MOGADISHU — The United Nations has described floods that uprooted hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia and neighbouring countries in East Africa following a historic drought as a once-in-a-century event. Camps for people displaced by an Islamist insurgency and the worst drought in four decades have also been flooded, causing people to flee for a second time, aid groups say. Large-scale displacement, increased humanitarian needs and further destruction of property remain likely, OCHA said, with some 1.5 million hectares (3.70 million acres)of farmland potentially being destroyed. ADVERTISEMENT“Extreme weather linked to the ongoing El Niño risks further driving up humanitarian needs in already-vulnerable communities in Somalia and many other places,” said Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General, the UN’s Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “We know what the risks are, and we need to get ahead of these looming crises,” he said.

LUCENA CITY—Following the record-high volume of sulfur dioxide (SO2) spewed by Taal Volcano in Batangas province on Thursday, experts warned anew of health risks posed by volcanic smog or vog on residents near the area. The gas from the volcano is toxic, especially for the elderly,” said Sheila Tan, 70, another Tagaytay City resident, over the phone. The volcano had been relatively quiet until July 11, 2022 when Phivolcs placed it under alert level 1 after it showed signs of low level of unrest. Phivolcs said entry into the Pulo, especially the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, as well as human activities on Taal Lake, must remain prohibited. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPShould an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn of renewed unrest, the alert level may be raised back to alert level 2, Phivolcs warned.

56 more Filipinos exit Gaza through Rafah border crossingPalestinian women react after an Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 7, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-six more Filipinos have left the war-torn Gaza Strip and are set to reach Cairo after being allowed to cross the Rafah border crossing, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday. This brings the total number of Filipinos evacuating from the Gaza Strip to 98 out of the estimated population of 137 Filipinos in the area. The Rafah crossing is the only safe passage out of Gaza Strip. The first Filipinos to leave Gaza through the Rafah border made their exit on November 2 after repeated appeals from governments and international rights advocates to Egypt.

China says took 'control measures' vs Philippine ships in its watersFootage of a Chinese Coast Guard ship using a water cannon against a Filipino resupply vessel is shown during a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila on August 7, 2023. BEIJING, China — China demanded Friday that Manila stop infringing on its territorial sovereignty after taking what it described as "control measures" against Philippine ships at a contested South China Sea outpost. "The China Coast Guard followed the Philippine ships in accordance with the law, took control measures, and made temporary special arrangements for the Philippines to transport food and other necessary daily supplies," China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said. "The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement actions in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests." China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

‘I Pagliacci’ performers include Sherwin Sozon, Rica Nepomuceno, Isaac Droscha, Zip De Guzman Jr., and Glenn Gaerlan. CONTRIBUTED POSTER Hong Kong Opera artists Vicki Wu, Henry Ngan, Michael Lam, Leung Siu Kwan, and Christy Li bring ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ to life. In collaboration with the Hong Kong opera company, Tutti, the performances promise a blend of world-class talent and profound purpose. As much as music moves audiences, we'd also like to send a message of hope to those who deal with hunger every day," says Sherwin Sozon, co-founder of LyrOPERA. #CometotheOpera #CAVPAG #LyrOPERA #HAPAG.

BEIJING: China slipped back into deflation in October, data showed on Thursday, highlighting the work officials have in reviving still-sluggish demand in the world's No. The rise in imports could be a signal that domestic demand in China is recovering from months of weakness. The latest readings will likely put pressure on authorities to target consumer demand with fresh stimulus. Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said the data showed that "domestic demand remains sluggish." "With the budget deficit rising and the property developers ... gaining support from the government, domestic demand will likely improve next year," Zhang said.

A simulated crash that leads to a blaze and chemical leakage is tackled by people from various government agencies during the drill. Steven Yiu Previous NextChristine TangThe Hong Kong International Airport is ready for emergency accidents and crises, after it completed a safety drill for a chemical leakage with various government departments, Airport Authority executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung said. After the 4 1/2-hour drill, Yiu said that safety is always the top priority at the airport. The drill took place on the new North Runway from 2.15am to 6.45am yesterday. The Air Traffic Control Tower immediately activated the crash alarm, while the authority activated the Airport Emergency Centre to facilitate coordination and communications among departments.

MANILA, Philippines — After suffering a “harrowing ordeal” of sex trafficking in Malaysia, a Filipino woman has been repatriated, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the BI, the woman was originally promised a housekeeping job in Malaysia, but was eventually forced to become a sex worker. The victim further recounted traveling through mountainous terrains to reach a hotel in Sibu, Malaysia, the bureau noted. According to the BI, the victim was then transferred to another hotel in Bintulu, Malaysia. READ: 3 Filipino trafficking victims repatriated from MyanmarThe BI chief expressed dismay, and emphasized the need for an increased awareness and a strong legal framework to combat sex trafficking effectively.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters try to keep the ball alive during their game against Galeries in the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday, November 9, 2023. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIOMANILA, Philippines: PLDT swept Galeries, 29-27, 25-14, 25-18, to take its fifth straight win in the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Erika Santos fired 17 points and logged 13 excellent digs to lead the High Speed Hitters who improved to 5-1, second in the team standings. Royse Tubino logged 14 markers and five receptions to backstop Santos while Andrea Marzan poured 11 markers for the still winless Highrisers who fell to 0-6.

A traffic police officer had to be hospitalized after he collided with two of his colleagues in Fan Ling Thursday afternoon. The motorcycle in front had to stop, but the motorcycle behind it could not stop in time, and it collided with the motorcycle ahead. While the third bike attempted to turn to avoid the motorcycles, it instead lost control and fell to the ground. During the incident, the traffic officer who fell to the ground scraped his hand and leg and had to be assisted by his colleagues while he lay on the ground. The paramedics were alerted to the scene, and the injured officer was taken to North District Hospital for medical attention.

A worker was pronounced dead early Thursday morning in hospital after being crushed by a wall during demolition work in Kwai Chung. Around 9 am yesterday morning (Nov 8), workers were performing demolition work on a village house at Chung Kwai Chung Village, located near Fu Uk Road. A 62-year-old worker named Cheung was working alone and using a welding tool to cut the floor's reinforcement rebar on the upper floor. His lower body was trapped underneath the concrete wall, and he sustained injuries to his head. Other workers arrived at the scene after hearing the sound of the commotion discovering Cheung trapped and immediately contacted the police for assistance.

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the nation on Wednesday in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon "Yolanda" (international name: Haiyan) and urged Filipinos to "remember the unaccounted victims" of the disaster. In a video message, Vice President Sara Duterte said that while Typhoon Yolanda "left an indelible mark on our hearts, it also revealed the extraordinary resilience and strength of those who were affected." Disaster preparednessMeanwhile, Duterte said that the government should be proactive in mitigating the impact of future natural disasters like Yolanda. Like Marcos, Duterte also acknowledged the first responders, volunteers, and humanitarian organizations who provided aid, support, and solace to those in need. Tano planned to light candles in his street and "pray for the souls of the Typhoon Yolanda victims," he said.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said its fighters had destroyed an Israeli tank in Gaza City. But U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause fighting for humanitarian reasons. Netanyahu said on Tuesday Israel would seek security responsibility for Gaza for an indefinite period after the war. ‘NO FOOD, NO WATER’An Israeli air strike on Wednesday hit Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing two people, health officials said. A joint statement said Israel had the right to defend itself but civilians must be protected and international humanitarian law followed.

Lawmakers seek study on relocation of House to BGCMANILA, Philippines — Three congressmen, including the House senior deputy speaker, have filed a resolution seeking to explore the possibility of relocating the House of Representatives to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. House Resolution 1390 calls for the creation of an ad hoc committee that will study the feasibility of building new facilities for the lower chamber at BGC, moving it from its current location in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The House lawmakers who filed the resolution are Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales (Pampanga), Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. (Camarines Sur, 2nd) Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez (Quezon City, 2nd District). “Proximity to other government agencies, multinational corporations, leading local businesses, and tech startups should also be taken into account for access to different sorts of Filipinos from every walk of life,” the House resolution read. RELATED: Pinoys question resolution to relocate House of Representatives in BGC— Cristina Chi

5 benefits of plant-based dietMANILA, Philippines — November 1 is not only All Saints’ Day, it is also World Vegan Day. It is a day when vegans all over the world come together to raise awareness about animal rights and to advocate the adoption of not just a vegan, mostly plant-based diet, but an overall vegan lifestyle. World Vegan Day is also the perfect time to take stock and be reminded of the key benefits of following a plant-based diet. One million people switching to a vegan diet for one month would spare 3.4 million animals from having to die so that people may have food on the table. RELATED: Good and bad of plant-based eating