Scientists develop low-sugar, high-protein rice to combat diabetes and obesity in the Philippines

Scientists in the Philippines have developed a low-sugar, high-protein rice that could help prevent a rise in diabetes. Research shows a link between the food and the disease. But experts warn healthier rice alone won’t solve the diabetes crisis.

Philippines drought: Govt warns El Niño will affect most parts by April

Thousands of Filipino farmers say they’re suffering from the effects of the climate pattern known as El Niño. The dry spell has damaged nearly 30,000 hectares of farmland, and is expected to affect almost all provinces in April – when it’s hottest in the Philippines.

South China Sea tensions: Confrontation between China and Philippines

In the South China Sea, Chinese coastguard ships have attempted to deny Philippine vessels access to Second Thomas Shoal island for the third time in five weeks. The Philippine coastguards were escorting civilian boats carrying supplies for troops stationed on the disputed territory.

A Pilot’s Mission

The Philippines has been in one of the longest coronavirus lockdowns in the world. This means travel is limited, whether by land, sea or air. For those living in remote villages with little to no medical facilities, this could sometimes mean getting caught in a life-and-death situation. Jamaican pilot Davin Bennett, a missionary based in the Philippines, realized this early during the pandemic. He decided to use his skill to transport patients and deliver medical equipment as well as blood donations. He transported about 170 individuals from April to mid-October last year, ranging from pregnant women to those involved in vehicular accidents, cancer patients and victims of sexual abuse.

Life and death amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives. But what does it mean to be welcoming new life and grieving the loss of loved ones in this time of fear and uncertainty? In the Philippines, where lockdowns have lasted months, CGTN’s Barnaby Lo discovers that navigating restrictions alone can prove challenging.

Miracle Babies Made in Taiwan

Taiwan has emerged as a top choice for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in Asia because of its advanced technology and higher success rate. Its 40 percent success rate for women below 40 years old is said to be the highest in the world. Taiwan is considered a regional pioneer, and its costs are lower by half compared to rates in Hong Kong, Thailand or Singapore.

Saving tourism

In the history of mankind, tourism is a fairly new and recent phenomenon brought by technological advances and economic growth. But it has also brought with it problems that had previously not existed. In the case of Palawan in the Philippines, the rapid growth of the tourism industry has greatly disrupted the habitat of the swiftlets, which are birds known to build nests using their saliva. As Barnaby Lo found out, the nests are often painstakingly collected by birds nest hunters, who in turn sell them to manufacturers who produce delicacies such as bird’s nest and other related products.