DOST tags 5 hospitals as sites for trials of potential COVID-19 vaccines
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has identified five hospitals as sites for clinical trials… Keep Reading
Binay: LGUs shouldn’t be pressed to reopen for tourism; health and safety first
MANILA, Philippines — Local government units fearing a surge of COVID-19 infections need not be pressured to open up their areas for tourists. Senator Nancy Binay said this Wednesday as the government started to ease restrictions and sees domestic tourism as a jumping point to revive the industry amid the pandemic. “I think [at] the… Keep Reading
Most of Cebu City's Covid-19 patients at home, village centers
RECOVERED. Forty-two Covid-19 patients are in jubilant mood after receiving the good news that they have recovered while in isolation at the Cebu City Quarantine Center in the North Reclamation Area on July 3, 2020. The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas reported that 63 percent of active Covid-19 cases in Cebu City are… Keep Reading
2nd wave of virus may leave 80M people unemployed: OECD
ANKARA – A second wave of the novel coronavirus around the world could leave 80 million people out of work in the world’s developed nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) said in a report. “Up to 10 times fewer hours were worked in some countries, compared with the first few first months of the… Keep Reading
UN expert urges global ban on gay ‘conversion therapy’
A United Nations rights expert called Wednesday for a global ban on “conversion therapy” aimed at changing the sexuality of LGBT people, calling such practices “degrading and discriminatory.” Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the independent expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, made the call as he presented a report to… Keep Reading
Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases now above a half-million
JOHANNESBURG — Africa now has more than a half-million confirmed coronavirus cases. The continent-wide total is over 508,000, according to figures released Wednesday by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after South Africa recorded another day of more than 10,000 confirmed cases as a new global hot spot. The true number of cases… Keep Reading
DOT to issue 'new normal' protocols for MICE
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is crafting specific health and safety protocols for other tourism sectors, including the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) in line with the “new normal” brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. “We will be issuing very soon guidelines for MICE facilities, meeting facilities, travel and tours, tour… Keep Reading
Hundreds rounded up in QC for not wearing face masks
The Amoranto Stadium seemed to be the venue of a mass gathering on Wednesday after hundreds of residents were apprehended by Quezon City (QC) authorities for allegedly not wearing face masks while out in public. Read More Keep Reading
In UK libel case, Johnny Depp denies hitting ex-wife Amber Heard
LONDON — Johnny Depp denied hitting ex-wife Amber Heard in a jealous rage, dangling her tiny dog out a car window and being a Jekyll-and-Hyde monster, as he was cross-examined for a second day Wednesday by a lawyer for British tabloid The Sun. The newspaper is defending a libel claim after calling the Hollywood star… Keep Reading
P1-M shabu seized in 2 locked down Cebu City villages
ANTI-DRUG OPS. An agent of PDEA-7 conducts inventory of the 100 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP680,000 confiscated from suspects Jorda Fiel Miral (center), 31, and Romualdo Bijasa Jr. (right), 36, both residents of Barangay Ermita, Cebu City who were nabbed on Tuesday (July 7, 2020). PDEA-7 said despite the hard lockdown imposed in 20… Keep Reading
‘Kadiwa’ helps Aklanons during community quarantine
COVID RESPONSE. Kalibo mayor Emerson Lachica expresses gratitude to the government for helping their municipality amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Lachica was guest in the Network Briefing hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Wednesday (July 8, 2020). (Photo by Network Briefing) ILOILO CITY – The municipality of Kalibo in Aklan… Keep Reading
Ethiopia’s week of unrest sees 239 dead, 3,500 arrested
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — At least 239 people have been killed and 3,500 arrested in more than a week of unrest in Ethiopia that poses the biggest challenge yet to its Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister. In the Oromia region, the toll includes 215 civilians along with nine police officers and five militia members, regional… Keep Reading
36-year old OFW brings Digos’ 12th COVID-19 case
DIGOS CITY—An overseas Filipino worker, who returned from Kuwait in June, is this city’s 12th COVID-19 patient. The 36-year old woman first tested negative when she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on June 1. When she arrived here on June 27, the OFW was brought to the city’s isolation unit for quarantine. Results… Keep Reading
Jogger finds severed, decomposing head on side of road
A jogger made a disturbing discovery during her usual morning run in the form of a severed human head, decomposing by the roadside in Florida, United States. The head was found in St. Petersburg yesterday morning, July 7, by a jogger who immediately reported her discovery to the police, the St. Petersburg Police Department said… Keep Reading
Digitalization, answer to transportation under ‘new normal’: DOTr
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade (File photo) MANILA – As the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to spread across the globe, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said its policies on transportation will focus on digitalization as the country navigates the “new normal.” During the online pre-State of the Nation Address forum on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary… Keep Reading
WHO says Sri Lanka and Maldives eliminate measles, rubella
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka and Maldives have become the first two countries in the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of a 2023 target, the U.N. health agency announced Wednesday. “This success is encouraging and demonstrates the importance of joint efforts” in combating diseases as the… Keep Reading
China defends WHO, lashes out at US move to withdraw
BEIJING — China on Wednesday defended the World Health Organization and lashed out at the U.S. decision to withdraw from the U.N. body. Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the move was “another demonstration of the U.S. pursuing unilateralism, withdrawing from groups and breaking contracts.” WHO is “the most authoritative and professional international institution in… Keep Reading
QC doing contact tracing of employees possibly exposed to Joy Belmonte
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City local government is doing contact tracing among city hall employees who may have encountered Mayor Joy Belmonte days ago after the local chief executive tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QCESU) chief Dr. Rolly Cruz said that city hall employees, especially those whose… Keep Reading
John O, former senator, wins battle with COVID-19
CEBU CITY—Former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmea won his battle with COVID-19. Osmea, 84, was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday (July 8) after at least 20 days of fighting SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Ferliza Contratista, Toledo City community affairs and development officer, posted on social media a photo of Osmea smiling… Keep Reading
Enhanced travel insurance mulled as requirement to exit PH
MANILA – A travel medical insurance with additional two weeks or 15 days coverage may soon be required before a Filipino traveler can exit the country, a ranking Department of Tourism (DOT) official said Wednesday. “Ang napag-usapan doon sa technical working group ay malamang tataasan natin ‘yong insurance coverage, in fact, isa sa mga napag-uusapan is… Keep Reading
17 new confirmed Covid-19 cases reported in W. Visayas
POSITIVE. Western Visayas recorded 17 additional confirmed Covid-19 cases on Wednesday (July 8, 2020). Except for one who is admitted to a hospital, the rest of the new cases are under facility quarantine. (Photo by DOH-CHD6) ILOILO CITY – Confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the region rose to 412 with 17 new cases recorded by the… Keep Reading
NegOr marks Disaster Resilience Month with focus on Covid-19
Adrian Sedillo, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Negros Oriental. (PNA file photo courtesy of Capitol PIO) DUMAGUETE CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Negros Oriental is asking for public cooperation on disaster response and mitigation programs, with a focus on the fight against… Keep Reading
Bohol exec asks NGCP to fast-track power interconnection project
Google map of Bohol province TAGBILARAN CITY – Governor Arthur Yap has pressed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to present a clustered work program and timeline to fast-track the power interconnection project in Bohol province. Yap raised this concern on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with NGCP officials, 1st District Rep. Edgar Chatto,… Keep Reading
WHO refrains from commenting on planned US withdrawal
GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday stopped short of commenting on a recent US decision to officially withdraw from the UN organization at the height of the coronavirus outbreak. The UN office in Geneva said the office of the Secretary-General had been notified by the US that it planned to withdraw from… Keep Reading
Couple swept away by huge wave during wedding pictorial by the beach
A couple was swept away by a massive wave during a wedding photo shoot at a beach in California, United States. The bride and groom were posing on a rock in Treasure Island Beach when the wave hit, as per ABC-affiliate KABC last Thursday, July 2. One eyewitness named Ionel Coroama captured the incident on… Keep Reading
Opt for cremation, Bello urges kin of OFWs who died of non-COVID-19 causes
MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday advised families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died due to causes unrelated to COVID-19 to opt for the cremation of their remains, which are set to return home from Saudi Arabia next week. “Under the strict protocol na ‘yung mga namatay sa COVID-19 ay… Keep Reading
Easterlies to bring clouds, rains in many parts of PH – Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines —Easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific region, will bring clouds and rain in many areas nationwide, the state weather bureau said Wednesday. Based on its 5 p.m. July 8 bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the easterlies, which bring hot and humid weather, is the prevailing weather… Keep Reading
DOH warns vs COVID-19 money-making venture: P80,000 per bag of plasma from cured Cebu City villagers
CEBU CITY—The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas has warned hospitals against processing plasma from patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and are making money out of it. At an online press conference, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, regional DOH spokesperson, said her office received reports that some people, who had recovered from COVID-19, are… Keep Reading
Cayetano denies ‘rumors of threats’ from certain groups, House leaders on ABS-CBN franchise vote
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano denied on Wednesday rumors that certain religious groups and leaders in the House of Representatives are using “threat and intimidation” to influence the votes of other lawmakers on granting media giant ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise. Cayetano made the remark amid the upcoming voting of several lawmakers on whether… Keep Reading
212 inns, hotels in W. Visayas get DOT nod to resume operations
BACOLOD CITY – Some 212 accommodation establishments (AEs) in Western Visayas (Region 6) have been allowed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to operate as of Tuesday. A list released by the DOT-6 on Wednesday showed that of the number, 82 have been issued certificates of authority to operate (CAO) while 130 were given provisional… Keep Reading
DepEd-NegOcc receives P9-M aid from provincial gov’t
AID TO SCHOOLS. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) turns over the check amounting to PHP9 million to Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Marsette Sabbaluca (2nd from left), in the presence of other education officials, as financial assistance for schools in three municipalities, during the Provincial School Board meeting held at the Capitol Social Hall… Keep Reading
