'Hero' PMA cadet condition improves

THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet who was shot while trying to thwart a robbery is now back on his feet but remains confined in the hospital due to an injury.

After almost two months of intensive medical care, Cadet 1st Class Alfonso Aviles is now on ambulatory stage and can walk with guidance of a nurse, according to a medical report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC).

Cebu, several other areas now under signal number 2

CEBU CITY (3rd Update, 12:05 p.m.) -- The state weather bureau placed Cebu province, including Camotes Island, and several other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao under storm signal number 2, as Tropical Storm “Ofel” (international codename: Son-Tinh) is now at the vicinity of Siargao Island while moving toward Southern Leyte.

Asian stocks limit losses on China manufacturing

BANGKOK -- Asian stock markets fell Wednesday following a slew of bleak US corporate results, but losses were cushioned by a report suggesting China's manufacturing slump may be bottoming out.

HSBC Corp. said its monthly purchasing managers index rose to 49.1 points in October from 47.9 points on a 100-point scale on which numbers below 50 indicate a contraction. The result means that China's manufacturing shrank again, but at a slower rate than the previous month.

USGS: 6.6 earthquake strikes Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck Costa Rica's Pacific coast on Tuesday, swaying buildings and sending people running out to the streets in the nation's capital of San Jose. There were no immediate reports of major damage.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered in the Guanacaste region of the Central American country, 38 miles (61 kilometers) away from the city of Liberia. It had a depth of 24.5 miles (39 kilometers), according to a preliminary report.

'Ofel' intensifies; 17 areas under storm signals

MANILA -- At least 17 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are under public storm warning signals as Tropical Depression “Ofel” (international name: Son-Tinh) intensified into a tropical storm Wednesday.

The storm, located 90 kilometers east of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur at 4 a.m. Wednesday, threatens the Caraga Region and parts of the Visayas, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

New iPad, including smaller model, plus new Macs

SAN JOSE, California — Apple introduced a smaller iPad, as expected, but also updated its full-sized one. It also unveiled new Mac computers, including a 13-inch (33-centimeter) version of a MacBook Pro with sharper, "Retina" display.

With a screen measuring 7.9 inches (20 centimeters) on the diagonal, the iPad Mini is about half the size of the regular iPad. It's slightly larger than the 7-inch (17.7-centimeter) tablets from Amazon.com Inc. and Google Inc.

PAL concerned on rising number of 'birdstrikes'

MANILA -- The country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has expressed concern on the increasing number of "birdstrikes" at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as these have been affecting its operations.

In a statement, PAL management said Tuesday that its plane suffered another "birdstrike" upon landing at the NAIA Monday night.

Poll: Aquino admin gets 'very good' satisfaction rating

MANILA -- The administration of President Benigno Aquino III received a high public satisfaction rating in the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) conducted last August 24 to 27.

The latest survey showed that 72 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the performance of the Aquino government, while only 10 percent were dissatisfied and 17 percent were ambivalent.

More celebrities running for Congress in 2013

MANILA -- Election year 2013 will test the celebrity power of several veteran actors and movie directors who have decided to throw their hats into the political arena.

According to a list released recently by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), at least 14 showbiz personalities have filed candidacy papers as they seek to represent their districts in the 16th Congress.

4 carjackers killed in shootout with police

MANILA -- Four suspected car thieves, including an ex-convict, were killed in a shootout with police operatives in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday, a top police official said.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Leonardo Espina said that before the incident, they received information from a confidential informant about the sale of a carjacked Toyota Vios car, with plate number ZCN 566, for only P150,000.