Landslide in Indonesia kills at least 11; dozens missing
A landslide caused by torrential rain killed at least 11 people and left dozens of others missing on an island in Indonesia’s remote Natuna regency on Monday, disaster officials said. Tons of mud fell from surrounding hills onto houses in Serasan village in Natuna. Rescuers recovered at least 11 bodies and authorities fear that the death toll will rise, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said. “Many people who need help have not been reached because we still have difficulty accessing the affected areas,” Muhari said, adding that authorities estimated that about 50 people were still missing. Seasonal downpours cause frequent landslides and floods in Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or in fertile flood plains.
Source:The Standard
March 07, 2023 01:44 UTC
Chan follows in boss's video footsteps
Just like his boss, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki also starred in the latest Hello Hong Kong promotional video. Chan uploaded his "Hello Hong Kong" video - in English and Mandarin - on Facebook, saying: "Following the Chief Executive, I also stand on the stage as a salesman, promoting Hong Kong's unique attractiveness as the connection between China and the West; the past and the present." In the video, he says: "Come and enjoy an unforgettable journey with us. See you in Hong Kong!"
Source:The Standard
March 07, 2023 01:12 UTC
27 million Pinoys overweight or obese – global pharmaceutical firm
MANILA, Philippines — Around 27 million Filipinos are considered overweight or obese, according to a leading global health care company as World Obesity Day was observed last Saturday. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, according to the WHO. Novo Nordisk also noted that over one billion people worldwide are affected by the global obesity epidemic – that include 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children. “Obesity is not just about being overweight; it is a chronic disease that affects the whole body. “By continuously advocating for evidence-based approaches to prevent and manage obesity, medical societies can help change the narrative around this chronic disease.
Source:Philippine Star
March 07, 2023 01:03 UTC
(Pictures) Hongkongers and tourists charmed by the spell of ‘villain hitting’ on Jingzhe
Hongkongers and tourists from the mainland and Taiwan waited in long lines underneath Canal Road Flyover in Causeway Bay for “villain hitting” today (Mon) on Jingzhe, or called Insects Awakening, – the third of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. A Sichuan tourist surnamed Qian said she came for “villain hitting” to comfort herself, hoping to resolve gossip surrounding her and a legal dispute. Another tourist surnamed Chen from Dongguan said “villain hitting” has become an annual habit for him and all he wants is inner peace. The ‘villain’ has now been taken care of,” said the wife called Miky, who recently came to Hong Kong for work. Mr. Wan, who has been in this profession for years, expected more tourists to visit him after the borders reopened.
Source:The Standard
March 06, 2023 22:35 UTC
‘NayTay’
Solo parents face a unique set of challenges as they assume the role of both mother and father, essentially becoming a ‘NayTay’ (nanay at tatay). As such, it is important that the government and private sector promote policies and programs that support and help solo parents in the country. The law aims to provide certain benefits to ensure that solo parents are given equal opportunities, as well as rights and privileges under the law. This new law, RA 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, significantly amended the provisions of RA 8972. Solo parents earning a minimum wage or below will receive a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000 from their respective local government units.
Source:Philippine Star
March 06, 2023 17:59 UTC
Atlas Mining income down 17%
Atlas Mining income down 17%MANILA, Philippines — Lower production volumes and high costs weighed down the net earnings of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. last year. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, Atlas Mining ended 2022 with a consolidated net income of P3.22 billion, 17 percent percent lower than the P3.86 billion recorded in 2021. Copper metal produced decreased by 10 percent to 74.45 million pounds while gold produced went down by 11 percent to 22,339 ounces. Despite the higher second half production, year-on-year copper metal production decreased to 82.41 million pounds from 107.09 million pounds in 2020 mainly due to the decrease in copper grades by 19 percent to 0.247 percent. Copper metal price stood at $4.02 per pound, lower by six percent while gold price was steady at $1,804 per ounce.
Source:Philippine Star
March 06, 2023 17:58 UTC
Abando, Tamayo, benefiting from diversity of Asian leagues — EASL founder
Following the successful staging of the 2023 East Asia Super League Champions Week in Japan, EASL founder and chief executive officer Matt Beyer believes Filipino young talents will greatly benefit from the "diversity of the Asian domestic cage leagues." Former NCAA Most Valuable Player Rhenz Abando and young Gilas standout Carl Tamayo are just two of the latest young Filipino players, who were recruited to play in Korea and Japan, respectively. In fact, the high-leaping Abando, who just last January won the Slam Dunk contest in the Korean Basketball League All-Star Weekend, made significant contributions to help Anyang KGC capture the EASL Champions Week title Sunday night. Ryukyu though dropped to the battle for third due to lower points differential against Abando's Anyang side. The Golden Kings eventually, played fourth in the EASL Champions Week after bowing to the Bay Area Dragons, 90-70 Sunday night.
Source:Manila Times
March 06, 2023 11:59 UTC
Customs seizes suspected ice drug worth about HK$1.1 million at airport
Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a market value of about HK$1.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday. Officers inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying handicrafts, arriving in Hong Kong from Africa and found the batch of suspected methamphetamine concealed inside two djembes. A 36-year-old male driver was arrested as he was suspected of being hired by the drug traffickers to collect the consignment at an air cargo terminal and intended to send it to rural areas in Yuen Long. An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail.
Source:The Standard
March 06, 2023 11:41 UTC
Easing of rules in India to support right to ‘die with dignity’
NEW DELHI – Back in December 2020, Dr Nikhil Datar pledged to donate his organs and hopefully save lives even after his death. He took another step recently – this time to ensure his death is as painless and dignified as possible. “One of the offshoots of advances in medical care is the possibility of prolonging someone’s death meaninglessly,” Dr Datar told The Straits Times. In India, those pushing for greater adoption of living wills are hopeful the recent relaxation will encourage a wider discussion about the need for such a document and promote its adoption in India. The court’s latest order will also create a better understanding of death and dying in India, “correctly orienting the society to the needs of the dying”, he added.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 05, 2023 20:45 UTC
Grizzlies' Morant suspended by team after gun video
LOS ANGELES: Memphis Grizzlies NBA star Ja Morant was suspended by his team for at least two games on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) after posting a video where he appeared to display a gun in a nightclub. Ja Morant AFP PHOTOThe Grizzlies issued a statement saying that Morant "will be away from the team for at least the next two games". That will mean Morant will not play on Sunday against the LA Clippers or Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. "Ja Morant's fault is his own, and I'm proud of him for owning it. "It doesn't matter where Ja Morant is from or how he grew up, he's making truly catastrophic decisions," tweeted journalist Jemele Hill.
Source:Manila Times
March 05, 2023 11:36 UTC
Duterte OKs remote learning during transport strike
Duterte OKs remote learning during transport strikeJeepneys ply their routes in Manila on Tuesday ahead of the anticipated week-long transport strike next week by transport groups calling on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to shelve the public utility vehicle modernization program. Saying that learning recovery is the priority of the Department of Education, Duterte called the transport strike “pointless” and delivered scathing remarks to a teachers' group that threw its support behind the strike. It does not include the pointless weeklong transport strike supported by (the Alliance of Concerned Teachers),” Duterte said in a message to reporters. “I maintain that during this communist-inspired weeklong strike, both in-person and alternative delivery modes of learning shall be implemented, whichever is convenient to the learners,” Duterte said. Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said that the transport strike will cover roads in Metro Manila.
Source:Philippine Star
March 05, 2023 08:01 UTC
Company training needs today
Company training needs todaySo here we go. In my interaction with HR people, there is no disagreement that training, learning and development today entail a severe look into training trends and requirements as the world enters a post-pandemic economy. Companies will prioritize training their employees to understand and apply technology to improve processes, and cybersecurity training programs will become essential for building knowledge on cybersecurity best practices. Companies need solutions that provide both in-office and remote workers with a quality training experience, focusing on communication and inclusion to help those working from home feel like part of the company. Offering a lifelong learning journey, from upskilling to reskilling, means offering training that improves the work environment, from technical skills to leadership development to diversity and inclusion training.
Source:Philippine Star
March 05, 2023 07:37 UTC
Israelis rally again against government’s judicial overhaul
TEL AVIV — Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israeli cities for the ninth straight week on Saturday to fight a government plan to overhaul the country’s court system. Saturday night’s demonstrations in Tel Aviv and other locations began peacefully. However, footage released by police later showed protesters breaking down barriers in Tel Aviv and igniting fires as they blocked roads. Proponents say the Supreme Court needs to be reined in from overreaching into the political sphere. The intensity of the protests have been heightened since Wednesday, when Israeli police fired stun grenades and scuffles broke out in Tel Aviv during a nationwide “day of disruption” .
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 05, 2023 01:12 UTC
Japan PM hit for tying debt relief to having babies
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has come under fire for his party’s proposal to reduce student debt for those who have children, as the country struggles to raise its low birthrate. Kishida has pledged “unprecedented” measures to tackle the country’s perennially low birthrate, and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is reportedly drafting a set of policy recommendations on the issue for the government. ADVERTISEMENTBut the reported debt forgiveness plan has sparked anger. “This is a policy that requires a child in return for reducing scholarship debts, (it is) … a bad, unprecedented measure to tackle the low birthrate,” Ishigaki said. “We are discussing this as an expansion of support for child-rearing rather than a policy linked to childbirth,” he told TV Asahi.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 05, 2023 00:31 UTC
Petro Gazz boots out Army, bolsters semis bid
Petro Gazz booted out Army Black Mamba, 25-21, 25-10, 25-13, from semifinals contention on Saturday, March 4 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Center. With their second straight win at the expense of the Lady Troopers, the Angels improved to the third best win-loss record of 4-2, bolstering its semifinals bid. Army Black Mamba, on the other hand, stayed winless at 0-6 this conference and stretched its winning run to 17 games dating back to the Invitational Conference last year.
Source:Manila Times
March 04, 2023 21:50 UTC