Other News
Inflation top concern of majority of Filipinos: Pulse Asia survey
(Eagle News)–A majority of Filipino adults–or 72%–identify inflation as the top urgent issue the government needs to address, results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showed. Survey results also found this issue was cited by many across all geographic areas–69% in Metro Manila, 71% in the rest of Luzon, 75% in Visayas, and 75% in Mindanao. A majority of the respondents in each socioeconomic class also highlighted the concern—61% in the ABC class, 72% in […]
First US lunar lander in five decades blasts off on private mission
By Gianrigo Marletta with Issam Ahmed in Washington The first American spacecraft to attempt to land on the Moon in more than half a century blasted off early Monday — but this time, private industry is leading the charge. A brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur, lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2:18 am (0718 GMT) for its maiden voyage, carrying Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lunar Lander. “Successful #VulcanRocket staging, […]
Indonesian police halt truck with over 200 dogs bound for slaughter
Indonesian police have intercepted a truck carrying more than 200 dogs shackled and bound for the slaughterhouse, authorities said, in the latest victory for activists who oppose eating dog meat. The vehicle was detained late Saturday night in Semarang city on the island of Java, where the imperilled pooches were discovered in the bed of the truck with their legs and mouths bound. The authorities arrested five truck crew members, who will be charged under […]
51% of target 131,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads completed: PBBM
(Eagle News)–Fifty-one percent of the more than 131000 kilometers of road the government aims to construct as part of the Farm-to-Market Road Network Program have been completed, President Bongbong Marcos said. According to the President, this translates to 67,328.92 kilometers built of the target 131,410.66 kilometers within six years. The President said the constructed road so far is equivalent to 32 times of road trips from Aparri to Jolo. “It is not an initiative only […]
4.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Masbate
(Eagle News)–A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Masbate on Monday, Jan. 8. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit at 10:27 a.m. The epicenter was six kilometers northwest of Masbate. The depth of focus was 79 kilometers. The following intensities and instrumental intensities were reported: Intensities Intensity IV – City of Masbate, Masbate Instrumental Intensities: Intensity IV – City of Masbate, Masbate Intensity III – Monreal and Batuan, Masbate Intensity I – Cataingan, […]
Japan quake death toll jumps to 161, 103 missing: authorities
SUZU, Japan, Jan 8, 2024 (AFP) – The death toll from Japan’s New Year’s Day earthquake has jumped to 161 from 128 overnight, authorities said Monday as snow complicated rescue efforts. The number of people unaccounted for fell to 103 from 195, according to authorities in the central Ishikawa region hit by the 7.5-magnitude quake. The shock waves toppled buildings, sparked a major fire and triggered tsunami waves over a metre high. Thousands of rescuers […]
Japan FM says Tokyo ‘determined’ to support Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine, Jan 7, 2024 (AFP) – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa paid a surprise visit to Kyiv Sunday where she said Tokyo was “determined” to keep supporting Ukraine, as the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion nears. Kamikawa, the first high-level foreign official to visit Kyiv this year, announced new deliveries of defence equipment and discussed Tokyo’s plans to host a February conference to promote Ukraine’s economic reconstruction. “Japan is determined to support Ukraine so […]
PBBM signs Ease of Paying Taxes Act
(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos has signed the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, the Presidential Communications Office announced. According to the PCO, the President signed Republic Act No. 11976 on Friday, Jan. 5. The PCO said the law, which aligns with the government’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda, will modernize and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration and strengthen taxpayers’ rights. It introduces amendments to sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, aiming for […]
N. Korea conducts live-fire drills near maritime border
SEOUL, Jan 7, 2024 (AFP) – North Korea conducted live-fire drills on its western coast, Seoul’s military said Sunday, the third consecutive day of military exercises near its contested maritime border with the South. Seoul’s military said that North Korea had “conducted artillery fire with over 90 rounds north of Yeonpyeong island from 1600 to 1710 (0400 to 0510 GMT) today”. They accused the North of “repeated artillery fire” within a buffer zone created in […]
Indonesia President Joko Widodo to visit PHL next week
(Eagle News)–Indonesia President Joko Widodo is slated to visit the Philippines next week. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Widodo’s official visit from January 9 to 11 is expected to deepen and expand Philippines-Indonesia ties. “The Philippines and Indonesia, both founding members of ASEAN, are close neighbors and partners that have enjoyed longstanding and robust cooperation in a wide range of areas in the political, economic, and people-to-people relations, ” it said. The DFA […]
Maharlika eyes investment in NGCP to strengthen PHL’s energy sector
(Eagle News)–Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) president Rafael Consing Jr. has expressed support for the proposal to strategically invest a part of the country’s sovereign wealth funds in the National Grid Corporation in the Philippines. Under Republic Act No. 11954, the MIC is the sole vehicle responsible for mobilizing and utilizing the country’s Maharlika Investment Fund for investments aimed at generating optimal returns for the Philippines for its long-term development. In expressing support for the proposal […]
