Photo #1
Swimming discussed at SCOOP Sa Kamayan Forum
Olympian Susan Papa (2nd from right), president of the Philippine Swimming League, is among the guests in the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines Forum at the Kamayan Restaurant in P. Faura, Ermita, Manila on Friday (May 18, 2012). Others in photo are (from left) SCOOP... [Read more...]
Photo #2
UNFPA executive director in Manila to boost support for MDG 5
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin (right) is in Manila from May 17-19 for a series of meetings with stakeholders to mobilize support for the Philippines to achieve its targets for Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 with three years... [Read more...]
Photo #3
President Aquino welcomes UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin during a courtesy call at the Music Room of Malacañang on Thursday (May 17, 2012). UNFPA is an international development agency that promotes the right of... [Read more...]
Photo #4
DA, DAR sign MOU to empower women under Gender Responsive Economic Action for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women Project)
Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) and Remedios I. Rikken (center), Chairperson Philippine Commission on Women, and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes (right), sign the memorandum of understanding for the economic empowerment... [Read more...]
Photo #5
DAP-PMDP tradition of excellence
Former Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Secretary Aniceto M. Sobrepena (right), an alumnus of the National Government Career Executive Service Development Program, passes the tradition of excellence — a molave plant — to Gilbert T. Sadsad of the Department of Education... [Read more...]
National
TUCP statement on the P30 wage increase for workers in NCR
MANILA, May 18 – Wage petitioner Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has issued its statement in the light of the issuance of Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-National Capital Region Wage Order No. 17:
Aquino asks Faeldon's group to reconsider planned fishing expedition in Panatag Shoal to prevent escalation of tension — Palace
MANILA, May 18 — President Benigno S. Aquino III has asked former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and his group not to push through with their plan to sail to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to prevent further escalation of tension between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China, a Malacanang official said on Friday.
Villar wants six-hour working schedule for pregnant women
By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, May 18 -– Citing constitutional rights of working women for healthful working conditions, Senator Manny Villar has filed a bill prescribing a six-hour working schedule each day for the employed pregnant women.
Foreign
7 bodies of Superjet crash victims identified in Indonesia
MOSCOW, May 18 — Seven bodies of Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash victims were identified in Indonesia, the Russian Emergencies Ministry reported Friday.
Thai court disqualifies UDD leader Jatuporn as MP
BANGKOK, May 18 -– Thailand’s Constitution Court Friday disqualified Jatuporn Prompan, a key leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, as a Pheu Thai party-list member of parliament.
DSI: Thai state officials connected to 22 deaths in 2010 protest
BANGKOK, May 18 — Thailand’s Dept. of Special Investigation said Friday it has concluded that 16 deaths during the 2010 political riots might have been caused by state officials.
Sports & Entertainment
Lady Gaga concert in Indonesia remains uncertain
JAKARTA, May 18 — U.S. pop singer Lady Gaga`s plans to hold a concert in Jakarta on June 3 remain uncertain, as the police have yet to issue a recommendation.
2nd Sen. Nikki Coseteng Swimming championship kicks off Saturday
By Eddie G. Alinea
MANILA, May 18 — Some 300 young talents from 47 clubs throughout the country see action Saturday and Sunday in the Second Senator Nikki Coseteng Cup Swimming championship at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool.
(Metro News) Pasay mayor cautions Lady Gaga’s concert producers
MANILA, May 18 — Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” G. Calixto on Friday reminded the producers of Lady Gaga’s upcoming concert on May 21 and 22 at the SM Mall of Asia, to ensure that they follow the rules and regulations stipulated in the concert permit earlier provided by the city government.
Travel & Tourism
Tarlac invites outsiders to 1st Kuran-Tayab Festival
TARLAC CITY, May 18 — Gov. Victor Yap is inviting outsiders to join the fun in the 1st Kuran-Tayab nine-day festival starting Sunday.
Indonesia's Komodo Island declares world's natural wonder
JAKARTA, May 18 — An Indonesian senior figure said thanks for support on Komodo Island in Indonesia's eastern province of East Nusatenggara, the island has been listed among world's seven wonders of nature, local media reported Friday.
Malaysia's Yen Yen to discuss tourism growth at Astana economic forum in Kazakhstan
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen will be leading a 25-member Malaysian delegation to the Fifth Astana Economic Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Health & Lifestyle
Brigada Eskwela, campaign vs dengue to be launched in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 18 — The provincial government will launch “Sa Iskul, Ligtas ako sa Dengue: Provincial Anti-Dengue Spraying,” to protect children in schools against the viral disease.
Chinese Health Ministry issues policy to encourage voluntary blood donation
BEIJING, May 18 — China's voluntary blood donors can reimburse their payments for blood usage outside the places where they donate blood, according to a Health Ministry circular Friday.
DOH to build hospital in Maimbung, Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 18 -– The Department of Health (DOH), with support from the local government unit, will construct a hospital in the municipality of Maimbung, Sulu.
Provincial
Two more towns issue manifesto vs. ‘hulbot’ fishing
ILOILO CITY, May 18 – Two towns added to the list of municipalities in Northern Iloilo whose fisher folks have committed to stop “hulbot-hulbot” (fishing vessel using Danish Seine fishing gear) operations.
Repair on retaining wall of P1.7-B condo to finish ahead of schedule
CEBU CITY, May 18 – The Taft Property Venture Development Corp., developer of the 55-story P1.7-billion Horizons 101 condominium project on Gen. Maxilom Ave., this city is fast-tracking the restoration of the retaining wall that collapsed last month.
Two men get life terms for human trafficking
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, May 18 – A regional trial court (RTC) judge has convicted two men for human trafficking and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
Business
U.S. ASec leads discussion with Indonesian entrepreneurs
JAKARTA, May 18 — Two Indonesian companies recently participated in entrepreneurship competition through the U.S. State Department-sponsored Global Initiative on Science and Technology, the U.S. Embassy here said in its official website Friday.
EEI net income up 81% in Q1
MANILA, May 18 — EEI Corp. Friday said its net income rose by 81 percent to P214.9 million in the first three months from P118.6 million in the same period last year.
Sutherland certifies 10,000 digital literates
MANILA, May 18 — Sutherland Global Services, a US-based global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT-enabled services, has granted 10,000 people, including 3,383 from the Philippines, with digital literacy certificates for its 5-year project that forms part of its corporate social responsibility program.
Agri-Business
Yemen calls on donors to support 2012-2016 agricultural strategy
ROME, May 18 -– Yemen called on donor countries to support Yemen to implement the strategy of the agricultural sector for the years 2012-2016 for rehabilitating agricultural sector in Yemen.
Anthrax detected in Ukrainian farm
KIEV, Ukraine, May 18 — A cow in a farm in central Ukraine's Cherkassy region has been found infected with anthrax, emergency authorities said Friday.
Masbate coco industry gets boost from PCA, UCPB
By Danny O. Calleja
LEGAZPI CITY, May 18 -– The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) are separately establishing projects to improve coconut production in Masbate.
Features
News Analysis: NATO to renew commitment to Afghan security at Chicago summit
By Abdul Haleem and Yangtze Yan
KABUL, May 18 — Afghanistan will top the agenda of the NATO summit in Chicago on May 20-21.
Roundup: Violence spotlights Mexican presidential candidates' anti-crime strategies
MEXICO CITY, May 18 — With the body count in Mexico's violence on the rise, the spotlight in the upcoming presidential election is increasingly focused on the anti-crime strategies of the top three contenders.
Roundup: NATO Summit to focus on Afghanistan, alliance future
By Xinhua Writer Wang Fengfeng
CHICAGO, May 18 — The heads of state and government from 28 member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will meet here this weekend for the security bloc's 25th summit.