Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The number of firecracker-related injuries monitored nationwide from December 22, 2024 to January 2, 2025 this year has climbed to 534, according to the Department of Health (DOH).  In a report released on Thursday, the DOH said this figure is 9.8 percent lower compared to the 592 cases monitored during the same period last year.  Three hundred twenty two of the are aged 19 and below, while 212 others are aged 20 and up.  A total of 443 victims are male and 91 female.  Based on DOH’s Tuesday data, most of the injuries were caused by illegal […]…

Keep on reading: DOH: 534 firecracker – related injuries logged, so far

Researchers from the University of Cambridge warn that artificial intelligence might give rise to an “intention economy.”  Their recent study argues that AI agents will have access to vast amounts of psychological and behavioral data.  READ: AI’s real impact on the global economy This information could enable bots to build trust and understanding with users, allowing social manipulation “on an industrial scale.”  Intention economy will put your opinions on sale Cambridge’s Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) says that people worldwide are becoming more familiar with AI chatbots.  Frequent use will allow these digital assistants to compile seemingly […]…

Keep on reading: AI-driven ‘intention economy’ might manipulate user decisions

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The management of state-owned Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) has expressed confidence they will be able to accommodate the national government’s plan to establish a naval base within its 3,000-hectare industrial estate in Misamis Oriental province. PIA administrator Donato Bernedo said they were already in talks with the Department of National Defense (DND) […]…

Keep on reading: Ecozone eyed as naval base site in Mindanao

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Residents of this city and its neighboring towns of Palo and Babatngon ushered in the New Year in darkness as a power interruption left them without electricity for at least 10 hours. The outage, which affected over 91,000 member consumers, began at 10:11 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Power was restored at 7:48 a.m. the following day. READ: NGCP completes Leyte power reconnection to Cebu: RDC-7 The Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II), the electricity provider for Tacloban City, Palo, and Babatngon, attributed the blackout to a cut conductor along the Babatngon-Apitong 69-kilovolt line in Barangay […]…

Keep on reading: Leyte left in dark by New Year’s Eve power outage

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A murder suspect and his companion were killed in a shootout with a police officer in Barangay Ayala here on Tuesday evening, six hours before the New Year. In a police report submitted by Senior Master Sergeant Adzhar Lagbas, an intelligence operative identified as Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano of Zamboanga City Police Station 9 was on duty around the Mount Carmel Parish Church at Zone 1 of Barangay Ayala. While there, Mariano spotted Haber Tating who has two standing arrest warrants for murder. READ: 21 armed men nabbed in Cotabato town after shootout with soldiers Tating and […]…

Keep on reading: Murder suspect, pal killed in shootout with cop in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines — No low pressure areas are being monitored for potential tropical cyclone formation on the first day of 2025, according to the 4 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). The state weather bureau forecast cloudy skies to prevail all over the country on New Year’s Day brought by three weather systems. READ: Pagasa releases tropical cyclone names for 2025 The intertropical convergence zone will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over the Visayas and Mindanao and the Luzon provinces of Palawan, Romblon, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate. Meanwhile, overcast skies with […]…

Keep on reading: No low pressure areas being monitored on New Year’s Day

ILOILO CITY – The city government of Iloilo is urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to speed up a project on Calle Real, a vital thoroughfare in downtown Iloilo. In a letter sent to Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Dec. 17, Mayor Jerry Treñas highlighted the urgency of completing the project, noting that Calle Real is a major artery for over 500,000 residents. He also emphasized that the delay in the construction works on Calle Real hinders economic activities and daily commuting, significantly affecting residents’ quality of life. The ongoing P49.4-million project includes crucial upgrades like a […]…

Keep on reading: Iloilo City gov’t urges DPWH to speed up project on Calle Real

LIPA, BATANGAS – Philippine tech developer community DEVCON recently held its biggest regional campus summit, Tech Nexus. Tech Nexus offered students a chance to learn cutting-edge technology topics, such as including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. READ: Viu hosts Campus Connect at NU and Arellano University As a result, DEVCON hopes to build the next generation of tech-savvy professionals who will shape the future of technology in the Philippines.  The event gathered over 700 students from more than 30 schools across Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal. DEVCON Founder and President Winston L. Damarillo graced the event with a welcome […]…

Keep on reading: Campus DEVCON Summit helps 700+ young minds shape tech’s future

As news about the anomalous, if not altogether uncompassionate national budget began to spread, so did the protests begin. There were press conferences by groups, which though sometimes disparate in beliefs, were united in anger. There were op-ed pieces by governance experts who saw the budget as a sign of graft and corruption to come. […]…

Keep on reading: This had better be a happy new year

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed optimism about the state of human rights in the country in 2025 despite challenges experienced this year. In a statement on Tuesday, December 31, CHR said that it would welcome the New Year with a positive outlook regarding “advancing the human rights landscape in the country.” “The year 2024 has witnessed various challenges and developments in the human rights situation in the Philippines.  As such, the Commission on Human Rights reaffirms its commitment to upholding its mandate to protect and promote the dignity of all as we welcome the […]…

Keep on reading: CHR optimistic about state of human rights in PH in 2025