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MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Pia Cayetano has expressed alarm over the University of the Philippines' (UP) move to hold blended learning. Cayetano noted that she has been a defender of UP's budget, which receives the biggest funding among all state universities and colleges (SUCs). "I am alarmed because UP received the biggest budget and whenever I hear that in the debates na parang (that it seemed like) the direction is bawasan ang pondo ng (reduce the fund of) UP because nga it receives biggest of all the SUCs, I'm the one defending that budget. It's our state university," Cayetano said on ANC's Headstart. The senator made the remark when asked if she is alarmed with th...

Keep on reading: Senator Pia Cayetano alarmed over UP’s move to hold blended learning

    MALANG, Indonesia -- Indonesia's government called on the country's police Monday to identify and punish whoever was responsible for a stadium stampede that left 125 people dead, as anger mounted over one of the deadliest disasters in the history of football. The tragedy on Saturday night in the city of Malang also saw 323 people injured after officers fired tear gas in a packed stadium to quell a pitch invasion, triggering a stampede. "We ask the national police to find the perpetrators who have committed crimes in the next few days," Indonesia's chief security minister Mahfud MD said in a broadcast statement, without specifying who he was referring to. ...

Keep on reading: Indonesia orders stadium disaster ‘perpetrators’ punished

    PARIS -- Climate change increased the rainfall from Hurricane Ian by more than 10 percent, according to a new quick-fire analysis, as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States devastated parts of Florida. Ian "could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history", President Joe Biden said after the storm brought ferocious winds, turned streets into churning rivers that swept away homes and left an unknown number of casualties. According to a rapid and preliminary analysis, human-caused climate change increased the extreme rain that Ian unleashed by over 10 percent, US scientists said. "Climate change didn't cause the storm but it did ca...

Keep on reading: Hurricane Ian dumped 10% more rain due to climate change–research

    AMELLAGOU, Morocco -- In the blistering desert of Morocco, the country's last Berber nomads, the Amazigh, say their ancient lifestyle is under threat as climate change brings ever-more intense droughts. "Everything has changed," said Moha Ouchaali, his wrinkled features framed by a black turban. "I don't recognise myself anymore in the world of today. Even nature is turning against us." Ouchaali, an Amazigh man in his 50s, has set up an encampment near a dry riverbed in barren hills about 280 kilometers (174 miles) east of Marrakesh. Amid the rocky, arid landscape near the village of Amellagou, he and his family have pitched two black woollen tents, lined...

Keep on reading: Moroccan nomads’ way of life threatened by climate change

LONDON/NEW YORK -Calls to theBankofEnglandsaying some British pension funds were struggling to meet margin calls began on Monday. By Wednesday they were getting more urgent and coordinated. Wild gyrations in financialmarketsin response to a government "mini-budget" on Sept. 23 meant that swathes of Britain's pension system were at risk, raising widespread concerns about the country's financial stability. British Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng's statement had included dramatic plans to slash taxes and pay for it with borrowing which sent government bond yields soaring. In the following days, Britain's borrowing costs surged the most in decades, while the pound plunged to a recor...

Keep on reading: Under water: How the Bank of England threw markets a lifeline

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI -India is likely to receive above-average rainfall inOctober, an official with the state-run weather office said on Friday, posing risks for summer-sowncropssuch asriceand the planting ofwheat. Monthly rainfall is expected at 115 percent of the long-term average, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department, told a virtual news conference. HeavyrainsinOctobercould damage ripeningcropssuch asrice, pulses, cotton and soybeans, and may delaywheatplanting in parts of India, the world's leading producer of an array of farm goods. Scant rain in eastern and northern India in the first half of the June-September monsoon season had al...

Keep on reading: Forecast of heavy rains in October raises concern about India’s crops

Shakira stands her ground against the Spanish prosecution who she believes has been unjustly and baselessly targeting her. It is the perfect time to prove to the world that the Colombian pop star's hips don't lie after all, as her ongoing case for tax fraud in Spain has taken the next step with the singer finally being asked to stand trial. This comes after she was accused of owing the country a total of 14.5m (12.1m) in taxes from 2012-2014 when she lived together with her family in Barcelona. If found guilty, she faces eight years in prison, and a fine exceeding 23m.   The singer has firmly denied all allegations. Viewing the authorities as sharks smelling blood, she m...

Keep on reading: Shakira cries foul amidst orders to stand trial for alleged tax fraud

TOKYO - Asia's factory output mostly weakened in September as slowing demand in China and advanced economies added to the pain from persistent cost pressures, surveys showed on Monday, clouding the region's economic recovery prospects. Manufacturing activity shrank in Taiwan and Malaysia, and grew at a slower pace in September compared with August in Japan and Vietnam, as rising raw material costs and the darkening global outlook weighed on corporate sentiment. The surveys came after China's factory and services activity data on Friday pointed to further cooling in the world's second-largest economy as strict COVID lockdowns disrupted production and dampened sales. "We're seeing...

Keep on reading: Asia’s factory activity weakens on global slowdown, cost pressures

  Serena Dalrymple has tied the knot with her non-showbiz boyfriend Thomas Bredillet in a lakeside wedding in the United States. The former child star was seen donning an embellished tulle wedding gown as she treated fans to moments from the ceremony through her Instagram Stories today, Oct. 3.     Bredillet, for his part, also gave a glimpse of the ceremony as well as the wedding reception by reposting photos shared by their guests on his Instagram Stories.     Dalrymple hinted at her engagement to Bredillet in July last year by wearing an engagement ring that she showed in her social media acco...

Keep on reading: LOOK: Serena Dalrymple marries non-showbiz BF in US

MANILA, Philippines --- Prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene will go down by P0.40 to P0.85 per liter starting Tuesday, Oct. 4. In separate advisories on Monday, the following local oil companies announced their scheduled price rollback:   Cleanfuel (12:01 a.m.) Gasoline: P0.45 per liter Diesel: P0.40 per liter   Shell (6 a.m.) Gasoline: -P0.40 per liter Diesel: -P0.45 per liter Kerosene: -P0.85 per liter   Seaoil Gasoline: -P0.40 per liter Diesel: -P0.45 per liter Kerosene: -P0.85 per liter   Petrogazz (6 a.m.) Gasoline: -P0.40 per liter Diesel: -P0.45 per liter   Caltex (12:01 a.m.) Platinum: ...

Keep on reading: Oil firms set another fuel price cut

Actor and songstress Suzy is making a return to music with a new digital single, "Cape," on Thursday. According to her agency Management Soop, the singer-songwriter is making her way back seven months after the release of "Satellite" on Feb. 17, which she wrote the lyrics for. It added that her upcoming single has also been written by the musician. "Cape" has a folk-based melody that gives off an ethereal ambiance. The song's musical arrangement is mainly composed of band sounds and electric guitar peppered with acoustic feelings. The agency also added that Suzy has made a seismic change to her music and that the song will be very different from what she has done in the past. ...

Keep on reading: Suzy to make musical comeback with new digital single ‘Cape’

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is expected to deliver a slightly expansionary budget for the next year on Friday in a bid to boost voter support ahead of a general election that could be called any day amid rising prices and fears of a global recession. Elections are not due until September 2023, but some factions of the ruling coalition have called for an early vote this year despite the year-end monsoon season and ensuing floods. Regardless of the timing, the budget to be presented on Oct. 7 will be the last one before the next polls. Economists say Malaysia is likely to announce more cash handouts and other goodies, though it may be limited by ballooning subsidies that are challeng...

Keep on reading: Malaysia seen pushing ‘feel good’ budget ahead of elections

LUCENA CITY --- A drinking session in Calauag town in Quezon province turned bloody on Sunday after a man was shot dead by his buddy. The Quezon police report identified the victim as Wilfredo Saludadez, 52, and the suspect as Honorato Barros, 56. Investigators said Saludadez, Barros, and some friends went on a drinking spree in Barangay Talingting until around 8 p.m. Police said Barros immediately left but hid in the dark. Armed with a .45-caliber pistol, Barros repeatedly shot Saludadez, who was on his way home, police said. The suspect fled and left his target, who died on the spot due to six bullet wounds. Police were still investigating the incident to establis...

Keep on reading: Farmer gunned down by drinking buddy in Quezon province

MANILA, Philippines --- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for two Metro Manila Subway stations, which he said is expected to benefit 150,000 passengers in 2028. In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for the the Ortigas and Shaw Boulevard stations, Marcos said Phase 1 of the project is expected to cut travel time between Quezon City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport from 90 minutes to 35 minutes. "We fervently hope to soon enjoy the benefits that it brings to the general public," he said. "With accessible designated stations that can cater to a massive volume of passengers, we anticipate helping our people ...

Keep on reading: Bongbong Marcos leads groundbreaking for 2 Metro Manila subway stations

(Secondoftwoparts) MANILA, Philippines---As many weigh in on the benefits and risks of the peso's depreciation, an economist suggested that the country should "prepare for the worst." In July, almost a month after the peso started depreciating swiftly after hitting 53:$1 on June 10, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the public should not feel concerned yet with the peso depreciation. Aside from considering the benefits of the peso's losses, Diokno explained that one way to assess the peso's performance is by looking at how it compares with other currencies. "You should not be concerned with the peso because the right way to look at the peso is if [it's] competitive. ...

Keep on reading: Peso depreciation: ‘Preparing for the worst’

MANILA, Philippines --- Several groups and lawmakers have criticized President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s attendance in the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix in Singapore over the weekend. Malacaang remained mum throughout the weekend amid reports that the President, his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and his cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez flew to Singapore days after typhoon Karding (International name: Noru) battered parts of Luzon early last week. But only on Monday Malacaang confirmed that President Marcos had visited the city-state, claiming that it was a "productive" weekend as the President was able to meet with a Singaporean official on the sidelines of th...

Keep on reading: Critics hit Marcos’ trip to Singapore on F1 weekend

Just in time for the upcoming Holiday season, one of the leading local appliance brands, XTREME Appliances, opened its first-ever concept store inside SM Malls yesterday, September 30, 2022. The Grand Opening was led by XTREME Appliances' President Mr. Adrian Lim, Vice President for Business Development Mr. Mark Del Mundo, Retail Head Mr. Romeo Melgar, and Brand Marketing Manager Ms. Paula Katrina Dizon, together with Daet Municipal Councilor Eliza Llovit and Councilor Jose Angelo Corretes, and with the regional media in attendance. They were also joined by SM Daet Assistant Mall Manager Ms. Rachel Odda with the Leasing Manager Grace Dynne Isidro. The newest concept store, loca...

Keep on reading: XTREME Appliances opens its first SM Concept Store branch in Camarines Norte

The globally acclaimed collective celebrating and showcasing Asian excellence, 88rising is on its way to Manila. The group announced its lineup for the Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival in Manila, Philippines, to take place on Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, 2022, at SM Festival Grounds, Paraaque City. The lineup features 88rising partners such as JOJI, k-pop group GOT7 member Jackson Wang, NIKI, Rich Brian, ex-DAY6 member Jae (now named eaJ), and our very own Ylona Garcia to name a few.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by 88rising (@88rising) Garc...

Keep on reading: 88rising announces upcoming ‘Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival’ 2022 Lineup

In line with efforts to combat scammers and fraudsters, leading Philippine financial app GCash further intensifies its security measures. It is migrating transaction confirmation messages to the app inbox and removes clickable links in all emails and text messages to users. GCash is removing clickable links in official emails and text messages sent to customers followed by an aggressive information campaign that users will no longer receive messages from GCash that contain website links. These come on the heels of the National Telecommunications Commission's (NTC) order to block links in text messages which is seen as a significant deterrent against scammers. The Bangko Sen...

Keep on reading: GCash improves security for users, moves text messages to app inbox, removes all links in SMS and emails

MANILA, Philippines -- Pomeranians Michi and Mochi were among 15 four-legged couples that tied the knot at a pet wedding ceremony in the Philippines on Sunday that was held along with a special blessing of pets to mark World Animal Day. Owners Ianne De Guia and Bryan Largo, who joined hundreds of other pet lovers for the animal blessing, said Michi and Mochi -- dressed in a gown and tuxedo for the occasion -- were able to cement their union after recently having puppies. The canine couples took the plunge at a park by a shopping mall where hundreds of animals, including cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, also received blessings in a drive-through and in-person ceremony from a pries...

Keep on reading: Pet weddings highlight animal blessing ceremony in the Philippines