'Vote against dictatorship'After voting, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, 55, leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urged citizens: "Please vote, use your right to vote, and vote against dictatorship." AdvertisementCongress is spearheading an opposition alliance of more than two dozen parties competing jointly against Modi, including the AAP. US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents." The India Meteorological Department warned of heightened health risks for infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. More than 968 million people are eligible to vote in the Indian election, with the final round of polling on June 1 and results expected three days later.

The talks gathered momentum in the final weeks, but failed to meet a final deadline before next week's World Health Assembly -- the annual gathering of the World Health Organization's 194 member states. "The world still needs a pandemic treaty and the world needs to be prepared," he commented. The talks co-chairs Roland Driece and Precious Matsoso told AFP that countries clearly wanted to reach a final agreement. "It’s not the end," stressed Matsoso, noting that the same ministers who decided they wanted a pandemic agreement would be the ones deciding on the next steps. Most member states want to carry on and lock in the gains," an Asian diplomat in the talks told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

On paper bags, most paper bags are recyclable so I am happy that we have been using old magazine pages to make our own paper bags at our retail store/social enterprise. Paper mills are now very few because they cannot find suitable recyclable paper waste to feed their mills. Again, they are not able to use greasy paper or waxed paper. We need to know what paper mills can use in terms of waste paper and which plastic material can be given new life as a bucket or plastic jerry cans. Segregate waste paper for paper mills to reuse and recycle2.

The Education Bureau announced on Friday that 660 kindergartens have applied to increase tuition fees for the new school year, accounting for about 68% of the total and seeing a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The Education Bureau stated today that as of the middle of this month, 660 kindergartens have submitted applications to increase tuition fees, 40 more than the same period last year. Of the approximate 740 kindergartens participating in the Kindergarten Education Scheme, approximately 520 have applied to increase their tuition fees. As for kindergartens that have not participated in the Kindergarten Education Scheme, about 140 have applied for a tuition increase, one has applied for a decrease, and about 90 have remained unchanged. The Education Bureau is reviewing relevant applications and will notify schools as soon as possible to approve the tuition fees.

A man was hospitalized after he fell on a ship from a great height in Tsing Yi on Thursday night. At about 11 pm yesterday (May 23), a mainland male crew member fell from a height of about 9 meters on the ship off Cheung Fai Road in Tsing Yi and suffered a fractured foot and a head injury. Rescue workers boarded the ship and took care of the injured man's wounds. Firefighters transported him to the Tsing Yi Fireboat Fire Station, and then he was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for medical attention at nearly 1 am today. It is understood the male crew member was working on a container stabilizer on the ship, fixing the containers in place.

The government announced in the gazette on Friday that the demerit points system for taxi drivers will come into effect on September 22 this year. The demerit points system, announced today, that targets taxi drivers will deduct 5 to 10 points for violations, including overcharging fares, taking detours, and refusing rides. Those who are fined 10 points within two years must attend Driving Improvement Courses at their own expense, and those who are fined 15 points will be suspended for three months. The Transport and Logistics Bureau has emphasized that taxi drivers will only have points deducted after a court conviction, and not simply from passenger complaints.

Study: Filipino kids' food loaded with sugar, sold with 'misleading' labelsBased on the data from Packworks’ business intelligence tool Sari IQ, 75 percent of the thousands of sari-sari stores analyzed are owned by women. The study, which assessed over 180 infant cereals, snacks and meals, also found widespread use of misleading labels and a lack of strict government regulations on these products. The UNICEF and COMMIT study noted that most unhealthy food products are marketed and promoted as suitable for consumption by children aged six months to three years old. One in four food products assessed for the study also does not recommend the minimum age of consumption as at least six months old. They also called to ban "misleading marketing and labeling" of food and to educate parents about "deceptive marketing and labeling practices."

Nur Misuari convicted of graft over anomalous procurement of educational suppliesMANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has convicted Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari of two counts of graft charges over the alleged anomalous procurement of Information Technology (IT) educational supplies worth over P77 million. In a 68-page decision promulgated on Friday, the anti-graft court found Misuari and six co-accused guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The charges stemmed from the procurement of educational materials worth P31 million and P46.26 million. Misuari and his co-accused have been sentenced to six years and one month to eight years in prison. According to a report by ABS-CBN, Misuari and the six others were allowed bail amounting to P30,000 per count of graft.

The talks had been clouded by uncertainty, with one sticking point being sanctions for offenders, which pits developing countries against developed ones broadly speaking. Genetic resources are increasingly used by companies in everything from cosmetics to seeds, medicines, biotechnology and food supplements. It's a balanced text," a Western negotiator told Agence France-Presse before the final agreement was reached. Antony Scott Taubman set up WIPO's traditional knowledge division in 2001 but no longer works with the agency. In the end, the treaty text says countries "shall provide an opportunity to rectify a failure to disclose the information required... before implementing sanctions."

The Filipina, who works in Singapore, fractured her neck and back. "[There is] no word yet on the treatment or surgery options for her back injuries," the DMW said. A Bangkok hospital said many of the more seriously injured people on SQ321 needed operations on their spines. Passengers have described how the flight crew tried to revive him by performing CPR for about 20 minutes. Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence.

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal number one is up over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islamds, Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Islands after the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Surigao del Sur intensified into Tropical Depression Aghon, the state weather bureau reported early Friday morning. On the track forecast, Aghon is forecast to make a close approach or make landfall in the vicinity of Eastern Samar tomorrow morning as a tropical depression,” Pagasa said. “Afterwards, Aghon will pass north-northwestward over Eastern Visayas, then emerge over the waters off the east coast of Bicol Region tomorrow afternoon or evening as a tropical storm,” Pagasa said. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be raised over parts of Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region before noon Friday, Pagasa said. Moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.0 m) are expected in the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas and the eastern seaboard of the Caraga region.

OFW injured in turbulent Singapore Airlines flight to undergo neck surgery — DMWPassengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore, which made an emergency landing in Bangkok, greet family members upon arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore on May 22, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) injured on board a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence will undergo surgery for a neck fracture, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported on Thursday. The DMW said the Singapore-based OFW suffered a neck fracture and back injuries after Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 encountered "sudden extreme turbulence" over Myanmar on Tuesday ten hours into its journey from London to Singapore. "On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We also deeply apologize for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight," Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said.

A patient at St. Paul's Hospital died within 48 hours of undergoing a heart valve replacement surgery last month, leading the family to file a complaint alleging negligence and request an explanation from the hospital. However, shortly after the patient switched wards, he experienced excruciating pain in the right lower abdomen. The case has been referred to the Coroner's Court for further investigation, and the family has met with the hospital. The family has also filed a complaint through the Medical Council and the Department of Health mechanism. The spokesman of St. Paul's Hospital stated that as the case was handed over to the Coroner's Court, they won't comment on the incident.

Lush views and colorful streetscapes greet future residents of The Lindgren as soon as they enter the village. There’s more than enough space for future residents to enjoy their home and the rich environment surrounding them at The Lindgren. These include a fitness center, sauna, jacuzzi, mini botanical garden, and an assortment of open areas for relaxation. Design inspired by natureArden Botanical Estate, the country's first botanical-themed township, is a collaboration between Megaworld and GERI. Highlighted by gardens, waterways, and lotus ponds, Arden Botanical Estate promises a one-of-a-kind living experience for future residents of the township.

Chiz seeks to mend House-Senate ties before another Cha-cha word warMANILA, Philippines — Even as he remains unconvinced about changing the Charter, Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Thursday that he wants to repair the relationship between the Senate and the House of Representatives to prevent another heated public exchange among lawmakers. The newly-installed Senate president also said that he envisions himself as a leader that will serve as a "bridge to finding solutions to problems" instead of flip-flopping on his position. "The primary reason why Charter change does not push through or gets delayed is because of people's doubts about the motives behind it," Escudero said. "If people are asked directly about wheter they are for or against is, I believe this will make it more likely to reach the final stage of approval," the Senate president added. The new Senate president, however, stopped short of saying the upper chamber will no longer consider measures related to Charter change.