Breaking News

Two young men work side-by-side in a butcher's shop. They live in the same teeming and densely packed town. One is fortunate -- he's eligible to get an Israeli Covid-19 vaccination. The other isn't.

  MANILA, Philippines --- Medical professionals from the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against Covid-19 (HPAAC) reminded Filipinos to refrain from immediately rebuffing certain brands of Covid-19 vaccine and wait for scientific publications. "Wag nating i-condemn ang bakuna ng sobrang aga. Ang problema sa Sinovac wala pa siyang publication at meron nang usapan wala pang [scientific] publication. Kailangan antayin natin yung publication kasi alam naman natin na para ma publish mo yang report ninyo, inaaral yan ng maraming scientist para siguraduhin na wala kayong sinasabing mali tungkol sa mga resulta,"Dr. Antonio Dans, spokesperson for HPAAC, said during a virtual brie...

Keep on reading: HPAAC to public: Wait for scientific results before condemning vaccine brands

    MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippine government is considering conducting house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination against for vulnerable members of society who cannot go physically to vaccination sites, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday. During a briefing on the government's COVID-19 vaccination program at the House of Representatives, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Estrelita Suansing asked Duque whether the government is considering house-to-house vaccination as opposed people going to vaccination sites. Duque said this proposal is already part of the government's COVID-19 vaccination program. "'Yung house-to-house, posi...

Keep on reading: House to house COVID-19 vaccination for vulnerable folk eyed

MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an order retaining the 5% tariff on imported mechanically deboned chicken and turkey meat until 2022. In his Executive Order 123 signed on Jan. 15, Duterte cited the "urgent need" to adopt measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos. https://issuu.com/inquirerdotnet/docs/161094403152484   "[I]t is necessary for the government to provide an enabling environment that ensures the continued supply of essential food products at stable prices, helps businesses recover and sustain their operations, and preserves and creates employment opportunities, all f...

Keep on reading: Duterte retains 5% tariff on deboned poultry meat until Dec. 2022

A battered nation haunted by sickness, death and division is heading into an epic week in which constitutional principles will triumph over lies and insurrection with the transfer of power from one president to the next.

TUGUEGARAO CITY ---- Three fishermen were rescued after their boat was damaged while in the waters off Gonzaga town, Cagayan province Friday, Jan. 15, authorities said. In a belated report, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sub-station in Sta. Ana, Cagayan identified the fishermen as Gilbert Ricolizado, 46; Rumolo Agadinay Jr., 45; and Sonny Ricolizado, 42. The three are residents of Barangay Minanga in Gonzaga. The fishermen said the port quarter and rudder of their boat had been broken, causing seawater to seep through the boat's hull. They immediately sent out a distress call to the nearest PCG unit, which deployed a search-and-rescue team. After securing the fisherm...

Keep on reading: 3 fishermen rescued in waters off Cagayan province

Alize Cornet apologized on Monday after many social media users hit out at the Frenchwoman for criticizing the country's strict COVID-19 quarantine protocols ahead of next month's Australian Open. Seventy-two players and their entourages have to isolate for two weeks and cannot leave their hotel rooms in Melbourne to train after infections were reported on three flights ferrying players. Cornet said the situation was "insane" because weeks of training was "going to waste" but was quickly reminded that she was better off than many Victorian residents who endured worse as authorities looked to curb the spread of the virus. "After my last (deleted) tweet I feel like I need to a...

Keep on reading: Cornet apologizes for ‘tactless’ remarks on Australian quarantine protocols

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Health (DOH) has noted an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in areas outside Metro Manila, among them the province of Cebu, and Cagayan Valley andCordillera Administrative Region. "Actually tumataas talaga ang number ng cases. Noong tiningnan namin ang analysis namin, dito sa mga tumataas na cases natin ngayon compared to December, nakita natin wala siya sa NCR (National Capital Region), nasa labas sya ng NCR," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum on Monday. "Isa nga dyan ang Cebu na nakikitaan natin ng pagtaas ng kaso in specific areas. Aside from Cebu, meron pang iba. Meron tayong CAR, Region 2...

Keep on reading: Covid-19 cases rising outside Metro Manila, says DOH

WASHINGTON --- Chad and several other countries are already in deep debt distress and more will join their ranks this year, given the severity of the global recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, World Bank Group President David Malpass said. The African oil producer Chad may need a deep reduction in the net present value of its debt, and creditors would need to work with the country to find a viable solution to its debt overhang, Malpass told reporters on Tuesday. "For some countries, it's a red alert," he said during a teleconference. "We need to find ways to adjust the debt burden, so that the burden of debt on people in poorer countries can be reduced dramatically." ...

Keep on reading: World Bank sees more countries in ‘deep debt distress’ this year

  WASHINGTON --- The inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday (Jan 20) will look very different from the nation's past ceremonies, as the pandemic andheightened security threatsmean that crowds will be drastically smaller and celebrations curtailed. Mr Biden will take the presidential oath of office and be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States around noon US time. In the past, hundreds of thousands of Americans, many of whom had travelled to the capital from other states, usually gathered on the National Mall - the park flanked by the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian museums, US Capi...

Keep on reading: What to expect at Biden’s inauguration amid COVID-19 pandemic and heightened security

  MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Agriculture (DA) currently has no plans to regulate the sale of ornamental plants as countless Filipinos have been turning to home gardening amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, Agriculture Secretary William Dar is urging plant sellers to keep their prices reasonable. "Dapat naman, itong panahon ng pandemiya huwag mag-sasamantala iyong nagtitinda ng mga ornamental plants na iyan. Halos lahat po ng Pilipino gustong may tanim sa bahay or ornamental plants," Dar said Monday in a televised Laging Handa Public Briefing. (It is just fitting that during this time of pandemic, sellers of ornamental plants should not take advan...

Keep on reading: No plans to regulate sale of ornamental plants — DA

SEOUL --- President Moon Jae-in forecast Monday that South Korea will be able to achieve the formation of collective herd immunity against the new coronavirus faster than other countries under the government's inoculation program. "South Korea will definitely not lag behind (in achieving herd immunity), but rather will be able to achieve it much faster compared to other nations when considering the inoculation period and the time frame in achieving herd immunity," Moon said during a New Year's press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae. Moon said he predicts the country will achieve complete herd immunity no later than late November. "By beginning from February, we plan to compl...

Keep on reading: Pres. Moon believes S. Korea will achieve faster herd immunity formation than other nations

Vlogger Crisha Uy, who was in a long-term relationship with actor Joem Bascon, has gone public with how she feels about his romance with actress Meryll Soriano. Without naming anyone, Uy got candid in her vlog yesterday, Jan. 17, about her reaction to news which reported that Bascon and Soriano had a baby together. The couple made the announcement on New Year's Day. https://youtu.be/9S4KZzxcARA Uy admitted that through friends, she already knew of their relationship and that they had a "bundle of blessing." However, reading the news still brought out a strong reaction in her. "When I was reading the article iyong naramdaman ko that day was nagalit ako. Nagalit ako kasi...

Keep on reading: ‘I was betrayed’: Crisha Uy reacts to love life of ex Joem Bascon

On Saturday, Hong Kong residents watched paraplegic athlete Lai Chi-wai strap himself to his wheelchair and climb up one of the city's towering glass-paned skyscrapers.

The singer and actress talks with Rick Damigella about her latest song, about "wanting to kiss Bob Dylan."

CEBU CITY ---- Some Sinulog contingents are seeking a refund from the Cebu City government for the expenses they incurred while preparing for the festival that was canceled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Basak San Nicolas Barangay Captain Norman Navarro of the multi-awarded Lumad Basakanon contingent said he spent at least P100,000 for the costumes and props of the group and paid the artists and choreographers. He also spent on the face masks used by the participants during practice. Navarro said he spent around P100,000 for the contingent that added another feather to its cap by winning the Free Interpretation category in last year's Sinulog. He...

Keep on reading: Sinulog contingents seek refund for expenses

      MANILA, Philippines --- To dispel doubts on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha), the plebiscite for the economic amendments to the Constitution may be held along with the 2022 elections, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday. Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said conducting the Cha-cha plebiscite at the same time as the national elections next year will ensure that there will be no term extension for lawmakers. "Ang plano po ng ating Kongreso ay magpatawag ng plebesito sabay sa ating idaraos na national elections sa 2022. Lumalabas po dito na kung ang eleksyon ay sabay sa plebesito ay hindi po m...

Keep on reading: DILG: Cha-cha plebiscite may be held along with 2022 elections

  HONG KONG - Most markets fell Monday as investors took a breather following a recent rally, though Hong Kong and Shanghai enjoyed gains after data showed China's economy grew more than expected last year. While broadly welcomed on trading floors, Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal was unable to fuel fresh gains with the spending spree largely factored into prices, while analysts warned it could be watered down by the time it reaches his desk for signing. Concerns about a frightening spike in new virus cases was also keeping a lid on buying sentiment as governments are forced to impose fresh lockdowns while battling to roll out vaccines. However, the gene...

Keep on reading: Most Asia stocks down after gains, China growth beats expectations

Although she kept her pregnancy under wraps, Janella Salvador was still able to enjoy a baby shower with friends and loved ones before giving birth in the United Kingdom. The actress revealed yesterday, Jan. 17 that the surprise was from "none another than Liza Soberano." "Thank you. You are a gem," she told the "Alone/Together" star.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Janella Salvador (@superjanella) Last August 2020, Soberano had gone out of her way to throw Salvador a baby shower themed after "Breakfast at Tiffany's" starring Audrey Hepburn. In attendance were Salvador'...

Keep on reading: WATCH: Janella Salvador reveals Liza Soberano surprised her with baby shower

LEGAZPI CITY ---- Two men were shot and killed by still unidentified gunmen on Sunday afternoon in Pio V. Corpus town in Masbate province, a police report said Monday. Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, identified the victims as Bobby Baybayon, 37, a former member of the Provincial Operation for Socio-Economic Development Against Crime (POSDAC), and Michael Labustro, 41, both residents of Barangay Poblacion. The report said the victims were riding a motorcycle when attacked by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Poblacion at 4:10 p.m. Both suffered multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot. Police were still determining the identities of the suspects and...

Keep on reading: 2 dead in Masbate shooting incident