CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela — The pilot and the five passengers on board the Cessna plane that went missing in Isabela province on Jan. 24 were confirmed dead Thursday, March 9, as search teams finally located the aircraft's wreckage. The incident management team said the six-seat Gen AV Cessna 206 was found in the forest of Barangay Ditarum in Isabela's Divilacan town. 'A group of researchers from Maconacon and DRRM (Disaster Risk and Reduction Management) office found the wreckage of the missing Cessna plane that we are looking for in the past 44 days,' Watu Foronda, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Isabela, said in an online briefing.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740475/no-survivors-as-wreckage-of-missing-cessna-plane-in-isabela-found-says-search-team

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LONDON — The children of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will be known as prince and princess, with the couple publicly using their daughter's royal title for the first time to announce she had been christened. Under royal rules, the monarch's grandchildren can become princes or princesses of the realm, meaning that Harry's children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, were eligible to use the titles since his father became king last September. The interest in Harry's children's titles comes after his relationship with his father, King Charles, hit rock bottom following his tell-all memoir earlier this year, in which he made accusations against the royal family.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740567/prince-archie-and-princess-lilibet-royal-titles-for-prince-harrys-kids

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Salesforce and OpenAI announced they would incorporate ChatGPT into the workplace communication tool Slack. Both companies believe it would 'empower customers with the information they need to move work forward faster.' The app is going through beta testing at the time of writing, so it is not widely available yet. However, business leaders may sign up for the waitlist to gain access sooner. What are the features of the ChatGPT app for Slack? Introducing the ChatGPT app for Slack by @OpenAI! 💬 Summarize conversations to quickly catch up on any channel 📚 Tap into tools to learn about any topic in an instant 🖊️ Draft and edit messages in seconds with smart writing assistance Learn more: https://t.

https://technology.inquirer.net/122061/chatgpt-app-for-slack-brings-ai-to-the-workplace

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TAIPEI — Taiwan's government said on Thursday it would allow the resumption of more direct flights to China that had been stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in a show of political goodwill to Beijing despite festering military tensions. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, currently allows direct flights to only four Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xiamen – but before the pandemic multiple Chinese cities were connected to the island. China has been pressing Taiwan to resume the flights, urging against using the pandemic as an excuse for further delay.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740561/taiwan-to-allow-more-china-flights-in-show-of-goodwill

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MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe said the report of the public services committee on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) New Year's Day shutdown did not clear individuals who have been remiss in their responsibilities that led to the incident. 'To be clear, no one is above accountability for the NAIA fiasco. Whether past or present administration, we will make sure they face the consequences,' Poe, chairperson of the panel, said. The report discussed in detail that several things could've been done differently to prevent what happened.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740529/poe-no-one-is-above-accountability-for-new-year-airport-fiasco

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MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water bags two distinctions at the 58th Anvil Awards, hosted by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), one of the premier institutions in the country in the field of public relations. In the Gabi ng Parangal awarding ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, PRSP awarded Silver Anvil Awards to 'BOW: Balita on Wednesdays' of Manila Water's Corporate Communication Affairs Group, and to 'H2O: Highland to Ocean' program of Manila Water Philippine Ventures' operating unit Boracay Water.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740508/manila-water-bags-2-silvers-during-58th-anvil-awards-night

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When my social media channels got flooded with posts on International Women's Day, I wondered, what about International Men's Day? As I looked around for a suitable topic on women in Philippine history, I realized I had already written on Andres Bonifacio's widow, Gregoria de Jesus, before. I already published a compilation of essays, 'Queridas de Rizal,' on the national hero's romantic entanglements. I've written on the mythical Princess Urduja, an Amazon from the Land of Tawalisi, who spoke Turkish and could beat any man in hand-to-hand combat.

https://opinion.inquirer.net/161594/women-in-philippine-history

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Surviving a momentary loss of focus in the third set on Thursday, Petro Gazz went on to bamboozle Akari, 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16, to grab the second semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. And with their first goal of making it past the playoffs over and done with, the work continues for coach Oliver Almadro and his game Angels, who are looking to nail down another target within the next couple of weeks. 'As we said before, we will work hard to reach the first realistic goal,' Almadro said, referring to their semifinals entry.

https://sports.inquirer.net/500099/angels-trim-chargers-sail-safely-into-semifinals

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Tyrese Haliburton followed his first 3-pointer of the game with a driving dunk on the ensuing possession to carry the Indiana Pacers to a 134-125 overtime victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Thursday. Haliburton scored 12 of his 29 points in the extra period. He added a career-high 19 assists and took over down the stretch after Myles Turner fouled out after posting 21 points and a season-high seven blocks for the Pacers. Haliburton delivered a layup with 3:23 left in regulation that followed an Andrew Nembhard 3-pointer that gave the Pacers a 111-110 lead after the Rockets claimed their first lead with a 15-2 rally capped by a Jalen Green three-point play with 4:10 left.

https://sports.inquirer.net/500142/nba-tyrese-haliburton-caps-career-game-leads-pacers-to-ot-win

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Moira Dela Torre opened up about the process she underwent to 'correct' her hormones, disclosing she was declared to be 'infertile' for two years and was diagnosed with an eating disorder. The singer revealed this while showing her weight loss after over a year into her medication, which included 'no exercise, no diet and no surgeries,' as per her Instagram page on Thursday, March 9. '[One] year and a month apart — from 180 lbs to 120 lbs— 60 lbs lighter and cleared of Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, estrogen dominance, and no longer infertile after [two years] of being declared to be,' she wrote.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/489910/moira-dela-torre-shows-weight-loss-progress-reveals-she-was-declared-infertile-for-two-years

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CEBU CITY, Philippines — The proposed 'Anti-Violence and School Safety Ordinance of Cebu City' of Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa failed to secure the approval of the city council during its third and final reading last Wednesday, March 8, 2023. With seven objections, two abstentions, and only five councilors voting in favor, even the amended version of the proposed ordinance, which would require all schools, universities, and other institutions of learning in Cebu City to submit a list of their calendar of activities and events for the incoming school year to the Cebu City Police Office, failed to get the nod of the council.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/492762/measure-requiring-schools-to-submit-calendar-of-activities-to-cops-nixed

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MANILA, Philippines — Return to the Philippines and face the accusations, Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. told Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves on Friday. Teves, currently in the United States, was being named by arrested suspects as the mastermind in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. 'Kailangan niyang bumalik sa Pilipinas at harapin ang mga alegasyon. That is just the most prudent and right thing to do lalo na at isa siyang halal na opisyal. Linisin niya ang kanyang pangalan kung talagang wala siyang kinalaman,' Revilla said in a statement.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740886/revilla-tells-teves-to-return-to-ph-face-accusations-in-degamo-slay-case

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League of Legends introduced its newest support champion Milio, hailing from a previously unexplored area of Ixtal. Milio's Abilities Passive – Fired Up! Milio's abilities enchant allies on touch, making their next damage deal a burst of extra damage and burn the target. Q – Ultra Mega Fire Kick Milio kicks a ball that knocks back an enemy. The ball launches upward on hit and falls toward the enemy, damaging and slowing enemies in the area upon impact. W – Cozy Campfire Milio creates an empowering zone that heals allies and increases attack range to those inside.

https://esports.inquirer.net/33741/meet-milio-league-of-legends-newest-enchanter

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be sending $200,000 financial donation and in-kind relief assistance to the earthquake-stricken Syria. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday that it was instructed by the government to send the aid to the Syrian Arab Republic, more than a month since the temblor ravaged the Middle Eastern country. 'The Philippines, as a member of the international community of nations, steadfastly supports the united global effort to assist the victims of the February 6 earthquake in Turkiye and Syria,' DFA said in a statement.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/211853/quake-hit-syria-to-receive-200000-in-humanitarian-aid-from-ph

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CITY OF CALAPAN — At least 81 residents in the coastal villages of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro have fallen ill due to the industrial oil spilled by the sunken tanker MT Princess Empress that has washed to the shores of the province and has spread to as far as the waters of Palawan. In a report on Friday, the Oriental Mindoro provincial health office (PHO) said most of those getting sick suffered from nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movement, sore throat, eye irritation, back pain, fever, difficulty in breathing and headaches believed to have been caused by the fumes and foul odor coming from the spilled oil.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741103/more-fall-ill-due-to-spill-oil-slick-reaches-palawan

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For leading property developer, SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the motto ‘Home of the Good Guys' is an ethos that reflects its core values and principles. So when SMDC made a search for its new brand ambassador, the embodiment of 'Good Guy' values was a crucial criterion, and Hallyu sensation Lee Min Ho was the perfect pick. A philanthropist who set up a donation platform to champion the causes closest to his heart In 2014, Lee Min Ho founded PROMIZ, a donation platform centered on his core advocacies – children, animals, and the environment.

https://business.inquirer.net/390404/5-reasons-why-lee-min-ho-is-a-certified-good-guy

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BRUSSELS — Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Friday banned federal officials from using TikTok on their work phones, making his the latest country to take steps against the Chinese app. A number of national governments in Europe have already restricted TikTok for government employees, over fears the authorities in Beijing could use the video-sharing network to access sensitive user data. The European Union's governing institutions have also told staff in recent weeks to purge the app from smartphones and laptops used for work purposes.

https://technology.inquirer.net/122135/belgian-government-bans-tiktok-on-official-phones

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VIRAC, Catanduanes– The two fishermen from Bato, Catanduanes who were earlier reported missing at sea on Friday evening, were found safe on Saturday morning, March 11, in Rapu-Rapu island in Albay. The Bato Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) said that Ramir Tapit, 60, and Ramir Palomer, 63, both residents of Barangay (village) Binanuahan in Bato were found in Barangay Banosawan, Rapu-Rapu. Tapit and Palomer went fishing at 4 a.m. Friday together with other fishermen on a banca, an earlier report said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741293/2-catanduanes-fishermen-reported-missing-found-safe-in-albay

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he wanted the integration of voter education in the country's education curriculum to encourage the youth to make informed choices during elections. In his speech at the National Election Summit in Pasay City, the President told officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to always 'ensure accurate and unalterable results' to maintain the sanctity of the polls and the people's trust. 'In ensuring excellent results, we must continue to discuss the nitty-gritty of our processes, including recalibrating the capacity of our teachers as electoral board members, and integrating voter education in the curricula of K to 12, tertiary level and the National Service Training Program,' he said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741130/voter-education-in-schools-pushed

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MANILA, Philippines—After being hailed as this year's 'Mr. Basketball' by the Philippine Sportswriters Association at Diamond Hotel on Monday, Scottie Thompson said the biggest challenge of his life is just about to come. Thompson and his wife Jinky Serrano's first child is about to be born in a few months, which the PBA star said will be his toughest—but best–challenge, to date. 'This will be the start of the real challenge of my life, which is to be a father and at the same time, I'm very thankful for my wife with her support,' Thompson said in Filipino at the PSA Awards Night.

https://sports.inquirer.net/500189/scottie-thompsons-biggest-challenge-is-just-about-to-come

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MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intercepted four alleged cryptocurrency scam trafficking victims who attempted to depart for Singapore. According to BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit Chief Ann Camille Mina on Thursday, they received intelligence information about the four individuals attempting to depart via a Jetstar Airlines flight to Singapore last Mar. 1. 'We received intelligence information from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking about the departure of the victims, that were said to be actually bound for Cambodia to work in offshore gaming operations,' said Mina in a statement.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740486/bi-intercepts-4-crypto-scam-trafficking-victims

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MANILA, Philippines — Emphasizing the fundamental equality of women and men, the Supreme Court (SC) nixed an airline's collective bargaining agreement pegging the compulsory retirement age of female cabin attendants at 55 compared to 60 years old for males. In a January 10, 2023 decision, the SC unanimously declared as unconstitutional Section 144(A) of the 2000-2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement between Philippine Airlines, Inc., and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines for being 'discriminating against women, and being contrary to laws, international convention, and public policy.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740489/setting-lower-mandatory-retirement-age-for-female-cabin-attendants-is-void-sc

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MANILA, Philippines — The private caretaker of the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province has renewed hopes that the plan to build a new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) headquarters within the protected area will be 'scrapped altogether.' The Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MGF) made the statement on Thursday in view of BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. announcing the deferral of the development plan during a Senate tourism panel hearing on Tuesday, March 7. 'Knowing the potential environmental impacts of the plan, we are hopeful that the project will be scrapped altogether,' it said in a statement.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740494/deferred-bucor-hq-plan-in-masungi-sparks-hope-it-will-be-scrapped-altogether

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MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto admitted his debut in the Japan B.League left something to be desired but he is confident that things are bound to get better for him and the Hiroshima Dragonflies as the 2022-23 season goes on. The 7-foot-3 center with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and had three blocks, two rebounds, and a steal in 19 minutes only for Dragonflies to fall to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 86-78, on Wednesday at Okinawa Arena. 'My performance today is not the best but I believe I can get better since it's my first day here in this league so I'm still adjusting to [everything].

https://sports.inquirer.net/500017/kai-sotto-believes-b-league-showing-only-going-to-get-better-as-he-adjusts

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MANILA, Philippines — The EcoWaste Coalition and other environmental organizations are seeking to ban the manufacture and use of cancer-causing per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which contaminate the natural environment. EcoWaste along with Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Mother Earth Foundation, Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP), Malaysia, Taiwan Watch Institute (TWI), and the International Pollutants Elimination Network-Southeast and East Asia (IPEN-SEA) conducted a webinar to emphasize the need to ban PFAS.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740652/pro-envt-groups-seek-to-ban-forever-chemicals-to-end-global-contamination-crisis

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CASTILLEJOS, Zambales—At least 75 former workers of Hanjin Industries and Construction Corp., which went bankrupt in 2017, staged a picket here on Monday (March 6) to protest the notice of eviction they received that forced them out of the housing village provided by the South Korean shipbuilding company. The protesters, all members of the Hanjin Village Neighborhood Association (HVNA), sought a dialogue with the local government to allow them to keep their houses. It was in 2019 when the workers began receiving notices of eviction from the developer for failure to pay their mortgage.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740625/displaced-hanjin-workers-fight-eviction-from-housing-village-in-zambales-town

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CAMALIG, Albay — Two suspected drug personalities were arrested in separate buy-bust operations, which yielded an estimated of P4,500 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in this town Wednesday, March 8. Camalig police, in a report Thursday, March 9, said authorities arrested Marty Nace Nograles, 39, after he sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay (village) Salugan at around 8:40 pm. Seized from him was P3,000 worth of shabu and the P1,000 buy-bust money. Meanwhile, Daraga police arrested Von Jay Nariz Sy, 33, in another buy-bust operation in Barangay (village) Kimantong at around 1:20 pm.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740557/2-nabbed-in-separate-albay-drug-buy-bust-operations

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WASHINGTON – The Biden administration's budget plan put forward on Thursday includes requests for billions of dollars of funding for the Indo-Pacific region aimed at countering China through infrastructure investments and other support for U.S. partners and allies in the region. Acting Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources John Bass told reporters Washington's competition with Beijing was 'unusually broad and complex' and justified new forms of funding. 'Our approach towards the generational challenge posed by the PRC focuses on investing in our own domestic capabilities, aligning our efforts with those of allies and partners and competing with the PRC where interests and values differ,' Bass said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

https://business.inquirer.net/390271/biden-budget-plan-includes-billions-aimed-at-countering-china

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MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon or 'amihan' is expected to bring cooler weather conditions to most parts of Luzon until next week, the state weather bureau said on Friday. 'Sa mga nagtatanong kung magsisimula na ba ang tag init, kung magtatapos na ba ang amihan, hindi po,' Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Benison Estareja said. (The amihan season is not about to end and the dry season is not starting yet.) 'Aasahan pa din po natin ang surge ng northeast monsoon hanggang sa susunod na linggo,' he added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740816/fwd-surge-of-amihan-continues-until-next-week-bringing-cooler-weather

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Vicky Abad is the managing director of market research firm Ipsos. She brings with her over three decades of marketing and research experience in the arena of creating innovative products and solutions, as well as helping build great brands. In this interview, she shares about the trends and trajectories for 2023 and beyond. Q: Help us understand where we are today in the Philippines. Have all things normalized? Although the world may never fully return to the way it was before COVID, we have come as close as possible to adapting to this new world disorder.

https://business.inquirer.net/390198/brands-as-a-force-for-good

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