(UPDATE) THE Philippines and the United States on Friday signed an agreement on nuclear energy cooperation that will allow Washington to export nuclear technology and material to Manila. In his remarks, the President expressed optimism that the signing of the deal will encourage more foreign investors to pursue nuclear power projects in the Philippines. IT’S A DEAL Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla (left) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sign the nuclear energy agreement between the Philippines and the US at the George Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. "I called then for the re-evaluation of the possibility of safely developing nuclear energy in the Philippines, recognizing the enormous potential of nuclear energy given the new, highly advanced technologies and standards of safety, security, and all the different safeguards that are now in place," he said. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., on the other hand, is interested to rehabilitate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/ File photoPhilippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco to discuss tensions and formulate ways forward in the South China Sea. Manila refers to the part of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea. Marcos said he also discussed South China Sea issues with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Philippines' foreign ministry on Thursday committed to continue resupply missions and an "upkeep" of a grounded navy ship in a disputed South China Sea atoll, saying it does not have to give prior notice to China.

Duterte unfazed by De Lima helping ICCMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) and former senator Leila de Lima can go together for all former president Rodrigo Duterte cares, as he is unfazed by their joining forces against his so-called war on drugs. PDP-Laban members’ exitDuterte is also unfazed by the exodus of Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) members, particularly among House lawmakers to the Lakas-CMD party headed by Romualdez. PDP-Laban used to be the majority political party when Duterte was the president. Now, more than 100 PDP-Laban members have switched allegiance to Lakas-CMD. Duterte said he even understands the PDP-Laban members who flocked to Romualdez’s side now and eventually made Lakas-CMD the predominant political party.

Philippines, US ink civil nuclear cooperation pactUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and Philippines' Secretary of Energy Raphael Lotilla (L) sign, as Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (C) during the Philippines 123 Signing Ceremony during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States signed Friday a landmark agreement that would facilitate civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, lauded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a “milestone toward a more energy secure and green” future. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and State Secretary Antony Blinken signed the agreement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, California. Nuclear in energy mixThe current administration is turning its focus toward nuclear energy. “Nuclear energy is one area where we can show that the Philippines-US alliance and partnership truly works for our peoples, our economies, and the environment,” he added.

Officials of Guiuan town in Eastern Samar inaugurated on Nov. 6 a greenhouse project that would help improve food security by adopting innovative agricultural practices. The greenhouse uses a solar hydroponic system, where vegetables grow with the use of a solar supply instead of soil. After all, one of the most critical sectors affected by climate change that brought us typhoons like Super Typhoon Yolanda is agriculture,” she said. “And one of the most critical concerns is food security. I believe the greenhouse project serves as one of the most sustainable solutions to the problem of food security in the face of the changing climate,” she added.

SILKYARA, India — Rescuers drilled about one-third of the way into the debris of a collapsed highway tunnel in India by Friday morning to reach 40 workers trapped inside for five days, officials said. Drilling had penetrated through about 21 meters (70 feet) of debris, Devendra Singh Patwal, a disaster management officer, told Reuters. READ: Rescuers dig to reach 40 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in IndiaAnother officer with the rescue team inside the tunnel said the trapped men were doing fine. ADVERTISEMENTThe workers have been supplied with food, water, and oxygen through a pipe and authorities have been in contact with them via walkie-talkies. Authorities have not said what caused the tunnel to cave in on Sunday morning, but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods.

ABOUT 50 million coronavirus vaccine doses went to waste because they expired before they could be administered, officials from the Department of Health (DoH) told a recent Senate budget hearing. It's a disconcerting statistic, especially when we take into account that the Philippines spent about P22 billion to buy 23.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to supplement its stockpile of 26.2 million donated doses. There were more than 4 million Covid cases in the Philippines, and almost 67,000 Filipinos died from the disease. By the time President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the pandemic over last March, 75.7 million Filipinos were still waiting for a second dose, while only 24.2 million had received a booster shot. The plan considered it crucial "that national and local agencies, public and private sectors, and other planning partners clearly understand each other's roles and responsibilities in the Covid-19 vaccination program."

Philippines to China: Be accountable, remove illegal structuresThis photo taken on Nov. 10, 2023 shows Philippine coast guard personnel and journalists sailing onboard a rigid inflatable boat (L) as they head back after filming the BRP Sierra Madre docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the disupted South China Sea. “We call on China to remove all these illegal structures, cease reclamations in the South China Sea, and be accountable for the damages caused by these illegal activities,” the DFA said in a statement on Thursday. “It is difficult to imagine how these activities could be deemed threatening to China,” they added. The BRP Sierra Madre was positioned at Ayungin Shoal since 1995 in direct response to China's occupation of Mischief Reef. In recent months, China has been provoking incidents during the Philippines' resupply missions to the stationed BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, leading to multiple diplomatic protests.

TURIN, Italy: Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the last four of the ATP Finals on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) after beating Alexander Zverev 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, while Carlos Alcaraz cruised past troubled Andrey Rublev to get his campaign up and running. FOCUSED Russia’s Daniil Medvedev eyes the ball as he returns to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their round-robin match at the ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. "I hope that I feel well tomorrow and ready to fight because this tournament is tricky," said Medvedev. "I'm really happy to show this level and realise that my level is still there, giving myself a chance in this tournament," Alcaraz told reporters. Straight victories over now-retired Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic might not be enough to secure a spot in the next round.

In an exciting celebration of night racing in a virtual block-party setting, the Asics Rock 'n' Roll Series presented by AIA Vitality has drawn 9,400 participants 10 days before the second edition is held Nov. 26 at the Rizal Park. Participants during the previous edition of the Asics Rock ’n' Roll Series. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOThe IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. initiated the event's return early in the season, aiming to build awareness and ensure a record turnout. As the series held across various countries, the ASICS Rock n' Roll Series caters to performance, recreation, lifestyle and budding runners. With the host city offering exciting opportunities against the backdrop of landmarks and tourist spots, the Rock n' Roll Manila Marathon promises not just an encore but an unforgettable experience for both runners and the brand.

The atoll is called Ayungin by the Philippines and Renai Reef by China. "We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said the line on China's maps had no legal basis, which Beijing rejects. "The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ and continental shelf, including in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal," Daza said. The Second Thomas Shoal lies 190 km (118 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan, or well within the Manila's EEZ.

NEW DELHI — Toxic smog gripping New Delhi grew more intense on Thursday as farm fires raged in nearby fields despite a court-ordered ban, making India’s capital the world’s most polluted city again. ADVERTISEMENTThe city held the top spot on a real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday, with an air quality index of 509 around noon, according to Swiss group IQAir which categorized the air quality as “hazardous”. A northwesterly wind blowing over the city is carrying smoke from farm fires in nearby fields and the wind speed within Delhi is light and unfavorable for dispersion of pollutants, a meteorological department official said on condition of anonymity. There were more than 2,500 farm fires in Punjab state on Wednesday, north of Delhi, as farmers defied a Supreme Court-ordered ban on crop residue burning and the local police warned of legal action against them, The Indian Express newspaper reported. “Last week radars were indicating cloud cover around that time and now they are no longer indicating that,” Agrawal told Reuters by phone.

ASICS Rock N' Roll Series running event attracts over 9,400 participantsMANILA, Philippines – In an exciting celebration of night racing in a virtual block-party setting, the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Series presented by AIA Vitality has drawn 9,400 participants 10 days before the second edition is held November 26 at the Rizal Park. With health restrictions lifted, organizers anticipate a grand reprise this year, aligning the world’s largest running series, which combines running, music and community, with the capital city’s 451st founding anniversary celebrations. As the series held across various countries, the ASICS Rock n’ Roll Series caters to performance, recreation, lifestyle and budding runners. This recognition not only elevates Rock n’ Roll Manila’s international profile but also allows participants to use their finishing times to potentially qualifying for major marathons worldwide, including Tokyo, Berlin, London, New York, Boston and Chicago. With the host city offering exciting opportunities against the backdrop of landmarks and tourist spots, the Rock n’ Roll Manila Marathon promises not just an encore but an unforgettable experience for both runners and the brand.

UN expert urges Philippines to disband anti-communist agencyIan Fry, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change, talks during a press conference in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila on November 15, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — A United Nations human rights expert urged the Philippines on Wednesday to abolish an anti-communist task force that has been accused of targeting government critics. Former president Rodrigo Duterte set up the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in 2018 to quash a decades-old insurgency. The task force, which includes the military, has frequently labelled human rights activists, environmental defenders, lawyers and journalists as communist sympathisers, without providing any evidence. Harassment of "environmental human rights defenders" was prevalent, he said, calling for an independent investigation into the task force's past actions.

Wallis WangThe visualization of gene transcription - a fundamental process of life - helped tackle the Covid pandemic and won two biologists this year's Shaw Prize in the life science and medicine category. Gene transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA - a person's genetic blueprint - into Messenger RNA before proteins can be produced. Cramer and Nogales' research revealed each step in the process, discovering how proper gene transcription promotes health while dysregulation causes disease. Tumor cells are "addicted to transcriptions" during the spread and tumor growth, he said. A number of substances have been developed to target gene transcription machinery of tumor cells or viruses to cure diseases.