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5 iconic Jaclyn Jose roles that made a mark in Philippine cinema
Cannes award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose may have passed too soon, but she left a lasting legacy through her laid-back acting performances, which was prevalent in her numerous film appearances. As coined by local film enthusiasts, her “no acting” acting style initially brought her local attention when Filipinos realized her somewhat emotionless line delivery in most.....»»
WATCH: Why should we commemorate the People Power Revolution?
We walk you through the numbers, narratives, and ideas behind the revolution that brought back democracy to the Philippines in 1986.....»»
Beermen, Hotshots seek finals rematch
Is it time to reignite an old sibling rivalry that brought forth seven games of tooth-and-nail fighting back in the 2019 duel for PBA Philippine Cup supremacy?.....»»
Metrobank soars in 2023 with back-to-back local and international awards
Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) continued its upward momentum in 2023 as it brought home awards that demonstrated its strength and reliability for clients and cemented its leadership in the industry......»»
Metrobank soars in 2023 with back-to-back local and international awards
Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) continued its upward momentum in 2023 as it brought home awards that demonstrated its strength and reliability for clients and cemented its leadership in the industry......»»
DSWD’s Oplan Pag-Abot reunites elderly with family in Abra
The family of 84-year old Tatay Alfredo is happy to welcome this Christmas season after he was reunited with them on December 14 through the Oplan Pag-Abot of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Tatay Alfredo was brought back to his hometown and reintegrated with his family in Sitio Banat, Barangay San Ramon […].....»»
Archers hang hat on humility
De La Salle University men’s basketball head coach Topex Robinson never wavered in reminding his players to be humble throughout the UAAP season so when the final buzzer sounded to end the Finals that brought the Archers back to the throne after a seven-year wait before 25,192 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday, there were no stare-downs, no chest-thumps only the shaking of hands in the spirit of sportsmanship......»»
Economists: 25-bps rate hike likely if inflation rises anew
Economists believe the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas might further raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 percent next month if food supply issues and high global oil prices persist. Dan Roces, chief economist of Security Bank, said the BSP might make this decision at its meeting on 16 November to help temper inflation faster. “The higher policy interest rate is driven by mounting local inflation risks, attributed to supply chain disruptions and increasing global commodity prices, including the threat of crude price spikes brought about by tensions in the Middle East,” he told the Daily Tribune in a Viber message. Last Thursday, the central bank hiked its rate by 25 bps to 6.25 percent on an off-cycle period to arrest further inflation uptrend due to the aforementioned factors. Risks might linger Jun Neri, chief economist of Bank of the Philippine Islands, said these inflationary risks might linger until the government finds solutions to increase supply of rice, the main driver of re-accelerated inflation at 6.1 percent last month. While Neri said managing food supply is not the BSP’s responsibility, he agreed with the central bank that rate hikes can help slow inflation by restraining consumer spending. “The rate hike is a statement from the BSP that it is determined to bring inflation back to its target. Inflation expectations may shoot up further if the market doesn’t see any action from the BSP,” the economist said. Exacerbated by Israel-Hamas war “The risk of El Niño, as well as higher global crude oil prices recently among 11-month highs led to higher local fuel pump prices especially since July 2023. This could be exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas war that is still uncertain” Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., added. The post Economists: 25-bps rate hike likely if inflation rises anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stray animal adoption urged to lessen abandonment cases
Senator Mark Villar on Thursday expressed concern about the increasing cases of animal abandonment in the country. Villar has filed a proposed measure strengthening the adoption of stray and impounded animals. Senate Bill 2257 seeks the provision of incentives to those who would adopt stray and impounded animals to lessen abandonment cases. Citing data from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Villar underscored the need to improve the government’s program for rescuing abandoned animals. According to PAWS, there were around 12 million stray cats and dogs in 2019, which are either logged as former family pets or those who have reproduced in the streets due to lack of proper shelter. Villar said the rising numbers of abandoned animals remain highly disproportionate to the support they ought to receive. “This 12 million number of strays we have in record was back in 2019. Apat na taon na po ang nakalipas. With the pandemic placing a great burden to Filipinos, we can only expect na mas dumami na po ang mga stray animals na walang proper care and shelter,” Villar said. “We must act on this and extend our aid in securing safe animal shelters,” he said. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA said animal homelessness in the Philippines “has reached a crisis point” as stray animals struggle to live unsupervised in the streets and impounded ones are euthanized every month in municipal pounds. The unfortunate fates of strays and impounded animals are due to the limited resources of both public and private shelters, it added. Villar cited the case of a certain local government unit in the National Capital Region which previously reported that its city pound captures an average of 200 stray animals weekly, yet “they do not have sufficient resources to maintain their care.” Villar stressed the need to exhaust all means to ensure that proper aid is given to animals left in shelters. “My heart goes to these animals who are forced to these unfortunate living situations, and some of them to their untimely deaths because they cannot be cared for. Bilang isang animal lover at pet welfare advocate, I will do my best to lessen these rising numbers of strays and euthanized impounded animals,” he said. SB 2257 or the Act Strengthening the Adoption of Stray and Impounded Animals, seeks to encourage the adoption of stray and impounded animals by providing tax incentive benefits to any individual or group that shall adopt stray and impounded animals, to reduce cases of euthanasia for stray and impounded animals. The bill also outlines the provision for adoption, highlighting the role of LGUs in facilitating the implementation of animal adoption programs. “Through this bill, we are hoping that the number of strays and impounded animals will decrease as it will provide guidelines for adoptions in close coordination with LGUs,” Villar said. “We are also looking forward to more Filipinos who will be encouraged to adopt, not just because of the tax incentives this bill provides, but also because of their love and care for animals,” he added. The senator lamented that while there are multiple non-government organizations and private shelters that encourage the adoption of rescued animals, “the pet adoption rate in the country remains at a concerning low rate, less than one percent in particular.” “I hope that the bill will increase the adoption rate of stray pets so as to ensure that animals will be brought up in comfortable homes rather than being forced to survive in the streets,” said Villar. The post Stray animal adoption urged to lessen abandonment cases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." "Meta earnings looked pretty good," said independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "They have clearly cut back on the bleeding surrounding their metaverse efforts and the company appears to be on a more even keel right now." The tech giant said it made a profit of $11.6 billion as ad revenue climbed 23 percent to $34 billion when compared to the same period a year earlier. "We had a good quarter for our community and business," said Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The number of people using Facebook monthly rose slightly to 3.05 billion in a year-over-year comparison while monthly active users of Meta's "family" of apps was 3.96 billion a 7 percent increase from the same quarter in 2022, the company reported. Meta said it had trimmed costs, with layoffs and other belt-tightening measures started last year providing "greater efficiency." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta's business. Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta shares, which closed the formal trading day down, fell more than three percent further in after-hours trades to $289.50. Chief financial officer Susan Li said during an earnings call that Meta is seeing "volatility" in an ad market that started to soften when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. "It's hard for us to attribute demand softness directly to any specific geopolitical event," Li said. "We have seen broader demand softness follow other regional conflicts in the past, such as in the Ukraine war, so this is something that we're continuing to monitor." Lawsuit peril Analyst Enderle maintained that Meta is at risk from lawsuits poised to damage its image and its wallet. Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. "In seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its Social Media Platforms," argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. The states accused Meta of exploiting young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta said the states were singling it out unfairly instead of working with social media companies to develop universal standards for the whole industry. "This landmark lawsuit could herald a seismic shift in how social media platforms approach product features and user engagement," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jeremy Goldman. "That said, even as tech stocks face uncertainty, Meta's consistent performance cements its leadership in the digital realm." Meanwhile, the European Union is seeking details on measures Meta has taken to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The AI race The tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. "I'm proud of the work our teams have done to advance AI and mixed reality with the launch of Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and our AI studio," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica have a starting price of $299. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing," Zuckerberg said. Meta has taken a more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. "The majority of the world's population will have their first experience of generative artificial intelligence with us," Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told AFP in a recent interview. Meta recently unveiled AI-infused chatbots with personalities, along with tools for creating images or written content using spoken prompts. The post Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pampered passengers
Adult diapers are getting a “bum” rap and not for the use they are intended. In 2017, morning rush hour passengers on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 were inconvenienced when the train’s southbound service was halted for more than an hour. Commuters could only take the MRT 3 between the North Avenue and Buendia stations. Trains could not run through to the Ayala Avenue Station as power there had been cut following the discovery of an adult diaper hanging from the power line. After the diaper was removed, train safety was restored, and service went back to normal at 7:46 a.m., according to news reports. On 13 October, a Copa Airlines flight from Panama to the United States turned back due to a supposed bomb threat. On the tarmac at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, 144 passengers were evacuated from the plane and it was searched by an anti-explosives team. The bomb squad discovered a suspicious package inside the plane’s toilet. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in and special forces officers gingerly handled the package — only to find a harmless adult diaper, recalled José Castro, head of the airport’s security team. Thereafter, the Copa flight resumed, landing in Tampa, Florida at 6:54 p.m. WITH AFP The post Pampered passengers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New design-led heritage boutique hotel to open in Singapore
21 Carpenter, a heritage boutique hotel, is slated to open its doors before the year ends. Nestled between the vibrant nightlife of Clarke Quay and the old-world charm of Chinatown, this centrally located property is developed by conservation specialists 8M Real Estate. 21 Carpenter has been brought to life through collaborative efforts involving local and international partners, renowned for their contributions to design, art and dining. Notably, the hotel showcases the architectural expertise of the award-winning firm WOHA in restoring the historic building. The hotel also proudly holds the distinction of being a member of Design Hotels, affiliated with Marriott Bonvoy. Steeped in history and architectural significance, the 48-room development breathes a new lease of life into the former Remittance House, Chye Hua Seng Wee Kee, dating back to 1936. WOHA has seamlessly blended tradition and innovation while incorporating thoughtful design elements into the row of four heritage shophouses. “In the creation and design of 21 Carpenter, we wanted to honor the rich history of the heritage structure. Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted, with key parts of the design reflecting the historic building’s aesthetics and storied past,” says Richard Hassell, founding director of WOHA. 21 Carpenter comprises two distinct wings: The Heritage Wing, featuring 26 rooms in the conserved building, and The Urban Wing, a contemporary five-story extension with an additional 22 rooms. The generously sized rooms range from 30 to 56 square meters, allowing ample space for a comfortable stay. The property also boasts a rooftop infinity pool and lounge offering breathtaking views across the city and Marina Bay, along with a garden terrace on the third level. The hotel will feature an independent neo-bistro and bar, with Michelin-star chef Andrew Walsh at the helm as the culinary director. Located at the corner of Carpenter Street and New Bridge Road, the street-level neighborhood venue is poised to become a destination for the modern-day epicurean. The space is designed for one to linger longer and diners can expect elevated renditions of timeless classics in hearty portions. In keeping with the brand’s core pillar of sustainability, 21 Carpenter has been meticulously restored using many of the original features of the building. Crafted for the contemporary luxury traveler, the property’s interior combines heritage and modern design, featuring commissioned art by renowned local artists, carefully curated by The Artling. Amenities and in-room touches will also embrace the talents of local creators, ensuring an authentic and immersive experience for the most discerning of travelers. “As the only heritage hotel debuting in Singapore this year, 21 Carpenter is more than just a place to stay; it is a place to experience Singapore’s true history and past, while creating new stories for the future,” says Tarun Kalra, general manager of 21 Carpenter. “The team and I are excited to define hospitality through our thoughtfully considered service touches, offering guests an experience that encapsulates the very essence of our brand and its charm. During their time with us, we hope guests enjoy an immersive cultural experience that will leave a lasting impression.” Visit www.21carpenter.com.sg/. The post New design-led heritage boutique hotel to open in Singapore appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
POUND-FOR-POUND — Good guy Gibbons gives Filipino boxers the chance to shine
If you’re a talented fighter nursing dreams of becoming a world champion, there is one guy you need to get in touch with. If you’re a promoter who has got a bevy of promising fighters but with no strong connections to the guys who matter in the world of big-time boxing, you have to meet the fellow who makes things happen. That dude is no other than Sean Gibbons, who heads MP Promotions and a sprinkling of other influential outfits in the United States that gives boxers from all over the opportunity they deserve. Having trouble with your boxer’s stagnant world rating? Call Sean Gibbons. Can’t seem to get the big breaks? Call Sean Gibbons. Being given the run-around by a scammer, give Sean Gibbons a call. You see, Gibbons is a do-it-all boxing man who is a big daddy to just about any major Filipino fighter. He has got a deep knowledge of the fight game since he used to fight during his heyday. But before you start conjuring up images of Gibbons battling it out with boxing’s marquee names, pinch yourself first. Gibbons never achieved greatness as a boxer. He was more of a pretender than a contender, having racked up a 14-7-3 win-loss-draw record with seven knockouts before finally calling it a day in 1996. He never even fought in Las Vegas and instead showcased his wares in obscurity, hopping into one small town and city after another. After spending his first five pro bouts in Oklahoma City, Gibbons brought his act elsewhere and in places he never knew existed: Hugo, Purcell, Waubeek. A year before he retired in 1995, Gibbons, now 56, even traveled to Germany and fought and lost by knockout to local boy Ruediger May. Two more bouts on American soil — the first in Des Moines, Iowa, and the second in Miles City, Montana — paved the way for one final stop in Denmark against Peter Madsen. Gibbons would lose that by stoppage again and decided that enough was enough. Pretty soon, Gibbons got himself doing odd jobs in boxing through a relative — uncle Pat O’ Grady — father to former world lightweight champion Sean O’Grady. “I got the boxing bug from him. I would set up the ring, help sell tickets and train fighters… I started from the bottom,” Gibbons, born in Long Beach, California, said, noting that the first fighter he trained was heavyweight Wimpy Halstead. Oftentimes, Gibbons “would jump in as one of the fighters in the card and I was able to travel the world.” He also got aligned with Top Rank and credits Hall of Fame Bruce Trampler and fight coordinator Pete Susens as his mentors and takes great pride in his close association with eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao. Gibbons actually came to the Pacquiao show rather late. But his seven-year stint working for Pacquiao was the most memorable, saying it doesn’t compare with the 35 other years of involvement with boxing. “Seven years I spent with him were better than the other 35 years,” Gibbons, who graduated from Simi Valley High, said. Gibbons revealed that after Australian banger Jeff Horn elbowed and butted and wrestled his way in carving out a controversial points win in Brisbane in July 2018, “Pacquiao had pretty much been left for dead by some people.” It was right at this time when Gibbons entered the scene as Pacquiao’s go-to-guy for meaningful fights while also providing other Filipino boxers the break they need to become successful. Gibbons didn’t disappoint and was instrumental in striking a deal for fights involving Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman that resulted in a “tremendous run.” The victory over Thurman would go down as an epic as it made Pacquiao the oldest to win a world welterweight crown in July 2019 in Las Vegas. Now that Pacquiao has sailed into the sunset, Gibbons is dedicating his time and effort to the betterment of the other talents under MP Promotions, the Pacquiao-owned company that has majority of the country’s top ring talent under contract. And this is where Gibbons wields his expertise and proof of his savvy can be seen on Jerwin Ancajas, Pedro Taduran, Rene Cuarto, Mark Magsayo and current two-belt world super-bantamweight titleholder Marlon Tapales. Also under Gibbons’ care are Jonas Sultan, Vincent Astrolabio, Jade Bornea and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist and Asian Games silver medalist Eumir Marcial. Though not every one of them managed to win a world title, Gibbons draws utmost satisfaction from the helping hand that he had extended to them. “The most satisfying thing is to change lives of the fighters and take fighters who wouldn’t normally get these opportunities.” Also, Gibbons points to Pacquiao as a reason why he was able to pull it off. “I had the name Manny Pacquiao promotions and Manny Pacquiao was behind me but the biggest, biggest key was Al Haymon and he took my word for guys like Jerwin Ancajas, Mark Magsayo, Jonas Sultan and many, many others.” And there is no stopping Gibbons from doing the same thing especially when his clients’ welfare is on the line. A few months ago, Gibbons earned the ire of a state commission and got slapped with a ban. Still, Gibbons swears it is his way of showing that he always got his clients’ back. So how does he want people to remember him? “I would like to be remembered as someone who gave his all, no regrets. Just you know, when I work with someone, I put all my heart and soul into it. I got suspended for five for screaming at referees but I would like to be remembered for a guy who always had his client, fighters and boxers’ back and that when we went at it, we gave it our all.” If you end up going to war, you’d certainly want somebody like Sean Gibbons right by your side. The post POUND-FOR-POUND — Good guy Gibbons gives Filipino boxers the chance to shine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India holds trial run for manned orbital mission
India on Saturday successfully launched the first unmanned trial run of its upcoming crewed orbital mission, in the latest milestone for its spacefaring ambitions. The Gaganyaan (“Skycraft”) mission is slated to send three astronauts into Earth’s orbit in 2025, an important yardstick of the Indian Space Research Organization’s technical capabilities. Saturday’s rocket tested the emergency escape system of its crew module, which separated from the thruster and made a soft sea landing about 10 minutes after the launch. “I am very happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the mission,” ISRO chief S. Somanath said afterwards. The lift-off was postponed for two hours after bad weather and a glitch in the engine. ISRO will conduct a series of 20 major tests, including carrying a robot to outer space, before the final manned mission takes place in 2025. Gaganyaan is the first mission of its kind for India and comes with an estimated price tag of $1.08 billion, according to ISRO. India plans to send astronauts beyond the reaches of Earth’s atmosphere for three days before they are brought safely back with a soft landing in Indian territorial waters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to send a man to the Moon by 2040 following a year of triumphs for India’s space program. In August, India became the fourth nation to land an unmanned craft on the Moon after Russia, the United States and China. The following month, India launched a probe to observe the outermost layers of the Sun from solar orbit. India’s space program has grown considerably in size and momentum since it first sent a probe to orbit the Moon in 2008, and it has steadily matched the achievements of established spacefaring powers at a fraction of their cost. India also plans a joint mission with Japan to send another probe to the Moon by 2025 and an orbital mission to Venus within the next two years. Experts say India can keep costs low by copying and adapting existing technology, and thanks to an abundance of highly skilled engineers who earn a fraction of their foreign counterparts’ wages. The post India holds trial run for manned orbital mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan singers won’t let curtain fall on Hakka opera
Dressed in a robe fringed with beaded tassels, traditional Taiwanese opera singer Jen Chieh-li applies the final touches to her heavily painted face as she prepares to take the stage. The 34-year-old is a member of Jing Sheng Opera, one of a handful of troupes in Taiwan still staging traditional dramas in the Hakka language -- a dialect that is not widely spoken on the island because of its dwindling ethnic population. Taiwan's traditional Hakka opera, usually performed at religious festivals, dates back to the late Qing Dynasty and was brought to the island by migrants from mainland China. Even as its popularity dwindles, Jen, who has trained at a drama school since the age of 12, said she would not give up the fading art. "I could find a regular job but it would be a waste of all the time and effort I have devoted to studying and performing Hakka opera," she told AFP. That sweltering night in northern Taoyuan county, Jen was performing "Legend of the White Snake", a famous Chinese folk tale about a romance between a man and a serpent spirit. Around 100 people, mostly elderly, sat on plastic stools to watch the show on a makeshift stage outside a temple in a reflection of Hakka opera's struggle to capture the attention of a shrinking audience. "It is a niche performance art as many people don't even understand the language," said Chiang Yu-ling, who founded the Jing Sheng Opera with her husband 19 years ago. There are only eight Hakka troupes in Taiwan that can keep regular staff, albeit with financial support from the government and private sponsors, according to Chiang. She is counting on new blood, such as Jen, who is studying for a master's degree in performance art, to help bring in more and younger audiences. "My husband and I are in our 50s and we have limited ideas. We hope to get more young people on board... to make Hakka opera more different," Chiang told AFP. 'People are nostalgic' Hakka shares similarities with Peking opera, the most dominant form of traditional Chinese opera that has UNESCO heritage recognition, but language is one of the main reasons for its flagging popularity. In Taiwan, where Mandarin is widely spoken, Hakka people make up less than 20 percent of its 23 million population, and even those within the community are no longer fluent in the dialect. "My father's generation speak mostly Mandarin already and I speak very little Hakka," said Louis Lo, 30, who was accompanying his elderly relatives to the show. "The opera doesn't appeal to young people due to the language barrier," he told AFP. To attract more fans, Jing Sheng's troupe has incorporated modern elements into traditional performances. One example is their update of a Chinese folk drama involving a dragon princess and her human lover, which now includes street dance sequences, fire acts, and acrobatics. "We are getting the audiences to know Hakka opera through more innovative performances and hopefully they would also want to watch the traditional ones," Jen said. Despite their dwindling audience numbers, fellow performer Shih Yu-tsen, 31, said the art form "definitely won't vanish". "There may be fewer Hakka operas but people are nostalgic," she told AFP. "They will recall the past all of a sudden and they will want to watch it." Besides, Jen said, a show ticket costs as little as $200 Taiwan dollars ($6.30) with student discounts. "We often say it just takes the same amount of money to buy a Starbucks to support traditional art, to keep it alive," she said. The post Taiwan singers won’t let curtain fall on Hakka opera appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Villanueva files reso commending Gilas Pilipinas for its victory in Asian Games
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Monday filed a resolution urging the Senate to commend the Philippine men’s national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas for winning the gold medal in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games. In filing Proposed Resolution No. 822, Villanueva congratulated Gilas Pilipinas for their victory in the 5x5 basketball event of the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China from 25 September to 6 October 2023. “[T]his is the country’s fifth gold medal in the basketball tournament of the quadrennial regional games and the first since the 1962 Asian Games, ending the country’s 61-year title drought,” he said. “Gilas Pilipinas brought great pride and honor to the country, delighting millions of Filipino basketball followers around the world as they once again ruled Asian basketball after more than six decades,” he added. He continued: “Gilas Pilipinas displayed determination, discipline, resilience, and perseverance and their outstanding performance deserves the highest praise, recognition, and commendation as they showed the world the indefatigable spirit of Filipino basketball excellence.” The 12-man Gilas Pilipinas won the 19th Asian Games basketball championship, bringing the title back to the Philippines after more than 60 years since its last victory in 1962. The basketball team is composed of Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Louie Alas, Justin Brownlee, Junemar Fajardo, Angelo Kouame, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Christian Jaymar “CJ” Perez, Christopher Ross, Earl Scottie Thompson, and Arvin Tolentino. Gilas Pilipinas was led by head coach Earl Timothy Cone and assistant coaches Richard del Rosario, Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes, and LA Tenorio. The post Villanueva files reso commending Gilas Pilipinas for its victory in Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned of a "long and difficult" war, as fighting with Hamas left hundreds dead on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group. The conflict's bloodiest escalation in decades saw Hamas carry out a massive rocket barrage and ground, air and sea offensive Saturday that Israel's army said had killed more than 200 Israelis and wounded 1,000, while soldiers and civilians were taken hostage. Gaza officials said intense Israeli air strikes on the coastal enclave had brought the Palestinian death toll to at least 256, with nearly 1,788 wounded. As fighting raged Sunday, Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said it had fired "large numbers of artillery shells and guided missiles" at Israeli positions in a contested border areas "in solidarity" with Hamas. Israel's army had earlier said it fired artillery on southern Lebanon in response to a shot from the area without identifying the attackers. "We are embarking on a long and difficult war that was forced on us by a murderous Hamas attack," Netanyahu said on X, formerly Twitter, early Sunday. "The first stage is ending at this time by the destruction of the vast majority of the enemy forces that infiltrated our territory," he added, pledging no "respite" until victory. Overnight Israel battered the Gaza Strip with air strikes as rockets from the blockaded Palestinians territory rained on Israel. Sunday morning gun still battles raged between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters in multiple locations, including at the Sderot police station across the border from Gaza. Police and Israeli army special forces "neutralized 10 armed terrorists" who were holed up inside the station, a police statement said. The bloody air, sea and land attack launched Saturday by Hamas came half a century after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, taking Israel and the world by surprise. As the UN Security Council called an emergency meeting for Sunday, President Joe Biden voiced "rock solid and unwavering" support for the US ally and warned "against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation". - Hostages and 'so many bodies' - The Israeli army said overnight its forces were still engaged in gun battles in a string of Israel locations, in an operation labelled "Swords of Iron", as reservists were being called up. Hamas earlier released images of several Israelis taken captive, and another army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, confirmed that soldiers and civilians had been kidnapped. "I can't give figures about them at the moment," he said late Saturday, adding there was also a "severe hostage situation" in the Negev desert communities of Beeri and Ofakim east of Gaza. According to Ynet Israeli news website "dozens of Israeli captives, including numerous women, children and elders, are believed to have been taken into the Gaza Strip". The fighting prompted Israel to cut off Gaza's electricity, fuel and goods supplies, Netanyahu said. The Islamist group started the multi-pronged attack around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday with thousands of rockets aimed as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some bypassing the Iron Dome defense system and hitting buildings. Hamas fighters -- traveling in ground vehicles, motorized paragliders and boats -- breached Gaza's security barrier and attacked nearby Israeli towns and military posts, opening fire on residents and passersby. "Send help, please!" one Israeli woman sheltering with her two-year-old child pleaded as militants outside opened fire and tried to break into their safe room, Israeli media reported. Bodies were strewn on the streets of the Israeli town of Sderot near Gaza and inside cars, the windscreens shattered by a hail of bullets. "I saw many bodies, of terrorists and civilians," one man told AFP, standing beside covered corpses on a road near Gevim Kibbutz in southern Israel. "So many bodies, so many bodies." AFP journalists witnessed Palestinian armed men gather around a burning Israeli tank, and others driving a seized Israeli military Humvee vehicle back into Gaza, where they were met by cheering crowds. - 'Gates of hell' - Israeli army Major General Ghasan Alyan warned Hamas had "opened the gates of hell". An AFP journalist in Gaza saw clouds of dust from the remains of bombed residential towers which Gaza's interior ministry said contained 100 apartments. Israel's military said it had warned residents to evacuate before targeting the multi-story buildings used by Hamas. The escalation follows months of rising violence, mostly in the occupied West Bank, and tensions around Gaza's border and at contested holy sites in Jerusalem. Before Saturday, at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners had been killed this year, including combatants and civilians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. Hamas labeled its attack "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" and called on "resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as in "Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle. Its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have fired more than 5,000 rockets, while Hecht said Israel had counted more than 3,000 incoming rockets. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group was on the "verge of a great victory", vowing to press ahead with "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons must be completed". - 'Dangerous precipice' - Air raid sirens wailed across southern and central Israel, as well as in Jerusalem on Saturday, and there were major disruptions at Tel Aviv airport where many carriers canceled flights. Israel said schools would remain closed on Sunday which marks the start of the week. Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, leading to Israel's crippling blockade of the impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people. Israel and Hamas have since fought several wars. The last major military exchange, in May, killed 34 Palestinians and one Israeli. Violence also erupted across the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, with five Palestinians killed and 120 wounded in clashes with Israeli forces and settlers, Palestinian medical services said. Countries around the world condemned the wave of attacks by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist group. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack "terrorism in its most despicable form". But Hamas drew support from other foes of Israel, with Iran's supreme leader declaring he was "proud". UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland warned of "a dangerous precipice" and called on all sides to "pull back from the brink". (Rosie Scammell with Adel Zaanoun in Gaza) az-rsc-jd/hkb © Agence France-Presse The post Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Millions of children affected by climate disasters – UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund warned on Thursday that weather disasters brought on by climate change caused 43.1 million child displacements between 2016 and 2021 and criticized the lack of attention given to the victims. Co-Author Laura Healy told American for Prosperity, or AFP, that the data only indicated the “tip of the iceberg,” with many more possibly affected, in comprehensive research on the subject that included the heartbreaking stories of some children affected. Khalid Abdul Azim, a child from Sudan, recalls his terrible experience in a flooded village that can only be reached by boat. "We moved our belongings to the highway, where we lived for weeks," he said. In 2017, sisters Mia and Maia Bravo watched flames engulf their trailer in California from the back of the family minivan. "I was afraid, in shock," Maia said. Statistics on internal displacements caused by climate disasters generally do not account for the victim’s age. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a non-governmental organization, and UNICEF collaborated to analyze the data and uncover the hidden toll for children. Four types of climate disaster (floods, storms, droughts, and wildfire) has led to 43.1 million child displacements in 44 countries in which frequency of the said disasters has increased during global warming, the report says. Ninety-five percent of those displacements were caused by floods and storms. “It’s equivalent of about 20,000 child displacements every day,” Healy lamented on AFP highlighting how the afflicted children are then at risk of suffering other traumas, such as being torn away from their parents or being the prey of child traffickers. As one child may be uprooted more than once, the numbers reflect the number of displacements rather than the number of children affected. The number of displaced people as a result of drought is “radically underreported,” according to Healy because they are less abrupt and hence harder to measure. This is just the tip of the iceberg based on the available data that we have," she said. "The reality is with the impacts of climate change, or better tracking of displacement when it comes to slow onset events, that the number of children who are uprooted from their homes is going to be much greater." Healy added. UNICEF Report Reveals Alarming Predictions for Child Displacements Due to Climate Events In a recently released UNICEF report, startling forecasts have been unveiled for specific climate-related events. According to the report, the next three decades could witness a staggering 96 million child displacements due to flooding caused by overflowing rivers. Additionally, cyclonic winds are projected to force 10.3 million child displacements, while storm surges may result in 7.2 million displacements. It's worth noting that these estimates do not factor in preventive evacuation measures, raising concerns about the potential scale of displacement. UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the profound impact on those compelled to flee, including the fear of an uncertain return, disruptions to education, and the possibility of further relocations. Russell stressed that while migration may save lives, it also brings significant upheaval and challenges. "As the impacts of climate change escalate, so too will climate-driven movement. We have the tools and knowledge to respond to this escalating challenge for children, but we are acting far too slowly." She added. At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November and December, UNICEF urged world leaders to take up the climate issue. According to Healy, children, particularly those who have already been compelled to move must be prepared “to live in a climate change world”. While the effects of climate change are spreading across large portions of the planet, the UNICEF report highlights some of the most susceptible nations. The biggest number of displaced people (almost 23 million in six years) occurred in China, India, and the Philippines because of their massive populations, strategic positions, and precautionary evacuation measures. However, in proportional terms, Africa and small island states are most at risk; in Dominica, 76 percent of all children were uprooted between 2016 and 2021. More than 30 percent of the said amount went to Saint Martin and Cuba. The post Millions of children affected by climate disasters – UNICEF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
European companies sold spyware to despots: media
European companies sold powerful spyware to authoritarian regimes which have used it against dissenters, a group of investigative media said Thursday. According to the probe -- by European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) and spearheaded by the French site Mediapart and Germany's Der Spiegel weekly -- European companies "supplied dictators cyber-surveillance tools for more than a decade", EIC said in a statement. "During the last decade the Western world has encouraged and applauded the digital tools that empower democracy activism in countries under authoritarian regimes," it said. "But at the same time European companies have supplied such authoritarian regimes the digital back doors to turn any digital device into powerful spying tools against dissenters," it said. The Predator Files investigation, named after the software, said the sellers benefited from "the passive complicity of many European governments". The investigation focused on the Intellexa Alliance, a group of companies through which EIC said Predator software had been supplied to authoritarian states. Intellaxa is run by former Israeli intelligence officials mostly based in Europe, and was targeted by US sanctions in July. "Activists, journalists and academics have been targeted, as have European and US officials," it said. The findings of the investigation run by 15 media are based on hundreds of confidential documents obtained by Mediapart and Der Spiegel and analyzed with the help of the Security Lab of Amnesty International, a human rights organization. Amnesty called Intellexa "a complex, morphing group of interconnected companies" and Predator "its highly invasive spyware". "Intellexa alliance's products have been found in at least 25 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa and have been used to undermine human rights, press freedom, and social movements across the globe," Amnesty said. "Highly invasive surveillance products are being traded on a near industrial scale and are free to operate in the shadows without oversight or any genuine accountability," it added. Mediapart said that a French company, Nexa, had sold Predator to "at least three autocracies: Egypt, Vietnam and Madagascar". Mediapart said the spyware had also been sold to Qatar, Congo Brazzaville, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan "under the complacent eyes of the French secret services". Criminal charges against Nexa and four of its managers, brought in 2021 over spyware sales, were downgraded a year later, making their trial unlikely, legal sources told AFP. EIC said its members would publish further details over the coming days. The recent revelations follow a 2021 scandal around Pegasus, a spyware sold by Israeli company NSO Group, with several media reporting that it had been used to illegally spy on more than 50,000 individuals. The post European companies sold spyware to despots: media appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk’s X strips headlines from news links
Elon Musk's social media platform X has stripped headlines from news articles shared by users, in a move likely to further worsen relations with media groups. The tycoon has long railed against the "legacy media" and claims X, formerly Twitter, is a better source of information. However, he said the latest change was for "aesthetic" reasons -- news and other links now appear only as pictures with no accompanying text. Musk took over Twitter last year in a $44 billion deal and has since renamed it X, sacked thousands of staff and drawn criticism for allowing banned conspiracy theorists and extremists back on the platform, sending advertisers fleeing. He has also banned -- and reinstated -- various journalists with mainstream outlets including the Washington Post and CNN, as well as appearing to delay posts from accounts including the New York Times. "I almost never read legacy news anymore," Musk posted on Tuesday. "What's the point of reading 1,000 words about something that was already posted on X several days ago?" Souring relations Some media groups have stopped posting to X altogether because of the rise in hate speech and the behavior of Musk. AFP and other French news outlets launched a legal case in early August accusing X of copyright breaches. When the changes to links were first mooted in August, Musk posted: "This is coming from me directly. Will greatly improve the esthetics." The changes appear to have been introduced gradually this week. Instead of seeing a headline along with a picture, users now see only a picture with a small watermark. The changes brought a good deal of criticism, journalist Tom Warren of The Verge website posting on X: "It's the latest in a long line of dumb changes on this platform." Some users have already commented that it is now difficult to distinguish between news and other kinds of information, which is likely to raise questions about the trustworthiness of the site. In September, the European Commission said X had a higher ratio of misinformation and disinformation than any other social media. The souring relationship between media and tech companies is not limited to X. Both Google and Meta have pushed back against laws forcing them to pay media companies to show stories. The changes are having a real-world effect, with Axios news site reporting on Tuesday that referrals to media websites from X and Meta's Facebook had collapsed in the past three years. Ads 'decimated' Musk said in July the platform had lost roughly half its advertising revenue, though a month earlier he had claimed that almost all advertisers had returned and that 90 percent of bots had been removed. According to a Media Matters report released Wednesday, most of the top 100 advertisers at Twitter in the weeks prior to Musk's takeover are spending dramatically less at the platform. "Media Matters found that the company's ad revenue is still decimated," the report stated. Since Musk purchased the company, it has earned 42 percent less ad revenue than before his tenure, according to Media Matters. Market tracker Insider Intelligence estimates that X's share of the worldwide digital ad market has fallen nearly 28 percent to about a half a percent in the past year. Musk has suggested charging all users of X, which would be the biggest shake-up since he took over the site, but experts say he might struggle to get most users on board. The post Musk’s X strips headlines from news links appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»