More Pinoys seeking repatriation from IsraelOverseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from Israel arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on October 23, 2023. “We still have more or less 120 requests for repatriation,” Cacdac said in a radio interview, noting that the Philippine government is already processing the repatriation. Most of the Filipinos requesting repatriation are caregivers while the rest are hotel workers. The repatriation from Israel remains voluntary. Cacdac, however, said the number of those seeking repatriation is expected to increase.

On Wednesday, October 18, the lower house of Russia's Duma overwhelmingly approved a bill that would withdraw Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty. Even though it was the driving force behind the creation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty in the first place, the US has itself never formally ratified it. Elsewhere, China, desperate to put itself on par with the traditional nuclear superpowers, is currently undergoing a rapid expansion of its nuclear capabilities. We call upon our government to take a strong stand against nuclear proliferation and seek the support of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as well. We must demand that all nuclear-armed nations, friend or foe, immediately return to formal adherence to the test ban treaty, stop producing new weapons, and work together to eliminate nuclear weapons once and for all.

JERUSALEM — Since Israel activated the Iron Dome in 2011, the cutting-edge rocket defense system has intercepted thousands of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. On October 7 alone, the first day of fighting, Hamas launched at least 2,000 rockets, according to data from West Point. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Cyber Dome: Israel’s Iron Dome against digital warfareMost of the rockets have been intercepted. Here is a look at the accomplishments – and limitations – of the Iron Dome. READ: US Congress backs Israel’s Iron Dome missile defenseOnce the radar detects a rocket, the system determines whether the rocket is headed toward a populated area.

DICT: Website not hackedThe website http://www.dict.gov.ph was not hacked, according to DICT spokesman Renato Paraiso. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s website appeared to have been hacked yesterday, but the DICT confirmed that the web portal was up and running. The website http://www.dict.gov.ph was not hacked, according to DICT spokesman Renato Paraiso. “The DICT website was not hacked although we would confirm that one particular site was infiltrated,” Paraiso told reporters. The DICT said the website is a dormant site, adding that it was never used and no sensitive data was compromised.

UN, Philippines sign new partnership for sustainable developmentThe UN logo is seen on a door at the United Nations headquarters ahead of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 15, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations and the Philippine government signed Tuesday a document outlining the UN’s plan of action to drive the nation toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which spans the period from 2024 to 2028, will mobilize the global knowledge, capacities and resources of 23 UN entities supporting the Philippines in addressing its major national priorities. The second focus is sustainable and inclusive economic development and innovation. Climate action for environmental sustainability and disaster resilience is the third key priority of the cooperation framework.

BULACAN's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is set to receive a Mobile Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) from the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). STATE-OF-ART WATER FILTER The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will soon have a modern water treatment plant which can be used in times of calamities to produce potable water out of sea water, flood, underground and rain. Photo shows the model of a Mobile Water Treatment Plant from the Department of Science and Technology. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO STATE-OF-ART WATER FILTER The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will soon have a modern water treatment plant which can be used in times of calamities to produce potable water out of sea water, flood, underground and rain. Photo shows the model of a Mobile Water Treatment Plant from the Department of Science and Technology.

THE Philippines has contributed $30,000 to support the Integrated Technical Cooperation Program (ITCP) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). CONTRIBUTED PHOTOThe country has contributed $30,000 through a formal Letter of Agreement between the IMO and the Philippines. Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., the permanent representative of the Philippines to the IMO, presented the donation to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. Pia underscored the role of the Philippines in ensuring the sustainability of the IMO's technical cooperation programs during the 73rd Session of the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee (TC73) at the IMO Headquarters in London from Oct. 16 to 19, 2023. The Philippines assured the IMO that it will continue to host the regional presence scheme in East Asia, and its IMO regional coordinator, Josephine Marie Uranza, will ensure the implementation of the IMO technical assistance needs of the region.

A video file from interrogations by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) and the police of Hamas terrorists from the Nukhba Unit who took an active part in the massacre in Southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, reveals information about the morning of the raid and the massacre in the south that may also be used to attack targets in the Gaza Strip. Video from ISA CommunicationsGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, MINDSET - Jardine Matheson's registered mental health charity - held its signature fundraising event, Walk Up Jardine House. The event featured more than 300 enthusiastic steppers running up 49 floors - 947 steps - from the ground floor to the Penthouse of Jardine House, raising a record HK$5 million for mental health. "Your Mind Matters, aims to raise awareness of mental health practices and emotional well being so that everyone is empowered to take control of their own mental health," said Andrew Wong, chairman of MINDSET. Altogether, 65 teams and 28 individuals took part in the physically grueling event. Danny Luk from Jardine Matheson, a 17-time racer, said the 'magnificent view at the top' keeps him motivated to run the race.

RARE APPEARANCE | British-US author Salman Rushdie (center) is applauded as he receives the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, awarded annually by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association which runs the Frankfurt Book Fair. Rushdie, in his remarks, tackled AI and other challenges facing the publishing industry. Among book industry players there is “a deep sense of insecurity,” said Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s biggest, where the topic was in focus last week. ADVERTISEMENTStill, critics say the works are of low quality and sense little threat from AI for now. British author Salman Rushdie told a press conference at the fair that recently someone asked an AI writing tool to produce 300 words in his style.

ADVERTISEMENTThe ceiling for four-story socialized condominium projects are now set at P933,320 for 22 sqm; P1,060,591 for 25 sqm and P1,145,438 for 27 sqm units. If the land development cost is included, the socialized condominium projects’ price ceiling is set at a maximum of P1,800,000. ADVERTISEMENTHousing backlogThe current price ceiling for social housing was last adjusted on April 27, 2018, through Resolution Nos. This “discourages” the private sector from building affordable houses for low-income and underprivileged families, they noted. “To address the housing needs of approximately 6.5 million Filipino households, a two-pronged approach is necessary, which involves encouraging private sector participation in constructing socialized housing units,” Acuzar and Balisacan said.

59 Filipinos in Lebanon ask for repatriationProtesters clash with Lebanese security forces outside the US Embassy in Awkar east of Beirut, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — At least 59 Filipinos in Lebanon have requested to return to the Philippines amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s military group Hezbollah, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat said on Monday. The number of Filipinos eyeing to be repatriated could increase in the following days following escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah, Balatbat added. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon on Sunday has opened applications for repatriation for any of the 17,500 Filipinos in the country who wish to be repatriated. This comes after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s decision to raise Alert Level 3, or voluntary repatriation, due to the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

STOCKHOLM: French veteran Gael Monfils rallied past Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov to win the 12th ATP title of his career and first this season in Stockholm on Sunday. Monfils, ranked 140th, won 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 against his 109th-ranked opponent for his second title in the Swedish capital after 2011. He is just the fourth player above the age of 37 to win an ATP Tour title since 1990, joining Roger Federer, Ivo Karlovic and Feliciano Lopez. Monfils dropped just two sets on his way to the trophy, his first since Adelaide in January last year, and will move up to 89th in the ATP rankings. Kotov, 24, was aiming to win his first title on Sunday in his maiden final.

ADVERTISEMENTThese are the statements of Guadiz as he appeared at the hearing of House committee on transportation on Monday. The bribe was reportedly in exchange for the approval of franchise applications and route alterations. At the hearing on Monday, Guadiz told lawmakers the routes are created by local government units (LGUs) and not LTFRB. Guadiz was ordered suspended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after Tumbado accused the LTFRB head of corruption and irregularities. One of the messages claimed the suspended chairperson was supposedly informed about franchise applicants who were willing to pay grease money.

Doing its share to help the country achieve food security while addressing environmental challenges, Robinsons Offices, one of the country’s leading providers of quality, flexible workspaces, has partnered with lifestyle brand FarmTop for the development of “sky farms” or soilless vegetable gardens on building roof-decks. The joint initiative promotes technologically enhanced but sustainable agriculture. The project envisions the setup of strategically located sky farms atop office buildings around the country, where crops are cultivated through hydroponics or soilless farming in a controlled environment. The method, which also does away with conventional pesticides, is also described as “post-organic” as it reduces the risk of attacks from soil-based pests and weeds. Company officials led by JG Summit president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei formally unveiled the project’s first rooftop farm—and enjoyed its first harvest—on Oct. 10 at Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.