MANILA, Philippines—South China Sea (SCS) has one of the richest marine biodiversity in the world but competing territorial claims and neglect are increasingly threatening its ecosystem. ADVERTISEMENTThe US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pointed out that coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion and provide livelihood, especially for local communities. The reef features are distributed across nine main areas, including the Paracels and Spratlys, where the Philippines has claims on certain islands and rocks above water at high tide. PH reefs destroyedAccording to CSIS data, West Philippine Sea (WPS) reefs have not been spared. According to the CSIS report, most of the damage was caused by giant clam harvesting:

Water was seen bursting out of the walls in Kowloon-bound Cheung Tsing Tunnel on Saturday afternoon after a truck crashed into the wall and broke the pipes within. The incident occurred around 1.15 pm as the truck lost control and rammed into the tunnel wall on the right, breaking the pipes inside with water bursting out onto the driving lanes. The driver was trapped but soon rescued by paramedics who were called to the scene. Staffers of the tunnel have switched off the water and police are now commanding traffic. The Transport Department said the middle and fast lanes of Cheung Tsing Tunnel (Kowloon bound) are closed to all traffic due to this incident.

That very war risk is why Washington is building up forces and alliances in Asia — and weaponizing our country. Neutral, yes; EDCA, noWhen EDCA was signed in April 2014, Marcos and 14 other senators passed a resolution contending that the executive agreement was invalid because it was, in fact, a treaty needing Senate ratification. Then-senator Marcos said: "As the EDCA is signed, there are no limitations [where the US can have sites] ... nothing in the agreement precludes any area." The month before fast-tracking EDCA, he noted in visits to China and Switzerland that Asia sought neutrality despite pressure to align. Marcos also told the China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the region's future "must be decided by the Asia-Pacific region, not anyone else."

BEIJING, China — Chinese consumer prices rose in February for the first time since August, data showed Saturday, bucking a months-long stretch of deflation that compounded the country's myriad economic woes. Consumer prices traditionally see a boost during the Chinese New Year period, also known as Spring Festival, which fell in February this year. "It was primarily food and service prices that rose more," NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said in a statement. "During the Spring Festival period, consumer demand for food products grew, in addition to rainy and snowy weather in some regions affecting supply," Dong said. "Affected by the Spring Festival holiday and other factors, industrial production was in its traditional off season," Dong said.

A 24-year-old triad member and a 22-year-old woman were arrested after the corpses of two baby boys were found in two glass jars in a flat of a Tuen Mun building on Friday morning. Forensic scientists were soon called to the scene and found no apparent injuries on the bodies after a preliminary examination. Lam was reportedly a warehouse worker and had an affiliation with triad society, while Chow was a PR officer. It is understood that they started renting the Tuen Mun flat in late December 2022 but the landlord had not received their rent for about six months. The landlord then arranged for the janitor to come and clean the flat, who then discovered the case.

MILAN, Italy: Italian luxury group Prada saw its net profit increase by 44 percent to 671 million euros ($731 million) in 2023, thanks to strong Asia sales and a "very positive" fourth quarter. AFP PHOTOThursday's results are slightly higher than estimates by FactSet analysts, who had forecast an average profit of 651 million euros. The label's turnover increased by 13 percent to 4.7 billion euros, driven by sales of Prada and Miu Miu, which are aimed at a younger clientele. At constant exchange rates, Miu Miu's retail sales jumped 58 percent in 2023, buoyed up by a particularly good fourth quarter, which saw sales up 82 percent. Prada's retail sales were up 12 percent on a year and by 10 percent in the last quarter.

A woman's femininityDuring this Women’s Month, we appreciate with gratitude, the significance of the role of women in society, mainly through their important contribution in helping build pleasant and well-managed family life and in forming children, our future. The welfare of women, especially those in the workforce, merit immediate attention, given their added responsibilities in family life. In addition to this important duty, some women still work outside the home, in order to help augment family income. The attention she gives to her family will always be a woman's greatest dignity. In these spheres, too, women can offer a valuable personal contribution, without neglecting their special feminine qualities.

Asian markets join rally after Wall St, European recordsPeople use their phones next to a display showing the stock numbers on the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong on April 27, 2022. . He said the Fed "can and will" begin lowering rates if the economy remains strong, inflation keeps falling and the jobs market softens. The European Central Bank added to the upbeat mood in trading floors, with its president Christine Lagarde suggesting reductions could start in June. Asian investors picked up the baton happily Friday, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Wellington, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta well up. "Bad (weak) news will be good news in this regard, with rising confidence in lower rates currently in the global markets driving seat."

Women’s Day: Empowering treats for International Women’s MonthMANILA, Philippines — From childbearing to holding key leadership roles, women play a very important part in society. Thus, today, International Women’s Day, and this March, International Women’s Month, celebrate every woman and womanhood with treats that speak of appreciation and self-love. McDonald's launches new Crispy Fish Fillet SandwichPhoto release Crispy Fish Fillet SandwichMcDonald's is making waves with their exciting launch of a “sea-licious” treat — the new and limited-time offer Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich. Make sure to grab the new and limited-time offer Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich and Double Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich via Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and McDelivery. Available exclusively at all Serenitea branches nationwide and through third-party delivery app partners such as Grab and Food Panda starting March 15, the Cloud Coconut Collection offers medium-sized servings at accessible prices: Matcha Cloud Coconut (P 149), Cacao Cloud Coconut (P140), and Taro Cloud Coconut (P140).

Vice President Sara Duterte honors all Filipino women in her International Women's Day message on Friday, March 8, 2024. Duterte called for more opportunities for women to showcase their skills. She also condemned the New People's Army for attacking several women, including a doctor in Bohol province. Video by OVP 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

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre on Friday, March 8, 2024, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos will travel to Europe next week. The President will be on a working visit to Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 11 to 15, 2024. Marcos has been traveling the world to lure investors to the Philippines to boost the economy. Video by Catherine S. ValenteGet 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

Sen. Robin Padilla guests on the maiden episode of PrimeTimes with Atty. Padilla shares his thoughts on Charter change, the medicalization of cannabis and a host of other issues affecting the country with lawyer Maria Liavel 'Lia' Badillo-Crisostomo. Get 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

MANILA: The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will suspend its operations in Metro Manila for five years, starting March 28, to give way for the construction of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project. According to the PNR, operations in stations Governor Pascual-Tutuban and Tutuban-Alabang, the two opposite end stations in Metro Manila, will be temporarily suspended. The PNR told INQUIRER.net that the suspension would take at least five years amid the construction of the NSCR. “During the PNR suspension of operations in Metro Manila, the construction of the NSCR will be expedited by eight months, and save at least P15.18 billion from the project,” the PNR said in a statement on Friday (March 8). However, the PNR also announced that it will begin partial operations from Clark to West Valenzuela by the end of 2027.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: US economic activity has "increased slightly" since the start of the year, though price pressures have persisted, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) said Wednesday in its regular summary of economic conditions. Since early January, US economic activity has "increased slightly, on balance," the Fed announced in its regular update of economic conditions known as the "beige book." In total, eight of the 12 Fed districts reported "slight to modest growth in activity," while three reported no change and one saw a slight softening in activity, it added. Although overall price pressures "persisted," the Fed found that several districts reported "some degree of moderation in inflation." "But the economic outlook is uncertain, and ongoing progress toward our 2 percent inflation objective is not assured," he added.

You've heard of eco-friendly furniture made of sustainable wood or bamboo but how about hemp or seaweed? Normann Copenhagen's Mat Chair collection has a shell made from 75 percent hemp, a rapidly renewable, carbon-negative crop, and a version with added eelgrass, a type of seaweed. Designed by Danish design studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, the chair is the result of years of research, prototyping and testing to create not just visually stunning and functional seats but eco-friendly furniture with a long-lasting life cycle. There are a variety of seating options - including dining chairs, barstools, bar chairs and bar armchairs - each designed with a focus on sustainability and style. Customers can choose between the hemp shell or the hemp shell with eelgrass, as well as opt for front or full upholstery to suit their preferencesThe collection (from HK$4,300 per chair ) is set to launch in the second quarter of the year in Hong Kong.