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One more city in Philippines declares pertussis outbreak
MANILA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The government of Iloilo, a city in central Philippines, on Monday declared an outbreak of pertussis after it confirmed seven out of 15 reported cases, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. Iloilo is the third city to declare an outbreak of pertussis, or whopping cough, after Quezon and Pasig, two cities in the capital region, announced last week that they hav.....»»
Infrastructure crisis
Without infrastructure — including “info-structure” — there can be no development. And without development support, many developing countries will be starved of the infrastructure they desperately need. Infrastructure is the foundation of everyday life for people and economies. From drinking water and basic sanitation, to electricity, connectivity and Internet access. From public services like schools and hospitals, to modern roads, bridges, tunnels, harbors and railways that keep people and goods moving. And yet, billions in the developing world lack access to these basic systems. This infrastructure crisis comes as people are facing a cauldron of challenges across our efforts to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights. This includes soaring costs of living, rising inequalities and the existential threat of climate breakdown. Meanwhile, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement is slipping into reverse. We must find and fund ways to generate economic growth, create decent jobs, transform energy systems and advance sustainable solutions for the 21st century. Infrastructure is a crucial pathway. We can and must turn the infrastructure emergency into the infrastructure opportunity. The Belt and Road demonstrates that we have a historic opportunity to build modern, green cities, communities and transportation and power systems that place resilience and sustainability at the heart. That deliver services and decent jobs for people in a sustainable manner. And I see the Belt and Road Initiative’s potential to make valuable contributions in two key areas of action. First — by advancing economic sustainability in developing countries. Many developing countries are confronting dramatic financial challenges, drowning in debt and without fiscal space to implement the sustainable development goals. It is time to make the global financial architecture truly global and fit for the 21st century. At last month’s SDG Summit, world leaders endorsed a commitment to reforming the global financial architecture to make it reflect the world economy of today, not the one of 1945. Leaders also agreed that we can take actions right now to promote effective debt relief mechanisms — including by ensuring that countries are not locked into unsustainable debt — and channeling emergency financial support toward those countries that need it most. And leaders also supported an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion per year. Now, in this context, a dramatic context for the developing countries, the relevance of the Belt and Road Initiative is undeniable. It has included nearly $1 trillion in cumulative investments across more than 3,000 projects around the world. The second key area for action is by advancing environmental sustainability. The Belt and Road Initiative recognizes that infrastructure for infrastructure’s sake is not enough. The Belt and Road is an important instrument to make key investments a reality, driven by clear domestic demand, and in line with international best practices. Investments that enable resilience and adaptation across national and local planning. Investments that can help keep our 1.5-degree global warming limit within reach. And investments that don’t leave countries with stranded assets and the polluted dead ends of the past. Many developing countries are confronting dramatic financial challenges, drowning in debt and without fiscal space to implement the sustainable development goals. It is time to make the global financial architecture truly global and fit for the 21st century. I recognize the efforts of the Green Silk Road initiative to anchor investments in sustainable solutions — an area in which the UN is poised to support. But developing countries will need massive support for a fair, equitable and just energy transition towards renewables while providing affordable electricity to all. We all agree that development cannot come at the expense of the air we breathe, the water we drink or the biodiversity that defines our planet’s health. *** Excerpts from the UN Secretary General’s remarks at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, 18 October 2023. The post Infrastructure crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Drought scuppers salmon fishing season in California
Gazing out at San Francisco harbor from her wooden fishing boat, Sarah Bates looks glum. In happier times, she would head out to sea every morning. But for much of this year, she has remained hopelessly docked, due to a ban on salmon fishing as a result of California's drought. "Salmon is my main fishery and it's 90 per cent of my income," says the 46-year-old. In force since April along the entire coast of the Golden State, and parts of neighboring Oregon, the moratorium will last until the end of the salmon fishing season in September. It was brought in as the number of salmon expected to return to the region's rivers has plummeted close to historic lows. The decades-long drought gripping the American West, aggravated by climate change, has seen the levels of California's rivers drop, and their waters grow warmer. With many dams already constructed on these waterways, these inhospitable conditions mean salmon are struggling to swim upstream to reproduce, and their offspring often die before reaching the ocean. The ban is a significant blow to California, where salmon fishing generates $1.4 billion per year, and supports 23,000 jobs, according to the Golden State Salmon Association. On the San Francisco harbor front, several restaurants have been forced to import salmon from further afield, including Canada, in order to keep the popular fish on their menus. "Salmon is king... that's what people want," says Craig Hanson, a 60-year-old chartered boat operator specializing in sport fishing. "They're also a very spectacular fish to catch... the salmon is going to fight you to the end." 'Marine heat waves' In summers past, Hanson would take his boat out every day. This season, the sailor weighs anchor only four times a week He blames a lack of enthusiasm among customers for fishing halibut or striped bass. Despite the loss of income, Hanson approves of the ban if it helps the future of the industry, and is optimistic that salmon can rebound soon thanks to recent months of heavy rain and snow. Yet many fishermen fear another ban next year. "The Chinook salmon that are fished here in California typically have a three- or four-year life cycle," explains Nate Mantua, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "So when things happen to them in freshwater, as eggs or juveniles, we see it impacting the fishery two or three years later." The decline in salmon numbers has been precipitous for at least a decade. Low river water levels -- which authorities have tried to work around, by trucking baby salmon down to the ocean -- are only part of the problem. Between 2014 and 2016, the Pacific reached temperatures never before seen off the west coast of North America. "Marine heat waves" created "really poor growth and survival conditions for salmon", says Mantua. Deprived of cold ocean currents that bring essential nutrients, the fish fell prey to other hungry species. "It's not just a California problem. It's really the entire Pacific, except for a few exceptions," such as certain Alaskan species, he adds. 'Climate shocks' But in California, "our fish were already predisposed to being vulnerable to any kind of climate shocks," says Mantua. This is because the state -- with a giant 40-million population, and a sprawling agricultural sector essential for feeding the United States -- has relentlessly developed its rivers, in order to support its cities and farms. Due to countless dams and canals, salmon have lost 80 percent of the habitats in which they can spawn. Water management, and the priority afforded to farmers in central California, is now a major source of grievance for fishermen. In San Francisco, many are calling for water to be re-diverted into rivers, rather than supplying producers of water-intensive crops like almonds, pistachios and walnuts -- which are often grown for export. "When it comes down to it, water is more important for the fish than it is for nuts," says Ben Zeiger, a 23-year-old deckhand working on a local sport-fishing boat. Salmon fishers are waiting to receive financial compensation from federal authorities for this year's fishing ban. But their priority is efforts to improve salmon habitats. Along northern California's Klamath River, a giant project has just begun to demolish four hydroelectric dams, potentially reopening 400 miles of river for migratory fish. "If we don't fix the water policy, we're going to be here again" in future drought years, says Bates, back on the wharf. "Climate change is happening. And it's happening faster than I think any of us expected." The post Drought scuppers salmon fishing season in California appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Makati swelters with 43.5 degrees heat index
The heat index in Makati yesterday reached a “dangerous” level of 43.5 degrees Celsius, according to the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office......»»
Opinion - South China Sea- Philippines must softly manage disputes or miss out economically
Manilas assertive transparency strategy is touted as a model for managing maritime disputes but it diminishes key economic opportunities. As Chinese investment pours into other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines must reduce geopolitical risks without acquiescing to Beijing......»»
‘Environmental disaster’ nag-ung-ong sa jail
‘Environmental disaster’ nag-ung-ong sa jail.....»»
DSWD-Davao to aid disaster victims in recovery, rehab amid regionwide ECT payouts
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) reaffirmed its commitment to aid all victims of recent disasters in the Davao Region on their journey towards recovery and rehabilitation......»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 25
JAKARTA -- One was killed and nine others, including children, went missing after a landslide struck a village in the Indonesian province of West Java on Sunday, a local official said Monday. The disaster took place in Cibenda village in West Bandung regency on Sunday after torrential rain reportedly poured over the area for around two hours. (Indonesia-Landslide) - - - - SYDNEY -- Local media repo.....»»
TikTok Shop Launches TikTok Shop Business School to Help Digitize Filipino Entrepreneurs
TikTok Shop launched TikTok Shop Business School, a comprehensive one-day program for Filipino entrepreneurs that aims to equip them with the skills to grow their businesses in the digital sphere. The full-day program, which 50 TikTok Shop entrepreneurs attended, was comprised of master classes on Corporate Strategy and Business Model with Kim Lato, Founder and […].....»»
Women s Month: Deniece Cornejo urges Filipinas to fight sexual harassment, challenges
Model Deniece Cornejo had a message for her fellow Filipinas this International Women’s Month. .....»»
Scorching Heat
Pedestrians brave the scorching heat in downtown Davao City, as the heat index hit 43 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. Monday, 25 March 2024, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The agency advised the public to observe extreme caution as high temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. MindaNews photo.....»»
Braving the Heat
BRAVING THE HEAT. Workers install a platform in front of the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Monday, 25 March 2024. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the city's heat index reached 43 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. the same day. The platform is in preparation for Easter Sunday's "Salubong" mass. MindaNews photo.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 25
JAKARTA -- One was killed and nine others, including children, went missing after a landslide struck a village in the Indonesian province of West Java on Sunday, a local official said Monday. The disaster took place in Cibenda village in West Bandung regency on Sunday after torrential rain reportedly poured over the area for around two hours. (Indonesia-Landslide) - - - - SYDNEY -- Local media repo.....»»
Kaladkaren inokray-okray sa Woman of Influence award: Bakit siya?!
MAS pinahanga pa ng award-winning actress at TV5 news anchor na si Kaladkaren ang mga LGBTQIA+ community sa bago niyang award. Isa si Kaladkaren o Jervi Li sa tunay na buhay sa mga binigyan ng pagkilala bilang Woman of Influence ng Cosmopolitan Philippines kamakailan. Kasama niyang tumanggap ng naturang award sina Iza Calzado, Carla Abellana.....»»
Cristine umaming nagtampo kay Lord; ibinalik ni Marco ang kanyang faith
MAS gusto sana ni Cristine Reyes na non-showbiz ang maging next boyfriend after nilang maghiwalay ng dating asawang actor-model na si Ali Khatibi. Pero hindi nga ito nangyari dahil na-in love na siya sa hunk actor na si Marco Gumabao na matagal na niyang kaibigan at ilang beses na rin niyang nakatrabaho. Inilarawan pa ng.....»»
Earthquake summit highlights engineering solutions, stricter policy implementation
A recent earthquake summit, organized by the Office of Civil Defense, highlighted the need for enhanced coordination mechanisms, engineering solutions alongside maximum utilization of available technologies and stricter policy implementation to strengthen the country’s preparedness......»»
2 dead, 34 injured in road crashes in Philippines over weekend
MANILA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Two people died and 34 others were hurt in two separate road crashes in the Philippines over the weekend, local authorities said Sunday. A municipal disaster prevention official said a female bus collector was killed after a passenger bus rammed into a trailer truck parked on the roadside in a town in Davao de Oro province in the southern Philippines around 4 a.m. local time on Sunda.....»»
Austria leads Grumpy Joe to CJHGC Corporate Cup triumph
Jonar Austria recorded a consecutive 54 points to anchor Grumpy Joe to victory in Group 1 at the close of the 18th Corporate Cup at Camp John Hay Golf Club here Friday......»»
‘Extreme danger heat index seen in May’
The cities of Puerto Princesa in Luzon and Cotabato in Mindanao sizzled with a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to state meteorologists......»»