Other News

Palace: Gov’t offices in NCR to remain fully operational with limited workforce on-site during ECQ

(Eagle News) — The Palace on Wednesday, Aug. 4, said government offices in Metro Manila will remain fully operational with a limited workforce on site for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in the metropolis. “To ensure continuity of government service, the skeleton workforce will not be less than the 20% on-site capacity at any given time, with the remainder being under work-from-home arrangements,” Memorandum Circular 87 issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialda dated […]

PAGASA monitoring LPA off Batanes, tropical depression outside PAR; monsoon rains to persist

(Eagle News) — The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is monitoring a low pressure area northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. The weather bureau said this was apart from the tropical depression it was monitoring west of extreme Northern Luzon, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA said Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan will have monsoon rains as the southwest monsoon continues to affect the Philippines. Flash floods or […]

MIAA releases list of operational commercial flights for Wednesday, Aug. 4

(Eagle News) — The Manila International Airport Authority has released its list of operational commercial flights for Wednesday, Aug. 4: Flight schedules may change at any given time. MIAA advised passengers to secure confirmation of their flights prior to their travel as only those with the confirmation will be allowed entry into the airport. The travel ban on India and nine other countries was extended following the Department of Health’s confirmation of the local transmission […]

Bolsonaro lashes out at new probe: ‘Brazil is under attack’

BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — President Jair Bolsonaro lashed out Tuesday at electoral authorities for ordering an investigation of his campaign against Brazil’s electronic voting system, saying he refused to be “intimidated” and that the country “is under attack.” The far-right president, who is up for re-election next year, has recently stepped up his long-time criticism of Brazil’s voting system, claiming — without evidence — that it is riddled with fraud and insisting there will be […]

Singapore PM warns US against hard line toward China

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday warned the United States against aggressively challenging China, saying Washington’s increasingly hard-line views could be “very dangerous.” He said the United States had moved from an approach of healthy competition with China to the view that America “must win, one way or another.” “There is (US) bipartisan consensus today on one thing, which is relations with China,” he told the Aspen Security […]

New York is first US city to mandate vaccines for restaurants, gyms

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New York will become the first major US city to require proof of vaccination for people attending indoor venues such as restaurants, gyms and shows, under a plan announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio Tuesday. The announcement comes as public bodies and private businesses in the United States step up vaccine requirements as the country battles the highly infectious Delta variant. “If you’re vaccinated… you have the key, you […]

Curry to stay with Warriors as Carmelo joins LeBron: reports

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry has reportedly agreed to a historic contract extension with Golden State while forward Carmelo Anthony will join pal LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry will sign a four-year deal worth $215 million with the Warriors, his agent told ESPN. He will be the first player in NBA history to sign two contracts worth more than $200 million. Anthony confirmed reports he will […]

New Covid restrictions in France as virus cases rise

AJACCIO, France (AFP) –Health officials in France on Tuesday activated an emergency plan on the Mediterranean island of Corsica as a fourth wave of Covid infections spread across the country. The government also announced it was reactivating a package of measures designed to support medical staff as they brace for a fresh intake of cases. More of France’s popular coastal areas meanwhile reintroduced the compulsory wearing of masks in a bid to stem the incoming […]

Colombia town orders vaccine refusers to stay home or face fines, jail

BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) — Authorities in a Colombian town have run out of patience with people refusing coronavirus vaccines, ordering them on Monday to stay at home or face a fine, or even prison. “We have to take a strong stance as leaders… Everyone has to be vaccinated, if not, they cannot circulate in the municipality of Sucre,” the town’s mayor Elvira Julia Mercado said on Blu Radio. She decreed a stay-at-home order, lasting eight […]

Double gold for New Zealand kayaker Carrington

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — New Zealand’s Lisa Carrington continued an extraordinary nine-year unbeaten streak to win the 200-meter single-kayak sprint in Tokyo on Tuesday, then backed it up to claim gold in the 500m. Carrington’s golden double makes her New Zealand’s most successful female Olympian, with four golds and one silver over three Games dating back to London 2012. Three of the gold medals came in the 200m solo sprint, an event the 32-year-old has […]

‘I did it for me’: Biles takes Olympic bronze after mental health battle

by Nick REEVES TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Simone Biles’ nightmare Olympics concluded with the US gymnastics superstar returning in the beam final on Tuesday, declaring “I did it for me” after taking bronze behind Chinese teenager Guan Chenchen. It was Biles’ first taste of competition in Tokyo since dramatically standing down during the women’s team final last week, struggling with the “twisties”, a condition meaning gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air. “I […]

EJ Obiena fails to get a medal but makes country proud in Olympic pole vault performance

  (Eagle News) – Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena failed to make the 5.80 meters in the pole vault finals Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Tokyo Olympics but still made the country proud with his performance that saw a Filipino competing for the first time in this event at the Olympics. The 25-year old Obiena cleared the 5.55 meters on his first attempt, and also made the 5.70 meters. But the 5.80 meters proved to […]