Typhoon Juaning kills 20 in Philippines

A tropical storm killed at least 20 people in the Philippines as it dumped enormous amounts of rain that caused major flooding and landslides, authorities said Wednesday.

Nock-ten, named after a Laotian bird, was expected to cause more damage in the mountainous northern areas of the main island of Luzon on Wednesday, while also bringing heavy rain to Manila, the state weather service said.

24 dead, 9 missing in slow-moving Philippine storm

Heavy rains and floods battered the northeastern Philippines for a third day Wednesday as the death toll from a slow-moving storm rose to at least 24 with nine others missing.

Waist-deep floodwaters swamped the houses of about half a million people, nearly half of the population of eastern Albay province, after Tropical Storm Nock-ten set off pounding rains since Monday and sent residents to seek shelter in churches and village halls, said Gov. Joey Salceda.

Philippines seen to remain No. 3 in global outsourcing

The Philippines is seen holding on to the third spot in the global offshoring market, with revenue for the year expected to reach $10.7 billion for a 7.4-percent share of the market.

According to Canada-based research firm XMG Global, India will continue to be the world leader, with an estimated global take of $61.5 billion, or 42.5 percent of offshoring revenue in 2011.

Smoking ban in Philippine Capital

Outstanding Job to the law enforcers! I hope the law include the premises of Malacanang Palace and the offices of president (it's still a government spaces). The leaders of the country should lead the example for the masses.

Under the new ban, people caught smoking at schools, gyms, parks, hospitals, elevators and stairwells of all buildings, buses and bus depots, restaurants, and government facilities will be hit with the 500-peso fine.