THE Philippines is "nearing elimination" of malaria, with only a few cases recorded in Palawan, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Herbosa said the government aims to achieve a malaria-free status in two to three years. "We are talking to the Global Fund and they said that we are nearing elimination of malaria," Herbosa said during a chance interview. "We need to have two to three years of zero detection," he added. The Department of Health (DoH) had reported that all provinces in the country have achieved malaria-free status except for Palawan.

A truck flipped on its side in Tai Po on Tuesday noon, fortunately with the driver unscathed. The accident that happened at around noon saw the truck traveling along Tai Wo Road near Po Heung Street suddenly lost control and flipped onto its side. The driver was reportedly trapped in the vehicle, while he managed to grab a smoke inside the driver’s compartment before firefighters arrived at the scene to free him. The scrap metal the truck was carrying spread all over the road. Police were on the scene investigating the accident.

Sing Tao Previous NextStacy ShiFormer sports commissioner Yeung Tak-keung, who stepped down from the post last year, will help the SAR in hosting the 15th National Games in 2025 along with Guangdong province and Macau, sources said. Wong, 58, and executive director of the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, is a two-time Asian Games silver medalist in windsurfing in 1994 and 1998. He became a windsurfing coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in 2000 after retirement. He was appointed as program manager for the athletes career and education program in 2008 and became Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club executive director in 2017. Meanwhile, nearly 70 percent of sports associations in Hong Kong have registered names to include "Hong Kong, China," the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China announced.

Senators want ‘Barbie’ film banned over 9-dash-line scenesThe film, directed by Greta Gerwig, is set to hit Philippine cinemas on July 19. Still, senators were in an uproar over the fantasy film’s depiction of the nine-dash line. Vietnam, also with overlapping claims over the South China Sea, earlier banned the film over the nine-dash line depiction. The film briefly showed a map with China’s nine-dash line next to the Philippines. Instead of banning the film, Hontiveros said there should just be a disclaimer that a particular scene is fictional.

PAL's parent moves to boost capital stockPhilippine Airlines' parent company is making moves to increase its authorized stock, in a bid to expand its valuation years after filing for bankruptcy in the middle of the pandemic. In a disclosure sent to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, PAL Holdings Inc. said they submitted an amendment to their application to increase authorized capital stock. Disclosure broken down revealed PAL Holdings received 323.77 million common shares in its flag carrier subsidiary. The board of PAL’s parent firm already approved a move to issue up to 5.615 billion common shares in exchange for up to 360.66 million shares of the flag carrier. PAL’s parent posted a consolidated operating income of P17 billion in 2022.

"MORE" guests are expected to attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 compared with last year's SONA, an official at the House of Representatives said on Tuesday. Secretary General Reginald Velasco reminded those who would attend the President's SONA to be vaccinated and to bring their vaccination cards as proof that they have received two primary doses of Covid-19 vaccine. As to those who are unvaccinated, Velasco said "preferably huwag na lang um-attend (they should just not attend) but if necessary to take an RT-PCR test before the SONA. Paul Soriano, presidential adviser on creative communications, will direct the event. Velasco said that "there could be [...] additional help but so far, as of this moment, si Paul Soriano ang designated (Paul Soriano is the designated)" director.

He initiated an urban renewal program he hoped his successors would sustain under the slogan “Buhayin ang Maynila.” Last month, the City of Manila recognized Lito Atienza’s work and awarded him Most Outstanding Manilan. He initiated the renewal of the city’s commercial core: the districts of Binondo, Sta. As city mayor, Atienza banned reclamation projects at the Bay and worked to expel the hazardous oil depots at Pandacan. Unfortunately, Atienza was succeeded for 12 years by two elderly mayors who had little interest in urban renewal and greater interest in selling down the city’s assets. By honoring the Malate-born Atienza with its highest decoration, the city government signals its commitment to the vision of renewal the man so passionately pursued.

Hong Kong is drafting a proposal to simplify the process for non-local companies to change their place of domicile to Hong Kong, said Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu. The introduction of a company relocation regime was listed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in his budget for this fiscal year. It is expected that such a regime could drive demand for professional services in Hong Kong and more investments to the city. In 2021, Hong Kong set up a relocation mechanism for open-ended fund-based companies and limited partnerships. Some overseas funds have already made use of it to relocate to the SAR.

AFPA 46-year-old man from Hong Kong was among eight people killed in a nightclub fire in the Cambodian capital on Saturday. Cambodian police said the blaze was reported at around 5pm local time at the 6969 nightclub in downtown Phnom Penh. James Hong Ming-sang, a travel writer, reminded Hong Kong travelers to stay alert when visiting developing countries. The Immigration Department said it has learned about the situation through the Office of Commission of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia. No requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents had been received by yesterday.

The Maserati from an (aspiring) passenger’s point of viewThe Philippines is Maserati’s ‘fastest ‘growing’ market in Southeast Asia. A lot of those driving their prized Maserati are going to have prized passengers, too. And the expectation is very, very high.”“We are number one in Southeast Asia,” Versoza added. So you could see why Maserati’s vibe is, as Versoza described it, “hip and edgy.” For instance they even have a personalized Barbie Maserati. At a launch event held recently in the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier, Maserati and Modena Motorsports Inc. announced that Grecale will also be the first full-electric SUV in Maserati history.

The SAR government on Monday emphasized the fugitives "should not have any delusion" they could evade the legal liabilities by absconding from the city, and supported the national security police in putting eight overseas-based activists on the wanted list. "They (the fugitives) ultimately have to bear responsibility and face the sanctions of the law for their serious illegal acts endangering national security," a government spokesman said. "Endangering national security is a very serious offence and the government will fight against it in full force and pursue the liability of these persons to the end." The Security Bureau said on Monday that as the national security law has extraterritorial effect, the police have the responsibility to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly committed offences to endanger national security. After Beijing imposed the security law, 10 countries suspended mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with Hong Kong, including the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada.

(UPDATE) WITH at least four tune-up matches already in Gilas Pilipinas' belt, wingman Dwight Ramos feels the national team is getting the training it needs as part of its build up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup this August. The Philippine team dropped its first two matches against Estonia and Finland in Tallinn last week. Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos FIBA PHOTOThe 6-foot-4 Ramos said there's definitely a big difference playing against European players as compared to American or even Asian teams. Estonia and Finland gave Gilas trouble with its ball pressure that saw the national team turn the ball over an average 19 times per contest. The Japan B.League Asian import added Gilas' weakness will be exposed through these tuneup matches.

ONE of the ways that leading global appliance brand Beko is continuously growing its network across the Philippines is by partnering with appliance stores nationwide. North-based appliance store chain Magic Appliance is one of the largest appliance and furniture store chains in Northern Luzon. Magic Appliance has 25 branches: 19 stores in Pangasinan (including 1-TechnoHUB concept store), 1 store in La Union, 3 stores in Ilocos Sur, 1 store in Zambales, and 1 store in Nueva Ecija. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOFor June and July, Beko and Magic Appliance are holding the Beko-Magic Appliance Expo Caravan in 17 stores in Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. The expo caravan promo will be until July 31.

A 46-year-old man from Hong Kong was among eight people killed in a nightclub fire in Cambodia's capital on Saturday. Local media reported that the victims also include five Chinese nationals – a woman, 29, and four men, aged 23 to 30, as well as two Vietnamese people. Cambodian police said the blaze was reported at around 5 pm local time on Saturday at the 6969 nightclub in downtown Phnom Penh. Initial investigations suggested that an electrical short circuit may be the cause of the fire that burned for three hours. It is understood that the owner of the nightclub is a Chinese national.

NEW YORK: Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has requested a trade and the seven-time NBA All-Star guard prefers a deal to the Miami Heat, according to multiple reports on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). AFP FILE PHOTOLillard's request was reported by ESPN and The Athletic with the Miami Herald also reporting Lillard wants only the Heat, being a close friend of Heat star Bam Adebayo and having respect for playmaker Jimmy Butler. Those with salary cap room to make the deal include the Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets. ESPN reported Lillard has a "deep respect" for the San Antonio Spurs, who just landed French teen star big man Victor Wembanyama. Among those deals was Portland's pact with forward Jerami Grant on a five-year deal worth $160 million, ESPN and The Athletic said.