H5N1 bird flu outbreak detected in Laos

H5N1 bird flu outbreak detected in Laos.  (Photo from VNA/VNS)  VIENTIANE – The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Livestock and Fisheries recently reported an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in a Vientiane market. The Lao centre for animal disease research said, of the 65 poultry samples it received from Danxang market in Saythani district, 30 were…

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PH tourism: A year of exceeding expectations

MANILA – As inbound and domestic travel gain momentum, tourism in The Philippines has seen a remarkable turnaround in tourism this 2023, breaching targets and continuing to generate employment to millions of Filipinos, as both inbound and domestic travel. Department of Tourism’s (DOT) latest data show that the industry already surpassed its 4.8 million foreign arrivals target with over five million visitors recorded…

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World Bank OKs US$100-M Mindanao agri dev’t project for IPs

The World Bank has approved a US$100 million agriculture development project to help boost the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk in indigenous cultural communities in Mindanao. Philippines. In a statement over the weekend, World Bank said the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) is expected to benefit around 120,000 farmers and fisherfolk in selected ancestral domains in…

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2 SENATORS PUSH FOR ‘MARIJUANA’ LEGALIZATION WITH SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE

QUALIFIED patients may soon receive therapeutic and palliative benefits from medical cannabis or marijuana under Senator Robinhood Padilla’s  proposal while Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa said safeguards are already in place  in the measures allowing the use of the plant. Sen. Padilla sponsored Senate Bill No. 2572 or the proposed Cannabis Medicalization Act of the…

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New Year revelries in jails generally peaceful — BJMP MIMAROPA

BATANGAS CITY, Batangas — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Office MIMAROPA on Wednesday reported that the New Year’s celebrations and festivities in its 19 manned jail facilities were generally peaceful. “As to the assessment, generally peaceful regionwide,” BJMP MIMAROPA Information Officer, Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo told reporters in an issued…

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Pope calls for global ban on surrogacy

ROME – Pope Francis on Monday called for the practice of surrogate motherhood to be banned worldwide.  “The path to peace demands respect for life, for every human life, starting with that of the unborn child in its mother’s womb, which cannot be suppressed, nor become an object of commodification,” Pope Francis said during a New Year audience…

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DA seeks liberalization of foreign investments in rice, corn sector

Econokmists and officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Board of Investments (BOI) have expressed support for the liberalization of foreign investments in the rice and corn industry to boost food production, increase farmers’ income, and foster greater competition to benefit consumers. At a recent House roundtable discussion on bills seeking to increase investments in the rice and corn…

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