Other News

Dutch outdoor classes avoid coronavirus ‘digital misery’

by Charlotte VAN OUWERKERK MIDDLEBURG, Netherlands (AFP) — A Dutch university is holding open-air classes in parks, public squares and parking lots to limit the number of lectures taking place online because of the coronavirus pandemic. At the foot of a majestic church in the historic center of the city of Middelburg, science professor Edward Nieuwenhuis demonstrates an experiment on a bench in front of 25 students bundled up in jackets. With a noisy street-cleaning […]

China rips into Trump order revoking visas of 1,000 Chinese students

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China accused Washington of “political persecution and racial discrimination” on Thursday, after the US confirmed it had revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students under an order by President Donald Trump that accused some of espionage. Trump declared in May that some Chinese nationals officially in the United States for study have stolen intellectual property and helped modernize China’s military, as tensions between the two countries soar on multiple […]

Vaccine still possible this year, despite trial pause: AstraZeneca

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Drugs giant AstraZeneca on Thursday said a Covid-19 vaccine could still be available by as early as the end of the year, despite a randomised clinical trial being paused. “We could still have a vaccine by the end of this year, early next year,” the UK-based company’s chief executive Pascal Soriot said in comments at a media event. AstraZeneca announced Wednesday it had “voluntarily paused” its trial of a drug […]

Huge fire at Beirut port weeks after deadly blast

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — A huge fire raged in Beirut port on Thursday, AFP correspondents said, sparking alarm among Lebanese still reeling from a devastating dockside explosion that disfigured the capital last month. Thick black columns of smoke rose into the sky, as the army said the blaze had engulfed a warehouse storing oil and tyres. It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze. “Operations have begun to extinguish the fire and army helicopters […]

First African swine fever case found in Germany

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany on Thursday confirmed a first case of African swine fever, threatening to severely hit the country’s key pork market. Scientists found swine fever in a dead wild boar near the German-Polish border in the eastern state of Brandenburg, the German agricultural ministry said. “Unfortunately, the suspicion has been confirmed,” said Julia Kloeckner, minister for agriculture, after the dead animal was tested overnight. Germany is Europe’s largest producer of pork, with […]

Fleeing California wildfires ’10 times harder’ during epidemic

by Javier TOVAR CLOVIS, United States (AFP) — It is not the first time that Leanna Mikesler has evacuated her home in the California mountains because of wildfires, but during an epidemic it is “10 times harder.” Mikesler and her husband fled with only their most important documents, and, as she walks her dog at an emergency Red Cross facility in Clovis in the center of the state, she says she fears their property may […]

Japan opposition unites as snap election rumors swirl

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s two major opposition parties merged Thursday and elected a new leader as they try to strengthen their standing ahead of a possible snap national election. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will pick a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week, and several top political figures have suggested the next leader may call a quick election. The opposition parties and several independent lawmakers formally cemented an alliance in response, […]

Jakarta to reimpose partial lockdown as virus cases surge

  JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia’s capital Jakarta plans to re-impose a partial lockdown as early as Monday over fears that surging coronavirus cases could “collapse” its under-pressure hospitals, the sprawling city’s governor said. The megacity of some 30 million will see many office buildings and large mosques closed along with restaurants and other entertainment venues, while public transport hours will also be restricted. The announcement comes three months after an earlier lockdown was lifted, […]

DOH reports 3,821 additional COVID-19 cases; total at 248,947

(Eagle News) — COVID-19 cases in the country breached the 248,000 mark on Thursday, Sept. 10, after the Department of Health reported 3821 additional cases. The DOH said of the 248,947, 58,823 were active. Of these, 88.3 percent were mild, 8.8 percent asymptomatic, 1.2 percent severe, and 1.7 percent critical. The 3,821 additional COVID-19 cases were from tests done by 105 of 117 labs. Of these, 3,277 (86%) occurred within the recent 14 days, or […]

Pompeo urges Southeast Asia to shun South China Sea firms

  HANOI, Vietnam (AFP) — Washington’s top diplomat urged Southeast Asia on Thursday to cut ties with Chinese companies helping build islands in the South China Sea, weeks after the US blacklisted two dozen firms working in the disputed waters. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s comments came at a regional Asian summit overshadowed by the US-China rivalry over a range of issues, from trade to the coronavirus. Tensions are also simmering over the South China […]

Customs bureau: P147.7 million worth of illegal shipments seized in Cebu in August

(Eagle News)–The Bureau of Customs has reported seizing P147.7 million worth of smuggled, misdeclared and undervalued items in August. The bureau said the haul by Customs personnel in Cebu included rice, cigarettes, and used engines. It said some items will be auctioned off “without unnecessary delay to generate additional revenues for the government.” Prohibited items, on the other hand, the bureau said, will be disposed of. “Even with the boost of technology, our gains in […]

SC refers petition for release of detainees amid COVID-19 pandemic to RTCs

(Eagle News)–The Supreme Court has ordered the regional trial courts  to conduct proceedings for the possible release of inmates who sought for their  temporary liberty on humanitarian grounds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In giving the order, the High Court acted on the urgent petition filed by  Dionisio Almonte, Ireneo Atadero Jr., Alexander Ramonita Birondo, Winona Marie Birondo, Rey Claro Casambre, Ferdinand Castillo, Francisco Fernandez Jr., Renante Gamara, Vicente Ladlad, and several others, treating such as […]