ROME, April 16, 2009-Twenty-eight Filipina nuns belonging to the religious congregation "Zelatrici del Sacro Cuore" were among those affected by the earthquake that struck the medieval city of L'Aquila, in central Italy (Abruzzo Region) northeast of Rome last April 6.

Davao City (18 April) -- DOE Senior Science Research Specialist Ms. Delia Sy, in an interview last April 16, said that they are conducting inspection and investigation to every gasoline station here in Mindanao to assure that the oil price is fair to the public and that the gasoline stations will not take advantage to its price.

A la Metro Manila, the Naga City government is set to implement a "number coding" scheme for vehicles passing through Panganiban Avenue starting April 21. Ostensibly intended to address the imminent traffic congestion brought in by the opening of the new SM City mall, the experimental coding scheme follows the restrictions made on vehicles plying EDSA.

SAN ANDRES, Catanduanes, April 16 (PNA) - This prime coastal town is using the credit facility being offered by the Spanish government to conduct a feasibility study in preparation for the putting up of a wind farm for its supply of electricity.

MANILA, April 16, 2009- Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales leads the 2009 Fr. Neri Satur Awardees for Environmental Heroism. Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change Secretary said that Rosales is recognized as an instrument of environmental activism.

BAAO, Camarines Sur, April 13 (PNA) - A four-hectare agro-tourism hub along the national highway here is not only a leisure farm where one can find respite and take time to commune with nature but a "pick-your-own-vegetable" organic food production base.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Sondhi Limthongkul's the leader of the "yellow-shirts," which brought down former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, has been shot and injured. He was ambushed by gunmen who attacked his car in the Thai capital, Bangkok, spraying it with bullets and hitting Sondhi in the shoulder; another two people were injured in the attack. In 2006 Sondhi led People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD) protests which ended with Thaksin's resignation. The "yellow shirts" began a new round of protests in the summer of 2008, against the previous pro Thaksin government. The demonstrations which went on for months drew to an end in December 2008 with the installation of the current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the outlawing of the People's Power Party (Ppp).

Kabul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Two earthquakes have hit Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, killing at least 22 people and injuring another 30. A 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 01.57 local time (21.27 GMT), followed by a 5.1-magnitude aftershock two hours later.

Albay Province (16 April) -- The Aboitiz Power Corp., the holding company for the Aboitiz Group's in power generation and distribution, is close to taking over the Tiwi geothermal power facilities next month following its down payment of 40 percent or P8 billion from the company's internally generated funds. Located in the municipality of Tiwi, this province, the Tiwi geothermal power facilities and assets were previously owned by the government-run National Power Corporation. The power plant can generate up to 289 megawatts (mW) of power.

“Qui, pridie quam pro nostra omniumque salute pateretur, hoc est hodie, accepit panem”: these words we shall pray today in the Canon of the Mass. “Hoc est hodie” -- the Liturgy of Holy Thursday places the word “today” into the text of the prayer, thereby emphasizing the particular dignity of this day. It was “today” that He did this: he gave himself to us for ever in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. This “today” is first and foremost the memorial of that first Paschal event. Yet it is something more. With the Canon, we enter into this “today”.