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BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s first Mars rover should launch later this month, authorities said Wednesday, as the country races to catch up with the US dominance of space. The Tianwen-1 Mars rover is scheduled to blast off from Hainan island, off China’s south coast, between July 20 – 25, according to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It will be China’s first interplanetary mission, and takes place shortly before the next US Mars rover — […]
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — An Indonesian province declared a state of emergency Wednesday as officials said they had pinpointed hundreds of spots at risk of erupting into smog-belching forest fires that plague the region every year. Central Kalimantan on Borneo island was ravaged last year by fires blamed for blanketing swathes of Southeast Asia in toxic haze. Last year’s blazes were the worst since 2015 due to dry weather, with around 1.6 million hectares (3.95 […]
(Eagle News) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) “denounced” what it called as efforts to misrepresent and deceive by “lawyers and officials” of ABS-CBN during the House of Representatives joint committee hearing on its franchise renewal application. In a statement on Wednesday, July 1, the labor department said that it was not true that the ABSCBN was “compliant of labor laws and standards” as had been alleged by ABS CBN representatives during […]
(Eagle News) — The chief of police of the Jolo municipal police has been relieved from his post. The relief of Lt. Col. Walter Annayo, the police have said, was to pave the way for an impartial probe into the killing of four soldiers in a misencounter with policemen on Monday, June 29. Annayo was replaced by Police Lt. Col. Filmore Calib. The Philippine Army has condemned the “fatal shooting,” calling for a “full-blown investigation” […]
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany (AFP) — The unprecedented scandal at German payments processor Wirecard could lead to the group being sold off piecemeal, after its insolvency administrator said investors are eyeing profitable business units. A provisional committee of Wirecard creditors signed off on an international search for buyers Tuesday and confirmed lawyer Michael Jaffe as administrator. “Many investors from all over the world have already signaled interest in buying the core business or independent business […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing lifted several lockdowns imposed to control a fresh coronavirus outbreak and reported just three new cases in the city on Wednesday, raising hopes that the cluster had been brought under control. The Chinese capital had closed off dozens of residential compounds and carried out mass testing last month after hundreds of infections raised fears of a virus resurgence. But five residential communities that have had no new virus cases during […]
OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada warned its citizens in Hong Kong on Wednesday that they faced a higher risk of arbitrary detention and extradition to mainland China after Beijing imposed a new security law on the city. The warning illustrates Western governments’ heightened concern for citizens under the new law that criminalizes subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces. “You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds and possible […]
(Eagle News) — A staff member from the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms has died due to pneumonia. Senate President Tito Sotto said, however, that it has not yet been confirmed if the cause of death was COVID-19. According to Sotto, the person was only tested yesterday. The Senate was placed on “semi-lockdown” after two employees tested positive for COVID-19. Sotto had said they could not declare a total lockdown because of the […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Retailers in Japan began charging for plastic bags Wednesday, a move aimed at curbing Japanese consumers’ love for packaging and finally bringing the country in line with other major economies. Shops including the ubiquitous convenience stores can decide how much to charge customers for the bags, with a common price being three yen (around three US cents). The new rule seemed to be having some effect, with one shopper telling public […]
(Eagle News) — The Department of Health on Wednesday, July 1, said people in low-risk modified general community quarantine areas should still stay at home. Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said for all levels of community quarantine, the “basic principle” still applies: “Kung non-essential po ang gagawin outside your home, huwag ka lumabas,” she said. She said all residents were also still required to wear face masks when going out and to observe physical distancing. […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Mask-wearing pupils catching up with friends at one Bangkok high school were quickly told to spread out as they headed back to lessons on Wednesday after months of distance learning due to coronavirus restrictions. The teenagers, resuming classes along with all other public school students in the kingdom, chatted animatedly before being called to sit in widely spaced rows for the opening session. The school principal, Arwuth Meekhanphet, warned them all […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — NBA commissioner Adam Silver says there are no risk-free options to finishing the season in a coronavirus pandemic but the league’s bubble plan is the safest, most responsible way. In a Time 100 online talk Tuesday, Silver addressed the NBA’s restart plan, with 22 teams playing games without spectators in Orlando under quarantine starting July 30, and said NBA relations with China have improved since last year. The league […]
