Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Octa: Metro Manila’s COVID-19 positivity rate jumps to 21%
Metro Manila’s weekly COVID-19 positivity jumped to 21 percent as of December 17 from the previous week’s 13.4 percent, Octa Research fellow Guido David said on Tuesday.
According to David, this is only the fifth instance the positivity rate in the capital region has surpassed the 20 percent mark since 2020.
MTRCB suspends 2 SMNI shows
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued a 14-day preventive suspension order on two programs of Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI), including that of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s program, in connection with his utterance of death threats and use of profane language which the management failed to curb.
In a statement, the MTRCB through its chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio suspended the airing of “Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa” (From the Masses, For the Masses), and “Laban Kasama Ang Bayan,” both public affairs programs of SMNI, a media company owned by Swara Sug Media Corporation, and the broadcasting arm of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ which is led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Death toll rises to 111 after earthquake in China’s Gansu – state media
At least 111 people were killed and more than 230 injured after an earthquake hit the Gansu-Qinghai border region in China on Tuesday, according to reports by state media.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) had pegged the earthquake at magnitude 6.1. Chinese state media said the quake was registered at 6.2 magnitude.
Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling
The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies.
A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in 2021, said such blessings would not legitimize irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.