its far western region of Xinjiang. Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn global criticism for holding the minority Uighurs in internment camps and other human rights abuses. "Well, there will be repercussions for China and he knows that," Mr Biden said ofMr Xi, when pressed on the issue at the town hall event televised on broadcaster CNN. The United States will reassert its global role in speaking up for human [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland to level 2, rest of NZ to level 1 – despite another new Covid case
Auckland will move to alert level 2 at midnight, despite a third new community case of Covid-19 being announced today. The rest of the country will move to alert level 1 but face masks will be mandatory on public transport until further notice. The alert levels will be reviewed again on Monday. The Prime Minister made the announcement at a press conference this afternoon - alongside director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield - after Cabinet met to review the settings. Another family member of the two Papatoetoe High School pupils who tested positive today has also been confirmed as a case, Bloomfield said. They are currently all isolating at home. There are five people in the household. Bloomfield said it was "reassuring" all the new cases were linked [...]
Dubai princess says in video she is being held ‘hostage’ and fears for her life
The BBC released the video excerpts of Sheikha Latifa (above, in a screenshot) ahead of its investigative news programme Panorama.SCREENSHOT: BBC LONDON (AFP) - The daughter of Dubai's ruler says she is being held captive and fears for her life after a foiled attempt to flee, according to footage broadcast on Tuesday (Feb 16). Sheikha Latifa has not been seen in public since she attempted to escape from the Emirate by sea in March 2018. The BBC aired clips it said were filmed roughly a year after she was captured and returned to Dubai showing her crouched in a corner of what she says is a bathroom. "I'm a hostage and this villa has been converted into a jail," she says in one cellphone video. "There's five [...]
Ebola Is Back. Can the WHO Contain It?
The West African country was declared free of the virus five years ago. The World Health Organization has announced that it has confirmed a fourth case of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As health officials scrambled to vaccinate individuals in the high-risk areas to contain the potential outbreak, the WHO earlier in the week said that a woman died from the virus in Butembo, a city in North Kivu Province and an epicenter of a previous Ebola outbreak that lasted until early summer. The agency has since confirmed three additional cases. In addition, officials in Guinea declared an outbreak over the weekend after at least three people died in recent weeks from the Ebola virus and four more people were confirmed to be infected. Health [...]
New Zealand Oil and Gas, Beach Energy to surrender exploration permit
The hunt for oil and gas off the east coast of the South Island has been dealt a major blow. A drilling rig (file image). Photo: 123rf New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and its Australian partner, Beach Energy, will surrender an exploration permit for a large area they hoped held the prospect of a significant find. NZOG chief executive Andrew Jeffries said: "It is with great regret that the Joint Venture relinquish this permit after years of work to mature it and bring in appropriate partners". A combination of circumstances had killed off the chances of exploration of the Clipper permit, which included the highly favoured Barque prospect. "Adverse regulatory settings for offshore exploration; the dry hole at OMV's Tawhaki permit; the recent announcement terminating Wherry-1 [...]
Covid-19: What happened in New Zealand on 16 February
A decision on alert levels will be announced tomorrow, use of the Covid Tracer app may be made compulsory and a bank warns another recession may be looming. From left: Chris Hipkins and Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Auckland's lantern festival, a camper van and the country's Covid-19 Tracer app. Photo: RNZ Two days after the confirmation of three community cases - a South Auckland family - Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins reported no new Covid-19 community or MIQ cases had been found today. Auckland has been at alert level 3 and the rest of New Zealand at alert level 2 since midnight on Monday morning. With the level settings due to expire tomorrow at midnight, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern [...]
China sought to reassure Philippines over new coastguard law, envoy says
Chinese said they’re not targeting the country or any specific nation and they won’t resort to force in the first instance, according to ambassador in Beijing Jose Santiago Sta. Romana says Manila objects to the law being applied to all waters claimed by China China’s new coastguard law has heightened concerns that it could take a more aggressive approach in maritime disputes. Photo: AP China has again sought to ease tensions with the Philippines over its controversial new coastguard law , saying it is not aimed at the Southeast Asian nation or any other country, according to Manila’s top envoy in Beijing. “The Chinese have reassured us through their foreign ministry spokesman as well as the Chinese embassy [in Manila] that they are not targeting [...]
Lorenzana: New China coast guard law raises risks in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines—A new law plucked by China and allowing its coast guard to use violent force on foreign ships in waters it claims raises the risks of miscalculation, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday (Feb. 8). “I’m very concerned about this law because it might cause miscalculations and accidents there, especially now that they are now allowed to fire at foreign vessels,” Lorenzana said in an interview with CNN Philippines. The China Coast Guard, he said, operates in disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, part of the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea, where the Philippine navy and coast guard also patrol. “The chances of accident or miscalculation [are] great, and so I call upon all claimants there, Chinese, Vietnamese to exercise caution and carefulness [...]
Government to keep majority share of Air NZ
The government has confirmed it will keep its majority stake in Air New Zealand when the airline taps the markets for more money later this year. Photo: AFP It has said it will raise funds by June, although it is not yet known for how much. The carrier has been burning between $65 million and $85m a month and has dug into the $900m government loan it secured in the early stages of the pandemic. Exactly how much of that loan has been spent would be revealed when the company updated shareholders with its interim results. Air New Zealand chair Dame Therese Walsh said the government remained committed to its shareholding. "Given the critical role the company has in New Zealand's economy and society, the Crown has, in that [...]
Covid-19: Prime Minister gives briefing on vaccination in New Zealand
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in New Zealand next week, earlier than expected. Watch the media conference here: Ardern and senior ministers have given a briefing on the country's coronavirus vaccination programme. "We should be in a position, providing all goes well, to start vaccinating border workers from next Saturday," Ardern said. Over the next two to three weeks, 12,000 workers should be vaccinated, followed by their household contacts. The next priority will be healthcare and essential workers, along with most at-risk groups, in the second quarter of the year. "It's going to take all the year to reach everyone," Ardern said. Deliveries are expected near weekly, with a batch in the low tens of thousands delivered within the [...]
Google apps feel strain as firm’s privacy standoff with Apple drags on
Google failure to update more than 80 apps to comply with Apple’s ‘nutrition label’ requirement means users are being told apps are out of date On Wednesday night, even Google’s own apps began to complain about the lack of updates. Photograph: Chesnot/Getty Images Google’s privacy standoff with Apple has lasted so long that even the company’s own apps are complaining about it. Since early December, Apple has required any iOS app to include a privacy “nutrition label”, listing all the ways the app uses personal data. Those labels, which are written by the app developers, range from short and sweet – the podcast app Overcast, for instance, lists six uses of personal data, from usage information for analytics to user IDs for the app’s sign-in functionality – to somewhat [...]
China bans BBC World News in retaliation for UK licence blow
China has been critical of BBC reports on Xinjiang, while Ofcom recently revoked CGTN licence The BBC headquarters in Portland Place, London. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images BBC World News has been banned from airing in China, a week after Beijing threatened to retaliate for the recent revocation of the British broadcasting licence for China’s state-owned CGTN. In a statement published at midnight Beijing time on Friday, China’s National Radio and Television Administration said BBC World News’s coverage of China had violated requirements that news reporting be true and impartial and undermined China’s national interests and ethnic solidarity. In response, the BBC said: “We are disappointed that the Chinese authorities have decided to take this course of action. The BBC is the word’s most trusted international news broadcaster and reports [...]
Japan to discard millions of Pfizer vaccine doses because it has wrong syringes
Japan has secured 144m shots of the vaccine, but it does not have enough of the specialised syringes to be able to draw six shots from each vial Japan’s health minister Norihisa Tamura said Pfizer vaccine doses will be lost because it does not have enough low ‘dead space’ syringes. Photograph: Mehdi Fedouach/AFP/Getty Images Millions of people in Japan will not receive Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine as planned due to a shortage of specialist syringes – an oversight that could frustrate the country’s inoculation programme. Standard syringes in use in Japan are unable to extract the sixth and final dose from each vial manufactured by the US drugmaker, according to the health minister, Norihisa Tamura. Japan has secured 144m shots of the Pfizer vaccine – enough for 72 million [...]
Biden raises Taiwan and human rights with Xi Jinping in first phone call
The conversation came hours after the US president announced a new Pentagon taskforce on China US President Joe Biden has pressed Xi Jinping on China’s human rights abuses. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock Joe Biden has affirmed the US’s tough line on China’s human rights abuses and regional expansionism in his first phone call with president Xi Jinping since taking office. Xi defended China’s policies as matters of sovereignty, but told the US leader confrontation would be “a disaster”, and called for the two sides to re-establish the means to avoid misjudgments, according to state media. The call came just hours after the announcement of Biden’s establishment of a Pentagon task force on China and a senior state department official meeting in person with Taiwan’s representative to the US. US 'deeply disturbed' [...]
Covid-19 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine: New Zealand government gives formal approval
New Zealand authorities have given formal approval for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to those 16 years and older once stocks arrive in the country. Hipkins says they are aiming to vaccinate border workers and their closest contacts within days of the first shipment arriving. The vaccines will be free. The authorisation by Cabinet ministers comes after the vaccine was given provisional approval by Medsafe last week. An expert panel has since made recommendations on who should be eligible for the jab. Cabinet has deemed the vaccine "suitable for use" for nearly everyone except tamariki and rangatahi younger than 16. People under the age of 16 have been shut out for now as they have not yet been included in clinical trials. Pregnant women are being advised [...]
Myanmar protests: woman shot in head as police response escalates
Teargas and water cannon also deployed on fourth day of protests against last week’s coup Myanmar: gunfire heard as police and protesters clash – video Police in Myanmar have responded with increasing violence to protests against last week’s military coup, using water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition in a crackdown that left a woman in a critical condition on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people marched in towns and cities across the country in defiance of a ban on gatherings in some areas to voice their opposition to the military takeover of the government. The police response the past three days had been mostly limited to using water cannons to disperse crowds, but escalated on Tuesday to include rubber bullets and live rounds mostly fired into the air [...]
Interpol alert for New Zealand banker wanted by Germany
Interpol has issued a global alert for a New Zealand banker wanted by Germany in connection with a massive tax fraud scheme BERLIN -- Interpol on Tuesday issued a global alert for a New Zealand banker wanted by Germany in connection with a massive tax fraud scheme. The agency based in Lyon, France, posted a ‘red notice’ on its website seeking information on the whereabouts of 53-year-old Paul Robert Mora, who is suspected of facilitating and concealing fraudulent transactions worth more than 113 million euros ($137 million). Mora is alleged to have acted on behalf of an investor while he worked at a large bank between 2006 and 2008. Frankfurt prosecutors, who are handling the investigation, said Mora has “many contacts abroad, including in New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, [...]
Britain toughens coronavirus rules for international travellers
A sign directs passengers to a Covid-19 testing centre at Terminal 5 of London's Heathrow Airport.PHOTO: AFP LONDON (AFP) - Britain on Tuesday (Feb 9) announced tough new measures to curb the spread of coronavirus variants from abroad, including steep fines and even jail time for those who break the rules. The country has been one of the worst affected in the global health crisis, with some 113,000 deaths, and is banking on a mass vaccination drive to cut infection rates. But fears have grown over new variants of the virus, including a South African strainthat may be more resistant to new vaccines. Now, travellers who already must show evidence of a negative test 72 hours before their trip will have to take two Covid tests during [...]
China space probe sends back first images of Mars as new space race hots up
A Long March-5 rocket carrying the Tianwen-1 Mars probe lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan Province in July 2020. Photo / AP China's Tianwen-1 probe has sent back its first image of Mars, the national space agency said, as rival missions from the United States and United Arab Emirates follow close on its tail. Mars is about to be at the centre of an extraordinary confluence of interplanetary missions unprecedented in the history of space-faring. Probes sent by three countries will arrive within days of each other as the US, China, and the surging UAE space programme take advantage of a window in which the Red Planet is close to Earth. The black-and-white photo released late Friday by the China National [...]
The Spinoff: New rules for renters and landlords kick in this week. Here’s what you need to know
Last year a swathe of new rental reforms were passed into law. This week, a number of those finally come into effect. So what can you expect? What's all this? The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 delivered one of the most significant updates to our rental regulations in years. While some of those changes are already in effect, most of the biggies come into force from this Thursday, February 11. So, what changes are we talking about? There's a whole heap, so let's start with the most significant. Goodbye, no cause terminations! Landlords will no longer be allowed to end a periodic tenancy without cause simply by providing 90 days' notice. Instead, new termination grounds will be available to landlords under a periodic tenancy and the required notice periods [...]
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai denied bail in national security case
Media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai has been in custody since Dec 3.PHOTO: AFP HONG KONG (REUTERS, AFP) - Hong Kong's top court denied bail on Tuesday (Feb 9) to media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person to be charged under the city's national security law. Lai had been in custody since Dec 3, except for when he was released on bail for about a week late last year. He was granted a HK$10 million (S$1.72 million) bail by a lower court on Dec 23 only for the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) to bring him back into custody on Dec 31 for another hearing. His return to custody was related to Article 42 of the security law, which says that "no [...]
Two US carrier groups conduct exercises in South China Sea
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as it is moored pier side at Naval Base Guam, on May 15, 2020.PHOTO: AFP.US NAVY WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Two US carrier groups conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday (Feb 9), days after a US warship sailed near Chinese-controlled islands in the disputed waters that have emerged as another flashpoint in strained Sino-US relations. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group “conducted a multitude of exercises aimed at increasing interoperability between assets as well as command and control capabilities”, the US Navy said, marking the first dual carrier operations in the busy waterway since July 2020. The exercise comes days after China condemned the sailing of the destroyer, the [...]
New Zealand suspends military, polical contact with Myanmar after military coup – Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the Foreign Minister has made fundamental changes to New Zealand's relationship with Myanmar after the country's military coup. Speaking at a post-Cabinet conference, Ardern said Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta had announced fundamental changes to New Zealand's relationship with Myanmar in the wake of the country's military coup. "New Zealand is suspending all high-level political and military contact with Myanmar," Ardern said. Mahuta had also directed for New Zealand's aid programme to Myanmar that it should not include projects that are delivered with or benefit to the military government, Ardern said. "Keeping in mind, it's not an insignificant aid programme in Myanmar, $42 million from 2018 through to 2021, so you would just want to make sure that was managed in an appropriate way [...]
Myanmar junta leader vows there will be election; Martial law declared in cities
People protest against Myanmar's military coup in Mandalay on Feb 8, 2021.PHOTO: AFP MANDALAY (AFP, REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) - Myanmar’s junta leader on Monday (Feb 8) called on the public to prioritise facts and not feelings, and said an election would be held and power handed to the winning party, in a rare national address, as martial law was imposed in cities after anti-coup protests nationwide. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in his first address since a coup a week ago, said the junta was different to previous military governments. Suitable ministers were selected, he said, adding foreign policy would remain unchanged and countries would be encouraged to invest in Myanmar. He reiterated there were irregularities in last year’s election that were ignored and said no organisation was above the [...]
Air NZ apologises after revelations it helped Saudi Arabian military
Air New Zealand's chief executive has apologised to the Finance Minister Grant Robertson following revelations the national carrier has been working with the Saudi Arabian military. Photo: AFP Through a third party contract, the airline's gas turbines unit has worked on two engines and one power turbine module from vessels belonging to the Royal Saudi Navy. Robertson said he was surprised and alarmed that a subsidiary of the airline had been doing the work and the situation was simply not acceptable. Robertson said Air New Zealand had assured him it would not undertake any more work with the Saudi military. Air New Zealand said in a statement its gas turbines unit specialises in the repair and overhaul of gas turbines, such as power stations, fast ferries and [...]
Oxford Covid vaccine 10% effective against South African variant, study suggests
Small-scale trial of vaccine’s efficacy shows it offers very little protection against mild to moderate infection Scientists still hope the vaccine can offer significant protection against more serious Covid infection. Photograph: Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offers as little as 10% protection against the Covid variant first seen in South Africa has halted the rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, while a UK health minister indicated that an annual Covid jab could become the norm for many people as scientists work to stay a step ahead of the virus’s mutations. Prof Shabir Madhi from the University of the Witwatersrand, who led the trial, said that, while the study was small, it was designed to focus on determining whether or not the vaccine had [...]
Relocation of supply chains is a hot topic. But how much might move from China? Our novel approach scales the issue with surprising results 06 Jan 2021 The narrative of a hasty supply chain retreat from China looks overdone We tore down an electric fan and ‘tore it back up’ in different countries to look at manufacturing competitiveness and assess how much of China’s manufacturing is vulnerable to relocation, and to where. With China’s gross exports 3% of world GDP, this issue is of global significance. Our controversial conclusion is that widescale supply chain relocation is overhyped. Unsurprisingly, Vietnam and India come out as low cost winners. The big surprise in our fan analysis was that the production cost in China was only 5% higher than in India, despite wages nearly 3x as high. The principal reason? China’s embedded advantages in its vast economies-of-scale supply chain. China’s domestic supply chain remains very competitive, anchoring production This cost advantage won’t be eroded easily and helps anchor manufacturing even in the face of higher wages or tariffs. Our work on tariffs/customs rules also shows the difficulty of just moving the ‘last mile’ of production, underpinning the importance of a competitive domestic supply chain. Our analysis suggests that the bulk of manufacturing in China looks likely to stay, in line with Tao Wang’s previous work around export employment sensitivities and UBS Evidence Lab survey data. Electronics assembly looks the least sticky industry That said, some sectors are more vulnerable than others to relocation to low cost locations. Our detailed analysis of input/output tables and export competitiveness, suggests that around 30% of China’s gross exports are in industries that don’t have strong competitive onshore supply chain advantages – mainly in electronics assembly industries. Patching on employment and fixed asset data from bottom-up sources suggest that the employment opportunity for low cost countries looking to attract these industries might be 6-10m jobs, and around US$70bn of capital investment.
There have been no new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, either in the community or at the border. File image. Photo: 123rf.com The Ministry of Health said in a release that the total number of active cases in New Zealand is 66, with the total number of confirmed cases 1964. On Sunday 2579 Covid-19 tests were processed. Hamilton case historical The ministry confirmed that the Hamilton border-related case reported on Saturday is considered to be historical and is not infectious. The person has been discharged from Jet Park quarantine facility. A range of factors are considered in determining whether a case is historical including genomic sequencing, clinical history, PCR test results and serology, it said. The local public health unit considered these factors in assessing this [...]
ASB Bank increases deposit requirement from investors
ASB Bank is taking further steps to help to address the rapid growth in home lending volumes. (File image) Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMAS Chief executive Vittoria Shortt said effectively immediately, the deposit required from investors would increase from 30 percent to 40 percent. "We are very focused on being a prudent and responsible lender," Shortt said. "We all have to play our part and this decision to immediately increase the deposit required from investors is about ensuring a balanced and sustainable housing market which is in the best interests of all New Zealanders." She said the bank was concerned that the continue high levels of investor demand were unsustainable. Pre-approvals already in place would not be affected by the chance, which would apply to home [...]
The Week in Politics – Vaccine approved but questions about when it will arrive
Analysis: The first Covid-19 vaccine is approved but questions are being asked about when it will arrive. The latest unemployment figures leave an economist "flabbergasted", a climate change report sets tough targets for the government and the prime minister speaks at a quiet Waitangi Day celebration. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, National Party leader Judith Collins and Greens co-leader Marama Davidson (on far right) at Waitangi Day celebrations. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Medsafe's provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine was announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, quickly followed by a briefing from Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. It means vaccinations for the most at-risk people can start as soon as the first batch arrives, and Bloomfield seemed confident the manufacturer would meet the [...]
Tianwen1 probe sends back its first picture of Mars
Chinese spacecraft aiming to enter orbit in days before putting down lander and rover months later China National Space Administration (CNSA) photo from its Mars probe, Tianwen-1. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock China’s Tianwen-1 probe has sent back its first picture of Mars, the Chinese space agency has said, as the mission prepares to touch down later this year. The spacecraft, launched in July around the same time as a US mission, is expected to enter Mars orbit around 10 February. The photo released by the China National Space Administration shows geological features including the Schiaparelli crater and the Valles Marineris, a vast stretch of canyons on the Martian surface. The photo was taken from about 1.4m miles away (2.2m kilometres), said the CNSA, with the spacecraft since reaching 1.1 million kilometres [...]
Man arrested after shot fired in Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill
No one was injured in the incident. Photo credit: Getty A man has been arrested after a firearms incident in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill early Saturday morning. Police received calls from concerned members of the public shortly after 4am regarding a shot being fired at an address on McCullough Ave. After a "swift response" by armed officers, who worked with police dogs, the Eagle helicopter and investigations staff, a man was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, said Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin. The 36-year-old is due to appear in Auckland District Court on February 9. Police said no one was injured in the incident, though a firearm and ammunition was recovered from the property. "Police are not seeking anyone else [...]
Positive Covid-19 case in Hamilton: ‘People should not be alarmed’ – MoH
The Ministry of Health is providing a Covid-19 update after a former Pullman Hotel guest, who has been isolating at home for a week, tested positive. Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay told media the positive case was asymptomatic and they were acting with an "abundance of caution". "People in and around Hamilton should not be alarmed." Dr McElnay said there was also one new case in managed isolation to report today, as well as one new case which was being treated as historical. Earlier today, the ministry said the guest at the managed isolation facility in Hamilton had been isolating at their home since 30 January. It is the fourth case of a person leaving that hotel and testing positive, with a fifth person also catching the [...]
Chinese company plans to build $39 billion city on Australia’s doorstep
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo / AP A Chinese company plans to build a city on Australia's doorstep in a move set to inflame tensions between Beijing and Canberra. A Chinese company has approached the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government with a proposal to build a $39 billion city just kilometres from Australia's sea border, according to leaked documents obtained by The Australian. Hong Kong-based WYW Holding asked PNG Prime Minister James Marape in April to sign off on a "build operate transfer" deal to build the city on the island of Daru, situated just two kilometres Australia's border in the Torres Strait. If approved, the "New Daru" would be passed onto PNG after an unspecified period of Chinese control. A spokesman for Marape told The Australian [...]
Islamic extremists planning ‘rash of attacks’ after Covid curbs lifted, says UN
Report says pandemic gives Isis and al-Qaida opportunity to undermine governments in conflict zones Fighters from a local armed group in the town of Menaka, Mal, a centre of Islamic State activity in the Sahel region. Photograph: Souleymane Ag Anara/AFP/Getty Images Islamic extremists are planning a possible “rash of pre-planned attacks” when restrictions on movement imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic are lifted, the United Nations has warned. A report based on intelligence received from member countries over the last six months says Islamic State will seek to “end its marginalisation from the news” with a wave of violence and notes that the group recently urged supporters to spend less time on social media to free up time to launch operations against its enemies. “Isis has enjoyed a captive audience, [...]
Covid-19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern reveals vaccine timeline as experts approve Pfizer jab
Medsafe has conditionally approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in New Zealand and the first Kiwis to get it will be MIQ workers and their families. The announcement was made at 2pm by the Ministry of Health and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the conditional approval won't stop use of the vaccine but will require Pfizer to continue providing rolling data. "Subject to the expected delivery of the first batch of the vaccine, we will start vaccinating first our border workers and the people they live with. People such as cleaners, the nurses who undertake health checks in MIQ, security staff, customs and border officials, airline staff and hotel workers will be among the first to get the vaccine," Ardern said. Ardern said she and her family members will [...]
Water contamination: Blood tests to help determine exposure to lead
Hundreds of people packed the East Otago Events Centre hall tonight to discuss the state of water affecting about 1500 residents in the townships north of Dunedin. Photo / Gregor Richardson Blood tests will help officials work out whether Waikouaiti and Karitane residents may be chronically affected by exposure to lead, a public meeting has been told. Hundreds of people packed the East Otago Events Centre hall in Waikouait tonight to discuss the state of water affecting about 1500 residents in the townships north of Dunedin, amid growing anger about multiple bungles. There was standing room only at the venue and people lined the walls at the meeting called by Public Health South. Residents have been advised not to drink tap water since Tuesday after lead was [...]
Dan Tehan: NZ knows it ‘shouldn’t speak’ for Australia
New Zealand’s trade minister understands he ‘shouldn’t speak for Australia’ after telling Canberra to treat Beijing with “more respect”, Dan Tehan says. A senior New Zealand minister who criticised Canberra’s handling of its relationship with Beijing understands he “shouldn’t speak for Australia”, Trade Minister Dan Tehan says. His NZ counterpart Damien O’Connor told Australia to “show respect, (and) a little more diplomacy” towards China on Friday. Mr Tehan said he has since received a call from Mr O’Connor clarifying the intervention. “On Friday, he made some comments. He rang me about those comments and said that he understands he shouldn’t speak for Australia,” he told Sky News. Dan Tehan says his NZ counterpart knows Wellington ‘shouldn’t speak for Australia’, after giving Canberra advice last week. Picture: Mick [...]
China’s gender roles: War on ‘feminisation’ aims to build boys’ ‘masculinity’
China has laid out a strategy to stop the “feminisation” of Chinese boys after complaints their teens were too delicate, timid and effeminate. China has laid out a plan to stop the “feminisation” of Chinese boys following complaints the nation’s teens were too delicate, timid and effeminate. A letter from China’s state education ministry has announced the plan to prevent the “feminisation” of young Chinese males, arguing adolescents can be prevented from becoming too girly by exercising and being exposed to male role models at school, including ex-athletes and other volunteers. The notice to Chinese teachers, on “Preventing the Feminisation of Male and Adolescents”, sparked a debate in China, between those who argue for a traditional society, and others who wanted to modernise, Reuters reported. The Chinese Government [...]
Russian Vaccine Team in Talks With China on Combination Trial
Researchers are looking at whether combining different developers’ vaccines in a two-shot regimen produces results that are as good as, or better than, using the same product as a booster. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg Fresh off global validation of their Covid-19 vaccine’s extraordinary effectiveness, Russian developers are in talks with China’s CanSino Biologics Inc. to test a combined regimen of their shots to better protect against new virus strains, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, a partner in the Sputnik V vaccine program, forged a preliminary agreement with the Tianjin-based vaccine developer and Petrovax Pharm Llc, owned by billionaire Vladimir Potanin, to conduct tests in Russia, four people said, declining to be identified as the information isn’t public. Petrovax is Cansino’s Russian [...]
China takes aim at BBC as dispute with Britain intensifies
The BBC said its reporting is fair and unbiased.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING (REUTERS, AFP) - The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) came under fire from Chinese officials and social media on Friday (Feb 5) in an escalating diplomatic dispute, a day after Britain's media regulator revoked the TV licence of Chinese state media outlet CGTN. China's foreign ministry issued a statement accusing the broadcaster of pushing "fake news" in its Covid-19 reporting, demanding an apology and saying that the broadcaster had politicised the pandemic and "rehashed theories about covering up by China". The BBC said its reporting is fair and unbiased. Britain and China have been exchanging barbs for months over China's crackdown on dissent in the former British colony of Hong Kong, concern over the security of Huawei [...]
Biden ends US support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen
President Joe Biden declared a halt to US support for a Saudi Arabia-led military campaign in Yemen, demanding that the more than six-year war "has to end." Fighters with the Saudi-backed coalition man a checkpoint in Dar Sad, north of Yemen's southern city of Aden on December 31, 2020. Photo: Saleh Al-Obeidi / AFP Biden also named veteran US diplomat Timothy Lenderking as the US special envoy for Yemen in a bid to step up American diplomacy "to end the war in Yemen, a war which has created humanitarian and strategic catastrophe." The United Nations describes Yemen as the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, with 80 percent of its people in need and millions on the verge of a large-scale famine. "This war has to end," the Democratic president said [...]
Govt restarts its refugee resettlement programme after Covid-19 shutdown
Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman speaks to media. Photo / Mark Mitchell New Zealand's refugee resettlement programme, which was mostly put on hold due to Covid-19 risks for most of last year, has been restarted by the Government. This follows similar moves by US President Joe Biden, who yesterday revealed he would sign an executive order to allow more refugees into the United States. Immigration New Zealand this afternoon revealed that the first group of 35 refugees will arrive in New Zealand this month. The group will complete a 14-day stay in a managed isolation facility and are the first of roughly 210 refugees to be resettled in New Zealand by June 30 this year. Between now and then, cohorts will be flown into the country in [...]
GOP two-step: Republicans keep faith with Donald Trump in backing of Marjorie Taylor Greene
WASHINGTON – Between Reps. Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republicans are doing a Donald Trump two-step – distancing themselves from the ex-president at times, moving closer to him at others. In keeping Cheney, R-Wyo., in her leadership role, House Republicans essentially said they would not let Trump and his allies dictate how to handle disputes within the party. In protecting Taylor Greene, R-Ga., meanwhile, Republicans also indicated they would not overtly alienate Trump and his most fervent supporters, even as Democrats try to lump them in with the insurrections who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. "Everyone has said things they wish they didn't say, everyone has done things they wish they didn't do," said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, an outspoken Trump supporter. "So who's next? Who will the cancel culture attack [...]
Orthodox Church under fire in Romania after baby dies following baptism
Six-week-old suffered cardiac arrest during ceremony, which involves three immersions in holy water Orthodox priests immerse a child in holy water three times during baptism. Photograph: Daniel Mihăilescu/AFP/Getty Images The Orthodox Church in Romania is facing growing pressure to change baptism rituals after a baby died following a ceremony which involves immersing infants three times in holy water. The six-week-old suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital on Monday but he died a few hours later, the autopsy revealing liquid in his lungs. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation against the priest in the north-eastern city of Suceava. An online petition calling for changes to the ritual had gathered more than 56,000 signatures by Thursday evening. “The death of a newborn baby because of this practice is [...]
Investors Suffer Huge Loss in Miles Kwok’s Financing Fraud
FBI is investigating the exiled businessman Miles Kwok and his aide Steve Bannon The Wall Street Journal disclosed earlier that GTV Media, affiliated with Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former political adviser and Miles Kwok, had raised more than US$300 million through private financing in the spring of 2020. The company is now under investigation by the FBI, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the state government. Sources close to insiders said that the investigators of the SEC are trying to meet the investors who are currently requesting GTV Media and the Voice of Guo Media (VOG) to pay back the funds while filing a lawsuit against Miles Kwok and his associates. Investors' anger: from followers to accusers "After watching a few episodes of his talk show on YouTube, I [...]
PH Red Cross eyes over 2 million COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca, Moderna
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has begun discussions with various pharmaceutical companies as it eyes the procurement of vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN) Senator Richard Gordon, also the PRC chairman, announced the possible procurement of at least two million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in a DZMM interview on Wednesday. “Nag-order ako, kung pwede, sa malalaking kumpanya katulad nitong (Astra) Zeneca, two million (doses) and Moderna, 200,000 (doses). (I have ordered, if it is allowed, from big companies like AstraZeneca, two million (doses) and Moderna, 200,000 doses),” Gordon said. “May kakausapin pa kami ngayon na pagkukuhaan ng another 200,000 (doses). May mga kakausapin din kami na ibang tao. (We are still negotiating with other companies to procure another 200,000 doses. [...]
Panelo says there’s no way for PH economy but up
MANILA – Despite the pandemic-induced blow to the economy, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday echoed the sentiment of economic managers that the country’s economy will bounce back. Panelo made this remark after President Rodrigo Duterte, in a recent speech, admitted that the country’s economy is “in bad shape”, but the government is doing its best to stay afloat. “Sabi nga ni [Trade] Secretary Mon Lopez at [Finance] Secretary Sonny Dominguez,makaka-ahon din po tayo diyan. When you’re down, there is no other way but up. Bagsak tayo pero tatayo tayo dahan-dahan. At pag tayo’y nakatayo na, at nagkaroon na tayo ng pakpak, o e di (As Secretary Mon Lopez and Secretary Sonny Dominguez said, we will recover. When you’re down, there is no other way but up. [...]
Hong Kongers move to Taiwan in record numbers
The number of Hong Kongers relocating to Taiwan in 2020 is the highest in at least three decades.PHOTO: REUTERS HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) - A record number of Hong Kong residents have relocated to Taiwan following China's crackdown on the city's protest movementand the implementation of a controversial new national security law. Newly released figures from Taiwan's Immigration Agency show that more than 10,800 Hong Kongers received local resident permits in 2020, nearly double the amount who relocated to the democratic island the prior year. The number of Hong Kongers relocating to Taiwan in 2020 is the highest in at least three decades, according to agency data that goes back to 1991. The figures underscore the desire among some Hong Kong residents to seek a new home and more [...]
Climate Change Commission plan ‘a big challenge’ for New Zealand
New Zealand is heading for a major upheaval under a landmark plan to combat the climate crisis - but the sectors in line for the most serious change are already showing signs of resistance. (file photo) Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the cost of the transition is far lower than previously estimated. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Thomas The Climate Change Commission has released a draft blueprintwith recommendations on how to slash emissions to ensure the country is carbon neutral by 2050. Among its proposals: a ban on conventional car imports, slashing livestock numbers by about 15 percent, the closure of Tiwai Point, and a ban on gas hobs in new houses. The government calls it this generation's nuclear-free moment - radical reform required in the face [...]
Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine granted provisional approval by Medsafe
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been provisionally approved by Medsafe, with certain conditions placed on the company. In its assessment of the vaccine, the medicines regulator met with the Medicine Assessment Advisory Committee (MAAC) for six hours yesterday to receive advice and recommendations. In a statement, Medsafe said the MAAC supported the decision. However, the provisions mean the company must meet 58 conditions that are placed on it. "Of these, 52 relate to requiring additional manufacturing data from the company, for instance as it upscales its manufacturing," Medsafe group manager Chris James said. Medsafe group manager Chris James Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas "Six of the conditions relate to additional clinical information such as regular updates from clinical trials, and ensuring we receive any information on safety concerns [...]
G7 condemns coup in Myanmar, China rejects claims of support
The Group of Seven largest developed economies have condemned the military coup in Myanmar saying it is deeply concerned about the fate of detained political leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar's military stand guard at around Sin Bin Guest House in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Photo: AFP "We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in condemning the coup in Myanmar," they said in a statement. "We are deeply concerned by the detention of political leaders and civil society activists, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and targeting of the media." The G7 foreign ministers called on the military to end [...]
Northern Ireland suspends post-Brexit port checks over staff safety concerns
Many pro-British unionists fiercely oppose the new trade barriers introduced between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.PHOTO: REUTERS DUBLIN (REUTERS) - Northern Ireland temporarily suspended some post-Brexit checks at two ports on Monday (Feb 1) after a local council withdrew staff over concerns for their safety and police said they planned to increase patrols at points of entry. Many pro-British unionists fiercely oppose the new trade barriers introduced between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom as part of the Northern Ireland protocol, a standalone deal for the region after Britain left the EU. The council whose staff inspected goods at Larne Port said serious concerns around their safety were raised after a rise in"sinister and menacing behaviour" in recent weeks, including the [...]
Myanmar’s Coup, Explained
The coup returns the country to full military rule after a short span of quasi-democracy. Here is what we know. A soldier standing guard on a blockaded road to Myanmar’s Parliament in Naypyidaw on Monday after the military detained the country’s leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in a coup.Credit...Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The military of Myanmar overthrew the country’s fragile democratic government in a coup d’état on Monday, arresting civilian leaders, shutting off the internet and cutting off flights. The coup returns the country to full military rule after a short span of quasi-democracy that began in 2011, when the military, which had been in power since 1962, implemented parliamentary elections and other reforms. Waiting to vote during the November elections at a polling [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ’s managed isolation system booked out until June
New Zealanders travelling home from overseas are unable to book managed isolation as the system is full. The Government is yet to release dates beyond May, and it's stopped re-releasing people's cancelled bookings while it accounts for the loss of the Pullman Hotel. People logging into the booking website will encounter a calendar showing dates from today through till May 31 - each struck out with a little grey cross. Advice from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday, to "keep checking" for regular cancellations, was promptly superseded yesterday by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which runs the hotels. "Cancelled vouchers that would normally be released back into the Managed Isolation Allocation System will be kept as additional contingency for a short period as we navigate through [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Mutant strains, ghostly hotels, vaccine hoarding the new frontlines in epic struggle
Empty corridors in one hotel, vaccine stockpiles and mutant variants loom large in new debates about how to defeat Covid-19. Epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker said alert levels "desperately" needed revision due to new mutations and the fact New Zealand's four-tier system was almost a year old. New Covid-19 varieties, including some believed to be more infectious than earlier strains, have emerged independently in Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds up information on Covid-19 alert levels during a press conference at Parliament on March 21, 2020. There are calls for new revised alert levels. Photo / Getty Baker said New Zealand's alert level system worked well when introduced but now needed revision, and an integrated national facemask policy could be considered. He said a [...]
White House reviewing whether Trump should continue receiving intel briefings
The White House is conducting a review to determine whether former President Trump should continue receiving intelligence briefings now that he has left office. Speaking at the White House press briefing on Monday, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said President Biden’s national security team is looking into the matter. “It’s something that is under review,” Psaki said. Former presidents typically have access to intelligence briefings after leaving office. However, Democrats — and even some former Trump administration officials — have warned that the former president cannot be trusted with national security secrets, believing he could reveal sensitive information or seek to profit off of it. Sue Gordon, who was principal deputy director of national intelligence during the Trump administration, urged in a recent op-ed that Trump be cut off from intelligence briefings, [...]
S&P: Biden coronavirus relief proposal would restore economy by summer
President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal would restore the economy to pre-pandemic levels by this summer, according to an analysis published Monday by S&P Global. "We find that if the $1.9 trillion package were put into law, the U.S. economy would reach pre-crisis levels in the second quarter of 2021, with a stronger demand-driven path of growth through 2023," the report said. Biden's proposal would also set the economy on course to exceed its pre-pandemic growth path until the end of 2022, when it would start to slow, S&P said. On the jobs front, S&P said the injection of government funds would likely push unemployment down below 4 percent by mid-2023, a year earlier than its current forecast. The nationwide unemployment rate stood at 6.7 percent [...]
Biden reverses Trump last-minute attempt to freeze $27.4 billion in programs
President Biden on Sunday sent a letter to congressional leaders reversing former President Trump's last-minute attempt to freeze $27.4 billion in government programs. Trump had moved, with less than a week left in his term, to freeze the billions in federal funding using a budget maneuver called rescission. “I am withdrawing 73 proposed rescissions previously transmitted to the Congress,” Biden said in the letter. The 73 budget reductions that Trump had called for were spread across almost every Cabinet-level agency and mostly lined up with his proposed cuts to domestic program spending in the 2021 federal budget that were rejected by Congress. Trump had sent a letter to congressional leadership on Jan. 14 asking for the rescissions, including for the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Endowments for the Arts and [...]
Trump’s lawyers will argue impeachment trial is unconstitutional after split with old legal team over voter fraud
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump’s legal team are expected to use an argument at his impeachment trial next week that is already supported by the majority of Senate Republicans in charge of his fate: That the trial is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer the commander in chief. But still unclear is whether they’ve entirely jettisoned Trump's allegations of election fraud, an issue that led to a rift with Trump’s prior legal team. Trump and his first set of lawyers parted ways over trial strategy over the weekend. The former president wanted to emphasize "voter fraud" issues during the trial, said a person familiar with the legal discussions. But the original attorneys wanted to stress that the Senate should not hold a trial of a former officeholder, and that Trump's comments during a Jan. [...]
Germany considering Russian and Chinese vaccines to boost Covid inoculation drive
Health minister’s comments come before summit on country’s sluggish programme A woman approaches a concert hall repurposed as a vaccination centre in the city of Duisberg. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP Germany should use the Russian and Chinese coronavirus vaccines if they win EU approval, the health minister has said, as the French president said Europe must step up its vaccine roll-out and several European countries began easing restrictions. Speaking ahead of an emergency summit with vaccine manufacturers to tackle the country’s sluggish rollout, Jens Spahn said that if a vaccine “can be considered safe and effective, regardless of what country it has been produced in, then it could help”. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will chair the summit, is under pressure to accelerate Germany’s vaccine programme which has [...]
Fears army will tighten grip in Myanmar after Aung San Suu Kyi detained
Civilian leader urges the public to protest against any return to a military dictatorship A National League for Democracy demonstration in Bangkok, Thailand against Myanmar’s military coup.Photograph: Peerapon Boonyakiat/Sopa Image/Rex/Shutterstock Myanmar has been placed on knife edge, with activists fearing a further clampdown after the military detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders in early morning raids and took direct control of the country in a coup. A statement attributed to Aung San Suu Kyi said the military, which directly ruled Myanmar for more than 50 years, was trying to reimpose a dictatorship. “I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military,” it said. Threat of Myanmar coup was never far away Read more Aung San [...]
Trade Minister Damien O’Connor says Australia should follow NZ’s lead on China diplomacy
Minister for trade Damien O'Connor. Photo / Pool Minister for Trade Damien O'Connor has suggested Australia speak with "more diplomacy" about China, so it too can have a "mature" relationship. He made the comments in an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box Asia programme about the offer from New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta last December to broker a truce between China and Australia. At the time, Mahuta said "both parties will have to be willing to come together and concede in some areas where they are currently not seeing eye to eye". O'Connor today spoke with his Australian counterpart, minister for trade Dan Tehan, "to reiterate, as I said in the interview, that we do not speak for Australia on this or any other matter". He [...]
Climate change report ‘incredibly encouraging’, PM says
The Prime Minister says it is incredibly encouraging that the Climate Change Commission's first official report shows that reaching our emissions reduction goals are both achievable and affordable. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern moves a motion declaring a climate emergency last year. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox The commission's first report, published today, laid out a path to drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Three new targets for the country were set: an average reduction of 2 percent each year between 2022 and 2025, 17 percent each year between 2025 and 2030 and 36 percent each year between 2030 and 2035. Commission chair Dr Rod Carr said investing in electric vehicles, renewable energy generation, climate-friendly farming practices and planting more native forests would [...]
Australia-New Zealand travel bubble reopens
Photo: 123rf.com Australian acting chief medical officer Professor Michael Kidd said the "green zone flights" from New Zealand will recommence this afternoon. The travel arrangements were paused after a Kiwi woman infected with the highly contagious South African variant of Covid-19 travelled to about 30 locations in New Zealand before testing positive. The initial 72-hour suspension was extended on Thursday, but flights will now recommence this afternoon. There were no new community cases reported in New Zealand today. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) noted today that there had been no further confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the community in New Zealand since the initial three cases were infected with the South African strain. "As you know, the three cases all originated from transmission within hotel [...]
Alexei Navalny protests: Moscow in lockdown as police detain 1,000
Riot police and national guard troops shut down central metro stations in unprecedented measures Riot police detain a man during a rally in support of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Photograph: Pavel Korolyov/AFP/Getty Images Moscow police have paralysed the centre of the Russian capital as protests in support of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny continued for a second consecutive weekend. More than 1,000 people were detained at rallies across the country as supporters of the Kremlin critic took to the streets to protest against his jailing, despite biting cold and the threat of arrest. Taking unprecedented security measures, riot police and national guards troops shut down central metro stations in Moscow and blocked off downtown avenues to prevent a repeat of last week’s record protests. Forced out [...]
Myanmar military vows to abide by constitution amid coup fears
Armed forces release statement saying remarks by general about political system were misinterpreted Military chiefs arrive at a news conference ahead of the start of a new parliament term in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw this week. Photograph: Thar Byaw/Reuters Myanmar’s armed forces have said they will protect and abide by the country’s constitution and act according to law, amid concerns in the country that the military might attempt to seize power. In an official statement on Saturday, the military said recent remarks by its top general about abolishing the constitution were misinterpreted by media and some organisations. More than a dozen embassies, including the US and EU delegation, urged Myanmar to “adhere to democratic norms” on Friday, joining the UN in a chorus of international concern about a possible coup. [...]
Putin signs last-minute extension to nuclear weapons treaty with US
Russian president spoke to Joe Biden earlier in the week about arms control pact due to lapse in February President Vladimir Putin signed the arms control treaty into law on Friday after the Russian parliament approved it on Wednesday. Photograph: Sputnik/Reuters Vladimir Putin has signed a bill extending the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States a week before the pact was due to expire. Both houses of the Russian parliament voted unanimously on Wednesday to extend the New Start treaty for five years. Putin and the US president, Joe Biden, had discussed the nuclear accord a day earlier, and the Kremlin said they agreed to complete the necessary extension procedures in the next few days. New Start expires on 5 February. The pact’s [...]
Covid-19 vaccines: Those that work – and the others to come
Mass vaccination campaigns are under way around the world in the fight back against the coronavirus. A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer vaccine at the Pablo Arturo Suarez Hospital in Quito on 21 January, 2021. Photo: AFP A range of vaccines, designed in completely different ways, are being used to reduce people's chances of getting sick, needing hospital treatment or dying. And two new vaccines have just been shown to work in large scale clinical trials. Why do we need a vaccine? It is more than a year since the virus first emerged, yet the vast majority of people are still vulnerable to the virus. The restrictions on our lives are the only thing holding the virus in check as they reduce [...]
Politics live updates: House members deliver Trump impeachment charge to Senate for trial
House prosecutors walked the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday night, setting the stage for a trial to begin Feb. 9. Nine House members led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., will serve as prosecutors, who are called managers, in the trial. House Democrats were joined by 10 Republicans in voting Jan. 13 to charge Trump with inciting insurrection at the Capitol a week earlier after a riot left five people dead. A violent mob smashed windows and doors while storming the building and occupying offices, including the Senate chamber, where the trial will be held. With the formal presentation of the article of impeachment, senators will be sworn in Tuesday as jurors to determine whether Trump incited the rampage. Conviction requires a [...]
Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan’s air defence zone
Eight bombers and four fighter jets warned off as missiles deployed to monitor incursion China’s nuclear-capable H-6K bomber. Photograph: Liu Rui/AP Eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the south-western corner of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone on Saturday, and Taiwan’s air force deployed missiles to “monitor” the incursion, the island’s defence ministry said. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea in recent months. However they have generally consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft. The presence of so many Chinese combat aircraft on this mission – Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 [...]
Hong Kong on track to lifting lockdown in densely packed district after mass Covid-19 testing
HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government is on target to lifting the city's first lockdown on a densely packed inner city area on Monday (Jan 25), with a senior official saying he does not rule out more lockdowns if needed. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung told reporters on Sunday that based on government data, there are about 8,000 people in the restricted area in Jordan, a neighbourhood on the Kowloon Peninsula. This is down from the previous "liberal estimate" of 10,000 given by the government on Saturday. He said almost 7,000 individuals had been tested as of Saturday after government staff went door to door but 45 households did not answer the door. Mr Cheung said the government was unable to determine the exact number of people who fled the [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promises to fix what she says is New Zealand’s ‘housing crisis’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is promising to fix New Zealand's housing crisis and has unveiled new details of her Government's state housing plan. The country's state house waiting list continues to balloon – nearly 22,500 people are now on the public housing waitlist. The Government this morning releases its Public Housing Plan, which identifies where in the country the additional 8000 state and transition houses will go. Those 8000 homes were one of the headlines of last year's budget. But this morning it revealed that the big winners are Northland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Whanganui. Details as to how the 8000 will be split between these regions will be unveiled later date. Ardern, who is in Nelson for Labour's annual retreat, said: [...]
The race to immunise a nation: Preparing to vaccinate NZ against Covid-19
The next big Covid-19 challenge is looming - the race to immunise the entire country. A healthcare worker holds a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: 2020 Anadolu Agency/ AFP Training to administer vaccines should start next month, with up to 3000 more healthcare staff needed. But there are fears some people won't accept the jab, and it's them a government campaign will target. The first people to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in New Zealand is not set in stone. It will depend if the virus is in the community or not. If there is no community transmission, it'll be border workers first; if there is, the elderly and those most at risk will be first in line. University of Auckland vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris said once vaccines were here and authorised [...]
China reports strongest growth in two years after Covid-19 recovery
Country was expanding at a faster rate than before the coronavirus pandemic at the end of 2020 Workers checking aluminium pistons for vehicle engines at a factory in Binzhou, Shandong province, China. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images China’s economy has posted its strongest growth in two years after completing a rapid recovery from the slump caused by the Covid-19 pandemic at the start of 2020. Although the 2.3% annual increase in activity for the world’s second biggest economy was its slowest since 1976, by the final three months of last year China was expanding at a faster rate than before the crisis. Analysts said China’s success in being the one big economy to avoid a year-on-year fall in output was due to Beijing’s rapid response to the pandemic after [...]
WHO: just 25 Covid vaccine doses administered in low-income countries
Director-general warns of ‘catastrophic moral failure’ if richer countries hoard treatment The world is on the edge of a “catastrophic moral failure” in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, with just 25 doses administered across all poor countries compared with 39m in wealthier ones, the head of the World Health Organization has said. It was the sharpest warning so far from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus about the dangers of vaccine hoarding since inoculations started being administered in 49 mostly high-income countries. Guinea is the sole low-income country to have delivered any shots so far, last week providing doses of the Russian Sputnik vaccine to a mere 25 people, including its president. Tedros told an annual meeting of the WHO’s executive board on Monday that it was wrong to see people [...]
Almost 30% of Covid patients in England readmitted to hospital after discharge – study
Readmission rate for Covid patients 3.5 times greater, and death rate seven times higher, than for other hospital patients Of 47,780 people with Covid, 29.4% were readmitted within 140 days of discharge, and 12.3% died. Photograph: Guy Bell/Rex/Shutterstock Nearly a third of people who were discharged from hospitals in England after being treated for Covid-19 were readmitted within five months – and almost one in eight died, a study suggests. The research, which is still to be peer-reviewed, also found a higher risk of problems developing in a range of organs after hospital discharge in those younger than 70 and ethnic minority individuals. “There’s been so much talk about all these people dying from Covid … but death is not the only outcome that matters,” said [...]
All travellers to Singapore need to take Covid-19 PCR test on arrival from Jan 25
The stay-home notice requirements, including the PCR test at the end of the stay, will continue to be in place.PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE - Singapore has tightened its border restrictions in response to new virus variants and the worsening global pandemic situation. All travellers, including Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, will have to take a Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test when they arrive in Singapore. This will take effect from Jan 24, 11.59pm, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Saturday (Jan 16). The stay-home notice requirements, including the PCR test at the end of the stay, will continue to be in place. Short-term visitors will also need travel insurance to cover the costs of their medical treatment in Singapore, if they are suspected of [...]
China tells Five Eyes nations to back off after statement criticising Hong Kong crackdown
Former Hong Kong Democratic Party legislators attend a news conference after being released on bail on January 8. Photo / AP China has fired a warning shot at the Five Eyes nations that raised concerns about a mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong. Australia, Canada, the UK and US condemned the largest crackdown yet under Hong Kong's controversial national security law in a joint statement issued on Sunday. New Zealand did not contribute to the joint statement, saying it aired its concerns individually on January 7. Sunday's statement alleged the laws were being used to "eliminate dissent and opposing political views", and called on authorities to respect the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers. But China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has slammed [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus found in ice cream made in China from NZ milk powder
Ice cream made in China with ingredients from New Zealand and the Ukraine has been contaminated with Covid-19 in what experts describe as a "one-off". Health officials in the Chinese municipality of Tianjin report that three samples of the ice cream returned a positive Covid-19 test. However, the infection is thought to be a "one-off" and there is said to be no cause for alarm. The ice creams in question are produced by Tianjin Daqiaodao Food Company, using New Zealand milk powder. The ice cream is made in China, using milk powder imported from New Zealand. Photo / 123rf The company has sealed and contained all its products after the tests found the virus in the ice cream this week. "It's likely this has come from a person, and [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ still exposed to mutant strain, despite tightened border
New Zealand still remains exposed to the new, more contagious strain of Covid-19 despite the Government yesterday bolstering its border and pre-departure defences. The number of daily Covid-19 tracer app scans has dropped significantly over summer and new data has highlighted a number of contact tracing shortcomings after previous incursions. And, according to a briefing Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins received from officials, managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities would be unable to handle a prolonged community outbreak. "The chances of a community outbreak have never been greater," Act leader David Seymour said yesterday. "This is an unacceptably dangerous situation." Although Hipkins acknowledges the significantly reduced Covid-19 tracer app usage is "concerning" he remains confident the Government's new border and pre-departure restrictions will help keep Covid-19 out of the community. [...]
African Union buys 270 million vaccine doses for continent
The African Union has announced it has purchased a total of 270 million doses of coronavirus vaccines for the continent from Pfizer, AstraZeneca through the Serum Institute of India, and Johnson & Johnson The Associated Press A health-care worker sanitises her hands before conducting COVID-19 tests at a Dis-Chem drive-through testing station at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. South Africa with 60 million people has reported by far the most cases of the coronavirus in Africa, with more than 1.1 million confirmed infections. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht) JOHANNESBURG -- The African Union announced Wednesday that it has purchased a total of 270 million doses of coronavirus vaccines for the continent from Pfizer, AstraZeneca through the Serum Institute of India, and Johnson & [...]
World Bank approves cash assistance to crisis-struck Lebanon
The World Bank has approved a $246 million loan to Lebanon to provide emergency cash assistance to nearly 800,000 Lebanese reeling under the country’s compounded economic and health crises BEIRUT -- The World Bank approved a $246 million loan to Lebanon to provide emergency cash assistance to nearly 800,000 Lebanese reeling under the country’s compounded economic and health crises. The World Bank said in a statement late Tuesday the loan would also support the development of a national social safety net in Lebanon, which was struggling with a financial crisis before the pandemic struck, driving nearly half the population of the small country of 6 million into poverty. Over 1 million refugees from Syria live in Lebanon. The economic crisis has led to a projected 19.2% decline in [...]
Brazil researchers report disappointing 50.4% efficacy for China’s CoronaVac vaccine
An employee picks up a vial containing CoronaVac at a biomedical production centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil.PHOTO: REUTERS RIO DE JANEIRO (REUTERS) - A coronavirus vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech was just 50.4 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infections in a Brazilian trial, researchers said on Tuesday (Jan 12), barely enough for regulatory approval and well below the rate announced last week. The latest results are a major disappointment for Brazil, as the Chinese vaccine is one of two that the federal government has lined up to begin immunisation during the second wave of the world’s second-deadliest Covid-19 outbreak. Several scientists and observers blasted the Butantan biomedical centre for releasing partial data just days ago that generated unrealistic expectations. The confusion may add to scepticism in [...]
China, 4 other countries included on PH travel restriction list
MANILA – China and four other countries have been included on the Philippines’ list of countries/jurisdictions covered by a temporary travel restriction to prevent the spread of a new variant of coronavirus, Malacañang said on Tuesday. In a regular virtual Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Office of the Executive Secretary released the additional countries that also include Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman. He said prohibition on entry of all foreigners will take effect Jan. 13 at 12:01 p.m. until Jan. 15, 2021 subject to the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID). Roque earlier announced the temporary ban on the entry of foreign travelers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Denmark, [...]
Live updates: Pence says he will not invoke 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office
As the House of Representatives attempts to remove President Donald Trump from office after last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol, the president criticized the impeachment effort, calling it "ridiculous." Trump, who visited the Texas-Mexico border today, defended today the remarks he made to his supporters at a rally before the Jan. 6 riot. “People thought what I said was totally appropriate,” Trump said. Meanwhile, the House is expected to vote tonight on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to remove Trump. The House is also preparing for a possible vote tomorrow on whether to impeach Trump for a second time. Speaker Pelosi names impeachment managers who will argue Trump case House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named nine members of her Democratic caucus to [...]
New Zealand jobs market bounces back close to pre-pandemic levels
Country’s biggest job advertising website reports 19% growth in jobs, after remarkable economic recovery in December Business confidence has picked up since New Zealand eliminated Covid. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images Job vacancies are booming in New Zealand since the country contained an outbreak of the coronavirus with a hard lockdown in early 2020. The country’s biggest job advertising site, Seek, has reported a 19% national growth in jobs advertised in the final quarter of 2020, and the number of job ads on the website has bounced back to nearly pre-pandemic levels. The sectors posting the most vacancies included IT and communications, manufacturing, transport & logistics and trades & services. Jobs in customer-facing roles have taken the hardest hit. The news follows a surprise economic recovery for the country, [...]
Global survey shows Kiwis gloomy about economic recovery and inequality
New Zealanders are pessimistic about the prospects of economic recovery this year compared to other nationalities and think social inequalities will increase, according to a new global survey. The majority of Kiwis surveyed didn't believe there would be widespread availability of Covid vaccines this year. Photo: AFP Market research giant Ipsos questioned 23,700 people in 31 countries on its Global Advisor online platform between 23 October and 6 November, last year and released its finding this morning. A 1000-person sample in New Zealand showed Kiwis were gloomy not only about the chances of a post-Covid bounce in economic fortunes, but were also sceptical about the wide availability of vaccines, and thought income inequality would become worse. Research Director for IPSOS, Jonathan Dodd, told Morning ReportNew Zealanders generally felt better [...]
Japan finds new Covid-19 variant in travellers from Brazil
A new coronavirus variant has been detected in four travellers from Brazil's Amazonas state - the latest new mutation of the virus discovered, Japan's Health Ministry said on Sunday local time. Photo: 123rf.com A ministry official said studies were underway into the efficacy of vaccines against the new variant, which differs from highly infectious variants first found in Britain and South Africa that have driven a surge in cases. "At the moment, there is no proof showing the new variant found in those from Brazil is high in infectiousness," Takaji Wakita, head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, told a health ministry briefing. Still, Brazil's Health Ministry said it has been notified by Japan's authorities that the new variant has 12 mutations, and one of them [...]
Twitter deletes China embassy’s Xinjiang ’emancipation’ tweet
Twitter has deleted a post from China's US embassy which claimed Uighur women had had their minds "emancipated" by their policies in Xinjiang. A woman and her child in the China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo: AFP The post linked to an article by state-run media which claimed women were no longer "baby making machines" due to action on alleged religious extremism. Beijing is alleged to have forced many Uighur women to be sterilised or fitted with contraceptive devices, apparently to control population growth. China has denied the allegations. The Uighurs are a mostly Muslim minority group which lives mainly in Xinjiang province in northwestern China. The tweet, published on Thursday, also claimed that Uighur women were "more confident and independent" as a result of "reproductive health" [...]
Covid-19: Four new cases in NZ, all in managed isolation
There are four new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand's managed isolation facilities, the Ministry of Health has reported. Photo: 123RF In a statement, it said there were no new cases in the community. The new cases: 6 January One case arrived from Russia via Singapore and tested positive during routine testing around day 3. This person is in a quarantine facility in Christchurch. One case arrived from Russia via Singapore and tested positive during routine testing around day 0. This person is in a quarantine facility in Christchurch. One case arrived from Russia via the United Arab Emirates and tested positive during routine testing around day 3. This person is in a quarantine facility in Christchurch. The Ministry said the three cases are part of the group of [...]
Covid-19: UK variant raises risk of community transmission – Baker
There is an increased risk of community transmission from the UK strain of Covid-19 that is now arriving in the country, says epidemiologist Michael Baker. Most of the new cases with the new variant have come into NZ from the UK. Photo: AFP / Niklas Halle'n There were 31 new imported cases of Covid-19 reported today, with the Health Ministry also revealing that 19 people have tested positive for the more infectious UK variant of the virus at the New Zealand border in the past four weeks. The variant is considerably more transmissible than previous strains but not necessarily any more dangerous for those infected. First detected in November, the variant has driven a spike in cases in the UK and has now spread across the globe. The Ministry [...]
UK has vaccinated around 2 million people, says Health Secretary Hancock
Britain is aiming to vaccinate around 14 million people by the middle of February 2021.PHOTO: AFP LONDON (REUTERS) - Britain has now given around 2 million people Covid-19 vaccination, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday (Jan 10) ahead of a ramp-up in the roll-out of the shots on Monday. "Over the last week we've vaccinated more people than in the entirety of December, so we're accelerating the roll-out," he told BBC TV. Asked how many people had been vaccinated, Mr Hancock said:" It's around the 2 million mark, but we're going to publish the exact figures tomorrow and then henceforth on a daily basis." Britain is aiming to vaccinate around 14 million people by the middle of February, comprising the over-70s, the clinically vulnerable - the elderly [...]
Malaysian minister Mustapa Mohamed tests positive for Covid-19
Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Mustapa Mohamed was admitted to a hospital on Saturday night, but remains in stable condition.PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Mustapa Mohamed has tested positive for the coronavirus and is in stable condition, his office said on Sunday (Jan 10). He tested positive following a Covid-19 test last Saturday morning, three days after he attended a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) meeting at which Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and several other Cabinet members were present. The Malay Mail reported that Datuk Seri Mustapa also attended a Cabinet meeting that Wednesday. Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan said all those who attended the party meeting will undergo Covid-19 tests. Mr Mustapa got tested in Kota Baru in [...]
Indonesian authorities locate two black boxes from crashed plane
Indonesian rescue members carry what is believed to be remains from Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ182 on Jan 10, 2021.PHOTO: REUTERS JAKARTA – The locations of the two black boxes of the crashed Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 plane have been identified, National Transport Safety Committee chief Soerjanto Tjahjono said on Sunday (Jan 10). Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the boxes can hopefully be retrieved soon. Earlier, the authorities searching for the ill-fated plane that crashed on Saturday said they picked up signals possibly coming from the aircraft's black box. “We received two emergency signals, which would help us find the black box,” search and rescue agency Basarnas chief Bagus Puruhito told MetroTV in an interview on Sunday. “We have marked the spots with buoys and will immediately deploy divers there.” He [...]
Jack Ma’s absence raises more questions than it answers amid Ant and Alibaba probe
Alibaba founder Jack Ma stepped down from the board in 2019, but he has majority control of financial firm Ant.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - When Alibaba founder Jack Ma criticised the Chinese financial system during a speech at a high profile forum in October, industry watchers braced themselves. Ant Group, the fintech titan also founded by Mr Ma, was days away from a record US$37 billion listing. During the Bund Summit in Shanghai on Oct 24, the outlandish billionaire - who usually speaks off the cuff - launched a blistering attack on China's banks and financial institutions. Reading from prepared remarks, he said they operated with a "pawn shop mentality" of requiring collateral before agreeing to lend money. It set in course a now familiar series of events, including [...]
Twitter permanently suspends Trump’s account
Twitter permanently suspended President Trump’s account Friday after determining that his posts pose “the risk of further incitement of violence.” The platform had previously handed the president a 12-hour suspension for posts made during Wednesday’s violent insurrection at the Capitol building. "After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter — we have permanently suspended the account," the company wrote in a blog post. Permanent suspension of Trump is a step further than other social media platforms have gone. Facebook announced Thursday that it would be suspending his access until at the least Biden's inauguration with the potential for it being extended indefinitely further. As supporters of the president stormed the [...]
UK approves Moderna coronavirus vaccine
© getty The United Kingdom on Friday approved a third coronavirus vaccine, allowing the inoculation developed by Moderna to be distributed for emergency use. The U.K. Department of Health revealed the regulatory approval as the country enters a new national lockdown following a spike in COVID-19 cases. BREAKING NEWS: The Government has accepted @MHRAgovuk recommendation for authorisation of @moderna_tx's #COVID19 vaccine for use in the UK. This follows: ✅ clinical trials ✅ data analysis ✅ MHRA authorisation Deliveries will begin from spring.https://t.co/lSe5RIjwXDpic.twitter.com/deSavpKy6R — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 8, 2021 Moderna is the third vaccine authorized for use in the country, following earlier approvals for the vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech and the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca. It requires two doses, administered 28 days apart, and has already [...]
Indonesia police say two militants linked to Philippine church bombs killed
The January 2019 church attack left more than 20 dead and over 100 injured.PHOTO: PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK/UNITED KABALIKAT CIVICOM JAKARTA (REUTERS) - A counter-terrorism unit raiding a militant hideout in central Indonesia on Wednesday (Jan 6) killed two men suspected by police of involvement in twin bombings at a Philippine church in 2019 that killed more than 20 people. Police said in a statement that the raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shoot-out with two suspected militants who resisted arrest. Makassar police chief Witnu Urip Laksana told Reuters separately that the suspects were involved in the bombings of a church on Jolo island in a restive, predominantly Muslim region of the Catholic-majority Philippines. Police carried out [...]
MIQ spaces ‘extremely limited’ until March
Managed isolation and quarantine facilities are expected to have no spare rooms in the next two weeks. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas According the latest MBIE managed isolation and quarantine daily 14-day forecast, spaces in MIQ facilities are "extremely limited" until March, but some may come available as travel plans changed. MIQ facilities around the country had a combined operational capacity of 4500 rooms - in the next 14 days, 4299 of these rooms will be full with 5627 people staying in them. MBIE said rooms were occupied for a minimum of 14 days and additional time was needed for cleaning and maintenance. This meant this full 14 day period was considered as opposed to room availability on any single day. Rooms that were vacant on one day might be [...]
‘Democracy will prevail’: Jacinda Ardern condemns US Capitol violence by Trump supporters
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has issued an official statement condemning the violent protests in the US Capitol today. "Like so many others, I've been watching what's happening in the United States. I share the sentiment of friends in the US - what is happening is wrong. Democracy - the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob," Ardern wrote on social media. "Our thoughts are with everyone who is as devastated as we are to see the events of today. I have no doubt that democracy will prevail." The New Zealand PM also posted the statement on Twitter, a social media platform she does not use often. In fact, prior [...]
China stalls WHO mission to investigate origins of coronavirus
UN body says scientists were due to be deployed to country on Tuesday, but China says negotiations ongoing A man who recovered from Covid-19 is disinfected by medical staff as he leaves a hospital in Wuhan, China, in February 2020. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images China has attempted to downplay concerns over its refusal to authorise a fact-finding mission to the country by the World Health Organization to study the origins of Covid-19, saying it is still negotiating access with the UN body. A day after the head of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was “very disappointed” that China had not authorised the entry of the 10-strong research team, led by Dr Peter Ben Embarek, China insisted there had been a “misunderstanding” [...]
America shaken as violent pro-Trump mob storms Capitol building
Siege comes after Trump urges crowd of protesters to march on Capitol and undo November election defeat by Joe Biden Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington. Mike Pence and members of Congress were evacuated for their own safety. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images America was shaken on Wednesday as a mob of Donald Trump supporters staged an insurrection at the US Capitol building in Washington, storming the debating chambers and fighting police in clashes that left one person dead. The siege was among the worst security breaches in American history and came after Trump had earlier urged a crowd of protesters to march on the Capitol and undo his November election defeat. The violence halted the tallying of electoral college [...]
China blocks entry to WHO team studying Covid’s origins
Officials say visas not yet approved for World Health Organization delegation due to visit Wuhan The World Health Organization’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photograph: WHO/AFP/Getty China has blocked the arrival of a team from the World Health Organization investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, claiming that their visas had not yet been approved even as some members of the group were on their way. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his dismay and said he had called on China to allow the team in. “I’m very disappointed with this news, given that two members have already begun their journeys, and others were not able to travel at the last minute,” he said. “But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials. And [...]
Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested in sweeping crackdown
Campaigners and politicians held in wave of arrests under the national security law The legal scholar Benny Tai (C), is driven away in a car after he was among those arrested. Photograph: GNPHOTO-YUNG/AP More than 50 people, including pro-democracy politicians and campaigners, have been arrested in early-morning raids across Hong Kong in a crackdown by authorities that was condemned as a “despicable” assault on freedom. In a police operation involving more than 1,000 officers, the 53 individualswere detained under the territory’s controversial national security law (NSL), accused of “subverting state power” by holding primaries for pro-democracy candidates for the Hong Kong election. That election was ultimately delayed by the chief executive, Carrie Lam, for a year, purportedly because of the pandemic, and has not yet taken place. The raids, [...]
Saudi Arabia agrees to open borders with Qatar in sign of easing rift
© Getty Images Saudi Arabia is set to open airspace, land and sea borders with Qatar, Kuwait’s foreign minister said on Monday, signaling the first steps in ending a three and a half year blockade of the tiny Gulf country. The remarks were made by Kuwait’s foreign minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, on the Gulf country’s state television, al-Arabiya reported, saying the decision came from a proposal by Kuwait’s ruler. “Based on (Kuwait's ruler Emir) Sheikh Nawaf's proposal, it was agreed to open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, starting from this evening," Kuwait’s foreign minister said on state TV. Saudi Arabia instituted a full blockade on Qatar in mid-2017 in part over Doha’s close ties with Iran. [...]
President Trump's extraordinary phone call with Georgia's secretary of state is roiling Washington and putting Republicans on the defensive as Democrats call for a criminal investigation of the president. The political fallout of Trump’s hour-long call over the weekend, which was recorded and widely disseminated, is putting a damper on an insurgent Republican bid to challenge the results of electoral votes in several swing states. The effort to muster Republican support for objecting to states’ electoral votes when Congress meets in a joint session Wednesday stalled after Trump’s tense communication with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger became public. Arguments by Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) and other Trump-allied GOP senators that the tally of electoral votes should be suspended so that states’ election results can be further reviewed now [...]
FTSE 100 vaccine optimism tempered by prospect of full lockdown
Hopes of swift economic rebound give way as country heads for tighter restriction. The Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine was approved by the UK medicines regulator last week. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images The FTSE 100 rose strongly on the first trading day of 2021, although optimism over the newly approved Oxford coronavirus vaccine was tempered by the prospect of tougher lockdown restrictions. The index of Britain’s biggest listed companies gained by more than 100 points, or about 1.7%, on Monday, to reach 6,571 after the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca was administered for the first time since its approval by the British medicines regulator last week. The index had leapt by almost 3% earlier in the day, but lost ground in the afternoon as England headed [...]
At least 33 countries have reported cases of the new, possibly more infectious coronavirus variant from the UK
Doctors wait for patients to arrive at the Policlinico Tor Vergata hospital where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being treated in Rome, Italy November 13, 2020.Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters Reports of a new and possibly more contagious coronavirus variant have prompted panic in Europe and beyond. The new variant of the virus, called B.1.1.7, was first detected in the UK in September but had since spread rapidly. British authorities formally identified the new variant around mid-December. Prime Minister Boris Johnson cited one academic — Dr. Erik Voltz, a public health lecturer at Imperial College, London — saying the variant could be up to 70% more transmissible. But Volz has himself said that "it's really too early to tell" how transmissible it is, "but from what we [...]
Coronavirus: Israel leads vaccine race with 1m given jab
IMAGE COPYRIGHTEPA Israel has given priority to the over-60s in its vaccination campaign Israel has given vaccinations against coronavirus to more than one million people, the highest rate in the world, as global immunisation efforts step up. Israel has a rate of 11.55 vaccination doses per 100 people, followed by Bahrain at 3.49 and the UK at 1.47, according to a global tracking website affiliated with Oxford University. In comparison, France had vaccinated 138 people in total by 30 December. More than 1.8m people have now died of the virus around the world. The comparative figures on vaccination are put together by Our World in Data, which is a collaboration between Oxford and a UK-based educational charity. They measure the number of people who have received a first dose [...]
Iran nuclear crisis: Tehran to enrich uranium to 20%, UN says
IMAGE COPYRIGHTEPA image captionIran began increasing enrichment after the US abandoned a 2015 nuclear deal Iran intends to start enriching uranium to 20% purity, the UN's atomic watchdog says - its most significant breach of an international nuclear deal so far. This remains short of the 90% required to make a nuclear bomb. But under the 2015 agreement Iran was supposed to keep enrichment below 4%. Iran began breaching the deal after President Trump took the US out of it and re-imposed crippling sanctions. However the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China all hope it can be revived. What is Iran planning? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had informed it of its plans to enrich to a purity of up to 20% at its Fordow Fuel [...]
26 residents die in Belgian retirement home after visit by volunteer Santa
A resident at a retirement home in Belgium receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine on Dec 28, 2020.PHOTO: AFP BRUSSELS (AFP) - At least 26 residents of a Belgian retirement home have died since a visit by a volunteer dressed as Santa Claus who has since tested positive for Covid-19. A Flemish health official told AFP on Thursday (Dec 31) it is not yet certain that it was the visitor who brought the coronavirus to the Hemelrijck home in Mol on Dec 5. But 26 residents have died since the visit, and 85 more have tested positive for the coronavirus, along with 40 staff. The outbreak was detected a few days after the visit, and prominent virologist Marc Van Ranst reported on Twitter that most [...]
EU, China leaders seal long-awaited investment deal
The Associated Press A screen displays live Chinese President Xi Jinping, top left, European Council President Charles Michel, top right, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, bottom right, French President Emmanuel Macron, bottom center, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during an EU-China Leaders' meeting video conference at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. The European Union top officials and China president Xi Jinping will conclude Wednesday a business investment deal that will open big opportunities to European companies, with the potential to irk the new American administration. (Johanna Geron, Pool Photo via AP) BRUSSELS -- Top European Union officials and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a business investment deal Wednesday that will open big opportunities to European companies, but has the potential to [...]
Indonesian fisher finds drone submarine on possible covert mission
Navy seizes UUV, likely a Chinese Sea Wing, that experts say could be used to plot routes for military subs Suspected Chinese Seawing drone recovered by a fisher and the Indonesian navy. Photograph: @Jatosint/Twitter An Indonesian fisher has found what experts say is likely to be a Chinese submarine drone in waters on a strategic maritime route from the South China Sea to Australia. According to Indonesian media the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) was found on 20 December near Selayar Island in South Sulawesi. Six days later it was handed to police and then transferred to the Indonesian military. Military observers have said the drone appears to be a Chinese Sea Wing (or Haiyi) UUV. The underwater glider was developed by the Shenyang institute of automation at the Chinese [...]
Stock exchange says companies are ‘no longer suitable for listing’, in move condemned by Beijing The order is considered to be a fresh attempt by the Trump administration to put pressure on China over what it views as Beijing’s unfair trade practices. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has said it will delist three Chinese telecommunications firms because of their alleged links to China’s military. China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom Hong Kong will be suspended from trading in early January, while delisting proceedings are initiated, according to a statement released by the stock exchange. The NYSE said that it had decided that the companies were “no longer suitable for listing” and was taking action to comply with an executive ordersigned by Donald Trump in [...]
Brexit: What are the key points of the deal?
Almost at the 11th hour, the UK and EU have struck a Brexit dealthat will have many implications for everyday life and the UK's future relationship with other countries. The full complicated agreement is over 1200 pages long, but here are some of the key points. Fishermen sort and load trays of salmon heads as they prepare for their next voyage to sea, on the South Pier of Bridlington Harbour fishing port in Bridlington, north east England on December 11, 2020. Photo: AFP / Oli Scarff Trade There will be no extra charges on goods (tariffs) or limits on the amount that can be traded (quotas) between the UK and the EU from 1 January. However, there will be extra checks at borders, such as safety checks and customs [...]
Zhang Zhan: China jails citizen journalist for Wuhan reports
A Chinese citizen journalist who covered Wuhan's coronavirus outbreak has been jailed for four years. Screengrab taken on December 28, 2020 from an undated video showing former Chinese lawyer and citizen journalist Zhang Zhan. Photo: Handout / YoutTube / AFP Zhang Zhan was found guilty of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", a frequent charge against activists. The 37-year-old former lawyer was detained in May, and has been on hunger strike for several months. Her lawyers say she is in poor health. Zhang is one of several citizen journalists who have run into trouble for reporting on Wuhan. There is no free media in China and authorities are known to clamp down on activists or whistleblowers seen as undermining the government's response to the outbreak. Ren Quanniu, one of Zhang [...]
New strain of COVID-19 is driving South Africa’s resurgence
South Africa has announced that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus is driving a resurgence of the disease, with higher numbers of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa has announced that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus is driving the country's current resurgence of the disease, which is seeing higher numbers of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The new variant, known as 501.V2, is dominant among new confirmed infections in South Africa, according to health officials and scientists leading the country’s virus strategy. “It is still very early but at this stage, the preliminary data suggests the virus that is now dominating in the second wave is spreading faster than the first wave,” Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chairman of the government's Ministerial Advisory [...]
China lowers age of criminal liability to 12 for some crimes
China has lowered the age of criminal responsibility for some serious crimes from 14 to 12, as it looks to combat juvenile crime committed by children BEIJING -- China has lowered the age of criminal responsibility for some serious crimes from 14 to 12, as it looks to combat juvenile crime committed by children. Under an amended law, children aged 12 to 14 will be held criminally liable for “intentional homicide or intentional injury that leads to death or causes others severe disabilities by extremely cruel means.” The amendment, which was passed on Saturday by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, will take effect on March 1. Those under the age of 14 who commit crimes apart from those mentioned in the newly [...]
Nashville bombing suspect killed in explosion: FBI
FBI investigators said DNA evidence was found at the scene. Federal investigators said the suspect in the Christmas Day RV bombing in Nashville was killed in the explosion. FBI investigators said DNA evidence found at the scene matched Anthony Quinn Warner, who was earlier named as a person of interest. "Anthony Warner is the man believed to be responsible for this horrible crime," Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake said at a news conference. Human remains were discovered amid the blast debris, and investigators worked to determine if they belonged to the RV owner. Multiple law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation told ABC News the suspect was identified as Warner of Antioch, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. Douglas Korneski, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Memphis [...]
EU’s mass vaccination campaign starts, with nursing homes as focus
BERLIN (NYTIMES) - From nursing homes in France to hospitals in Poland, older Europeans and the workers who care for them rolled up their sleeves Sunday (Dec 27) to receive coronavirus vaccine shots in a campaign to protect more than 450 million people across the European Union. The inoculations offered a rare respite as the continent struggles with one of its most precarious moments since the coronavirus pandemic began. Despite national lockdowns, restrictions on movement, shuttering of restaurants and cancellations of Christmas gatherings, the virus has stalked Europe into the dark winter months. The spread of a more contagious variant of the virus in Britain has raised such alarm that much of continental Europe rushed to close its borders to travelers coming from the country, effectively plunging the nation [...]
Liu Xiaoming to quit his role of Chinese ambassador to Britain
Critic of UK decision to ban Huawei from 5G networks to be replaced by China’s vice-foreign minister Liu Xiaoming has repeatedly denied that Uighur Muslims were being forced into detention camps in Xinjiang.Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters China’s long-serving envoy to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, a staunch defender of closer UK-China economic ties and the imposition of new security laws in Hong Kong, is standing down, marking the end of an era in relations between the two countries that hit a high in 2015 but has since worsened markedly. He is being replaced by his country’s vice-foreign minister, Zheng Zeguang, a former Cardiff University law student once tipped to become China’s ambassador to the US, and still seen as a candidate for that post in a couple of years’ time. Liu, 64, [...]
UK quietly shifts away from promise of ‘deep’ foreign and security links with EU
Little-discussed reversal of thinking means plans for formal co-operation look dead The shift on foreign policy thinking has not been formally announced nor its implications discussed. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Plans for the UK to re-establish formal foreign and security policy links with the European Union, frozen during negotiations over a trade deal, may never be revived, as UK foreign policy focuses on bilateral links in Europe and developing new alliances in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The freeze marks a little-discussed reversal of thinking from Theresa May’s era, when the political declaration at the time of Britain’s withdrawal spoke about negotiating deep cooperation between the UK and EU. May herself told the Munich security conference in 2018: “Europe’s security is our security, and the United Kingdom is unconditionally committed [...]
Donald Trump signs Covid-19 relief and spending bill
Move comes after Republicans voiced anger over the delay, which resulted in millions of Americans losing unemployment aid U.S. President Donald Trump plays golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, before signing the Covid relief bill Photograph: Marco Bello/Reuters Donald Trump has signed the Covid-19 relief and spending bill after days of delays, preventing a mid-pandemic government shutdown. The announcement on Sunday night came after Republicans urged him to act following his refusal to sign the bill, a decision that meant millions of Americans lost unemployment aid. Trump blindsided members of both parties and upended months of negotiations when he demanded last week that the package – already passed by the House and Senate by large margins and believed to have [...]
More Covid tests for arrivals as new strains emerge
New variants of Covid-19 has led the government to introduce a third test for people travelling from high risk countries like the United Kingdom and United States. People returning to New Zealand will now be tested on the first day of their quarantine stay. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook Currently everyone who travels here is tested on day three and 12 of their quarantine stay. From midnight on 31 December, all returnees from higher risk countries will be tested on their first day as well. Minister for Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins said returnees would also be required to be in isolation or quarantine in their allocated room at a facility until their initial test had returned a result. "This means if the result is positive they [...]
Brexit deal reached
"The deal is done," Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday. LONDON -- London and Brussels have announced a Brexit trade deal, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "The deal is done," Johnson announced on Thursday, on Twitter. After months of negotiations, the European Union and the United Kingdom have agreed on a post-Brexit trade deal, as the United Kingdom is set to leave the European single market and customs unions on Jan. 1. Paul Grover/Pool via Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference in Downing Street on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, in London, Dec. 24, 2020. Four-and-a-half years after the referendum in favor of the country leaving the EU, the deal sets the terms of the U.K.’s future cooperation with the European Union. [...]
Police killing of unarmed Black man ignites fresh outrage in US
A protester lights a candle outside the home where Andre Maurice Hill was killed in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec 24, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS COLUMBUS (AFP) - The fatal shooting of an unarmed Black man by police in Columbus, Ohio - the US city's second such killing this month - sparked a fresh wave of protests on Thursday (Dec 24) against racial injustice and police brutality in the country. Mr Andre Maurice Hill, 47, was in the garage of a house on Monday night when he was shot several times by a police officer who had been called to the scene for a minor incident. Seconds before the gunfire, bodycam footage shows Hill walking towards the policeman holding a cell phone in his left hand, while his other [...]
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes south of Philippines’ Luzon island
The centre of the earthquake was traced at Calatagan in Batangas province.PHOTO: USGS MANILA (REUTERS) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Mindoro region of the Philippines, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Friday (Dec 25). The quake occurred at a depth of 144km, EMSC said. The temblor, which was also felt in the capital region, also registered at magnitude 6.3 at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The centre was traced at Calatagan in Batangas province, according to an initial report from Phivolcs, which said it did not expect damage but warned of aftershocks. It issued no tsunami warning.
Sinovac Covid-19 shot claimed to be more than 50% effective, but data withheld
A 50 per cent efficacy rate is the minimum standard set by US regulators for emergency authorisation of Covid vaccines.PHOTO: REUTERS BRASILIA (BLOOMBERG) - A Covid-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech Ltd was found to be more than 50 per cent effective in a Brazilian clinical trial, though researchers delayed releasing more information at the request of the company. A 50 per cent efficacy rate is the minimum standard set by US regulators for emergency authorisation of Covid vaccines. Messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc have produced far better results, reducing symptomatic Covid cases by well over 90 per cent in giant trials. Chinese vaccine developers have been slow compared with their western peers in releasing efficacy data on their [...]
China to overtake US as world’s biggest economy by 2028, report predicts
Centre for Economics and Business Research says it expects this to happen half a decade sooner than it forecast a year ago Shipping containers at the Yangshan deep-water port in Shanghai. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters China will overtake the US as the world’s biggest economy before the end of the decade after outperforming its rival during the global Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report. The Centre for Economics and Business Research said that it nowexpected the value of China’s economy when measured in dollars to exceed that of the US by 2028, half a decade sooner than it expected a year ago. In its annual league table of the growth prospects of 193 countries, the UK-based consultancy group said China had bounced back quickly from the effects of Covid-19 and [...]
Japan and France report cases of coronavirus variant found in UK
Six new cases emerge as Russia becomes latest country to tighten controls on travel from Britain Pedestrians wearing marks in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The daily number of Covid cases passed 3,000 for the first time this month. Photograph: Kimimasa Mayama/EPA Five cases of the new coronavirus variant spreading fast across the UK have been found in Japan, and one case has been confirmed in France, while Russia has become the latest country to impose stricter quarantine on travellers from Britain. Japan has avoided the huge infection numbers seen in countries from the US to Europe, but cases are rising sharply and daily numbers passed 3,000 for the first time this month. The five people infected with the more highly transmissible form of Covid-19 had all recently arrived from the [...]
NZX sharemarket continues streak at record high
The local sharemarket has headed into the holidays at a record high. (File image). Photo: 123RF The NZX Top 50 index has extended yesterday's break through the symbolic 13,000 level, as investors picked up underpriced stocks and positioned themselves for the new year. The index ended a shortened trading session 18 points higher at 13,038, off its highs for the day but still a record close. So far this year, the New Zealand market has risen nearly 14 percent, making it one of the best performing in the developed world.
Brexit: New Zealand to negotiate free-trade agreements with UK and EU
The New Zealand Government has congratulated Britain and the European Union on the Brexit deal agreed this morning - four and a half-years after the British people voted to leave the EU. Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in recent months the Government had ramped up efforts to help New Zealand businesses prepare for the new era, deal or no deal. "We warmly congratulate the UK and the EU on the announcement. We know this has not been an easy process and we acknowledge there are further steps before the agreement is formalised." She said the Government looked forward to negotiating free-trade agreements with both parties but in the meantime, the issue of preserving quota access in both markets must be resolved. Both the UK and the EU have given [...]
LOOK: Solidarity rally for Afghanistan
MARAWI RALLY. The group Kilusang Pagbabago-Ranao Youth Movement (KPRYM) holds a rally organized by KPRYM co-convenor Carl Lacato Ma-amor to join international condemnation of the killing of Muslim Afghan civilians, including women and children, by Australian troops. The group had written to the United Nations last Dec. 18. PHOTO FROM KPRYM
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern named ahead of Queen Elizabeth in Forbes 100 most powerful women
This is the third year in a row Jacinda Ardern has been named in the top 50. Photo / File New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been named the 32nd most powerful woman in the world according to Forbes. Ardern was one of 100 women from 30 countries who were named in the 17th annual power rankings list. The list was included 38 chief executives, 10 heads of state and five entertainers. "New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (No.32) vanquished a first and second wave of a virus in her country by implementing strict lockdown and quarantine procedures," ForbesWomen editor Maggie McGrath said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with NZME. The Prime Minister was placed above Queen Elizabeth II, who was at number 46. This is not the [...]
Trump orders US to pull troops from Somalia
Nearly all of 700 troops will leave over next few months follow president’s latest order with short notice The acting US defense secretary, Christopher Miller, greets Maj Gen Lapthe Flora, the commanding general of combined joint taskforce – horn of Africa, which is involved in Somalia operations, last month. Photograph: Lisa Ferdinando/DoD/AFP/Getty Images The US will pull out nearly all its estimated 700 troops in Somalia over the next few months, the latest in a series of short-notice withdrawals ordered by Donald Trump in his last few weeks in power. A Pentagon statement on Friday said that some of the troops would be repositioned in neighbouring countries while others – it did not say how many – would leave the region altogether. “The US is not withdrawing or disengaging [...]
Japan’s Hayabusa2 sends capsule carrying asteroid samples towards Earth
Capsule will burn through atmosphere before landing in South Australia in the early hours of Sunday morning A capsule carrying asteroid samples has been released towards earth by Japna’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Photograph: JAXA/Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft has successfully separated a capsule and sent it toward Earth to deliver samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on our planet. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the capsule successfully detached Saturday afternoon from 220,000km (136,700 miles) away in a challenging operation that required precision control. The capsule is now descending to land in a remote, sparsely populated area of Woomera, Australia, on Sunday. Hayabusa2 left the asteroid Ryugu, about 300m kilometres (180m miles) away, a year ago. After [...]
Russia’s Terminator Armored Fighting Vehicle Is Ready to Terminate
The Russian Federation’s BMPT (Tank Support Fighting Vehicle), known as the “Terminator,” has traveled back in time to ensure the future for the machines—but the vehicle has come back from “financial neglect.” First introduced more than twenty years ago the platform has never been fully embraced by the Russian Military, but it has gone through a number of upgrades. The Russian Federation’s BMPT (Tank Support Fighting Vehicle), known as the “Terminator,” has traveled back in time to ensure the future for the machines—but the vehicle has come back from “financial neglect.” First introduced more than twenty years ago the platform has never been fully embraced by the Russian Military, but it has gone through a number of upgrades. The tracked armored fighting vehicle (AFVs) was developed and manufactured by [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: North Korea executes man for breaking quarantine rules
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo / Getty Images North Korea has publicly executed a citizen for violating "emergency quarantine measures". According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), a citizen in North Korea was executed by firing squad shooting, after the man was accused of smuggling with his Chinese business partners. The public execution was reportedly ordered in an effort to scare other citizens into strict compliance with the emergency quarantine measures in the country. North Korea, which shares an 880-mile border with China, claims it is Covid-free but the totalitarian regime has implemented a number of severe lockdown restrictions used to stop the spread of the virus, including a ban on travel between provinces. Smugglers who make a living bringing Chinese goods into North Korea have [...]
Parliament passes climate emergency motion in House
Parliament has officially declared a climate emergency in New Zealand – a move Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called an "acknowledgement of the next generation". It was a "declaration based on science," she told MPs in the House this afternoon. After she moved the motion – which was opposed by National and Act, but supported by the Greens and the Māori Party – Ardern announced a suite of new measures in a bid to curb climate change. The Government now requires all its agencies and ministries to exclusively buy electric vehicles and will mandate all public sector buildings to be up to a "green standard". This is part of the Government's goal to make the entire public sector carbon neutral by 2025. "It is up to us to make sure [...]
Biden adviser says US stands ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Australia
Washington: One of US President-elect Joe Biden's most senior advisers has declared that the United States will continue to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Australia in an apparent response to China's increasingly hostile actions towards the country. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's fabricated tweet depicting an Australian soldier cutting the throat of a child in Afghanistan has drawn bipartisan criticism in Washington, with a Trump administration spokesman describing it as "a new low, even for the Chinese Communist Party". Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden's choice to be national security adviser, defended Australia on Twitter.CREDIT:AP Jake Sullivan, whom Biden has chosen to be his national security adviser, tweeted on Thursday (AEDT): "The Australian people have made great sacrifices to protect freedom and democracy around the world. "As we have for a [...]
New Zealand declares a climate change emergency
New Zealand has declared a climate change emergency and committed to a carbon-neutral government by 2025, in what the prime minister Jacinda Ardern called “one of the greatest challenges of our time”. A motion tabled in parliament on Wednesday recognised “the devastating impact that volatile and extreme weather will have on New Zealand and the wellbeing of New Zealanders, on our primary industries, water availability, and public health through flooding, sea level rise, and wildfire”. Thirty-two other nations have formally acknowledged the global crisis by declaring a climate emergency. The motion acknowledged the “alarming trend in species decline and global biodiversity” including the decline in New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity. The declaration of a climate emergency was supported by the Green Party and Māori Party and opposed by the National [...]
Checks Coming Soon? $908 Billion Coronavirus Stimulus Package Unveiled
The $908 billion stimulus proposal is the most recent effort from lawmakers to reportedly draft a coronavirus-related spending measure since talks between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hit a brick wall ahead of the presidential election. A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a coronavirus stimulus package Tuesday, as failed talks between congressional leaders and top White House aides have put negotiations at a partisan deadlock over authorizing federal spending to aid the strained economy. The $908 billion stimulus proposal is the most recent effort from lawmakers to reportedly draft a coronavirus-related spending measure since talks between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hit a brick wall ahead of the presidential election, with the two remaining divided on key [...]
Hong Kong to offer free Covid-19 vaccines to all its residents
Hong Kong's health secretary said the government plans to buy two doses of Covid-19 vaccine for every resident.PHOTO: REUTERS HONG KONG - Hong Kong plans to provide free coronavirus vaccines for all its residents, said Health Secretary Sophia Chan on Wednesday (Dec 2), as the city battles the fourth wave of Covid-19 infections. Ms Chan told the Legislative Council that the vaccines would be offered first to three million people considered most at risk or vulnerable, public broadcaster RTHK reported. These include medical workers, patients with chronic diseases, and the elderly. She added that receiving the vaccine would be voluntary. The government has allocated HK$10 million (S$1.7 million) to promote and educate Hong Kongers on the programme, she added. Additionally, government regulators would make the registration [...]
Covid Pfizer vaccine approved for use from next week in UK
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use. The UK has already ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. Photo: AFP British regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95 percent protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe for rollout next week. Immunisations could start within days for those who need it the most, such as elderly people in care homes. The UK has already ordered 40 million doses - enough to vaccinate 20m people. Around 10m doses should be available soon, with the first 800,000 arriving in the UK in the coming days. It is the fastest ever vaccine to go from concept to reality, taking only 10 months to follow [...]
On World AIDS Day, South Africa finds hope in new treatment
Health officials are hoping that new, long-acting drugs to help prevent HIV infection will be a turning point for the fight against a global health threat that’s been eclipsed by the coronavirus pandemic JOHANNESBURG -- Health officials are hoping that new, long-acting drugs to help prevent HIV infection will be a turning point for the fight against a global health threat that’s been eclipsed by the coronavirus pandemic. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the new drug in a weekly newsletter, saying the long-term acting and injectable HIV drug has “the potential to significantly strengthen our response to the epidemic.” The region is especially hard-hit. South Africa has the biggest epidemic in the world with 7.7 million people living with HIV, according to UNAIDS. In separate studies of [...]
New Zealand joins Australia in denouncing China’s tweet
New Zealand has joined Australia in denouncing a tweet posted by a Chinese official that shows a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to a child’s throat New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a media stand-up on her way to Question Time at Parliament, in Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. New Zealand has joined Australia in denouncing a graphic tweet posted by a Chinese official that shows a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to a child’s throat. (Mark Mitchell/NZ Herald via AP) WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand has joined Australia in denouncing a graphic tweet posted by a Chinese official that shows a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier holding a [...]
Suspected extremists kill at least 40 farmers in Nigeria
Nigerian officials say suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram have killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting crops in northern Borno State The Associated Press People attend a funeral for those killed by suspected Boko Haram militants in Zaabarmar, Nigeria, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. Nigerian officials say suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram have killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting crops in northern Borno State. The attack was staged Saturday in a rice field in Garin Kwashebe, a Borno community known for rice farming. (AP Photo/Jossy Ola) MAIDGURI, Nigeria -- Suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen in Nigeria as they [...]
New Zealand media giant Stuff apologises for ‘racist’ past reporting
Outlet promises to ‘do better in the future’, admitting that it seldom treated Māori fairly Stuff apology for its treatment of Māori follows investigation by 20 of its journalists. Photograph: Michael Craig/AP New Zealand media giant Stuff has issued a public apology for its portrayal of Māori it says has ranged from blinkered to racist, from its first editions until now. Its mea culpa follows an investigation by 20 of its journalists into its journalism throughout its history. “The media often talks about its role in holding the powerful to account. That includes ourselves,” tweeted Stuff chief executive, Sinead Boucher, who in May bought the company for $1 from Australia’s Nine Entertainment. Boucher said this was not an exercise in political correctness or about being “woke” but imperative for [...]
Joe Biden fractures foot after slipping while playing with dog
President-elect will probably have to wear a boot after accident while playing with German shepherd Major Joe Biden leaving the Delaware Humane Association with his German shepherd, Major. Photograph: Stephanie Carter/AP American president-elect Joe Biden has fractured his right foot after slipping while playing with his dog Major. The injury was discovered in a scan on Sunday and will likely require him to wear a boot for several weeks, his doctor said. Biden suffered the injury on Saturday and visited an orthopedist in Newark, Delaware, on Sunday afternoon, his office said. “Initial x-rays did not show any obvious fracture,” but medical staff ordered a more detailed CT scan, his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, said in a statement. The subsequent scan found tiny fractures of two small bones in the middle [...]
Huawei: UK bans new 5G network equipment from September
Digital secretary says he is setting ‘clear path for complete removal of high risk vendors’ from 5G networks A decision to rip out all Huawei equipment from UK 5G networks by 2027 will be enshrined in law by the new billPhotograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images Telecoms providers must stop installing Huawei equipment in the UK’s 5G networks from next September, the government has said. The digital secretary, Oliver Dowden, set out a roadmap to remove high-risk vendors ahead of the telecommunications (security) bill coming before parliament. The legislation would create national security powers capable of imposing controls on when – if at all – a telecoms firm could use material supplied by companies such as Huawei. In the summer, the government announced that the Chinese firm was to be banned [...]
Chinese spy sent to NZ to track Taiwanese migrants and then abandoned the mission has visa bid appeal dismissed
Beijing sent the operative known as Mr H to New Zealand in 1996, according to the Court of Appeal. Photo / Yinan Chen A Chinese agent sent to New Zealand to spy on Taiwanese Kiwis abandoned his mission, and has been fighting for 23 years to live here. The Chinese citizen and Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) officer arrived in New Zealand in 1996 on a visitor visa. The spy, known as Mr H, quickly decided "he preferred New Zealand's democratic way of life and abandoned his mission", according to a new Court of Appeal judgment. He then applied unsuccessfully for refugee status, after failing to disclose his PSB links. "For present purposes it was uncontested that the PSB is an organisation that has committed gross human [...]
NZ to have bilingual traffic signs by 2023, Transport Minister says
Transport Minister Michael Wood in Rotorua on Friday. Photo / Andrew Warner Transport Minister Michael Wood has committed to having bilingual traffic signs throughout New Zealand by the end of this Government's term, but says the current rules are not racist. Wood was in Rotorua on Friday to meet with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. He said the reason for his visit was primarily to discuss bilingual traffic signage, after Te Tatau o Te Arawa representative Rawiri Waru called for a review of the rules earlier this month. Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi had also added to the calls for a review of the rules, saying they were "absolutely" racist. Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Wood said the Government would "absolutely" commit to bilingual road signs by the end [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: China’s new claim about origin of virus – India
The Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market has largely been accepted as ground zero for the Covid 19 pandemic. Photo / AP A team of Chinese scientists claim to have proof the Covid-19 pandemic didn't originate in China; instead, researchers have pointed the blame at another country. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences released a research paper claiming the first coronavirus cases actually appeared in India before then travelling to Wuhan. The paper claims the source of the virus could have been from humans and wild animals sharing the same water source because of a large heatwave across India and Pakistan in 2019. “The water shortage made wild animals such as monkeys engage in the deadly fight over water among each other and would have surely increased [...]
China increases coal import quotas but Australia likely to be excluded
China’s foreign ministry says Australia needs to show ‘mutual respect’ Imported coal at a port in Rizhao in eastern China’s Shandong province. China is increasing its coal import quotas for 2020 by about 20m tonnes but is very likely to exclude Australia Photograph: AP China’s foreign ministry has warned Australia to handle the bilateral relationship with “mutual respect and equality” after it imposed “devastating” tariffs of up to 212% on Australia wines. It comes as the country increases its coal import quotas for 2020 by about 20m tonnes but is very likely to exclude Australia, which has hundreds of millions of tonnes anchored off the Chinese coast in a deepening trade dispute with Beijing. Guardian Australia also understands China is reducing customs clearance times for Australia’s key coal [...]
Hospitals in England told to prepare for Covid vaccine rollout in 10 days’ time
Exclusive: NHS could receive first deliveries of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as soon as 7 December The nature of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine appears to have forced a rethink of who will get it first, with NHS workers expected to be front of the queue. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Hospitals have been told to prepare for the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine in as little as 10 days’ time, with NHS workers expected to be at the front of the queue, the Guardian has learned. NHS bosses said hospitals in England could expect to receive their first deliveries of a vaccine produced by Pfizer/BioNTech as soon as Monday 7 December, with regulatory approval anticipated within days. According to sources at several hospitals across the country, NHS Englandsaid they should expect to [...]
China’s LGBTQ+ community seize census chance to stand up and be counted
The once-in-a-decade population survey has enabled same-sex couples to register their status Census workers collect information in China’s eastern Shandong province. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images China’s LGBTQ+ community has seized a once-in-a-decade chance to be counted with the launch of the nationwide government census. More than seven million workers have been going door to door across China this month, on a mission to capture the demographic changes among its 1.4 billion people. Guangzhou-based LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy China is calling on same sex couples to declare the status of their relationship. The campaign, under the tag line, “they are not my roommate, they are my partner,” aims to get Chinese policymakers to pay attention to their community. “Usually the LGBTQ+ community in China is invisible in terms of policy making and [...]
YouTube Suspends, Demonetizes One America News Network
Big tech censorship strikes conservatives again. This time the target is One America News Network which has been suspended for one week and been demonetized by YouTube for allegedly posting a video promoting a cure for the COVID-19 China coronavirus. Chanel Rion, Chief White House Correspondent for OAN The action against OAN was first reported by Axios (excerpt): YouTube has barred One America News Network from posting new videos for a week and stripped it of its ability to make money off existing content after the Trump-friendly channel uploaded a video promoting a phony cure for COVID-19, YouTube spokesperson Ivy Choi tells Axios. Why it matters: YouTube has been criticized for allowing OANN to spread misinformation using its platform, particularly around coronavirus and the election. This marks the Google-owned [...]
North Korean hackers tried to disrupt vaccine efforts in South, says spy agency
South Korean intelligence foiled the attempt by secretive regime to infiltrate pharmaceutical companies working on treatments A health worker takes samples for a Covid-19 test from a woman at a testing station in Seoul. Photograph: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images South Korea’s intelligence agency has foiled attempts by North Korean hackers to disrupt attempts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, according to officials. Ha Tae-keung, a conservative member of the national assembly who was briefed by intelligence officials, said attempts by the North to target South Korean drugmakers had failed, but did not identify the companies involved. His claims came a week after Microsoft said three hacker groups working for the Russian and North Korean governments had tried to break into the networks of seven leading pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in [...]
Pentagon nixes dining halls for troops’ annual Thanksgiving meal
© Getty Images The Pentagon has sent nearly 51,000 pounds of roasted turkey to U.S. troops stationed overseas, albeit with a twist on how they will be served in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanksgiving meals will be switched to “grab-and-go style takeout instead of large group gatherings in dining facilities” to cut down on the spread of COVID-19, the Defense Department (DOD) said in a statement. “The holidays will look quite different this year for everyone,” Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support head Army Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence said in the statement. “I’m proud that our workforce is doing everything possible to make sure our warfighters get a proper holiday meal, especially since many of us will not be able to be with our family and friends. We want to make [...]
Biden calls for nation to unite in COVID-19 fight in Thanksgiving address
President-elect Joe Biden called for Americans to unite ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday as coronavirus cases surge. "I know the country has grown weary of the fight, but we need to remember, we're at war with a virus, not with one another. Not with each other,” Biden said in his Thanksgiving address from Wilmington, Del., on Wednesday. Biden described the U.S. as “a nation not of adversaries but of neighbors,” calling on Americans to love each other. "Love of country, love of one another. We don't talk much about love in our politics,” the president-elect said. “The political arena is too loud, too angry, too heated. To love our neighbor as ourselves is a radical act. Yet it's what we're called to do." Biden also implored Americans to be [...]
New Zealand records biggest annual trade surplus in 28 years as imports drop
New Zealand has posted its biggest annual trade surplus in 28 years as Covid-19 led to a sharp fall in imports. The trade surplus for the year ended October was driven by a 10-percent slump in imports during the period, notably in fuel and cars. Photo: 123RF Official numbers show a surplus of $2.2 billion for the year ended October, the biggest since July 1992. The surplus was driven by a 10 percent slump in imports during the period, notably in fuel and cars. "Imports are down in part because of restrictions on international and domestic travel imposed in March to slow the spread of the pandemic," Stats NZ trade Manager Alisdair Allen said. "That can be seen in the big drops in annual imports of things like turbojets, [...]
Covid-19: Vaccination will be required to fly, says Qantas chief
International air travellers will in future need to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to board Qantas flights, the airline says. Qantas will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on an aircraft, its chief executive says. Photo: AFP The Australian flag carrier's boss, Alan Joyce, said the move would be "a necessity" when vaccines are available. "I think that's going to be a common thing talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe," he said. Australia shut down its international borders early in the pandemic and required those returning to quarantine. The country has more recently relied on lockdowns, widespread testing and aggressive contact tracing to push daily infections nationwide close to zero. In an interview with Australia's Nine Network [...]
PM Jacinda Ardern: NZ needs certain level of herd immunity before border restrictions eased
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed New Zealand will need to have a certain level of Covid-19 herd immunity before border restrictions are significantly altered. But that may still be a long way off – the Minister of Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins said some travel restrictions would likely remain in place for another 12 to 18 months. Speaking to media this morning, Ardern said the Government was still working through its immunisation strategy, which is centred around a Covid-19 vaccine. "Ultimately, 2021 will be the year of the vaccine," she said. But Ardern said New Zealand's goal is to be at a certain level of immunity before the Government considers changing its border restrictions. People would need to be able to safely go about their day-to-day lives before quarantine [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Air New Zealand crew member case visited six shops across Auckland
An Air New Zealand crew member tested positive for Covid-19 visited six Auckland businesses last weekend. Photo / AP Shoppers that visited a number of Auckland shops last weekend are being urged to watch for symptoms, after the businesses were visited by an airline crew member that has tested positive for Covid-19. An Air New Zealand crew member tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Shanghai on Sunday, after initially testing negative. The crew member visited a petrol station, two Auckland supermarkets, a paint shop, a Pharmacy, and a pet shop, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service said in a statement. The person visited a BP Connect in Mangere, Resene Mt Roskill and the Countdown and New World in Papatoetoe on Friday, 20 November. They also visited [...]
Who Will Be in Joe Biden’s Cabinet? Here are the Contenders.
There are many well-known names of former officials on the list. President-elect Joe Biden will officially announce a round of Cabinet picks on Tuesday, according to two top transition officials, but it still remains unclear which ones will be named. Ron Klain, Biden’s incoming White House chief of staff, told ABC News’ “This Week” that Biden’s team will be “beating” the pace set by those from former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump’s transition teams, although he declined to provide specifics. Senior Biden transition official Jennifer Psaki echoed Klain’s remarks in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” emphasizing that the incoming Cabinet “will look like America” and bring “diversity of ideology, diversity of background, and he wants to have a range of views of people [...]
Bangladeshi construction worker, 26, arrested under ISA for terrorism-related activities: MHA
Ahmed Faysal actively shared material promoting armed violence on social media, and bought foldable knives to use for attacks in Bangladesh.PHOTOS: MHA SINGAPORE - A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man was picked up under the Internal Security Act earlier this month for his involvement in terrorism-related activities. Ahmed Faysal was arrested on Nov 2, and preliminary investigations by the Internal Security Department found he had been radicalised and intended to carry out acts of armed violence in support of his religion, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 24). Faysal, who is Muslim, left Bangladesh for Singapore in early 2017 to work as a construction worker, and became radicalised the following year after absorbing online propaganda on the Islamic State in Iraq and [...]
Biden to name long-time confidant Antony Blinken as secretary of state
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden will name Antony Blinken, a veteran foreign policy official and longtime confidant, as his secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the decision. Blinken, who held top-level national security and State Department positions during the Obama administration, has worked side-by-side with Biden on foreign policy issues for nearly two decades. Biden has called Blinken a "superstar" and once said he could do "any job." By choosing Blinken for one of the most coveted jobs in the Cabinet, Biden is aiming to install an alter-ego at the helm of the State Department. But the move may disappoint some who wanted Biden to nominate Susan Rice, another longtime foreign policy hand and a Black woman, to lead the State Department. Biden has pledged to appoint a diverse Cabinet and [...]
AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine can be 90% effective, results show
AstraZeneca says its vaccine for the novel coronavirus can be around 90 percent effective without any serious side effects. Photo: AFP The vaccine developed by Oxford University was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 when it was administered as a half dose followed by a full dose at least one month apart, according to data from the late-stage trials in Britain and Brazil. No serious safety events related to the vaccine have been confirmed and it was well tolerated across both dosing regimens, it said. "This vaccine's efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against Covid-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency," Pascal Soriot, Astra's chief executive, said in a statement. The British drugmaker's preliminary trial results mark a fresh breakthrough [...]
HK, S’pore to decide in December on new date for travel bubble flights postponed over HK Covid-19 cases
Flights have been suspended as the pandemic in Hong Kong escalates.PHOTO: REUTERS HONG KONG - Travel bubble flights under the Singapore-Hong Kong arrangement have been postponed, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said on Saturday (Nov 21), adding that the two governments will announce in early December as to when the flights will restart. Flights were originally scheduled to start from Sunday, but has been suspended as the pandemic in Hong Kong escalates. Under the original deal which was announced in mid-October, the bubble flights will be suspended for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local Covid-19 cases is more than five for either Singapore or Hong Kong. The moving average for the territory on Friday was 2.14 [...]
Hong Kong to tighten Covid-19 measures as pandemic hits ‘severe’ stage
Health officials and the city's infectious diseases experts have for weeks warned about the impending fourth wave of the pandemic.PHOTO: AFP HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government has moved to tighten social distancing measures, including a ban on dancing in bars and pubs, as the travel bubble deal with Singapore hangs in the balance. But the first few flights under the travel arrangement will proceed as planned on Sunday (Nov 22), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Saturday. In a release issued on Saturday morning, the Hong Kong government said live performances and dancing in bars and pubs will be banned, while premises like party rooms meant for holding social gatherings will be forced to shut from Sunday for five days till [...]
Protesters burn part of Guatemala’s Congress building
Hundreds of protesters have broken into Guatemala’s Congress and burned part of the building amid growing demonstrations against President Alejandro Giammattei and the legislature for approving a budget that cut educational and health spending The Associated Press A couch and art work destroyed by fire are seen inside the Congress building after protesters set the building on fire, in Guatemala City, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Hundreds of protesters were protesting in various parts of the country Saturday against Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and members of Congress for the approval of the 2021 budget that reduced funds for education, health and the fight for human rights. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) GUATEMALA CITY -- Hundreds of protesters broke into Guatemala's Congress and burned part of the building Saturday amid growing demonstrations against [...]
Israeli army says Gaza militants fired a rocket at Israel
Israeli police say a Palestinian rocket attack has caused damage to a structure in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon JERUSALEM -- Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket toward Israel on Saturday night, setting off air-raid sirens in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, the Israeli military announced. Israeli police said the rocket caused damage to a structure in the Ashkelon area, roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Gaza, but there were no injuries. No other details were provided. The launch raised the likelihood of an Israeli reprisal in Gaza. Israel holds Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for all rocket fire out of the territory and usually strikes Hamas targets in response. Israel and Hamas, an Islamic militant group that seeks Israel's destruction, are bitter [...]
UK signs trade deal with Canada to prepare for Brexit
The U.K. has signed an interim trade deal with Canada to give the government more time to negotiate future trading rules as it prepares the country for business life outside the European Union The Associated Press Minister of International Trade Mary Ng participates in a news conference on the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. The U.K. signed an interim trade deal with Canada on Saturday, the second major agreement the country has reached as negotiators hurry to cement trading relationships in preparation for life outside the European Union. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) LONDON -- The U.K. signed an interim trade deal with Canada on Saturday, giving it more time to negotiate future trading rules as the British [...]
China to Australia: stop treating us as a threat or we won’t pick up the phone
Exclusive: Beijing ministers won’t speak to counterparts until Canberra discards ‘cold war mentality’, embassy says The Chinese embassy in Canberra. ‘The problem is all caused by the Australian side,’ an embassy official says of the freeze in relations between China and Australia. Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters Chinese government ministers won’t start answering phone calls from their Australian counterparts unless Canberra stops treating Beijing as a strategic threat, a senior embassy official has warned. China is urging the Morrison government to make a clear decision on whether it sees Beijing as a “threat” or an “opportunity”, setting this up as a key precondition for resuming ministerial-level talks, which have been frozen since early this year. In a sign there is no clear offramp from the serious diplomatic rift, a Chinese embassy [...]
US and Taiwan sign five-year agreement on health, tech and security
Countries emphasise potential for cooperation and future partnerships, which Beijing opposes Guards raise Taiwan’s national flag in Taipei. The US and Taiwan have agreed to a five-year deal pledging cooperation in health, technology and security. Photograph: Ceng Shou Yi/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock Taiwan and the United States have held their first high-level meetings under a new economic dialogue, inking a five-year agreement and pledging future cooperation on health, tech, and security. The talks, held amid a contentious US presidential transition period and high regional tensions with China, did not advance Taiwan’s hopes for a trade deal with US, despite the two countries growing closer under Donald Trump and his pushback on Beijing. They were led by Taiwan’s deputy minister of economic affairs, Chen Chern-chyi, and US undersecretary of state, Keith Krach, [...]
Covid-19: Government agrees in principle to buy Janssen Pharmaceutica vaccines
The government has reached an in-principle agreement to purchase doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for the entire population. A laboratory analyst working at the Janssen Pharmaceutica headquarters in Beerse on June 17, 2020. Photo: DIRK WAEM / various sources / AFP The agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica is subject to the vaccine successfully completing clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand. If all goes to plan, the first doses - up to two million - would be delivered from the third quarter of 2021. The government would then have the option to purchase up to three million more doses, which would be delivered throughout 2022. The vaccine is likely to be single-dose and compatible with standard vaccine distribution channels, so it may be more efficient to [...]
Taiwan grounds all F16 fighter jets for checks after plane goes missing
Decision removes 150 planes from service, leaving the island with a limited fleet amid increased flyovers by Chinese forces Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets for safety checks as rescuers continue to search for one that went missing during a training exercise. Photograph: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images Taiwan has grounded all its F16 fighter jets for safety checks as rescuers continue to search for one that went missing during a training exercise, authorities said Wednesday. The decision removes around 150 planes from Taiwan’s skies, leaving the democratic island relying on a more limited fleet to warn off Chinese jets that have been performing flyovers at an unprecedented rate in recent months. The air force said a single-seat F16 flown by a 44-year-old pilot disappeared from [...]
Australian special forces involved in murder of 39 Afghan civilians, war crimes report alleges
Brereton report finds prisoners were executed to ‘blood’ junior soldiers and unlawful killings were deliberately covered up Australian special forces were allegedly involved in the murder of 39 Afghan civilians, in some cases executing prisoners to “blood” junior soldiers before inventing cover stories and planting weapons on corpses, a major report has found. For more than four years, the Maj Gen Justice Paul Brereton has investigated allegations that a small group within the elite Special Air Services and commandos regiments killed and brutalised Afghan civilians, in some cases allegedly slitting throats, gloating about their actions, keeping kill counts, and planting phones and weapons on corpses to justify their actions. Brereton describes the special forces’ actions as “disgraceful and a profound betrayal” of the Australian Defence Force. The findings [...]
Leaders of 21 Apec economies to discuss trade at meeting
How to keep investments flowing amid pandemic among topics at virtual session tomorrow A billboard in Sepang marking the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, which is chaired by Malaysia this year. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies, including Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will meet virtually tomorrow to discuss ways to keep trade and investments flowing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the 27th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders' Meeting comes after last year's chair, Chile, cancelled it amid widespread protests and riots in the country. Last year's meeting was to have been the occasion when now-outgoing US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would sign an interim agreement to end the United States-China trade war. [...]
Canada names China, Russia as main cyber-crime threats; sees risk to power supply
China and Russia have repeatedly denied trying to break into other nations' critical infrastructure.PHOTO: AFP OTTAWA (REUTERS) - Canada on Wednesday (Nov 18) identified state-sponsored programmes in China, Russia, Iran and North Korea as major cyber crime threats for the first time, and said it feared foreign actors could try to disrupt power supplies. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) signals intelligence agency said the programmes posed the greatest strategic threat to Canada. "State-sponsored cyber activity is generally the most sophisticated threat," CSE said in its second national cyber threat assessment. CSE's first study, released in 2018, mentioned foreign-based actors without identifying them. In July, Canada, Britain and the United States accused Russian-backed hackers of trying to steal Covid-19 vaccine data. China and Russia have repeatedly denied trying to [...]
There are now two promising potential COVID vaccines. This is what we know about them.
Nearly seven months after Operation Warp Speed was created, Americans are finally starting to get answers about the candidate vaccines that could potentially slow the coronavirus pandemic. Operation Warp Speed, the White House-led task force on coronavirus vaccine treatment and development, was created on May 15. Since then, vague and contradicting timelines made by both the Trump administration and leading scientists have muddled predictions about when a COVID-19 vaccine would be available to the public. However, two big companies leading the race for a vaccine have released promising results from their Phase 3 trials. Here’s what we know about both trials and what they might mean for the future of the pandemic. What are the leading COVID-19 candidate vaccines? Pfizer and the German biotechnology company BioNTechdeveloped one of the candidate vaccines. They announced early [...]
Asia-Pacific trade deal to add ‘certainty for New Zealand exporters’ – minster
After eight years and 30 rounds of negotiations, the government has put pen to paper on what has been called the world's largest free-trade agreement. New Zealand is one of 15 Asia-Pacific countries to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal. Damien O'Connor. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor told Morning Report that the country had more to gain than just regulation around import and export of perishable goods. The agreement sets down "rules for trade with a third of the world's population". "It's been a long process - eight years to get here - and we had hoped that India might at the table, they've pulled back at the last moment but the doors are open for them to join [...]
Moderna says its vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19
A key advantage of Moderna's vaccine is that it does not need ultra-cold storage like Pfizer's.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Moderna Inc said on Monday (Nov 16) that its experimental vaccine was 94.5 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial, becoming the second US company in a week to report results that far exceed expectations. Together with Pfizer Inc's vaccine, also shown to be more than 90 per cent effective,and pending more safety data and regulatory review, the United States could have two vaccines authorised for emergency use in December with as many as 60 million doses of vaccine available by the year's end. Next year, the US government could have access to more than one billion doses just from [...]
15 countries, including Singapore, sign RCEP, the world’s largest trade pact
SINGAPORE -The world's largest trade pact was inked on Sunday (Nov 15) by ministers from 15 countries including Singapore, in a move likely to spur the region's economy as it battles its worst crisis in decades. Building on existing free trade deals among members, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will broaden and deepen economic linkages across the Asia-Pacific, ease trade in goods and services, facilitate the flow of foreign investments, and enhance protections in areas such as e-commerce and intellectual property. RCEP members account for 30 per cent of the world's economy and one-third of its population. They comprise all 10 Asean members and key partners Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. At a virtual leaders' summit chaired by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc [...]
South Korea facing ‘crisis’, says PM, as Covid measures tightened
Chanting and singing at concerts banned amid daily case rises and fears for the looming winter flu season In South Korea, coronavirus measures starting on Thursday include keeping churches and sports events at a maximum of 30% of capacity, while school classrooms should be no more than two-thirds full. Photograph: Lee Jin-man/AP South Korea has strengthened social distancing measures amid a rise in new coronavirus cases, with the country’s prime minister warning that action was needed to avoid a crisis with the arrival of the winter flu season. The country has won widespread praise for preventing a serious Covid-19 outbreak through a combination of mass testing, vigorous track and tracing and isolation, coupled with social distancing and mask wearing. But the decision to implement stricter rules [...]
Trump reportedly plans to withdraw nearly half of US troops in Afghanistan
Cuts would decrease military presence from 4,500 to 2,500 in Afghanistan and from 3,000 to 2,500 in Iraq Donald Trump smiles before addressing members of the military during a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, in 2019. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, said a hasty withdrawal would “hurt our allies and delight the people who wish us harm”. “The consequences of a premature American exit would likely be even worse than President Obama’s withdrawal from Iraq back in 2011, which fueled the rise of Isis and a new round of global terrorism,” McConnell said. Some analysts suggested however, that it is unclear whether the orders will be implemented as fast as Trump would like in order to secure his legacy on ending [...]
Citizen journalist facing jail in China for Wuhan Covid reporting
Zhang Zhan was arrested more than six months ago after reporting on the outbreak Zhang Zhan is among numerous journalists who have been arrested after travelling to Wuhan to report on the coronavirus outbreak and response. Photograph: Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) A Chinese citizen journalist detained since May for reporting on the coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan is facing up to five years in jail after being formally indicted on charges of spreading false information. Zhang Zhan, a 37-year-old former lawyer, was arrested more than six months ago after reporting on the outbreak. She is being held in a detention facility in Shanghai. She was accused of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble”, an accusation frequently used against critics and activists inside China, after reporting on social media and [...]
Barack Obama rules out role in Biden cabinet – ‘Michelle would leave me’
The former president vows to help Biden ‘in any ways that I can’ but details toll his position took on wife’s law career Barack Obama would not take a position in Joe Biden’s cabinet if the president-elect offered it – because if he did, he fears, Michelle Obama would leave him. The 44th president made the remark in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, two days ahead of publication of his memoir, A Promised Land. He was due to speak to CBS again, for 60 Minutes, on Sunday night. Biden, Obama’s vice-president from 2009 to 2017, is preparing to become the 46th president in January, having defeated Donald Trump at the polls. Asked how he will help Biden, Obama said: “He doesn’t need my advice, and I will help [...]
Trump campaign retreats from key claim in Pennsylvania suit
Election Bureau Director Albert L. Gricoski, left, opens provisional ballots alongside election bureau staff Christine Marmas, right, while poll watchers observe from behind at the Schuylkill County Election Bureau in Pottsville, Pa. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (Lindsey Shuey/The Republican-Herald via AP) HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign is withdrawing a central part of its lawsuit seeking to stop the certification of the election results in Pennsylvania, where Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump to capture the state and help win the White House. Ahead of a Tuesday hearing in the case, Trump’s campaign dropped the allegation that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots — 682,479, to be precise — were illegally processed without its representatives watching. The campaign’s slimmed-down lawsuit, filed in federal court on [...]
Bach says Tokyo Olympic “participants” may need vaccinations
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, right, greets International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach during their meeting in Tokyo Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP) TOKYO (AP) — Olympic participants and fans arriving for next year’s postponed Tokyo Olympics are likely to face requirements to be vaccinated to protect the Japanese public, IOC President Thomas Bach said Monday after meeting with new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. It was Bach’s first meeting with Suga and his first trip to Japan since the Olympics were postponed almost eight months ago. “In order to protect the Japanese people and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that as many (people) as possible — Olympic participants and visitors will arrive here (with a) [...]
PHOTOS: Donald Trump Thrills D.C. Supporter Rally with Motorcade Drive-By
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images President Donald Trump thrilled a supporter rally Saturday in Washington, DC, as he drove by the group on the way to the golf course. The “Million MAGA March” and “Stop the Steal” groups rallied in Washington, DC, to protest the election results after former Vice President Joe Biden gained late big margins in states critical to the president’s reelection: Supporters cheer as the motorcade carrying US President Donald Trump passes by Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC on November 14, 2020. – Supporters are backing Trump’s claim that the November 3 election was fraudulent. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) The president’s motorcade drove down Pennsylvania Avenue, where crowds of his supporters were gathered on both [...]
Thousands rally behind Trump, insisting he won race he lost
Supporters of President Donald Trump gathered in Washington, D WASHINGTON -- Fervent supporters of President Donald Trump rallied in Washington on Saturday behind his spurious claim of a stolen election and swarmed his motorcade when he detoured for a drive-by on his way out of town. “I just want to keep up his spirits and let him know we support him,” one loyalist, Anthony Whittaker of Winchester, Virginia, said from outside the Supreme Court, where a few thousand assembled after a march along Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza, near the White House. A week after Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election, demonstrations in support of Trump took place in other cities. Fury at the prospect of a transfer of executive power showed no signs [...]
Federal prosecutors express concern over Attorney General William Barr’s election fraud memo: Sources
Sixteen federal prosecutors tapped by leadership at the Justice Department to monitor voting in last week's presidential election have sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr making clear that they have seen no evidence to substantiate claims that voting tallies have been marred by widespread fraud or other ballot issues, two sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. In their letter, the federal prosecutors -- career assistant U.S. attorneys from more than a dozen states across the country -- called for Barr to rescind a memorandum he sent earlier this week telling Justice Department attorneys to launch election-related investigations if they suspect significant irregularities, the sources said. Justice Department policy has long urged federal law enforcement officials to refrain from engaging in politically charged investigative activity in [...]
China finally congratulates Joe Biden for winning US election
Country recognises Democratic candidate defeated Donald Trump almost a week after result declared ‘We respect the choice of the American people,’ said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, pictured. Photograph: Liu Zheng/AP China has extended congratulations to the US president-elect, Joe Biden, becoming one of the last countries to acknowledge his electoral victory over Donald Trump. On Friday, nearly a week after Biden was declared the winner, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin commended the Democratic candidate and his running mate, Kamala Harris. “We respect the choice of the American people. We extend congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris,” he said at a regular press briefing. “We understand the results of the US election will be determined according to US laws and procedures.” The comments stand in contrast [...]
Global report: Germany may extend lockdown as Covid cases in Italy soar
Record daily infections in Germany; Naples hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed; France reports slowdown in rate of new cases Paramedics take a Covid-19 patient to the Antonio Cardarelli hospital in Naples, Italy, for treatment. Photograph: Salvatore Laporta/IPA/Rex/Shutterstock Germany’s partial lockdown could be extended beyond the end of the month and hospitals in parts of Italy are near breaking point as Covid-19 cases continued to surge in both countries, despite positive signs elsewhere in Europe. New daily coronavirus cases in Germany hit a record of 23,542 on Friday, the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases reported, prompting government spokesman Stefan Seibert to say measures “were not expected to be relaxed” by next week. Federal and regional leaders are due to meet on Monday to discuss whether [...]
Israeli agents in Iran kill al-Qaida’s top lieutenant – report
Abu Muhammad al-Masri was gunned down in Tehran more than three months ago, says New York Times A marine guard in the aftermath of the 7 August 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, which Abu Muhammad al-Masri was accused of helping to mastermind. Photograph: Antony Njuguna/REUTERS Al-Qaida’s second-in-command was killed in Iran in August by Israeli operatives acting at the behest of the United States, the New York Times has reported, citing intelligence officials. Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, who went by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Masri, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle in Tehran, the NYT reported. He was accused of helping to mastermind the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Africa. Masri was seen as a likely successor to [...]
Vietnam braces for Typhoon Vamco, 53 dead in Philippines
HANOI/MANILA (Reuters) - Vietnam was bracing for Typhoon Vamco to make landfall in the country’s central coast early on Sunday, as the death toll in the Philippines rose to 53 from that country’s deadliest storm this year. Packing winds of up to 165 kph (103 mph), Vamco is forecast to hit a swathe of Vietnam’s coast from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai province, the government’s weather agency said on Saturday. “This is a very strong typhoon,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said, warning provinces in Vamco’s projected path to prepare for its impact. The provinces plan to evacuate 468,000 people by the end of Saturday, state media cited the government’s disaster management authority as saying. Vietnam is prone to destructive storms and flooding due to its long coastline. Vamco [...]
Lawyer shoots self to death after killing RTC judge inside Manila City Hall Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1359273/breaking-lawyer-shoots-rtc-judge-inside-manila-city-hall#ixzz6dY44u9RD Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
stock image MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer fatally shot himself after shooting and killing a judge at the Manila Regional Trial Court inside her office at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, police said. Police said the victim, RTC Branch 45 Judge Maria Teresa Abadilla, 44, was allegedly shot by lawyer Amador Rebato Jr., 42, chief of Court Clerk of the same Manila RTC Branch 45, located on the Manila City Hall’s fifth floor. The shooting happened at 2:45 p.m., the police report said. In a 4 p.m. update, Police Major Jhun Ibay, head of Manila Police District Special Mayor’s Reaction Team, said Abadilla was declared dead on arrival at Manila Medical Center 30 minutes after the shooting incident. He told INQUIRER.net that the suspect died allegedly after [...]
Category 2 Typhoon Vamco to lash Philippine capital of Manila
The storm comes hardly two weeks after Category 5 Goni slammed the Philippines Typhoon Vamco on Thursday morning local time in the Philippines. (RAMMB/CIRA) Amid what has already been a destructive typhoon season in the Philippines, yet another serious storm is targeting the archipelago nation. Manila, the country’s capital, already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, could be rocked by strong winds and a serious storm surge. The storm was given the name Vamco by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, but is referred to as Ulysses in the Philippines. Follow the latest on Election 2020 The typhoon was closing in on its second landfall on Wednesday afternoon Eastern time, the storm already having crossed parts of Patnanongan and Polillo Islands in Quezon. The system was moving ashore in the General Nakar [...]
Marikina River water level nears Ondoy’s peak due to Typhoon Ulysses
Photo: Jolly Gozon/CNN Philippines Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — Hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes on Thursday as water in Marikina River steadily rose, moving closer to the peak level during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009. At 10:33 a.m., the water level rose to 22 meters — one meter below the 23 meters above sea level reached when Ondoy battered the country 11 years ago and left Marikina City submerged in floodwater for days. Residents near the river were forced to evacuate at past 3 a.m. when the water rose to 18 meters due to nonstop rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses starting Wednesday night. The local government also deployed rescue boats to extricate stranded residents. The typhoon is seen to [...]
US election: Trump wins Alaska, Republicans add another seat in US Senate
President Donald Trump won Alaska and three more electoral votes, and Dan Sullivan was reelected to the Senate with more than 57 per cent of the vote.PHOTOS: EPA-EFE, AFP WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Donald Trump’s Republican Party won another seat in the US Senate on Wednesday (Nov 11), with a victory in Alaska that puts it one vote away from a majority in the upper house of Congress. Incumbent Dan Sullivan was easily reelected with more than 57 per cent of the vote, according to CNN and NBC television projections. His victory confirms the strong performance of the Republican Party in the congressional elections, which were held on Nov 3 at the same time as the presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden. The Republicans now have [...]
China firms race to find Covid-19 vaccine amid concerns by people given experimental doses
Chinese authorities have cautioned that supply is limited.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - The Chinese effort for a vaccine is heating up, as scientists continue to administer experimental doses of treatment in thousands of people in China daily. Their effort is being challenged most recently by American pharmaceutical firm Pfizer, which said early data on its Covid-19 vaccine candidate suggests 90 per cent effectiveness in phase three clinical trials. Chinese pharmaceutical companies Sinovac Biotech, Sinopharm and CanSino Biologics have been carrying out phase three clinical trials outside the country, but have been giving out doses of the experimental treatment in the country. This despite persistent concerns about the efficacy of the vaccines and the autonomy of those receiving the treatment in China. Most of them are workers in [...]
South Korea confirms H5N8 bird flu in wild birds, issues warning
South Korean farmers shoot laser beams at migrant birds, in an effort prevent the spread of bird flu at livestock farms.PHOTO: EPA-EFE SEOUL (REUTERS) - South Korea's agriculture ministry said on Tuesday (Nov 10) it had confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in samples from wild birds in the central west of the country and issued its bird flu warning. The virus was discovered in samples collected from wild birds last week in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, about 84km central west of capital Seoul, the agriculture ministry said in a statement. The ministry said it has ramped up prevention measures to contain a wider spread of bird flu and issued a highly pathogenic avian influenza warning as there are increased risks the virus will spread. "This [...]
S’pore may have a Covid-19 vaccine by early 2021, commits close to $300m to make and buy vaccine
Preliminary findings indicate positive responses in both safety and human immune response.PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE - Singapore could have a Covid-19 vaccine by early next year. The first shipments of the vaccine co-developed by Singapore researchers are expected in the first quarter. Arcturus Therapeutics, the American pharmaceutical company working with Duke-NUS scientists on the vaccine, said this on Monday (Nov 9), as it announced positive preliminary results from the early-stage clinical trials ongoing in Singapore. Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) is pumping in some US$45 million (S$60.5 million) into the manufacture of the vaccine, said Arcturus. EDB will also have the right to purchase up to US$175 million of the vaccine at pre-negotiated prices, with shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021, said Arcturus. Duke-NUS [...]
Global stocks rise for 2nd day on coronavirus vaccine hopes
People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Asian stock markets rose for second day Tuesday on hopes for progress toward a possible coronavirus vaccine that might allow the world to revive manufacturing, shopping and normal life. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and U.S. futures rose for second day Tuesday on hopes for progress toward a possible coronavirus vaccine that might allow the world to revive manufacturing, shopping and normal life. Market benchmarks in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo advanced while Shanghai closed lower. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 has been trading at 29-year highs as shares rallied after Joe Biden was declared president-elect days after the U.S. presidential election. News about possible progress on a COVID-19 vaccine have [...]
As virus spikes, Europe runs low on ICU beds, hospital staff
FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 filer, a patient infected with COVID-19 is treated in one of the intensive care units (ICU) at the Severo Ochoa hospital in Leganes, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. Intensive care space is dwindling across Europe as beds fill again with coronavirus patients, this time in places that had been spared the virus peak from last spring. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File) PARIS (AP) — In Italy lines of ambulances park outside hospitals awaiting beds, and in France the government coronavirus tracking app prominently displays the intensive care capacity taken up by COVID-19 patients: 92.5% and rising. In the ICU in Barcelona, there is no end in sight for the doctors and nurses who endured this once already. Intensive care is the last [...]
Russian peacekeepers go to Nagorno-Karabakh to bolster truce
This photo made from the footage provided by Russian Defense Ministry press service on in Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 shows Russian military vehicles carry peacekeepers on their way to an airport in unknown place in Russia. Scores of Russian peacekeepers were heading to Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday morning, hours after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to halt the fighting over the separatist region in a pact signed with Moscow which envisions the deployment of nearly 2,000 Russian peacekeepers and territorial concessions. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) MOSCOW (AP) — More than a dozen planes carrying Russian peacekeepers headed for Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday, hours after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to halt fighting over the separatist region and amid signs this cease-fire would hold where others hadn’t. The truce came [...]
ObamaCare faces Supreme Court test with new conservative majority
© Greg Nash The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in the latest GOP challenge to ObamaCare, this time with a strengthened conservative majority on the bench. The arguments come just a week after a contentious election in which more than 74 million Americans voted for President-elect Joe Biden, who campaigned on bolstering the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Court watchers say a number of outcomes are possible when a decision is handed down, likely in June. The most extreme scenario would involve conservative justices striking down the entire 2010 law, a result that doctors’ groups say would threaten to throw the nation’s health care system into chaos at a time when the country could still be in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic. “Invalidating provisions that have expanded access [...]
‘Severe fatigue and stress’: Australia says stranded sailors’ fate in hands of shipping company
The Australian government says the fate of two dozen Indian sailors stranded for five months at a Chinese port with 170,000 tonnes of Australian coal is a matter for the companies involved. The future of the 23 crew members stuck on board the Jag Anand ship is now hanging on negotiations between Chinese authorities, the Indian government and Australian miners after a five month deadlock. Coal exports to China have been restricted. CREDIT:BLOOMBERG Family members of the sailors say medications and supplies are running out after the coking coal from Gladstone Port in Queensland was rejected by Chinese authorities at a port in northern China om June 13. The 290-metre long ship has not moved [...]
DOJ official quits after Barr move on election fraud allegations
© Greg Nash A Department of Justice (DOJ) official stepped down from his role overseeing probes into voting crimes hours after Attorney General William Barr announced on Monday that he had authorized the agency to investigate any "substantial allegations" of voter fraud in the 2020 election. In an email first obtained by The New York Times, Richard Pilger wrote to colleagues, “Having familiarized myself with the new policy and its ramifications… I must regretfully resign from my role as director of the Election Crimes Branch.” Pilger added in the email that the new DOJ policy is "abrogating the forty-year old Non-Interference Policy for ballot fraud investigation in the period prior to elections becoming certified and uncontested." ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the Times, Pilger, who had served as director of the DOJ’s [...]
Flooding in Napier as heavy rain sweeps across North Island
Flooding has swept through many Napier streets, prompting evacuations, rescues and causing widespread damage, and a local state of emergency has been declared. Dozens of people have been evacuated from Napier, and firefighters have responded to more than 80 properties. Photo: RNZ/ Tom Kitchin Wild weather is hammering Napier, with slips, flooding and leaking roofs causing chaos. Firefighters have been called to assist flooded buildings, and power is out to many properties. People were being urged to stay inside, as long as it was safe to do so, and not to drive or to come into contact with the floodwaters, which could be contaminated. Those who need assistance were asked to call 111 for help, and not Napier Fire Station. Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise has declared a local state [...]
Pfizer’s COVID vaccine candidate shown to be 90% effective in early findings
In a major boost to vaccine development, Pfizer and its collaborator BioNTech released early study results Monday indicating that their vaccine, BNT162b2, prevented more than 90% of infections with the virus that causes COVID-19. In the newly released data on the first 94 trial participants to come down with COVID-19, the vaccine was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing the disease. Half the participants received a placebo and half the vaccine, so the new data shows that more people who received the placebo than the vaccine came down with COVID-19. They were protected a week after the second dose of the vaccine. The two doses are given 21 days apart. There were no serious safety concerns reported to the independent data monitoring board that reviews both [...]
President-elect Joe Biden unveils COVID-19 task force. It includes a Trump whistleblower.
President-elect Joe Biden unveiled Monday members of his COVID-19 advisory board and it includes Rick Bright, a former Trump administration whistleblower who resigned amid allegations his early warnings over the pandemic were ignored. The task force, a group of public health experts – almost all doctors – will offer guidance to Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and their coronavirus staff as they prepare to take over the presidency. The board's composition could be an indicator of the Biden administration's intent to follow a more science-based coronavirus approach. "Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts,” Biden said in a statement on his transition website. "The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing [...]
‘Time to heal in America’: President-elect Joe Biden, VP-elect Kamala Harris talk of unity
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden delivered a celebratory message but one of healing and unity in his first remarks Saturday following a bitter and divisive battle for the presidency. “America has always been shaped by inflections points, by moments in time we’ve made hard decisions about who we are what we want to be,” Biden said outside the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, where cheers and the horns from hundreds of cars could be heard between his words. “Folks, we stand at an inflection point.” His remarks came as President Donald Trump continues to contest the results of the cliffhanger election, arguing without evidence that hundreds of thousands of votes are in question. His address, in addition to setting the tone for a Biden transition and presidency, was a symbol that the [...]
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tests positive for COVID-19
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has coronavirus, according to reports on Friday. It was not clear when Meadows tested positive, according to Bloomberg News, but sources told the outlet that Meadows informed a group of advisers of his diagnosis after Election Day. Meadows was present with Trump when he visited his campaign headquarters in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday. The chief of staff was seen not wearing a face mask. He was also in attendance at a White House gathering that evening and came into contact with Trump family members, according to reports. ABC News and CNN have also confirmed Meadows has the virus. Campaign official Nick Trainor also tested positive for the virus, according to Bloomberg and ABC. White House COVID outbreak:Trump and more than two dozen officials, [...]
Election protests live updates: Trump supporters protest in Phoenix, Detroit; Biden voters throw dance parties in New York, Philly
Protests that have formed in cities across the county since Election Day continued Friday as Vice President Joe Biden took the vote count lead ahead of President Donald Trump in Georgia and Pennsylvania. In several battleground states, dueling groups – some chanting "count the votes" and others "stop the steal" – gathered outside locations where votes were being tallied Friday. While some scenes were more akin to joyful dance parties, other demonstrations saw protesters without masks and armed with pistols. Meanwhile, supporters of Biden, who was on the cusp of a presidential victory Friday, were gathering in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. Here's how protests are playing out across the country Friday: Roughly 100 people gathered for a pro-Trump protest outside the Maricopa County Elections headquarters in Phoenix on Friday, chanting "count the [...]
Lebanon’s Gebran Bassil hit by US sanctions ‘for corruption’
IMAGE COPYRIGHTREUTERS Bassil was foreign minister until earlier this year The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on a top Lebanese politician whom it has accused of playing a major role in corruption in the country. The measure targets Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party allied to the powerful Shia movement Hezbollah. It comes at a time when Lebanon is in deep political and economic crisis. The country has been in turmoil for months, facing mass protests, the Covid pandemic and a devastating blast. Demonstrators have taken to the streets across the country demanding a complete overhaul of its political system, which is widely seen as perpetuating corruption and ineffective governance. Lebanon is also suffering financial collapse, worsened by the effects of the pandemic, as [...]
US election 2020: Who is ahead in the states still counting?
The race for the White House is coming down to who wins the few remaining battleground states - Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona. A win in just Pennsylvania or two of the other four remaining states would be enough to confirm Mr Biden as president-elect, barring any legal challenge. Mr Trump, meanwhile, needs to win Pennsylvania and three of the remaining four states. Here's the state of play in the states at play. GEORGIA - 16 electoral votes Where things stand: The BBC's results system and US partner CBS are now also showing a Biden lead in Georgia of about 1,000 votes. How many votes are still be counted: Local officials said on Thursday that around 15,000 votes were left to count, but there has been no update since. [...]
WHO-led Covid-19 drug scheme doubles down on antibodies, steroids and shuns remdesivir
Convalescent plasma samples before being tested for Covid-19 antibodies in Renton, Washington, on Sept 9, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS BRUSSELS (REUTERS) - A World Health Organisation-led scheme to supply Covid-19 drugs to poor countries is betting on experimental monoclonal antibody treatments and steroids but shunning Gilead's remdesivir therapy, an internal document shows. The Oct 30 WHO draft document seen by Reuters says priorities are to secure monoclonal antibodies in a tight market and to boost distribution of cheap steroid dexamethasone, of which it has already booked nearly three million courses of treatment for poorer countries. Monoclonal antibodies are manufactured copies of antibodies created by the body to fight an infection, and drug makers, including Roche and Novartis, confirmed initial contact with the WHO scheme. The paper, which for the first time [...]
China says has never interfered in other countries’ affairs
BEIJING (Reuters) - China has never interfered in other countries’ affairs nor does it have any interest in doing so, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday, in response to Australia charging the first person under its foreign interference law. Wang Wenbin, spokesman with the ministry, was speaking to reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing. Australian police said a Melbourne man who appeared in court on Thursday was the first person charged with foreign interference under new legislation introduced in 2018. The person holds senior positions in a number of Chinese community associations in the state of Victoria, including the Oceania Federation of Chinese Australians, and the Chinese Museum, according to organisation records seen by Reuters, websites and press statements. Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing [...]
New Zealand’s Ardern vows to ‘crack on’ with new-look cabinet
SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand swore in its new cabinet on Friday, including five Maori and its first openly gay deputy prime minister, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government increased its majority with the release of full results of an Oct. 17 general election. In separate vote results, New Zealanders narrowly rejected the legalisation of recreational marijuana while deciding to push ahead with laws to legalise euthanasia. Ardern’s Labour Party increased its majority to 65 seats from 64 in the 120-seat assembly, according to final NZ Electoral Commission results. The results included an additional 500,000 special votes, some of them mailed in from overseas. “There are significant challenges for us to overcome together but I am confident we have the team to do it and it is great to [...]
Republicans rebuke Trump over claims of voter fraud
Top Republicans on Thursday blasted President Trump’s baseless claims that the election is being stolen from him through illegal actions by Democrats in swing states where votes are still being counted. Speaking from the briefing room, the president unloaded a dizzying array of unsubstantiated allegations about the electoral system and cast unwarranted suspicion on election workers as it appears that Democrat Joe Biden is inching closer to victory. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), a frequent Trump critic, said there is “no defense” for the president’s comments “undermining our Democratic process.” Trump’s family members and inner circle are growing frustrated by what they view as top Republicans refusing to join them in fighting against what they say is widespread fraud. Donald Trump Jr. and Trump’s former campaign manager Brad Parscale called out [...]
Trump campaign loses legal fights in Georgia and Michigan, vows Nevada lawsuit
(Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s campaign lost court rulings in the closely-contested states of Georgia and Michigan on Thursday, even as it vowed to bring a new lawsuit challenging what it called voting irregularities in Nevada. In the Georgia case, the campaign alleged 53 late-arriving ballots were mixed with on-time ballots. In Michigan, it had sought to stop votes from being counted and obtain greater access to the tabulation process. State judges tossed out both the suits on Thursday. Judge James Bass, a superior court judge in Georgia, said there was “no evidence” that the ballots in question were invalid. In the Michigan case, Judge Cynthia Stephens said: “I have no basis to find that there is a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.” Trump allies alleged that [...]
Election results updates: Trump calls election fraudulent with zero evidence, still trails Biden in electoral votes
Trump decries election as fraudulent with zero evidence In his first address since his post-election speech in the early hours of Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump appeared to shrug off his Democratic challenger Joe Biden's growing lead in the presidential election and made baseless claims that the election was driven bfraud and corruption. 'If you count the legal votes I easily win. If you count the illegal votes they can try to steal the election from us," Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room, repeating a statement his campaign sent out earlier Thursday on his behalf. The president's comments came as his lead in several states including Georgia and Pennsylvania continued to shrink as more ballots were counted, narrowing his path to victory as Biden inched toward [...]
Winners and losers from 2020’s election
The biggest question from the 2020 election lay unresolved on Wednesday afternoon, with President Trump and his Democratic opponent Joe Biden retaining plausible paths to victory. The advantage lay with Biden, who has leads in the vote counts in Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan, three states he would be flipping back to Democrats if he secures them. But the Trump campaign has announced plans to seek a recount in Wisconsin and halt the counting of votes in Pennsylvania. The president’s team also insists he could yet prevail in Arizona. But, beyond the presidential result, who are the major winners and losers? Winners Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) McConnell easily won his reelection race in Kentucky against Democrat Amy McGrath, despite her dramatic fundraising edge. But the sweeter success for McConnell [...]
Biden wins battleground Michigan
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is projected to win the battleground of Michigan, walking away with the state's 16 electoral votes.CNN and NBC called the race for Biden on Wednesday shortly before 4:30 p.m. EST. Biden's victory comes four years after President Trump flipped the state by narrowly defeating then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Several polls leading up to Election Day showed Biden with a lead over Trump in the Great Lakes State. The former vice president campaigned in Michigan with former President Obama over the weekend. Trump won the state by a slim margin of just under 11,000 votes, or 0.23 percentage points, in 2016. Michigan is the second of three Rust Belt “blue wall” states that Trump flipped in 2016 that Biden has won, the other being Wisconsin. The final [...]
Police investigate if Vienna attacker was part of wider network
Kujtim Fejzulai believed to have acted alone but known to have been an Isis sympathiser An armed member of the special forces stands guard near the site of the gun attack in Vienna. Photograph: Leonhard Föger/Reuters Austrian police are investigating whether an Islamist terrorist who killed four people in Vienna on Monday night was part of a wider network and if the attack could have been prevented. Kujtim Fejzulai, known to authorities as a sympathiser of the Islamic Stategroup, which claimed credit for the murders, is believed to have been the lone gunman in the attack despite hours of uncertainty over whether accomplices remained at large. The 20-year-old dual citizen of Austria and North Macedonia was shot dead nine minutes into the attack in central Vienna. Police in Austria [...]
Paths to US election victory: what Trump and Biden need to win
Paths to victory remain in the US presidential race for both Donald Trumpand Joe Biden, but Biden has more ways to win and appears to be running stronger state to state, based on the places – cities, mainly – where large absentee votes have yet to be counted.Biden leads the electoral college vote tally 264-214 after he was declared the winner in Michigan and Wisconsin on Wednesday and Trump gained one vote in Maine. Adding Alaska for Trump – which had not been called but where the result is not in doubt – gives the president 217. From there, four states remained to be called as Wednesday evening approached in the US: Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Trump’s paths For Trump to find the 53 electoral votes he [...]
Trump threatens to sue his way to victory amid millions of uncounted votes
No evidence his campaign’s legal challenges will affect the election result – but they could affect public opinion Demonstrators protest in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Photograph: Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters With millions of votes waiting to be counted in the US presidential election, Donald Trump has effectively threatened to sue his way to re-election. As of Wednesday evening, the president and his campaign had promised to bring the election to the supreme court, sued to halt vote-counting in threebattleground states and requested a recount in another. But at this moment, there is no evidence the campaign’s legal challenges will have a bearing on the election result under the law. Instead, the concern is how litigation plays in the court of public [...]
JOINT OPERATIONS KILL 7 ASG KIDNAPPERS AT SULU SEA
At 2:15 AM today, Nov 3, 2020, troops of Joint Task Force – Sulu intercepted and killed seven (7) Abu Sayyaf Group kidnappers aboard a twin-engine speed boat at the open waters of Sulu sea near Sulare Island, Parang, Sulu. JTF- Sulu Commander MGen William N Gonzales orchestrated the joint operations utilizing the Augusta Attack Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force and the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) of the Philippine Navy with the Scout Rangers and Special Forces on board. Reportedly killed were Madsmar Sawadjaan (brother of infamous bomber Mundi Sawadjaan), Mannul Sawadjaan @Abu Amara (declared to replace deceased ASG senior leader Hajan Sawadjaan as emir), and five (5) other yet to be identified. Retrieval operations of the sank speed boat and cadavers of ASG members are currently ongoing. [...]
New weapon added to Singapore’s arsenal against Covid-19: An automated wireless system to monitor blood oxygen
The new system will help automate tasks and compile readings from thousands of individuals neatly on a dashboard.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG SINGAPORE - A new weapon has been added to Singapore's arsenal against Covid-19: an automated system that monitors oxygen levels in the blood. Low blood oxygen could be a symptom of Covid-19. The new system utilises Bluetooth-enabled pulse oximeters to measure blood oxygen levels. It will help automate manual tasks and compile pulse oximeter readings from thousands of individuals neatly on a dashboard. A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) - in consultation with clinicians from the National University Hospital and Singapore General Hospital - worked on the new system from April to June. The project was also supported by both [...]
Indonesian President Joko signs contentious omnibus Bill into law
Signing off on the law showed the president's commitment to see through his reform agenda.PHOTO: REUTERS JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo has endorsed a new controversial omnibus law which has sparked massive protests across the country by those who see it as eroding labour rights and weakening environmental protection. The Job Creation Law, which spans 1,187 pages, was passed in Parliament on Oct 5 and signed off by the President on Monday (Nov 2). Even if he had not signed it, the bill would automatically have taken effect in 30 days. However, signing off on the law showed the President's commitment to see through his reform agenda during his second term in office. The law is set to simplify more than 70 overlapping regulations, cut [...]
Vienna: Reports of attacks on synagogue, kosher restaurant, 7 dead
Twitter: @disclosetv Developing There are reports Monday that the Jewish community is under attack in Vienna, Austria and that a synagogue and kosher restaurant have been targeted. 7 individuals have been killed by 3 attackers, according to reports. Vienna police have confirmed that at 8:00 p.m. shots were fired by several suspects carrying rifles. The attacks took place at 6 different locations, according to police. One person died, several are injured, including a police officer and one suspect was shot and killed by police. Antisemitism watchdog StopAntisemitism.org called the attack “well orchestrated…. with military grade weapons.” The public has been advised to stay inside. Jews have also been told to remove Kippot (skullcaps) and any other public displays of faith. There are also reports of a hostage situation.
Five new Covid-19 cases in NZ today, Auckland August cluster closed
There are five new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand today, four in managed isolation and one in the community which was revealed last night. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says all the new cases are in quarantine. One arrived on 19 October from Kabul via Dubai and tested positive around day 12. Another on the 21st from London via Doha and Brisbane tested positive around day 12. The third third case arrived on 29 October from USA via Sydney and tested positive around day three and the fourth case arrived on the 29 October from USA via Doha and Brisbane and tested positive around day three as well. For the first two who tested positive around day 12, Dr Bloomfield says they now have a process to rule [...]
Donald Trump threatens to fire Anthony Fauci after US election
President plays up to chants of ‘Fire Fauci’ at curfew-breaching Florida rally Donald Trump has threatened to fire Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, during a midnight rally in Florida 24 hours before the US presidential election. As crowds at the Miami Opa-Locka airport chanted “Fire Fauci”, the president allowed the chants to continue for several seconds before responding: “Don’t tell anybody, but let me wait until a little bit after the election. I appreciate the advice. I appreciate it.” He continued: “Nah, he’s been wrong on a lot. He’s a nice man though. He’s been wrong on a lot.” Fauci, one of the world’s foremost infectious diseases experts, has served for over three decades as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). [...]
Chinese flyovers towards Taiwan peaked in October amid rising tensions
Increase in sorties comes amid reported unease in Taipei over softer China stance if Joe Biden wins US presidency A military-themed mural in Taiwan’s capital Taipei. Tensions have increased between China and Taiwan. Photograph: David Chang/EPA China’s military sent planes towards Taiwan on 25 of the 31 days of October, the highest frequency of the antagonistic sorties all year, a Taiwanese monitoring group has said.The report comes as the Taiwanese government seeks to hose down reports that it is concerned at the prospect of Joe Biden becoming the next US president and taking a more conciliatory approach to China than Donald Trump. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has ratcheted up military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait this year, amid increasing hostilities with Taiwan and the US. [...]
UK says 4-week coronavirus lockdown may have to last longer
People take a drink outside a theatre on Saint Martin's Lane in central London, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Earlier Saturday British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced England will start a month long lockdown next week. Johnson says the new measures will begin Thursday and last until Dec. 2. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool) LONDON (AP) — A new national lockdown in England may have to last longer than the planned four weeks if coronavirus infection rates don’t fall quickly enough, a senior government minister said Sunday. The lockdown announced Saturday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to run from Thursday until Dec. 2. Johnson says it’s needed to stop hospitals from becoming overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients within weeks. Cabinet minister Michael Gove said it was the government’s “fervent hope” [...]
Hong Kong lawmakers arrested over disruption of legislature
FILE - In this May 8, 2020, file photo, pan-democratic legislator Ray Chan is taken away by security guards during a Legislative Council's House Committee meeting in Hong Kong. Hong Kong police arrested seven people, including Chan, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 over scuffles that broke out in the city’s legislature during a faceoff between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing lawmakers. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police arrested seven people Sunday over scuffles that broke out with security guards during a faceoff between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing lawmakers in the city’s legislature earlier this year. Those arrested include current and former lawmakers and a legislative aide, police said. All seven are from the pro-democracy camp. The guards carried out several pro-democracy lawmakers, including Eddie Chu and Ray [...]
Typhoon Goni hits Philippines with 350,000 in evacuation shelters
Authorities report four deaths, power outages, flash floods and infrastructure damage as the strongest storm this year passes over main island Residents are evacuated from coastal villages in Buhi town, Camarines Sur province, south of Manila ahead of Typhoon Goni’s landfall. Photograph: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP/Getty ImagesSuper typhoon Goni has killed four people in the Philippines after ferocious winds caused power outages and infrastructure damage. About 350,000 people were evacuated from its projected path, including in the capital, Manila, where the main international airport was ordered closed.Goni made two landfall in two places in the Bicol region, where four deaths were reported, said provincial Governor Al Francis Bichara, including one hit by a tree and a five-year-old washed away after a river overflowed. Video footage by news channels and on [...]
Shooting of priest shocks France as two more held over Nice killings
Police seal off area and make an arrest after Greek Orthodox cleric is seriously hurt in Lyon shotgun attack Candles are lit outside the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Basilica in Nice on 30 October in memory of the three people murdered there the day before. Photograph: Valéry Hache/AFP/Getty Images. French police were hunting a gunman who shot and seriously injured a Greek Orthodox priest in the city of Lyon yesterday afternoon. The latest attack came two days after a terrorist killed three people at a church in Nice and two weeks after the beheading of a high school teacher. Police and soldiers immediately sealed off Lyon’s 7th arrondissement in the hunt for the gunman and later made an arrest. The priest, said to be a Greek national aged 52, was [...]
Coronavirus updates: COVID restrictions and lockdowns rise in US and Europe, as Trump’s rallies are blamed for cases
A long-feared surge in COVID-19 cases is underway in the U.S. and abroad, leading to a new round of virus-related rules in some areas, restrictions that have quickly met pushback. The U.S., now topping 9 million cases, on Friday posted a record number of cases for a single day, 99,321, and a record 551,167 cases in a week. A judge in El Paso County, Texas, ordered a two-week shutdown of nonessential services starting at midnight Friday amid growing hospitalizations in the area. Texas' attorney general has joined several restaurant owners in suing to block the order. A surge in coronavirus cases has led officials in Harrison County, Iowa — a heavily Republican county — to require people to wear face masks in public. But Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has continued this week to downplay efforts to contain the virus and [...]
Biden staff call 911 after bus swarmed by Trump supporters on Texas highway
AUSTIN, Texas – A caravan of vehicles displaying Trump campaign flags and signs swarmed a Biden campaign bus between San Antonio and Austin on Friday afternoon, leading the Democrats on board to call 911 and cancel the Austin close of their “Battle for the Soul of the Nation” tour. According to the Biden campaign, the vehicles surrounded the bus, trying to slow it down in the middle of the highway or run it off the road. Biden staff notified 911 and local law enforcement, and, they reported, local law enforcement helped the bus to reach its Austin destination. Neither Former Vice President Joe Biden nor California Sen. Kamala Harris were on the bus, CNN reports. “Rather than engage in productive conversation about the drastically different visions that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have for [...]
Nice knife attack: Dramatic moment armed police storm church after two people beheaded
Footage from the scene shows armed police running up the steps and entering the church as emergency services can be heard racing to the scene where three people were killed A clip from the scene shows armed police running up the steps and entering the church as emergency services can be heard racing to the scene. The alleged perpetrator screamed "Allahu Akbar" as he was arrested and taken to hospital. Police also shot dead a gunman in the French city of Avignon two hours later as the country was placed on high alert In Saudi Arabia, a guard at the French consulate has also been stabbed "with a sharp tool", official media said. The attacker was arrested after stabbing and injuring the guard in Jeddah, according to the official [...]
Trump Draws Thousands in Arizona, Harris Draws ‘Approximately 100’
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images, Kamala Harris/YouTube President Donald Trump drew thousands to a campaign rally on Wednesday in Arizona, while Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) drew what appeared to be several dozen. Trump held a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday morning, drawing “thousands,” according to the Arizona Republic newspaper. Reuters’ Jeff Mason tweeted a video showing the crowd waiting for Trump to exit Air Force One: Harris told reporters when she arrived in Arizona that she was campaigning “in a way” that didn’t risk voters’ safety.“Joe and I have been clear from the beginning. We are gonna talk with voters, but do it in a way that we don’t risk their safety and their health. And so I would caution anyone who is [...]
New Zealand house prices soar despite Covid recession, worsening affordability crisis
Property market posted an 11% rise in median values, masking rising homelessness and a widening social divide, critics say Construction workers at the Kainga Ora housing development in Auckland. New Zealand suffers a chronic lack of housing stock, critics say. Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images New Zealand house prices have defied the Covid-19 recession and soared to record levels, prompting warnings that the hot property market will damage the country’s long-term economic wellbeing and widen inequality. New Zealand, which already had some of the most unaffordable housing in the world, saw median prices rise 11.1 % in the year to September, while the median price in Auckland reached nearly $1m (US$660,000). Prices rose 2.5% across the country in September compared with August. But while cheap loans and looser lending [...]
Chinese Netizens Launch Investigation on Overseas Chinese Traitors
A group of Chinese netizens have recently launched a NGO named "Investigation Committee on Overseas Chinese Traitors". The NGO released its first investigation order on Facebook, targeting a Chinese traitor Miles Yu Maochun for the purpose of digging all his hidden secrets and imposing possible punishment when in need. This organization says it aims is to disclose the vices of Chinese traitors living overseas and for coagulation of the Chinese power. The Investigation Committee, upon recommendation of netizens, has listed Miles Yu for the first traitor probe. The move of the NGO is unlikely acting on impulse but a possible long-term scheme to safeguard the value of the Chinese nationality. The Committee is engaged in investigation on those overseas Chinese who help foreign governments in their anti-China or Chinese [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: International crews arriving at Auckland and Tauranga ports now face mandatory isolation
International crews arriving at the Ports of Auckland and Tauranga must now complete 14 days in managed isolation. Photo / File Two of the country's biggest ports are now requiring all international crews to do 14 days in managed isolation - and they want other ports to follow suit. The ports of Auckland and Tauranga made the move despite Health Minister Chris Hipkins saying today that this would mean a number of ships wouldn't come to New Zealand. Hipkins told RNZ that every crewmember entering the country could soon be required to be tested for Covid 19 but he's yet to decide whether to put all shipping crews through managed isolation. The current situation is that crew who are flown into New Zealand are taken straight to [...]
Japan will become carbon neutral by 2050, PM pledges
Yoshihide Suga says dealing with climate change is no longer a constraint on growth as he sets out a bolder approach to the emergency Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga prepares for his speech on climate change in parliament on Monday. Photograph: Kimimasa Mayama/EPA Japan’s prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, has said the country will become carbon neutral by 2050, heralding a bolder approach to tackling the climate emergency by the world’s third-biggest economy. “Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth,” Suga said on Monday in his first policy address to parliament since taking office. “We need to change our thinking to the view that taking assertive measures against climate change will lead to changes in industrial structure and the economy that will bring about growth.” [...]
Satellite images of Iran nuclear site raise concern
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Iran has begun construction at its Natanz nuclear facility, newly-released satellite images show. The images were made public as the U.N. nuclear agency acknowledged Tehran is building an underground advanced centrifuge assembly plant after its last one exploded in a reported sabotage attack last summer. The construction is also happening as the U.S. nears Election Day in a campaign pitting President Trump, whose maximum pressure campaign against Iran has led Tehran to abandon all limits on its nuclear program, and Joe Biden, who has expressed a willingness to return to the nuclear accord with Iran that the Trump administration abandoned. The election's outcome likely will determine which approach America takes. Heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. nearly ignited a war at the start [...]
Trump administration approves $2.37B arms sale to Taiwan
© Getty Images The Trump administration has approved nearly $2.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan just a week after a similarly large weapons package was greenlighted in a move that's sparked backlash from China. The new package — which the State Department notified Congress of on Monday — includes up to 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and 400 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles, according to a notice from the Pentagon. The sale will help Taiwan “improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region” through employing “a highly reliable and effective system to counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults,” the Defense Department said. The formal notification of approval comes on the heels of three additional [...]
Oxford Covid vaccine works in all ages, trials suggest
Vaccine being trialled by Oxford University and AstraZeneca offers hope for all age groups Lab technicians handle vials during tests for the production of Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine. Photograph: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty One of the world’s leading Covid-19 experimental vaccines produces an immune response in older adults as well as the young, its developers say, raising hopes of protection for those most vulnerable to the coronavirus that has caused social and economic chaos around the world. Neither Oxford University nor its commercial partner AstraZeneca would release the data from the early trials showing the positive effects, which are being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. But AstraZeneca confirmed the basic findings about the vaccine it calls AZD1222, which were shared at a closed academic meeting. The phase 2 trials have [...]
U.S. warns of threat posed by China, signs military pact with India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The United States and India signed a pact to share sensitive satellite and map data on Tuesday as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned of the threat posed by an increasingly assertive China. Pompeo, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday along with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, said after talks with their Indian counterparts that the two countries had to work together to confront the threat China posed to security and freedom. The annual U.S.-India strategic dialogue comes at a time of heightened tension in the region, with Indian troops confronting Chinese forces on their disputed Himalayan border. “Big things are happening as our democracies align to better protect the citizens of our two countries and indeed, of the free world,” Pompeo told reporters [...]
China: new coronavirus outbreak detected in Xinjiang city of Kashgar
Authorities test 2.84 million people after 137 asymptomatic cases found - the first local infections in China since 14 October The new cases mark mainland China’s first local infections since 14 October Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock China has detected 137 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases in Kashgar in the north-western region of Xinjiang after one person was found to have the virus the previous day – the first new local cases for 10 days in mainland China. All the cases detected on Sunday were linked to a garment factory where the parents of a 17-year-old girl who was found on Saturday to have the virus – but showed no symptoms – worked, a Xinjiang health commission official told a press briefing. The new cases marked mainland China’s first local infections since 14 [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Melbourne lockdown to end on October 28
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said from 11.59pm tomorrow Melbourne will move from "stay home" to "stay safe", with no more restrictions on the reasons to leave home. Photo / Getty Images Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced "now is the time to open up", with lockdown finally coming to an end in Melbourne at midnight tomorrow. In a statement, Andrews confirmed the long-awaited news, with Melbourne set to move onto its Third Step. "Under the Third Step, and from 11.59pm tomorrow, Melbourne will move from 'stay home' to 'stay safe', with no more restrictions on the reasons to leave home," the Premier said. The 25km limit will, however, remain in place – as will the border between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne. Fundamentally, this belongs to every [...]
Child tests positive for Covid-19 in Japan – despite testing negative in NZ
Anyone aboard flight NZ5018 from Napier to Auckland on October 22 should remain vigilant to any symptoms of Covid-19. Photo / File Health authorities are investigating after a child tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Japan - despite testing negative for the virus in New Zealand. A Napier child car centre has been alerted to the situation, but it was regarded as low risk, Hawke's Bay's Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones says. The child was also aboard an Air New Zealand flight from Napier to Auckland on October 22, Jones said. Anyone aboard flight NZ5018 should remain vigilant to any symptoms of Covid-19, including a new or worsening cough, fever and a loss of taste or smell, and self-isolate or seek a test if [...]
Sudan formally recognizes Israel in U.S.-brokered deal
Sudan becomes the third predominantly Muslim country to recognize Israel in less than two months, joining the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. President Donald Trump speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel's normalization agreement with Sudan, in the Oval Office on Friday. Win McNamee / Getty Images The east African country of Sudan on Friday became the third predominantly Muslim country to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, in a deal brokered by President Donald Trump less than two weeks before the election. Hailing the agreement as a "huge win" on Twitter, Trump claimed that more countries would follow. He also posted a joint statement issued on behalf of all three countries. "The Sudanese government has demonstrated its courage and commitment to combatting terrorism, building its democratic [...]
Thai PM repeats calls for calm ahead of protesters’ deadline
Thailand’s government and the country’s pro-democracy movement appear no closer to resolving their differences, as the protesters’ Saturday night deadline for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to step down approaches The Associated Press Pro-democracy activists display a placard with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's head attached to a cockroach during a protest outside remand prison, in which some of the activists are kept, in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Thailand's government on Thursday canceled a state of emergency it had declared last week for Bangkok in a gesture offered by the embattled prime minister to cool student-led protests seeking democracy reforms. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) BANGKOK -- Thailand’s government and the country’s pro-democracy movement appeared no closer to resolving their differences Saturday, as the protesters' evening deadline for [...]
Bulgaria signs 5G deal with US excluding Chinese firms
Bulgaria has joined other Balkan countries in signing an agreement with the United States on high-speed wireless network security aimed at excluding Chinese hardware providers SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Bulgaria has joined other Balkan countries in signing an agreement with the United States on high-speed wireless network security aimed at excluding Chinese hardware providers. Bulgaria joined North Macedonia and Kosovo, neighboring nations that also signed the “Clean Network” security agreement on Friday. It is part of a Trump administration effort to exclude tech giant Huawei and other Chinese companies in 5G networks. U.S. government officials have led a campaign across Europe and elsewhere against the inclusion of Huawei, which has been blacklisted for posing a threat to national security and using its technology to spy on behalf of the Chinese [...]
US to base Coast Guard cutters in western Pacific in response to China
National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said the new-generation vessels would conduct maritime security missions and enhance maritime-domain awareness.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The US national security adviser said on Friday (Oct 23) the US Coast Guard (USCG) was basing Enhanced Response Cutters in the western Pacific for maritime security missions, citing illegal fishing and harassment of vessels by China. In a statement, Mr Robert O'Brien also said the Coast Guard planned to evaluate next fiscal year the feasibility of basing Fast Response Cutters in American Samoa in the South Pacific. The statement described the United States as a Pacific power and added that China's "illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and harassment of vessels operating in the exclusive economic zones of other countries in the Indo-Pacific threatens our [...]
Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, has tested positive for coronavirus
WASHINGTON – Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday, Pence's spokesman said in a statement Saturday night after reports that another senior adviser had also tested positive. Short began quarantining Saturday and assisting in the contact tracing process, according to Pence spokesman Devin O'Malley. Both Pence and his wife, Karen, tested negative Saturday and Pence is not curtailing his movements despite having been in close contact with Short. “While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Mr. Short, in consultation with the White House Medical Unit, the Vice President will maintain his schedule in accordance with the CDC guidelines for essential personnel," O'Malley said in the statement. Pence is head of the White House's coronavirus task force. Pence was in the middle [...]
Afghan security forces kill senior al Qaeda leader al-Masri
KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan security forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a senior al Qaeda leader who was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a tweet late on Saturday. The head of the U.S. National Counter-Terrorism Center, Chris Miller, confirmed al-Masri’s death in a statement, saying his “removal .. from the battlefield is a major setback to a terrorist organization that is consistently experiencing strategic losses facilitated by the United States and its partners.” Al Qaeda’s loss of al-Masri, Miller continued, “highlights the diminishing effectiveness of the terrorist organization.” Al-Masri has been charged in the United States with having provided material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organisation, and conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals. Al-Masri, believed [...]
China will improve yuan flexibility, central bank governor says
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China will seek to improve the flexibility of its yuan currency and will reduce restrictions on cross-border use of the yuan, the country’s central bank governor Yi Gang said on Saturday. Yi said such moves were needed to promote the opening of the country’s financial services industry. He was speaking at the Bund Summit conference held in Shanghai. China will “improve flexibility of the yuan, and let exchange rates play a better role as an automatic stabilizer in the macro economy and international balance of payments,” he said. To promote yuan internationalization, China will further improve the infrastructure for cross-border use of the yuan, he said. China plans to expand several outbound investment schemes to meet onshore investors’ need to allocate assets globally, state news agency [...]
Israel signals it won’t oppose F-35 sale to UAE
© Getty Images Israel signaled Friday it would not oppose the United States selling F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz did not specifically mention the F-35, but they said Israel would not oppose the United States selling the UAE “certain weapons systems” after Washington agreed to unspecified upgrades for Israel’s military. “The prime minister and the defense minister both agree that since the U.S. is upgrading Israel’s military capability and is maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge, Israel will not oppose the sale of these systems to the UAE,” they said. Abu Dhabi has long sought to buy the F-35 from the United States but has in the past been blocked over concerns [...]
2 crew killed when U.S. Navy training plane crashes in Alabama
NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. – A U.S. Navy training plane from Naval Air Station Whiting Field crashed at approximately 5 p.m. Friday in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, killing both crew members on board, according to Commander Zach Harrell, a spokesman for the office of the commander of Naval Air Forces. The Navy "is not aware of any civilian casualties at this time," according to a brief statement on the Naval Air Forces' Facebook page, and the "Navy is cooperating fully with local authorities." The aircraft that crashed was a T-6B Texan II training plane. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in Alabama, no civilians on the ground were injured, although a home in the area did catch fire as a result of the crash. The names of the two air crew members were not immediately [...]
Indonesian unions vow mass protests if president signs jobs law
JAKARTA (REUTERS) - Indonesia's workers will stage further mass protests across the country if President Joko Widodo signs new jobs measures into law next week, the head of the main labour group said on Saturday (Oct 24). "It is the exploitation of labour that we're against," said the head of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, Said Iqbal. "We are ready for dialogue, even ready for a debate if necessary in an open, public hearing." The government says the legislation will boost employment by cutting red tape, easing restrictions of foreign investment and improving labour market competitiveness. Unions and rights groups say the measures favour business over workers and the environment. Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians have hit the streets across the archipelago in recent weeks, culminating in sporadic [...]
Polish President Duda infected with coronavirus, feels good: Minister
Polish President Andrzej Duda's infection comes as the country imposed new restrictions.PHOTO: REUTERS WARSAW (REUTERS) - Polish President Andrzej Duda has tested positive for coronavirus and is subject to quarantine but is feeling good, presidential minister Blazej Spychalski announced on Saturday (Oct 24). "The president yesterday was tested for the presence of coronavirus. The result turned out to be positive. The president is fine. We are in constant contact with the relevant medical services," Mr Spychalski said on Twitter. Mr Duda's infection comes as the country imposed new restrictions on Saturday to curb the spread of the illness. Poland faces a surge in the Covid-19 epidemic, with new infections hitting a daily record of 13,632 on Friday. Mr Duda, 48, holds a mainly ceremonial role, but has the [...]
Samuel Paty’s killer ‘was in contact with jihadist in Syria’
Man who decapitated French teacher was reportedly in contact with Russian-speaking fighter Samuel Paty was posthumously awarded the Légion d’Honneur on Wednesday. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock The killer of Samuel Paty, the teacher decapitated outside his school last week after showing his class two cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, was in contact with an Islamist fighter in Syria, French media has reported. France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor confirmed on Thursday that seven people, including two schoolchildren, had been charged with terrorism offences after Abdullakh Anzorov, 18, killed the teacher with a 30cm knife on Friday. Paty, 47, was posthumously awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honour, at a ceremony at the Sorbonne University on Wednesday. Emmanuel Macron said France owed it to a “quiet hero … to continue his fight for liberty and [...]
Russia accused of using secret weapon to attack CIA agents in Australia
Russia is accused of using a secret “microwave weapon” to attack two agents in Australia, leaving them with lifelong injuries and impairment. Russia is accused of using a secret “microwave weapon” to attack two CIA agents in Australia under a worldwide campaign that has allegedly caused brain injuries to diplomats and spies. The so-called Havana Syndrome has been reported for years after American diplomats stationed in Cuba suddenly started hearing strange chirping and grating noises that always occurred while they were at home or in hotels. What happened next was terrifying, with victims suffering headaches, memory and hearing loss, and difficulty sleeping for years. Some have become wheelchair-bound while others have been forced to wear weighted vests to correct their balance. But it’s the first time that the mysterious [...]
Nigeria president calls for calm amid reports of protesters shot dead in Lagos
Demonstrators against police brutality reportedly killed after security forces opened fire Police officers patrol near the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, Nigeria, on Wednesday. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP Sporadic shooting has been reported in Lagos as the president of Nigeriaappealed for calm hours after security forces opened fire on protesters against police brutality in the centre of the city. Muhammadu Buhari did not directly address the shootings, but called on Nigerians to be patient as police reforms “gather pace”. On Tuesday night, Nigerian security forces fired at hundreds of people gathered at a key protest site, killing at least seven, according to witnesses, with more injured. Graphic scenes posted on social media showed protesters at a tollgate in the centre of Lagos fleeing as security forces, including soldiers, shot live rounds [...]
NZ has 25 new Covid-19 cases today – 23 at the border, two related to port worker
There are 25 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, 23 are cases at the border and two are related to the port worker reported on Sunday. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the two connected to the port worker are workplace contacts. The first case was previously considered a casual contact of the port worker and had a very short exposure to the worker - about three minutes in the same room as them, says Dr Bloomfield. "The new case became symptomatic yesterday, was tested yesterday and returned a positive result. They have one household contact who is now in self-isolation." The second case is a previously reported close contact of the port worker. Dr Bloomfield says they were already at the Jet Park quarantine facility [...]
Tax records show Trump maintains a Chinese bank account: NYT
President Trump's tax records show that China is one of three foreign countries where he maintains a bank account, The New York Times reported Tuesday. The account is controlled by Trump International Hotels Management LLC, which paid $188,561 in taxes in China from 2013 to 2015, according to the Times. In addition to the Chinese account, Trump also has bank accounts in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The president's foreign bank accounts are held under corporate names and as a result don't appear on the president's public financial disclosure forms, the Times reported. The tax documents that the Times has obtained don't indicate how much money may have flowed through Trump's foreign accounts, and the Times said it's unclear which financial institutions hold the accounts. The IRS requires taxpayers to [...]
Top military officers cleared to return to Pentagon after quarantine
© Greg Nash Top military leaders have been cleared to return to work at the Pentagon after self-isolating following the coronavirus diagnosis of Coast Guard vice commandant Adm. Charles Ray earlier this month. According to The Associated Press, officials said Monday that members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were told last week that they could return to the Pentagon in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and after the members had multiple negative COVID-19 tests. Some members of the Joint Chiefs are out of the office this week on personal business unrelated to the virus, the AP reported. The chiefs began their self-quarantine period after being notified that Ray tested positive for the virus on Oct. 5. Ray had met with members of the Joint [...]
PayPal to allow cryptocurrency buying, selling and shopping on its network
LONDON (Reuters) - PayPal Holdings Inc joined the cryptocurrency market on Wednesday, allowing customers to buy, sell and hold bitcoin and other virtual coins using the U.S. digital payments company’s online wallets. PayPal customers will also be able to use cryptocurrencies to shop at the 26 million merchants on its network starting in early 2021, the company said in a statement. PayPal hopes the service will encourage global use of virtual coins and prepare its network for new digital currencies that may be developed by central banks and corporations, President and Chief Executive Dan Schulman said in an interview. “We are working with central banks and thinking of all forms of digital currencies and how PayPal can play a role,” he said. U.S. account holders will be able [...]
Russia ready to freeze nuclear warheads in exchange for New START extension
© Getty Images Russia said Tuesday it would be open to a mutual nuclear warhead freeze with the United States in exchange for extending the last nuclear treaty between Moscow and Washington for a year. The offer, made in a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, injects new life into talks that days ago appeared dead after both sides rejected the other’s latest offer. “Russia has proposed extending the New START for one year and is ready to assume a political obligation together with the United States to freeze the sides’ existing arsenals of nuclear warheads during this period,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement, adding the offer would only be possible if the United States does not make additional demands. The yearlong extension of New START, [...]
Trump demands Barr investigate Hunter Biden
President Trump early Tuesday pressured Attorney General William Barr to investigate the son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and demanded that information be released before Election Day. “We have got to get the attorney general to act. He’s got to act and he’s got to act fast," Trump said on “Fox & Friends,” citing a New York Post report about Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Trump called on Barr to “appoint somebody” to handle the matter. "This is major corruption and this has to be known about before the election,” Trump said. Trump’s remarks represented an extraordinary effort by the president to push a member of his Cabinet to investigate the family of his political opponent, as he explicitly invoked the election as reason to do so. They came after a [...]
Who’s getting vaccinated? High-risk groups, students going abroad join China’s growing trials
A booth displaying a coronavirus vaccine candidate from China National Biotec Group (CNBG), at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing, China Sept 4, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING (CAIXIN GLOBAL) - China is expanding the number of people receiving its experimental Covid-19 vaccines. Two eastern cities are offering one to the general public, and a biotech company is providing another one free to students heading abroad, even though there are still uncertainties about their safety and effectiveness. The city of Jiaxing in Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai, is offering a vaccine under development by Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech, local health authorities said Thursday (Oct 15). The city, with a population of more than 4 million, said high-risk groups have already started to receive the [...]
US charges Russian intelligence officers in major cyber attacks
US intelligence agencies have assessed that Russia is trying to influence the vote in November.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (NYTIMES) - The Justice Department on Monday (Oct 19) unsealed charges accusing six Russian military intelligence officers of an aggressive worldwide hacking campaign that caused mass disruption and cost billions of dollars by attacking targets like a French presidential election, the electricity grid in Ukraine and the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Prosecutors said the suspects were from the same unit that helped distribute stolen Democratic emails in the 2016 election. Though Justice Department officials played down the timing of the announcement two weeks before the presidential election, it nevertheless served as US officials' latest censure of Russia's hostile intrusions into other countries' affairs, even as President Donald [...]
Second Trump-Biden debate to feature a ‘mute’ button, organisers say
Mr Trump repeatedly interrupted Mr Biden during a chaotic and ill-tempered first debate on Sept 29.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The final debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Thursday (Oct 22) will feature a mute button to allow each candidate to speak uninterrupted, organisers said on Monday, in a bid to avoid the disruptions that marred the first match-up. The Trump campaign voiced objections to the change – made after the President repeatedly talked over both Mr Biden and the moderator at last month’s debate in violation of its agreed-upon rules – but said the Republican would still take part in the Thursday night event, one of his last chances to reach a large prime-time audience before voting ends on Nov 3. The [...]
Sweden bans Huawei, ZTE from upcoming 5G networks
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish regulators on Tuesday banned the use of telecom equipment from China's Huawei [HWT.UL] and ZTE 000063.SZ in its 5G network ahead of the spectrum auction scheduled for next month. FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with the Huawei and 5G network logo is seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said herethe setting of the licence conditions followed assessments by the Swedish Armed Forces and security service. European governments have been reviewing the role of Chinese companies in building their networks following pressure from the United States, which says they pose a security threat because, among other concerns, Chinese companies and citizens must by law aid the state in intelligence [...]
Japan, Vietnam reach broad agreement on transfer of defence gear
HANOI (Reuters) - Japan and Vietnam agreed on Monday to strengthen security and economic ties, including an agreement in principle for Japan to export military gear and technology to the Southeast Asian nation, amid concerns about China’s regional assertiveness. “It is a big step in the field of security for both countries that we reached an agreement in principle on the transfers of defence equipment and technology,” Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after meeting his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in Hanoi. “Vietnam, which is serving as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian nations) chair this year, is key to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Suga added. The leaders also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South [...]
China’s military beefs up coastal forces as it prepares for possible invasion of Taiwan
Coastal rocket bases have been equipped with DF-17 ballistic missiles. Photo / AP Missile bases have been upgraded and equipped with the most advanced hypersonic missile the DF-17, according to one military source, reports Minnie Chan of the South China Morning Post Beijing is stepping up the militarisation of its southeast coast as it prepares for a possible invasion of Taiwan, military observers and sources have said. The People's Liberation Army has been upgrading its missile bases, and one Beijing-based military source said it has deployed its most advanced hypersonic missile the DF-17 to the area. "The DF-17 hypersonic missile will gradually replace the old DF-11s and DF-15s that were deployed in the southeast region for decades," said the source, who requested anonymity, because of the sensitivity of [...]
France’s Le Maire says to propose more controls on some Islamist groups
FILE PHOTO: French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire wears a face mask during a press conference to present the details of new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), announced the day before by the president, in Paris, France, October 15, 2020. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS PARIS (Reuters) - French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday he would propose reinforcing controls on the financial flows of some Islamist associations, after the beheading of a teacher by a suspected Islamist attacker. “There is a problem of financing a number of Islamist associations on which I think we can and must do better,” he told France 3 Television. He cited cryptocurrencies as an example were controls could be improved, saying they [...]
China warns U.S. it may detain Americans over prosecutions: WSJ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Chinese government has warned Washington it may detain Americans in China in response to the Justice Department’s prosecution of Chinese military-affiliated scholars, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The newspaper, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, said Chinese officials had issued repeated warnings through multiple channels to U.S. government officials. The paper said China’s message was the United States should end prosecutions of Chinese scholars in U.S. courts, or Americans in China could find themselves in violation of Chinese law. A State Department advisory on Sept. 14 warning against travel to China said the Chinese government uses arbitrary detention and exit bans for U.S. citizens and others “to gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.” The White House referred questions to the State Department, [...]
Election 2020: Red tide rising as Labour claims victory
Labour has claimed a landslide victory in the 2020 election and has the numbers to govern alone, while National has slumped to its worst result in years. The Greens and ACT will have 10 MPs in Parliament each, but Labour will not need them, winning 64 seats, while National will only have 35. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Shortly after 10pm, National leader Judith Collins told party faithful she had phoned Labour leader Jacinda Ardern to congratulate her on the election result. The preliminary results, released from 7pm, started to show a large lead for Labour and it stayed that way all night. See all the results here. With almost all of the votes counted, Labour claimed 49.0 percent of the votes, National got 26.9 percent, the Greens are [...]
Philippines lifts travel ban for citizens, non-essential overseas trips can resume from Oct 21
A photo from Aug 4, 2020, shows airline ground staff wearing protective gear at the airport in Manila.PHOTO: AFP MANILA (REUTERS, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippines' coronavirus task force has lifted a ban on overseas travel for Filipino tourists, the presidential office said on Friday (Oct 16). Non-essential overseas travel can resume, starting Oct 21, ending a restriction in effect since July and potentially increasing customers for Philippine carriers that have suffered amid the pandemic. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Filipinos intending to leave the country must have negative antigen test results, confirmed plane tickets, and health and travel insurance. “They may be allowed to leave the country subject to the submission of confirmed roundtrip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance for those travelling [...]
French police arrest nine after teacher beheaded in street
Investigators were trying to establish whether the attacker, who was shot dead by police, had accomplices.PHOTO: AFP PARIS (REUTERS) - French police were questioning nine people in custody on Saturday (Oct 17) after a suspected Islamist sympathiser beheaded a school teacher on the street of a Paris suburb in broad daylight on Friday (Oct 16), police sources said. Police shot the attacker dead minutes after he murdered 47-year-old history teacher Samuel Paty on Friday. Investigators were trying to establish whether the attacker, who was shot dead by police, had acted alone or had accomplices. French media reported that he was an 18-year-old of Chechen origin. Witnesses heard the assailant shout "Allahu Akbar" or "God is Greatest", a police source said. His victim, a history teacher, had earlier this month [...]
Trudeau says Canada will continue to stand up against Chinese human rights abuses
Mr Justin Trudeau's comments come after Canada was rebuked by Beijing for similar comments earlier this week.PHOTO: REUTERS OTTAWA (REUTERS) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday (Oct 16) said he will continue to stand up against China's "coercive diplomacy" and human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang after being rebuked by Beijing for similar comments earlier this week. “We will stand up loudly and clearly for human rights all around the world, whether it is talking about the situation faced by the Uighurs, whether it is talking about the very concerning situation in Hong Kong, whether it’s calling out China for its coercive diplomacy,” Trudeau said in a news conference. However, Trudeau added that he was not looking to escalate tensions with China. A long-running diplomatic [...]
Jacinda Ardern hails ‘very strong mandate’ after New Zealand election landslide
With more than 90% of vote counted Labour expected to secure 64 of 120 seats Jacinda Ardern will govern New Zealand for a second term after the Labour party secured a landslide victory in the general election, attracting so many votes that it could become the first party in decades to be able to govern alone. With more than 90% of the vote counted, Labour had secured 49%, with the opposition National party on 27%. Labour was expected to win 64 of the 120 seats in parliament, and National, 35. It is the best result for the Labour party in 50 years. The leader of the opposition, Judith Collins, congratulated Ardern on the “outstanding result” on Saturday night. Speaking to supporters at Auckland town hall minutes later, Ardern [...]
Boris Johnson tells UK: prepare for a no-deal Brexit
Prime minister says EU must change its approach to talks if deal to be reached Boris Johnson has claimed there will be no more trade and security talks unless the EU adopts a “fundamental change of approach”, as he seeks to increase pressure on Brussels to give ground in the negotiations. In a televised statement on Friday, the prime minister said the country would have to prepare for a no-deal scenario on 1 January, with his spokesman further toughening up the rhetoric later in the day. “The trade talks are over – the EU have effectively ended them yesterday when they said they did not want to change their negotiating position,” the spokesman said, while stopping short of announcing the UK’s intention to decisively walk away. Downing Street’s [...]
NZ election 2020: Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins make final push to persuade voters
PM tours shopping malls in Auckland, while Collins takes final chance to attack Ardern’s record Jacinda Ardern meets supporters at an Auckland shopping mall, ahead of Saturday’s New Zealand election. Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images Political leaders in New Zealand put in a frantic final day on the campaign trail before Saturday’s vote, with Jacinda Ardern, the Labour leader and prime minister, making a whistle-stop tour of shopping malls in the largest city, Auckland, where she was greeted by hundreds of fans who clamoured for selfies. It was a more muted day for Judith Collins, the leader of centre-right opposition party National, who opted for a handful of events with party volunteers and reporters as she made a last attempt to poke holes in Ardern’s track record. A final [...]
New Zealanders can fly to Australia, but it comes with a warning
Some New Zealanders taking advantage of the quarantine-free safe travel zone with New South Wales and the Northern Territory plan on heading straight to other states once they've landed. The first quarantine-free flight, NZ103, which took off from Auckland for Sydney on 16 October. Photo: Supplied / Air New Zealand But the message from at least one of those states is clear - they would prefer hordes of Kiwis stay away. For Helen Kerr, it has been a long haul to get to this point. The Nelson woman was supposed to leave New Zealand for Melbourne in March, she even quit her job and rented out her house. But her flight was cancelled when New Zealand entered lockdown. "I have a new grandson who I was going to be there [...]
‘On the brink of disaster’: New COVID-19 cases in Europe hit 100,000 a day
European nations are closing schools, cancelling operations and enlisting legions of student medics as overwhelmed authorities face the nightmare scenario of a COVID-19 resurgence at the onset of winter. With new cases hitting about 100,000 a day, Europe has by a wide margin overtaken the United States, where more than 51,000 COVID-19 infections are reported on average every day. On Wednesday, Iran marked its highest single-day record for new deaths and infections, while Russia and Poland registered their highest daily reported cases.CREDIT:AP Most European governments eased lockdowns over the summer to start reviving economies already battered by the pandemic's first wave, but the return of normal activity – from packed restaurants to new university terms – has fuelled a sharp spike in cases all over the continent. Bars [...]
Russia shuts down Trump admin’s last-minute push to strike nuclear arms deal before election
© Getty Russia dismissed claims from the Trump administration that Moscow and Washington had reached an agreement on extending a top arms control agreement, saying it was unlikely any deal would be reached prior to the November election. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Rybakov specifically pushed back on claims from administration officials that the U.S. would extend the New START Treaty for an undetermined period of time if Russia froze its nuclear arsenal. "The US position in favor of putting a freeze [on the nuclear arsenal] has long been known to us, it is unacceptable to us. Not because we are against freezing, but because we need to deal with the problems of strategic stability as a complex," Rybakov told state run news agency RIA Novosti, according to CNN. [...]
IMF estimates global Covid cost at $28tn in lost output
World economic outlook says 2020 impact is less than thought but there will be deep scars The WEO’s country-by-country breakdown predicted the UK economy would shrink by 9.8% this year, the joint second worst alongside France among the G7 group of industrialised nations. Only Italy fared worse. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images The International Monetary Fund has scaled back its estimate of the hit to the global economy from Covid-19 this year but warned that the final bill for the pandemic would total $28tn (£21.5tn) in lost output.Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s economic counsellor, described coronavirus as the worst crisis since the Great Depression, and said the pandemic would leave deep and enduring scars caused by job losses, weaker investment and children being deprived of education. In its flagship world economic [...]
North Korea’s Kim pledges thousands of new homes in storm recovery effort: state media
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to help typhoon-hit areas recover and to build at least 25,000 houses over the next five years, state media said on Wednesday. Visiting one of the worst-hit areas of North Korea, Kim expressed regret over the more than 50-year-old houses in which people have been living and urged the military to embark on a more ambitious construction plan, KCNA said. The visit came after Kim appeared to shed tears at the weekend as he thanked citizens for their sacrifices, in the most striking demonstration yet of how he is relying on his “man-of- the-people” persona to tackle his country’s deepening crises. The military has reached a construction level of 60% for at least 2,300 houses in the Komdok area [...]
Mainland China reports 20 new COVID-19 cases versus 13 a day earlier
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Mainland China reported 20 new COVID-19 cases on Oct. 13, up from 13 cases a day earlier, the country’s health authority said on Wednesday. The National Health Commission said 14 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. Six of the cases were local transmissions in Shandong province. The government of Qingdao, located in Shandong, is conducting a city-wide COVID-19 testing drive following a series of infections in the city linked to a hospital designated to treating imported infections. The commission also said another 18 asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported on Oct. 13, compared with 17 a day earlier. China does not count these patients as confirmed cases. Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 85,661, while the death [...]
Belarus police will fire on protesters if necessary, says deputy interior minister
Gennady Kazakevich accuses protesters of anarchy and threatens use of ‘lethal weapons’ Masked Belarusian security officials confront confront older protesters during a rally to demand the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Security forces in Belarus could fire on protesters if they deem it necessary, a minister has warned, as EU foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions personally targeting President Alexander Lukashenko. Gennady Kazakevich, the first deputy interior minister, said in a video statement: “We will not leave the streets, and law enforcement officers and internal troops if necessary will use riot control equipment and lethal weapons.” The statement was the first time the authorities have explicitly threatened to use firearms against opposition demonstrators and would mark a major escalation in the two-month standoff between Lukashenko and protesters, [...]
Johnson & Johnson pauses Covid vaccine trial over participant’s ‘unexplained illness’
Company is unclear about whether patient was receiving vaccine or placebo in 60,000-patient study It is not unusual for large studies like Johnson & Johnson’s to pause. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters Johnson & Johnson has paused its Covid-19 vaccine trial due to an “unexplained illness” in a participant, the company confirmed. The pharmaceutical giant was unclear if the patient was administered a placebo or the experimental vaccine, and it’s not remarkable for studies as large as the one Johnson & Johnson are conducting – involving 60,000 patients – to be temporarily paused. Nevertheless, with several drug companies racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine, facilitated by Operation Warp Speed, the US government effort to speed up development the news of any setbacks are being closely watched by politicians and Americans [...]
Mainland China reports first local Covid-19 infections in nearly 2 months
Six out of the 13 cases were local, and all were reported in the eastern province of Shandong.PHOTO: AFP BEIJING (REUTERS) - Mainland China reported its first locally transmitted Covid-19 infections in nearly two months, as Qingdao launched a citywide testing drive after discovering new cases linked to a hospital designated to treat imported infections. The National Health Commission said in a statement that a total of 13 Covid-19 infections were reported in mainland China on Oct 12, down from 21 a day earlier. Seven of the new cases were imported infections that originated from overseas, while all six local cases were reported in the eastern province of Shandong, where Qingdao is located. The last time China reported local Covid-19 transmissions was on Aug 15, when a total [...]
Chinese companies given ‘verbal notice’ to stop importing Australian coal
The coal industry is bracing for another hit to exports to China after state-owned energy providers and steel mills reportedly received verbal notice to stop importing Australian coal. The Australian government has not been notified of any formal Chinese direction to restrict coal imports and is preparing to respond to the report from S&P Platts, the global commodities information platform. Coal power plants located 200 kilometres north-east of Beijing. China already burns half the world's coal.CREDIT:SANGHEE LIU Shares in coal miners tumbled on Monday, pulling down Whitehaven by more than 6 per cent while the energy sector fell by 1.3 per cent. The industry is already facing a $17 billion export collapse as utilities shift to gas for base load power and the coronavirus curbs economic growth. S&P Platts [...]
Taiwan claims entrapment after China shows ‘spy confession’
Taiwan says it will not provoke China or seek war, but that it will defend itself and stand up for its democratic way of life.PHOTO: AFP TAIPEI/BEIJING • Taiwan's government yesterday denounced China, citing entrapment and manipulation, after Chinese state television aired a documentary showing a Taiwanese confessing to visiting Hong Kong to support anti-government protesters there. China, which regards self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification with the mainland, has repeatedly denounced the island for offering support to Hong Kong's protest movement, saying the forces of Taiwan and Hong Kong independence are colluding. Taiwan says it has a duty to stand up for democracy and human rights. Late on Sunday, Chinese state television showed a documentary detailing what it said was a confession by Morrison Lee, [...]
Turkish ship at centre of Greece row to return to Mediterranean
IMAGE COPYRIGHTREUTERS image captionThe Oruc Reis will again spend 10 days in the disputed waters The Turkish navy has said a research ship at the centre of an energy rights row with Greece will be sent back to disputed waters in the Mediterranean. Tensions flared in August when the vessel was sent to survey an area claimed by Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Turkey withdrew its ship, the Oruc Reis, in September ahead of diplomatic attempts to resolve the dispute. Now, Ankara has said that the ship will again spend 10 days conducting seismic research in the eastern Mediterranean. The vessel will also be accompanied by two other ships, Ataman and Cengiz Han. Greece and Turkey are both Nato members, but have a history of border disputes and [...]
Italy prepares new restrictions to fight spike in coronavirus cases
Italy still aims to avoid a new national lockdown.PHOTO: EPA-EFE MILAN (REUTERS) - Italy is preparing fresh nationwide restrictions, including on private parties, in response to a recent spike in new coronavirus cases, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Sunday (Oct 11). Speranza said Italy needed to add restrictions after having eased them for several weeks, as it aims to avoid a new national lockdown. "Now we need a change of pace, and to intervene with measures, not comparable to those adopted in the past, which could allow us to put the contagion under control and avoid tougher measures later on," he said in an interview with RAI state TV. Italy on Friday topped 5,000 new Covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time since March. [...]
Trump declares himself immune from Covid-19, prepares for return to campaign trail
WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Oct 11) he had fully recovered from Covid-19 and was not an infection risk for others, freeing him to return to holding big campaign rallies during the final weeks of the race for the White House. Trump also said, without producing evidence, that he was now immune, a claim that drew a flag from Twitter for violating the social media platform’s rules about misleading information related to Covid-19. The comments from Trump came a day after his physician said the president had taken a test showing he was no longer infectious. He did not say directly whether Trump had tested negative for Covid-19. “I passed the highest test, the highest standards, and I’m in great shape,” Trump told Fox [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ signs on to buy 1.5 million doses of vaccine
The deal is subject to the vaccine successfully completing all clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals. Photo / file The Government has signed an agreement to purchase 1.5 million Covid-19 vaccines – enough for 750,000 people. The deal will allow the purchase of vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, subject to the vaccine successfully completing all clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods and Health Minister Chris Hipkins said. "Our first vaccine purchase agreement has been signed and it brings to fruition some of the critical work going on behind the scenes to keep New Zealanders safe from Covid-19," Woods said. "As part of the agreement, vaccine delivery to New Zealand could be as early as the first quarter of 2021. [...]
Taiwanese man held in China ‘confesses’ on TV to filming troops on Hong Kong border
Lee Meng-chu is accused of filming Chinese troops gathering at the border with Hong Kong during protests in 2019 Lee Meng-chu was accused of filming Chinese troop movements in Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong during protests in 2019. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters A Taiwanese man detained in China and accused of endangering national security appeared on Chinese television on Sunday evening, “confessing” to illegally filming military exercises in a city bordering Hong Kong during protests there last year.Human rights organisations accuse China of regularly forcing detainees to deliver public confessions broadcast on television, in a country where the opaque judicial system remains subject to the ruling Communist party. Relatives of Lee Meng-chu had said he went missing after crossing from Hong Kong into Shenzhen on 19 August, 2019. [...]
Mexico asks Pope Francis for apology for church’s role in Spanish conquest
Mexico’s president says the Vatican should apologise for ‘reprehensible atrocities’ in colonisation 500 years ago The capture of Tenochtitlan by Hernando Cortes in 1521, after a painting by Alonzo Chappel. Mexico has asked the Vatican to apologise for its role in the Spanish colonisation. Photograph: The Granger Collection/Alamy Stock Mexico’s president has written to Pope Francis to ask for an apology for the Catholic church’s role in the oppression of indigenous people in the Spanish conquest 500 years ago. The request was made in a two-page letter that also asked the Vatican to temporarily return several ancient indigenous manuscripts held in its library, ahead of next year’s 500-year anniversary of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The letter, dated 2 October but posted on president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Twitter [...]
Convicted kidnapper chosen as Kyrgyzstan prime minister
Moscow: A man who had been convicted of kidnapping was chosen to be the prime minister of Kyrgyzstan on Saturday after feuding politicians agreed on a new government in an effort to end nearly a week of violent turmoil in the Central Asian country. An agreement to put the government under the man, Sadyr Japarov, who was sprung from jail this past week by anti-government protesters, should help calm street violence. But it stirred alarm in some quarters that criminal elements had prevailed in a power struggle set off by disputed parliamentary election results last Sunday. Soldiers of the Kyrgyz army at a city street checkpoint in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on October 10, after President Sooronbai Jeenbekov decreed a state of emergency in the capital and ordered the military to [...]
Election 2020: ‘Last roll of the misinformation dice’ – Jacinda Ardern slams National on wealth tax
Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern says National is desperately resorting to misinformation as the parties head into the final week of the campaign. Ardern was responding to National's insistence that a Labour-led government would see the Green Party's wealth tax become reality. "I consider that the last roll of the misinformation dice," Ardern told media after a Labour rally today. "We've obviously put forward our tax policy. That is what we're taking to voters this election. Any suggestion of picking up other parties' plans is mischievous and wrong, and I don't know how many times we've had to restate that." National leader Judith Collins has called today the Stop of Wealth Tax Day, claiming that a Labour-Greens government would "tax your retirement". Ardern and Labour's finance spokesman Grant Robertson [...]
China backs Indonesia to become vaccine hub of South-East Asia
Volunteers in Bandung are already taking part in trials for a vaccine being developed by China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd.PHOTO: REUTERS JAKARTA (BLOOMBERG) - China supports Jakarta's efforts to become the centre for vaccine production in South-east Asia, Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Pandjaitan said after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Indonesia has the strongest capacity for vaccine production in South-east Asia, Mr Wang said, according to a statement issued by Mr Pandjaitan after the two held a discussion on Saturday (Oct 10). Mr Wang will support China's companies to step up cooperation, according to the statement. Volunteers in Indonesia's city of Bandung, the capital of West Java province, are already taking part in trials for a vaccine being developed by China's Sinovac [...]
North Korea unveils new weapons at military parade, warning ‘offensive might’ against outside threats
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned Saturday that his country would “fully mobilize” its nuclear force if threatened as he took center stage at a military parade in which the country unveiled what appeared to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile and other additions to its growing weapons arsenal. Kim, however, avoided direct criticism of Washington during the event, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party and took place less than four weeks before the U.S. presidential election. Instead, he focused on a domestic message urging his people to remain firm in the face of “tremendous challenges” posed by the coronavirus pandemic and crippling U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear program. Kim described the North’s continuing efforts to develop its nuclear deterrent [...]
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen calls for ‘meaningful dialogue’ with China
Ms Tsai said she was committed to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, but that this was the responsibility of both sides.PHOTO: REUTERS TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Taiwan wants to have "meaningful dialogue" with China on an equal basis, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday (Oct 10), extending an olive branch at a time of heightened military tension with Beijing, which claims the island as sovereign Chinese territory. Speaking at National Day celebrations, Ms Tsai described the situation in the Taiwan Strait as "quite tense". This, along with disputes in the South China Sea, a China-India border conflict and China's crackdown in Hong Kong, showed democracy and peace in the region were facing big challenges, she said. If Beijing can heed Taiwan's voice and jointly facilitate reconciliation and [...]
Second presidential debate cancelled; Trump to resume campaigning
The Commission on Presidential Debates said it has cancelled the debate slated for Oct 15 after US President Trump said he would not participate in a virtual format.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump will resume in-person campaigning on Saturday (Oct 10) after being sidelined by a case of Covid-19, but a debate next week against his presidential election opponent Joe Biden was cancelled because Mr Trump refused to participate. Mr Trump will address a crowd of supporters on Saturday from a White House balcony on a “law and order” theme, an administration official said. A source familiar with the planning for the event said the crowd could be in the hundreds, and all were expected to wear masks. Then the Republican president will [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Brazil ‘desperate for a respite’ as cases pass 5 million
Brazilian band Atitude Nossa plays samba on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo / AP Dozens of people converged on the cobblestone streets of downtown Rio de Janeiro for its traditional Pedra do Sal samba party — the first since the pandemic began — and it seemed Brazil was returning to normal. Among those dancing Monday were Luana Jatobá and two friends, all of whom overcame Covid-19. As a nurse technician caring for coronavirus patients, she knows better than most that occupancy rates at Rio's intensive-care units have surged as the city's seven-day average number of cases reaches its highest level since June. But, she said, everyone is desperate for a respite from the gloom. "We take care of the people who are sick with Covid, [...]
Trump won’t do next debate after it goes virtual; Biden schedules solo town hall in its place
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Thursday he would not take part in the next presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden after it was moved to a virtual format because of COVID-19 safety concerns. It would leave the president and Biden just one more debate before Election Day on Nov. 3. Trump's decision set off a furious back and forth between the two campaigns on the debate schedule and formats, culminating with Biden scheduling his own televised town hall for Oct. 15, the night of the previously scheduled second of three debates. Trump won't be present. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday morning the next debate would be remote to "protect the health and safety of all involved" after Trump's positive COVID-19 diagnosis and the subsequent White House outbreak. "I'm not going to waste my [...]
Dickson Yeo, the Singaporean who spied for China in the US, due to be sentenced
Dickson Yeo has been in a Washington DC jail since he was arrested last November.PHOTO: DICKSON YEO/FACEBOOK WASHINGTON - Dickson Yeo, the Singaporean man who pleaded guilty to spying for China in the United States, is due to be sentenced in a US federal court on Friday (Oct 9). Prosecutors have asked for a sentence of 16 months in light of Yeo's cooperation with the authorities, while Yeo's lawyer is asking for a sentence of time served, which would work out to approximately 13 months. Yeo, 39, has been in a Washington DC jail since he was arrested last November. He will likely spend some extra time in the custody of immigration authorities while awaiting his removal from the US, said his lawyer Michelle Peterson. "He did [...]
Clashes erupt on third day of protests against new Indonesian jobs law
Protestors throwing stones at anti-riot police officers during a demonstration against the Omnibus law in Jakarta, on Oct 8, 2020.PHOTO: EPA-EFE JAKARTA (REUTERS) - Police and demonstrators clashed in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday (Oct 8) on the third day of protests and labour strikes against a polarising new jobs law passed in South-east Asia's largest economy earlier this week. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, shouting and throwing stones. Police responded by firing tear gas and water cannon in an attempt to disperse the crowd, Reuters witnesses said. The "omnibus" jobs creation Bill, passed into law on Monday, has seen thousands of people across the world's fourth-most populous nation take to the streets in protest against legislation they say undermines [...]
CSL confirms UQ vaccine production, trials set for December
CSL says it is talking with partner organisations to help roll out doses of the University of Queensland's COVID-19 vaccine if it is successful after the ASX-listed giant signed a deal with the federal government to produce Australia's leading candidate vaccine. The confirmation of the deal comes in the same week the federal government unveiled economic forecasts premised on the assumption of a successful vaccine being rolled out by next year, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg saying in a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday "a vaccine is assumed to be available around the end of 2021". Doctors and epidemiologists have highlighted this timeline may be ambitious,however, given vaccine candidates have not yet been approved and deployment of a vaccine across Australia is a long-term logistical challenge. CSL [...]
‘I’m speaking’: Harris, Pence clash evident at vice presidential debate even with body language
WASHINGTON – Several times throughout Wednesday's vice presidential debate, Sen. Kamala Harris paused, looked over at Vice President Mike Pence and told him to stop talking over her. "Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking," Harris said strongly, as the two were discussing the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm speaking." The moments served as some of the biggest clashes between the candidates, moments displayed through their body language, which included eye rolls, head shaking and sly smiles. At one point as the candidates were discussing the Supreme Court, Pence looked over at Harris directly, faced her and repeatedly asked whether the Biden administration would add additional justices to the Supreme Court. Harris smiled, flipped her hair and put her hands beneath her chin as Pence outlined that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has evaded the question. Pence looked over [...]
New Zealand among 39 nations to criticise China over Hong Kong, human rights
Protesters rally on July 1 against the new national security law in Hong Kong. Photo / AP New Zealand is among 39 mainly Western countries which have criticised China's treatment of minority groups and expressed grave concern at the impact of its new national security law on human rights in Hong Kong. The group of nations, which includes the United States, many European countries, Japan and Australia, called on China to allow "unfettered access" to Xinjiang for independent UN observers and to urgently refrain from detaining Uighurs and members of other minorities. ”New Zealand closely follows human rights issues in our region, and we share international concerns about the situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong," said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson. "We remain concerned [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: President Donald Trump praises his ‘cure’, says China will pay for virus
After a day spent furiously tweeting, Donald Trump has released another video message, telling his supporters that the experimental treatment he received had speeded his recovery. Looking healthier than his last appearance, perhaps due to the heavy layer of makeup he was wearing, he said that his infection with the virus had been a "blessing from God". Introducing himself as "your favourite president", Trump described the medicines used to treat him as a "cure", despite the fact there is no cure for viruses like Covid-19. He praised staff at the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he spent four days, admitting that he "wasn't feeling so hot" when he arrived but said that his treatment with "unbelievable" Regeneron had been central to his recovery. "I feel great. I feel like, [...]
Pentagon wants Navy to have more than 500 ships by 2045, Esper says
Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday revealed that the Pentagon wants more than 500 Navy ships in the fleet by 2045 to counter China. “Battle Force 2045 calls for a more balanced Navy of over 500 manned and unmanned ships,” Esper said during an appearance in Washington, D.C., referring to the name for the Pentagon’s planned future fleet. “Further, we will reach 355 traditional battle force ships prior to 2035.” Esper said the increase was due to China’s intent to complete modernization efforts for its armed forces by 2035 and to fully field its military by 2049. “At that time, Beijing wants to achieve parity with the United States Navy, if not exceed our capabilities in certain areas and to offset our overmatch in several others,” he said. The ship numbers [...]
Auckland company wins US grant to develop rapid Covid test machine
An Auckland company has picked up a US government grant to ramp up production of a mobile rapid testing machine for Covid-19. Ubiquitome's Liberty 16 Covid testing machine. Photo: Supplied / Ubiquitome Ubiquitome has been given a multimillion-dollar grant by a section of the US Department of Health and Human Services for its Liberty 16 device. The grant was part of a $US1.5 billion programme to boost America's capacity for Covid-19 testing, with Ubiqitome the only non-US firm to get through the funding round. The device still needs approval of the US Federal Drug Administration before it can be rolled out to hospitals. The chief executive, Paul Pickering, said the device, which weighs about 2kgs and is the size of a small box, could test 16 samples in 40 [...]
China reports shortages of flu vaccine after rush to avoid ‘twindemic’
Fears that response to public health drive could complicate efforts to contain Covid-19 Chinese tourists in Beijing. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP A surge in demand for flu shots in Chinese cities has caused shortages, long lines and triple markups on vaccines by scalpers selling them online. Residents, afraid of the possibility of catching both the flu and Covid-19 – what some have called a “twindemic”, have rushed to clinics since Chinabegan its flu vaccine campaign in September. Chinese health authorities in September advised residents to get shots for the flu, whose symptoms are similar to early stage Covid-19 and could complicate efforts to contain the virus this winter. Officials have also said that Covid-19 combined with the flu could raise mortality rates. Ahead of the winter, Chinese cities have launched [...]
UK remains second biggest arms exporter with £11bn of orders
British manufacturers recorded second highest figure ever in 2019 despite court order restricting sales to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s airforce is armed with BAE fighter jets. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AFP via Getty Images British manufacturers exported £11bn worth of arms during 2019 – the second highest figure on record – despite a court order that the UK must halt any sales to Saudi Arabia that could be used in Yemen. UK exports also exceeded those of Russia and France for the second year in a row, according to official figures released by the Department for International Trade (DIT), placing Britain number two in the global rankings behind the US. Orders were down from last year’s £14bn, reflecting what the department said was “the volatile nature of the global export market [...]
Facebook pulls Trump post comparing COVID-19 to flu; Twitter adds warning
Facebook removed a post by President Donald Trump comparing COVID-19 to the seasonal flu, while Twitter added a warning the message contained "misleading" information. Trump, who recently returned from a stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after testing positive for the coronavirus, wrote Tuesday on Facebook and Twitter that Americans should adapt to the presence of COVID-19 as they have with the seasonal flu. "Flu season is coming up! Many people every year, sometimes over 100,000, and despite the Vaccine, die from the Flu," wrote Trump. "Are we going to close down our Country? No, we have learned to live with it, just like we are learning to live with Covid, in most populations far less lethal!!!" In a statement, Facebook confirmed Trump's post was taken down. [...]
President Trump has COVID-19: A timeline of his travels leading up to a positive coronavirus test
In the past week, Trump campaigned across several states, attending events with thousands of people present. In the six days before being hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19, President Donald Trump debated Joe Biden, introduced his nominee to the Supreme Court, attended two fundraisers, and exhorted an estimated 5,000 people at two campaign rallies. Trump was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, late Friday as a precautionary measure, officials said. A spokesman said Friday that the president had “mild symptoms” but was feeling “energetic.” Trump and his wife, Melania, announced their test results early Friday morning. The first lady is quarantining at the White House. The disclosure set off a flurry of coronavirus tests for people traveling with Trump and those he visited. Who has tested positive? Where did Trump [...]
In Tokyo, Pompeo slams China and seeks support from Asian allies
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) talks to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Tokyo on Oct 6, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS TOKYO (REUTERS) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Japan on Tuesday (Oct 6) to rally support from Washington’s closest allies in Asia, calling for deeper collaboration with Japan, India and Australia as a bulwark against China’s growing regional influence. The East Asia visit, Mr Pompeo’s first in more than a year, coincides with worsening tensions with China. Yet the call for a united front against Beijing is a sensitive subject for Washington’s allies, which are reliant on China for trade. In comments before the start of a meeting of the Quad grouping of the four nations’ foreign ministers, Mr Pompeo spoke in typically unsparing terms against [...]
Romanian gang members flew in and out of UK to carry out string of high-value burglaries: police
Twelve members of a Romanian gang who committed a string of high-value burglaries in the United Kingdom totaling more than $5.3 million have been sentenced to between three and five years in prison. The thieves stole rare books, computers, cell phones, and other electrical gadgets in raids on warehouses and freight depots, bypassing alarms by scaling roofs and walls and then flying out of the country while other members in their criminal cartel transported the stolen goods out, Met Police said. Twelve men who formed a sophisticated criminal network in order to commit high value and well-planned burglaries have been jailed (Met Police Department) The group of Romanians successfully ran their operation for more than two years but were brought down by a joint police operation involving Scotland [...]
Police officer in Chile accused of throwing teen off bridge
'He did not fall, they threw him,' protesters allege A police officer in Chile is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly throwing a teenager off a bridge and into a river during a protest in the South Americancountry’s capital of Santiago, officials said. The North Central Prosecutor’s Office of Santiago accused the police officer of “causing” the 16-year-old boy to fall during Friday protests. Attempted murder charges were subsequently filed against the officer, whose identity was not immediately clear, according to reports. The teen was in stable condition with head trauma and a wrist fracture following Friday’s incident, reports said. Dozens of people protested on Saturday outside the clinic where he is being treated, condemning the police and carrying signs that said: ″He did not fall, they threw him.” [...]
Japan to tighten checks on visa applications by Chinese students, researchers over espionage concerns: Report
If implemented, Japan will be acting in lockstep with its security ally, the United States.PHOTO: AFP HOKKAIDO - From April next year, Japan will tighten its inspection process in issuing visas, especially to Chinese students and researchers, over growing concerns of espionage and foreign interference, the pro-government Yomiuri newspaper said on Monday (Oct 5). In a front-page report, it said - without naming any sources - that Tokyo sees the move as necessary amid fears that its sensitive technology and security intelligence are being leaked to China - or other countries - by operatives who have been granted entry into Japan as graduate students or academic researchers. If implemented, Japan will be acting in lockstep with its security ally, the United States, as well as with Australia [...]
Malaysian PM Muhyiddin quarantines at home after having contact with minister who has Covid-19
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he will self-quarantine for 14 days after being in contact with Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri.PHOTOS: BHM, EPA-EFE KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be under self-quarantine for 14 days, after being in contact with a minister who later tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement on Monday (Oct 5), Tan Sri Muhyiddin said despite all his recent tests for the coronavirus being negative, he would still be observing self-quarantine, as advised by the Health Ministry. “This will not affect government affairs. I will continue to work from home and have video calls for meetings that have to be chaired by me,” he said. As a precautionary measure, I have been undergoing swab tests to detect Covid-19 every [...]
‘Don’t be afraid of it.’ Trump returns to White House after three-day hospitalization for COVID-19
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday, three days after he was hospitalized for coronavirus, in a made-for-television moment that was full of symbolism but also underscored lingering questions about the extent of the president’s illness. Minutes after walking out of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Trump stepped off Marine One, climbed the steps of the South Portico and – pointedly – removed his mask. Flanked by American flags, Trump gave several thumbs up and saluted as his helicopter took off and then entered the White House. It was not clear if he put his mask back on inside. "Don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're going to beat it," Trump said in a video posted to his Twitter account Monday night, [...]
Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier England Covid plan
Exclusive: government documents suggest potential pub closures and stricter social contact rules Newcastle city centre last month. A leaked government document reveals possible harsh restrictions that could be put in place across England. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images A new three-tier lockdown system is being planned for England, with leaked government documents paving the way for potential harsher restrictions including the closure of pubs and a ban on all social contact outside of household groups. The draft traffic-light-style plan, seen by the Guardian, is designed to simplify the current patchwork of localised restrictions, which apply to about a quarter of the UK. It also reveals tougher measures that could be imposed by the government locally or nationally if Covid cases are not brought under control. On Sunday the number [...]
Over 100,000 march in Belarus against authoritarian leader
More than 100,000 people have marched in the Belarusian capital, protesting against the country’s authoritarian leader KYIV, Ukraine -- More than 100,000 people marched in Belarus' capital on Sunday to protest against the country's authoritarian leader, who won his sixth term in office in an election widely seen as rigged. The demonstrators demanded the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko, and freedom for political prisoners. Police used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowds, but the protesters remained undeterred. One video from the rally showed a group of protesters approaching a water cannon vehicle, opening a hatch on its side and removing pieces from inside the vehicle. Media reports say the water cannon malfunctioned after that and drove away. The Viasna human rights center said that about [...]
Trump makes surprise visit to supporters outside hospital, says he ‘learnt a lot about Covid’ by ‘really going to school’
Seen in a dark face mask, waving to crowds, the president's motorcade rolled past before returning to the Walter Reed military hospital near Washington.PHOTOS: REUTERS, JAMIN2G/TWITTER WASHINGTON (AFP) - United States President Donald Trump drove past supporters on Sunday (Oct 4) outside the hospital where he was being treated for Covid-19, after announcing on Twitter a "surprise visit" to his backers. Seen in a dark face mask, waving to crowds, the President rolled past in his motorcade before returning to the Walter Reed military hospital near Washington. "We're going to pay a little surprise to some of the great patriots that we have out on the street," Mr Trump said in a video posted to Twitter shortly before his appearance. I'm about to make a little surprise visit." [...]
Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of rocket attack
At least one person killed in Ganja incident, as former Soviet republics move closer to war Pro-Azerbaijan protesters in Istanbul, Turkey, on 4 October. Photograph: Ozan Köse/AFP/Getty Images Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has escalated dramatically after Baku accused Armenian forces of firing rockets at Ganja, which lies outside the contested territory. At least one civilian was killed and four more injured in the attack on Sunday on Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second largest city, 100km (60 miles) north of the Karabakh capital, Stepanakert. Armenia, meanwhile, said that Stepanakert itself, which has been under shelling since Friday, was hit again on Sunday. There were reports of reports of dead and wounded civilians in both the capital and the historic town of Susha, with Armenia’s foreign [...]
Malaysia to continue talks on reopening border with S’pore despite Covid-19 spike: Minister
The border between Singapore and Malaysia has been closed to daily commuters since March 18, when Malaysia imposed a movement control order.PHOTO: ST FILE JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Malaysian government will continue to discuss with Singapore the reopening of the border, although Malaysia has been seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases in recent days. "The Economic Action Council always discuss this matter during weekly meetings. In the latest meeting, the topic was the tourism sector, which is affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic and border closure," said de facto Economic Affairs Minister Mustapha Mohamad. "The country lost about half of foreign tourists and about 50 per cent of them came from Singapore, so we understand how the sector is affected," he added. Johor's state [...]
Philippine President Duterte’s trust rating rises to 91% amid region’s worst Covid-19 outbreak
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's approval rating rose to 91 per cent from 87 per cent in December.PHOTO: REUTERS MANILA (BLOOMBERG) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained majority approval and trust ratings amid South-east Asia's worst coronavirus outbreak, according to pollster Pulse Asia. Mr Duterte's approval rating rose to 91 per cent from 87 per cent in December, based on a nationwide survey of 1,200 adults conducted from Sept 14 to 20. His trust rating also increased to 91 per cent from 83 per cent in December. There were no surveys in the first half of the year amid virus lockdowns. The Philippines has the most coronavirus infections in South-east Asia, with over 322,000 cases as of Sunday. Its economy is facing its deepest contraction in decades [...]
Taiwan Hopes Trump Gets Better So He Can Keep Resisting China
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump can get better from the coronavirus soon so that he can continue to lead the free world in resisting China’s “outrages”, the speaker of the island’s parliament said on Monday. Democratic Taiwan has come under increasingly severe military pressure from China, which claims the island as its sovereign territory, with China’s air force sending frequent sorties to buzz Taiwan in recent weeks. Speaking ahead of Taiwan’s National Day celebrations on Saturday, parliament Speaker You Si-kun said he had been shocked to hear of Trump’s illness, and that he wished him well on behalf of the legislature. “I want to take this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery, so he can continue to lead the free world in resisting [...]
New Zealand’s Ardern lifts coronavirus restrictions in Auckland
FILE PHOTO: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern participates in a televised debate with National leader Judith Collins at TVNZ in Auckland, New Zealand, September 22, 2020. Fiona Goodall/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Coronavirus restrictions in New Zealand’s largest city will be lifted this week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday as she expressed confidence a second wave of COVID-19 infections in Auckland has been almost eliminated. The city will move to alert level 1 from 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday, joining the rest of the country, after reporting no new cases in the Auckland cluster for 10 consecutive days. “There is now a 95% probability of the cluster being eliminated,” Ardern said at a news conference. “COVID-19 will be with us for many months to come. [...]
Questions remain unanswered as White House casts upbeat outlook on Trump’s COVID-19 fight
© ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images The White House and President Trump's doctors sought Sunday to project a positive message about the president's battle against COVID-19 even as contradictory statements and limited information left a number of unanswered questions about his condition. The team of doctors caring for President Trump on Sunday said he could return to the White House as soon as Monday while at the same time disclosing he had been on supplemental oxygen and that he was receiving a drug normally given to seriously ill patients. And Trump himself sparked concern – and outrage – when he left his hospital room at Walter Reed Military Medical Center to wave to the supporters gathered outside from the back seat of an SUV. White House physician Sean Conley said Sunday that [...]
Australia business conditions, confidence pick up but sentiment still gloomy
SYDNEY (Reuters) - A measure of Australian business conditions rose in September to levels not seen since the coronavirus pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown, though overall levels were still the below long-run average, survey results showed on Monday. National Australia Bank's NAB.AX index of business conditions rose 6 points to 0 from -6 in August. The index has come a long way since hitting a trough of -34 in April at the height of the pandemic though it is still nowhere close to the long-run average of +6. The survey’s measure of business confidence picked up too, but stayed in negative territory, climbing to -4 from -8 in August. The improvement in conditions was driven by a rise in all three sub-components with trading and profitability in positive territory, [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: One new case in managed isolation, a traveller from Hong Kong
There is one new confirmed case of Covid-19 in managed isolation. There are no new community cases. It has been 11 days since the last case of community transmission in Auckland. The new case in managed isolation arrived from Hong Kong on October 1 and returned a positive test as part of routine testing at around day 3. They have been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility. There is no one in hospital with Covid-19 in New Zealand today. Our total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 is 1499. Two previously reported cases are now considered to have recovered, meaning the country's total number of active cases is 40. Of these active cases, 34 are imported cases in quarantine facilities, and six are community cases. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern [...]
BREAKING: President Leaves Walter Reed in Motorcade for Quick Drive and Wave to Excited Supporters Outside Medical Center (VIDEO)
President Trump on Sunday greeted his supporters outside of Walter Reed. The President waved to supporters from his motorcade. WATCH: Trump supporters go wild as the President drives by! WATCH: As a precautionary measure, the President’s medical team recommended President Trump be taken to Walter Reed on Friday for state of the art monitoring. Trump supporters have gathered outside of Walter Reed to pray for Trump. President Trump on Saturday thanked everyone for the overwhelming support he has received since announcing he and First Lady Melania tested positive for Covid. Far left reporters have been rage tweeting all weekend claiming President Trump’s doctors are lying to the American people by painting a rosy picture. President Trump shut down the insane leftists by taking a ride in his motorcade [...]
‘Very concerning’: White House issues contradictory, confusing updates on Trump’s health
Washington: Donald Trump's doctor has triggered widespread confusion by saying that the US President was diagnosed with coronavirus 36 hours before it was revealed to the public, forcing the White House to quickly issue a correction. The confusion only deepened when, moments after White House physician Sean Conley gave an optimistic account of the President's condition, a White House official told reporters that the President was "not on a clear path to a full recovery". President Donald Trump arrives at Walter Reed National Milirary Medical Centre. CREDIT:AP Trump later issued a lengthy video from hospital in which he said he was feeling "much better now", although it is unclear when the video was filmed. Speaking at Walter Reed Medical Centre where he is being treated for coronavirus, Trump told [...]
Trump Addresses Americans From Hospital: ‘I will be back soon’
President Trump addressed the public for the first time from Walter Reed Medical Center on Saturday. Trump said he felt “much better” after arriving at the hospital and thanked the medical personnel for their care. “I came here, wasn’t feeling so well. I feel much better now. We’re working hard to get me all the way back. I have to be back because we still have to make America great again. We’ve done an awfully good job of that, but we still have steps to go and we have to have to finish that job,” Trump said. So far the video has received 10.5 million views. “I will be back soon. And I look forward to finishing up the campaign, the way it was started and the way we’ve [...]
Johnson and Von der Leyen extend Brexit talks by a month
UK and EU leaders instruct chief negotiators to work harder to close gaps on deal Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen in January. The pair held a conference call on Saturday to assess progress on trade and security talks. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen have approved a further month of Brexit negotiations after agreeing that enough progress has been made to justify a last push to reach a deal on trade and security. The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, will travel to London this week for talks with his British counterpart, David Frost, and the two sides will then hold follow-up talks in Brussels the week after. The fresh rounds were agreed after a phone call on Saturday afternoon between the British [...]
China’s Xi wishes Trump speedy recovery: Chinese state media
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) sent a message to US President Donald Trump (left) and his wife Melania wishing them a speedy recovery.PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING (REUTERS) - Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, on Saturday (Oct 3), wishing them a speedy recovery from the coronavirus, Chinese state television reported. Mr Trump, who announced early on Friday he had contracted Covid-19,was taken to a hospital near Washington later in the day in what the White House called a precautionary measure. He has sparred with Beijing over its handling of the virus, heightening tensions between the two countries.
Britain expects Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in less than 3 months: The Times
Scientists working on the Oxford vaccine hope regulators approve it before the beginning of 2021.PHOTO: AFP LONDON (REUTERS) - A mass roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccine in Britain could be finished in as little as three months, the Times reported, citing government scientists. Scientists working on the Oxford vaccine hope regulators approve it before the beginning of 2021, the newspaper said. A full Covid-19 immunisation programme, which would exclude children, could be quicker than experts predicted, the Times said, adding that health officials estimate that every adult could receive a dose of the vaccine within six months. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday (Oct 1) it has started reviewing data on AstraZeneca and Oxford University's potential Covid-19 vaccine in real time, the first of such moves aimed [...]
Twitter accused of double standards over ban on tweets wishing death on Trump
Ava DuVernay among those highlighting platform’s lack of action over abusive tweets Filmmaker Ava DuVernay wrote that it was disingenuous for Twitter to claim its abusive behaviour policy applies to all users. Photograph: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Twitter is facing a growing backlash in the wake of Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis as users accuse it of double standards in the way it polices those who wish death on others. The filmmaker Ava DuVernay and the former children’s laureate Malorie Blackman were among thousands of Twitter users accusing the platform of failing to protect women and minority users from abuse. Many people have tweeted messages to wish the president well, including his election opponent, Joe Biden, while others have expressed the opposite sentiment. On Friday Twitter confirmed that users who wish [...]
From Hospital, President Trump Urges Stimulus: “Work Together and Get it Done”
From his hospital room at Walter Reed, President Trump urged lawmakers to come together to push for a coronavirus stimulus bill saying, “Our great USA wants and needs stimulus. Work together and get it done. Thank you!” The bill has stalled amid political brinkmanship. In September, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to engage in any negotiations, arguing that stimulus needed to wait until after the November 3rd election. However, amid an outcry from American voters, she and the Democrats returned to the negotiating table, working with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to pass a bill that the White House would welcome. The problem now? The Republicans themselves. Many conservative Senators worry that too much money is being spent. They also question whether offering a sizable extension in unemployment benefits will [...]
Russian journalist sets herself on fire after police search property
A Russian news editor has died after setting herself on fire in front of an interior ministry office in the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. Nizhniy Novgorod, where Irina Slavina set herself alight. Photo: Viator Irina Slavina earlier wrote on Facebook: "I ask you to blame the Russian Federation for my death." Authorities confirmed her body had been found with severe burns. Slavina said on Thursday police had searched her flat looking for materials related to the pro-democracy group Open Russia. Computers and data were seized. Footage has emerged apparently showing the moment she set herself on fire on a bench in Gorky Street, where the interior ministry in Nizhny Novgorod is situated. In the video, a man is seen running to a woman to help extinguish the flames. She [...]
National claims $10b hole in Labour’s economic plan
The war of the economic plans continues with National now claiming a major flaw in Labour's plan. National's Paul Goldsmith and Labour's Grant Robertson Photo: RNZ The National Party says there is a $10 billion hole, the latest of the claims and counter claims of errors and fiscal holes between the two major parties. Yesterday Labour released its plan and immediately had to correct a typo, but says that mistake did not affect the overall budget and its numbers stack up. But National says there is no provision to pay for the Auckland Light Rail project, blocked by New Zealand First in the last term, but which Labour has recommitted to if re-elected. National's finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says there was a "deliberate omission ... to the tune [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: At least seven cases linked to White House Rose Garden
At least seven people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours were at the same event held at the White House a week ago. On September 26, more than 150 guests gathered in the Rose Garden to watch President Donald Trump announce his nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death. It was a celebration. His pick for the role, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, represented something America's conservatives had long craved – a chance to decisively shift the balance of the nation's highest court in their favour. "I want to thank the members of the Senate, we have so many of them here today. I see you in the audience, and you're so proud," a jubilant Trump said. "Thank [...]
New Migrant ‘Caravan’ Sets Off From Honduras, Could Arrive At US-Mexico Border Around Election Day
A new migrant “caravan” departed the city of San Pedro Sula in Honduras on Wednesday, hoping to reach the United States in the coming weeks. CBS News has reported that some in Central America have promoted the idea of a new caravan on social media recently. The group had been slated to leave on October 1, but travelers carrying knapsacks and minimal supplies left the staging grounds for the caravan on Wednesday night. Initial reports indicate that 900 prospective migrants have joined the caravan. The formations have historically grown as the large groups travel through Guatemala and Mexico, although they usually taper off in size before the travelers reach the US-Mexico border. The ‘caravan’ phenomenon reached its peak in 2018, when formations of hopeful migrants of up to 10,000 [...]
Queensland to reopen border in November, as venue restrictions ease
Queensland will reopen its border to all of NSW on November 1, provided NSW goes 28 days without any mystery COVID-19 cases, a roadmap released by the government reveals. NSW is on track to meet the 28-day target on October 22. The roadmap of eased restrictions also allows for Queenslanders to eat and drink while standing at inside and outdoor venues from 4pm on Friday, October 2. From November 1, up to 40 people will be able to gather in homes and public spaces in Queensland. Dancing will also be allowed for weddings of up to 40 people, provided the event has a COVID-safe plan. Numbers at gatherings will increase to a maximum of 50 people in homes and public spaces from 1am on December 1. Queensland Premier [...]
Trump does NOT require ‘any supplemental oxygen’, but started on Remdesivir antiviral therapy – White House physician
Marine One carries US President Donald Trump away from the White House on the way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, October 2, 2020Win McNamee / Getty Images / AFP US President Donald Trump has begun taking an antiviral therapy after testing positive for the coronavirus, his doctor said, noting that he is responding well so far and does not require supplemental oxygen to aid his breathing. “This afternoon, in consultation with specialists from Walter Reed and Johns Hopkins University, I recommended movement of the president up to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for further monitoring,” wrote Sean Conley, the president’s physician. I am very happy to report that the president is doing very well. He is not requiring any supplemental oxygen, but in consultation with specialists we [...]
Trump transferred to Walter Reed ‘out of an abundance of caution,’ after testing positive for coronavirus
The president, according to the White House physician, is taking "zinc, Vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin," in addition to completing an infusion of Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail. President Trump was transferred to Walter Reed Military Medical Center "out of an abundance of caution," the White House said Friday evening, after testing positive for COVID-19 and experiencing "mild symptoms." The president, wearing a suit and tie, and a face mask, was seen walking out of the White House and across the South Lawn toward Marine One for Walter Reed. The president gave his signature thumbs-up as he walked out of the White House. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, wearing a blue face mask, walked behind the president. The president saluted the military officers by Marine One before boarding. The president, upon arrival [...]
Trump experiencing ‘mild symptoms’ after testing positive for Covid-19
The president announced that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive and are isolating. The diagnosis thrusts the White House, election into turmoil. President Donald Trump is experiencing “mild symptoms” after he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19, a White House official told NBC News Friday. Trump's doctor, Sean Conley said previously, in a letter issued early Tuesday that the Trumps were “both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence." Trump, who is 74, announced on Twitter early Tuesday morning that he and the first lady had tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus and would “begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately." The announcement immediately threw into question the nature of [...]
European Union takes legal action against Britain over planned Brexit bill
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Photo / AP The European Union took legal action against Britain today over its plans to pass legislation that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year. The EU action underscored the worsening relations with Britain, which was a member of the bloc until Jan 31. Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the fight over the controversial UK Internal Market bill has soured relations over the past month. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the British plan "by its very nature is a breach of the obligation of good faith laid down in the Withdrawal Agreement". "If adopted as [...]
Man arrested, charged with attempted murder in ambush of LA County deputies
If convicted, the suspect faces up to life in prison Image source: Twitter @LASDHQ screenshot A man has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies while they were sitting in their patrol vehicle in Compton earlier this month. What are the details? Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a news conference Monday morning announcing the arrest of Deonte Lee Murray, 36, who is accused of carrying out the high-profile ambush attack on Sept. 12 that put both officers in the hospital with serious multiple gunshot wounds. One wounded officer was identified as Claudia Apolinar, 31 — a former librarian and the mother of a 6-year-old boy — who has been hailed a hero for applying a [...]
‘Going well’: Indonesia lays ambitious COVID-19 vaccine start date
Indonesian trials of a China-backed coronavirus vaccine have produced "no significant side effects" so far, boosting the country's hope of producing 250 million doses next year from as early as January. Professor Kusnandi Rusmil, chief of the research and clinical trials for Sinovac Biotech in Indonesia, said more than a month after the phase-three trial started, it remained on track and "everything goes well". A volunteer receives a coronavirus vaccine during a trial at a community health centre in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.CREDIT:AP "As at September 29, 1089 volunteers have received their first shots and 650 volunteers have received their second shots. Our tests will be completed in early January 2021. So at the end of January 2021 we can see the effectiveness, the side effects and the immunity [...]
Facebook bans ads calling US voting fraud widespread or election invalid
San Francisco: Facebook has banned ads on its flagship website and Instagram photo and video sharing service that claim widespread voting fraud, suggest US election results would be invalid, or which attack any method of voting. The company announced the new rules in a blog post, adding to earlier restrictions on premature claims of election victory. Facebook has expanded the range of election ads it has banned.CREDIT:ANDREW HARRER The move came a day after US President Donald Trump used the first televised debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden to amplify his baseless claims that the November 3 presidential election will be "rigged". Trump has been especially critical of mail-in ballots, and he cited a number of small unrelated incidents to argue that fraud was already happening at scale. Facebook [...]
US imposes Syria-related sanctions on six individuals, 13 entities
Reuters, Washington The United States on Wednesday blacklisted 13 entities and six individuals, including the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, in a fresh round of sanctions aimed at cutting off revenue for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions targeted “key enablers” of Assad’s government, as Washington tries to push the Syrian government back to United Nations-led negotiations and broker an end to the country’s nearly decade-long civil war. The move targeted the head of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate and the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, as well as a Syrian businessman the Treasury said was connected to the Assad government. “Those who continue to stand with the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad further enable [...]
Study finds Moderna coronavirus vaccine may work equally well in older and younger adults
© istock Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine could potentially induce a strong immune response in older people as it does in younger adults, a small study published Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine found. The study found the vaccine triggered a response almost as strong in people over 56 as in adults between the ages of 18 and 55. Older people are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Moderna study was conducted by researchers at Emory University and tested the vaccine in groups of 20 people, including one made up of people aged 56-70 and one of people 71 and over. According to the study their response was similar to previous findings among age groups between 18-55. “These [...]
World Bank announces $12bn plan for poor countries to buy Covid vaccines
Initiative aims to ensure low-income countries are not frozen out by rich nations The World Bank said it did not want to wait for a Covid-19 vaccine to become available before acting. Photograph: AFK Sistema Press Office/Tass The World Bank has announced plans for a $12bn (£9.3bn) initiative that will allow poor countries to purchase Covid-19 vaccines to treat up to 2 billion people as soon as effective drugs become available. In an attempt to ensure that low-income countries are not frozen out by wealthy nations, the organisation is asking its key rich-nation shareholders to back a scheme that will disburse cash over the next 12 to 18 months. David Malpass, the World Bank president, said the initiative was needed because Covid-19 was having a much bigger impact on [...]
Protests and Covid leave Hong Kong stuck in recession
Political unrest hit tourism and retail, and coronavirus response has delayed recovery People wearing protective face masks visit the lookout of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. Photograph: Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images Hong Kong’s economy was already in recession when the pandemic hit in January. Six months of running battles between pro-democracy campaigners and local government had deterred many of the visitors who fuel the lucrative tourism industry, while the threat of violence on the streets and closures of shops had sent retail sales down nearly a quarter on the previous year. With much of Asia shut down by coronavirus restrictions during the winter months, there was little expectation of a recovery until the spring, when the level of infections fell to almost zero across mainland China and most [...]
Tokyo, Hong Kong stocks stronger, shares in Sydney and Shanghai flat
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Stocks in Japan and Hong Kong rose strongly on Monday, while in China and Australia stock markets were flat. "Clouds have started to gather over the developed world as political uncertainty increases in the U.S. and Europe grapples with a resurgence in COVID-19 cases," Kerry Craig, Global Market Strategist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management told Reuters news agency Monday. "While governments are loathe to re-introduce nationwide lockdowns, localised and sector based restrictions may last for some time, restraining economic activity," Craig added. In Tokyo the Nikkei 225 rose 307.00 points or 1.32% to 23,511.62. The Hong Kong Hang Seng advanced 240.63 points or 1.04% to 23,476.05. The Australian All Ordinaries added 6.00 points or 0.10% to 6,146.50. China's Shanghai Composite dipped 1.88 points or 0.06% to [...]
Cardinal George Pell leaving Australia for Rome after child sexual abuse acquittal
Catholic Cardinal George Pell is returning to Rome six months after he was acquitted of child sexual abuse, according to agency reports. Source: 1 NEWS The former Vatican treasurer, 79, is expected to depart Sydney today, after living in the city since his release from a Victorian jail, the Catholic News Agency reported. "He always intended to return to Rome," Katrina Lee, an adviser to the Archdiocese of Sydney, told Reuters. Cardinal Pell came back to Australia from Rome in mid-2017 to fight charges related to the sexual assault of two choirboys when he was Archbishop of Melbourne in the late 1990s. He was convicted in December 2018 and served just over a year of a six-year sentence in jail before the High Court of Australia overturned the conviction [...]
Former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale hospitalized following reported suicide attempt
(CNN)President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Brad Parscale was hospitalized Sunday following reports of a suicide attempt at his Florida home, CNN has learned. According to Fort Lauderdale Police Department Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw, Fort Lauderdale police officers responded to Parscale's residence "in reference to an armed male attempting suicide." Officers later identified him to CNN as Bradley Parscale and said his wife had called the police. "When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with the armed subject's wife, who advised her husband was armed and had access to multiple firearms inside the residence and was threatening to harm himself," Greenlaw told CNN in a statement. The officers determined the only person inside the home was the adult male. The South Florida Sun Sentinel was the first to [...]
The Great Coronavirus Mutation Has Begun
With so many mutations, coronavirus might become like the common flu, requiring yearly vaccines. The novel coronavirus has mutated from its original strain and is now considered more infectious, according to researchers from Houston Methodist Hospital. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed but published on the preprint server MedRxiv, did not discover that these mutations have made the virus deadlier. All viruses accumulate genetic mutations, and most are insignificant, scientists say. According to study author James Musser, of Houston Methodist Hospital, SARS-CoV-2 is relatively stable, but with transmission so widespread in the United States, the virus has had abundant opportunities to mutate—potentially with deadlier consequences. “We have given this virus a lot of chances,” he told the Washington Post. “There is a huge population size out there right [...]
Fighting continues between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Yerevan, Baku: Fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh continued on Monday with the deployment of heavy artillery on both sides, their representatives said. The Armenian Defence Ministry reported fighting throughout the night, while Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry said Armenian forces were shelling the town of Terter. Azerbaijani military personnel drive through Baku, Azerbaijan, on Sunday.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES Nagorno-Karabakh representatives said on Monday that 15 more of its servicemen had been killed in fighting with Azerbaijan's forces. At least 16 military and several civilians were killed on Sunday in the heaviest clashes between the two countries since 2016, reigniting concern about stability in the South Caucasus, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets. The clashes between the two former Soviet republics, which [...]
India hits 6 million coronavirus infections, approaches 100,000 deaths
© Getty Images India has reported over 6 million confirmed coronavirus cases so far as the country, one of the most populous in the world, sees a fast-growing rise in infections, The Associated Press reports. The news agency reported on Monday that the country saw an increase of 82,170 cases of the novel coronavirus in a one-day span, in addition to over 1,030 deaths from the illness. The country has reported more than 6,074,000 coronavirus cases in total and more than 95,500 deaths. According to AP, India is seeing its infection rate rise at a quicker pace than any other country. The country is reportedly on track to surpass the United States in infections in a matter of weeks. So far, Johns Hopkins University data shows the U.S. has counted over [...]
China holds simultaneous military drills in four seas, again
China holds military drills periodically, but rarely do multiple exercises happen at the same time.PHOTO: AFP BEIJING (REUTERS) - China began five military exercises simultaneously along different parts of its coast on Monday (Sept 28), the second time in two months it will have such concurrent drills against a backdrop of rising regional tension. Two of the exercises are being held near the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea, one in the East China Sea, and one in further north in the Bohai Sea, the Maritime Safety Administration said in notices on its website. In the southern part of the Yellow Sea, drills including live-fire exercises will be held from Monday to Wednesday, it said in another notice. All ships are prohibited from entering the area, [...]
Oxford moves to protect students from China’s Hong Kong security law
Students will submit work related to China anonymously and told not to record classes Students at the University of Hong Kong walk past a poster supporting 12 Hongkongers detained in China. Photograph: Jérôme Favre/EPA Students at Oxford University specialising in the study of China are being asked to submit some papers anonymously to protect them from the possibility of retribution under the sweeping new security law introduced three months ago in Hong Kong.The anonymity ruling is to be applied in classes, and group tutorials are to be replaced by one-to-ones. Students are also to be warned it will be viewed as a disciplinary offence if they tape classes or share them with outside groups. The Hong Kong security law was imposed on 30 June by Beijing after more than [...]
Trump paid US$750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017: NYT
Donald Trump also paid just US$750 in his first year in the White House.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG, REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump paid just US$750 (S$1,032) in US income taxes in both 2016 and 2017, reported losing millions of dollars from his golf courses and has hundreds of millions in debt that will come due in the next few years, according to a report in the New York Times. Trump paid no income taxes in 10 of the past 15 years because he generated large losses that offset any money that he made, according to the Times analysis of at least two decades worth of Mr Trump’s personal and business tax returns. The documents show that many of Mr Trump’s businesses are struggling, with him putting more money into [...]
Barrett accepts nomination, says judges must be ‘resolute’ in setting aside personal beliefs
Amy Coney Barrett accepted the nomination to the Supreme Court on Saturday, saying in prepared remarks that judges should be “resolute” in setting aside their personal policy views. The appeals court judge's speech came immediately after President Trump announced his plans to nominate her to the vacancy left by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barrett described her judicial philosophy as the same as the late Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked years ago. “A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold,” Barrett said. Barrett also paid tribute to Ginsburg, who died last Friday due to complications with pancreatic cancer. Barrett described Ginsburg as a trailblazer for women, noting that the late justice began her [...]
Global Covid-19 death toll could hit 2 million before vaccine in wide use, says WHO
A nurse looks after a Covid-19 patient at a hospital on the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe on Sept 24, 2020.PHOTO: AFP GENEVA/ZURICH (REUTERS) - The global death toll from Covid-19 could double to two million before a successful vaccine is widely used and could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic, an official at the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday (Sept 25). "Unless we do it all, (two million deaths)... is not only imaginable, but sadly very likely," Mike Ryan, head of the UN agency's emergencies programme, told a briefing. The number of deaths about nine months since the novel coronavirus was discovered in China is nearing one million. We are not out of the woods anywhere, we are not out of [...]
Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine produces strong immune response in early trial
Researchers said more details on safety and effectiveness of the vaccine will follow when the study is completed.PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK (REUTERS) - A single dose of Johnson & Johnson's experimental Covid-19 vaccine produced a strong immune response against the novel coronavirus in an early-to-mid stage clinical trial, according to interim results published on Friday (Sept 25). The vaccine, called Ad26.COV2.S, was equally well-tolerated at two different doses, the results showed. A single shot, versus a rival two-dose approach being tested by Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, could simplify distribution of the vaccine. However, it is unclear whether elderly people, one of the populations most at risk from the virus, will be protected to the same degree as younger people with the J&J vaccine. The trial in close [...]
Beijing urges Washington to stop tarnishing Chinese diplomatic missions in US
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin speaks during a daily media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Sept 18, 2020.PHOTO: EPA-EFE BEIJING (CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - China urged the United States on Friday (Sept 25) to immediately stop slandering Chinese diplomatic missions and their personnel in the US, saying it will take necessary countermeasures in accordance with any further actions by the US. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remark after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the New York Post in a recent interview that China's New York consulate general is being used as a major hub for the nation's US espionage efforts, and it is likely more diplomats and agents will be arrested. Mr Pompeo's remarks followed an earlier [...]
China vaccinates tens of thousands of people with COVID-19 trials still underway
© Getty Images China has vaccinated tens of thousands of people for protection against the coronavirus while clinical trials are still being conducted, stoking safety concerns from some experts about the decision. The World Health Organization (WHO) was supportive of China's campaign to vaccinate certain people against the coronavirus in July amid Phase 3 clinical trials, Reuters reported. The country launched its emergency program in July after communicating with the WHO in late June, Zheng Zhongwei, a National Health Commission official said Friday. "After the approval, on June 29, we made a communication with the relevant representatives of the WHO Office in China, and obtained support and understanding from WHO," said Zheng. Health workers and border officials are considered high-risk groups and have been among the first to receive [...]
Saudi Arabia plans to resume tourist visas by early 2021 after coronavirus suspension
A Saudi tourist surfs down a sand dune in the "Saed" desert area, 110km eastern of Riyadh City, in August 2020.PHOTO: AFP RIYADH (REUTERS) - Saudi Arabia plans to resume tourist visas by early 2021 after months of suspension amid strict government measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the kingdom's tourism minister told Reuters. Tourism is a key pillar of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious reform strategy to reduce the economy's dependence on oil. The kingdom, which opened its doors to foreign tourists in September 2019 by launching a new visa regime for 49 countries, wants the sector to contribute 10 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030. “ For tourist visas, until now we are talking about early next year. If things get [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: China prepares to declare victory in global vaccine race
The Chinese government is on a publicity blitz to build global trust in the vaccine. Photo / 123rf In a sterile corridor lined with laboratories, scientists in white hazmat suits drop liquid into small vials with pipettes. Then trays of test-tubes are sealed and packaged into boxes, ready for distribution. This sprawling new facility in south Beijing is already producing thousands of doses per day of a coronavirus vaccine developed by SinoVac, which the Chinese pharmaceutical firm says will be rolled out across the world early next year. The Telegraph, along with other media, has been invited to the newly built production facility and quality control labs as part of a publicity blitz led by the Chinese government to build global trust in the vaccine, which has not yet [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: World Health Organisation’s frightening deaths warning
Coronavirus infections are soaring across Europe and the US - and WHO has a warning. Photo / Getty Images news.com.au The number of coronavirus cases in Europe is soaring and the World Health Organisation warns worldwide deaths could more than double. The UK and France both reported their highest rise in daily coronavirus numbers today as Europe is gripped by a second wave. Global deaths have reached 985,302, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. The World Health Organisation warned that coronavirus deaths could double to two million if infection-fighting measures are not kept up. It comes as restrictions are tightened in Europe and the US crosses another bleak milestone. The hard-hit US crossed seven million cases — more than a fifth of the global total. This is despite [...]
Foreigners arriving in Malaysia must now pay full fee of $1,550 for Covid-19 quarantine
The government will continue to subsidise the operational costs for Malaysians.PHOTO: AFP PUTRAJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Foreigners arriving in Malaysia through various entry points must now pay the full RM4,700 (S$1,550) fee for the mandatory Covid-19 quarantine, Senior Minister (Security cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Thursday (Sept 24). Previously, both Malaysians and non-Malaysians must pay RM2,100 for accommodations and food for the two-week quarantine period at a hotel or in government provided rooms. But foreign nationals will now need to pay an additional RM2,600 for operational costs, Datuk Seri Ismail said. The government will continue to subsidise the operational costs for Malaysians, he said. "Starting from Thursday, all non-Malaysian individuals entering the country from its international entry points will have to pay the full charges," Mr Ismail [...]
Donald Trump to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to supreme court, reports say
President expected to announce pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday, setting stage for rightward shift Amy Coney Barrett at the University of Notre Dame’s law school commencement ceremony in 2018. Photograph: Robert Franklin/AP Donald Trump will on Saturday name Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the supreme court, according to multiple reports. Ginsburg died last Friday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. The president has trailed a Saturday afternoon announcement of his third pick for the court, a choice that with Republican support in the Senate would tilt the nine-member panel firmly to the right, 6-3. The New York Times, the Associated Press and CBS were among outlets on Friday citing anonymous sources in the administration and the [...]
Mary Trump sues president and two of his siblings over fraud allegations
President’s niece alleges he, his brother Robert and sister Maryanne Trump Barry cheated her out of millions Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC, on 23 September. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Donald Trump’s niece followed up her best-selling, tell-all book with a lawsuit Thursday alleging that the president and two of his siblings cheated her out of millions of dollars over several decades while squeezing her out of the family business. “Fraud was not just the family business – it was a way of life,” the lawsuit said. Mary Trump sought unspecified damages in the lawsuit, filed in a state court in New York City. The lawsuit alleged the president, his brother Robert and a sister, the former federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry, portrayed themselves as Mary Trump’s [...]
‘ It’s been a long, tough week’: Breonna Taylor protests again take over streets in Louisville; 24 arrested
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Protesters took to the streets again on Thursday night, defying a citywide curfew for the second night and coming face-to-face with armed counter-protesters claiming to “defend the Constitution.” A day after a grand jury’s decision in the deadly police shooting of Breonna Taylor sparked a new wave of national protests for racial equality and police reform, Tamika Palmer made a brief appearance at her daughter’s memorial in Jefferson Square Park as hundreds marched through downtown Louisville chanting Taylor’s name. At least 24 people were arrested as of 1 a.m. Friday, police said. Authorities alleged the protesters broke windows at a restaurant, damaged city buses, tried to set a fire and threw a flare into the street. The Black Lives Matter protesters at one point confronted about a dozen armed counter-protesters, with [...]
‘Enough is enough’: China attacks US at UN Security Council meeting
US President Donald Trump speaks during the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 22. 2020.PHOTO: BLOOMBERG UNITED NATIONS, UNITED STATES (AFP) - China on Thursday (Sept 24) lashed out at the United States at a high-level UN meeting over its criticism on the coronavirus, with its envoy declaring, "Enough is enough!" Two days after President Donald Trump used his annual address to the General Assembly to attack China's record, its ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, strongly criticised the US role in global affairs. "I must say, enough is enough! You have created enough troubles for the world already," he told a Security Council meeting on global governance attended through videoconference by several heads of state. "The US has nearly seven million confirmed cases and over 200,000 [...]
Johnson & Johnson begins giant trial testing of single dose Covid-19 vaccine
Johnson & Johnson is the fourth vaccine maker to move its candidate into late-stage human studies in the US.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - Johnson & Johnson has begun dosing up to 60,000 volunteers in a study of its Covid-19 vaccine, marking the first big US trial of an inoculation that may work after just one shot. J&J is the fourth vaccine maker to move its candidate into late-stage human studies in the US. If enrollment goes as expected, the trial could yield results as soon as year-end, allowing the company to seek emergency authorisation early next year, should it prove effective, Johnson & Johnson Chief Scientific Officer Paul Stoffels said Tuesday (Sept 22). "We are convinced that the single dose could be very efficacious," he said on a [...]
Malaysia power struggle set to drag on as King recuperates in hospital; PM Muhyiddin says he’s yet to hear from King
Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah will not be granting an audience to anyone for a week, as he is under observation at a hospital.PHOTO: CHINA PRESS KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS, THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah will not be granting an audience to anyone for a week, as he is under observation at a hospital, a palace official said on Friday (Sept 25), amid as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim seeks a meeting with him to form a new government. Mr Anwar said this week he has secured a “strong, formidable” majority from lawmakers in parliament to oust Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. But he has to convince the King that he has the numbers to form a government. Mr Anwar was scheduled to meet the King on Tuesday [...]
Trump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick
President Trump will soon name his Supreme Court nominee, an announcement that will reveal whether he plans to go all-in on Florida or fire up the social conservatives in his base just weeks before the election. The choice is likely to come down to two contenders: Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a favorite among conservatives, and Judge Barbara Lagoa, a Cuban American from Florida. Multiple sources familiar with the selection process say Barrett is the front-runner and that Lagoa is the only other candidate being seriously considered. Senate Republicans are expected to line up to confirm either of the federal appeals court judges to occupy the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But with Trump trailing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in national polls and in [...]
UK Covid-19 vaccine trial set to infect healthy volunteers with virus
Researchers hope to begin world’s first human challenge trials at east London quarantine facility in January Scientists will choose doses to infect volunteers without overloading their immune system, according to the FT. Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Healthy volunteers in the UK could soon be deliberately infected with coronavirus in the world’s first human challenge trial to find out which Covid vaccines work.Government-funded studies, which it is believed will be announced next week, could begin in January in London, the Financial Times has reported. Volunteers exposed to Covid-19 would be closely monitored in strict quarantine for as long as a month. Human challenge studies have a long and successful history, dating back to the end of the 18th century, when Edward Jenner inoculated an eight-year-old boy with cowpox virus and then [...]
Thousands of Xinjiang mosques destroyed or damaged, report finds
Fewer mosques in China’s western region than at any time since the Cultural Revolution, says thinktank A Chinese flag flies over a mosque closed by authorities in the old town of Kashgar. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Thousands of mosques in Xinjiang have been damaged or destroyed in just three years, leaving fewer in the region than at any time since the Cultural Revolution, according to a report on Chinese oppression of Muslim minorities. The revelations are contained in an expansive data project by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), which used satellite imagery and on-the-ground reporting to map the extensive and continuing construction of detention camps and destruction of cultural and religious sites in the north-western region. Nanyuan Street mosque - 2017 and 2018 The thinktank said Chinese [...]
Trump refuses to promise transfer of power if he loses US vote
President Donald Trump frequently claims that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to mass fraud.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Sept 23) refused to clearly guarantee a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the upcoming US election in November to Joe Biden. "Well, we're going to have to see what happens," Mr Trump responded when asked at a White House press conference whether he is committed to the most basic tenet of democratic rule in the United States. Mr Trump, who is currently behind in the polls against Democratic challenger Biden, then resumed his near daily complaint about the way the election is being organised. Apparently referring to the increased use of mail-in ballots - due to the coronavirus pandemic - he said: "You know [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: First New Zealand case comes to light
After weeks of Covid-19 restrictions Aucklanders are waking to new freedoms this morning under alert level 2. And the Ministry of Health has revealed more details of what's believed to be the true first Covid-19 case in New Zealand. The case came to light when a man sought Covid-19 testing after developing a sore throat. His weak positive result and serology test results indicated an old infection of the virus which dates back to February 21. "This infection occurred in late February following exposure to an infected person from Italy," the Ministry of Health said. "At the time the family member was visiting New Zealand, they became ill with symptoms consistent with Covid-19, and the wider household then also became ill." The family did not get tested at the [...]
Russian Army to be Equipped With New Weapons by End of Year
The Russian military has also been adopting the Ratnik, “soldier of the future” combat outfit. It utilizes lightweight body armor designed to protect up to 90 percent of a soldier’s body. Despite the fact that there isn’t really all the much of 2020 left on the calendar, there are now claims in Moscow that the 70 percent of the Russian Armed Forces will be equipped with brand-new and even “cutting edge” weapons and military hardware by the end of the year. “I think that upon the results of this year we will achieve a coveted amount, as we will approach to 70 percent in our army’s rearmament with advanced and promising types of weapons and military hardware,” Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in a televised interview with Rossiya’23 [...]
Mexico’s drug war leaves 39,000 unidentified bodies in its morgues
Investigation by Quinto Elemento Labs finds alarming number of people buried in common graves Soldiers stand guard in Coatzacoalcos. Mexico’s militarised war on drugs has claimed nearly 300,000 lives over the past 14 years. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP Mexico’s militarised crackdown on organised crime has left nearly 39,000 unidentified bodies in the country’s morgues, which are often unable to handle the volume of corpses brought in for autopsies. A new investigation by the investigative NGO Quinto Elemento Labs found that an alarming number of people were simply buried in common graves without proper postmortems. Some were left in funeral homes and more than 2,500 bodies were given to medical schools. “It’s possible that [medical] students are learning with bodies of persons being searched for by their families,” said an article [...]
Trump attacks China over Covid ‘plague’ as Xi urges collaboration in virus fight
US president uses speech to denounce China, UN and WHO Beijing has ‘no intention to fight a cold war’ – Chinese leader Donald Trump and Xi Jinping offered starkly contrasting responses to the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, with the US president blaming Beijing for unleashing a “plague” on the world – and his Chinese counterpart casting the fight against the virus as an opportunity for international cooperation. UN warns of lost decade without Covid economic recovery plan Read more In his recorded video address to the annual UN general assembly, Trump unleashed a rhetorical assault on Chinawhich seemed pitched at a domestic audience. Speaking as the US death toll from Covid-19 passed 200,000, Trump promised a “bright future” but said the world “must hold accountable the nation which [...]
Hong Kong police tighten control on media with new accreditation rules
Experts say new policy enables government to decide who is a journalist and curbs power of student and online journalism Media groups have called for the new policy to be withdrawn Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Hong Kong authorities have moved to further constrain the city’s free press with an announcement by police that they would no longer recognise certain types of media accreditation. Critics accused the police force of infringing the constitutionally enshrined free press, by attempting to create a government licensing system and reduce independent monitoring of their activities. Under the announcement the police force will recognise journalists from “internationally recognised and renowned” foreign outlets only or from media organisations that are registered with the government information system. It explicitly stated it would no longer recognise the accreditations given [...]
US reaches 200K coronavirus deaths after Trump praises administration for doing ‘phenomenal job’ on pandemic
The USA reached yet another dark milestone Tuesday: 200,000 coronavirus deaths. As states grapple with opening restaurants, small businesses and schools, cases are peaking in Montana, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data. Social distancing fatigue and contention over mask wearing threaten to compound COVID-19 cases and deaths as the year goes on. In March, President Donald Trump said keeping the death toll at 100,000 to 200,000 people would indicate that his administration had “done a very good job.” As the number continued to climb, Trump sought to reshape the significance of the death tally. “If we didn’t do our job, it would be three and a half, two and a half, maybe 3 million people,” Trump said Friday, leaning on extreme projections of what could have happened [...]
Main hospitals in Jakarta report full capacity amid Covid-19 surge; government to use 3-star hotels for quarantine
The athletes' village Wisma Atlet in Jakarta has 10 towers, with four being used to treat Covid-19 patients.PHOTO: AFP JAKARTA - Main hospitals in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta have reported full occupancy, with some having a waiting list of up to 20 confirmed Covid-19 patients seeking treatment, as cases continue to surge in the country. To ease the pressure on the hospitals in the city of more than 10 million, the government is making more rooms available at Jakarta's Wisma Atlet, an athlete's residence converted into a hospital for coronavirus patients with mild symptoms. The government is also set to tap three-star hotels in the capital as centralised quarantine centres for asymptomatic patients. The capital has 190 hospitals, according to Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. Earlier this [...]
US-China tensions take centre stage at UN as Trump accuses Beijing of unleashing ‘plague’
NEW YORK (REUTERS) – US President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (Sept 22) that China must be held accountable for having “unleashed” Covid-19 on the world, prompting Beijing to accuse him of “lies” and abusing the UN platform to provoke confrontation. China’s President Xi Jinping struck a conciliatory tone in his pre-recorded virtual address to the General Assembly, calling for enhanced cooperation over the pandemic and stressing that China had no intention of fighting “either a Cold War or a hot war with any country.” But China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun rejected Trump’s accusations against China as “baseless” and said “lies repeated a thousand times are still lies.” Trump and Xi, leaders of the world’s two largest economies, laid out competing visions at a [...]
Challenges rise on how to ship and distribute coronavirus vaccine at minus 80 deg C
Besides developing a safe and effective vaccine, drug companies also have to think about how to transport the drugs, which sometimes requires subzero temperatures.PHOTO: AFP NEW YORK (NYTIMES) - Many things will have to work out to end the coronavirus pandemic. Drug companies will have to develop a safe and effective vaccine. Billions of people will have to consent to vaccination. But there are more prosaic challenges, too. Among them: Companies may have to transport tiny glass vials thousands of miles while keeping them as cold as the South Pole in the depths of winter. A number of the leading Covid-19 vaccines under development will need to be kept at temperatures as low as minus 80 deg C from the moment they are bottled to the time [...]
Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week
© Getty Images President Trump said Saturday that he expects to announce his nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court within the next week and that his choice would be a woman. “I will be putting forth a nominee next week. It will be a woman,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, N.C., Saturday evening. Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters at the White House that his choice would “most likely” be a woman. If somebody were to ask me now, I would say that a woman would be in first place. The choice of a woman, I would say, would certainly be appropriate,” Trump said. “I think the choice will be next week,” Trump later told reporters when asked about the [...]
Trump administration approves Oracle-TikTok deal in principle
© Getty Images The Trump administration has in principle approved a proposal from TikTok, Oracle and Walmart that will stop the short form video platform from being shutdown. "I have given the deal my blessing," President Trump told reporters Saturday. "If they get it done, that’s great, if they don’t, that’s okay, too. It’s a great deal for America." Shortly after the president's comments, Oracle confirmed that it had been chosen as TikTok’s secure cloud provider. The deal would create a new TikTok Global entity that would be headquartered in the United States. Trump told reporters that it will likely be located in Texas. TikTok spokesperson Josh Gartner told The Hill that Oracle will be responsible for hosting all American user data and "associated computer systems" to address U.S. national security concerns. "We [...]
Thai protesters demand removal of PM and call for general strike after march blocked
Radical manifesto of grassroots movement also calls for changes to curb power of the country’s revered monarchy Student leader Panusaya Sithijirawattankul hands over a letter to royal guard police in Bangkok on Sunday with demands for reforming the monarchy. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters Thousands of protesters in Thailand have handed their demands for reform to royal guard police after a planned march was blocked at security barriers in the capital, Bangkok. One of the protest leaders, Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, told reporters on Sunday that the police had said the letter would be sent to police headquarters. The demonstrators’ demands include the removal of former junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister and a new constitution and elections, as well as reforms that would curb the powers of the monarchy. They also [...]
Deadly poison ricin sent to Donald Trump through the mail
US President Donald Trump. Photo / AP news.com.au Officials in the United States have intercepted an envelope addressed to President Donald Trump which contained the deadly poison ricin. The FBI, Secret Service and Postal Inspection Service are now trying to determine where the suspicious letter came from, and who sent it. According to The New York Times, they believe it originated in Canada and have identified a woman as a suspect. "The FBI and our US Secret Service and Postal Inspection Service partners are investigating a suspicious letter received at a US government mail facility. At this time, there is no known threat to public safety," the FBI said in a statement. The envelope was intercepted earlier this week at a processing facility where mail is screened before it's [...]
Mainland China reports 32 new Covid-19 cases, highest since Aug 10
Mainland China has not reported any local Covid-19 infections since mid-August.PHOTO: REUTERS SHANGHAI (REUTERS) - Mainland China reported 32 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday (Sept 17), marking the highest daily increase in more than a month and up sharply from nine cases reported a day earlier, the Chinese health authority said on Friday. Although the latest increase still remains well below the peaks seen at the height of the outbreak in China early this year, it is the biggest since Aug 10 and suggests continued Covid-19 risks stemming from overseas travellers coming into the country as the pandemic rages on in other parts of the world. The National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections, 13 of which were in the [...]
Taiwan pledges deeper US ties as Chinese jets harry island
(From left) US Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company founder Morris Chang at the president residency in Taipei on Sept 18, 2020.PHOTO: AFP PHOTO / TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen pledged deeper ties with the United States at a dinner for a visiting senior State Department official, on the same day China sent 18 fighter jets to harry the island to express its anger at the trip. China had earlier on Friday (Sept 18) announced combat drills and denounced what it called collusion between the island, which it claims as part of its territory, and the United States. Taiwan scrambled its air force in response. US Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach arrived in [...]
Iranian Opposition Fights For Freedom–Connects 10,000 Locations in Global Policy Summit
Freedom fighters unite Friday in a massive undertaking. 10,000 locations throughout the world will join together in a plea to create a fair, free democracy in Iran. It is a bi-partisan gathering of international relations scholars, government officials, and military experts. The Summit Event is designed to help rally the Iranian people–and governments around the world–to demand change for the increasingly isolated and challenged state of Iran, a country where dissonance is not allowed. Over the weekend, the Iranian regime secretly executed and buried a prominent protester and popular wrestling champion, Navid Afkari–despite the public outcry and international campaign to save him. It was the latest horror out of Tehran; the Iranian government has recently provoked domestic and international outrage amid news that multiple young pro-democracy protesters have been [...]
Trump blocks US downloads of TikTok, WeChat from Sept 20
WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The Trump administration will ban WeChat and video-sharing app TikTok from US app stores starting Sunday night (Sept 20), a move that will block Americans from downloading the Chinese-owned platforms over concerns they pose a national security threat. The bans, announced on Friday, affect only new downloads and updates and are less sweeping than expected, particularly for TikTok, giving its parent group ByteDance some breathing space to clinch an agreement over the fate of its US operations. WeChat, an all-in-one messaging, social media and electronic payment app, faces more severe restrictions from Sunday. Existing TikTok users, on the other hand, will see little change until Nov 12 when a ban on some technical transactions will kick in, which TikTok said would amount to an effective ban. [...]
Minneapolis Residents “Terrorized” by Crime Wave; Police “Nowhere to be Seen” After Defunding Push
Protesters gather around after setting fire to the entrance of a police station as demonstrations continue after a white police officer was caught on a bystander's video pressing his knee into the neck of African-American man George Floyd, who later died at a hospital, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., May 28, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Minneapolis city councilors are describing their constituents as “terrorized” by a recent violent crime wave that has swept through the city, with the Minneapolis Police “nowhere to be seen.” The council recently advanced a proposal to abolish and replace the Minneapolis Police Department. Jamal Osman of Ward 6 described the public safety situation in such terms in a council meeting with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. The actual plan to abolish the Minneapolis Police [...]
Novichok ‘found on water bottle in Alexei Navalny’s hotel room’
Development suggests Russian opposition leader poisoned in Tomsk, not at airport A photo of Navalny at Charité hospital in Berlin, posted on his Instagram feed on 15 September. Navalny fell ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow on 20 August. Photograph: AP Associates of Alexei Navalny have said traces of novichok were found on a bottle of water in his hotel room in Tomsk, suggesting he was poisoned while in the Siberian city, and not, as previously suspected, from a cup of tea he drank at the airport.The Russian opposition leader fell ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow on 20 August. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk, where he spent two days in a coma before being flown by a medical jet to Berlin. [...]
Dad Outraged After $1 Million Bail Set By Judge For His Daughter Who Was Arrested During BLM Protest: ‘This Is Unconstitutional’
A Franklin and Marshall College Kappa Delta sorority sister is one of the few people arrested and charged with crimes related to the riots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that occurred last week. The father of the girl criticized the judge’s decision to set her bail at $1 million, saying it was “obscene” and unconstitutional. 20-year-old Kathryn Patterson is facing felony and misdemeanor charges including arson, vandalism, riot, and undisciplined conduct after her arrest. She was supposedly part of the protests over the fatal police shooting of Ricardo Munoz, who chased a police officer with an intention to kill him. The 20-year-old is an obvious BLM supporter, constantly uploading BLM photos on Facebook with a description “BLM, all day every day” and leaving comments, “my left fist to symbolize black [...]
US accuses China of offering a safe haven to cyber criminals
Addressing a news conference in Washington, US Deputy Attorney-General Jeffrey Rosen said Beijing showed a pattern of tolerating criminal activity by hackers who were willing to work for its intelligence services. Prosecutors said five Chinese nationals hacked 100 firms in the US and other countries, including Singapore. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG United States Justice Department officials have criticised Beijing for tolerating Chinese hackers and providing them with a safe haven instead of bringing them to justice, as they unsealed indictments against five Chinese citizens and two Malaysians in a wide-ranging hacking campaign. "The Chinese government has the power to help stop crimes like these," Deputy Attorney-General Jeffrey Rosen said at a media conference on Wednesday. "The Chinese government has made a deliberate choice to allow its citizens [...]
Global Covid-19 infections top 30 million
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the globe has surpassed 30 million, according to figures by America's Johns Hopkins University. A worker disinfects the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, an underground church built into a salt mine, in Colombia on August 30, 2020. Photo: AFP / Juan Barreto More than 940,000 have died with Covid-19 since the outbreak began in China late last year. The worst hit nations are the US, India and Brazil, but there is a renewed spike in infections across Europe. Many northern hemisphere countries are now bracing for a second wave of the pandemic as winter approaches. In the UK, the government is considering taking further England-wide measures including a short period of restrictions to try to slow a second surge of infections. Outside Europe, [...]
4 ex-directors of French Shia Muslim centre arrested
Four ex-directors of a Shia Muslim centre in France have been arrested over concerns they continued to run the organisation despite it being disbanded by authorities in March last year, Agence France Presse (AFP) reports. The four directors were taken into custody on Tuesday. Three have been remanded in custody, while one was freed over health concerns. French prosecutors are reportedly investigating the four men for “participation in or maintenance of a dissolved association”, AFP quoted local sources as saying. The centre was disbanded last year over allegations members were inciting armed jihadism and condoning the actions of regional players, such as Hezbollah, designated as terrorist organisations by the French government. According to the report, members of the centre also propagated hate speech and anti-Semitism, as well as inciting violence. The French court, [...]
Ursula von der Leyen says Poland’s ‘LGBT-free zones’ have no place in EU
In her first ‘state of union’ speech, European commission president delivers criticism of Polish ruling party The head of the European commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said Poland’s “LGBT free zones” are “humanity-free zones” that have no place in the European Union in her strongest criticism yet of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party. In a wide-ranging 77-minute speech spanning from coronavirus to the climate emergency, Von der Leyen pledged to build “a union of equality” and criticised European member states that watered down EU foreign policy messages on human rights. She made plain her disapproval of Poland’s rightwing nationalist government, which has often hit out at “LGBT ideology”, while a number of Polish towns declared themselves “LGBT-ideology free zones”. “Being yourself is not your ideology,” Von der [...]
US charges 5 Chinese, 2 Malaysians in wide-ranging hacking effort affecting over 100 companies in US, elsewhere
Jeffrey Rosen, deputy attorney-general, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Sept 16, 2020. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The US Justice Department said on Wednesday (Sept 16) it has charged five Chinese residents and two Malaysian businessmen in a wide-ranging hacking effort that encompassed targets from videogames to pro-democracy activists. Federal prosecutors said the Chinese nationals had been charged with hacking more than 100 companies in the United States and abroad, including software development companies, computer manufacturers, telecommunications providers, social media companies, gaming firms, nonprofits, universities, and think-tanks, as well as foreign governments and politicians and civil society figures in Hong Kong. US officials stopped short of alleging the hackers were working on behalf of Beijing, but in a statement Deputy Attorney-General Jeffrey [...]
‘We said no’: Advance NZ wanted to join NZ First, Winston Peters says
Winston Peters says NZ First turned the party's proposal down. Photo / George Novak Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says NZ First turned down a proposal from Advance New Zealand to join forces. "Advance New Zealand wanted to join New Zealand First but we said no," Peters said. He was speaking in Tauranga's Red Square and responding to a woman holding a poster with images of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and communist symbols. Asked why the party refused, Peters said the reasons would be "obvious to any sensible, sane, rational person". Advance New Zealand came and tried to join," Peters said. "We said no." He said it happened "before they got underway, they had this group before". But he would not reveal [...]
Company run by Chinese military made bid to run NZ Police facial recognition system
Server hardware. Photo: 123rf A company the US says is owned or controlled by China's military made a bid to run the New Zealand Police's new facial recognition and image handling system. Inspur Group is on a list of 20 Chinese companies the Pentagon named as military-controlled in late June. The list opens up the 20 companies to extra sanctions by the US. The Defence Department has been mandated to produce such a list since 1999, but this is the first time it has done so, amid US-China tensions. Official documents show Inspur Software was one of four bidders seeking to set up and provide support for the next decade [...]
Mike Pompeo says US-North Korea talks are ongoing behind scenes
Pompeo attends the third annual US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Washington, Sept 14, 2020.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted on Tuesday (Sept 15) that the hoped-for progress in negotiations with nuclear-armed North Korea has not materialised, but talks are ongoing. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held three high-profile meetings starting in June 2018, after an uptick in tensions at the start of Trump's term. But nothing concrete emerged in terms of Pyongyang's denuclearisation, and talks have been officially at a standstill for months. “We did have hopes that we could make further progress, that Chairman Kim would go in a different direction, but I'm still optimistic," Pompeo said at a think-tank roundtable in Washington. "It's gone quiet [...]
US violated trade rules with tariffs on China: WTO
Washington had not justified why the tariffs imposed after a Section 301 investigation against China were a justifiable exception to its obligations.PHOTO: REUTERS GENEVA (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG, AFP) - The World Trade Organisation ruled on Tuesday (Sept 15) that additional tariffs imposed by the United States against China in 2018 were inconsistent with global trading rules. Washington has imposed levies on US$400 billion (S$545 billion) in Chinese exports. A panel of three WTO trade experts said in its report “that the United States had not met its burden of demonstrating that the measures are provisionally justified". China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday that it “appreciates the objective and fair ruling made by the expert group”. “China also hopes that the United States will fully respect the rulings [...]
Children among 40 people injured after train and school bus collide near Palmerston North
The driver of a school bus involved in a crash with a train near Palmerston North this morning has died. Forty others were injured, including six Feilding High School students who were taken to Palmerston North Hospital with moderate to minor injuries. Forty one people were on board the bus when it collided with a train. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Emergency services were alerted to the serious crash just after 8am at the intersection of Railway Road and Clevely Line in Bunnythorpe. St John said it assessed 40 patients at the scene, whose conditions varied from moderate to minor. A resident near the crash site said it appeared the front of the school bus was hit by the train and that there were children with minor injuries. Police [...]
‘Hi, this is Navalny’: poisoned Russian opposition leader posts hospital photo
Alexei Navalny says he can breathe independently in Instagram post sent from hospital in Berlin A photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at Berlin’s Charité hospital that was posted on his Instagram feed on Tuesday. Photograph: Instagram account @navalny/AFP/Getty Images The Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has said he is now able to breathe without any external support, in his first public statement since he was poisoned last month.Navalny, who German authorities said was poisoned with the nerve agent novichok, posted a photograph on Instagram of himself sitting up in a hospital bed surrounded by his wife and their two children. In the caption to the post, he wrote: “Hi, this is Navalny. I’m missing you. I still can hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe the [...]
UAE, Bahrain and Israel sign historic accords at White House event
Trio establish formal relations at ceremony viewed as image boost for Trump and Netanyahu Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have signed agreements to establish formal relations, ending a decades-old taboo in Arab diplomacy as power and priorities shift in the Middle East. “Today’s signing sets history on a new course,” Donald Trump told a crowd outside the White House where the deal was signed. “This an incredible day for the world,” he said. Long shunned because of its occupation of the Palestinian territories, Israel has always been considered a regional pariah. Yet as mostly autocratic Arab governments grow apathetic towards the Palestinian cause, and with Israel and the Gulf states sharing a common enemy in Iran, some relations have flourished discreetly in recent years. After welcoming the [...]
Justice Dept. to announce charges for Chinese government-linked ‘computer intrusion campaign’
The Justice Department plans to announce Wednesday charges involving a “computer intrusion campaign” tied to the Chinese government. Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich and other officials will take part in a news conference at 11 a.m. ET to make the announcement, a DOJ statement obtained by Reuters said. Last month, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said that Chinese government-linked hackers have been targeting U.S. election infrastructure before the November election. China has denied claims that it hacked U.S. government agencies. In July, U.S. security officials tracking Chinese hacking revealed that hackers backed by the Chinese government attempted to steal coronavirus vaccination data from U.S.-based biotech company, Moderna Inc. China pushed back on this accusation and said, “Such allegations are pure slander.” The week before, [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus Australia: ANU blood test finds 60,000 undetected Covid-19 cases
Australian National University have now developed a new test which picks up previous Covid-19 infection in a patient's blood. Photo / 123RF news.com.au In Australia, federal government-funded research has revealed far more people have potentially been exposed to the coronavirus than anticipated. Researchers from the Australian National University have now developed a new test which picks up previous Covid-19 infection in a patient's blood. The study indicates eight in 3000 healthy and previously undiagnosed Australians had likely been infected with the virus. "This suggests that instead of 11,000 cases we know about from nasal swab testing, about 70,000 people had been exposed overall," Associate Professor Ian Cockburn said. The researchers claim the test will help authorities get a better grasp of the spread of the illness – and [...]
Lancaster protesters held on whopping $1 million bail each after alleged riots
A Pennsylvania judge threw the book at several protesters – setting their bail at $1 million each – for allegedly rioting in the wake of the police shooting of a knife-wielding Lancaster man. Lancaster police nabbed a dozen people and one juvenile for staging the riots around 3 a.m. Monday in clashes that culminated in police deploying tear gas at the crowd. The overnight violence came on the heels of the death of Ricardo Munoz, the mentally ill 27-year-old who was seen on body cam footage charging at a cop with a knife in hand. The officer shot and killed Munoz Sunday afternoon outside his mother’s house in downtown Lancaster. The mob marched from the scene of the shooting on Laurel Street to the police station, chucking glass bottles, rocks, brick, gallon [...]
Astronomers claim to have found hints of life on Venus
A report says astronomers have found a potential signal of life high in the atmosphere of our nearest neighboring planet. AP Photo / J. Greaves, Cardiff University Astronomers have found a potential sign of life high in the atmosphere of neighboring Venus: hints there may be bizarre microbes living in the sulfuric acid-laden clouds of the hothouse planet. Two telescopes in Hawaii and Chile spotted in the thick Venusian clouds the chemical signature of phosphine, a noxious gas that on Earth is only associated with life, according to a study in Monday's journal Nature Astronomy. Several outside experts — and the study authors themselves — agreed this is tantalizing but said it is far from the first proof of life on another planet. They said it doesn't satisfy the [...]
Air NZ sells 70,000 seats in six hours after rules relaxed
The government's decision to relax physical distancing rules on public transport has seen airlines promise to increase flights and release hundreds of thousands of cheap airfares to encourage domestic travel. An Air New Zealand turboprop plane prepares for takeoff from Nelson Airport. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal As soon as the announcement was made that distancing would no longer be required on planes, Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran says the airline immediately made more tickets available. "That put on the market about 160,000 more seats." In six hours, the airline sold 70,000 seats yesterday, he says. Foran told Morning Report this is what happens when the airline has the opportunity to operate the domestic airline at full potential. During level [...]
US pulls back from broad import bans for cotton, tomatoes from China’s Xinjiang
US said the orders are aimed at combating China's use of forced labour by detained Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The Trump administration on Monday (Sept 14) shelved plans for a broad import ban on cotton and tomato products from China’s Xinjiang region while announcing narrower bans on products from five specific entities. Department of Homeland Security acting Deputy Secretary Kenneth Cuccinelli said the new “Withhold Release Orders” (WROs) on cotton, textiles, apparel, hair products and computer parts are aimed at combating China’s use of forced labour by detained Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. He told reporters on a conference call that the administration was conducting more legal analysis of the region-wide import bans. Customs and Border Protection officials told Reuters last week [...]
Michael Bloomberg to spend $136 million in Florida for Biden
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said he would be infusing US$100 million in Florida to help Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.PHOTOS: REUTERS, AFP/GETTY IMAGES NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who spent hundreds of millions on his 2020 Democratic presidential bid before dropping out, plans to infuse at least US$100 million (S$136.80 million) in Florida to help Democrat Joe Biden's effort against Republican President Donald Trump in an important swing state, The Washington Post reported on Sunday (Sept 13). Bloomberg advisers said the former New York City mayor made his decision last week after news reports that Mr Trump was considering spending up to US$100 million of his own cash in his adopted state, the newspaper said. The Republican President, who trails Mr Biden in [...]
Yoshihide Suga to be Japan’s prime minister after winning party vote
Liberal Democratic party MPs vote to appoint Shinzo Abe loyalist as party leader Yoshihide Suga has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling party, and is to officially become prime minister on Wednesday. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters Yoshihide Suga is poised to become Japan’s prime minister after he was comfortably elected to lead the ruling party following the resignation of Shinzo Abe.Liberal Democratic party (LDP) MPs from both houses of parliament and representatives from prefectural party chapters voted overwhelmingly for Suga, with the Abe loyalist emerging from the poll on Monday with 377 of the 534 votes, well ahead of Fumio Kishida, a former foreign minister, with 89 votes, and Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, with 68.Suga, [...]
Manhunt underway for shooter after 2 deputies ambushed in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — Authorities were searching Sunday for the gunman who shot two sheriff's deputies in an apparent ambush, hours after hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest the shooting death of Dijon Kizzee by members of the Sheriff's Department. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva expressed frustration over anti-police sentiment and urged people to pray for the officers. “It pisses me off,” he said of the shooting. “This was a cowardly act.” The Sheriff’s Department released video that shows someone walking up to a patrol car parked near a Metro station in Compton about 7 p.m. Saturday. The person opens fire and runs from the scene. Villanueva said the deputies, a 31-year-old female and a 24-year-old male, were shot multiple times but able to radio for help. Both were hospitalized in critical condition at St. Francis Medical Center. [...]
Australia minister warns foreign journalists amid China spat
A Chinese journalist wipes his forehead while looking at his smartphone during a daily briefing by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Photo / AP A senior Australian government minister on Sunday warned foreign journalists working in the country they might come under the scrutiny of federal agencies if they provide a "slanted view" of Australian affairs. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton made the comments during a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp, referring to journalists reporting to "a particular community". While he didn't mention China, Dutton's comments come after the evacuation from China last week of Australian journalists Bill Birtles and Mike Smith, who sheltered in Australian diplomatic compounds after being questioned by police. Australian Cheng Lei, who works as a business anchor for CGTN, China's English-language [...]
Election 2020: National wants to spend $2b on education if elected
National has launched its education policy for the election. Photo / Stock The National Party is focusing its education policy on children with learning needs and is promising to invest almost $2 billion into education if it is elected. It says that would equate to the largest investment in repairing, rebuilding and redeveloping schools in a generation. National leader Judith Collins and education spokeswoman Nicola Willis unveiled the policy at a private school in Christchurch this afternoon. "National will make the largest investment in repairing, rebuilding and redeveloping our schools in a generation, to make sure every child has the chance to learn in a fit-for-purpose education environment," they said. But it would again scrap the higher subsidies for preschools with 100 per cent qualified teachers which has been [...]
US Marine who killed transgender woman in Philippines deported after presidential pardon
Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of killing Jennifer Laude in a motel room in 2014 MANILA, Philippines — A U.S. Marine convicted of killing a Filipino transgender woman was deported Sunday after a presidential pardon cut short his detention in a case that renewed outrage over a pact governing American military presence in the Philippines. Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton said in a farewell message that he was “extremely grateful” to President Rodrigo Duterte for pardoning him and expressedhis “most sincere sympathy” to the family of Jennifer Laude, who he was convicted of killing in 2014 in a motel northwest of Manila after finding out that she was transgender. In his nearly six years of confinement, Pemberton said he spent “much time contemplating the many errors” he committed [...]
We can have Wakanda. We just have to build it’: Nineteen families buy 97 acres of land in Georgia to create black-only ‘safe space’ town called Freedom – but whites who are ‘pro-African American’ can apply to live there
Group of 19 black families bought 97 acres in rural Wilkinson County, Georgia Goal is to establish a city founded by black families that would be a 'safe haven' Idea is brainchild of real estate agent Ashley Scott and investor Renee Walters They initially expressed interest in buying up town of Toomsboro, Georgia But when the town wasn't for sale, they looked for land nearby in the county They hope to clear the land for farming and create a man-made lake for fishing Scott and Walters said whites who are 'pro-black people' are welcome to join A group of 19 African American families have bought a 97-acre tract of land in rural Georgia which they plan to use to create a city that will serve as a [...]
LA Rioters Block Hospital, Shout “We Hope They Die” As Medics Tried To Save Ambushed Cops
A massive search is underway for a gunman who ambushed two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies last night at the Metro station in Compton, California. Both deputies were reportedly shot in the head, according to officials. They were shot as they sat in their patrol car Saturday by a suspect who “opened fire without warning or provocation,” authorities said. The female deputy is a 31-year-old mother with a 6-year-old, and the male is 24 years old. The two officers had both just been sworn to duty, 14 months ago, Illicit Info reports. Moments ago, 2 of our Sheriff Deputies were shot in Compton and were transported to a local hospital,” the department tweeted. “They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts [...]
Malaysia looking at fully reopening border with Singapore in January
Johor wants the border to be fully open for daily commuters.PHOTO: ST FILE ISKANDAR PUTERI (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's Health Ministry is looking at the possibility of fully reopening the Malaysia-Singapore border for daily commuters in January. Health Minister Adham Baba said on Friday (Sept 11) that the recovery movement control order (RMCO) period over the next four months would be an important time for the country as it would determine if it is possible to reopen the border with Singapore fully. He said during this time, a more systematic approach would be taken in areas such as as border control, physical distancing and the use of personal protective equipment. Datuk Seri Dr Adham also said the ministry is looking at doubling its capacity in [...]
Israeli protesters keep up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged corruption
Israeli protesters gather in front of Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Sept 12 2020,PHOTO: AFP JERUSALEM (REUTERS) - Thousands of Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Saturday (Sept 12) over his alleged corruption and the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The crowd rallied outside Netanyahu's residence, blowing whistles, waving signs and flags and calling for his resignation. Smaller protests were held along bridges at major intersections in cities across Israel. Israeli media estimated that about 10,000 people attended what has become a weekly demonstration in Jerusalem. The protests built up over the summer as Covid-19 cases spiked. With a population of nine million, Israel has reported almost 150,000 infections cases and more than 1,000 deaths. The country is in a recession as a [...]
Greece announces major arms purchase as tensions with Turkey rise
Greek riot police face demonstrators as Greek Prime Minister delivers his annual speech on defence and economic policyPHOTO: AFP ATHENS (AFP) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday (Sept 12) announced a "robust" arms purchase programme and an overhaul of the country's military amid rising tensions with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. What appears to be Greece's most ambitious military overhaul in nearly two decades was unveiled as it is engaged in a growing stand-off with Turkey over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the waters off their coasts. The bitter row between the Nato allies has roped in other European powers and even sparked fears of more severe conflict. "The time has come to reinforce the armed forces... these initiatives constitute a robust programme that [...]
Afghanistan war: ‘Historic’ peace talks with Taliban begin
The first peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban are beginning in the Gulf state of Qatar, after months of delay. US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad (left) and Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar shake hands after signing the peace agreement between US, Taliban, in Doha, Qatar on 29 February, 2020. Photo: Anadolu Agency / Fatih Aktas via AFP US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the meeting "historic" as he flew to Doha for the opening ceremony. The talks were due to start after a US-Taliban security deal in February. But disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap stalled the next stage, as did violence in Afghanistan, where four decades of war are at a stalemate. A delegation of leading Afghans left Kabul [...]
Election 2020: Greens want to give farmers $297m to help them be climate-friendly
The Greens want to create a $297m fund to help farmers transition to climate-friendly practices. Photo / NZH The Green Party is promising to give farmers $297 million to help them transition to climate-friendly practices. It also wants a levy on the use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers, an overhaul of the labelling of sustainably grown and organic products and a resource rental fee on commercial use of water. The Greens' "Farming for the Future" agriculture policy was launched by co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw at a small organic farm in Canterbury. Shaw said "the reality is that the way we currently farm" is accelerating climate change but New Zealand could transform the causes "into the solutions". "Farming is at the frontline of the climate crisis, and any [...]
Election 2020: Labour unveils $1b plan for the welfare system
Labour's social development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni has unveiled their welfare policy. Photo / Mark Tantrum Labour has unveiled its $1 billion social development policy, which would allow people on a benefit working part-time to earn more and bolster the flexi-wage scheme. If re-elected, it would also restore an allowance for sole-parent beneficiaries going to university more than 10 years after it was axed. The policy was launched by Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni, who said "investing in our people is a key part of Labour's five point economic plan". "Covid-19 is going to impact incomes and employment significantly, which is why Labour is focused on improving New Zealanders' access to training, creating a more highly skilled workforce and ensuring those on benefits can keep more of what they earn." [...]
‘Quantum supremacy’: China claims super computer million times faster than record
A quantum computer uses qubits, or subatomic particles in various quantum states to perform many calculations at the same time. Photo / 123RF A Chinese physicist claimed to have built a quantum computer that would leave Western competitors in the dust, but he and his team said they needed to "further verify" the claim. Pan Jianwei, a physicist from the University of Science and Technology of China, announced at a lecture at Westlake University, Hangzhou, on September 5 that a new machine had recently achieved "quantum supremacy" one million times greater than the record currently held by Sycamore, a quantum computer built by Google. Sycamore completed in about 200 seconds a calculation that would keep the fastest computer on Earth busy for 10,000 years, according to a paper [...]
‘War zone’: Deadly wildfires rage in Western states: At least 23 dead, hundreds of thousands evacuated
OROVILLE, Calif. – Wildfires raced through more than a dozen Western states Thursday, incinerating homes, forcing hundreds of thousands of evacuations, and burning a swath of land almost the size of New Jersey. At least 23 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed by more than 100 major fires that have consumed nearly 7,000 square miles. Authorities in Oregon say more than 500,000 people statewide have been forced to evacuate because of wildfires - over 10% of the state’s 4.2 million population. "Unprecedented weather conditions have created emergency situations near wildfires throughout California, Oregon, Washington and other states," the National Fire Information Center warned. "Almost half of the large fires reported today have evacuation orders in place." Nineteen deaths have been reported in California, three in Oregon and one in Washington state. In Northern California's Butte [...]
Russian Intelligence Hackers Are Back, Microsoft Warns, Aiming at Officials of Both Parties
China is also growing more adept at targeting campaign workers. But contrary to Trump administration warnings, Beijing is mostly aiming at Biden campaign officials. Microsoft’s cybercrimes unit in Redmond, Wash. Firms like Microsoft and Google, because they sit atop global networks, have a front-seat view of suspicious activity. Credit...Kyle Johnson for The New York Times The Russian military intelligence unit that attacked the Democratic National Committee four years ago is back with a series of new, more stealthy hacks aimed at campaign staff members, consultants and think tanks associated with both Democrats and Republicans. That warning was issued on Thursday by the Microsoft Corporation, in an assessment that is far more detailed than any yet made public by American intelligence agencies. The findings come one day [...]
China-India border dispute: Armed parachute drills point to military build-up
Chinese paratroopers have been taking part in high-altitude drills on the Tibetan Plateau. File Photo / Getty China appears to be preparing thousands of its elite special forces to face off against their Indian counterparts in the troubled Himalayan border region as the military build-up on both sides of the frontier continues. According to a report on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday, a special operations brigade from the Tibet Military Area Command and an army aviation brigade jointly organised the first parachute training "in an unfamiliar area which is over 4000 metres above sea level recently". Without disclosing the date or location of the training, CCTV said that so far more than 300 officers and soldiers of the special operations brigade had successfully carried out their first jump [...]
BIG NEWS: Arab League Rejects Palestinian Demand to Condemn Israel-UAE Peace Agreement
The Arab League of 22 Muslim nations failed to pass a resolution condemning the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. After three hours of discussion the League members decided to drop the topic and move on. In a historic first Israel and the UAE announced a peace agreement in August. The Trump White House was instrumental in brokering the deal. This was a major step toward peace in the Middle East. Democrats attacked the peace agreement and bumbling Joe Biden took credit for the deal. Israel National News reported: The Arab League on Wednesday failed to pass a resolution proposed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) which would have condemned the normalization deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Times of Israel reports. “After a three-hour [...]
White supremacy is ‘most lethal threat’ to the US, DHS draft assessment says
Washington (CNN)White supremacists will remain the most "persistent and lethal threat" in the United States through 2021, according to Department of Homeland Security draft documents. The most recent draft report predicts an "elevated threat environment at least through" early next year, concluding that some US-based violent extremists have capitalized on increased social and political tensions in 2020. Although foreign terrorist organizations will continue to call for attacks on the US, the report says, they "probably will remain constrained in their ability to direct such plots over the next year." The threat assessment -- which also warns of continued disinformation efforts by Russia -- is especially notable as President Donald Trump has often employed race-baiting tactics in his quest for reelection and frequently downplayed the threat from white supremacists during [...]
Judith Collins reveals plan to create new bank for infrastructure projects
National Party leader Judith Collins is unveiling National's plan to create a new bank to provide finance and advice to central and local government on infrastructure projects, if elected. The Crown Financial Institution, named the National Infrastructure Bank, would consolidate existing agencies including Crown Infrastructure Partners, Green Investment, Provincial Growth Fund loans and residual holdings at Crown Irrigation Investments Limited. Collins says the bank would offer institutional investors such as the Accident Compensation Corporation and NZ Super Fund an avenue to take on investment risk in New Zealand infrastructure assets. "A key part of National's plan to deal with the current economic and jobs crisis is to deliver world-class infrastructure that grows our economy and gets Kiwis back to work. "To do that we have to invest, and every [...]
Election 2020: Labour leader Jacinda Ardern unveils energy policy
Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern while campaigning in Rotorua. Photo / Andrew Warner Labour is promising to bring forward the Government's 100 per cent renewable electricity generation target by five years if they are re-elected. But to get to this ambitious target, the next government will need to spend $4 billion on an energy generation plan at the bottom of the South Island. The Labour-led Government's policy during this term in Government was to have all New Zealand's electricity renewable by 2035. But, speaking to reporters in Taupō this afternoon, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said her party would bring that forward to 2030. There will be a review at 2025 to "assess New Zealand's progress" and for the Government to "check in on" the renewable energy plan. "We need [...]
Australia revokes Chinese scholar visas and targets media officials
Senior Chinese media officials in Australia have been targeted and the visas of two leading Chinese scholars have been revoked in an unprecedented foreign interference investigation into a NSW political staffer, provoking a furious response from the Chinese Government. Photo: 123RF The Chinese Government has used state media to accuse Australian authorities of secretly raiding the homes of four Chinese journalists in Australia in late June, after receiving questions from the ABC yesterday about the investigation. The Chinese embassy did not reply to the ABC's questions yesterday, but several state media organisations published articles overnight reporting details of the alleged raids and accusing Australia of "severely infring[ing] on the legitimate rights of Chinese journalists" and "hypocrisy in upholding so-called 'freedom of the press'". The ABC has uncovered the identities [...]
Gulf Livestock 1: Search for crew of capsized cattle ship called off
The search for the missing crew, including two New Zealanders, in the East China Sea has been called off. The Japanese Coast Guard patrol ship Kudaka had been involved in the search for the Gulf Livestock 1 which has now been called off. Photo: AFP The ship, the Gulf Livestock 1, sent a distress call from the west of Amami Oshima island in south-western Japan last Wednesday as Typhoon Maysak lashed the area with strong winds and heavy seas. It was carrying 43 crew members and thousands of cows. Three people were found, two were alive but one man was unconscious and later died. The search and rescue was suspended over the weekend, when a second typhoon battered the area and resumed on Monday but daily searches using planes [...]
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial has been stopped after an illness
The hold AstraZeneca placed Tuesday on its COVID-19 vaccine trials is the first major setback in pursuit of a vaccine against a disease that has now killed 190,000 in the U.S. and nearly 900,000 worldwide. One volunteer in a trial in the United Kingdom apparently developed a serious neurological problem after receiving the vaccine, though not much has been made publicly available about what happened. AstraZeneca, which is running several large trials around the world, including one in the U.S., put a temporary hold on all of them pending an investigation. It may seem surprising to stop a multimillion-dollar, 30,000-person trial because one person fell ill, but "it's not at all unprecedented," said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, speaking Wednesday morning to a Senate committee. [...]
Donald Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize after Israel-UAE peace accord
US President Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize over the deal his administration brokered between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The nomination was submitted by Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde, who leads the country's right-leaning Progress Party. "For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees," Mr Tybring-Gjedde told Fox News, explaining his decision to put Mr Trump's name forward. He also mentioned the President's attempts to reach a denuclearisation deal with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and praised his decision to withdraw a large number of US troops from the Middle East. “I'm not a big Trump supporter," Mr Tybring-Gjedde stressed. "The committee should look at the facts and judge him [...]
Stocks Sink As Investors Sell Tech Shares – Markets See 4-Wk Low
The markets continued their downward spiral Monday, as traders headed back to work for the first trading session after Labor Day break. Tech stocks felt the brunt of the hit amid signs of significant volatility. The Nasdaq Composite ended the session down more than 4%, after sliding 6% in the two days ahead of the holiday weekend. The Dow closed down 2.25%, losing 632 points to close at 27,500 and the S&P was off nearly 2.8%, or 95 points, ending the session at 3331.84 Some of the names hardest hit include shares of electric car maker, Tesla, which ended the session off a whopping 21%, as investors come to grips with the news that the stock will not be part of the S&P 500 index. Apple traded down almost [...]
9 Drug Companies Pledge to ‘Stand With Science’ on Coronavirus Vaccines
The joint statement by competitors was seen as an effort to restore public trust as President Trump has pushed for a vaccine before the presidential election. A Covid-19 vaccine trial carried out by Pfizer in May at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Pfizer is one of nine companies that pledged on Tuesday that it would not put forward a vaccine until it had vetted it for safety and efficacy.Credit...University of Maryland School of Medicine, via Associated Press Nine pharmaceutical companies issued a joint pledge on Tuesday that they would “stand with science” and not put forward a vaccine until it had been thoroughly vetted for safety and efficacy. The companies did not rule out seeking an emergency authorization of their vaccines, [...]
Labour pledges to raise tax on earnings over $180k
The Labour Party is promising to increase tax on the country's highest two percent of earners and close loopholes so multinationals pay their fair share of tax. Finance Minister Grant Robertson campaigning in Tauranga. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas The party has released its tax policy and the new top rate of 39 percent on earnings over $180,000 is the sole change. Tax rates for companies and trusts would not change. The policy is forecast to generate $550 million of revenue a year. Labour finance spokesperson Grant Robertson said the policy is about maintaining investment in crucial services, while keeping tax rates exactly the same as they are now for 98 percent of people. "Our plan strikes a balance as we recover from Covid-19. It will avoid the cuts [...]
London court resumes Assange hearing amid worldwide protests against his extradition to US
British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood addresses supporters of Julian Assange protesting outside the Old Bailey 07 September, 2020 in London, England. © Getty Images / Barcroft Media As the Julian Assange hearing resumed, the WikiLeaks founder formally declined to be extradited to face a superseding indictment issued by the US in June. Protesters and lawyers say the prosecution will stifle press freedom. Assange’s lawyers described the prosecution as a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle press freedom and put journalists around the world at risk. The journalist is now expected to appear each day of the hearing, which is likely to last four weeks. On the first day, he officially stated that he does not consent to be extradited. Several dozen supporters, including his father and partner, as [...]
Ex- GOP Sen. and Defense Secretary Hagel: Trump reportedly calling troops ‘losers’ is ‘despicable,’ fits pattern
Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Sunday that if President Donald Trump disparaged fallen U.S. soldiers by calling them "losers," as was reported by The Atlantic and several other news outlets, it was "despicable" and unsuitable for the person in charge of America's armed forces. Trump has strongly denied The Atlantic report, based on four anonymous sources, that he called dead and wounded U.S. service members "losers and suckers." The president told reporters Thursday, "I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes. There is nobody that respects them more." Several media outlets, including the Associated Press and Fox News, have since confirmed many of the quotes used in The Atlantic piece. Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran and two-term Republican [...]
Huawei Develops Cloud Phone to Save the Chip Ban Loss
The US chip ban against Huawei will commence on 15th this month as part of the anti-Huawei campaign starting from last year. To overcome the chip shortage in the coming months, Huawei has recently launched a cloud phone sales in which a new flagship of Kunpengyun mobile phone will be the substitute of a regular phone with advanced chips. According to the statement of Huawei, the new type phone is useful for playing cloud mobile games, and is the best alternative for a daily basis. Huawei Cloud Phone is based on the Huawei Yunpeng Peng bare metal server. Huawei's website gives the description that the Yunpeng cloud service solution comprehensively introduces the value and significance of the products and services provided by Huawei Yunpeng cloud service. In the challenge [...]
Covid-19: Six new cases in NZ today, four in community
There are six new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, four in the community and two in managed isolation. A scientist studying coronavirus. Photo: AFP In a statement, the Ministry of Health says one of the imported cases was a man in his 20s who arrived from the Philippines on 3 September and was at a managed isolation facility when he tested positive on day 3 of his stay. The other is a female in her late teens who arrived on the same flight from the Philippines and also tested positive on day three, it says. The four new cases in the community were all linked to the Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship Church group within the Auckland August cluster. The ministry said the Auckland Regional Public Health was [...]
Journalists working for Australian media in China fly home over fears for their safety
The ABC's Bill Birtles arrives back in Australia. Photos / Twitter, Nine News Michael Smith of the Australian Financial Review. The last two journalists working for Australian media in China have left the country after police demanded interviews with them, the Australian Government and Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The ABC's Bill Birtles and the Australian Financial Review's Michael Smith landed in Sydney after flying from Shanghai. Both had sheltered in Australian diplomatic compounds in recent days. Chinese police arrived at Birtles' doorstep last week, demanded he submit to questioning and told him he was banned from leaving the country, the ABC reported. Australian and Chinese officials negotiated for the travel ban to be lifted if Birtles spoke to police. The journalists left after Australia revealed last week that Australian [...]
China says Indian forces crossed border, fired warning shots
Border Roads Organisation workers rest near Pangong Lake in Ladakh region, India. Photo / AP file China said Indian forces crossed into territory it holds along their disputed border and fired warning shots at a Chinese patrol in a move it called a "serious military provocation" and a violation of their agreements. The nuclear-armed rivals have been engaged in a tense standoff in the cold-desert Ladakh region since May, and their defence ministers met on Friday in Moscow in the first high-level direct contact between the sides since the standoff began. China's western military command said the incursion occurred yesterday along the southern coast of Pangong Lake in the area known in Chinese as Shenpaoshan. After shots were fired, Chinese forces took "necessary measures to stabilise and control the [...]
Gunmaker Smith & Wesson ramps up production after sales skyrocket a record-breaking 140 percent
Smith & Wesson, one of the country’s biggest gunmakers, has announced it will increase production to meet demand as firearms sales have grown significantly by 140 percent year-over-year. The company’s announcement comes after a record-breaking first quarter, and sales have only increased since, likely at least in part due to a surge in violence and rioting in major cities around the country. The firearms maker, one of just two publicly traded gun makers in the country, reported the dramatic rise in sales between the beginning of May through the end of July. In that timeframe, the company sold or moved 584,000 guns, which is an unprecedented demand that led to declines in inventories around the country. As such, the company’s executives have committed to doubling down on production output [...]
National announces plan to tackle methamphetamine
The National Party has announced its plan to tackle methamphetamine demand and supply. On a visit to Hawke's Bay today, leader Judith Collins announced the party's plan which will tackle supplies coming into prisons, target organised crime networks, increase drug dogs at airports and establish a $50 million contestable fund for reduction programmes. "National's plan tackles the harm of methamphetamine use, restoring hope to people trapped in cycles of drug dependence and challenging those who peddle misery in our communities," Collins said. "The use of this drug tears families apart, fuels violence, enriches criminals and destroys lives. We cannot tolerate the continued misery this drug causes, which leads to rising levels of violence and poverty, and widespread social harm." National plan to tackle demand will: • Deploy the Matrix [...]
Almost 300 arrests as Hong Kong protesters oppose election delay
Police detain protesters on the street in Hong Kong. Several journalists were also reportedly targeted. Photograph: Jérôme Favre/EPA On what was supposed to have been Hong Kong’s election day, hundreds of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets on Sunday, where they encountered a heavy presence from police, who fired pepper pellets and arrested almost 300 people. It was one of the largest gatherings of protesters since China’s implementation of a sweeping set of anti-sedition laws that a coalition of United Nations expert groups has said risks breaching multiple international laws and human rights. In July the Hong Kong government announced it was postponing the legislative council election for one year because of the dangers posed by a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the city. However, the decision was [...]
Brexit: Johnson to override EU withdrawal agreement
Move threatens to collapse talks that PM has said must be completed within weeks Boris Johnson will say the UK would ‘prosper mightily as a result’ of taking full control of its laws and fishing waters. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Boris Johnson is drawing up legislation that will override the Brexit withdrawal agreement on Northern Ireland, a move that threatens the collapse of crunch talks which the prime minister has said must be completed within five weeks. Johnson will put an ultimatum to negotiators this week, saying the UK and Europe must agree a post-Brexit trade deal by 15 October or Britain will walk away for good. But progress on the already fragile talks will be threatened by plans revealed on Sunday for the UK government to publish a controversial [...]
Victorian premier reveals roadmap out of Melbourne’s Covid-19 lockdown
Victoria's premier has announced a five-step roadmap for moving the state out of lockdown. Victoria's state premier Daniel Andrews speaks during a press conference. Photo: AFP Experts say Victoria will not be in a position to reopen as planned on 14 September, as modelling predicts a potential third wave if the stage four restrictions are lifted too soon. In an announcement within the last hour, the state premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne city's have been extended for two weeks, but he gave details of some changes to current restrictions. Modifications to the restrictions would include starting the curfew one hour later, to run from 9pm to 5am. Public gatherings of two people, or a household, will be allowed for up to two hours a day, which Andrews said could [...]
Typhoon Haishen: 200,000 ordered to evacuate as Japan braces for storm
More than 200,000 people have been ordered to evacuate areas of Japan threatened by an approaching storm. Photo: AFP Typhoon Haishen is expected to intensify on Sunday, bringing heavy rain, storm surges and winds of more than 160kmh. It will move past Kyushu on Sunday, and is expected make landfall in South Korea on Monday. It comes days after Typhoon Maysak, one of the strongest storms to hit the region in years. The latest typhoon has led to the closure of factories, schools and businesses across western Japan. Hundreds of flights and train services have also been cancelled. Photo: AFP Japan's government will be holding an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday to address the storm. The country's weather agency said it was not likely to issue its most serious [...]
They Teach Chinese Kids English Online. Now They’re Caught In Trump’s War On TikTok
The view outside the Chinese technology company ByteDance in Beijing in August 2020. Trump's executive order outlaws transactions between U.S. citizens and ByteDance. American instructors who work for ByteDance subsidiary GOGOKID said they feel like their jobs are under threat. Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images Kristie Hunter is a former public school teacher who for the past two years has made most of her money teaching children in China how to speak English online. "I've been a stay-at-home mom with our three children, and as they were getting older, I missed the professional side of my life," said Hunter, 42, who lives in the Columbia, South Carolina area. "So this has helped me reconnect with my career and have flexibility." Hunter works for GOGOKID, a one-on-one English language tutoring service owned by [...]
Trump calls on Fox News to fire reporter over claims he disparaged military
Trump listens to a question at a White House news conference on Sept 4, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Donald Trump has demanded that Fox News fire its national security correspondent after she confirmed claims that the Republican leader had disparaged the military - a bombshell that has dogged him for two days. Trump came under fire after The Atlantic magazine reported that he had called Marines killed in action in World War I "losers" and "suckers" in connection with a November 2018 visit to France when he skipped a visit to a US military cemetery. The official explanation for that missed visit was bad weather. Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said two former administration officials had confirmed to her that the president "did not want [...]
Ex-FBI agent in Russia inquiry says Trump is a national security threat
A 2018 photo shows then-FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok at a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington..PHOTO: NYTIMES WASHINGTON (NYTIMES) - A former senior FBI agent at the centre of the investigations into Mrs Hillary Clinton's email server and the Trump campaign's ties to Russia defends the handling of the inquiries and declares President Donald Trump a national security threat in a new memoir, while admitting that the bureau made mistakes that upended the 2016 presidential election. The former agent, Peter Strzok, who was removed from the special counsel's team and later fired over disparaging texts he sent about Mr Trump, has mostly kept silent as the president and his supporters have vilified him. But Mr Strzok's new book, "Compromised", a copy of which was obtained by The New [...]
‘Arms race’: How the Portland shooting shows protesters on the right and the left are bringing guns
Michael Forest Reinoehl lived life recklessly and died violently. Though he was a middle-aged father, the Oregon man received a gunshot wound when he interceded in a confrontation, was caught driving 111 miles per hour in a Cadillac while apparently racing his 17-year-old son in another car and packed a gun as he joined in the Portland protests. It was there that he allegedly shot and killed a pro-Trump counter-protester only to die himself Thursday in a shootout with federal agents who had come to arrest him outside Olympia, Washington. His actions shatter any conception of left-wing protesters shunning the use of deadly weapons while their counterparts on the far right show up in groups that wear military fatigues and openly carry pistols and assault rifles. Those who study extremism say that [...]
Boris Johnson said Donald Trump was ‘making American great again’, leaked meeting notes reveal
Donald Trump has developed a warm bond with Boris Johnson, who he has called a friend and "Britain Trump". Photo / Getty Images Boris Johnson privately told US diplomats that Donald Trump was "making America great again", according to a cache of official notes taken during high-level UK-US meetings whose details have leaked to the Telegraph. The British Prime Minister is quoted telling the US ambassador to Britain in August 2017, when he was foreign secretary, that Trump was doing "fantastic stuff" on foreign policy issues like China, Syria and North Korea. Other records show Johnson claimed the US president was becoming "increasingly popular" in Britain in 2017 and spoke warmly about how under his leadership America was "back and engaged in the world". Johnson's praise for Trump [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus in New Zealand: Two deaths, three new cases
Two Covid-19 deaths in Auckland in 12 hours have proven a sharp reminder of the dire outcomes for some infected with a virus that has killed more than 876,000 worldwide this year. Two people with the virus - a man in his 50s and 85-year-old former Cook Islands' Prime Minister Dr Joe Williams - died in Auckland hospitals on Friday. Three new cases of the virus, two in the community and one in managed isolation, were reported yesterday. Health authorities are also probing a possible case in managed isolation in Christchurch. Meanwhile, more than 300 yachts are stuck in limbo across the South Pacific as cyclone season nears, barred from berthing in New Zealand due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) says it has written to Prime [...]
BREAKING: Trump Signs Memo to Defund New York City and Three Other Cities with Out of Control Rioting and Anarchy
President Trump on Wednesday signed a memo ordering federal agencies to defund “anarchist jurisdictions” including New York City, Seattle and Portland. President Trump tweeted this out tonight. The New York Post reported: President Trump is ordering the federal government to begin the process of defunding New York City and three other cities where officials allowed “lawless” protests and cut police budgets amid rising violent crime, The Post can exclusively reveal. Trump on Wednesday signed a five-page memo ordering all federal agencies to send reports to the White House Office of Management and Budget that detail funds that can be redirected. New York City, Washington, DC, Seattle and Portland are initial targets as Trump makes “law and order” a centerpiece of his reelection campaign after months of unrest and violence [...]
Donald Trump says US ‘hasn’t had any proof’ of Navalny poisoning
President says US must look seriously at case but suggests media should be looking into China President Donald Trump said the United States must look “very seriously” into the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but that his administration had not yet seen any proof. “I think we have to look at it very seriously, if it’s the case,” he said, before talking at length about his diplomatic efforts in North Korea and nuclear non-proliferation in Russia. “I don’t know exactly what happened. It’s tragic. It’s terrible, it shouldn’t happen. We haven’t had any proof yet, but I will take a look. “It is interesting that everybody’s always mentioning Russia … but I think probably China at this point is a nation that you should be talking about [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Hundreds turn out for anti-lockdown protests
A group of Rotorua protesters do not want the Government telling them what to do. Photo / David Beck Police were out in force across New Zealand today as hundreds turned out for anti-lockdown demonstrations. A large crowd filled Auckland's Aotea Square this afternoon despite the city being at alert level 2.5 which restricts gatherings to a maximum of 10 people. Banners declaring, "Fight for your rights and freedom" and "No more lockdowns" were waved, while one child protester clutched a sign which depicted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as Adolf Hitler. Other protests were held in Whangarei, Wellington, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Rotorua, Nelson and Christchurch. Police monitored protest events and took "an educative approach with attendees and organisers when necessary", Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers said. "Police monitoring the protest [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Double tragedy – Dr Joe Williams dies 24 hours after his brother Tuaine Williams
Former Cook Islands PM and Auckland GP Dr Joe Williams has died, aged 82. Photo / RNZ The sudden death of Dr Joe Williams last night after Covid-19 complications came just hours after the death of his older brother, the Herald has learned. The family of Williams, former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and a much-respected GP, are reeling after news of the double tragedy. Williams, 85, died in Auckland City Hospital last night. Just a day earlier, his brother Tuaine Williams died peacefully at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. Joe Williams' nephew Dr Kiki Maoate told the Herald the double tragedy has hit the family hard. "It is a blow for the family. They are reeling from it," he said. Joe Williams was admitted to hospital [...]
Chinese Army Will Test New Weapons in the Possible Sino-Indian Border War
Although neither China nor India hope that the limited conflicts in the Ladakh region will evolve into large-scale armed conflicts, on the eve of the defense minister level talks in Moscow, the Chinese army has obviously been prepared to deal with the Indian army’s cross-border offensive and occupation and plans to take the border conflict as a battlefield to test new weapons and military equipment. There is an intention that the Chinese troops welcome the opportunity to train the capability and combat effectiveness in a real war after having not been involved in real military operations for many years. A team of the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters of the Chinese Air Force has been deployed at a base of reasonable distance from the border area where the conflict might [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: New Zealand ranked second-safest country, after Germany
Germany is the safest country in the world when it comes to Covid-19 followed closely by New Zealand, according to a newly released survey. The ranking places South Korea third while Switzerland - which was first - has dropped back to fourth and Japan is fifth, according to Forbes online. Australia and China are sixth and seventh respectively. The ranking of the safest countries in the world for Covid-19 was first released by Deep Knowledge Group in June. Now the thinktank has updated its data and methodology and re-issued a report on the safest countries and regions, Forbes reported. The most dangerous nations for Covid according to the ranking were Somaliland, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Mali. According to Forbes, Deep Knowledge Group said it looked at more than 140 [...]
Trump security adviser says China has biggest election-interference programme
National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks during a press briefing at the White House.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - China has taken the most active role among countries seeking to interfere in the US election and has the biggest programme to influence domestic politics, US national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Friday (Sept 4), without providing any details. "We know the Chinese have taken the most active role,"O'Brien told reporters at a briefing. He said China had "had the most massive programme to influence the United States politically," followed by Iran and then Russia. US intelligence found that Russia orchestrated a cyber campaign to sway the 2016 presidential election in Republican Donald Trump's favour and there have been reports hackers may try to influence the election on Nov [...]
Results of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine produced antibody response: The Lancet
A staff member displaying a vial containing the "Sputnik-V" Covid-19 vaccine, at the Binnopharm pharmaceutical company in Zelenograd on Aug 7, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS MOSCOW (REUTERS) - Russia's "Sputnik-V" Covid-19 vaccine produced an antibody response in all participants in early-stage trials, according to results published on Friday (Sept 4) by The Lancet medical journal that were hailed by Moscow as an answer to its critics. The results of the two trials, conducted in June-July this year and involving 76 participants, showed 100 per cent of participants developing antibodies to the new coronavirus and no serious side effects, The Lancet said. Russia licensed the two-shot jab for domestic use in August, the first country to do so and before any data had been published or a large-scale trial begun. [...]
Japan coastguard says second person found from capsized cattle ship has died
Rescuers search for more than 40 crew from ship carrying 6,000 cattle that went down en route from New Zealand to China A second survivor from a cargo ship carrying 6,000 cattle that capsized off southwest Japan has died after being pulled from the water unconscious on Friday. The Japanese coast guard said the man had been unresponsive when he was found about 120 km (75 miles) north-northwest of Amami Oshima island and transferred to a hospital. The dead crew member, who has not been named, was found drifting face down in the water at 6:30am Japan time on Friday and rescued at 7:16am, 120km from Amani Island, the coastguard said. A life jacket and cattle carcass were also collected from the same area, the coast guard said, adding [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Man in his 50s dies in Auckland, first virus death in three months
A father of four in his 50s has died at Middlemore Hospital today after being admitted for Covid-19. He is the youngest person whose death has been linked to the virus in New Zealand and the first Covid-related death here since May 28. It is also the first death from the Auckland cluster, of which 152 people have been linked to. The total number of Covid-19 related deaths in New Zealand is now 23. Newshub have reported the man was a father of four and worked at Mt Wellington coolstore Americold, with the man who was the cluster's index case. At least 10 people associated with Americold have tested positive to Covid-19. That includes seven employees and three contractors. The first case of community transmission in New Zealand for [...]
Don’t want to get ahead of ourselves’: Jacinda Ardern on NZ’s alert levels
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government "will always be very cautious" and doesn't want to get ahead of itself when asked about the timing of a potential move to alert level 1. Ardern spoke to media at the launch of Auckland's Manukau Institute of Technology Construction Centre of Vocational Excellence. Acknowledging a question about the changing of alert levels, Ardern said they would be considering things over the next few days - including the number of active cases appearing each day. "We will always be very cautious...we don't want to get ahead of ourselves," she said. Cabinet is meeting on Friday to review New Zealand's alert levels. Auckland is at what Ardern has described as alert level 2.5 while the rest of the country is at alert level [...]
US tightens restrictions on Chinese diplomats
A file photo shows the Chinese flag outside China's consulate in Houston which has been ordered to shut by the US government.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - Chinese diplomats in the United States have been slapped with new restrictions on their movements and activities, in the latest move in line with the US demand for reciprocity from China. Senior Chinese diplomats will need approval from the State Department to visit American university campuses and to meet with local government officials. Approval will also be required for cultural events for more than 50 attendees happening outside the Chinese embassy or consular posts. The State Department last year required Chinese diplomats to notify it of any meetings with local government officials or events on university campuses – but prior approval was not [...]
One rescued from sea, Kiwis still missing after live export ship that left Napier for China disappears in storm
One person is pulled from the sea near where a live export ship has gone missing off the south coast of Japan. Photo / Japan Coast Guard - via Reuters A livestock ship sailing from Napier to China with two New Zealand crew members on-board is missing off the coast of Japan. Japan's coast guard was on Thursday afternoon (NZ time) searching for Livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1 carrying 42 crew members and 5800 cows that made a distress call off a southern Japanese island in seas roughened by a typhoon. Rescuers safely plucked one crew member from the sea. The person rescued from the water was not believed to be one of the Kiwis. More information on the ship's distress wasn't immediately available. The Gulf Livestock 1 departed [...]
Putin opponent Alexei Navalny poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, Germany finds
Toxicology tests performed on samples taken from Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny showed "unequivocal proof" of the presence of the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, the German government said Wednesday. Navalny is in an induced coma at Berlin’s Charite hospital. He was transferred there last week after he fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Aug. 20 and was taken to a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing. Navalny, 44, is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics. His allies have insisted he was deliberately poisoned, likely by drinking tea, by Russian authorities. The Kremlin has rejected the allegations as "empty noise." Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement that testing by a special German [...]
Canada researchers investigating acai berry to fight Covid-19
Doctors believe the berry could help prohibit the severe inflammatory response caused by the coronavirus.PHOTO: AFP OTTAWA (AFP) - Canadian researchers said on Monday (Aug 31) they are investigating a popular superfood - the acai berry - as a treatment to prevent Covid-19's most severe symptoms. Past studies have shown that the berry's extract may act as an inflammation inhibitor, which doctors believe could help prohibit the severe inflammatory response caused by the coronavirus. University of Toronto scientists Michael Farkouh and Ana Andreazza, who have studied the berry's effect on inflammation responses for nearly five years, are researching how it can be used to fight Covid-19. It's a long shot," Dr Farkouh told AFP. "But acai berries are cheap and easily accessible for everyone, as well as safe, [...]
Election 2020: It’s a ‘disservice’ to say New Zealand hasn’t done well with Covid-19, says Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has hit back at Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters for saying New Zealand was "gilding the lily" about its response to Covid-19. Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand had done "exceptionally well". "I think we do a disservice to every single New Zealander whose been part of that team effort if we don't acknowledge that. "I think we need to take into account, relative to other countries, how well New Zealanders have done and the results that have been generated." The exchange came as Parliament wrapped up its last day before the campaign proper and politicians got back on the campaign trail. Electioneering was put on hold to deal with the latest Covid-19 outbreak but has now been taken off pause in the lead-up to the October [...]
Scientists see downsides to high-profile Covid-19 vaccines from Russia, China
CHICAGO (REUTERS) - High-profile Covid-19 vaccines developed in Russia and China share a potential shortcoming: They are based on a common cold virus that many people have been exposed to, potentially limiting their effectiveness, some experts say. CanSino Biologics' vaccine, approved for military use in China, is a modified form of adenovirus type 5, or Ad5. The company is in talks to get emergency approval in several countries before completing large-scale trials, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. A vaccine developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, approved in Russia earlier this month despite limited testing, is based on Ad5 and a second less common adenovirus. "The Ad5 concerns me just because a lot of people have immunity," said Dr Anna Durbin, a vaccine researcher at Johns Hopkins University. "I'm [...]
Pentagon concerned by China’s nuclear ambitions, expects warheads to double
A 2015 photo shows a military event in China marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - China is expected to at least double the number of its nuclear warheads over the next decade from the low 200s now and is nearing the ability to launch nuclear strikes by land, air and sea, a capacity known as a triad, the Pentagon said on Tuesday (Sept 1). The revelations came as tensions rise between China and the United States and as Washington seeks to have Beijing join a flagship nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia. In its annual report to Congress on China's military, the Pentagon said that China has nuclear warheads in the low 200s - the first time [...]
US refuses to join international effort to develop Covid-19 vaccin
Decision is ‘real blow’ to Covax project, expert says White House blames stance on role of WHO and China A scientist filters out samples during the research and development of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at a laboratory in St Petersburg, Russia. Photograph: Anton Vaganov/Reuters The US government has said that it will not participate in a global initiative to develop, manufacture and equitably distribute a vaccine for Covid-19 because the effort is co-led by the World Health Organization. The Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (Covax) is a plan developed by the WHO, along with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and is meant to accelerate the development and testing of a vaccine and work toward distributing it equally. The WHO announced [...]
Indian special forces soldier killed in skirmish with Chinese troops
Member of India’s Special Frontier Force killed in clash on Saturday night Indian soldiers on top of a military vehicle crossing the Srinagar-Leh National highway. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images A soldier with India’s special forces has been killed in the latest border showdown with Chinese troops on their contested Himalayan border India has said 20 troops were killed. China acknowledged casualties but did not give figures. The two sides blamed each other for the latest incidents. India’s defence ministry said Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” at the border on Saturday. China’s People’s Liberation Army said that India was “seriously violating China’s territorial sovereignty” with its operation staged Monday and demanded that Indian troops withdraw. India’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that China had [...]
PLA’s electronic warfare capability serious threat to Taiwan: MND
CNA file photo of Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) The buildup and deployment of advanced electronic warfare units by the People's Liberation Army along China's southeastern coast could potentially pose a serious threat to Taiwan's defenses, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on Monday. In its 2020 report on China's military power, the ministry noted how Beijing has been continuing to deploy new-generation fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft and drones to its air bases in Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The ultimate purpose, according to the report, will be to provide the Chinese military with the advantage of being able to paralyze Taiwan's air defenses and allow it to seize control of the island's surrounding waters in the event of an armed conflict. Even more so, [...]
What to Expect From China’s Upcoming Type 076 ‘Drone Mothership’ Carrier
China’s Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly planning to field a new and entirely unique type of medium weight aircraft carrier in the near future, which is expected to be based on the Type 075 Class assault carrier design. The first two Type 075 Class ships were launched during the past year, with a third currently under construction, and each displaces approximately 40,000 tons and can accommodate between 20 and 30 aircraft. The Type 075 notably was not designed exclusively to deploy fixed wing aircraft - although they are still likely to do so in the near future once China develops a fighter class capable of carrying out vertical landings as the American Harrier II and F-35B currently do. The new carrier however, dubbed the Type 076 Class, [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: 14 new cases in NZ today, 146 linked to cluster
There are 14 new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand today - nine in managed isolation and quarantine hotels (MIQ) and five in the community. The case numbers came via a press statement from the Ministry of Health. There was no 1pm press conference about the numbers but Minister for Managed Isolation and Quarantine Megan Woods and Air Commodore Darryn Webb are speaking to media. They said 97 per cent of staff working in MIQ were tested last week and no-one tested positive for Covid-19. Our total number of active cases is 132. Of those, 33 are imported cases in MIQ facilities, and 99 are community cases. The Auckland cluster now has 146 cases linked to it. The five new community cases are all clearly epidemiologically linked [...]
Breaking News: A University in the United States Suddenly Expelled all Chinese Government-sponsored Students Ordering Them to Leave the Country within One Month
Recently, a university in the United States suddenly announced that it would expel all state sponsored visiting scholars and students funded by Chinese government and order them to leave the country within one month. Although the sudden move has not yet been reported by any mainstream media in the United States, a screenshot of an email from the University of North Texas was released last week on Twitter. According to the email, on August 26, the University suddenly decided to suspend the qualification of Chinese government-sponsored visiting students and scholars for study in the University, and deprived these people of the right to continue to use the school's server, e-mail and other learning materials, but only allow the affected students to return to school to collect their personal belongings. [...]
State police return to Portland after protest shooting; Trump defends Kyle Rittenhouse ahead of Kenosha visit
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a plan to curb violence in Portland as the state's largest city was reeling Monday after a fatal weekend shooting following clashes between protesters and supporters of President Donald Trump. Brown said Sunday that Oregon State Police would return to Portland to help authorities and called for other law enforcement agencies in the state to provide help amid nightly protests since the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. A man was fatally shot Saturday shortly after a caravan of vehicles carrying Trump supporters rolled through Portland, drawing heated counterprotests. Joey Gibson, founder of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, identified the victim as Aaron “Jay” Danielson and called him a “good friend.” Portland police confirmed the identification Monday, saying Danielson was 39 and died of a gunshot [...]
Sexual harassment, bullying allegations against United Fire Brigade Association CEO Bill Butzbach
United Fire Brigade Association CEO Bill Butzbach. The chief executive of the volunteer firefighters' association is the subject of an independent investigation relating to two complaints of sexual harassment and bullying. The United Fire Brigade Association (UFBA) board has appointed Kristy McDonald QC to conduct the investigation into its CEO Bill Butzbach. The UFBA is funded $4.3 million a year by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to represent 550 volunteer brigades and 11,500 firefighters. The two complaints against Butzbach relate to incidents several years ago when he was Fire Chief in Martinborough and on the board of UFBA. One complaint relates to sexual harassment in what the complainant describes as a "hazing incident" in a restaurant in Martinborough. The other complainant wants the terms of reference for the inquiry [...]
Coronavirus: US tops 6m cases as some states post record daily totals
Midwest states emerge as the nation’s growing hotspot while about 185,000 Americans have died so far from the virus The Iowa governor, Kim Reynolds, during a news conference on the state’s guidance for returning to school in response to the coronavirus outbreak in Des Moines, Iowa. Photograph: Charlie Neibergall/AP The US reached a grim milestone late on Sunday, topping 6m coronavirus infections nationwide as some states posted record daily totals in newly confirmed cases. States such as Iowa, both North and South Dakota, as well as Minnesota and others in the midwest have emerged as the nation’s growing hotspot. The record 6m cases comes amid reports that officials within the White House coronavirus taskforce and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released guidance, not intended for the public, that [...]
WHO: We can’t ‘just pretend the pandemic is over’
© Getty Images The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday that people can’t “pretend the pandemic is over” as countries lift restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that countries should not reopen economies if they don’t have control over the virus. "The more control countries have over the virus, the more they can open up. Opening up without having control is a recipe for disaster," he said during a virtual briefing. "No country can just pretend the pandemic is over." He also reportedly said countries should prevent deaths by protecting vulnerable people, including older people, people with underlying conditions and essential workers, which he said helps alleviate burden on health systems and saves lives. “If countries are serious [...]
Hong Kong health care workers call for coronavirus testing program boycott
© Getty A Hong Kong health care workers union on Sunday called for members to boycott the city government’s coronavirus testing plan, calling it a misuse of resources. A 60-person Chinese team is set to conduct tests in the city, the first aid sent directly from Beijing during the pandemic. However, the aid comes in the wake of a new national security law that critics say has eroded the city’s autonomy from China after it was guaranteed in the 1997 British handover. The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, a coalition of health care workers and activists that formed during the 2019 uprising in the city, said the universal testing plan would be an inefficient use of resources, according to Reuters. The 20,000-member group is instead calling for targeted testing. The [...]
Election 2020: National promises $4.8b extra for school buildings and looser approach to school zoning
National education spokeswoman Nicola Willis has promised an extra $4.8 billion extra for school building over 10 years. Photo / Mark Mitchell The National Party has promised to spend $4.8 billion extra on school buildings over the next 10 years. The party has signalled a looser approach to school zoning and would let schools grow to accommodate demand. It also proposes an "alliance" with national infrastructure and construction firms to build new schools and upgrades more cheaply than under the current system of putting each project out to tender. Party leader Judith Collins and education spokeswoman Nicola Willis chose New Plymouth Boys' School to make the announcement, following a storm of outrage from Taranaki schools against an $11.7 million grant for a private Green School near New Plymouth approved [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Nine new cases today – five in community and four in MIQ
There are nine new Covid cases in New Zealand today - four in MIQ and five in the community. Three of the community cases are linked to the Mt Roskill church and the others are household contacts of previously confirmed cases. There are 28 close contacts identified of the Tokoroa health professional who is in hospital. And 128 people related to the community cluster have transferred to MIQ, including 85 who have tested positive. Eleven people are in hospital - two of whom are in intensive care. There are 131 active cases - of which 24 are imported cases in MIQ - and 7219 tests were processed yesterday. Health Minister Chris Hipkins and acting director of public health Robyn Shearer are giving the daily 1pm press briefing. Shearer said [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Aucklanders flock to airport for first chance to travel, Rotorua mayor welcomes tourists back
Less than 12 hours since Auckland moved to alert level 2.5 and already crowds of people are swarming to the city's airport taking the opportunity to travel. At Auckland Airport's domestic terminal, all seemed to be wearing masks but keeping a 2-metre distance appeared impossible as people navigated their way to the bag drop off and check in. Crowds swarm to Auckland Airport domestic terminal. Photo / Sam Murphy Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said she welcomed visitors to Rotorua, one of New Zealand's tourism hotspots, but advised those who were sick to stay away. "Everybody is a bit jittery so don't come if you're sick, follow the Covid tracing - there has been big pick up locally, and stick to the precautions that we are all following including wearing [...]
France: senior military officer suspected of spying for Russia
Defence minister confirms security breach that may have supplied sensitive documents to Kremlin The French defence minister, Florence Parly, said the officer was facing legal proceedings. Photograph: Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images The French government is investigating a senior military officer over a “security breach”, the defence minister has said, following a report the person was suspected of spying for Russia. “What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach,” Florence Parly said. She gave no further details. According to reports, the officer was a lieutenant-colonel stationed with Nato in Italy and had been placed under investigation on suspicion of spying for Russia. He speaks Russian and was seen in Italy with a man identified as an agent of the GRU, the Russian [...]
Fatal shooting as Trump supporters, counter-protesters clash in Portland
One person was shot and killed in Portland, Oregon, as a large procession of President Donald Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters clashed in the streets, police said. It wasn't clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a procession of about 600 vehicles was confronted by protesters in the city's downtown. An Associated Press freelance photographer heard three gunshots and then observed police medics working on the body of the victim, who appeared to be a white man. The freelancer said the man was wearing a hat bearing the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a right-wing group whose members have frequently clashed with protesters in Portland in the past. Police did not release any additional details and were at the scene investigating late on [...]
UAE formally ends boycott of Israel under deal advocated by Trump
© Getty Images The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially ended its boycott against Israel following an announcement from President Trumpearlier in the month that outlined the thawing of relations between the two countries. “The decree of the new law comes within the UAE’s efforts to expand diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel,” state-run UAE news agency WAM said Saturday, according to The Associated Press. The decree lays out “a roadmap toward launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.” The axing of the boycott will now allow trade and commerce between the countries. Air travel will also resume. Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner — the president's son-in-law — is expected to be on the first commercial flightfrom Israel to the UAE capital [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were still cases coming through in the Auckland cluster. “We do expect that to continue,” she said, adding the tail of this cluster “will be long”.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is "incredibly angry" that a wrong message was posted by the Government's Covid-response unit, saying all south and west Aucklanders should be tested, regardless of whether they have symptoms. She said the message was "wrong" on the topline of a Facebook post on Saturday - and people did not have to be tested if they were asymptomatic. The message has led to confusion for many residents. There are about 700,000 people in south and west Auckland and there have been some long queues at testing stations today. The post was still present on Intsagram at 1.26pm today - and reportedly on the Ministry of Health website - despite the Prime Minister saying she had met officials this morning to outline her frustration and [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Two new cases as Auckland prepares to leave lockdown
There are two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, according to director of public health Caroline McElnay. The numbers come as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanked Aucklanders, who come out of lockdown tonight - but also urged them to "keep going" and do their part to keep the virus contained. And she had a warning, too: New Zealand will move back up alert levels if necessary. Ardern also expressed anger about botched testing communications. Despite official advice issued on the Government's Covid-19 Facebook page last night, she said everyone in south and west Auckland did not need to get a test. Both of the new cases are in the community and are linked to the Auckland cluster. One is a household contact of one of the already [...]
Another earthquake rattles the North Island
Tonight's earthquake - which struck 130 km northeast of Whangamata - was felt as far away as Great Barrier Island.Tonight's earthquake - which struck 130 km northeast of Whangamata - was felt as far away as Great Barrier Island. Another earthquake has rattled the North Island, being felt on the East Coast, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the Auckland region. GeoNet said the magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck at 8.29pm, 130km northeast of Whangamata. It was at a depth of 18km and has registered as "weak shaking". The shake was felt as far away as Great Barrier Island. Earlier today, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake gave some in the North Island an early morning shock. The quake struck at 3.47am, 120km northeast of Whangamatā at a depth of 5km. [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: The new Level 2 rules you need to know before midnight tomorrow
Aucklanders prepare to shed the shackles of Covid-19 alert level 3 lockdown at midnight tomorrow, there are a few modifications to what level 2 will mean this time around that people need to be aware of. The size of allowable gatherings will not increase to 100 but only 10 for Aucklanders at this modified level 2. Masks and face coverings will also be compulsory on public transport and planes and encouraged for anyone in public. "We know masks protect you and the people around you," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. "They limit the chance of Covid-19 spreading in places where is often harder to distance yourself and to trace people." Otherwise, level 2 is as you will remember it from mid-April. But what does that entail again? Leaving the [...]
China Fires Missiles Into South China Sea, Sending U.S. a Message
The move was Beijing’s latest effort to assert sovereignty over disputed waters. Competing territorial claims in the South China Sea involve several Asian nations as well as the United States.Credit...Ted Aljibe/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images China has fired a barrage of medium-range missiles across considerable distances into the South China Sea, Beijing’s latest move to demonstrate its strategic dominance and sovereignty over the disputed waters. The missile launches on Wednesday punctuated a series of military exercises that China has conducted this month at a time of rising tensions with the United States over its territorial claims in the South China Sea and its attempts to pressure Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its own. Senior Col. Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, [...]
France records ‘exponential’ increase in Covid-19 cases
Figure of 7,379 infections is highest number of new cases in 24 hours since height of epidemic at end of March It is now obligatory to wear masks in outside public spaces in Paris and three city suburbs as well as Marseilles and Strasbourg. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images France has suffered an “exponential” increase in Covid-19 cases with 7,379 new infections in 24 hours, according to the country’s public health authority. The number of new cases has been growing steadily throughout August, but jumped from 6,111 positive tests on Thursday and 5,429 on Wednesday. Friday’s figure, the latest published by Santé Publique France, is the highest number of new cases in a 24-hour period since 31 March at the height of the epidemic Historical data from the government’s Covid-19 [...]
RNC: Trump paints Biden as a ‘radical’ candidate and a danger to America
President accepts Republican presidential nomination in event staged at White House, raising ethical concerns Against a backdrop of a global pandemic, heightened racial tensions, and widespread unemployment, Donald Trump framed his Democratic rival Joe Biden as the real danger to the country’s safety and economic welfare in his address to the Republican convention on Thursday. Accepting the party’s presidential nomination ahead of November’s elections, Trump argued for more than an hour that his administration had accomplished everything it had set out to do and warned that a Biden presidency could be ruinous. “This is the most important election in the history of our country,” Trump told an audience of around 1,500 supporters and officials on the South Lawn of the White House, raising concerns over the ethics of holding [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Expert calls for masks at schools and workplaces as an ‘alert level 2.5‘
Epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker wants high school students to wear masks to school when Auckland goes down to Covid-19 alert level 2 on Monday. He says workers should also wear masks in meetings and in any other situations where people are less than 1 metre apart indoors - creating a kind of "alert level 2.5" particularly in Auckland where the virus is still in the community. However, other experts disagree. Auckland University epidemiologist Dr Simon Thornley believes masks should not even be compulsory on buses and trains, and says the only place where there is strong evidence that they work is on planes. The argument comes as one 67-year-old Mt Albert Grammar School parent, Mike Leonard, says he may have to move out of his house when his daughter [...]
Pompeo calls out China for ‘illegal fishing’ after vessels spotted off Galapagos Islands
China reports 15 percent of global fishing haul, but due to illegal fishing the figure could be significantly higher. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on China to stop all “illegal fishing” Thursday. He said the recent reports of hundreds of Chinese vessels off of the Galapagos Islands is "deeply troubling,” “Reports of 300+ Chinese vessels near the Galapagos disabling tracking systems, changing ship names, and leaving marine debris are deeply troubling. We again call on the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to be transparent and enforce its own zero tolerance policy on illegal fishing,” Pompeo said in a tweet, referencing similar calls he made earlier this month. The comments came after Ecuador raised the alarm to the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels fishing near protected waters [...]
Japanese PM Abe says he’s resigning over resurfacing of chronic illness
The prime minister has sparked speculation around his health in the last two weeks. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his plans to resign in a news conference Friday due to a chronic illness that has resurfaced. He called the decision “gut-wrenching.” Concerns about Abe's health have swirled since early summer and grew in the last two weeks when he made two visits to a Tokyo hospital. Abe, 65, has said he suffers from ulcerative colitis had it under control with treatment. He said Friday he's on a new treatment that requires IV injections and while there is some improvement, there's no guarantee it will cure his condition. He made the decision to step down after treatment Monday. Abe's term ends in September 2021 and he is expected to stay on until [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Moderna announces vaccine breakthrough as more reinfections discovered
Moderna's experimental coronavirus vaccine appears to be safe and effective, company officials have revealed, but the news has come amid concerns about two more cases of reinfection. The US company, whose vaccine uses messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) to make a protein that helps the immune system make antibodies against coronavirus, announced on Wednesday that its vaccine generates an immune response in all age groups. The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, is in Phase III of clinical trials, which is the last stage before regulatory approval. The first phase of a trial to test the safety of the vaccine found only mild adverse effects and that it generated an immune response in volunteers aged 18 to 71, a Moderna officer told a meeting of the US Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, CNN [...]
Twelve arrested at sea while trying to flee to Taiwan from Hong Kong
Chinese coastguard stopped a speedboat on Sunday suspected of an illegal border crossing Protests against Hong Kong’s national security law on August 23. Photograph: Viola Kam/SOPA Images/Rex/Shutterstock More than 10 Hong Kong residents, including an activist charged under the city’s punitive national security law, have been detained by China’s coastguard while trying to flee to Taiwan, according to reports. China’s coastguard released a statement on Weibo saying that on Sunday at 9am, authorities in Guangdong tracked down a speedboat suspected of an illegal border crossing. The notice, posted on Wednesday evening, said more than 10 people had been arrested including two suspects surnamed Li and Deng. Radio Free Asia and HK01 have reported that 12 young people were on the boat, headed for Taiwan, a distance of about 600km, [...]
RNC: What to expect on Day 4 of the convention: Donald Trump, live from the White House
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump wraps up the week-long Republican convention Thursday with a nomination acceptance speech that is already contentious because of its location: the White House. Despite objections that the executive mansion should not be used for such an overt campaign event, Trump will make his prime-time argument for a second term from a makeshift outdoor theater on the South Lawn. His likely goals: Defend his record and attack that of Democratic challenger Joe Biden. "We have to win," Trump told Republican delegates Monday after they voted to re-nominate him during a meeting in Charlotte. "This is the most important election in the history of our country." 'The rules go out the window:' Democrats deride RNC over Hatch Act, coronavirus and transgender issuesy Trump is accepting re-nomination amid the COVID-19 pandemic that [...]
Scotland and Wales to buy 12-minute Covid testing machines
Scottish government buying 300 rapid testing machines and Wales signs up for up to 400. The Scottish and Welsh governments are buying hundreds of new high-speed Covid-19 testing machines that produce results in 12 minutes and are designed for use in remote areas and by mobile clinics. The Scottish government has announced it is buying 300 of the machines, which were given emergency, fast-track authorisation by the US government’s federal drugs administration last week. Ivan McKee, the Scottish minister for trade, investment and innovation, said the highly portable machines were designed for small clinics and mobile testing units dispatched to rural areas and the islands. He expected them to be introduced nationwide by the end of this year. Test results were uploaded to a cloud-based internet database, he said, [...]
Christchurch shooting: mosque gunman sentenced to life without parole
Australian terrorist did not oppose the unprecedented sentence, which comes after three days of emotional victim impact statements. The terrorist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, will spend the rest of his life in jail, a judge has ruled. It is the first time under current New Zealand law that a sentence of life without the possibility of parole has been imposed. Dozens more were wounded in the attacks in March last year in the country’s worst peacetime massacre. It prompted an outpouring of grief and unity in New Zealand and around the world, and generated debate about how to deal with white supremacist terrorism. Earlier, the gunman, Australian Brenton Tarrant, 29, did not oppose the sentence in court on Thursday – despite [...]
Taiwanese President warns of military conflict, calls for greater ties
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has called on Australia to back its inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and negotiate a free trade agreement, as China's neighbour faces increasing military pressure from Beijing. Tsai warned the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea required careful management and there were rising concerns over the potential for accidents given the increased military activity in the region. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (centre) after her inauguration in MayCREDIT:AP "We are paying close attention to the potential hot spots of conflict in the East China Sea and South China Sea," she said. China launched two missiles into the South China Sea on Wednesday after a US spy plane entered a no fly zone in the contested area. China's decision to impose strict [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Face masks ‘a big change’ but right thing to do, Health Minister says
Not wearing a face mask on public transport will become an offence punishable by fines from Monday when Auckland is due to join the rest of the country at alert level 2. The Government is releasing three million masks for national distribution over the coming days as a "one-off boost" to immediate supply. It comes as it was announced today there are a further six cases in the community linked to the Auckland cluster - five are household contacts and the other is a workplace contact. Health Minister Chris Hipkins said wearing a face covering on public transport was the right thing to do and would help keep New Zealanders safe from Covid-19. From Monday it will be compulsory for everyone aged 12 and over to wear a [...]
Hurricane Laura strengthens into ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4, due to strike Texas
Hurricane Laura has strengthened into a menacing Category 4 hurricane, raising fears of a 6 metre storm surge that forecasters said would be "unsurvivable" and capable of sinking entire communities. Authorities implored coastal residents of Texas and Louisiana to evacuate and worried that not enough had fled. The storm grew nearly 70 per cent in power in just 24 hours to a size the National Hurricane Centre called "extremely dangerous". Drawing energy from the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, the system was on track to arrive late Wednesday or early Thursday as the most powerful hurricane to strike the US so far this year. "It looks like it's in full beast mode," said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. "Which is not what you want to see if [...]
RNC takeaways night 2: Melania Trump speaks of ‘harsh reality’ of racial unrest, Pompeo stirs controversy
Donald Trump has cultivated an image as a man of tough words and quick action, someone who’s not afraid to bruise feelings. But Republicans Tuesday tried to portray a softer Trump, one who cares about the little guy: the lobsterman in Maine, the dairy farmer from Wisconsin, the police office from New Mexico. "More than any president in my lifetime, he's acknowledged the importance of farmers and agriculture," said Cris Peterson, a dairy farmer struggling until Trump's policies helped turn her business around. It was a shift in tone from Monday when speeches were laced with dark imageryabout what might happen if Joe Biden is elected president. Still,Tuesday had its negative moments – former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi going after Biden’s integrity and Eric Trump Jr. attacking the “radical Democrats” [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: 5 new virus cases and new ‘mini-cluster’ – wedding guests on alert
New Zealand has five new cases of Covid-19 today and a new potential "mini-cluster" has been identified. There are three new community cases, one of which is under investigation. Two cases are imported cases - a female in her 50s and a man in his 30s. They have been transferred to the Jet Park Hotel. It takes the country's number of active cases to 134 - 21 of those are imports from overseas, and 108 are linked to the Auckland cluster, which is New Zealand's largest cluster to date. Wearing masks Hipkins said secondary school students will need to wear masks on school buses from Monday, but younger students won't have to. The age cut-off for wearing masks is still being worked through. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on [...]
Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers arrested over 2019 Yuen Long protests
Ted Hui and Lam Cheuk-ting held over incident in July 2019 when white-clad thugs attacked activists at train station Lam Cheuk-ting, left, and Ted Hui. They have been arrested on suspicion of several offences relating to a 2019 protest. Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP ong Kong police have arrested pro-democracy lawmakers over involvement in protests in 2019, including one who was injured when a large group of thugs attacked protesters and civilians at the Yuen Long transport station. The arrests come amid a crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression. The Democratic party said two members – the legislators Ted Hui and Lam Cheuk-ting – were arrested at their homes on Wednesday morning. It said both men were suspected of offences related to a protest on 6 July 2019 outside the [...]
Covid-19: ‘possible’ Oxford vaccine data will be put before regulators this year
Director of group says Chris Whitty right to be cautious but hopes vaccine will be ready before winter 2021 An AstraZeneca chemist at work. The trial will include up to 48 healthy volunteers in the UK. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/EPA Trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine may have gathered enough data to show whether it works and is safe by the end of the year – but it will then need to go through the regulatory process, scientists say. Prof Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said it is “just possible” that there may be enough clinical trial data on Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine to put before the regulators this year. Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, has said a vaccine may not be ready until [...]
UN security council rejects US attempt to extend Iran sanctions
Indonesia said no further action could be taken on US request because there was no consensus on 15-nation body Mike Pompeo speaks as Kelly Craft listens at UN headquarters in New York on 20 August. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters The US has suffered another humiliating diplomatic setback after the president of the UN security council rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to extend economic sanctions on Iran. America was rebuffed last week when 13 countries on the security council argued that the US had no legal right to “snap back” sanctions because it had already walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. On Tuesday, Indonesia – which this month holds the security council’s rotating presidency – said that no further action could be taken on the US request, because [...]
Duterte reveals his Barrett’s esophagus is worsening
President Duterte bared on Tuesday that his doctor told him that his Barrett’s esophagus was “nearing stage one cancer”. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte holds a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on August 24, 2020. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO In his televised address, the President said he has been advised to stop drinking alcohol to avoid worsening his ailment. The President previously admitted suffering from Barret’s esophagus due to his alcohol intake. Barrett’s esophagus is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which stomach regurgitates its contents into the esophagus and consequently erodes the esophagus, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins Medicine website. The condition can sometimes develop into esophageal cancer, the institute [...]
Covid-19 coronavirus: Reinfections mean questions over immunity are ‘still open’, health chiefs say
The World Health Organisation has said that a number of confirmed coronavirus reinfections are proof that questions about how long immunity may or may not last "are still open". Dr Margaret Harris from the organisation told BBC Breakfast that this is the first time "we have seen very clearly two different versions of the same coronavirus". It comes after researchers at the University of Hong Kong sequenced the virus in a healthy man, who tested positive twice at airport screenings four and half months apart, and found he had been infected with two different strains. A patient in Netherlands and a patient in Belgium were also confirmed to have been reinfected with the virus, Dutch media reported today. The cases have fuelled fears about the effectiveness of potential vaccines [...]
Melania Trump, Mike Pompeo in convention spotlight Tuesday night
The president is also expected to have 'significant' role on convention's second night First lady Melania Trump will take center stage Tuesday on the second night of the Republican National Convention, with what is being touted as a forward-looking, positive and uplifting address. The other major speech of the evening will come from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. But the address by America’s top diplomat, which will be delivered from the Middle East, has been shrouded in controversy. Libertarian minded Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky – a 2016 Republican presidential candidate who, along with Pompeo, may have White House ambitions in 2024 – will also give an address. But President Trump won’t be far from the spotlight as the convention is also a four-day celebration of his presidency. The Trump reelection campaign told reporters that the president will have a "significant [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Bloomfield gives update – Seven new virus cases, all linked to Auckland cluster
New Zealand has seven new virus cases - all related to the Auckland community cluster. Health Minister Chris Hipkins and director general of health Ashley Bloomfield have given their daily 1pm daily update. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also addressed media on her way into the House this afternoon. Bloomfield said two of the new cases are linked to churches and two are household contacts. Eight people are in hospital and all are connected to the cluster. Three are in a critical condition and in intensive care - including one at North Shore Hospital whose case is still under investigation. Genome sequencing has linked that person's case to the Auckland cluster but officials still can't map out the epidemiological link. All of the person's household cases tested negative. Health [...]
US election 2020 LIVE updates: Donald Trump jnr praises father, lashes Joe Biden
What we know so far Donald Trump jnr makes an impassioned plea for his father, the US President, praising him for taking swift action to shut down travel from China once the pandemic began. The death toll in the US 177,000. Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, a prominent Indian-American, defends the US from Democratic accusations of that the country is "racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country." In a sign of further racial tension, protests erupted in Wisconsin where police shot and wounded a black man, while responding to a call about a domestic dispute. In an earlier speech in North Carolina, US President Donald Trump has claimed falsely that Joe Biden was trying to steal the election and that Biden was [...]
UK delays Zaghari-Ratcliffe release for fear of offending Trump, lawyers claim
Lawyers call for meeting with defence secretary and accuse government of waiting for US permission to pay money owed to Iran. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been detained in Iran since 2016. Photograph: PA The British government has deliberately delayed taking steps necessary to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe – including payment of a £400m debt owed to Iran – for fear of offending the Trump administration, lawyers acting for the British-Iranian woman have alleged. The lawyers requested a meeting with the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, and his advisers at the “earliest convenience” to discuss the approach the government was taking on the issue of debt owed to Iran. In a seven-page letter to Wallace, the lawyers accuse the government of procrastination and claim the UK’s approach to securing the [...]
‘We want a true democracy’: students lead Thailand’s protest movement
Observers are astonished by how young people are challenging traditional hierarchies Student protesters address a rally in Bangkok. Photograph: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images Every morning when the national anthem plays out in Thai schools, students are expected to stand still in deference as the country’s flag is raised. But last week some sent a defiant message, raising their hands in a three-fingered salute – a gesture borrowed from The Hunger Games that is used widely by Thailand’s growing pro-democracy movement. Others gathered on school grounds to hold up sheets of blank paper. For more than a month there have been almost daily student-led rallies spreading across the country, including a demonstration in Bangkok last weekend attended by more than 10,000 people. Observers are astonished by how rapidly the protests have [...]
German doctors say comatose Putin critic Alexei Navalny was poisoned
German doctors treating Russian politician and anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny concluded Monday that he was poisoned, Berlin’s Charité Hospital said. The hospital said in a statement that Navalny remains in an artificially induced coma but "there is no acute danger to his life." It did not specify what substance he was poisoned with. The 44-year-old staunch critic of President Vladimir Putin fell ill Thursday on a flight back to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. Yarmysh said Navalny drank tea that appeared to have been laced with a toxin. Russian doctors say there is no evidence of poisoning, and the Kremlin denied the authorities tried to prevent the transfer to Berlin from happening. But Navalny was only allowed to leave Russia after more than 24 hours of wrangling [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria records 148 new cases, eight more deaths
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews. Photo / File news.com.au The Australian state of Victoria recorded 148 new cases of coronavirus overnight. The Department of Health confirmed eight more people had died, taking the state's death toll to 423. Premier Daniel Andrews will front the media later on Tuesday with more information on outbreaks. It comes after the net daily increase of coronavirus cases in Victoria dropped below triple digits for the first time since early July on Monday. The new daily infections announced by the state's health department was 116, but with 17 cases from previous days reclassified due to duplication, the net daily increase was only 99 cases. Andrews also revealed plans on Monday to extend Victoria's state of emergency for a further 12 months until September 2021, which [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Is the cluster slowing down? Chris Hipkins and Ashley Bloomfield give update
New Zealand has seven new virus cases - all related to the Auckland communuty cluster. Health Minister Chris Hipkins and director general of health Ashley Bloomfield are giving the 1pm daily update. Bloomfield said two of the new cases are linked to churches and two are household contacts. The country now has 129 active cases, 19 of which are in managed isolation or quarantine facilities. As usual they will reveal the latest case numbers, testing data and answer questions on the health response. Auckland will move into level 2 like the rest of the country at midnight on Sunday except with stricter rules. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a four-day extension to Auckland's lockdown yesterday. Auckland workplaces and schools can open under normal level 2 conditions, but bars and [...]
Iran: Thousands of workers continue strike action in 21 cities!
International Responses to Calls from Association to Defend Iranian Workers to Support Striking Workers in Iran Thousands of Iranian workers, including workers in the lucrative oil and gas sector, have taken strike action to demand higher or unpaid wages. [...]
An Anti-CCP Chinese Democracy Fighter in the U.S. Is Being Sued Against His Integrity for His Illegitimate Daughter
After failure of a series of court mediation last year, Jinesheng Wei, a well-known political activist in the anti-CCP movement has been taken to law by his ex-girlfriend Huaizhao Liu and his illegitimate daughter Charlotte, for his refusal to pay for the child's maintenance and the promised college tuition. Liu met Wei only once in her lifetime in her official capacity as a journalist. There is another rumor that he has been accused of raping Huaizhao Liu in early 2000 and a child was conceived. Plaintiffs and defendant are requested by the court in Washington DC to meet on 22nd next month to arrange the trial schedule, and it is believed that the civil actions case will start soon between Huaizhao Liu and Charlotte Zhang as the plaintiffs and Jingsheng [...]
Covid-19 coronavirus: 9 new Covid cases; 8 linked to cluster, as Cabinet decides on alert levels
There are nine new Covid-19 cases in NZ today - eight of them linked to the Auckland cluster. The other case is in MIQ in Auckland. Eight of the cases are confirmed and one is probable, director general of health Ashley Bloomfield says. There are 10 people in hospital, including two in intensive care at Middlemore. One of today's eight cases in the community had contact with a confirmed case on a bus - the others are from the workplace, households or church contacts. The Auckland cluster is now the largest in NZ's Covid-19 history. One of the cases under investigation will be genome sequenced today as an epidemiological link couldn't be found. Testing latest Bloomfield was asked about a family waiting nine days for a test result and [...]
US Republicans get ready for party convention this week
The overarching theme of the convention will be Honouring the Great American Story.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - Republicans are gearing up to formally nominate President Donald Trump as the party's choice to run for the White House at this week's Republican National Convention (RNC), which will run from Monday (Aug 24) to Thursday.Much like the Democratic National Convention last week, the RNC will be a departure from the big arena-based conventions of the past, with fewer in-person events taking place due to the pandemic. But a smaller number of delegates will still gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the party's business meetings. Attendees will have to undergo Covid-19 tests before they arrive. They will also have to wear masks, be subject to daily temperature checks and put on badges equipped [...]
Trump hails FDA’s authorisation of plasma treatment for coronavirus, after slamming agency
The FDA said early evidence suggests blood plasma can decrease mortality and improve the health of patients.PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Aug 23) hailed the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorisation of a coronavirus treatment that uses blood plasma from recovered patients, a day after accusing the agency of impeding the rollout of vaccines and therapeutics for political reasons.The FDA announcement of its "emergency use authorisation" of the treatment came on the eve of the Republican National Convention, where Trump will be nominated to lead his party for four more years. "This is what I’ve been looking to do for a long time," Trump told an unusually brief White House news conference. "Today I’m pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against [...]
Trump’s sister describes him as liar with ‘no principles’ in recordings
Washington: Maryanne Trump Barry, President Donald Trump's older sister and a former federal judge, described him as a liar who has "no principles" in a series of audio recordings made by her niece, Mary Trump, in 2018 and 2019. The recordings were provided to The Washington Post, which published them online Saturday night, local time. In the recording, Barry can be heard disparaging her brother's performance as President. Donald and Melania Trump with the President's sister Maryanne in 2005.CREDIT:AP "His goddamned tweet and the lying, oh, my God," she says in one of the recordings posted by the newspaper. "I'm talking too freely, but you know. The change of stories. The lack of preparation. The lying." Mary Trump is the author of the recently published book, Too Much and [...]
Kim Jong-Un ‘is in a coma and his sister is set to take control’, claims S Korean diplomat
A South Korean diplomat has claimed Kim Jong-un is in a coma and his sister is set to take charge of North Korea. Chang Song-min, an ex-aide to late-South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, claimed North Korea is hiding the truth about its leader's deteriorating health and that he understands the dictator is in a comatose state. Speaking with local media, Chang Song-min said: "I assess him to be in a coma, but his life has not ended." He said Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, is now ready to take over as the hermit state's new supreme leader. A complete succession structure has not been formed, so Kim Yo-jong is being brought to the fore as the vacuum cannot be maintained for a prolonged period." A South Korean diplomat has sensationally [...]
South China Sea: Photos reveal secret underground base off Hainan Island
A satellite photo shows a submarine entering the mysterious cave on Hainan Island. Photo / Planet Labs The moment a Chinese nuclear submarine slipped out of a secret underground base has been caught by satellite – laying bare the extent of China's military ambitions. Just a few pixels on a commercial-grade Earth-observation satellite photograph, it portrays a piece of Hainan Island – a strategically significant 35,400sq km land mass off the south coast of China. It's the location of a major naval base – much of it concealed in a bunker built deep under a mountain peninsula. What was captured appears to be two tugboats manoeuvring a nuclear-powered attack submarine out of a camouflaged tunnel. The August 18 photo, from commercial satellite service Photo Labs, was spotted by Radio [...]
‘We’ll vigorously defend’: Australia ready to fight China over wine dispute
The federal government is prepared to fight Beijing at the World Trade Organisation after the Chinese Ministry of Commerce launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said on ABC Insiders on Sunday morning the government was willing to challenge any allegations local winemakers dumped bottles under two litres into China at reduced prices. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.CREDIT:ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN "We'll vigorously defend that and if required, we'll go through the process and go to the WTO. We have form for that," he said. Australia has previously taken disputes with India and China to the WTO, he said, adding of the 37 OECD countries only New Zealand subsidies farmers less than Australia. We don't subsidise our farmers, they're on their own two feet," he said. The [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: US President Donald Trump accuses FDA of deliberately delaying vaccine
US President Donald Trump. Photo / Getty Images Donald Trump has taken to Twitter to accuse America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of deliberately delaying Covid-19 vaccine trials until after November's Presidential election. The US President wrote the "deep state, or whoever" at the FDA is "making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics". "Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!" House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Trump's statement "very dangerous". "Even for him it went beyond the pale in terms of how he would jeopardise the health and wellbeing of the American people and accuse FDA [of] politics when he is the one who has [...]
Election 2020: Labour’s ‘Ashley Bloomfield’ campaign ad has been taken down
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / File A Labour Party ad featuring Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with a brief appearance by director general of health Ashley Bloomfield, then not, has been taken down. The Facebook ad featured a visit by Ardern to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and the national contact tracing centre. The original ad also featured a three-second appearance by Bloomfield. However, the ad was later taken down for a re-edit, which did not feature Bloomfield. The Labour campaign ad on Facebook, featuring a brief appearance by director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Act leader David Seymour described the ad as scandalous and said no public servants should be used to help political parties campaign. [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Ministry of Health update on new cases as New Zealand’s lockdown D-Day looms
The Auckland community outbreak has grown by one case today, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. The case is a household contact of a previous case in the South Auckland cluster, which brings the number of cases in the cluster to 93. Three cases are still under investigaion, including the Rydges maintenance worker, so the total number of cases in the community is 96. There are also 18 cases in managed isolation and quarantine, including two new cases to report today. The number of active cases in New Zealand is now 114. The ministry release did not provide any further information about the two new cases reported yesterday as still under investigation, nor provide an update on the tracing of close contacts related to South Auckland church [...]
Coronavirus updates: World deaths surpass 800K; New York blocks 175-person wedding; pandemic complicates California fire evacuations
The worldwide number of COVID-19 cases soared past the 23 million mark Saturday while the number of deaths hit 800,566, according to John Hopkins University data. In South Korea, fears of a new surge prompted the government to again ban large gatherings, close beaches, and shut nightspots and churches. In the U.S., the number of cases topped 5.6 million and deaths climbed to 175,588. In California, the ongoing pandemic and social distancing restrictions are, yet again, complicating disaster relief efforts as more than 100,000 Californians flee raging wildfires. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said evacuation centers across the state had protocols in place, such as marked spaces for physical distancing in shelters, indoor tents, temperature checks and individual, instead of communal, meals. Meanwhile, efforts to reopen schools nationwide are being complicated by a virus data problem. Some significant developments: The House [...]
Medical evacuation flight carrying comatose Putin critic Alexei Navalny arrives in Germany
A medical evacuation plane carrying prominent Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny landed in Germany from Siberia on Saturday, after the politician and anti-corruption activist fell gravely ill in a suspected poisoning. Navalny has been in a coma in intensive care since Thursday. The 44-year-old staunch critic of President Vladimir Putin fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. Yarmysh said Navalny drank tea that appeared to have been laced with a toxin. Russian doctors say there is no evidence of poisoning, and the Kremlin denied the authorities tried to prevent the transfer from happening. But Navalny was only allowed to leave Russia after more than 24 hours of wrangling over his condition and treatment. “Alexey is taken to the medical aircraft. Yulia is with him," Yarmysh wrote [...]
Facebook Braces Itself for Trump to Cast Doubt on Election Results
The world’s biggest social network is working out what steps to take should President Trump use its platform to dispute the vote. SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook spent years preparing to ward off any tampering on its site ahead of November’s presidential election. Now the social network is getting ready in case President Trump interferes once the vote is over. Employees at the Silicon Valley company are laying out contingency plans and walking through postelection scenarios that include attempts by Mr. Trump or his campaign to use the platform to delegitimize the results, people with knowledge of Facebook’s plans said. Mike Isaac is a technology correspondent and the author of Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, a NYT best-selling book on the dramatic rise and fall of the ride-hailing company. [...]
After Covid, China’s Leaders Face New Challenges From Flooding
Unusually heavy rains have wreaked havoc in central and southwestern China, leaving hundreds dead and disrupting the economy’s post-pandemic recovery. The southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing on Wednesday. Premier Li Keqiang visited the flood-stricken city this week.Credit...Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Having brought the coronavirus pandemic largely under control, China’s leaders are now struggling with a surge of crippling floods that have killed hundreds of people and displaced millions across the central and southwestern parts of the country. Flooding on the Yangtze River peaked again this week, in Sichuan Province and the sprawling metropolis of Chongqing, while the Three Gorges Dam, 280 miles downstream, reached its highest level since it began holding water in 2003. Steven Lee Myers is the Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times. [...]
Syringe shortage could hamper delivery of Covid-19 vaccine, experts warn
US companies make roughly 663m syringes a year but the Trump administration has calculated that an extra 850m may be needed. The scale of a potential vaccination campaign in 2021 mean that manufacturing capacity in the US alone may have to double. Photograph: LM Otero/AP As the race for a vaccine against the coronavirus heats up, the US faces another potential crisis: a shortage of syringes. The US federal government has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars in hopes of warding off a syringe shortage, if and when a Covid-19 vaccine is approved. It comes as shortages of personal protective equipment continue to hamper the response to the pandemic. A potential vaccine could receive emergency approval as early as winter 2020. But industry leaders and experts are warning [...]
Indonesia books 40M coronavirus vaccine doses from Sinovac
FILE: A healthcare worker checks the tension of a volunteer during a simulation for coronavirus vaccine clinical trials next week at the Faculty of Medicine at Padjadjaran University amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bandung, Indonesia, August 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/File Photo JAKARTA — China’s Sinovac Biotech has committed to provide up to 40 million coronavirus vaccine doses to Indonesia’s government between November and March, a minister said, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to secure its supply as cases rise unabated. During a visit to China, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said a preliminary agreement had been signed with Sinovac for bulk purchase and supply of the vaccine, CoronaVac, from November to March, after which Indonesia’s state-owned Bio Farma would get priority access until end-2021. Indonesia has recorded [...]
New Zealand gives P64-M aid to PH in fight vs. Covid-19
MANILA – The New Zealand government has extended about PHP64.25 million in assistance to support the Philippines' response against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday. The assistance, to be channeled through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will prioritize the vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic in Mindanao, according to the DFA. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. conveyed Manila's appreciation during a meeting with Ambassador Peter Francis Tavita Kell at the DFA Office. COOPERATION. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. receives New Zealand Ambassador Peter Francis Tavita Kell to discuss the bilateral cooperation priorities and other topics of mutual importance between their two countries. The New Zealand government has extended about PHP64.25 million in aid to support the Philippines' response against the [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ Post staff stood down after two positive cases
NZ Post has stood down all staff members who worked the same shift at its Auckland parcel processing centre which has recorded two positive Covid-19 cases. The move affects 70 staff who worked the day shift at the NZ Post Auckland Operations Centre in Highbrook. Those staff would now be in self-isolation until Saturday, August 29. NZ Post chief operating officer Mark Stewart said this was based on Ministry of Health advice received "late last night". "This is for the remainder of the two-week incubation period from when the last infectious staff member was on site, which was Friday 14 August." Since the two positive tests were returned, 300 people who worked at the centre had been tested. While no additional positive tests had been returned yet, a further [...]
US leads world in COVID-19 infections
Taking a look at coronavirus figures around the world. Global cases stand at 22,792,000, with more than 795,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. The US has the highest number of infections, with more than 5.3 million, followed by Brazil (3.5 million), India (2.9 million) and Russia (944,000). South Africa's confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 600,000, the health ministry said on Friday, even though the number of new cases has been declining since a peak in July. The country now has 603,338 confirmed cases of the virus and 12,843 people have died, the ministry said in a statement. France on Friday reported 4586 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours after the country reached a post-lockdown record the previous day. The ministry also said the total [...]
At least 5 dead in massive California wildfires; more than 60,000 flee, thousands of homes threatened
Thousands of people remained under evacuation orders in regions around the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday as wildfires blazed across the state amid a blistering heat wave now in its second week. In all, according to Cal Fire, more than 60,000 California residents have evacuated because of fires that are burning about 780 square miles across the state. That's an area equal to about half the size of Rhode Island. Statewide, as of Thursday evening, officials said the fires have destroyed 175 structures, including homes, and are threatening 50,000 more. In all, 33 civilians and firefighters have been injured, and at least five people have died. Daniel Berlant, an assistant deputy director with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said three people had died in Napa County and one in Solano County [...]
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon charged over border wall scheme
US President Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon was arrested on Thursday on charges that he and three others ripped off donors to an online fundraising effort to build a southern border wall, making him the latest in a long list of Trump associates to be indicted or charged. The "We Build The Wall" fundraiser was headed by men who pushed their close ties to Trump and raised more than US$25 million ($38m). They touted their effort to help the President realise his vision of a "big beautiful" wall along the US-Mexico border, especially after Trump's effort to redirect millions in government funds, was held up through lawsuits. But according to the criminal charges unsealed Thursday, little of the wall was actually constructed. Instead, the money lined the [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Chinese company claims to be testing vaccine in Papua New Guinea
A Chinese mining company in Papua New Guinea claims to have immunised its employees against Covid-19 in an apparent trial as Australia and China prepare for a new "vaccine diplomacy" battle for influence across the region. This week Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed to help the nation's "Pacific family" and key Southeast Asian partners gain access to a successful coronavirus vaccine, when one was found, through a foreign aid programme. The Australian newspaper has learned China may have begun trialling a coronavirus vaccine in the region on employees of its state-owned enterprises. The PNG government said the Health Department was investigating the claim by Chinese-owned Ramu Nickel that its employees had been vaccinated. A statement from the company declared 48 employees had been vaccinated with "SARS-COV-2 vaccine" on [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: WHO outlines the 20 per cent preferred for vaccine
The director of the World Health Organisation has warned against "vaccine nationalism" and outlined the 20 per cent of the global population it believes should be vaccinated first against Covid-19. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said yesterday that "no one is safe until everyone is safe" from the coronavirus that has irrevocably changed the world in 2020. While there is a wish among leaders to protect their own people first, the response to this pandemic has to be collective," he said. "This is not charity, we have learned the hard way that the fastest way to end this pandemic and to reopen economies is to start by protecting the highest risk populations everywhere, rather than the entire populations of just some countries. "No one is safe until everyone is [...]
Putin opponent Alexei Navalny poisoned by ‘toxin’ in his tea – reports
Alexey Navalny is reported to be unconscious in hospital, suspected of having beeen poisoned by a toxin in his tea. Photo / Getty Images Prominent Russian anti-corruption activist and Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny has reportedly been admitted to hospital in an unconscious state after being reportedly poisoned by a "toxin" in his tea. The 44-year-old foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin felt unwell on a flight back to Moscow from Tomsk, a city in Siberia, Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. "This morning Navalny was returning to Moscow from Tomsk. On the flight he started feeling ill. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. Alexei has been poisoned with a toxin. Right now we're in an ambulance on the way to the hospital," his press secretary tweeted. She [...]
Sweden records highest death tally in 150 years in first half of 2020
Central Stockholm busy with shoppers in July. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images Sweden, which has stood out among European countries for its low-key approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic, has recorded its highest tally of deaths in the first half of 2020 for 150 years, the Statistics Office said. Covid-19 claimed about 4,500 lives in the period to the end of June – a number that has now risen to 5,800 – a much higher percentage of the population than in other Nordic nations, though lower than in some others, including Britain and Spain. In total, 51,405 Swedes died in the six-month period, a higher number than in any year since 1869, when 55,431 people died, partly as a [...]
Italy at a crossroads as fears grow of Covid-19 second wave
New infections are rising, raising questions over lockdown easing and planned reopening of schools. Bathers on the beach in Naples, southern Italy, on 2 August. Photograph: Ciro Fusco/EPA It took a weekend to take Italy back three months in its struggle against the pandemic. Last week’s rapid increase in coronavirus infections risks erasing the progress made by the first European country to be engulfed by Covid-19 and extending the closure of schools in September. The alarm was sounded last Saturday, when Italy registered 629 new cases in 24 hours, up from 500 on the previous two days. Such numbers recorded in a row had not been seen since May, when Italy cautiously emerged from one of the [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus live update: Five new cases today – all related to Auckland cluster; Chris Hipkins and Ashley Bloomfield give details
There are five new confirmed Covid-19 cases today - all related to the community cluster in Auckland. Four are in Auckland and the other one is related to the Tokoroa case. There are six people in hospital, including one person in intensive care in a stable condition. There is another case under investigation which was originally classed as being connected to the Auckland cluster. They visited St Lukes Mall on Wednesday August 12, which has been shut since alert level 3. Americold outbreak probably person-to-person contact "Very low" levels of the virus were found on swabs from one of the Americold facilities but they were too low for transmission, so surface infection has now been ruled out. As such, officials have ruled out the first infection of the Auckland [...]
Democrats officially nominate Biden for president
Democrats officially nominated former Vice President Joe Biden to be their presidential nominee on Tuesday night, setting up an election battle against President Trump in November. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," Biden said in brief remarks following the vote. His wife, Jill Biden, and several grandchildren joined him for the moment. Biden’s nomination was expected, and there was no drama as the roll call of votes unfolded at the Democratic National Convention, which is taking place as a virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) both gave speeches on behalf of Biden, as did Jacquelyn Brittany, a New York Times security guard who had a viral moment with Biden in an elevator. “Joe Biden has never forgotten where he’s from,” said [...]
China confirms its 1st COVID-19 vaccine patent
ANKARA — China, ground zero of the novel coronavirus outbreak, confirmed its first COVID-19 vaccine patent Sunday, according to state-affiliated media. (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN) “#China has approved its first #COVID19 #vaccine patent, which has been developed by PLA infectious disease expert Chen Wei’s team. Earlier, the phase 2 trial of the vaccine candidate found that the vaccine is safe and induces an immune response,” China Global Television Network (CGTN) said on Twitter. Citing data from clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the COVID-19 vaccine candidate is “safe and generates an immune response.” The research involved 320 “healthy volunteers” aged between 18 and 59, of which 96 participated in phase-1 clinical trials and 224 in phase-2 trials, [...]
Democratic National Convention: Donald Trump takes aim at Michelle Obama’s speech
Donald Trump has hit out at former First Lady Michelle Obama on Twitter, after she delivered harsh criticism of the US President. Trump took aim at Obama, blasting her endorsement of his opponent Joe Biden as "unenthusiastic" and claiming the reason he is currently sitting in the White House is because of her husband, former President Barack Obama. Trump then went on to criticise the response by former President Obama and Biden to the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic as "weak and pathetic". The President's Twitter posts come after Obama delivered a slapdown of Trump, saying he is the "wrong President" for the United States, and is "clearly in over his head". In a clear reference to Trump's viral Axios interview at the start of this month, where he downplayed [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Australia’s Scott Morrison plans to make vaccine ‘as mandatory as possible’ once it proves safe
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he intends to make a Covid-19 vaccine as "mandatory as you can possibly make it" for all Australians once it becomes available. It emerged today that the Morrison Government has confirmed a landmark agreement with drug giant AstraZeneca to manufacture one of the world's most promising coronavirus vaccines currently being developed by Oxford University researchers, news.com.au reports. If it's proved safe to use, Prime Minister Scott Morrison believes the agreement will ensure Australians will be among the first countries in the world to secure the jab, revealing this morning it could be available to Aussies as soon as early next year. The UK Government has already ordered 100 million doses. Asked whether the vaccine would be mandatory, Morrison told 3AW's Neil Mitchell that [...]
Hamilton accountant jailed after $740k IRD fraud; majority spent on gambling, lifestyle
The Judge said there was no hope of now disgraced chartered accountant Megan Findlay paying back any of the money defrauded from the IRD which totalled $741,206.60. Photo / File A Hamilton woman has not only lost her ability to practise as a chartered accountant but will spend the next 3 year behind bars after stealing $740,000 from the Inland Revenue Department over 7 years. Megan Nyree Findlay benefited personally by almost $467,000 which she frittered away her ill-gotten gains on gambling, shopping, holidays and other "lifestyle" activities. Unbeknownst to the company directors, who were members of her own family, the remaining $274,229.55 was used to lessen the GST and income tax bill of the family's company. Not that they knew about it as Findlay was in charge of [...]
New photos show Bill Clinton getting massage from Jeffrey Epstein accuser
One of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims has spoken out after newly unearthed photos showed her giving President Bill Clinton a massage during following a flight on the financier's infamous "Lolita Express". In a photo obtained by the Daily Mail, Chauntae Davies, a 22-year-old massage therapist who acted as Epstein's personal masseuse at the time, is seen smiling while she rubs her hands into Clinton's shoulders. Another shows the former President smiling in relief as Davies digs into his shoulder and neck. The photos come as an ill-timed reminder of Clinton's links to Epstein as the former President, 72, prepares to endorse Joe Biden tonight (local time) at the Democratic Convention. Davies, now in her early 40s, told the Daily Mail of the massage pictures: "Although the image looks bizarre, [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Six new cases; more army staff to guard isolation hotels – Ashley Bloomfield and Jacinda Ardern
Five hundred more Defence Force staff are being deployed to managed isolation facilities and the Government is also directly hiring security guards to help control the centres. It comes as officials report six new cases of Covid-19 today, one of which is in managed isolation. The other five cases are in the community, all linked to the South Auckland cluster. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today's results were "encouraging" and there appeared to be no surge in community cases. There were also no more cases related to the Rydges infection announced yesterday. The cases were not doubling each day over the past week, and the resurgence plan was working as intended so far, Ardern said. She said Cabinet's testing strategy from late June had not been executed as expected, [...]
Trump calls out New Zealand’s ‘terrible’ Covid surge, on day it records nine new cases
US president’s discordant comments fail to reflect that 22 people have died from coronavirus in New Zealand, versus 170,000 in US. Donald Trump has called out New Zealand for its recent Covid-19 outbreak, saying the places the world hailed as a success story is now facing a “big surge” in cases. “The places they were using to hold up now they’re having a big surge … they were holding up names of countries and now they’re saying ‘whoops!. “Do you see what’s happening in New Zealand? They beat it, they beat it, it was like front-page news because they wanted to show me something,” the US president said at a campaign rally in Mankato, Minnesota. “Big surge in New Zealand, you know it’s terrible, we don’t want that, but [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: PM Jacinda Ardern says Donald Trump’s claim NZ is experiencing a surge is ‘patently wrong‘
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Donald Trump's claim New Zealand is experiencing a "surge" in Covid-19 cases is "patently wrong". "Obviously I don't think there's any comparison between New Zealand's current cluster and the tens of thousands of cases that are being seen daily in the United States," Ardern said today. "Obviously, every country is experiencing its own fight with Covid-19; it is a tricky virus, but not one where I would compare New Zealand's current status to the United States.” Ardern said anyone who was following outbreaks around the world would "quite easily see" New Zealand's nine new cases yesterday didn't compare to the tens of thousands in the United States. On Monday New Zealand reported nine new cases while the United States had 42,000. "Obviously it's patently [...]
Mutated coronavirus strain detected in PH
MANILA, Philippines — A mutated strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus believed to be more infectious than the original variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been detected in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Genome Center, the G614 strain, along with the original D614 genotype, was detected in a small sample of positive cases from Quezon City. In the month of June, both the D614 as well as the G614 have been detected in a small sample of positive cases,” said the Philippine Genome Center, which conducted a whole-genome as well as targeted sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Philippines as part of the validation study of the locally developed RT-PCR kit. “Although this information confirms the presence of G614 in the Philippines, we note that all [...]
‘We will perish’: embattled Lukashenko sends SOS to Putin
Belarusian leader seeks Kremlin support against external threats as analysts predict an end to his rule. Alexander Lukashenko gives a speech to supporters in Minsk. Photograph: Reuters Isolated from the west and besieged by mass protests, the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has made repeated calls for Vladimir Putin to intervene and save his 26-year-old regime. In telephone calls to the Kremlin on Saturday and Sunday, he sought confirmation that Russia would provide military assistance against external threats, while warning supporters that the country was under foreign pressure. “Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and our native Ukraine, their leadership are ordering us to hold new elections,” Lukashenko said in a speech. “If we follow their lead, we will go into a tailspin [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria has deadliest day since pandemic began
Victoria has recorded its worst daily death toll since the pandemic began after another 25 people died due to the virus. Victoria has now lost 334 people to coronavirus. There were always fears Victoria could lose more people to coronavirus after health authorities confirmed yesterday there were 664 people in hospital with 40 in the ICU and 29 on a ventilator. Victoria extended its state of emergency for another four weeks yesterday. Announcing the extension on Sunday, Premier Dan Andrews said it was unlikely Victoria would be virus-free for a long time. "Even when this second wave is over, we will see cases, we will see outbreaks, that's just a function of this thing," Andrews told reporters. Police check permits and ID of drivers at a checkpoint in [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delays election until October 17 – survey shows 60 per cent of Kiwis wanted it delayed
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has decided to delay the election until October 17. Announcing the decision this morning, Ardern said the re-emergence of Covid-19 in the community was a cause for concern during the election period. Key dates:• Today: Business committee meets this afternoon to agree a parliament timetable. • September 6: Parliament dissolves. • September 7-21: The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) 2020 • September 13: Writ Day, nominations close September 18. • October 3: Advance voting begins, last day for return of the writ is November 12. • October 17: Election day. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has decided to delay the election until October 17. Announcing the decision this morning, Ardern said the re-emergence of Covid-19 in the community was a cause for concern during the [...]
Advanced negotiations’: Australia aiming to lock in COVID-19 vaccine deal
Australia is poised to sign a multi-million dollar deal with a British pharmaceutical giant to purchase and produce up to 30 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, in an agreement which would also support New Zealand and South Pacific nations. The Morrison government is expected to sign off on a deal with the British drugmaker AstraZeneca to secure the University of Oxford's adenovirus-based vaccine as soon as the first half of next year. The University of Oxford samples from coronavirus vaccine trials are handled inside the Oxford Vaccine Group laboratory. CREDIT:AP The supply pact would allow Melbourne-based domestic vaccine manufacturer CSL to produce the vaccine under a strict licensing agreement if human trials of the drug in Britain prove successful. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday [...]
Russia produces first batch of COVID-19 vaccine—report
FILE PHOTO: A handout photo provided by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) shows samples of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, in Moscow, Russia August 6, 2020. (RDIF)/Handout via REUTERS MOSCOW—Russia has produced the first batch of its new vaccine for COVID-19, the Interfax news agency quoted the health ministry as saying on Saturday, hours after the ministry reported the start of manufacturing. Some scientists said they fear that with this fast regulatory approval Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety amid the global race to develop a vaccine against the disease. Russia has said the vaccine, the first for the coronavirus to go into production, will be rolled out by the end of this month. [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Kiwi scientists identify ‘virus family’ of new outbreak
A breakthrough in understanding New Zealand's new Covid-19 outbreak has only deepened the mystery over its origins. New Zealand scientists have identified the "family" of its latest Covid-19 outbreak and have revealed that its name is "B.1.1.1." and can be tracked all the way back to Wuhan. The lineage of the genome sequence of the original cluster – which began as four new cases on August 11 and has grown to 30 – is also linked to cases in Australia. Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the samples had "strong links" to the genomes of coronavirus in United Kingdom and Australia. And B.1.1.1 is also present in countries including Peru, Uruguay, South Africa, Switzerland and Bangladesh. But B.1.1.1. has no links whatsoever with the genomes of Covid-19 cases [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: AUT student tests positive
AUT campuses have been closed since Auckland moved to alert level 3 on Wednesday. Photo / Supplied An AUT student has tested positive for Covid-19. The case is linked to the Auckland cluster and the student is being moved to quarantine. Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack sent an email to all staff advising of the student's test result earlier today. The university understood the student's movements and physical interactions were limited to the MBA programme and specific areas of the City Campus, he said. The student was not unwell when they were on campus and only began experiencing symptoms yesterday. Auckland Regional Public Health Services has determined the student's infectious period began on Thursday August 13, therefore it is unlikely the student was infectious while on campus. All teaching will [...]
Donald Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump, dead at 71
Robert Trump, left, joins then real estate developer Donald Trump at a 1999 event in New York. Photo / AP President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name, died on Saturday night after being hospitalised in New York, the president said in a statement. He was 71. The president visited his brother at a New York City hospital on Friday after White House officials said he had become seriously ill. Officials did not immediately release a cause of death. "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," Donald Trump said in a statement. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be [...]
‘The press has to go on’: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai defies Beijing
Apple Daily founder and pro democracy activist says his case will likely be a ‘litmus test’ of Hong Kong’s legal system. Wary but defiant, Jimmy Lai is determined to keep fighting for a democratic Hong Kong, even as he acknowledges that China’s goal is to take full control of the region. Speaking to the Guardian five days after his arrest on foreign collusion allegations – he is currently out on bail - media tycoon Lai argues the press must keep going. But he also believes that Monday’s round up was a warning from Beijing. Six weeks ago the Chinese Communist Party government (CCP) imposed national security laws on Hong Kong which made even the mildest forms of activism a crime against the state. Dozens have since been [...]
U.N. Security Council Rejects U.S. Proposal to Extend Arms Embargo on Iran
“We can’t allow the world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell weapons,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.Credit...Lisi Niesner/Reuters The United States suffered an embarrassing diplomatic defeat on Friday when the United Nations Security Council rejected a proposal to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Iran, with even America’s strongest allies refusing to buckle under pressure from the Trump administration to take a harder line. The defeat underscored America’s deepening global isolation on the issue of Iran. But for the Trump administration, the vote could open a separate path to try to inflict maximum damage on Iran ahead of November’s U.S. presidential election. For months, Trump administration officials have warned that if the vote to extend the embargo failed, the United States would [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Ashley Bloomfield, Chris Hipkins – Seven new cases of Covid-19 today
There are seven new cases of Covid-19 today, director general of health Ashley Bloomfield has revealed. All are in the community - there are no cases in managed isolation. Six cases are linked to the Auckland cluster and one case is being investigated. That is in addition to the case being investigated yesterday. Bloomfield was confident both cases were linked to the cluster. There are 56 active cases in New Zealand, of which 37 are in the community. Some 1090 close contacts linked to the cluster have been identified - 934 have been contacted so far - and 86 per cent of close contacts have been contacted. The two Tokoroa cases have been transferred to Auckland and their families are in isolation. All residents of the Morrinsville rest home [...]
Trump orders TikTok to sell U.S. assets within 90 days, citing national security concerns
President Donald Trump ordered the Chinese parent company of TikTok to sell or spin off its U.S. assets within 90 days, citing national security concerns. In an order released late Friday, Trump warned of “credible evidence” that ByteDance “might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States.” The executive order follows an investigation of ByteDance’s acquisition of Musical.ly which it bought in 2017 and merged with TikTok. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement that an "exhaustive review" concluded that the deal should be unwound. TikTok could not be immediately reached for comment. Last week, Trump issued an executive order that would ban U.S. transactions with ByteDance and with Tencent’s WeChat in 45 days.
UN Security Council rejects US resolution to extend Iran arms embargo
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision of the Council was 'inexcusable.' The U.N. Security Council on Friday rejected a U.S. resolution to extend a thirteen-years-old arms embargo on Iran due to expire in October -- a move that will likely result in the Trump administration attempting to extend the embargo unilaterally. The short resolution, which would have extended the embargo “until the Security Council decides otherwise,” mustered only two votes in the chamber -- the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. It needed nine to pass, and even if it had gained that many, would likely have been shot down by a veto from China and Russia. Russia and China voted no, but did not need to deploy a veto, while the remaining members of the Council abstained. The [...]
‘Russian COVID-19 vaccine may be available in PH by November’
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) MANILA, Philippines — The Russian vaccine being developed against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be available in the Philippines as early as November 2020, according to the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund which finances the vaccine project. “We believe we can start this trial as early as August or maybe even early September, and we believe if we work very closely with your regulator, with your health minister, we can actually make the vaccine available to Philippines as early as November or early December,” Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive officer of the RIDF, said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel aired on Friday. “We are now working to manufacture vaccines not only in Russia but in five other countries and we [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – NZ to maintain current lockdown settings for 12 more days
New Zealand will maintain its current lockdown settings for 12 more days. That would mean the current settings will be in place for 14 days - or one full incubation period. The current settings will remain until 11.59pm on August 26, but Cabinet will review the settings on August 21, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has just announced. "There is nothing to suggest we need to move to a level 4 lockdown at this stage." Auckland shouldn't be at level 3 for any longer than necessary. "Short and sharp is best. "But it is wise to take a bit of extra time." Ardern said it had been 53 hours since Auckland was in level 3, while the rest of NZ was in level 2. She said the aim was to [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Ashley Bloomfield gives update – How far has the virus spread?
LATEST ADVICE: • There are 12 new confirmed cases, including two in Tokoroa. They are all connected. • There is no need to stockpile medicines. The supply chain has not been affected. • There have been reports of verbal and physical abuse of healthcare workers. • The "majority" of border workers will be tested by the end of the day. There are 12 new confirmed cases of Covid in the community and one probable case, director general of health Ashley Bloomfield says. One of the 13 cases is in hospital. All of the new cases are linked to the existing cluster, though one - the person in Auckland Hospital - is still under investigation but it is not yet cause for concern. There are 30 active cases connected to [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Philippines will be first country to test Russia’s ‘Sputnik V’ vaccine
A new vaccine is on display at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, Russia. Photo / AP KEY POINTS: The Philippines will be the first country in the world to begin large-scale human testing of Russia's coronavirus vaccine in October. President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to be inoculated as early as May next year. Duterte had offered himself as a guinea pig for the first jab, saying he had "huge trust" in the vaccine. But his spokesman Harry Roque confirmed he will not receive the inoculation until regulators guarantee its safety. There is growing scepticism about the effectiveness of the fast-tracked vaccine. Phase 3 clinical trials in the Philippines are due to run from October to March 2021. Roque said the president was scheduled [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: 13 new cases in Auckland – all will go into quarantine
There are 13 new Covid cases in Auckland and they all will now go into quarantine. All of the 13 cases are linked to the original four confirmed cases from the new outbreak in South Auckland. The new cases include children. One is a girl aged one to four while the other is a boy between the ages of five and nine. Another girl who tested positive is aged between 10 and 14, while a teenage male (age from 15-19) is among the new cases. Family members of confirmed cases may also be required to go into quarantine, director general of health Ashley Bloomfield says. Bloomfield said they'd given moving confirmed cases into quarantine facilities "a lot of thought". It would help prevent spread between family members and limit [...]
‘Philippine jobless rate highest in Southeast Asia’
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seen booking the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia, with about eight million Filipinos expected to lose their jobs as the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic continues to overwhelm the economy, according to Maybank ATR Kim Eng. In its ASEAN economics report titled “Labour market: Retrenchments and Recovery,” Maybank said the country’s unemployment rate is expected to hit a record 18.5 percent this year, the highest in Southeast Asia. This is higher than Thailand’s 15.9 percent, Malaysia’s 6.5 percent, Indonesia’s 5.9 percent, Singapore’s four percent, and Vietnam’s 3.6 percent. In all, the six ASEAN countries would have an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent due to the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic and business shutdowns have led to massive [...]
Kamala Has Called for Twitter to Ban Trump – And Their Top Censor Used to Work for Her
For as often a fuss is made over President Donald Trump’s tweets, even his critics must view them as a net positive for him, as evidenced by how badly they want him banned from the platform. Among them is Kamala Harris, who was just tapped by Joe Biden to be his running mate. She wrote Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in October 2019 that Trump violated the company’s user agreement in tweets regarding the Ukraine “whistleblower” and House Intel Committee Chair Adam Schiff. Kamala pretended that Trump violated Twitter’s rule that “may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people.” She’s also called for him to be banned in a number of tweets. Fortunately nobody at Twitter listened to that specific complaint, though Twitter has since censored [...]
US election: Military officials in extraordinary Trump letter
President Trump's top military man has just been delivered an extraordinary request by two senior military staffers in a worst case scenario following the upcoming US election. An open letter, published by online US military news site Defense One, is addressed to General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and paints a stark picture of what the authors believe could emerge following the upcoming US election. "As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, you are well aware of your duties in ordinary times: to serve as principal military advisor to the president of the United States, and to transmit the lawful orders of the president and Secretary of Defense to combatant commanders," the letter reads. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Experts Michael Baker and Shaun Hendy share concerns Auckland outbreak could be ‘generations’ deep
Covid-19 could been have spreading in Auckland for weeks, with dozens of people already infected, two experts claim. The two infectious disease experts say it's likely the four cases confirmed in a family on Tuesday are a few generations into an outbreak. The family has no known connection to the country's border - the only place experts believe Covid-19 could have arrived. Epidemiologist Michael Baker said an outbreak usually went through a few generations of transmission before someone became sick enough to present with symptoms. That could take about three weeks, he said. Physicist and disease modeller Shaun Hendy agreed, saying there could be several layers to the outbreak. "If [the virus] has been passed from someone who arrived, and passed through several people to this family, then they [...]
Unnerving: ‘Occupy’ radicals now plan ‘White House siege’
50-day protest 'a cultural heave towards a new world order' The activist group behind the Occupy Wall Street protest nine years ago, Adbusters, is planning a 50-day "White House Siege" next month. "Drawing wind from #MeToo, #BLM, #ExtinctionRebellion and protests against Trump’s lethal bungling of coronavirus, we’ll inspire a global movement of systemic change — a Global Spring — a cultural heave towards a new world order, the activists say in a "Tactical Briefing" posted by Adbusters magazine. The Adbusters Media Foundation is a Canadian-based anti-capitalist, enviromentalist group founded in 1989. Adbusters prompted the "occupation" of Wall Street in 2011 saying that had "one simple demand — a presidential commission to separate money from politics" that would "start setting the agenda for a new America." The activists say the [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Restrictions may stay in place longer, scientists say
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Auckland will go into level 3 lockdown, and the rest of the country will go into level 2. People should prepare themselves for the possibility restrictions will stay in longer than three days, scientists say. Auckland moves to level 3 at noon today for three days, until midnight on Friday, after news of a community outbreak of Covid-19 - the first in more than 100 days. Four members of a South Auckland family have tested positive and health authorities are racing to find the source. Everyone working at the border or in managed isolation will be swabbed and there will be mass testing across the city. Two pop-up centres are opening this morning in Ōtara and New Lynn. The rest of New Zealand [...]
Biden taps Kamala Harris as running mate, setting aside tensions from primary
She makes history as the first Black woman to serve as a major political party’s VP pick. Kamala Harris, the politically shrewd California senator with a law enforcement background that has caused some tensions with the progressive left, was announced Tuesday as Joe Biden’s running mate. "I’ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021," Biden said in an email to supporters. She makes history as the first Black woman to serve as a major political party’s VP pick. "I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief," Harris tweeted. The Biden campaign said Biden [...]
Four New COVID-19 Cases Hurl New Zealand Into Renewed Country-Wide Lockdown
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) Auckland, a major city in New Zealand, is reportedly entering a level 3 lockdown mid-day Wednesday for at least three days after four new COVID-19 cases were reported. The rest of the nation will be put back into a level 2 lockdown as the government confirms the first case of community transmission after more than 100 days with no reported cases. Auckland residents will be expected to work from home after two workplaces in the city were pinpointed as being involved with the spread, according to Stuff, a publication based in New Zealand. Schools, bars and restaurants will be closed through the end of the week, according to MarketWatch, while gatherings of 10 or more are restricted. Non-essential travel will reportedly be banned, with [...]
President Trump abruptly escorted from White House briefing, then returns
Secret Service agent interrupts President Trump's briefing on Aug. 10, 2020. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump was abruptly escorted by a U.S. Secret Service agent out of the White House briefing room as he was beginning a coronavirus briefing Monday afternoon. He returned minutes later, saying there was a “shooting” outside the White House that was “under control.” There was an actual shooting and somebody’s been taken to the hospital,” Trump said. The president said the shots were fired by law enforcement, saying he believed the individual who was shot was armed. “It was the suspect who was shot,” Trump said. Trump said he was escorted to the Oval Office by the agent. The White House was placed [...]
2 shot, more than 100 people arrested, 13 officers injured amid widespread downtown looting
CPD Supt. David Brown called the looting “pure criminality” in a news conference Monday morning, not connected to any protest. “There is no justification,” Mayor Lightfoot said. A CVS at LaSalle and Kinzie was one of the stores hit as part of widespread looting in downtown Chicago. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times Two people were shot, more than 100 people were arrested and 13 police officers were injured as crowds broke windows and looted stores along Michigan Avenue and on the Near North Side overnight and into Monday morning. “We are waking up in shock this morning,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot, calling it “brazen criminal looting and destruction.” Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, who joined the mayor for a news conference at CPD headquarters Monday, called it “pure criminality” not connected [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Managed isolation charges to come into force tomorrow
Managed isolation charges for returnees will come into force from tomorrow, after they passed their last Cabinet milestone today, Housing Minister Megan Woods says. "The new charging system balances the rights of New Zealanders to return home and helps reduce pressure on the managed isolation and quarantine system, while recovering some of the costs from those who choose to leave and enter the country on holidays or business trips," Megan Woods said. "Anyone who needs to come home but cannot afford the charges will still be able to come home. Exemptions are available for certain groups of people and waivers from charges are possible on a case-by-case basis for undue financial hardship and in special circumstances (such as compassionate grounds)." Travellers required to contribute towards their managed isolation hotel [...]
Next Digital boss Jimmy Lai arrested over alleged foreign collusion
Jimmy Lai, founder of the Next Media group and a pro-democracy activist, was arrested on Monday morning for alleged collusion with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s new national security law. His eldest son Timothy and second son Ian, and several members of the senior management of the group, which publishes the Apple Daily newspaper, were also arrested on suspicion of breaching the national security law. A team of about 10 police officers arrived at Lai’s residence on Kadoorie Avenue in Kowloon Tong at around 7 a.m. to search for evidence as a large group of reporters gathered outside. Lai was brought to the police station in Kowloon City. Another police team went to the home of Ian Lai in Sai Kung. His eldest son Timothy and second son Ian, [...]
Now more Covid-19 cases in US than people in NZ – and deaths higher than population of Hamilton
The number of cases of Covid-19 in the United States has now passed the 5 million mark - the total population of New Zealand. US Covid cases and deaths on August 10 2020, source: Johns Hopkins University. NZ population at March 2020 from Stats NZ, Hamilton population at 2018 Census. Source: 1 NEWS And its number of deaths is equivalent to the entire population of Hamilton. There have now been 5,032,299 cases of the virus in the US and 162,751 people have died, according to tracking data from Johns Hopkins University. While the population of the US is far bigger – at 330,000,000 - the scale of the coronavirus crisis there is clear and Donald Trump’s administration has been widely criticised for its handling of the pandemic. President Trump has [...]
This Is Big! Trump Holds a 36% Approval Rating with Black Voters in the Latest Rasmussen Monthly Approval Summary
This should put Democrats in a panic. While Joe Biden continues to drop racist insults against prominent blacks President Trump continues to make inroads with black voters. President Trump holds a monthly approval rating of 36% with black voters. This was Trump’s monthly average with the black community.
President Trump announces $400-per-week unemployment payments amid Covid-19 crisis
President Trump announced a $400-per-week supplemental unemployment payment to out-of-work Americans. He also signed a payroll tax holiday through the end of the year for Americans earning less than $100,000. For the new $400-per-week benefit, states would be on the hook for funding 25% to the millions of jobless Americans, while the federal government would pick up 75 percent of the benefit, Trump said. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, tweeted out his support support for President Trump’s executive orders. “I applaud @realDonaldTrump executive actions to help the American [people],” Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, tweeted. “Democrats all or nothing strategy jeopardizes the certainty Americans need to pay their bills. [President] Trump puts the American [people] first, compared to nonstop political games by Democrats.” Meanwhile Sen. Lindsey Graham, praised the President for [...]
Beirut blast: Tear gas, clashes amid fury over massive explosion
Security forces fired tear gas and clashed with stone-throwing demonstrators Saturday in Beirut, and a group of protesters stormed the foreign ministry amid mounting fury over this week's explosion that devastated much of the city and killed nearly 160 people. Dozens were still missing and nearly 6,000 people injured. Activists who called for the protest set up symbolic nooses at Beirut's Martyrs' Square to hang politicians whose corruption and negligence they blame for Tuesday's blast. Lebanese soldiers stand among tear gas during clashes with protesters as part of a protest against the political elites and the government after this week's deadly explosion at Beirut port. Photo / AP The explosion was fueled by thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored at the city's port for [...]
Weather warning: Northland, Auckland set to be hit by rain deluge
The Upper North Island is in for a drenching. Photo / MetService Weeks after it was hit by a severe storm, Northland is in for another big deluge. But forecasters say the system predicted to soak the region on Tuesday - potentially bringing up to 100mm of rainfall - will prove more of a short, sharp hit than a slow-moving event. MetService has flagged the bout in its Severe Weather Outlook, with high confidence rainfall accumulations could reach warning criteria in Northland. There was also moderate chances of warning-level amounts of rainfall for Auckland, Greater Barrier Island and Coromandel - but low chances for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said a low pressure system, currently located in the northern Tasman Sea off the [...]
Daughter of a nearly-executed Cambodian refugee becomes GP in South Auckland
Her father was sentenced to be executed during the Cambodian genocide but in an unexpected twist of fate, his life was spared. For the first time, South Auckland doctor Rebecca Ly shares her family's deeply moving story of courage and kindness. Through a suburban Flat Bush door, an infectious smile warms the room. A young five-foot tall doctor offers a cup of Chinese Jasmine tea and directs us toward an immaculately-kept family living room. A captivating black and gold print of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple hangs directly above the leather couch where Rebecca Ly sits. Displayed on one side of the print are her and her younger sister's University of Otago graduation certificates - both a bachelor of medicine and surgery. On the other side are two photos of [...]
Lebanese protesters storm government buildings as prime minister vows early elections
Protesters also trashed and set fire to the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks Protesters in Lebanon stormed government ministries as violence gripped Beirut Saturday night.Protesters also trashed and set fire to the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks as shots rang out in increasingly violent demonstrations following this week’s explosions that killed at least 160 and injured nearly 6,000 others. TV footage showed protesters storming the energy and economy ministries. Protesters blame the Banking Association for the country’s worsening banking crisis. They called on politicians to resign and for them to be punished for negligence they say led to Tuesday’s blasts. Some hung symbolic nooses in Martyr's Square. Demonstrators run away from tear gas fired by riot police during a protest following Tuesday's blast, in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Vietnam misses out on 100 days of no community transmission
Vietnam – until recently, a rare coronavirus success story – is in the middle of a fresh outbreak that has scientists "stumped", the BBC reports. After 99 straight days of no local transmission, cases have suddenly surged in the south east Asian nation – a worrying sign for any country or state that thinks it has the virus under control. And that includes New Zealand, which yesterday marked its own 99-day run without community transmission. Remarkably, up until a week ago, Vietnam had yet to record a single death from coronavirus. One week on, the death toll stands at 10. The country was one of the first in the world to lock down and had reaped the benefit of that strategy. That was even more remarkable because it shares [...]
Portland Police: Protesters Disguised Themselves As ‘Press,’ Harassed Officers
Alisha Jucevic/AFP via Getty Images Protesters disguised themselves as members of the press and harassed officers during Wednesday night’s demonstrations in Portland, the city’s police bureau said. Several people who had labeled themselves as “press” threw eggs, rocks, and shined lasers into the eyes of police officers, the Portland police bureau said in a Thursday press release. The protesters continued to interfere with officers as they tried to disperse the crowd. “Since several people with ‘press’ affixed to them continued to interfere with officers performing their lawful duties, a public address announcement was made which closed Southeast 106th Avenue from Southeast Washington Street to Southeast Cherry Blossom Street to all people including members of the press,” the news release said. Protesters threw glass bottles, heavy rocks, and other [...]
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler Now Begs Criminal Antifa Terrorists to Stay Home So Trump Won’t Use His Failed City in His Ads (VIDEO)
It’s a toss-up but Democrat Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler may have squeaked out a victory against Democrat Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Democrat New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio as America’s worst mayor. Just two weeks ago Mayor Wheeler blamed President Trump and federal agents for the 50-plus days of BLM-Antifa rioting in Portland. But that didn’t work because it was complete nonsense so now Wheeler is begging BLM-Antifa rioters to stay away from Portland because Trump is going to use their violent acts in his campaign ads. Wheeler hopes that if he shames these terrorists they will stay home and won’t assault old ladies.
Donald Trump plays ‘Live and Let Die’ at campaign speech as virus death toll climbs
In a week of gaffes, Donald Trump has now had his taste in music criticised after a jarring song choice at a campaign speech. As the US Covid-19 death toll hits 160,000, and experts say 300,000 could die by year's end, the Donald rocked out to Guns and Roses' cover of Wings' "Live and Let Die" before his speech at the Whirlpool washing machine factory in Ohio. Journalist Robert Mackey from The Intercept shared the video, pointing out the incongruous choice, given that not only had the virus killed 1400 Americans the day prior but even Ohio's state Governor Mike DeWine had tested positive and couldn't attend the event. It isn't the first time the song has played at a Trump event. It provided the soundtrack for the President's [...]
California surpasses 10,000 coronavirus deaths
Model projects 300,000 U.S. virus deaths by D... California on Friday surpassed 10,000 coronavirus deaths, a grim milestone that puts the state third for the most deaths in the country, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. There are more than 540,000 confirmed cases in the state.The only states with more fatalities are New York, with over 32,700 deaths, and New Jersey, with over 15,800.Worldwide, over 716,400 people have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins. The U.S. accounts for about a quarter of the world's deaths, with 160,700 people succumbing to the virus. California became the first U.S. state to hit half a million caseson August 1, and over 8,000 new cases were reported on Thursday, according to the state's department of health. The health department warns [...]
Rape Suspect Murders His Accuser After Being Freed From Jail Over Coronavirus Concerns
Ibrahim Bouaichi Alexandria, Virginia – A rape suspect who was released from jail to ‘help slow the spread of Coronavirus’ went on to murder his accuser. Ibrahim E. Bouaichi murdered the woman who accused him of rape shortly after being released from jail, reported WJLA. The victim, Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez, who testified against Bouaichi in December, was found shot to death on July 29 on S. Greenmount Drive. Bouaichi was indicted on rape charges, however his lawyers argued that their client should be released from jail due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Alexandria law enforcement officials told ABC 7 that Bouaichi was released from jail on April 9. Alexandria police spotted Bouaichi driving in Prince George’s County, Maryland earlier this week and a pursuit ensued. Police chased Bouaichi and [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Melbourne lockdown – CBD foot traffic down 90 per cent
Melbourne is going through an unprecedented time and the city has released evidence showing how the city has changed completely. Victoria's new normal inside a lockdown bubble is obviously affecting its normally vibrant atmosphere, but new data has shown just how much the city has changed. Empty streets of the city are seen on July 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. City Council Lord Mayor Sally Capp this afternoon revealed that pedestrian sensors show foot traffic in the CBD is down "about 90 per cent" compared to this time last year amid coronavirus restrictions. "The city hasn't been this empty for this long in living memory," Capp said. “As the lockdown changes were announced we saw the impact happening in real-time across the city." A sign reading "Go straight [...]
France: Shopkeeper Beaten by ‘Immigrant’ Men After Asking Them to Wear Face Masks
A man running a laundromat in Val-d'Oise, France, was brutally beaten by a group of 'immigrant' men after he asked them to wear face masks inside the facility, according to reports.Augustin M., 44, says he was ambushed by his assailants after multiple confrontations regarding their lack of masks, which are obligatory in many French businesses due to coronavirus-related mandates. Tranche de vie dans une zone de Non-France. Un commerçant agressé pour avoir demandé à un « jeune » chenapan le porte de masque. Voilà ce qui se passe lorsqu’on contraint les commerçants à faire la Police. Mais bon, @Darmanin va nous régler ça en créant... un Numéro Vert ! pic.twitter.com/TH0PVDHX5a — Jean MESSIHA (@JeanMessiha) August 4, 2020 “I asked someone to put on a mask but he refused,” [...]
China Sentences 3rd Canadian To Death Amid Intensified Tensions Between Countries
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images China sentenced a third Canadian citizen to death on drug charges Thursday as tensions between the two countries grow, the Associated Press reported Thursday. Xu Weihong was given his sentence Thursday by the Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate Court. He had allegedly been making Ketamine, a powerful and commonly abused painkiller, since 2016, local newspapers reported. Over 266 pounds of the drug were found in the homes of Weihong and one other person, according to local reports. The court said that they sentenced Weihong’s alleged accomplice, Wen Guanxiong, to life in prison, according to the Associated Press. Tensions between China and Canada have been escalating since 2018 when the daughter of the founder of Chinese tech company Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested at an airport in [...]
FBI Rocked By Public Suicide of TOP FBI Agent Who Investigated Clinton Foundation
FBI agents are mourning the death of one of the Bureau’s top financial crimes supervisors who reportedly shot and killed himself on a crowded nite-club dance floor, according to top FBI insiders. Salvatore “Sal” Cincinelli, a former Wall Street broker who joined the FBI in 2010, died last week during a night out after an FBI training session, sources said. Cincinelli was one a supervisory special agent who spearheaded many of the FBI’s high-profile and complex Wall Street investigations, including probing the finances of the Clinton Foundation. After leaving his Wall Street career, Cincinelli was first assigned to the New York field office (SDNY) and later promoted to HQ in Washington, DC. He was a native New Yorker as well. “Very very bright guy,” one FBI insider said. “Such [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: US Government issues New Zealand travel warning due to its ’23 active cases’
The US Government has warned its citizens to be very cautious about travelling to New Zealand because of the country's "23 active cases" of Covid-19. Photo / Getty Images The US Government has warned its citizens to be very cautious about travelling to New Zealand because of our "23 active cases" of Covid-19. Despite the US recording more than 2 million cases and 160,000 deaths, the government is advising against travelling to New Zealand. According to the US government's travel advice website, it called for increased caution when travelling here. It places New Zealand at Level 2 on its travel advisory system, which asks its citizens to "exercise increased caution in New Zealand due to Covid-19". "As of August 7, 2020, New Zealand has had 1569 confirmed and probable [...]
Six COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including 3 from China, now in phase-3 trials — WHO
GENEVA, Switzerland — Six COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including three from China, have entered phase-3 trials, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday. A staff member displays samples of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine at Sinovac Biotech Ltd., in Beijing, capital of China, March 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei / MANILA BULLETIN) The three Chinese candidates are from Sinovac, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm and Beijing Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, said Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, at a virtual briefing. The other three are made by the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Moderna/NIAID and BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer, he added. The vaccines will be put into the general population for the first time in phase 3, after previous trials have focused on safety, immunogenicity, and immune response in [...]
100 days without Covid-19: How New Zealand got rid of a virus that keeps spreading across the world
On Sunday, New Zealand will mark 100 days without community transmission of Covid-19. From the first known case imported into New Zealand on February 26 to the last case of community transmission detected on May 1, elimination took 65 days. New Zealand relied on three types of measures to get rid of the virus: 1. Ongoing border controls to stop Covid-19 from entering the country 2. A lockdown and physical distancing to stop community transmission 3. Case-based controls using testing, contact tracing and quarantine. Collectively, these measures have achieved low case numbers and deaths compared with high-income countries in Europe and North America that pursued a suppression strategy New Zealand is one of a small number of jurisdictions – including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, [...]
Pompeo: US to present UN resolution to extend arms embargo on Iran
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (AP/Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool) Russians already stated intention of resuming trade of arms to Islamic regime The United States will present a resolution at the UN Security Council next week to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran, announced U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. “Of course, the conflict in Yemen has raged in large part because of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s illegal arms transfers to the Houthis,” Pompeo told reporters. “And so next week, the United States will put forward a resolution in the Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran.” “The Security Council’s mission is to maintain ‘international peace and security,’ ” he continued. “The council would make an absolute mockery of that mission if it allowed the [...]
More than 100 migrants intercepted by UK authorities in English Channel
A freelance photographer in Dover said he counted more than 120 men, women and children being taken off rescue vessels. Image:Migrants are seen being taken off a boat after being rescued by coastguards. Border Force patrol vessels and local lifeboats have been involved in the rescue of more than 100 migrants in small boats in the English Channel this morning. At least seven rubber dinghies and a kayak were towed into Dover harbour. An inquiry has been launched by the Commons home affairs select committee, which wants to scrutinise the role of "criminal gangs" and the UK and French government's response to the issue. Image:More than 120 men, women and children are among those who were rescued On Thursday, a freelance photographer in Dover said he counted [...]
With 119,460 infections, Philippines overtakes Indonesia for most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia
Airline ground staff wearing protective gear work at the counter at the airport in Manila on August 4, 2020. AFP/Ted Aljibe MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:09 p.m.) — The Philippines saw another spike in new coronavirus infections Thursday to take its total to 119,460, overtaking Indonesia as the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia. The Department of Health reported 3,561 additional infections to take the national caseload ahead of Indonesia’s 118,753 cases as of Thursday, according to its health ministry. Manila has been reporting more daily cases than Jakarta for a time now. Outbreak epicenter Metro Manila, which returned to a tougher lockdown, was responsible for 57% or 2,041 of the newly-reported cases. Meanwhile, Laguna had 222 additional cases, Cebu had 221, Cavite had 100 and Rizal had 81. Currently, [...]
Foreign Minister Winston Peters announces $500,000 in aid after Beirut blast
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has today announced $500,000 in aid for the Red Cross after yesterday's deadly Beirut blast. Mr Peters tweeted the pledge this afternoon. "New Zealand stands in solidarity with Lebanon. We are providing $500,000 to the Red Cross Movement for the provision of lifesaving medical support and urgent humanitarian services." It comes after 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut's port somehow caught alight yesterday, leading to an incredibly large explosion which killed at least 135 people and injured more than 5000 across the city. The blast is thought to have left some 300,000 displaced in Beirut due to massive property damage. The Ministry of Foreign Affair and Trade says, New Zealanders who want to support the response are encouraged to make financial [...]
US announces ‘highest level’ visit in decades to Taiwan
TAIPEI - The United States on Wednesday announced its "highest level" visit in decades to Taiwan, a move sure to infuriate China at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing are at historic lows. Washington's trade office in Taipei confirmed that health chief Alex Azar would lead an upcoming delegation to the self-ruled island, which China's communist leaders claim and have vowed to one day seize. "This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979," the American Institute in Taiwan said. Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed the trip and said Azar would meet the island's foreign and health ministers. "Secretary Azar is a long-time staunch friend of Taiwan," the ministry said, describing his upcoming trip [...]
Suspected homemade bombs found at Hamilton mall, roads blocked off
A Hamilton mall will be shut for at least the next four hours after suspected homemade bombs were discovered, police say. Hamilton locals have described hearing a loud "bang" early this morning before the bomb disposal unit arrived at Chartwell shopping centre, Herald reporter Belinda Feek said. Police have also extended their cordons around the site, moving everybody out a street further and closing down access to Lyndon Court, she said. The bomb disposal unit has arrived at the scene. Photo / Belinda Feek A stretch of Comries Rd between Hukanui and Lyndon Crt is now closed, she added. Stride Property, which owns the mall, said the centre had been evacuated and that management are cooperating with police. "Chartwell Shopping Centre treats the safety of its retailers, customers and [...]
One in five house sales in NZ in 2020 went for $1m-plus
An architecturally-designed house on Newton Road, Waiheke, was one of the top sales in the first half of 2020. Photo / supplied Since the beginning of the year, nearly one in five residential sales in New Zealand sold for more than $1 million, according figures released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.That figure of 17 percent is well up on the 13 per cent share of sales in the same period in 2019. From January to June, there were 5,426 million-dollar-plus sales, up 12 percent on last year. REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell says: “We are seeing demand for properties, pushing up the number of million-dollar-plus sales. The shortage of housing stock appears to be a continued influence.” The majority of the million-dollar-plus sales - nearly 4000 [...]
Exclusive: Trump campaign seeks early September presidential debate
Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Image The Trump campaign is asking the Commission on Presidential Debates to move up the last presidential debate to the first week in September to get ahead of an expected surge in early voting. Driving the news: President Trump's personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, made the request in a letter dated Wednesday and obtained by Axios. Giuliani has been leading the campaign's discussions with the debate commission, which also includes asking the commission to add a fourth debate. If the commission declines to add a fourth debate, the letter asks that the debate currently scheduled for Oct. 22 be moved up to the first week in September, before the first ballots are sent on Sept. 4 in North Carolina. What [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: John Key says NZ should let in ‘rich’ Americans who want to build a house
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key wants to encourage rich Americans to buy New Zealand property to help reduce the impact of a looming "financial crisis". He told Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan that border restrictions should be loosened so that universities and companies could bring in foreign students and skilled workers and pay for their own quarantine. And he said foreigners buying New Zealand property would provide work for Kiwis whose jobs are disappearing. "Let's focus on what we can do. We've got this crazy foreign buyer ban," he said. Why don't we let in rich Americans who want to build a house in New Zealand? Who cares? They're in Mangawhai or somewhere, they are going to create thousands of jobs. "Why do we care if someone [...]
FBI has opened 300 ‘domestic terror’ investigations as a result of riots, attorney tells Capitol hearing on Antifa
The US attorney revealed stats at Antifa hearing chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz The FBI has opened more than 300 domestic terrorism investigations since George Floyd's death in Minneapolis kicked off nationwide unrest and riots, a federal attorney revealed Tuesday in a hearing on Capitol Hill on Antifa and violent protests. Erin Nealy Cox, a U.S. attorney tapped by Attorney General William Barr to lead a task force on violent anti-government extremists, said the feds have opened hundreds of federal criminal investigations surrounding the violence and rioting since May 28. "They have since May 28 [opened] over 300 domestic terrorist investigations," Cox told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on preventing violent protests. "That does not include any potential civil rights investigations or violent crime associated with the riots." In addition, Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Two new Covid cases, both from Philippines
New Zealand has two new cases of Covid-19 today in managed isolation, both travellers from the Philippines. The first case is a man in his 20s who arrived in New Zealand on July 23 from the Philippines via Hong Kong. He has been in managed isolation at the Rydges in Rotorua and tested negative for Covid-19 around day three of his stay. The man has now been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility after testing positive around day 12 of his stay. The second case is a woman in her 40s who arrived in New Zealand on August 1, also from the Philippines via Hong Kong. She has been in managed isolation at the Grand Millennium in Auckland, and tested positive around day three of her stay. The two [...]
The Lebanon Explosions in Photos
Images from Beirut show the extent of the devastation from blasts that shook the Lebanese capital Tuesday evening. Smoke from the scene of an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday.Credit...Ben Hubbard/The New York Times The two explosions that ripped through Beirut Tuesday evening killed at least 78 people and wounded thousands more. The second, far larger blast devastated a wide area, with the shock wave knocking people down, overturning cars and enveloping much of the center city in a cloud of dust and smoke. Windows of apartment towers miles away were blown out, leaving the city’s streets looking as if they had been “cobbled in glass,” according to a resident. The injured, at least 4,000, were soon streaming into local hospitals, often arriving on foot or carried by friends [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s dire warning – NZ should brace for second wave
The country's top health official today reiterated a dire warning that New Zealand should brace for a second wave of Covid-19 to sweep through the community, similar to the outbreak wreaking havoc in Victoria. Director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the health ministry had been sounding the warning about the prospect of community transmission in recent weeks and was now gearing up for the likely prospect. It's been more than three months since the last case of Covid-19 was contracted in the community. In the past 95 days all Covid infections have been detected and contained at the border as ill people return to New Zealand. There are currently 22 active cases in quarantine. While life has returned to near normal for the majority of Kiwis, across [...]
2,750 Tonnes Of Ammonium Nitrate Exploded: Lebanon PM On Beirut Blasts
“It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures," he said at a defence council meeting, a spokesman told a press conference. "It is unacceptable and we cannot remain silent on this issue," Lebanon PM said. (File) Beirut: About 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in the Beirut port warehouse that exploded Tuesday, devastating large parts of the Lebanese capital, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said. "It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures," he said at a defence council meeting, a spokesman told a press conference.
Trump calls Beirut explosion an ‘attack’
GETTY IMAGES President Trump described explosions that occurred in Beirut on Tuesday and killed at least 78 people as an "attack," saying his military and national security advisers had indicated to him that it was likely a bomb. "I met with some of our great generals, and they just seemed to feel that it was - this was not some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event," Trump said at a White House news conference. "According to them - they would know better than I would - but they seem to think it was an attack, it was a bomb of some kind." Beirut was rocked by a massive explosion early Tuesday evening local time that has left 78 dead and at least 4,000 injured, according to The New York [...]
Nolte: School and Church Closings, Anti-Police Movement Blow up U.S. Homicide Rate
AP Photo/Steve Ruark Homicide rates have exploded by double digits and experts blame school and church closings alongside the anti-police movement, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal looked at America’s 50 biggest cities and found homicides are up an average of a whopping 24 percent across the board. It is also worth noting, although the Journal tries to spin this as a bipartisan problem, that Democrats (including the “progressive” mayor of San Antonio who identifies as Independent) run seven of the top ten cities with the biggest jump in homicide rates. Democrats also run all six of the top six cities with the largest number of homicides, including Democrat-run Chicago, which the Journal notes is responsible for “more than one of every eight homicides.” The top [...]
‘It is what it is,’ Trump says of rising coronavirus deaths as he insists outbreak is ‘under control’
President Donald Trump said his administration has done an "incredible" job handling the coronavirus pandemic and that despite rising deaths the outbreak is "under control," in a wide-ranging and contentious interview that aired on HBO Monday night. Axios National Political Correspondent Jonathan Swan began the interview by asking Trump if his sometimes "wishful thinking" and "salesmanship" was suitable in a crisis that has killed more than 155,000 people in the U.S. "I think you have to have a positive outlook, otherwise you would have nothing," Trump said. As he frequently has done in defending his record on the pandemic, the president pointed to the travel restrictions he imposed on China and Europe, arguing hundreds of thousands – a number he later put in the "millions" – more would have died without those actions. He [...]
New Zealand passports most powerful in world post-COVID
A new analysis has found New Zealand’s passport to be the most valuable in the world, despite COVID-19 putting an end to our travel plans. The New Zealand passport is now the most valuable travel document in the world, according to a new global ranking. The new ranking by the Passport Index, which comes amid general travel chaos caused by COVID-19, puts the Kiwi passport in joint first place alongside Japan, with both passports granting visa free travel or visa on arrival to 118 countries, The New Zealand Herald reports. Australia was second on the list, tied with 11 other nations including the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea. The Passport Index’s power ranking of 200 of the world’s passports is similar but different from the Henley Passport Index, [...]
Billions at stake: Travel industry warns of collapse
The United Arab Emirates now requires travellers to have a negative Covid-19 test. Photo / Jason Oxenham A Dunedin travel agent is warning if his industry were to collapse it could leave billions of dollars of New Zealanders' refunds stuck overseas. Brooker Travel Group and helloworld managing director Andrew Carmody said the wider New Zealand travel agent industry was trying to recoup about $2.6 billion worth of refunds from cancelled trips. With the borders largely closed, there are few opportunities for travel agencies to generate revenue and many are getting by on the wage subsidy, which ends next month. ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner has warned the country is splitting into two economies — "the tourism-dependent regions and the rest". "That the border will remain closed for the rest [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Australian states going backwards on plans to open up amid panic over Victoria’s outbreak
Most states are going backwards in their plans to open up their economies as Victoria's severe coronavirus outbreak spooks authorities. On Monday, both South Australia and Tasmania announced changes as Victoria's case numbers continue to remain high. It comes after NSW, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria wound back the relaxing of their restrictions. The moves have left Prime Minister Scott Morrison's three-step plan to end coronavirus restrictions in tatters. Sadly that timeline has come and gone and most states are now reversing or delaying their plans to open up. Stage one and two of the plan involved allowing larger gatherings in people's homes of up to 20 people, and the re-opening of businesses such as gyms, beauty salons, cinemas, galleries and amusement parks. Some interstate travel could be permissible [...]
Citing Duterte order, Lorenzana says PH won’t join other navies in South China Sea drills
MANILA, Philippines—Citing an order by President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday (Aug. 3) said that the Philippines would not join the navies of other countries, like the United States, in maritime drills in the South China Sea for fear of raising tension in the area. “President Rodrigo Duterte has a standing order to us, to me, that we should not involve ourselves in naval exercises in the South China Sea except our national waters, the 12 mile distance from our shores,” the defense chief said at an online press briefing. We cannot exercise with them in the South China Sea,” said Lorenzana. “If one country’s action is considered as belligerent, another tension will normally rise, so I hope that all the parties in this exercise will [...]
Wealthy Americans invest in foreign passports, US visa loses lustre
A second passport is now a 'must-have' for wealthy US travellers. Photo / Annie Spratt, Unsplash NZ HeraldThere is a must-have travel accessory that wealthy Americans are buying this year: foreign citizenship. A financial advisory firm specialising in "global citizenship" has been inundated by requests from US clients looking to "invest" in a foreign passport, reported The Washington Post. The Toronto-based firm Arton Capital says that there has been a 30-40 per cent increase on last year in clients looking to obtain "a second citizenship and passport by investing in the economy of the host country." With severe outbreaks of coronavirus closing international borders to travellers from the US, it would appear a second passport has become the final refuge of wealthy Americans. This limitation of mobility has made [...]
Iran: Oil and Petrochemical workers stage strike!
Saturday, August 1, 2020, workers, and employees of Abadan and Mahshahr refineries, Qeshm Heavy Oil Refinery, as well as workers and employees of Parsian Refinery, Petrochemical Company in Lamerd(Fars Province), and phases 22 and 24 of South Pars in Kangan (Bushehr Province) staged a strike in protest against harsh working conditions, the lack of the minimum safety provisions, and the non-payment of their wages and bonuses. https://twitter.com/IranNW/status/1289650836134481921 On Wednesday, July 29, workers, and employees of the North Azadeganoil field stopped work in protest against low wages. The strike occurred after the executive director of the oil field threatened to fire some of the employees and workers. https://twitter.com/IranNW/status/1289468750626844672 Now, it should be noted here that these mass firings and failure to pay wages, pensions, or benefits are not new in [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Mystery surrounds recent cases, but officials say risks are low
Three passengers have recently been detected with Covid-19 after flying out of New Zealand, yet health officials remain confident the virus isn't circulating in the community. The cases included a Korean traveller in New Zealand, who tested positive to Covid-19 after returning to South Korea, and a woman, who transited through Auckland on July 6 while en-route from Los Angeles to Sydney. The most recent case then involved a woman who flew from Auckland to Sydney onboard Air NZ flight NZ103 on July 20. Covid-19 testing has been taking place in Northcote, Eden Terrace, Henderson and Wiri. Photo / Dean Purcell. She went straight into quarantine in Sydney where authorities tested her on her second day. Her results came back positive for Covid-19 on July 26. The Auckland Regional [...]
Barr’s Investigation Of ANTIFA Leads Directly To Barack Obama
THE TRUTH IS RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU. DOJ head William Barr, at the request of President Donald Trump, started an investigation into the ANTIFA and it falls directly at Barack Hussein Obama’s feet. ANTIFA is the creation of Barack Obama and George Soros, and it is even partially funded with taxpayer money, something that will be coming to a swift end. While Barack Obama was a community organizer, George Soros saw something in him. He approached Obama with an idea. Soros had the money, and Obama was an expert community organizer. If Obama helped Soros get this off the ground, Soros would find Obama’s senate run, and then his presidential run as well. Soros groomed Obama into what he wanted! Joseph Barron, a lead investigator on Barr’s team, [...]
Thousands turn out for anti-lockdown protest in Germany
In 'day of freedom,' huge throngs go maskless, declare 'end of the pandemic.' Thousands of protesters turned out in Berlin, Germany on Saturday to protest the country's coronavirus lockdown policies, demanding an end to government restrictions and declaring it a "day of freedom" after several months of heavy-handed mitigation efforts throughout the country. Videos of chanting, cheering protesters—thousands of whom were packed close together without masks—circulated on social media on Saturday. Local and central governments throughout Germany over the past several months imposed numerous restrictions and mandates upon German citizens, including social distancing rules and masking requirements. Many of those restrictions have been gradually lifted as coronavirus numbers remained relatively low there, but a recent spike in recorded infections in the country has led authorities to consider additional lockdown [...]
Death penalty for corrupt gov’t officials pushed
As President Duterte renewed his call to reinstate the death penalty for drug-related heinous crimes, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is likewise pushing for corrupt officials to be put on death row as well. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica made the statement days after President Duterte urged Congress to re-impose the capital punishment for drug-related crimes during his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last Monday. In a virtual briefing aired over PTV-4, Belgica said corrupt officials should be hanged because corruption is “as bad as murder, as bad as drugs” since it puts millions of Filipinos in poverty. Corruption should be categorized as a heinous crime and should be penalized by death,” he said. “Ang (gusto namin) noon, by hanging pero okay naman [...]
Trump says he will ban TikTok from operating in the US
President Trump on Friday said he plans to ban the social media platform TikTok from operating in the United States. “As far as TikTok is concerned, we’re banning them from the United States,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The president said he could use emergency economic powers or an executive order as early as Saturday to officially bar the Chinese-owned company from the U.S. He signaled he was not supportive of allowing an American company to acquire TikTok. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump's announcement came hours after reportsthat Microsoft was in talks to purchase popular TikTok from Beijing-based company ByteDance. That report emerged around the same time news outlets reported that Trump was considering signing an executive order requiring ByteDance to divest the U.S. portion [...]
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner earned at least $36 million in outside income last year, new disclosures show
Jared Kushner listens as Ivanka Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 18. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner earned at least $36.2 million as they served in the White House last year, reporting a boost in income from some companies they own that hold residential and commercial properties, new disclosures released Friday show. President Trump’s daughter and her husband, who serve as top advisers to him, reported a minimum combined income that was at least $7 million higher than in 2018, when they reported making at least $29 million, according to their personal financial disclosures, which they are required to file annually. Their minimum income was lower last year than it was in 2017, the year they entered government service, [...]
BREAKING: The Real Bad Guys in the Epstein Case Uncovered – DIRECTOR ROBERT MUELLER’S FBI!
The Jeffrey Epstein case is full of bad characters and criminal actions, but perhaps no actions were more abhorrent than those taken, or not, by Robert Mueller’s FBI. Last night court documents related to the Epstein case from 2008 were released to the public. These documents show criminal actions by the rich and famous in abusing underage girls, provided to them by Epstein. Epstein was eventually slapped on the wrist with a sentence that many claim was totally inadequate. Techno Fog on Twitter was one of the first to review the released documents last night. His first tweets noted that the documents show that the child trafficking scheme was international. Individuals like a French hotel magnate, Ghislaine Maxwell – Epstein’s accomplice, attorney Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew from the [...]
Delusional’ Barry Kloogh sentenced to almost nine years
Barry Kloogh in Dunedin District Court. Photo / ODT A disgraced Dunedin financial adviser whose "unconscionable'' offending included literally visiting victims of his multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme on their death beds has been sentenced to almost nine years prison. Barry Kloogh was sentenced in the Dunedin High Court today to eight years and 10 months prison, with a minimum period of imprisonment of five years and four months. Kloogh earlier this year pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from his theft of at least $15.7 million from his clients. Judge Michael Crosbie acknowledged the victims who had packed the courtroom, and said he had carefully considered 32 statements from them. “To say all the victim impact statements were harrowing would be an understatement." Judge Crosbie said Kloogh had told [...]
Palace thanks China for its commitment on COVID-19 vaccine access
Malacañang on Thursday thanked China after the Asian powerhouse vowed to prioritize the Philippines' request for COVID-19 vaccine. In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the Philippines will surely benefit once the vaccine becomes available. “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa gobyerno ng Tsina dahil sa isinapubliko po nila ‘yung kanilang posisyon [at] bilang malapit na kaibigan ng Tsina ang Pilipinas po ay makikinabang doon sa vaccine na made-develop nila,” he said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday that China and the Philippines have a mutual cooperation on COVID-19 response. He also said China would give priority to the Philippines once it succeeds in developing a vaccine. Wang’s statement came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said in his State of the [...]
More than 400 NZers desperate to get home from India
Two planes from India could arrive here empty next month - despite there being more than 400 New Zealand citizens and residents there desperate to get home. The Indian government has announced two repatriation flights for Indian nationals still in New Zealand - which are scheduled to leave India on August 5 and 10. But the New Zealand government has yet to confirm whether those flights can bring people home. Business owner Rohit Sharma has been stuck in India since early March, when he travelled over to get married. Two weeks later, on March 19, India went into lockdown, before New Zealand followed suit a week later. He is a permanent resident and needs to get back to his computer and phone business in Lower Hutt. "That is currently [...]
Donald Trump suggests delaying US presidential election
US President Donald Trump, lagging in the polls and grappling with deepening economic and public health crises, on Thursday floated the startling idea of delaying the November 3 presidential election. The notion drew immediate pushback from Democrats and Republicans alike in a nation that has held itself up as a beacon to the world for its history of peaceful transfer of power. Trump suggested the delay as he pushed unsubstantiated allegations that increased mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic would result in fraud. But shifting Election Day is virtually impossible and the very idea represented another bracing attempt by Trump to undermine confidence in the American political system. The date of the presidential election — the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every fourth year — [...]
Operation Burnham: What happened with the SAS during a deadly incursion in Afghanistan
A civilian child was killed during Operation Burnham in 2010, but an inquiry has found their death was justified under international law. Four others died, but the Burnham Inquiry couldn't determine if they were civilians or insurgents. Operation Burnham Afghanistan 25 July 2010 Released image and documentation FOIA by Nicky Hager. Possible Kalta location. Picture / Supplied. The long-awaited inquiry into the actions of New Zealand SAS troops during Operation Burnham in Afghanistan has been released today. The Burnham Inquiry has also found New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officials did not plot to cover-up the casualties, as claimed in the book Hit and Run by investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson. It did, however, find the Defence Force never corrected claims made to the public and ministers by [...]
U.S. economy contracted record 32.9% in Q2 amid state shutdowns, COVID-19 contagion fears
Where does the U.S. stimulus money come from? Here's how the Federal Reserve is saving the economy from the COVID-19 crisis. JUST THE FAQS, USA TODAY The U.S. economy turned in its worst performance ever in the second quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses across the country and consumers hunkered down at home. The nation’s gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced in the U.S., contracted at a staggering seasonally adjusted annual rate of 32.9% in the April-June period, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a 34.8% drop in GDP. To put the plunge in perspective, it was about three times larger than the previous largest drop in quarterly output. "The GDP numbers are mind-boggling," says Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist [...]
Japan warns new ‘comfort women’ statue may hurt ties with South Korea
A statue of a girl symbolizing so-called comfort women is seen on the grounds of the Korea Botanic Garden in Pyeongchang along with a statue of a man bowing. | YONHAP / VIA KYODO A recently erected statue of a man resembling Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is depicted on his knees and bowing to a girl symbolizing South Korean “comfort women” could further hurt bilateral relations, Japan’s top government spokesman said Tuesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga warned if media reports about the statues, titled “Everlasting Atonement,” erected at a botanical garden in Pyeongchang, South Korea, are true, it would “decisively impact” ties between the countries. While we have yet to confirm this, it would be unacceptable under international courtesy,” he told a news conference. The statues are [...]
India’s Covid-19 Fallout Collides With A Shaky Economy
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump before a ... [+] MANDEL NGAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES The bromance between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi features the kind of rivalry no world leader wants: the title of fastest-growing Covid-19 epidemic anywhere. Advantage, Indian Prime Minister Modi. With 4.2 million confirmed cases under his belt, U.S. President Trump’s nation is far ahead in an absolute sense. But India’s 20% jump in infections over the last week to 1.4 million puts Modi’s nation on top in terms of velocity. And that’s the last thing Asia’s third-biggest economy needs as 2020 unravels before our eyes. As the year began, India was seen growing at least 5%. Now, it’s seen contracting by roughly that amount–at best. Worse, perhaps, that could [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria confirms 723 Covid cases and 13 deaths
Victoria has recorded 723 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours - the country's highest daily total so far. Premier Daniel Andrews says 13 people have died overnight – they are three men and three women in their 70s, three men and two women in their 80s, and two men in their 90s. Today's total number of new cases significantly higher than Monday's record total of 532 and disappointing after a drop to 384 cases on Tuesday and 295 cases yesterday. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Photo / AP The Victorian government's modelling showed that Monday should have been the state's peak. However, the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton said yesterday he couldn't confirm that was the case in reality. "You cannot make assumptions on modelling. It doesn't [...]
US hits 150,000 deaths from COVID-19 as states struggle to halt resurgence
The U.S. surged past 150,000 COVID-19 fatalities Wednesday as states battle a resurgence of the virus with differing attitudes about how to stop the spread. The bleak milestone, reported by Johns Hopkins, comes on the heels of the U.S. hitting 4 million confirmed infections July 23. The death toll stood at 150,034 as of 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. And there is not much relief in sight. The three most populous states – California, Texas and Florida – were among several that set seven-day records for virus deaths this week. Others set records for new cases. Tennessee and Arkansas set records for both. The first known U.S. death was Feb. 6. Almost six months later the number of deaths is appalling – and could reach 200,000 in less than two months from now. That's based on the current average [...]
Covid 19 coronavirus: Americans visit Immigration NZ website every 30 seconds, tens of thousands consider shift to virus-free NZ
More than 250,000 Americans have investigated whether they qualify to move to New Zealand since the coronavirus pandemic took hold this year. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners from other countries are also inquiring about living here or applying for residency as the deadly pandemic sweeps the globe. With international death rates steadily climbing, our Pacific island nation is quickly becoming an attractive haven to live. Massey University's Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley said the pattern was likely to accelerate as the situation deteriorated overseas. "Middle class, professional America is saying, 'Well, where do we go for our own safety and the safety of our families?'" The pandemic has so far infected nearly 4.5 million Americans and claimed 151,000 US lives. New Zealand now has just 23 active case, all in [...]
Five Eyes alliance could expand in scope to counteract China
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance could be expanded to include Japan and broadened into a strategic economic relationship that pools key strategic reserves such as critical minerals and medical supplies, according to centre-right MPs working internationally to decouple the west from China. The coronavirus crisis has revealed the west’s key strategic dependencies on China, and plans will be announced shortly under Five Eyes auspices for a major increase in production of rare and semi-rare metals from Australia, Canada, and America in order to reduce dependency on Chinese stocks. Critical minerals, known as rare earth elements, are the key components in a wide range of consumer products including mobile phones, laptops and TVs, and have widespread defence applications in jet engines, satellites, lasers and missiles. On average, China has accounted [...]
Japanese lawmakers seek tougher regulations on Chinese-made apps
A group of lawmakers is considering drawing up a proposal to restrict the use of TikTok and other China-based apps in Japan. | AFP-JIJI JUL 29, 2020A group of ruling party lawmakers said Tuesday they plan to call on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to restrict the use in Japan of apps developed by Chinese companies due to security concerns. Akira Amari, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party group on regulatory policy, said Japan must prevent personal data from leaking via applications originating from China, alluding to popular video-sharing app TikTok. The push to curb the use of Chinese-owned apps follows similar moves abroad. India banned TikTok along with 58 other applicationslast month, while U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is debating whether to follow suit. TikTok, which lets users [...]
First youth online conference on #ASEANUniversality
17/18/19-09-2020, via Zoom // Successful holding of the first Youth Online Conference on #ASEANUniversality, co-organized by the #DiplomaticLeague, #RotaractOneASEAN and #PhilippineEmbassyWellington. Over 300 Youth Leaders, Rotaractors and Students from all 10 ASEAN Countries, NZ, Fiji and Guam participated via Zoom - with over 10,000 viewers reached via Facebook! Featuring distinguished speakers from Academe, Diplomacy (PH Mission to ASEAN - DPR Noel Mangaoang Novicio / ASEAN Secretariat), Rotary, Rotaract and the DL. A Resolution on Youth Mental Health Advocacy was passed. Also featured was the first-ever Mr. & Ms. #ASEANUniversality contest, which focused on presentation of advocacies. Congratulations  to the winning Philippine and Myanmar candidates - Ms Amina Shayne Halil & Mr Thaw Lin Oo. 🙂 - their advocacies were on, respectively - marine conservation and youth education. [...]
National announced its BusinessStart Plan
Judith Collins this morning announced National’s BusinessStart which will help Kiwis who have lost their jobs to set up a small business with at least $30k available to help them buy kit, make sure they have some working capital, and lower their taxes in the early stages, as they start to become successful. BusinessStart recipients can access: ✔️Up to $20k from their KiwiSaver account to help start their business ✔️At least $10k in tax credits ✔️A waiver from the Company Office registration fee ✔️Free mentoring from advisers like chambers of commerce and manufacturers associations
China accuses NZ of ‘gross interference’ in its internal affairs over Hong Kong move
China has accused New Zealand of "gross interference in China's internal affairs" after NZ's decision to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Ambassador Wu Xi said China had lodged its grave concerns about the move, announced today by Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Peters said that since China had passed new national security legislation for Hong Kong, New Zealand could no longer trust that Hong Kong's criminal justice system was independent from China. "The New Zealand Government's decision is a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations," she said. It is a gross interference in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side has lodged its grave concern and strong opposition. "Any attempt to pressure China on the issue of Hong Kong will not succeed. The Chinese [...]
Mary Trump, niece of the president, says she’ll do ‘everything in my power’ to elect Joe Biden
Mary L. Trump, whose best-selling book calls her uncle President Trump “the world’s most dangerous man,” said in an interview with The Washington Post that she plans to do “everything in my power” to elect Democrat Joe Biden as president, but hasn’t yet talked to his campaign. Speaking Monday on The Post Live program with reporter Robert Costa, the president’s niece acknowledged that she had not obtained permission to use a series of incendiary quotes from her aunt Maryanne Trump Barry. In the book, Mary Trump quotes Maryanne as saying that Donald Trump was a “clown” who would never get elected. Asked whether Maryanne knew her quotes would be in the book, Mary Trump said that they came from conversations that took place before she planned to write a [...]
NZ suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong – Ardern says new law not consistent with ‘NZ’s principles’
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Photo / Mark Mitchell New Zealand has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, as recent law changes were not consistent with "New Zealand's principles". That's according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who this afternoon said the new national security legislation in Hong Kong does not sit well with New Zealand's principles. Speaking to reporters this afternoon, she said those principals are "Basic freedom of association and the right to take a political view." When asked if New Zealand should expect repercussions from China, Ardern said the two countries have a "mature" relationship. "There have been occasions where we have taken different positions [with China] – this obviously will be one of them. [...]
Robert O’Brien, Donald Trump’s national security adviser, tests positive for COVID-19
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Monday, becoming the highest-ranking administration official to contract the disease. The news came days after the announcement that a Marine assigned to the military unit that flies Marine One tested positive for coronavirus but did not have direct contact with Trump or his presidential helicopter. O'Brien, who was named national security adviser in September, "has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site," the White House said in a statement, asserting that there was no risk to the president or the vice president of exposure. "The work of the National Security Council continues uninterrupted," the statement read. Trump could not recall the last time he met with O'Brien and did know exactly when his top [...]
Duterte rejects reported plan of Americans to return to Subic
MANILA, PHILIPPINES In his 5th SONA, President Duterte comments on a report that the Americans plan to return to Subic under a commercial deal President Rodrigo Duterte in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, rejected the idea of having the United States return to Subic Bay. Duterte mentioned this as he reiterated his push for an “independent foreign policy,” saying he neither favored America nor China. The President mentioned news reports he read weeks ago that said the US was intending to return to its formal naval base. “I have nothing against America. I have nothing against China. But if you put bases here you double the spectacle of a most destructive thing,” Duterte said. Duterte said he feared “war would break out” [...]
Despite glowing poll result, Jacinda Ardern ‘won’t be complacent’ amid coalition partner tensions
Labour broke a record for its highest poll result ever over the weekend, but party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she won't be complacent in the lead up to September's election, especially as she deals with spats with coalition partners. Newshub's Reid Research poll last night had Labour on 60.9 per cent, up 4.4 points. Meanwhile, National dropped 5.5 points to 25.1 per cent. The Greens were on 5.7 percent, ACT on 3.3 per cent and New Zealand First on two per cent. When asked about the poll result on TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning, Ms Ardern said she tended to focus on trends over numbers. "What I'd like to think is we're seeing in some of those trends, a general confidence from the public around the Government's response to Covid [...]
Hawke’s Bay contractor Joseph Matamata jailed for slavery, people trafficking
Joe Matamata has been sentenced to 11 years jail for slavery, people trafficking. Photo Warren Buckland A Hawke's Bay horticultural labour contractor has been sentenced to 11 years in jail in New Zealand's first prosecution for dual offences of people trafficking and slavery. The sentence was imposed on the now 66-year-old Joseph Auga Matamata, also known as Viliamu Samu, the holder of the family chief title of Matai in Samoa and who appeared today before Justice Helen Cull in the High Court in Napier. She allowed a discount from a starting point to account for forfeiture of assets, and an order of $183,000 in reparation to complainants, but declined to allow a discount for cultural background, saying "the fact remains" Matamata abused his position in the Samoan title of [...]
Paulo Garcia’s Message
I'm travelling around the country visiting Filipinos and my fellow National MPs in their respective Electorates. Look forward to meeting as many of you in NZ as I can. Contact me to find out when I am in your area so we can meet. My team and I will respond as quickly as we can.
March Against Hate Crimes Targeting Asian Americans Held In Manhattan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — There was a march Saturday against hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, which have been on the rise since the coronavirus pandemic began. Demonstrators chanted “stop the violence, stop the hate” as they marched from Columbus Park in Chinatown to Washington Square Park. Community activists say people of Asian descent are being blamed for the spread of the coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 2,000 reported hate crimes against Asian Americans nationwide. “There’s been reports of Asians being attacked or verbally harassed,” community activist Shirley Ng said. “People are judging us by our skin. They think we’re the virus or we brought it here, but we have nothing to do with it.” The “Stop the Hate” campaign includes posters in [...]
New Zealand-born businessman Christopher Liddell to be nominated as OECD secretary general
New Zealand businessman Christopher Liddell. Photo / Doug Sherring A New Zealand-born businessman is being tipped to head the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The United States is planning to nominate deputy White House chief of staff Christopher Liddell to become the next secretary general of the OECD, according to Reuters. "The US is committed to a strong and unified OECD, and intends to nominate Christopher P Liddell to be the next Secretary General of the OECD," a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Liddell, who has dual citizenship, handles policy coordination at President Donald Trump's White House. Liddell was born in Matamata and attended Mt Albert Grammar School in Auckland before obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering degree with honours from the [...]
Govt looks to boost clean energy supply, commissions $30m investigation
The Government’s goal of 100 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2035 was brought closer today as it was announced $30 million will be spent investigating greener energy storage solutions. Megan Woods, includes looking at a pumped hydro scheme which uses water to manage peak demand. A key location being explored is Lake Onslow near the Clutha River in Southland. “If a business case stacks up pumped hydro would be a game changer for securing sustainable, cheaper, low-emissions electricity for the long term,” Ms Woods said. “This would be transformative for our energy system, and we would no longer be reliant on fossil fuels for meeting our electricity demand. “Pumped hydro moves water to an upper reservoir when there is surplus renewable energy generation and demand for [...]
Jami-Lee Ross’ newly formed alliance with NZ Public Party aims to repeal Govt’s Covid-19 Response Bill
Leader of the newly formed Advance NZ Party, Jami-Lee Ross has joined forces with the NZ Public Party in the hopes of taking over the Te Tai Tokerau electorate and repealing the Government's Covid-19 Public Health Response Bill. Jami-Lee Ross has created the Advance NZ party. Source: Jami-Lee Ross / Facebook Hundreds of people have gathered at Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre for the campaign launch and merger announcement of the two minor political parties today. Mr Ross announced he was starting his own political party Advance NZ in May saying it'll focus on the freedom and sovereignty of New Zealanders and will create a new economic plan to get Kiwis through a post Covid-19 world. The New Zealand Public Party was formed by Billy Te Kahika who is vying [...]
Get your questions ready!
New Conservative NZ party leader Leighton Baker will have facebook live broadcasting Sunday 7:00 pm for his party's political platform and election agenda. New Conservative believes in Personal Responsibility, Limited Government, Free Markets, Individual Liberty, Traditional Family Value, and A Strong National Identity.
Sugarcane workers in SW Iran hold 41st day of strike action for wages
Iranian sugarcane workers have held strike action for 41 days in southwestern Iran to demand their wages. The Haft Tappeh Workers Union, representing the striking workers, issued a statement in support of the protest action. The Union is demanding swift action by the government regarding the demands of the striking workers. In the statement, the union said that “we have to rely only on ourselves and our own efforts and nobody else” and asked for workers’ unity. The Union also asked all workers to take part in the strike action as much as possible. “The larger presence of workers could force the authorities to take serious action regarding our demands as soon as possible.” Although a new round of strike action by the workers of Haft TappehSugarcane Industrial Complex [...]
It’s a Federal vs. Local Fight
Day 86, Portland city council bans local police from working with federal law enforcement. It's clear that they don't want their BLM/Antifa friends and relatives to be arrested. During night protesting, Antifa militants are using high powered flashlights to blind and disorient federal officers. At least 5 officers will be permanently blind.
U.S deported criminals
Not in the mainstream media. 16,000 MS13 gang members rounded up and shipped out of the United States. It's not reported where these criminals came from and to where they were sent. But it's clear under Trump government these criminals are not welcomed.
No new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand
There are no new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health confirmed. Shania Dod collects a sample at a United Memorial Medical Centre Covid-19 testing site. Source: Associated Press There remains 21 active cases of the virus in the country, all of which are in managed isolation or quarantine. Since the pandemic began, New Zealand has had 1206 confimed cases of the coronavirus. It's been 85 days since the last case of community transmission. There is currently no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for Covid-19. Yesterday, 2307 tests for Covid-19 were carried out, with the total number of tests completed in New Zealand to date now 453,923. There was no live 1pm briefing today, with the Ministry of Health releasing the numbers in a statement [...]
NZ economy recovers but unemployment stays high
Economic activity now only 'slightly below 2019 levels '. The number of people on the job seeker support benefit went up in the week to July 10, even as more people started receiving the Covid -19 Income Relief Payment (CIRP), new figures from Treasury show. Family receiving childcare subsidies have dropped by 30 per cent, as more parents find themselves at home with their children. New Zealanders need to get back to work to get the economy moving again. There are over 200,000 kiwis out of work and they cannot wait any longer for certainty on whether these projects will go ahead.
Portland is a War Zone
Day 54, Federal facilities and law enforcement officials were targeted and attacked overnight. One officer was injured and 5 protesters were arrested. A US judge Friday denied Oregon's request to stop US Federal agents from arresting people during nightly protests. This is what rioters do to the Portland federal courthouse every single night. #antifa photos: DOJ
Chinese retaliation comes immediately
Police are guarding out of American Consulate in Chen Du, which is ordered to close by China as equal to equal sanction.
2 other Navy ships caught fire just days after the inferno aboard USS Bonhomme Richard
Smoke rises from a fire aboard US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard. REUTERS/Bing Guan In the days after a fire gutted the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, two other Navy ships had fires aboard. In the wake of the Bonhomme Richard fire, the Navy is taking extra measures to ensure that other vessels avoid an inferno the engulfed the warship. The inferno that engulfed the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard isn't the only fire to strike a Navy capital ship in recent weeks. On Friday, Navy personnel identified and quickly extinguished a "small" fire aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the Bonhomme Richard's sister ship which is currently undergoing maintenance at General Dynamics' National Steel and Shipbuilding Company shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia. [...]
USA hits 4 million cases of COVID-19: A look at the milestones and setbacks
The USA hit the latest bleak milestone Thursday in the historic pandemic: 4 million confirmed cases of infections. Experts agree the number of cases is actually much greater – potentially 10 times higher than what's been reported, according to federal data. More than 143,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the USA, which leads the world for most cases and deaths. "We are still knee-deep in the first wave of this," Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said in a Facebook Live interview July 6. "And I would say, this would not be considered a wave. It was a surge or a resurgence of infections superimposed upon a baseline." Where are we on a vaccine? Early success of COVID-19 vaccine candidates fuels optimism, but experts warn 'a lot has to go right' USA [...]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sacked Iain Lees-Galloway as a minister over an inappropriate relationship
#BREAKING Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sacked Iain Lees-Galloway as a minister over an inappropriate relationship with a staff member in one of the departments he headed.⠀ ⠀ The married man and father of three children no longer has a career in politics — he will not contest September's election.⠀ "In undertaking this relationship he has opened himself up to accusations of improperly using his office," the Prime Minister said.⠀ ⠀
Philippine Embassy in NZ is helping its citizens
23-07-2020, Auckland International Airport, Auckland NZ // Embassy-POLO team facilitating return home of Filipinos in NZ to PH via PAL Repatriation Special Commercial Flight 🙂 #PHinNZ #philippineembassywellington #WeHealAsOnePH #DFAcares
Covid 19 coronavirus: Health officials with today’s case numbers
There are no new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand. The last community transmission case was 83 days ago. Health Minister Chris Hipkins and director general of health Ashley Bloomfield have provided the latest update on Covid-19. Bloomfield said five cases had recovered, so there were now 22 active cases. None of them were in hospital. The total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 remains at 1205, which is the number we report to the World Health Organisation. There were 2419 tests conducted yesterday, just under 2000 of them in the community. Bloomfield said this showed that the message of getting tested seemed to have boosted testing numbers. He would meet with DHB bosses today to ensure there was good access to the community seven days a week, and [...]
China vows to retaliate
Documents burned on the grounds of the Chinese consulate in the Houston. The U.S. has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in what a Chinese official called an outrageous and unjustified move that will sabotage relations between the two countries. Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the action, which comes at a time of rising tensions between the world's two largest economies. He warned of firm countermeasures if the U.S. does not reverse its decision.
Portland riot gets worse
Portland protesters barricaded federal officers inside a courthouse — and tried to set the building on fire — as the two groups clashed again Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Protest in Behbahan, Khuzestan Province, SW #Iran
A large group of Iranians are chanting, "No to Gaza, no to Lebanon, my life is only for Iran". They're referring to the regime's squandering of their wealth and resources for terrorism in those countries.
Retirees and employees of Iranian regime’s Social Security Org. rallied
Retirees and employees of Iranian regime’s Social Security Org. rallied in different cities on Wednesday demanding answers to their long-stated list of demands. In Tehran, retirees were attacked by security forces and plain clothes agents who intended to disrupt their gathering. Shahrokh Tavakoli, educated in the US, currently residing in Europe, Director of @IranNW, providing news and analysis from inside Iran & political activist. Twitter: @tavakoli_sh Email: shahrokh.tavakoli@gmail.com
NZ National Party has new leadership
Congratulations to our new leader Judith Collins and Deputy Gerry Brownlee who will be a great team to lead National. They have more than 40 years political experience. Judith has a great track record as a senior minister and a highly effective opposition performer. A lot of people don’t know all of Judith’s background she has been a fighter and a fantastic local representative.
Immigration Minister’s message to work visa holders offshore: stay where you are for the time being
The Minister for Immigration has a message for the majority of temporary visa holders stuck offshore: stay where you are for the time being. Iain Lees-Gallowway, in an interview with Radio Tarana today, said there was a lack of opportunity to safely let back in temporary visa holders mostly because of a large influx returning New Zealand citizens and residents. "What we're seeing is as the number of Covid-19 cases around the world continues to increase, New Zealand citizens and residents who perhaps initially decided to stay in the country where they were are increasingly deciding to come back home to New Zealand," Lees-Galloway said. "We have limited exceptions, for humanitarian purposes, for family reunification and for people who offer a significant economic impact on New Zealand. "But for the vast majority of temporary [...]
Second car egged by the same vehicle involved in earlier West Auckland egg attack
It is not a hard job to locate and arrest the suspects. The problem is: the police always kick the ball and tell you that is a civil case! ----Mike Santos Story: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12347575 A second victim of an egg attack has come forward to say he too was targeted in what is thought to be another racially-fuelled incident - allegedly by the same people who targeted a driver in West Auckland about an hour earlier. Uber driver Shane Shi was taking a passenger to Grey Lynn, via Newton Rd, about 6.10pm yesterday when an egg came flying towards his car - cracking onto the passenger door side window. "We were stopped at the traffic lights and suddenly [there was a noise], 'boom'! I drive Uber so I'm very careful, [...]
Young mother, 24, is shot dead in front of her fiancé after saying “all lives matter” during an argument with Black Lives Matter supporters
This is Jessica Whitaker 24 yrs. old, shot in the head just for saying all lives matter Her life didn’t matter to the radical left because she didn’t agree with them. Where’s the #media coverage. Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8515507/Young-mother-24-shot-dead-fianc-saying-lives-matter.html
Our Plan to Get New Zealand Working
It is fantastic to be in Christchurch today to meet with Canterbury’s business community. I am delighted to have here with me, two of my most senior colleagues: Amy Adams, my Policy Chair, Covid-19 spokesperson and number three in caucus; and, of course Gerry Brownlee, my Campaign Chair and set to take one of the most senior roles in my Government in September. It is also great to have here today Nicky Wagner MP and Dale Stephens, our candidate for Christchurch Central. Ladies and Gentlemen, when the earthquakes devastated this great city it was a body blow to the whole country. The National Government took decisive action to generate the rebuild. Our legacy isn’t one of ruined buildings behind fences, awaiting insurance settlements, it’s of a new vibrant city, [...]