TRUMP SUSPENDS 'ALL TRAVEL FROM EUROPE' TO US FOR 30 DAYSWASHINGTON, United States - President Donald Trump announced on Wednesdaythe United States would ban all travel from Europe for 30 days to stop thespread of the novel coronavirus outbreak."To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending alltravel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new ruleswill go into effect Friday at midnight," Trump said in an address to thenation.However, he specified that the restriction would "not apply to the UnitedKingdom."Trump added that the prohibitions would also "apply to the tremendous amountof trade and cargo," and "various other things as we get approval."The president has taken fire for what critics say is a slow response to thespread of the virus, which has claimed more than 4,500 lives worldwide.Trump, who said there would be exemptions for Americans who undergoappropriate testing, has repeatedly played down the threat, initiallyclaiming that only a handful of Americans were at risk.He added that Europe saw more cases because governments failed to stoptravel from China, where the COVID-19 epidemic began.

PHILHEALTH TO COVER TESTING, QUARANTINEMANILA — Malacañang yesterday allayed public fears on the high cost ofgetting tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by directingconcerned government agencies to shoulder the fees.President Duterte ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)to cover the cost so the public need not worry about the expenses that canbe incurred for seeking treatment.Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles gave assurance that the cost forundergoing COVID-19 tests in hospitals would be covered by PhilHealth, apartfrom possible quarantine.“The President recognizes that everyone in the country is concerned aboutCOVID-19 and the threat it poses to the health and lives of our loved ones,especially vulnerable individuals like senior citizens,” Nograles, a memberof the interagency task force for the management of emerging infectiousdiseases, said.“The last thing we want is for our citizens to worry about medical costs andexpenses. Their only concern should be their well-being as well as that oftheir families,” Nograles said.DTI: ENOUGH SUPPLY OF ESSENTIAL ITEMSMANILA — Malacañang is discouraging the public from resorting to panicbuying of food items and hygiene products in the wake of the increasingnumber of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.Quoting the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), presidential spokesmanSalvador Panelo yesterday said supplies of basic necessities are sufficient.“The Palace appeals to the people to buy only what they need,” Panelo said.Following confirmation by the Department of Health of the first localtransmission of COVID-19 last weekend and President Duterte’s proclamationof a state of public health emergency, people flocked to grocery stores andsupermarkets to stock up on food and other supplies.There were also reports of hoarding of bottles of alcohol, hand sanitizerand vitamins.Panelo warned that panic buying would only result in undue hoarding andprice increase.“Our officials from the DTI gave assurances that we have ample stock ofessential items,” he said.JODI STA. MARIA AS RUTHLESS VILLAIN IN ‘ANG SA IYO AY AKIN’ TRAILERMANILA—In a departure from her teleserye roles, Jodi Sta. Maria takes avillainous turn in the upcoming ABS-CBN drama “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin,” as seenin its full trailer released on Wednesday.Sta. Maria portrays Marissa, who is consumed by her envy of her best friendEllice’s (Iza Calzado) wealth. She even trades her freedom for money, whenEllice accidentally kills an assailant in self-defense.In exchange for P10 million from Ellice’s father (Lito , Marissa takesresponsibility for the homicide and agrees to go to jail, counting on anearly release.Her time behind bars, however, proves torturous and longer than sheexpected. She soon pins the blame of her misfortune on Ellice, who, unknownto her, protested the deal and consistently checked on Marissa’s well-being,only to be given false assurance by her father.When Marissa is released and receives the cash she was promised, she embarkson a ruthless mission: to claim everything Ellice owns, including hermarriage with Gabriel (Sam Milby) — hence the series’ title.Also among the lead cast is screen veteran Maricel Soriano, who portraysMarissa’s mother and apparent voice of conscience, going by the trailer.“Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” is scheduled for a March 23 debut.‘MY FAMILY AND A LOVED ONE’: JULIA BARRETTO’S BIRTHDAY DINNER SPARKSSPECULATION ABOUT NEW ROMANCEMANILA — Is Julia Barretto dating anew?This was the question among her followers on Wednesday, as the actressshared on Instagram photos of her intimate birthday dinner the night before.Barretto, who turned 23 on March 10, had previously celebrated her birthdayswith a grand bash, gathering her friends and family.“For my birthday this year I decided to do things differently. A dinner for10, my family and a loved one. And today, I woke up fuller than ever. ThankYou, Jesus,” she wrote, with a heart emoji.The mention of “a loved one,” who is counted apart from her family, sparkedspeculation in the comments on Barretto’s post. Some fans asked whether shemeant a romantic interest, while others guessed the mystery person’sidentity.That Barretto included a photo of a bouquet of roses in her post were takenas a hint by her followers that she, indeed, was likely pertaining to aromantic relationship.Barretto was last known to be in a relationship with her former onscreenpartner Joshua Garcia. They parted ways in mid-2019.She was then linked romantically with her “Between Maybes” co-star GeraldAnderson. The two denied having romantic ties, amid the controversysurrounding his breakup with fellow Star Magic artist Bea Alonzo.

NBA SCORES MARCH 10FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Celtics 43-21    30    29    35    20    114team logo Pacers 39-26    22    28    30    31    111SCORING LEADERSJ. Tatum BOS30 PTS, 6 REB, 2 ASTD. Sabonis IND28 PTS, 9 REB, 8 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Knicks 20-45    31    39    17    28    115team logo Wizards 24-40    36    18    33    35    122SCORING LEADERS    F. Ntilikina NY20 PTS, 2 REB, 10 AST    B. Beal WAS40 PTS, 3 REB, 7 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Magic 30-35    27    23    35    35    120team logo Grizzlies 32-33    35    28    23    29    115SCORING LEADERS    T. Ross ORL24 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST    J. Valanciunas MEM27 PTS, 16 REB, 0 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Mavericks 39-27    29    30    26    24    109team logo Spurs 27-36    27    27    29    36    119SCORING LEADERSL. Doncic DAL38 PTS, 7 REB, 8 ASTL. Aldridge SA24 PTS, 2 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Cavaliers 19-46    29    23    26    25    103team logo Bulls 22-43    27    27    24    30    108SCORING LEADERS    C. Sexton CLE26 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST    C. White CHI20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Timberwolves 19-45    35    21    24    31    111team logo Rockets 40-24    26    26    31    34    117SCORING LEADERSD. Russell MIN28 PTS, 6 REB, 5 ASTJ. Harden HOU37 PTS, 4 REB, 7 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Suns 26-39    28    25    25    27    105team logo Trail Blazers 29-37    36    18    28    39    121SCORING LEADERS    D. Booker PHO29 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST    D. Lillard POR25 PTS, 5 REB, 7 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Nets 30-34    27    29    31    17    104team logo Lakers 49-14    33    25    22    22    102SCORING LEADERSS. Dinwiddie BKN23 PTS, 4 REB, 7 ASTL. James LAL29 PTS, 12 REB, 9 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Clippers 44-20    35    41    35    20    131team logo Warriors 15-50    26    22    29    30    107SCORING LEADERSK. Leonard LAC23 PTS, 4 REB, 5 ASTD. Bender GS23 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST