The investigation of 10 complaints alleging professional misconduct of lawyers over the 612 relief fund raised to support arrested protesters has been completed and entered the stage of internal audit, the president of the Law Society of Hong Kong said on Saturday. Chan Chak-ming also said out of the 10 cases some allegations were found by the society to be both substantiated and unsubstantiated. Yesterday (Fri), the Bar Association also released the investigation results of misconduct complaints against 38 barristers for providing legal assistance in cases backed by the 612 protest fund. The bar council unanimously agreed that there was no evidence that suggested the barristers were involved in any acts of misconduct or they acted dishonestly. He also believes that the existing mechanism works and is capable of handling complaints and challenges in the future.

Eight people were killed in a factory explosion in eastern China's Jiangsu province on Saturday, state media reported. "A dust explosion occurred in the production workshop of Shenrong Metal Technology Limited, killing eight people and lightly injuring eight others," Xinhua said. A dust explosion occurs when flammable particles, including metals, in the air ignite. In May last year, nine people died in a blast at a factory used to produce hydrogen peroxide in Liaocheng, a city in China's eastern Shandong province. And in November 2022, more than 20 people were killed at a factory in central China's Henan province, with authorities blaming workers engaged in illegal welding.

Globe Broadband field staff pay a courtesy call at the Balingasa High School, Quezon City. In partnership with local government units, Globe At Home's FTTR installation advances digital learning, bringing the brand closer to its goal of enhancing broadband experiences and improving the country's digital infrastructure. The effort is also in line with the government's push for wider connectivity in educational institutions across the country, as accelerated use of digital technology in learning. By boosting connectivity through FTTR powered by GFiber, Globe is helping public school students experience improved internet service, enabling seamless virtual and interactive learning. Globe At Home continues to lead the way in broadband technology and digital transformation.

Migz: Until final ruling, Jinggoy to continue as senatorMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will continue performing his functions as senator until and unless his conviction by the Sandiganbayan becomes final and executory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said. “The Senate also recognizes the fact that there are still remedies available to Sen. Jinggoy under existing laws and the Rules of Court,” Zubiri said in a statement sent to Senate reporters. He can still file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan; he can still file an appeal by certiorari with the Supreme Court,” Zubiri said. “Until and unless the decision becomes final and executory, Sen. Jinggoy is duty-bound to continue performing his functions as senator.”The Sandiganbayan acquit[1]ted Estrada of plunder but found him guilty of direct and indirect bribery. His lawyer Alexis Abastillas Suarez told “Storycon” on Cignal TV’s One News that the temporary disqualification could be implemented only when the ruling becomes final.

Pagunova Transport and Multi-Purpose Service Cooperative Chairman Leonard Bautista says that income from both traditional and modern jeepneys, consolidated or unconsolidated, is almost the same. However, fleet maintenance, among other benefits, within a consolidated cooperative is a plus compared to individual franchises. Video and interview by Ezrah Raya

DAVOS, Switzerland: If Ukraine does not defeat Russia, Moscow's victory would not end well for Europe, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, as he warned Russia might not be contained in its neighbor. He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, where the war in Ukraine has dominated discussions. "There's a chance that Russia might not be contained in Ukraine," he warned. One way Europe could do more on defense was "common procurement; we could procure things that are needed to, to defend Europe," the minister said. Landsbergis, however, welcomed the many discussions, including at very high levels, about Ukraine during the forum.

A boar accidentally fell and was trapped between a wall and a portable toilet in North Point, having to be rescued by firefighters alerted to the scene. Shortly before 8 am today, police received a report that outside Maple Gardens Phase 3 in North Point, a young boar was found belly up stuck between the gap of a retaining wall and a portable toilet. From what was seen at the site, it is estimated that the young wild boar accidentally rolled from the retaining wall, getting caught upside-down in the gap between the portable toilet and the retaining wall, and unable to leave. Firefighters arrived at the scene after receiving the report and spent about an hour pulling out the wild boar with a couple of ropes, each tied to his front and back legs. It was then placed in a plastic bucket until personnel from the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department arrived to inspect and take it away.

AYODHYA, India — The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday’s inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity. Officials estimate 100 private jets will descend on Jan. 22 on Ayodhya airport, filling it to capacity. Mehra did not disclose the price of the charters, but private jet booking website JetSetGo lists the price of a Mumbai-Gorakhpur return flight on a Falcon 2000 jet with nine passengers on board at about $74,000. Some retailers say gold and gold-plated statues of Lord Ram and temple replicas – priced at between 30,000 ($361) and 220,000 rupees ($2,647) – are so popular that they have run out of stock.

'It's Showtime' launches new segmentsMANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN noontime show "It's Showtime” launched new segments, “EXpecially For You” and “Karaokids,” as its online viewership hit over 200,000 live views and continue to trend constantly on different social media platforms. They can choose whether they like to share it anonymously through "It's Showtime" social media accounts or pass the screening test to be featured live in "EXpecially For You." "It's Showtime" is available on Mondays to Fridays, 11:30 a.m., and Saturdays, noon, on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, GTV, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, and Facebook page, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. Catch its online show, "Showtime Online U," on "It's Showtime's" YouTube channel. RELATED: 'Pag wala kang pera, 'wag kang gumawa ng pamilya': Vice Ganda on starting a family

THE Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced the appointment of Liew Chian Jia as regional director of Southeast Asia (SEA) effective Jan. 11, 2024. HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng expressed confidence in Liew: "With Chian Jia's extensive tourism experience and strong regional trade connections, I am sure she will lead the team to new heights and contribute significantly to the growth of the Southeast Asian market for Hong Kong tourism." Hong Kong Tourism Board appoints Liew Chian Jia as regional director of Southeast Asia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOLiew joined HKTB in 2017 and has since been instrumental in driving the trade partnerships and marketing Hong Kong to the travel trade in the Southeast Asia region. Prior to this appointment, Liew was the director of HKTB's Trade Marketing for the SEA region.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Romando Artes questions the methodology used by the Tomtom Traffic Index in concluding that Metro Manila has the worst traffic in the world. In a press conference at the MMDA head office in Pasig on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, Artes pointed to several reasons behind the traffic congestion and the MMDA's plans to resolve the problem. Video by John Orven Verdote

WATCH: Palawan's hidden gem Pamuayan FallsMANILA, Philippines — Pamuayan Falls, also called Pawpawyan Falls, is a beautiful little waterfall located 5.6 kilometers northeast from the coastal town of Port Barton in San Vicente, Palawan. It’s a short and exhilarating 15-minute walk along a scenic nature trail to get there. Eight meters high, it has its raging waters dropping straight down into a small basin that is great to swim in. Located in a secluded part of Port Barton, which is best known for its beaches, Pamuayan Falls is a hidden gem not often frequented by visitors. Be one of only a few who know and enjoy the simple pleasures that nature has to offer.

LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano in Batangas province emitted on Thursday, Jan. 18, another alarming volume of sulfur dioxide (SO2), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). ADVERTISEMENTState volcanologists also observed an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake, located on Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” which sits in the middle of Taal Lake. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 last year, the volcano also released a high volume of toxic volcanic gas when it emitted 11,437 MT of SO2 daily. ADVERTISEMENTLocal health officials have yet to issue a public advisory on the harm brought by the high volume of toxic volcanic gas. According to the state volcanologist, Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest).

'World's best beach': Why you should visit Port Barton in PalawanMANILA, Philippines — Yet another invitation to visit the picturesque coastal town of Port Barton in San Vicente, Palawan… This time, it’s from a tourist guide’s point of view, as she sums up the best that the place has to offer. For one, it’s got the best beach in the world, according to Big 7 Travel. Second reason: Island hopping adventures here allow visitors to experience majestic views, with snorkeling giving you all the right reasons to love coral reefs and schools of fish passing by. Number 3 and probably the best reason for foodies to head straight to Port Barton: Indulge in the freshest spread of seafood and meats all you want! — Video by Philstar.com / Enrico Alonzo

556 E-bike crashes recorded in NCR in 2023 — LTFRBMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said that there were 556 crash incidents of electric bikes (e-bikes) in Metro Manila in 2023. According to LTFRB’s data sent to reporters, the e-bike crashes in the National Capital Region (NCR) resulted in 281 instances of property damage, 273 non-fatal injuries and two fatal injuries. Crash incidents peaked in August 2023 with 64 cases, while the lowes recorded totaled to 26 cases in November 2023. Quezon City posted the highest number of incidents among cities in the NCR with 96 e-bike crash cases. According to LTO Administrative Order 2021-035, electric vehicles that have a maximum speed below 25 kilometers per hour are exempt from registration with the LTO.