JOHANNESBURG — If the United Nations was created from the ashes of World War II, what will be born from the global crisis of COVID-19? Many world leaders at this week’s virtual U.N. summit hope it will be a vaccine made available and affordable to all countries, rich and poor. But with the U.S., China, […]
Japan may ease virus entry restrictions next month—reports
An airline employee wearing a face shield talks with a passenger at the Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture on August 19, 2020. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) Japan is considering easing strict coronavirus border restrictions from October to allow more foreign nationals to enter, local media reported Wednesday. Tourists would still be […]
Avigan maker to seek virus treatment approval after trials
TOKYO, Japan — The maker of anti-influenza drug Avigan said Wednesday it will apply for the medication to be approved for treating coronavirus patients after trials showed it can shorten recovery time. In a statement, manufacturer Fujifilm Toyama Chemical said its phase III trial in Japan, which began in March, was now complete. ADVERTISEMENT Of […]
UN chief: ‘Epochal’ crisis as world powers meet remotely
In this photo provided by the United Nations, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks in the General Assembly in observance of the International Day of Peace, celebrating 75 Years of the United Nations, at UN headquarters, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations via AP) UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the U.N.’s first-ever […]
Senators puzzled over DSWD’s P10-B ‘savings’ from SAP funds
MANILA, Philippines — Some senators were taken by surprise after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) revealed Tuesday about a P10-billion untapped funds under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP). DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said during Senate deliberations on the proposed P171-billion budget of the agency for 2021 that they were able to have […]
DBM office denies COVID-19 supply overprice, says PPEs bought by Aquino administration 50 percent costlier
After some senators last week accused the government of buying personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits at an overprice under his watch, Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao on Monday (Sept. 21) said similar items bought by the Aquino administration near the end of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s term were even more expensive by […]
India adds 87,000 cases; New Zealand easing rules
A paramilitary soldier wearing a mask stands guard as the Taj Mahal monument is reopened after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic in Agra, India, Monday, Sept.21, 2020. (AP Photo/Pawan Sharma) NEW DELHI — India recorded nearly 87,000 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as it edged […]
Robredo hits flip-flopping COVID-19 policy: ‘Mag-usap muna sila’
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo once again pressed government officials for coherence and coordination with regards to announcing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) policies to avoid public confusion. Robredo issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to retain the 1-meter physical distancing rule in public transportation, discarding the earlier decision of the Inter-Agency Task […]
Jump in France’s daily COVID-19 death toll tied to unreported hospital cases
FILE PHOTO: A health worker, wearing a protective suit and a face mask, prepares to administer a nasal swab to a patient at a testing site for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Paris, France, September 14, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes PARIS — A sudden jump in France’s daily death toll from COVID-19 stems from previously unreported […]
Showers bring relief to fire-ravaged Oregon as death toll rises in California
A tanker drops fire retardant as a house is seen, as the Bobcat Fire burns near Juniper Hills, California, U.S., September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni GATES, Oregon – Intermittently heavy showers brought some relief to flame-stricken western Oregon on Friday, helping firefighters to further subdue deadly blazes that have ravaged much of the state and […]