China quarantines 94 people on Seoul flight after 3 show fever
Updated February 26, 2020, 9:41 AM By Agence France-Presse China quarantined 94 air passengers arriving from Seoul after three people on the flight were discovered to have fevers, state media reported Wednesday. (MANILA BULLETIN) The three passengers, all Chinese, arrived in the city of Nanjing on Tuesday morning and were discovered after customs personnel boarded… Keep Reading
2nd batch of Filipinos from virus-hit cruise ship returns, placed under quarantine
MANILA, Philippines — The second batch of Filipinos repatriated from the coronavirus disease-hit cruise ship docked off Japan arrived in the Philippines early Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced. In a statement, the DFA said the aircraft carrying the 136 Filipino passengers, a two-member DFA team and a five-member team… Keep Reading
As survivors speak out, 9 countries seek to ban gay ‘conversion therapy’
Published February 26, 2020, 9:34 AM By Reuters From electric shocks to ‘praying away the gay’, global momentum is growing to ban so-called “conversion therapy”, with bills drawn up in nine countries, a rights group said on Wednesday. Gay rights advocates celebrate outside the Supreme Court in 2015 after judges ruled in favor of same-sex… Keep Reading
Peace talks’ resumption in jeopardy over Salas’ arrest, says CPP founder
LUCENA CITY — Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison claimed that the arrest of former top rebel Rodolfo Salas a week ago has further jeopardized the possible resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the communist insurgents. “The arrest of Salas on the baseless charge against him… Keep Reading
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak dies at 91
File photo taken on March 19, 2017 shows a supporter of Hosni Mubarak attending a gathering outside Maadi Military Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Egyptian former President Hosni Mubarak has died at the age of 91 after suffering a long illness, state-run Nile TV reported on Tuesday. (Xinhua photo/Meng Tao) CAIRO — Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak… Keep Reading
Banner stories of Manila's leading newspapers, Wed. Feb. 26, 2020
INQUIRER – Puno: No new license, no ABS-CBN operatiion PHILIPPINE STAR – Virus fear grips Middle East MANILA BULLETIN – COVID-19 could be contained – WHO DAILY TRIBUNE – Loop to fight COVID-19 MANILA TIMES – Prepare for Covid pandemic – WHO MANILA STANDARD – Pinoy on ship home finally MALAYA – WHO warns: Virus ‘knocking at… Keep Reading
Poe on Cayetano’s ‘sipsip’ criticism: Name-calling cheapens the debate
MANILA, Philippines — “Name-calling cheapens the debate.” Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee tackling the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, said this as she once again addressed criticism from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that her panel’s hearing was just a venue for those who want to gain favors from the media… Keep Reading
Cloudy skies, isolated rains due to easterlies Wednesday
MANILA — The easterlies will affect most parts of the country on Wednesday. In its 4 a.m. forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers while the Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy… Keep Reading
4.2-magnitude quake rocks Pangasinan
MANILA, Philippines — A 4.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Pangasinan on Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The quake hit 94 kilometers (km) southwest of Agno, Pangasinan, at 8:23 a.m. Phivolcs said it had a depth of 16 km and is tectonic in origin. No damage or aftershocks are… Keep Reading
445 repatriates from cruise ship now under quarantine in NCC
Published February 26, 2020, 8:46 AM By Marjaleen Ramos A total of 445 Filipino crew and passengers from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan were repatriated on Tuesday. PHOTO FROM DFA/ MANILA BULLETIN The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the first flight, which carried 309 Filipino passengers, arrived Tuesday via a Philippine… Keep Reading
Algeria reports first novel coronavirus case
Published February 26, 2020, 8:46 AM By Agence France-Presse Algerian authorities on Tuesday announced the country’s first case of the novel coronavirus, in an Italian citizen who arrived in the country on February 17. (MANILA BULLETIN) “One case was confirmed positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), out of two suspected cases (both) of Italian nationality,” the North… Keep Reading
Trump warns of more US sanctions on Venezuelan oil sector
Published February 26, 2020, 8:38 AM By Reuters The United States is preparing to impose more sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, in an attempt to choke financing to President Nicolas Maduro’s government. An oilfield worker walks next to drilling rigs at an oil well operated by Venezuela’s state oil… Keep Reading
US braces for coronavirus spread as outbreaks worsen in Italy, Iran
Published February 26, 2020, 8:29 AM By Reuters The United States told Americans on Tuesday to begin preparing for coronavirus to spread within the country as outbreaks in Iran, South Korea, and Italy escalated and fears that the epidemic would hurt global growth rattled markets. Iranian couple wearing protective masks to prevent contracting a coronavirus… Keep Reading
El Salvador bars visitors from Italy and South Korea, citing coronavirus
El Salvador will bar the entry of foreign nationals arriving from Italy and South Korea to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than a thousand people worldwide, President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday. (AFP / Tiziana FABI / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Salvadoran nationals and diplomats who arrive from these countries… Keep Reading
New coronavirus cases in Germany, one man in critical condition
Published February 26, 2020, 8:21 AM By Reuters The Baden-Wuerttemberg health ministry said the man in the southern state, who had likely become infected during his visit to Italy, had contacted authorities after coming down with flu-like symptoms. He will be treated in isolation, it added. (MANILA BULLETIN) “People in close contact with the patient… Keep Reading
Canaries hotel locked down over coronavirus as Spain reports first mainland cases
Published February 26, 2020, 8:18 AM By Reuters A large Canary Islands hotel was locked down for coronavirus tests on Tuesday after a guest and his wife were found to be infected, as Spain also reported its first two cases of the disease on the mainland. People look over the sea into the haze created… Keep Reading
US health officials urge Americans to prepare for spread of coronavirus
Updated February 26, 2020, 8:19 AM By Reuters The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday alerted Americans to begin preparing for the spread of coronavirus in the United States after infections surfaced in several more countries. United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and NCIRD Director doctor Nancy… Keep Reading
Donors, aid groups planning to suspend Yemen aid to Houthi areas – US official
Published February 26, 2020, 8:09 AM By Reuters Donors and aid groups are planning to suspend humanitarian aid to areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis in the coming months if the group does not stop hindering the delivery of assistance, a senior US State Department official said on Tuesday. Houthi troops ride on the… Keep Reading
PH sends home largest number of nationals from Diamond Princess
HOME. The second batch of repatriates boards the buses that brought them to the New Clark City (NCC) quarantine facility on Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2020). A total of 445 repatriates, 13 members of the DFA-DOH repatriation team, and PAL crew will be isolated for 14 days at the NCC Athletes’ Village. (DFA photo) MANILA —… Keep Reading
Ceres Negros stays on top of AFC Cup group despite draw vs. TQN
MANILA — Ceres Negros failed to close out its AFC Cup match against Than Quang Ninh as the latter escaped with a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium here. Despite the result, Ceres Negros remained on top of Group G as Bali United absorbed a shock 1-2 defeat from Svay Rieng… Keep Reading
Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits Zamboanga Del Norte
MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Zamboanga Del Norte on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The quake was recorded at 5:38 a.m., 44 kilometers southwest of Siocon town. Phivolcs said that the tremor was of tectonic origin, and had a one-kilometer depth of focus. The… Keep Reading
Wednesday weather forecast: Fair with cloudy skies and a chance of rain
MANILA, Philippines —Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains are expected nationwide on Wednesday. This is because the easterlies will affect the eastern section of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its daily weather forecast. The easterlies will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with… Keep Reading
Pompeo says Iran must ‘tell the truth’ on coronavirus
Published February 26, 2020, 7:26 AM By Agence France-Presse US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday demanded that Iran “tell the truth” about a coronavirus outbreak, voicing alarm at allegations of a cover-up. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses reporters at the State Department (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski) “The United States is deeply concerned… Keep Reading
Arctic ‘doomsday’ food vault welcomes millionth seed variety
Published February 26, 2020, 7:25 AM By Reuters OSLO (Reuters) – A vault in the Arctic built to preserve seeds for rice, wheat and other food staples contains one million varieties with the addition on Tuesday of specimens grown by Cherokee Indians and the estate of Britain’s Prince Charles. REUTERS/ MANILA BULLETIN The Svalbard Global… Keep Reading
Countries must shift mindset to virus preparedness: WHO expert
Published February 26, 2020, 7:23 AM By Reuters GENEVA (Reuters) – Countries need to prepare immediately for an outbreak of the novel coronavirus so they can respond rapidly when it arrives, a top World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Tuesday. A resident wears a makeshift protective face shield at a residential compound in Wuhan,… Keep Reading
Health authorities expect coronavirus spread on US soil
Published February 26, 2020, 7:21 AM By Agence France-Presee American health authorities said Tuesday they ultimately expect the novel coronavirus to spread in the United States and are urging local governments, businesses, and schools to develop plans like canceling mass gatherings or switching to teleworking. Officials are also worried the outbreak poses a threat to… Keep Reading
More than a dozen killed, hundreds injured as New Delhi riots overshadow Trump visit
Published February 26, 2020, 7:19 AM By Reuters NEW DELHI (Reuters) – More than a dozen people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes between opposing groups of protesters in New Delhi, hospital officials said on Tuesday, as riots overshadowed U.S. President Donald Trump’s first visit to India. Indian security personnel patrol following clashes… Keep Reading
Virus spreads to new countries as top official warns world ‘not ready’
Published February 26, 2020, 7:15 AM By Agence France-Presee New coronavirus cases surged outside of China on Tuesday, leaving an Iranian deputy minister among the stricken and triggering mass disruption as a top health official warned the world is not prepared for containing the epidemic. Even as the number of fresh cases declines at the… Keep Reading
Trump plans Southeast Asia summit in Las Vegas: Pompeo
Published February 26, 2020, 7:15 AM By Agence France-Presee US President Donald Trump has invited Southeast Asian leaders to meet next month in Las Vegas, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday, after a summit last year was scrapped. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses reporters at the State Department (AFP/ MANILA BULLETIN) Pompeo… Keep Reading
Italy sees virus cases rise 45% in a day; deaths up to 11
ROME — Italy reported a 45% one-day increase in people infected with the coronavirus as other countries in Europe recorded their first cases Tuesday, producing evidence that travelers are carrying the virus from the European outbreak’s current epicenter. Italian officials reported 11 deaths and 322 confirmed cases of the virus, 100 more than… Keep Reading