US police look into 'hate crime' after Palestinian students shot
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Three university students of Palestinian descent were wounded in a shooting in the city of Burlington, Vermont over the weekend, in what police said appeared to be a "hate-motivated crime." A police statement said two of the victims were in stable condition, and the third suffered "much more serious injuries." The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee said: "We have reason to believe this shooting occurred because the victims are Arab." It called on Vermont authorities to investigate the shooting as a hate crime. The shooting came as civil rights groups have warned of a rise in hate crimes against Arab and Muslim Americans.
Source:Manila Times
November 27, 2023 09:55 UTC
De Lima urges probe of former Justice chiefs after CA ruling
De Lima urges probe of former Justice chiefs after CA rulingFormer Philippine senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima talks during an interview with AFP in Manila on November 24, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila de Lima has called for the investigation into former Justice chiefs Vitaliano Aguirre II and Menardo Guevarra after the Court of Appeals ordered the Office of the Ombudsman to act on her complaints against the two. De Lima secured another legal victory as the CA reversed the Ombudsman's dismissal of her complaints against Aguirre and Guevarra over the government’s use of convicted criminals as state witnesses. “With the reversal of the Ombudsman dismissal by the CA, I expect the Ombudsman to now conduct a full investigation of both Aguirre and Guevarra,” De Lima said. De Lima appealed the Ombudsman decision dismissing her complaints with the CA and the Supreme Court in 2020.
Source:Philippine Star
November 27, 2023 08:03 UTC
Gender consideration urged for infrastructure projects
WOMEN should be given opportunities to take part in infrastructure development as the region continues to recover from the pandemic, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday. "As we try to close a huge infrastructure gap in Asia and the Pacific, we must integrate gender considerations across all stages of the infrastructure development cycle," the ADB said. The Manila-based lender stressed that while women should theoretically comprise half of the workforce in the infrastructure sector, the lack of acknowledgment and understanding of gender disparities results in insufficient integration of gender considerations into infrastructure design. The bank stated that Asia and the Pacific faced a significant infrastructure gap, requiring annual investments of $1.7 trillion, which the public sector alone cannot cover. Moreover, ADB highlighted that these partnerships could leverage the government's role in delivering essential public infrastructure projects.
Source:Manila Times
November 26, 2023 23:09 UTC
Seven-month-old baby hurled from car in accident on Tolo Highway
A seven-month-old infant boy was flung from the car after a traffic accident in Tai Po on Sunday, while four others were also injured. The 53-year-old driver lost control of his 7-seater and rammed into the road divider on Tolo Highway near Classical Gardens at 2.44 pm. The door on the left suddenly opened, which resulted in a foreign domestic helper and the baby boy being thrown out of the car. The infant was conscious and was rushed to the Prince of Wales Hospital wearing a neck brace. The driver, his wife, and another friend were all sent to the hospital for treatment.
Source:The Standard
November 26, 2023 21:31 UTC
A stampede during a music festival in southern India university has killed at least 4 students
A stampede during a music festival at a university in southern India on Saturday killed at least four students and injured 60 others, according to news agency Press Trust of India. The disaster happened at the Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala state where students were enjoying a live musical event that was interrupted by rain, leading the audience to scamper for shelter that resulted in a stampede. At least two people among the injured are in critical condition, news website Indian Express reported. Pinarayi Vijayan, the top elected official in Kerala, said he had ordered an investigation.
Source:The Standard
November 26, 2023 16:52 UTC
Anne Jakrajutatip calls Miss Universe 2023 'one of the best, most-watched' in pageant's history
Anne Jakrajutatip calls Miss Universe 2023 'one of the best, most-watched' in pageant's historyMANILA, Philippines — Thai businesswoman and Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip has called this year's Miss Universe show as "one of the best and most-watched Miss Universe shows in many years." Sheynnis Palacios took home Nicaragua's first crown at the end of the coronation night on November 18 held in San Salvador, El Salvador. She was warmly welcomed yesterday night when she arrived from her Miss Universe stint, that included a stop in Mexico, the host country of Miss Universe 2024. A week before the Miss Universe 2023 coronation night, Thai media company JKN Global Group, owned by Jakrajutatip, has filed for bankruptcy. JKN said that it will try to resolve a “liquidity problem.”RELATED: Liquidity woes cause Miss Universe owner to declare bankruptcy days before pageant
Source:Philippine Star
November 26, 2023 16:11 UTC
SWS: More Filipinos feel quality of life declining
SWS: More Filipinos feel quality of life decliningA man pushes a trolley along a market in Manila on May 11, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The number of Filipinos who reported a decline in their quality of life over the past year has increased in the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations. The latest survey resulted in a “net gainer” score of -2, classified by the polling firm as “fair.”“The September 2023 net gainer score was 13 points below the very high +11 in June 2023. The pollster explained that the net gainer score was “generally negative” until 2015 when it rose to positive numbers. 13-point declineAccording to SWS, the decline in the nationwide net gainer score was due to decreases in all areas.
Source:Philippine Star
November 26, 2023 16:02 UTC
Nonoy, Cansino brace for finals
(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines: ONCE teammates at UST, Mark Nonoy and CJ Cansino now meet from the opposing sides in the first-ever La Salle-UP finals duel in UAAP men's basketball history. As their paths crossed as rivals this time, Nonoy said he and Cansino, both playing their respective final UAAP seasons, will give the fans a treat on the court. Nonoy said it feels good to make the Finals again and vows to the La Salle community that the Green Archers will do their best against the Fighting Maroons. We want to thank all those people who support us and I hope they keep on supporting us, the whole La Salle community [keep on supporting us]. Nonoy and Cansino aren't the only teammates turned rivals in this UP-La Salle finals duel.
Source:Manila Times
November 26, 2023 10:51 UTC
Israel, Hamas complete 2nd day of swaps after tense delay
The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. In the West Bank, hundreds of people burst into wild celebrations for a second night as a busload of Palestinian prisoners arrived early Sunday. Most were from Kibbutz Be’eri, a community Hamas militants ravaged during their Oct. 7 cross-border attack. The mother of one of the released hostages, 12-year-old Hila Rotem, remained in captivity, the spokesperson said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 26, 2023 08:05 UTC
4 dead, dozens injured in south India stampede
New Delhi: At least four people were killed and dozens injured Saturday evening in a stampede at a university in southern India, local officials and media reported. The stampede occurred at an outdoor auditorium in the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in southwest Kerala state, where a concert had been planned. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Kerala state governor Arif Mohammed Khan said he was "deeply shocked and grieved to know about the sad demise of four students" at CUSAT. Prayers for speedy recovery of injured," he added. State Health Minister Veena George said in a statement that four people had been brought dead to the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital while four more were in critical condition, the PTI news agency reported, adding that over 60 people had been injured.
Source:Manila Times
November 26, 2023 01:41 UTC
CDC chief hailed as Asia Leaders Awards 'Woman of the Year'
Agnes Devanadera was recognized as the "Woman of the Year" at the Asia Leaders Awards 2023 held at the Manila Hotel on November 20. Devanadera received the prestigious award in recognition of her achievements as a public servant, earning her the title "Woman of Many Firsts." She said she is hoping for a day when these nurtured leaders will collectively shape a better world. Every woman has to be a good wife, a good mother, a good sister, and now, in our age, a good grandmother. More leaders who one day will also join in the ripples in the very big ocean.
Source:Manila Times
November 26, 2023 00:34 UTC
China holds military drills along violence-hit Myanmar border
BEIJING: China began military exercises along its border with Myanmar on Saturday and urged its citizens to leave that country's northeast, which has been beset by fighting since last month. The groups have seized dozens of military positions and a town that is important for trade with China. Beijing informed Myanmar's military government about the exercises, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said Saturday, adding that the armed forces would "cooperate with China to work for peace and border stability." A significant proportion of Myanmar's trade with China transits through this region. China on Friday for its citizens to leave northern Myanmar "as soon as possible" and to stay away from the fighting.
Source:Manila Times
November 25, 2023 16:55 UTC
Rescuers hit snags in bid to free tunnel workers
SILKYARA TUNNEL, India: Indian rescuers on Saturday brought in a new digging machine to open a vertical shaft to free 41 workers trapped inside a collapsed road tunnel for two weeks, after efforts through another route hit snags just meters from reaching the men. DELAYED AGAIN A general view of the Silkyara tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state, northern India on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, nearly two weeks after it collapsed, trapping 41 workers inside. After the massive drill stopped, rescuers attempting to reach the men through the blocked main tunnel entrance are now working to clear the route without it, rescue officials said. "The work of reaching the laborers trapped inside is in the final stages," Ruhela told AFP. Though trapped, they have plenty of space in the tunnel, with the area inside 8.5 m high and stretching about 2 kilometers in length.
Source:Manila Times
November 25, 2023 16:36 UTC
De Lima pursues 'mass murderer' Duterte
De Lima pursues 'mass murderer' DuterteFormer Philippine senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima talks during an interview with AFP in Manila on Nov. 24, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Freed after nearly seven years behind bars, Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima told AFP on Friday she prays for her safety as she seeks to bring "mass murderer" Rodrigo Duterte to justice. While "extremely happy" to be free, the former senator, justice minister and human rights commissioner said she was taking precautions in case Duterte went after her. De Lima, 64, paid a heavy price for her unflinching pursuit of justice, as Duterte and his allies sought to silence her. Shortly after her release, de Lima was reunited with her 91-year-old bedridden mother, who she had not seen in years.
Source:Philippine Star
November 25, 2023 16:28 UTC
As Thanksgiving Weekend Ends, Travel Hazards Loom with Two Feet of Snow Forecast
Thanksgiving Travel Hazards: Potential for Two Feet of Snow Creates Challenges Across the Rockies and MidwestRockies and Midwest Brace for Two Feet of Snow, Challenging Road Conditions AheadAccording to source, as millions of Americans conclude their Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a mixed weather forecast introduces potential travel hazards, with clear skies dominating most areas but predictions of two feet of snow in the Rockies and Midwest. AAA estimates that over 49 million drivers will hit the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. The tragic events underscore the risks associated with holiday travel, emphasizing the importance of caution and preparedness, especially as adverse weather conditions, including the potential for two feet of snow, impact some regions. Despite these challenges, the Thanksgiving holiday season is anticipated to be exceptionally busy, with travelers across the country navigating a complex landscape of weather-related concerns and potential travel disruptions. READ ALSO: Snowstorm and Cold Air to Disrupt Thanksgiving Travel Across Rockies and Plains, Triggering Winter Weather Alerts
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 25, 2023 14:36 UTC