MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Friday that the surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles of its two Jose Rizal-class frigates will be test-fired in June.

"Hopefully, after this anniversary, maybe next month, we will witness the test-firing of our newly-acquired weapon systems, itong ating surface-to-air missile at saka surface-to-surface missile na nandiyan sa atin frigates (our surface-to-surface air missiles and surface-to-surface missiles installed on our frigates)," PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado said during PN's 124th founding anniversary.

Bordado was referring to the Mistral 3 surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs) of the Jose Rizal-class missile frigates – BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) – which were delivered last October 8.

Procurement and delivery of the Mistral 3 SAMs is part of the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B which was awarded to MBDA Missile Systems based in France.

ANKARA – Despite declines in deaths from household air and water pollution, pollution still kills more than 9 million each year, or one in six deaths worldwide, according to research published Wednesday in a top medical journal.

"Over the past two decades, deaths caused by the modern forms of pollution have increased by 66 percent, driven by industrialization, uncontrolled urbanization, population growth, fossil fuel combustion, and an absence of adequate national or international chemical policy," the study in Lancet Planetary Health said.

MANILA – Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on abuse and sexual harassment, an official of the Quezon City government has been suspended after sexually harassing a fellow employee.

In a statement issued on Friday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said the female complainant detailed several acts of verbal and physical harassment by a high-ranking male official.

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) is warning farmers against hemorrhagic septicemia (Hemosep), a disease that could affect their livestock this rainy season.

Provet Antique Public Health Division head Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil, in an interview Friday, said farmers should immediately notify their Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) if they suspect their livestock, such as cows and carabaos, manifesting early signs of the bacterial disease like nasal discharge or other respiratory problems.

"The ProVet since February until now are having free vaccination and deworming for the livestock animals because of their susceptibility to Hemosep, especially during the rainy season," he said.

Livestock animals are susceptible to Hemosep during rainy days because of the moist condition. Other causes are poor nutrition and work stress to the animal.

When not immediately treated, it could cause animals to develop pneumonia, hemorrhage due to bleeding of internal organs, and multiple organ failures that could be fatal.

The ProVet as of its latest report on Friday has dewormed and vaccinated 1,100 cattle and 523 carabaos in coordination with the MAOs.

Ardamil said so far, they have conducted vaccination and deworming of the livestock in the towns of San Jose de Buenavista, Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and Belison.

No case of Hemosep was reported in the province last year. (PNA)

With all the bad things that is happening around the world and the pressure being given on us at work, school, and at home, sometimes it is so hard to avoid not being affected and stressed.

Many people face stress every day due to issues with their family, work, financial obligations, and health concerns.