DOH verifying reports of COVID-19 vaccine data leakHealth workers attend to COVID-19 patients at the chapel of Quezon City General Hospital which was turned into an intensive care unit on Sept. 2, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health said Tuesday that it is validating reports suggesting the compromise and leakage of COVID-19 vaccination data from the Philippines stored within the World Health Organization. “In the meantime, the DOH assures the public that measures are in place to ensure data privacy, and steps have been taken to reinforce the security of DOH-managed data systems through different security solutions,” it said. The state health insurer said the attack did not affect the servers containing the private information of its members. A data breach compromises the privacy of individuals, exposes them to identity theft, and causes financial losses due to unauthorized access to banking information.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu raised concerns on Tuesday over recent industrial accidents and emphasized the need for enhanced awareness, culture, and implementation of industrial safety among site managers and workers. Addressing the press ahead of his weekly executive council meeting, Lee noted that industrial safety requires collective efforts, with the government's role being to provide legislation and guidelines for the industry to follow. He said authorities have also increased penalties and inspection frequency, emphasizing that site managers are responsible for overseeing and enforcing the regulations, in which failure to do so will result in accountability. Workers, on the other hand, need to understand the importance of industrial safety for themselves and their families, said the Hong Kong leader. The industry should strengthen the promotion of a safety culture, and the government will enhance supervision, investigation, and accountability while urging the industry to enhance training and develop guidelines, Lee added.

Police were alerted to Fanling after a woman was struck by a van Tuesday morning. According to a video that leaked online today, a woman was cycling in Fanling at 7.38 am and attempted to turn right into the other lane as she reached the junction of Lok Yi Road and On Kui Street. She was then struck by a van that was unable to stop in time, causing the woman to bounce back and fall to the ground, with her belongings scattering all over the floor. A police spokesman stated that they had received a report of a cyclist in her 50s being struck by a van at the junction of Lok Yi Road and On Kui Street and was taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital for medical attention. There were some even stating that her actions could have caused bad consequences for the truck driver.

Miss Universe 2023 to push through despite JKN Global Group bankruptcy newsJKN Global Group, headed by its CEO and biggest shareholder Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip, has acquired the international pageant organizer formerly owned by IMG. MANILA, Philippines — A week before Miss Universe 2023, Thai media company JKN Global Group, owned by the pageant owner Anne Jakrajutatip, has filed for bankruptcy. "We are confident that the new plan will support all of the company's business operations, including Miss Universe," JKN said. "We reaffirm that the legacy of Miss Universe will be carried on by JKN Global Group as envisioned from the beginning," it added. RELATED: 'Give me the crown': Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip apologizes to Catriona Gray | ‘Biz rehab, not bankruptcy’: MUO owner speaks up on JKN Global’s status

YANGON, Myanmar: A Myanmar ethnic armed group has launched attacks on security force outposts in the country's west, local media reported on Monday, as the junta struggles to beat back fighting in the north. Arakan Army (AA) fighters later seized border guard bases near Rathedaung in western Rakhine state, local media cited an AA spokesman as saying. A fighter from the ethnic armed group Ta'ang National Liberation Army stands guard in the town of Namhkam, Shan state, northern Myanmar on Nov. 9, 2023. AFP PHOTO A fighter from the ethnic armed group Ta'ang National Liberation Army stands guard in the town of Namhkam, Shan state, northern Myanmar on Nov. 9, 2023. The AA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army say they have captured dozens of military outposts in their joint offensive.

Nepal said on Monday it would ban China's TikTok, adding that social harmony and goodwill were being disturbed by "misuse" of the popular video app and there was rising demand to control it. TikTok has already been either partially or completely banned by other countries, with many citing security concerns. "Colleagues are working on closing it technically," Sharma told Reuters. "There are many unwanted materials in other social media also. Nepal's neighbour India banned TikTok along with dozens of other apps by Chinese developers in June 2020, saying that they could compromise national security and integrity.

IT was a Christmas experience like no other in Filinvest Mimosa Plus in Clark, Pampanga, as the township kicked off an exciting holiday season with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in partnership with Quest Plus Clark and Golf Ridge Private Estates at the Acacia open grounds. (From left) Department of Tourism Region 3 Director Richard Daenos, Golf Ridge Private Estate Project Development Manager Bonna Crisostomo, Filinvest Mimosa Plus First Vice President for Townships Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Alabang Inc. President and COO Catherine Ilagan, Clark Development Corporation President and CEO Agnes Devanadera, Quest Plus Clark and Mimosa Plus Golf Course General Manager Michael Gapin, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development President and CEO Noel Manankil and Clark International Airport Corporation President and CEO Arrey Perez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOTo get everyone into the Christmas spirit, the exciting festivity opened with melodious carols from the Angeles University Foundation Chorale. Dubbed "Stellar Christmas," the festivity anchors on the rich culture and tradition of Pampanga, known as the Christmas capital of the Philippines, as Mimosa Plus decorates the whole township with larger-than-life Christmas installations that bring the whole community to the outdoors. Strategically located at the heart of Clark Freeport Zone, Filinvest Mimosa Plus is easily accessible via a two-hour drive from Manila via NLEx, SCTEx and TPLEx and a short eight-minute drive from Clark International Airport.

NEW DELHI — Two Indian cities joined New Delhi to be among the world’s worst 10 for pollution on Monday morning, with smoke heavy in the air a day after revelers let loose with firecrackers for Diwali – the annual Hindu festival of light. It had an air quality index (AQI) figure of 420, putting it the ‘hazardous’ category, according to Swiss group IQAir. An AQI level of 400-500 impacts healthy people and is dangerous to those with existing diseases, while a level of 150-200 brings discomfort to people with asthma, lung and heart problems. ADVERTISEMENTEvery year authorities impose bans on firecrackers in the capital, but only rarely do those bans appear to be enforced. Air quality in India deteriorates every year ahead of winter, when cold air traps pollutants from vehicles, industry, construction dust and agricultural waste burning.

Rescue workers in northern India said Monday they had made contact with 40 workers trapped for over 24 hours after the road tunnel they were building collapsed. "All the 40 workers trapped inside the tunnel are safe," Karamveer Singh Bhandari, a senior commander in the National Disaster Response Force told AFP, from the site in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The collapse occurred early Sunday morning, with rescue teams using heavy excavators to clear piles of debris in desperate efforts to reach the 40 men. Rathodi said excavators had removed about 20 metres (65 feet) of heavy debris, but the men were 40 metres beyond that point. "Contact has been made with the workers trapped in the tunnel through a walkie-talkie," he said.

BEIRUT: The olives massively planted in southern Lebanon are ripening in time following a sun-soaked summer, awaiting to be harvested in bulk. "With drones flying over our heads, olives-picking is fraught with danger," Adel Khoury, a farmer from the southern Lebanese village of Rachaya al-Foukhar, told Xinhua. BAD FOR BUSINESS This Oct. 17, 2018 file photo shows a farmer harvesting olives in the district of Koura in north Lebanon. Olive harvest in Lebanon is hampered by Israeli attacks. The oil-rich fruit sustains the livelihood of more than 80 percent of people in the border areas, Adel Yahya, a Lebanese farmer from the southeastern village of Halta, told Xinhua.

LUCKNOW, India: Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Sunday with a Guinness World Record number of bright earthen oil lamps as concerns about air pollution soared in the South Asian country. Across the country, dazzling multicolored lights decked homes and streets as devotees celebrated the annual Hindu festival of light symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. After counting the lamps, Guinness Book of World Records representatives presented a record certificate to Yogi Adityanath, the state's top elected official. Air pollution level is expected to soar again after celebrations ended on Sunday night because of the fireworks used. Authorities deployed water sprinklers and anti-smog guns to control the haze and many people used masks to escape the air pollution.

Earth is nearly certain to experience its hottest year after October smashed temperature records, with the UN secretary-general blaming governments for "runaway climate carelessness" by failing to cut fossil fuel production. The Copernicus European Earth observation agency said temperatures in October were 0.85C above the long-term average for the month.

MANILA, Philippines —A coalition of human rights advocates has criticized what it describes as multiple instances of assault against human rights advocates in the Philippines. “The international community must oppose these,” he added. ADVERTISEMENTICHRP cited “extra-judicial killings, disappearances, and the intensifying suppression of civil liberties” as ongoing human rights and international humanitarian law violations happening in the state. The statement was given during a three-day conference held by ICHRP in Bangkok, Thailand from November 6 to 9. It was attended by more than 100 human rights advocates from over 30 organizations across the globe.

SpaceX hopes for second Starship flight test next weekWASHINTON, United States — SpaceX is hoping to re-launch Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, next week, the company said, after an attempt in April ended in a spectacular explosion. "Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval," SpaceX said on X Friday evening. SpaceX foresees Starship as a next-generation, fully reusable spaceship that will eventually carry both crew and cargo to Mars. The Federal Aviation Administration needs to issue a launch license for a second test to be attempted. After separation, Starship is to continue to an altitude "a scooch below orbit," according to Musk, completing a near-circle of the Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

Marcos attends Partido Federal oathtakingPresident Marcos graces the oath-taking ceremony for 32 newly inducted members of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on Friday. Also in photo are Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., some members of the House of Representatives and elected local government officials. MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-two political personalities, including Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., have joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the party that carried President Marcos in the race for the presidency last year. Abalos confirmed to The STAR that he has joined the political party of President Marcos. Dakila Carlo Cua, Cabanatuan City Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara, Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Carmelita Aguilar-Abalos and South Cotabato Vice Mayor Antonio Bendita.