Life

Alarms ring as Greenland ice loss causes 40% of 2019 sea level rise

by Marlowe HOOD Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — The kilometres-thick icesheet that covers Greenland saw a near-record imbalance last year between new snowfall and the discharge of meltwater and ice into the ocean, scientists have reported. A net loss of 600 billion tonnes was enough to raise the global watermark 1.5 millimetres, about 40 percent of total sea level rise in 2019. The Greenland icesheet — which, until the end of the 20th century accumulated […]

Paper towels may remove virus missed by poor hand washing: study

by Kelly MACNAMARA Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — People should dry their hands with paper towels to avoid spreading the new coronavirus, according to the authors of a study published on Friday that finds disposable tissues are better than jet dryers at removing pathogens missed by ineffective washing. Global health authorities have highlighted the crucial importance of washing hands with soap and water to protect against COVID-19, which has killed tens of thousands […]

NET 25’s “Letters and Music” adapts to new normal with guests singing from home

https://youtu.be/KLFkDoi3NqY   (Eagle News) – With the COVID-19 pandemic and “stay-at-home” orders in place, TV programs have started to adapt with their anchors and guests participating in programs without leaving their homes. NET 25’s musical variety show, “Letters and Music” did just that. Program hosts led by Apple Chiu did their spiels and intros at home and are able to banter with other hosts, while guests sang their songs in the comfort of their own […]

Robots ride to rescue as delivery risks rise

by Rob Lever Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — What looks like a rolling picnic cooler stops at the crosswalk, waits for a car to pass and then navigates its way at a leisurely pace down the sidewalk in suburban Washington. Three blocks away, Jake Williams and his three-year-old daughter Emilia wait for the delivery robot and take out bags with pizza, fresh fruit and a loaf of French bread from the nearby […]

Free wi-fi installed at quarantine centers for frontliners, patients

(Eagle News) – Free Wi-Fi has been provided to quarantine centers nationwide to aid health workers in submitting reports and allow frontliners and patients to keep in touch with their families amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said that it has installed free Wi-Fi hotspots in Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Philippine International Convention Center, and World Trade Center. “[F]ree internet connectivity will help health workers in their […]

Simple steps to make Dalgona Coffee: Pambansang Almusal shows you how

  (Eagle News) — Dalgona Coffee is becoming a craze at this time of quarantine and lockdowns. It’s easy and very simple.  In this video from NET 25’s Pambansang Almusal, viewers are shown how you can make one. You just need 2 tablespoons of coffee, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of hot water.  Put them in a bowl and mix with a handheld mixer.  Once this turns creamy and frothy, you can put […]

French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, warns of virus exploitation

by Dave CLARK Agence France-Presse BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Prominent French intellectual, Bernard-Henri Levy, argues that the coronavirus epidemic is not an unprecedented health threat but that the way societies are responding is both new and dangerous. In an AFP interview, the 71-year-old philosopher and writer said the so-called “Asian Flu” outbreak in 1957 to 1958 and the “Hong Kong Flu” pandemic of 1968 to 1969 were similar in scale to the current deadly global situation. […]

COVID-19 to have ‘profound’ mental health fallout

by Patrick GALEY Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — The coronavirus pandemic is likely to have a “profound and pervasive impact” on global mental health as billions struggle to cope with isolated living and anxiety spikes, experts warned Thursday. In a paper published in Lancet Psychiatry, a panel of 24 specialists call for more funding for research into the impacts COVID-19 may have on society’s mental well-being. Two accompanying surveys of the British public […]

Actress Sylvia Sanchez gives emotional salute to all frontliners saving patients’ lives amid pandemic

(Eagle News) — Actress Sylvia Sanchez thanked all the health care workers who helped save her life and that of her husband, Art Atayde. Both have now tested negative for COVID-19. The Philippine actress said the health care workers who took care of them, and those who saved hundreds of lives, continue to make sacrifices, risking their own lives to save COVID-19 patients. “Tunay na kahanga-hanga po kayo (You are indeed admirable),” she said in […]

Virus brings out the jackals in deserted Tel Aviv park

Pictures by JACK GUEZ Agence France-Presse TEL-AVIV, Israel (AFP) — With the coronavirus keeping Israelis indoors, dozens of jackals have taken over a deserted park in Tel Aviv, scavenging for food in what is usually a playground for joggers and families. The normally timid animals wander freely among palm trees and across the grass of Hayarkon Park, an oasis in the Mediterranean city that was also a magnet for cyclists and picnickers until the arrival of […]

“Gulayan sa Bakuran”: Your own vegetable garden might just be the answer to your food needs

  (Eagle News) – Want to try planting your own vegetables and fruits at this time of quarantine? This might just be the best time as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the value of having food available amid crisis in supplies and food transport. The Iglesia Ni Cristo’s project of “Gulayan sa Bakuran” became of benefit to those who had participated in the project nationwide. Those who tried planting their own vegetables and fruits – in […]

‘Medibot’ to do rounds on Malaysian virus wards

KULA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysian scientists have created a barrel-shaped robot on wheels that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on coronavirus patients, reducing health workers’ risk of infection. “Medibot” is a 1.5 meter tall (five-foot) white robot, equipped with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics. The invention, built by scientists at the International Islamic University Malaysia, is also fitted with a device […]