With soaring rice prices, DA eyes declaring 'food emergency' in 2025

View in browser   |   Download our app December 28, 2024 FOR PETS' SAKE  Members of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (Paws) show how to strap an "anxiety wrap" on dogs to help reduce their stress levels, during a program on Friday where they renewed their appeal to make New Year celebrations more pet-friendly by doing away with firecrackers. — LYN RILLON  Hi there. With soaring rice prices, DA eyes declaring 'food emergency' in 2025 A "food emergency" declaration by the Agriculture department early next year may help rein in rice prices, which remain high and is a major inflation driver, even though tariffs on imported rice had been slashed to 15 percent until 2028 from 35 percent. Once again, the meddlesome, hectoring neighbor: "The Philippines will be hurting its own interests if it keeps refusing to change course," said Beijing on Thursday, reiterating its "firm opposition" to the deployment of US mid-range missiles in PH. The COA has flagged the horrendous state of PH prisons, noting that jail congestion rates reached 2,827 percent in 2023 – beyond acceptable standards — with about three in five jails still bursting at the seams. This rate has hardly changed since 2022. Hope, but also fear: Per the latest Social Weather Stations survey, most Filipinos remained hopeful for the New Year, but fear is creeping in. This year's hope rating is the lowest recorded since 2009, while the fear rating is the highest during the same period. Initial findings indicate it was Russian air defenses that downed an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Tracking data also showed the plane experienced GPS jamming throughout its flight over southwest Russia. Like this email? Forward it to your friends and let them know that they can sign up here. BUSINESS BSP reopens window for digital banking applications The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is again accepting applications for a digital banking license. By Ian Nicolas Cigaral REGIONS Over 60,000 families across PH in distress over flooding–OCD Floodings triggered by three weather systems this month killed one person in Visayas and distressed 63,212 families nationwide, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Friday. By John Eric Mendoza  SPORTS Teen, partner dominate US Open Kheith Rhynne Cruz, a 17-year-old Filipino table tennis prodigy, ruled the under-19 girls doubles category with American partner Irene Yeoh in the 2024 US Open Table Tennis Championships at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, adding to her growing list of accolades. By June Navarro Hi Edward, Have feedback? We're happy to hear it. Give Suggestions LIFESTYLE Are record labels still relevant in the age of TikTok? While aspiring music artists can now easily upload their works on YouTube, or luck into a viral hit on TikTok, they still stand to benefit from the resources of labels and the guidance of experienced professionals, Wild Dream Records founder Marion Aunor said. By Allan Policarpio  INQUIRER PLUS-EXCLUSIVE Brawner urges NPA to 'abandon armed struggle, reunite with families and contribute to peace' Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. has urged the remaining communist rebels to surrender to the government, saying the rebel movement has been "significantly crippled," with only one weakened guerrilla front remaining. By Nestor Corrales Try Inquirer Plus. Inquirer Plus is the Philippine Daily Inquirer's premium subscription service. Register for a free 30-day trial to get access to Inquirer's fearless reporting, exclusive stories and more. REGISTER NOW © 2024 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, Barangay La Paz, Makati City, Philippines You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to Inquirer Newsletters. Unsubscribe anytime