METRO MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted the Philippines another $125-million loan for the country’s coronavirus pandemic response. The funds will specifically aims to purchase medical equipment critical on the government’s fight against the pandemic. According to ADB, the loan was approved under the HEAL COVID-19 or Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit Project by the …

MANILA – At least 15 people have been killed and several others were wounded after explosions rocked the southern Philippine town of Jolo. READ: Statement of PCOO @SecAndanar on the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu pic.twitter.com/EH1iL2jVVa— Presidential Comm (@pcoogov) August 24, 2020 Commander of Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Major Gen. Corleto Vinluan said that 5 soldiers and 4 civilians were …

A Hong Kong court threw out two private prosecutions on Monday (Aug 24)-including one against a police officer who shot a pro-democracy protester last year-following a unprecedented intervention by the Justice Secretary of the financial hub. Mr Ted Hui, an opposition lawmaker, brought the private lawsuits after prosecutors refused to file charges for two incidents during the major and frequently …

The youth-led protests started with three demands: dissolution of the House, constitutional amendment and an end to state critics’ intimidation. Later, at the Thammasat meeting on 10 August, a 10-point plan to reform the monarchy was announced, stirring even more confusion in an already fragmented Thai political arena. The Free Youth group grew into the Free Citizens party and on …

The Department of Corrections is working on proposals to turn 72 prisons nationwide into tourist attractions, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced. Attractions could include activities such as cooking competitions for chefs behind bars, and shops where visitors might purchase products made by prisoners. For five jails, which are pilot sites, the justice minister said the program was also being implemented. …

Two bomb explosions shook the town of Jolo, Sulu, southern Philippines, including one reportedly carried out by a female suicide bomber. As the result, at least 14 people have been killed and left 75 wounded. Philippine Red Cross Chief Richard Gordon said the first explosion hit at approximately noon on Monday (August 24,2020) where a motorcycle loaded with explosive devices …

The rising number of patients infected with Covid-19 has forced local authorities to continue closing off its borders for tourists until the end of 2020, no exact date has been appointed. Before, it was reported that Bali has re-opened beaches, temples and other tourist spots for domestic traveler at the end of July and had planned to invite foreign tourists …

South Korean authorities announced the largest daily rise in novel coronavirus cases since early March on August 23, suggesting that stricter social distancing rules could be required as outbreaks continued to spread from a church in Seoul and other gatherings. In view of this, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) recorded 397 new infections, up from 332 …

Abu Dhabi – Hundreds of Filipinos were included among the thousands who volunteered in the Phase III of COVID-19 vaccine trials in the United Arab Emirates. According the the statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, that Group 42 (G42), the bu Dhabi-based technology company, is currently on its human (phase III) trials for the vaccine. The vaccine in …

METRO MANILA  – Senator Panfilo Lacson agrees that that the so-called “mafia” at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp is actually the executive committee itself as alleged by its former anti-fraud officer. According to the Senator, based on the documents he read, as early as April, it is maneuvering everything including the movements of funds and overpricing, the executive committee is …