Shops reminded to get rid of plastic tableware as end of grace period nears
Businesses previously found failed to have complied with a citywide ban on single-use plastics during the transition period will be the first to get checked by officials starting October 21, as the six-month adaptation period ends. The first phase of the ban, which took effect on April 22, prohibits the supply of Styrofoam and disposable plastic tableware for dine-in meals, alongside a prohibition on the sale of these items. Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan wrote in his blog on Saturday that authorities would prioritize inspecting retailers to ensure restricted single-use plastic cutlery and products would no longer be available. They will then receive a fixed penalty ticket if they still cannot meet the rules after the 10-day period. He also quoted the local chain restaurants as saying that the six-month grace period is sufficient for them to clear out their inventory of single-use plastic tableware and make a switch to alternatives.
Source:The Standard
October 12, 2024 13:04 UTC
US slams China’s ‘increasingly dangerous’ moves
US slams China’s ‘increasingly dangerous’ movesPresident Marcos shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the 12th Asean-US summit in Vientiane, Laos yesterday. “These should all reinforce ASEAN centrality and if implemented, provide a framework to help manage disputes in the South China Sea,” he said. “I believe we all recognize that the South China Sea is a strategic challenge that cannot be readily solved. “We must all remain open so as to seriously manage differences and reduce tensions,” he said, noting that tensions ramain in the South China Sea. “These kinds of behavior cannot be ignored, and demand of us concerted and serious efforts to truly manage our disputes in the South China Sea,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
October 12, 2024 05:09 UTC
WTO slightly raises 2024 goods trade forecast
GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Trade Organization (WTO) raised its outlook for global goods trade this year slightly, but cautioned on Thursday that increasing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over economy policy pose "substantial" risks to its forecast. The World Trade Organization on Thursday slightly raised its trade outlook this year but is proceeding with caution amid the problems the world is facing. AP PHOTOThe Geneva-based WTO projected that global goods trade will increase by 2.7 percent this year, compared with the 2.6 percent it forecast in April. Last year, the volume of world merchandise trade was down 1.1 percent, pushed lower by high inflation and rising interest rates. The global trade body cautioned that "rising geopolitical tensions and increased economic policy uncertainty continue to pose substantial downside risks to the forecast."
Source:Manila Times
October 12, 2024 04:15 UTC
How many children were killed in Hamas's October 7 attack?
REUTERS - AMMAR AWADA year on from Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, unsubstantiated claims about the number of children killed have maintained traction, whereas an AFP tally established that 37 minors died, including two babies. According to an AFP tally based on data from Israeli authorities, only two children under the age of five were confirmed killed during the onslaught. In total, 10 minors were killed at Beeri on October 7, and 10 others were taken captive to Gaza, AFP's tally showed. Six Bedouin children aged between five to 15 and a 12-year-old Jewish boy were also killed on October 7 by rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel. The other minors killed by Hamas commandos died in kibbutz communities, on Zikim Beach north of Gaza.
Source:The Standard
October 12, 2024 04:12 UTC
Tax revenues rise to P2.77 trillion in 9 months
Tax revenues rise to P2.77 trillion in 9 monthsPreliminary data released by the Department of Finance showed that tax collections from January to September reached P2.77 trillion. Preliminary data released by the Department of Finance showed that tax collections from January to September reached P2.77 trillion. This is nine percent higher than the P2.54 trillion revenues in the same period last year. Tax revenues are expected to account for 89 percent of overall revenue collections for the year at P4.269 trillion. For September alone, tax revenues reached P212 billion, 9.2 percent lower than the P233.53 billion in collections last year.
Source:Philippine Star
October 11, 2024 20:31 UTC
Inexorable
Not one of them so far commits to bring down the national debt during their tenure. The debt has become an inexorable force in our nation’s life. Unfortunately, any politician who commits to bring down the national debt will never win an elective post. Bringing down the national debt will require a lot of fiscal discipline. When the Philippines experienced a debt crisis in the early 80s, the event nearly killed our economy.
Source:Philippine Star
October 11, 2024 20:31 UTC
Rafael Nadal gave his all until he simply couldn't anymore and had to retire – analysis
AP PHOTO Rafael Nadal reacts waves after the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. Nadal won that one, 9-7 in the fifth set amidst the dying evening light, part of the left-hander's supremacy head-to-head. I always hoped this day would never come," Federer posted Thursday. A few months after that Laver Cup, Nadal hurt his hip and eventually would have surgery in June 2023. He went 112-4 in the Slam held at Roland Garros, with titles arriving in 2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-20 and 2022.
Source:Manila Times
October 11, 2024 17:50 UTC
A supermarket chain partners for sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY as a business practice entails reducing waste, saving energy and using resources wisely to lessen the impact on the environment. For SM Markets, it also means integrating into their operations like-minded partners to bring about responsible development in the communities they serve. PHOTO FROM SM MARKETSFor example, Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc., an SM supplier partner since 2000, sources paper from sustainable tree farms and avoids harmful chemicals in its products. It recycles and upcycles waste, repurposing food scraps into fertilizers and fish feed for local ecosystems like the Samal Island fish sanctuary. Jojo Tagbo, SM Supermarket president, says they are "continually finding ways to be more sustainable in our operations and bring our partners along on this journey."
Source:Manila Times
October 11, 2024 17:21 UTC
SC ruling protects workers resigning due to workplace mistreatment – CHR
MANILA, Philippines — A Supreme Court (SC) ruling recognizing that an employee’s resignation due to workplace mistreatment is considered a constructive illegal dismissal upholds workers’ protection from toxic work environments, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Friday. The SC Second Division ruled that verbal abuse, indifferent behavior, and demotion towards employees which force them to leave their jobs can be considered constructive illegal dismissal. READ: Constructive illegal dismissal“The Commission believes that this ruling reaffirms the protection of employees from coercive work environments and underscores the accountability of employers who subject their staff to hostile treatment,” the CHR said in a statement, commending the SC for the ruling. “This ruling serves as a strong reminder that all workers, as right-holders, deserve to work in environments free from abuse, coercion, and hostility,” it added. CHR reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of workers and said it will continue to push for policies and actions that respect dignity in the workplace.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 11, 2024 15:37 UTC
Breakfast with Joey
However, he eventually got tired of being in the financial sector, especially after a controversy over alleged insider trading accusations and decided to become a politician. However, he eventually got tired of being in the financial sector, especially after a controversy over alleged insider trading accusations and decided to become a politician. Joey is also advocating for the regulation of cryptocurrency, which, unfortunately, the Philippines continues to be unfamiliar with and suspicious of, leading to scams. Joey points out that the outflow of Chinese funds is due to the collapsing real estate economy of China. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the charitable projects of the embassy.
Source:Philippine Star
October 11, 2024 12:09 UTC
HEADLINES: Marcos challenges China over clashes | October 11, 2024
READ: Marcos challenges China over clashesPresident Ferdinand Marcos challenged Chinese Premier Li Qiang over recent clashes in the South China Sea at regional summit talks on Thursday, as fears grow that conflict could erupt in the disputed waterway. Garcia said that the 155 accredited party-lists were comprised of 113 groups that were previously accredited in past elections while the 42 others were newly accredited groups. He pointed out that the number of partylist groups for the 2025 elections is lower compared to the 177 filers in the last 2022 polls. Electronics remained the country's top export, accounting for $3.57 billion or 52.9 percent of total exports in August. The United States was the biggest buyer of Philippine-made goods during the month, having purchased $1.22 billion or 18.1 percent of total exports.
Source:Manila Times
October 11, 2024 01:06 UTC
Indian PM Modi a 'total killer' – Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican White House candidate Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "total killer" on Wednesday as he discussed foreign leaders during a media blitz for the final stretch of his election campaign. He's a friend of mine," Trump told a podcast with millions of subscribers hosted by standup comedian Andrew Schultz. Modi hosted Trump at an even bigger US-style rally in his home state of Gujarat during Trump's last year in office, before an estimated 100,000 supporters. AdvertisementTrump — who, like Modi, has been accused of discriminating against Muslims — has stood by the Indian leader through multiple controversies, including the revocation of autonomy for Muslim-majority Kashmir. "We had a couple of occasions where somebody was threatening India," Trump told Schultz.
Source:Manila Times
October 10, 2024 22:10 UTC
Gov't crafting plan to repatriate over 400 Pinoys from Lebanon
00:00 How are we going to bring the Filipinos back home to Lebanon? 00:08 There are more than 400 now who would want to be repatriated. 00:18 Sir, does this mean a mandatory repatriation? 00:23 Sir, when are we going to call for a mandatory repatriation? 00:27 When are we going to raise the alert level 4?
Source:Manila Bulletin
October 10, 2024 20:32 UTC
ASEAN to 'formulate new strategies' to address Myanmar situation—Marcos
00:00 What is the position of the Philippines regarding the five points of consensus? 00:30 We have not been very successful in actually changing the situation, so we are trying to formulate new strategies. 00:40 What could be the new orders?
Source:Manila Bulletin
October 10, 2024 20:32 UTC
Taal Volcano spews 2.8-km plume following minor phreatic eruption
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Taal Volcano experienced a minor phreatic or steam-driven eruption at 7:21 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, which produced a plume that reached a height of 2.8 kilometers. Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 is still in effect for Taal Volcano, which has been under this alert status since July 11, 2022. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/10/taal-volcano-spews-2-8-km-plumeSubscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews
Source:Manila Bulletin
October 10, 2024 20:32 UTC