Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram warned Wednesday that bowlers would become “robots” after cricket officials temporarily banned shining the ball with saliva as a coronavirus precaution. Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move or swing in the air by applying shine to one side using sweat or saliva. The International Cricket Council, however, has temporarily banned the practise over virus transmission fears as teams prepare to return to the pitch in the coming weeks. Players […]
Other News
China reports progress in swine fever vaccine trials
BEIJING, China (AFP) — A vaccine developed in China for African swine fever, which devastated the country’s pig herd and caused pork prices to soar, is progressing smoothly, according to results reported on Wednesday. The widespread outbreak of swine fever since August 2018 has disrupted the supply of pork in China, where it is a staple meat, with millions of animals culled. The disease wiped out about 40 percent of the country’s pig herd, causing […]
Indonesia posts record virus infections as restrictions eased
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia posted a record number of coronavirus infections Wednesday, sparking calls from health experts for the world’s fourth most populous country to slam the brakes on easing restrictions. Last week, the capital Jakarta opened mosques for the first time in nearly three months, as its governor announced the gradual reopening of shuttered offices, restaurants, shopping malls and tourist attractions. Similar easing measures are happening across the vast archipelago, home […]
Peru surpasses 200,000 coronavirus infections: health ministry
LIMA, Peru (AFP) — Peru emerged as a global COVID-19 hotspot on Tuesday as the health ministry registered more than 200,000 cases, ranking the South American country as the eighth-highest in the world by number of infections. The death toll rose to 5,738 and the total number of infections climbed to 203,736, an increase of more than 4,000 cases from the previous day. The ministry said 167 people had died from COVID-19 in the past […]
President Duterte signs into law RA 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law, Republic Act No. 11470, which establishes the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City (NCC), Capas, Tarlac. The law seeks to produce world-class athletes by integrating a special sports curriculum in secondary schools. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a statement, said that President Duterte signed RA 11470 on Tuesday, June 9, in Davao City. The National Academy of Sports (NAS) is “mandated […]
Additional COVID-19 cases jump to 740 bringing total cases to 23,732; more Metro Manila cases noted
(Eagle News) — The Department of Health has reported a jump in COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, with the addition of 740 cases, bringing the total virus cases to 23,732. Of this number, 452 are fresh cases, while 288 are “late cases” or those wherein the test results had been released to patients at least four days ago. In the past three days, the cases added daily were more than […]
Face masks, health checks and long check-ins: the future of flying
by Martin Abbugao / Haeril Halim in Jakarta SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Cabin crew in protective suits, health certifications for passengers, mandatory face masks, and longer check-in times. This is the new reality of mass air travel. As people dream of taking to the skies once more, they face the prospect that changes to curb the spread of coronavirus will be even more challenging than those brought in after the 2001 terror attacks in the […]
Aussie scientists turn to drones to protect sea turtles
BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) — Australian researchers have discovered they were underestimating numbers at the world’s largest sea turtle nesting site after turning to drone technology for the first time. Raine Island, off the northern tip of Australia, plays host to around 60,000 female green turtles who migrate hundreds of kilometers from the Great Barrier Reef to lay their eggs each year. Scientists working to protect the endangered species had struggled with how best to keep […]
Singapore approves anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Singapore has approved the use of the anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients, authorities said Wednesday, becoming the latest country to do so. The US authorised the emergency use of remdesivir in hospitals at the start of May, followed by Japan and South Korea, while Europe has been considering following suit. It has been granted conditional approval in Singapore for treatment of some adult virus patients, such as […]
Japan’s ‘Kawasaki disease’ doctor dies at 95
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The Japanese doctor who discovered the mysterious “Kawasaki’s disease” — recently in the headlines for some similarities to coronavirus — has died of natural causes aged 95, his research NGO said Wednesday. Pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki first noticed the disease in the 1960s as a junior doctor when he began treating children with fever, red eyes, and a rash with no clear cause. He reported 50 cases as an unknown disorder in […]
LPA off Eastern Samar may develop into tropical depression, PAGASA says
(Eagle News)–The low pressure area off Eastern Samar may develop into a tropical depression within 48 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Wednesday, June 10. PAGASA said as of 10 a.m., the LPA was estimated 30 kilometers east northeast of Borongan City. As a result, and also due to the southwesterly windflow, PAGASA said widespread moderate to heavy rains are expected over Eastern Visayas. Scattered to widespread light to moderate […]
First Arab mission to Mars designed to inspire youth
by Dana Moukhallati Agence France-Presse DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The first Arab space mission to Mars, armed with probes to study the Red Planet’s atmosphere, is designed to inspire the region’s youth and pave the way for scientific breakthroughs, officials said Tuesday. The unmanned probe Al-Amal—Hope in Arabic—is to blast off from a Japanese space centre on July 15, with preparations now in their final stages. The project is the next giant step […]
