COVID-19 SITUATION: 2/9/2022

                                           

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• Canada's Saskatchewan province lifts all Covid restrictions amid protest
• DOH records lowest daily COVID-19 infections
• Palace: COVID alert levels for the rest of February may be out on Feb. 13 or 14
• Unvaccinated make up 94% of COVID-deaths among kids in Cebu - VVOC
• US CDC stands by K-12 school masking guidance as states relax rules
• Hong Kong imposes its strictest COVID curbs to date as cases soar
• France to scrap COVID test rule for vaccinated travellers
• Johnson & Johnson temporarily halts COVID-19 vaccine output: report
• WHO laments 'tragic' 500,000 COVID death toll since Omicron

Let's Do The News! (February 9, 2022)

                                             

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Campaign period for the May 2022 elections has officially begun.

- The TikTok user who allegedly posted death threats against Bongbong Marcos surrenders.

- Two NPA rebels are killed in a clash with government soldiers.

- Colombia's presidential candidate Gustavo Petro apologized for a speech he gave a day before while under the influence of alcohol.

- Thousands protest in Buenos Aires against the agreement reached between Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez and the IMF on the repayment of a $44 billion loan.

- Canada and US business groups call for the end of the trucker trade route blockade.

- European and US regulators warn banks of a possible Russian cyberattack.

- Hyundai announces its return to the Japanese market with the IONIQ 5 electric vehicle and the Nexo fuel-cell vehicle.

- The first-ever Alfa Romeo Tonale has been unveiled and this compact crossover is the first Alfa Romeo to be electrified as it offers hybrid and PHEV variants.

- TOEI unveiled the cast of the 2022 Super Sentai Series installment Abatarou Sentai Donbrothers. The show stars Kohei Higuchi as Taro Momoi/Don Momotaro, Yuki Beppu as Shinichi Saruhara/Saru Brother, Kohaku Shida as Haruka Kito/Oni Sister, Ru Tota as Tsubasa Inuzuka/Inu Brother, and Hirofumi Suzuki as Tsuyoshi Kijino/Kiji Brother. Yuya Tominaga, Amisa Miyazaki, and Shinosuke Takahashi play as villain characters Sonoi, Sononi, and Sonoza, Soko Wada as Jin Momoi, and a special appearance by Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger's Kiita Komagine reprising the role of Kaito Goshikida. MORISAKI WIN performs the show's opening theme song.

- Trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay over role in Tyler Skaggs' death begins in Texas.

- Adele wins big at the BRIT Awards.

TTFN.

Beijing 2022 Highlights - 2/8/2022

  

February 8, 2022

The fourth day of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics puts the spotlight on Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Freestyle Skiing, Luge, Snowboard, and Speed Skating.

Beginning with Alpine Skiing, Matthias Mayer of Austria is crowned the winner of the Men's Super-G. In the Men's 20km Individual biathlon event, meanwhile, France's Quentin Fillon Maillet is the winner. 

The Cross-Country Skiing events saw Sweden deliver a 1-2 finish at the Women's Sprint Free Final with Jonna Sundling the winner and Maja Dahlqvist the silver medalist while Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won the Men's Sprint Free Final. 

In Curling, Italy won the Mixed Doubles. 

In Freestyle Skiing, China's Gu Ailing Eileen won the Women's Freeski Big Air Final Run 3, Germany deliver a 1-2 finish at the Women's Singles Run 4 with Natalie Geisenberger the winner and Anna Berreiter the silver medalist, Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic for the Women's Parallel Giant Slalom Big Final, Benjamin Karl of Austria for the Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Big Final, and a 1-2 finish for Holland at the Men's 1500m with Kjeld Nuis the winner and Thomas Krol the silver medalist.

On the medal tally, Sweden scored the most gold medals with four while the ROC scored the most overall medals with 10.

Schedule and Results: https://olympics.com/beijing-2022/olympic-games/en/results/all-sports/olympic-schedule.htm

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Trump took Kim 'love letters,' govt records from W.House: Archives

 

The US National Archives said Monday it had retrieved 15 boxes of records that had been improperly removed from the White House and taken to Donald Trump’s southern Florida home — including “love letters” from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The documents and mementos — which also included correspondence from ex-US president Barack Obama — should by law have been turned over at the end of Trump’s presidency but instead ended up at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) pursues any records it learns have been “improperly removed or have not been appropriately transferred to official accounts,” Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero told AFP.

“Whether through the creation of adequate and proper documentation, sound records management practices, the preservation of records, or the timely transfer of them to the National Archives at the end of an administration, there should be no question as to need for both diligence and vigilance. Records matter,” he added.

The agency told AFP it did not get hold of the records until mid-January, however — almost a year late.

The former president, waxing rhapsodic about his relationship with Kim, told a West Virginia rally in 2018: “We fell in love. No, really. He wrote me beautiful letters.”

The comment prompted the media, as well as Trump supporters and opponents alike, to dub the unusual correspondence the Trump-Kim “love letters.”

The recovery of the boxes has raised questions about Trump’s adherence to presidential records laws enacted after the 1970s Watergate scandal that require Oval Office occupants to preserve records related to administration activity.

Trump lost his bid last month to stop the Archives releasing diaries, visitor logs, speech drafts and other White House documents to the House committee investigating the 2021 US Capitol riot.

Some of the papers handed over had been “torn up by former President Trump” and taped back together, the Archives revealed, adding that it had also received a number of records that were still in pieces.

“It’s all a pristine example of Trump’s approach to the Presidency, namely that the vast power exists for him and not for the American people, to whom these records in fact belong,” former deputy assistant attorney general Harry Litman said on Twitter.

AFP reached out to Trump’s office for comment but there was no immediate response.

“Former President Trump’s representatives have informed the NARA that they are continuing to search for additional presidential records that belong to the National Archives,” the agency added.

Source: Agence-France-Presse

COVID-19 SITUATION: 2/8/2022

                                          

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• Vaccinating kids would allow them to return to their normal activities — pedia group
• Fear of the needle: Health expert underscores parents' role in educating kids on vaccines
• DOH: Close to 9.8K kids aged 5 to 11 vaccinated vs. COVID-19 on first day
• 7,000 kids jabbed on first day of pediatric vaccination; National Vax Days 3 set on Feb 10 to 11 – Galvez
• ‘Huwag po kayong matakot’: Medical societies assure safety of COVID-19 vaccines for kids
• 5 Metro Manila LGUs now at 'low risk' for COVID-19 — OCTA
• Duterte calls out PAO chief Acosta for anti-vax stance: 'Ikaw na lang'
• Not right to compare COVID-19 vaccination with Dengvaxia controversy says Duque
• Omicron BA.2 sub-variant cases in Israel double to 700
• China locks down city of 3.5 million near Vietnam border
• Morocco reopens airspace after 2-month virus shutdown
• WHO, Commonwealth make jabs plea for small states

Let's Do The News! (February 8, 2022)

                                            

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- The NUJP joins the call in urging candidates to participate in election debates and forums.

- The PH DOJ said that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy can be brought to the US on "temporary surrender".

- A certain journalist files criminal complaints against lawyer and Marcos loyalist Larry Gadon.

- The United Nations and partners ramp up relief work for Cyclone Batsirai victims in Madagascar.

- Queen Elizabeth II set to resume duties as gun salutes mark her seven-decade reign.

- DS Automobiles showcased their E-Tense Performance Concept, which uses Formula E technology.

- The MG Cyberster Concept heads into production this 2024.

- Sony AI and Polyphony Digital collaborate on a "breakthrough" project.

- According to a police report, there is strong video evidence showing allegations against New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara.

- Dame Helen Mirren responds to criticisms about her decision to play as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in an upcoming biopic.

TTFN.

Beijing 2022 Highlights - 2/7/2022

 

February 7, 2022

The third day of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics puts the spotlight on Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Ski Jumping, Snowboard, and Speed Skating.

Beginning with Alpine Skiing, Beat Feuz of Switzerland won gold at the Men's Downhill while Sara Hector of Sweden won gold at the Women's Giant Slalom Run 2. At the Women's 15km Individual biathlon, meanwhile, Denise Herrmann of Germany won gold. The ROC defeated Teams USA and Japan to win gold at the Team Event - Women Single Skating - Free Skating, the Short Track Speed Skating events saw Arianna Fontana of Italy win the Women's 500m Final A and Ren Ziwei of China won the Men's 1000m Final A, Slovenia won the Mixed Team Final Round, Max Parrot of Canada for the Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Final Run 3, and Ireen Wust of The Netherlands for the Women's 1500m speed skating event.

Schedule and Results: https://olympics.com/beijing-2022/olympic-games/en/results/all-sports/olympic-schedule.htm