MANILA, May 16 (Reuters): The Philippines' target of 7% to 9% gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year is "doable" despite external risks, its economic planning minister said on Monday. "The bulk of the growth is going to come from domestic demand and we have to ensure a strong domestic rebound," Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua told ANC news channel, days after reporting a better-than-expected 8.3% GDP growth in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Philippine stocks closed 1.9% higher to record their best session in two months on Monday (May 16). That follows five straight sessions of losses and a 5.6% decline last week. Data released last Thursday showed the Philippine economy grew at a better-than-expected 8.3% in the first quarter, increasing the likelihood of a rate hike to tackle inflation as early as the next central bank meeting on May 19. The South-East Asian nation's economy grew a better-than-expected 8.3% in the first quarter, the government said on … [Read more...] about Philippines’ 7-9% GDP growth target achievable, says planning minister
What experts say about smoking
Johnny Depp to Return as Jack Sparrow? ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Producer Says ‘Not at This Point’
Click here to read the full article. “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” producer Jerry Bruckheimer reminded fans in a recent interview with The Sunday Times that the future of his Disney mega-franchise does not currently include Johnny Depp . The actor appeared as Jack Sparrow in all five “Pirates of the Caribbean,” earning an Oscar nomination for “Curse of the Black Pearl.” The most recent “Pirates” movie, “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” was released in 2017. Bruckheimer said two “Pirates” scripts are currently in development, but neither include Depp’s former franchise mainstay. “Yes. We’re talking to Margot Robbie. We are developing two Pirates scripts — one with her, one without,” Bruckheimer said when asked about the future of the “Pirates” franchise. “[Will Depp be back?] Not at this point. The future is yet to be decided.” More from Variety Chris Rock Shares Controversial Take on Depp-Heard Trial: 'Believe All Women Except Amber Heard' Why Didn't Johnny Depp Sue … [Read more...] about Johnny Depp to Return as Jack Sparrow? ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Producer Says ‘Not at This Point’
Young children can easily see disturbing content on YouTube despite age restrictions
The YouTube video starts with a popular British children's cartoon character, Peppa Pig , introducing herself and her family, but there are signs of trouble almost immediately. During the ninth second, Peppa's mother opens her mouth and shouts, "Smoke weed!" The video - a doctored version of a real Peppa episode - deteriorates from there. Over five minutes, there are explosions and racial and homophobic slurs, culminating with Peppa and her parents in dark sunglasses smoking marijuana as rapper Snoop Dogg dances nearby. Since it was uploaded in 2015, the altered video, which has no age restrictions, has been viewed more than 1.5 million times. After years of vowing to police inappropriate content, YouTube continues to deliver violent imagery, drug references, sexually-suggestive sequences and foul, racially-charged language in clips that reach children at a troubling pace, say researchers, parents and consumer groups. YouTube's recommendation algorithm, they say, … [Read more...] about Young children can easily see disturbing content on YouTube despite age restrictions
Florida parents spend 6 hours searching for baby formula, find 4 cans
A Florida couple with five-month-old twins said they spent nearly six hours searching for baby formula and were only able to purchase four cans. This, as a U.S. shortage of the product sends concerned parents scrambling to feed their infants. Erik and Kelly Schmidt, both 35, told MarketWatch that their local Central Florida Target store was empty-shelved when they went to buy their usual baby formula this week. The couple then embarked on a full day's journey to find formula, resulting in hours of driving to different Targets, Walmarts, and grocery stores nearby. However, with each store they visited, the pair were forced to leave empty-handed. "It's pure panic, " Kelly Schmidt told the news outlet, while Erik added that they were finding "absolutely nothing." Eventually, the Schmidts found that the grocery store chain Aldi carried a baby formula similar to their usual brand. Erik Schmidt then traveled to three different Aldi stores before he found one with the right … [Read more...] about Florida parents spend 6 hours searching for baby formula, find 4 cans
Lacking vaccines, North Korea battles Covid-19 with antibiotics and home remedies
SEOUL, May 16 (Reuters): Standing tall in bright red hazmat suits, five North Korean health workers stride towards an ambulance to do battle with a Covid-19 outbreak that - in the presumed absence of vaccines - the country is using antibiotics and home remedies to treat. The isolated state is one of only two countries yet to begin a vaccination campaign and, until last week, had insisted it was COVID-free. Now it is mobilizing forces including the army and a public information campaign to combat what authorities have acknowledged is an "explosive" outbreak. In an interview on state television on Monday, Vice Minister of Public Health Kim Hyong Hun said the country had switched from a quarantine to a treatment system to handle the hundreds of thousands of suspected "fever" cases reported each day. The broadcaster showed footage of the hazmat team, and masked workers opening windows, cleaning desks and machines and spraying disinfectant. To treat Covid and its symptoms, state … [Read more...] about Lacking vaccines, North Korea battles Covid-19 with antibiotics and home remedies
Doctors educate people on liver diseases at ‘Punarjanma’ in Mysuru
About 250 persons turned up for ‘Punarjanma’, a liver disease awareness programme organised in Mysuru, which was addressed by doctors and specialists from a private hospital. People who underwent liver transplant shared their experience after getting a new lease of life. Noted music director Arjun Janya inaugurated the Punarjanma event. Among those present were Bharateesha Reddy, Vice-President and Unit Head, Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru; Dr. Rajkumar P Wadhwa, Chief Gastroenterologist and Head of Institute of Gastro Sciences; Dr. Suresh Raghavaiah, Senior Consultant HPB and Multi-Organ Transplant Surgeon; Dr. Nairuthya S., Chief Gastrointestinal Surgeon; Dr. Yashavanth Kumar V., Consultant Hepato-biliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon; and Dr. Arti Behl, Consultant Psychiatrist. In his address at the Punarjanma event, Mr. Janya called upon the people to follow doctors’ advice and health recommendations, and make use of such programs for taking good care of their health. He … [Read more...] about Doctors educate people on liver diseases at ‘Punarjanma’ in Mysuru
Ukraine strikes deal to evacuate around 50 wounded fighters from Mariupol Azovstal factory
close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for May 16 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A senior Ukrainian official tells Fox News Monday that an agreement has been reached to evacuate around 50 wounded soldiers from the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol to Russian-controlled territories. The official did not reveal where the fighters are heading, only saying they are not going to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. But Russia’s Defense Ministry said "a humanitarian corridor has been opened through which wounded Ukrainian servicemen are being taken to a medical facility in Novoazovsk," according to Reuters. In this photo provided by Azov Special Forces Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard Press Office, Azov Special Forces Regiment's servicemen, injured during fighting against Russian forces, pose for a photographer inside the Azovstal … [Read more...] about Ukraine strikes deal to evacuate around 50 wounded fighters from Mariupol Azovstal factory
Revenge porn victims could be granted anonymity in review of online abuse laws
Revenge porn victims could be granted anonymity as part of a review of the laws around online abuse. MPs and campaigners have been calling for victims to be protected from further harassment after the sharing of private or sexual images or videos of a person without their consent was made a criminal offence in 2015. Survivor Lena Chen previously told The Independent how she had to leave the US and change her name when she was harassed for years after her ex-boyfriend’s posted of intimate photos online. The Law Commission is to consider the case for granting revenge porn victims automatic anonymity, which is currently standard for sexual offences, as part of a wide-ranging review. The independent body will also look at whether current laws are sufficient to tackle the emerging offence of “cyberflashing ”, where victims are sent unsolicited sexual photos and “deepfake” pornography that sees victims’ faces added to explicit videos. UK news in pictures … [Read more...] about Revenge porn victims could be granted anonymity in review of online abuse laws
LIC Policyholders: Buy, Sell or Hold, What Should you Do After LIC IPO Lists on Tuesday?
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is all set to start its stock market journey on Tuesday, May 17. The biggest public issue of India, received an overwhelming response from the investors during its subscription period. LIC IPO was subscribed 2.95 times over the 16.20 crore shares that were on offer. Moreover, the portion set aside for the policyholiders of LIC , was booked 6.12 times. However, LIC IPO is listing at a time when stock market is extremely volatile and the central bank is rising interest rates to tame surging inflation. share of LIC , here is a listing day strategy to follow What LIC IPO GMP Suggests The grey market premium of LIC IPO has improved on Monday. LIC shares were trading at a discount of Rs 12 apiece in the unofficial market, according to IPO Watch. LIC unlisted share was trading at discount of Rs 15-20 apiece during the weekend. The negative grey market premium indicates that LIC stock will likely to have a moderate to discounted … [Read more...] about LIC Policyholders: Buy, Sell or Hold, What Should you Do After LIC IPO Lists on Tuesday?
Rights group: Israel approves over 4,000 new settler homes
Israel advanced plans for the construction of more than 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, a rights group said, a day after the military demolished homes in an area where hundreds of Palestinians face the threat of expulsion. It was a jolting illustration of Israel's policies in the territory it has occupied for nearly 55 years. Critics, including three major human rights groups, say those policies amount to apartheid, a charge Israel rejects as an attack on its very legitimacy. Hagit Ofran, an expert on the settlements at the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now, said a military planning body approved 4,427 housing units at a meeting on Thursday that she attended. Israeli officials did not respond to requests for comment. It's the biggest advancement of settlement projects since the Biden administration took office. The White House opposes settlement construction and views it as an obstacle to any eventual peace agreement with the … [Read more...] about Rights group: Israel approves over 4,000 new settler homes