MIFI guess it would take an economist to understand the workings of the Maharlika Investment Fund, as it seems to be beyond ordinary folk like me. The MIF is supposed to fund big ticket infrastructure projects instead of using funds from the national budget (so there is no need to raise taxes, the economic masters claim). But infra projects aren’t income or interest generating, so how will the “investors” get return on or earn from their investment? Perhaps the answer to that is in the fine print of the law. And as I further tighten my belt and try to stretch the family food budget, I hope we will not be seeing another Senate investigation into an “MIF scandal.” – Rosita Enriquez, Marikina City

A female police inspector was sentenced to 160 hours of community service at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts Tuesday after she was previously found guilty of stealing fruit and frozen meat worth over HK$700 at a Tsuen Wan supermarket last year while she was off-duty. Passing sentence, the magistrate said the court must impose a deterrent punishment, especially for senior-ranking cops who committed crimes. He noted that fines are not enough as a punishment. The goods were worth HK$786.2 in total. Read more: Fines not enough for off-duty cop convicted of theft, says magistrate

GENEVA, Switzerland — The world should prepare to face increasingly intense heatwaves, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, as countries across the Northern Hemisphere reeled from soaring temperatures. "These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat advisor at the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO), told reporters in Geneva. Heatwaves are amongst the deadliest natural hazards, with hundreds of thousands of people dying from preventable heat-related causes each year, Nairn said. Heat is a rapidly-growing health risk, due to burgeoning urbanisation, an increase in high temperature extremes, and demographic changes in countries with ageing populations. Nairn said that the number of drawn-out and simultaneous heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere had swelled sixfold since the 1980s.

AJ Edu FIBA PHOTOGilas coach Chot Reyes admitted that the national team's upcoming mini-pocket tournament in China will be the 6-foot-10 Edu's potential final test if he can be seriously considered for the final roster. "He (Edu) has to be able to get in shape quickly. Though Edu has spent a big chunk of his collegiate career dealing with various injuries as well, Reyes is not giving up on Edu. Edu's size will be critical for the FIBA World Cup as Gilas faces a tough bracket in the opening round, featuring the Dominican Republic on opening night, followed by Angola and then Italy. Other bigs within the Gilas pool include six-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Poy Erram.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he was aware of the meeting that transpired between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed hope his predecessor would help establish a new line of communication for the resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2023. So, I hope they were able to talk about issues we are facing now like shadowing and other things. All of these things that we are seeing now, I hope they were able to talk about it so we could achieve progress. "If that is PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), then good.

HONG KONG: Asian markets struggled on Monday to build on last week's rally, with new data showing China's economy grew less than expected in the second quarter as its post-Covid recovery runs out of steam. The advance was also bolstered by pledges from Beijing to introduce stimulus measures for the struggling economy. Asian shares were mostly lower on Monday after China reported weaker growth than forecast in the last quarter. Asian shares were mostly lower on Monday after China reported weaker growth than forecast in the last quarter. "Asia investors have been greeted by a dismal Chinese data dump to start the week," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes.

Police were alerted to two cases of gold chain theft in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan on Monday. He was led to an apartment in the Tung Hing Building and had his HK$18,000 gold chain nabbed while taking off his shirt. His son called the police later; the case was listed as theft and handed over to the Sham Shui Po police district. Lam was taken to an apartment on Tai Ho Road and found that the woman and his HK$78,000 gold chain had disappeared without a trace while he was showering. The case was handed over to the Tsuen Wan police district, and no arrests have been made so far.

The latest toll adjustments for SLEX gives us reason to be hopeful our public is maturing. The toll adjustments were delayed for years, notwithstanding the schedules provided for in the contracts. A few politicians, acting on reflex, objected to the rate adjustments even if toll rates have actually become cheaper if computed against inflation. Most motorists, enjoying savings in time and fuel using the facilities, understood the toll adjustments went through the proper procedures prescribed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). The development of Global City is, in part, due to the far-sighted policies of the city government of Taguig.

Makati City Mayor Abigail "Abby" Binay promised to help more than 300,000 residents affected by the land dispute with Taguig City which has been resolved by the Supreme Court. In a statement posted on the Facebook page of Makati City, Binay expressed her concerns for residents in 10 villages affected by the Supreme Court's decision favoring the city of Taguig. The mayor said she will coordinate with the concerned government agencies to address the needs of the affected individuals. Binay said she is worried that Taguig could not give the affected citizens the same benefits that Makati has been giving them. The court ruled the areas are "part of the territory of the City of Taguig."

Yung mga kapatid natin sa media na involved dun sa incident ay nakikipag-cooperate po sa PNP at nakuhanan na ‘rin sila ng statements.” Fajardo said. (Our two police officers have been relieved from their duties and are now facing criminal and administrative charges. Fajardo said that if investigation results showed that both cops opened fire during the commotion, additional criminal complaints would be filed against them. She further disclosed that cops and all personnel involved with the incident had undergone paraffin tests and were under restrictive custody. ADVERTISEMENTRELATED STORIESMedia task force seeks probe into harassment vs 3 reporters in LeytePNP relieves 2 cops for allegedly harassing 3 reporters in Leyteje/abcYour subscription could not be saved.

London: Carlos Alcaraz defeated seven-time champion Novak Djokovic to claim his first Wimbledon title on Sunday (Monday in Manila), shattering the Serb's dream of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam crown. It was a second major for the 20-year-old Spaniard following his US Open title last year as he became Wimbledon's third youngest men's champion. But Alcaraz finally freed himself of his shackles and broke for 2-1 in the second set. The Serb was hit with a time violation in the tie-break before seeing a set point saved. Alcaraz needed no second invitation when he carved out and converted a set point to level the contest with a backhand winner.

(UPDATE) PARIS: Viral videos of vulgar, intoxicated and violent airplane passengers have become common, but it is not just a social media trend; statistics confirm cases are on the rise. The surge in incidents comes as the aviation industry is bouncing back from the Covid pandemic, with airlines expecting to fly a near-record 4.35 billion passengers this year. Passengers wait to board a Delta airlines plane at LaGuardia International Airport in New York on July 28, 2018. And this is despite the FAA's "zero tolerance" policy toward unruly passengers, imposing $8.4 million in fines last year on passengers who sometimes risked criminal prosecution as well. If dialogue and warnings fail, airplanes are equipped with plastic handcuffs to restrain uncontrollable passengers in their seats.

Tap state scientists to develop drought, flood-resistant crops — lawmakerFarmer Isagani Cajucom looks at his corn crops in Barangay Parista, Lupao, Nueva Ecija in August 2021. MANILA, Philippines — The government should work more closely with researchers from the University of the Philippines to develop climate-resilient crops, a lawmaker said, emphasizing state scientists' role in protecting farmers from the threats of El Niño. The state weather bureau said that El Niño shows "signs of strengthening in the coming months." The collaboration seeks to create the UPLB Agricultural Genomics Research Center (UPLB-AGRC), bolster science and technology adaptation in agriculture, advance genome-based research and development capabilities and promote closer bilateral ties between the two nations. Agricultural genomics involves examination of the genetic makeup of a crop and tweaking certain genetic traits to create robust crop varieties capable of enduring harsh climatic conditions.

Oh sweet: Honey's wonderful applications from food to beautyWhere can you use honey? Honey bees actually produce honey by first gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of flowers through regurgitation and enzymatic activity. Kitanglad in BukidnonBut that is pure honey. Let us count the ways:Natural sweetener: Add the honey to your coffee, tea, milk, juice, smoothies, or yogurt as a natural sweetener. Beauty applications: Embrace it as a natural beauty product to enhance your skin, hair, and nails.

At least four people died after a boat carrying 20 people sank in Bangladesh’s Buriganga river near the capital Dhaka on Sunday, a fire service official said. Most of the passengers were believed to have swum ashore as the water bus sank close to the bank, according to fire service official Anwarul Islam. ADVERTISEMENTFour bodies have been recovered and the rescue operation is ongoing, police official Sahabuddin Kabir told Reuters. Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the site as rescuers in multiple boats scanned the river with flashlights, according to a Reuters witness. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPRead Next