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2 Best Ways to Save Up for Something
Sometimes, you find yourself unable to afford something you desire. While resorting to debt might seem convenient, it’s far from ideal. Saving money is a superior alternative, albeit challenging. Often, the struggle lies in maintaining savings, as funds intended for one purpose end up diverted elsewhere. We’re all familiar with the difficulty of saving money. […].....»»
King Charles, leaders offer support to Princess of Wales after cancer announcement
LONDON — Britain’s King Charles, political leaders, and the US White House offered support to Kate, Princess of Wales, after she said tests following abdominal surgery showed cancer had been present and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Britain’s King Charles “His Majesty (HM) is ‘so proud of Catherine for her.....»»
Nestle, Danone see price hikes slowing after years of sharp increases
LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) -Two of the world’s top consumer goods companies, Danone and Nestle, said on Thursday they will slow price increases in 2024 after two years of hikes that prompted many shoppers to seek cheaper alternatives for basic goods like yoghurt and coffee. But Danone, which owns brands including Evian and Badoit waters and Activia.....»»
Cybercrime AI Experimentation in the Dark Web
Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence service has found nearly 3,000 dark web posts mainly discussing the use of ChatGPT and other LLMs for illegal activities. Threat actors are exploring schemes, from creating nefarious alternatives of the chatbot to jailbreaking the original and beyond. Stolen ChatGPT accounts and services offering their automated creation en masse are also […].....»»
MG Motors Cebu s electrifying debut of MG4 EV
MG Motors Cebu has made an electrifying debut with the unveiling of its latest electric vehicle, the all-new MG4 EV. This marks the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation, providing eco-friendly alternatives to Cebuanos. The MG4 EV boasts cutting-edge features, including a quick-charging battery and sports car-like handling precision. With a range of up to 435 kilometers, this electric vehicle offers optimal performance. MG Motors is known for its exceptional performance and sophisticated designs, and the MG4 EV takes it to the next level. The company also emphasizes quality customer service and after-care support. With a starting price of 1.5 million pesos, Cebuanos can now enjoy an elevated driving experience while contributing to a sustainable future. For more information, visit MG Cebu's Facebook page or contact them directly. (SPONSORED CONTENT).....»»
FMA celebrates Universal Children’s Day, invites everyone to protect children online
This Universal Children’s Day, the Foundation for Media Alternatives enjoins every one to build a safer digital world for our.....»»
'wegotmail: Environmental group calls on governments to take a stand against global plastic pollution
Environmental group BAN Toxics is urging governments to take a stand against global plastic pollution. The group, along with other green organizations, is actively addressing the issue at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) for the Global Plastics Treaty. The treaty aims to develop a comprehensive instrument to address the full life cycle of plastic, including production, design, and disposal. Plastic pollution is a significant challenge in the Philippines, with single-use plastics being major contributors. BAN Toxics is deeply concerned about the environmental and health risks posed by plastic pollution, particularly in communities with inadequate waste management. The group is actively participating in negotiations for a global plastics treaty, advocating for reductions in plastic use and production, sustainable industry shifts, and the identification of sustainable alternatives. The group also highlights gaps and challenges in local policies and calls for comprehensive approaches to address plastic waste. BAN Toxics aims to position the Philippines as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and urges the international community to develop binding instruments for a sustainable future......»»
Reader responses to the MONDE top-up post
Last week, I covered the commitment made by the controlling shareholders of Monde Nissin to “top-up” accumulated impairments, over a 10-year span, suffered by MONDE’s meat alternatives business with a one-time cash payment in 2033......»»
QC, Greenpeace to combat plastic pollution
Quezon City government announced over the weekend that it has partnered with Greenpeace Philippines to tackle the urgent plastic pollution crisis and enhance existing city ordinances regulating the use of single-use plastics. Co-developed with community stakeholders and the city government, “Kuha sa Tingi” seeks to provide accessible and affordable alternatives to sachets and plastic-packaged goods. The project aims to empower communities to access goods without contributing to plastic pollution by promoting reuse and refill systems. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte believes this is a critical initiative, stating, “Kuha sa Tingi” is a testament that being sustainable and eco-friendly can be affordable and inclusive, especially for those who belong to the marginalized sector. “With this initiative, we were able to lessen the usage of products in sachets, and at the same time prevent these from ending up in our waterways when not properly disposed of,” she said. The program started last 10 July with 30 participating pilot stores. Throughout the 8-week program, sari-sari stores were able to gain a total of P143,286 in sales, an average of 4,776 per store, and consumers were able to save P143 per week. They were able to divert 47,601 sachets or a total of 1,428,030 mL of plastics in volume. Given the magnitude of this issue and the surge in plastic production in recent years, Greenpeace believes it is imperative to implement effective and impactful solutions to reduce production and dependence on single-use plastic. The post QC, Greenpeace to combat plastic pollution appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Kuha sa Tingi’ aims to combat plastic pollution
Quezon City government announced over the weekend that it has partnered with Greenpeace Philippines to tackle the urgent plastic pollution crisis and enhance existing city ordinances regulating the use of single-use plastics. Co-developed with community stakeholders and the city government, Kuha sa Tingi seeks to provide accessible and affordable alternatives to sachets and plastic-packaged goods. The project aims to empower communities to access goods without contributing to plastic pollution by promoting reuse and refill systems. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte believes this is a critical initiative, stating, "Kuha sa Tingi is a testament that being sustainable and eco-friendly can be affordable and inclusive, especially for those who belong to the marginalized sector. "With this initiative, we were able to lessen the usage of products in sachets, and at the same time prevent these from ending up in our waterways when not properly disposed of,” she said. The program started on 10 July 2023 with 30 participating pilot stores. Throughout the 8-week program, sari-sari stores were able to gain a total of P143,286 in sales, an average of 4,776 per store, and consumers were able to save P143 per week. They were able to divert 47,601 sachets or a total of 1,428,030 mL of plastics in volume. Given the magnitude of this issue and the surge in plastic production in recent years, Greenpeace believes it is imperative to implement effective and impactful solutions to reduce production and dependence on single-use plastic. The project does so by developing a sustainable business model anchored on concepts of reuse and refill as well as providing consumers with an array of zero-waste alternatives that are simple, affordable, and readily accessible for their daily needs. “Extending across multiple barangays and various types of enterprises in Quezon City, Kuha sa Tingi is a testament to the broad range of positive impacts of reuse and refill systems. This proves the viability, affordability, and accessibility of reuse and refill systems as alternatives to sachets, offering a tangible solution to diminish plastic pollution within our communities. The results of Kuha sa Tingi show that companies can adopt reuse and refill, and they should do so immediately,” said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. Cities, communities, and local enterprises are currently at the forefront of pioneering solutions to combat plastic pollution through the advancement of business models centered around the reuse and refill systems. Under the Global Plastics Treaty, governments are mandated to support these existing efforts and future development by establishing global standards and mechanisms to enable refill and reuse to be supported, replicated, and scaled across countries and regions. “Major contributors to plastic pollution, such as plastic-dependent corporations and fossil fuel companies that are reaping benefits from the proliferation of plastic products, should be held accountable to reduce plastic production and phase out single-use plastics. Companies must be obligated to adapt and integrate the reuse and refill systems into their business models. This shift is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of their operations,” said Ledesma. "The program empowers our community to do their part in protecting our environment. This will serve as an inspiration to other sari-sari store owners, barangays, and even companies to reduce their plastic waste and switch to reusable and sustainable options," Mayor Belmonte added. Greenpeace is calling on governments to engage in reuse and refill initiatives like Kuha sa Tingi, and urging them to strengthen public policies that regulate the production and use of single-use plastics. The post ‘Kuha sa Tingi’ aims to combat plastic pollution appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Do No Harm: GAIA Asia Pacific Pushes for Robust Environmental and Social Safeguards in Philippine Sustainable Finance Guidelines
19 October 2023 - The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific formally submitted its position on the proposed Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Guidelines (SFTG) to prevent the financing of industries that are harmful to the objectives of circular economy and just transition. Led by the Financial Sector Forum (FSF) of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the guidelines aim to classify in.....»»
US Navy intercepts 3 missiles fired from Yemen ‘potentially’ at Israel: Pentagon
A US Navy ship on Thursday shot down missiles and drones that had been fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, possibly at Israel, the Pentagon said. Three "land-attack cruise missiles and several drones" were intercepted by a destroyer, a spokesman told reporters. The attack had been conducted from Yemen and "potentially toward targets in Israel." The ship, USS Carney, was patrolling in the Red Sea as part of a heavily reinforced US military presence ordered by President Joe Biden to maintain stability in the wake of war between Israel and the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. The spokesman said that missiles were fired from Yemen where the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are at war with a government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. According to the spokesman, there were no US casualties and "we cannot say for certain what these missiles were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen, heading north along the Red Sea." "Our defensive response was one we would have taken for any similar threat in the region," he said. "We have the capability to defend our broader interests in the region and to deter regional escalation and broader expansion of the conflict that began with Hamas' attack on Israeli civilians." Biden has ordered increased air and naval assets -- including dispatching two aircraft carriers -- to the Middle East to guard against the Israel-Hamas war spilling over in the tinderbox region. On Tuesday, the Pentagon also ordered 2,000 personnel on standby for potential deployment. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States "to respond more quickly" to the crisis, while the White House stressed it did not intend to put US combat forces on the ground. US media reported the troops being readied for deployment would cover support roles, such as medical assistance and handling explosives. Biden flew to Israel in a dramatic show of US support this week and was due to speak from the White House later Thursday in a speech urging Congress to fund military backing for Israel and another embattled US ally -- Ukraine. Asked by journalists late Wednesday about reports that his administration had told Israel that US forces would fight alongside Israeli troops in response to any attack by the powerful Lebanese movement Hezbollah against Israel, Biden said this was "not true." However, he said that "our military is talking with their military about what the alternatives are" in the event of a Hezbollah attack. The post US Navy intercepts 3 missiles fired from Yemen ‘potentially’ at Israel: Pentagon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hands-on
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is living proof of US President Abraham Lincoln’s adage: “You can please some of the people all of the time; you can please all of the people some of the time; but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” In the previous regimes, the usual question was, “Where is the President?” during critical periods such as when calamities struck and the elected leader was slow to react. Thus, there was a frequent demand for medical bulletins on previous presidents when they were not in public view for consecutive days. Both President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte are taking flak from critics who allege that they are monopolizing authority for holding Cabinet positions aside from their elected posts. Bugged endlessly about relinquishing his Department of Agriculture post, Marcos said he would maintain the current arrangement since many officials in the graft-ridden agency do not easily take orders except from him. Amid the rising prices, some sectors whose only interest is to have an official that favors them have been harping on the need for a full-time secretary, floating names in a subtle endorsement to PBBM. Marcos has held the agriculture post since he assumed office in July 2022. Since then, and especially in January 2023, amid the rise in the cost of food, critics have been calling on Marcos to finally appoint someone who can hold the post full-time. The President knows what he is doing and has competent advisers to help him make fast decisions in the critical agriculture sector. Making difficult but critical decisions, even with political will, would take more time from an alter ego. He explained the situation: “Generally speaking, if the President asks them to do something, they’ll do it. If someone else asks them to do it, they’ll probably do it, or they may not.” The need for swift action was particularly evident in the recent rice price shock when the cost of a kilo of rice rocketed to more than P60. The intervention was tricky because of the complex network in the industry that needs to balance the welfare of consumers, farmers, and retailers. Add to that the external situation in which supply has been affected by the limits that India, a major producer, imposed on its exports. President Marcos, the other day, lifted Executive Order 39, which imposed a price ceiling of P41 per kilo on regular milled and P45 per kilo on well-milled rice. The EO effectively brought down the market price of the grain, but it affected retailers who complained of losses since they were selling below the price they were buying from middlemen, while farmers said traders demanded that the farmgate price be lowered. The National Food Authority then had to set the buying price of palay at P19 to P20 per kilo from P16 to P19 to maintain farmers’ income amid the price cap. Retailers were also provided with subsidies to offset their losses due to the government-imposed ceiling. Economic officials knew the measures were temporary since they would drain the government coffers if imposed for too long. The aim was to stabilize the market until the harvest season, and the influx of grains from imports under the tariffication law brought the situation back to normal. Had the steps taken been delayed by just days, it may have caused a crisis where consumers would have had to eat alternatives to the grains such as kamote (sweet potato) and corn. Then, the public would have been outraged, and the heated situation would have been stoked by the opportunists who waited like vultures for public support for Marcos to weaken. Rice remains a political commodity, which spelled the 15-point difference in Marcos’ rating in the recent survey. The post Hands-on appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Florida man convicted of two murders executed by lethal injection
A Florida man convicted of murdering two women in 1996 was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, local media said. Michael Zack, 54, was put to death at the Florida State Prison in the town of Raiford, the Pensacola News Journal reported. The newspaper said the lethal drug cocktail was administered at 6:02 p.m. and Zack was pronounced dead 12 minutes later. Zack was sentenced to death in 1997 for the June 1996 sexual assault, robbery, and murder of Ravonne Smith, a woman he met at a bar. He was also convicted of the murder of another woman, Laura Rosillo, who had befriended him at another bar. Zack's defense attorneys had sought to block his execution on the grounds that he suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and was intellectually disabled. His appeals were denied by lower courts and eventually the Supreme Court. The group Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty released a final statement from Zack. "Twenty-seven years ago, I was an alcoholic and a drug addict," it said. "I did things that have hurt a lot of people -- not only the victims and their families and friends, but my own family and friends as well. "I have woken up every single day since then filled with remorse." There have been six executions in Florida this year and 19 in the United States. The post Florida man convicted of two murders executed by lethal injection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SMPC distributes seaweed propagules to Caluya seaweed farmers
Integrated energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, in its continued effort to expand its livelihood programs outside of its host island, recently partnered with the Department of Energy, the local government of Caluya and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to distribute 16,000 kilos of seaweed propagules to seaweed farmers of barangays Sibato and Sibolo in the municipality of Caluya, Antique. With a total project cost of about P450,000, each of the 80 farmers from the two barangays received 100 kilos of seaweed propagules. Seaweed farming plays a vital role as a major source of livelihood in many of Caluya’s coastal communities. Harvesting seaweed, known locally as tambalang, generally takes place after 45 days, and the yields are either sold fresh or dried. [caption id="attachment_191497" align="aligncenter" width="567"] Farmers planting the newly distributed seaweed propagules.| PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SMPC[/caption] The sundried seaweeds, which are sold to buyers mainly from Cebu, are processed into various non-food products ranging from slippers to plastic alternatives. Expressing his gratitude for the livelihood grant, Sibolo Barangay Captain Edwin Eguillon said, “Thank you very much to SMPC, because despite our remote location, we still benefited from these livelihood programs.” One of the recipients from Sibato, Genalyn Gregorio Bandolin, added, “We only have a simple livelihood, and this is really a big help. We will never forget that there’s an SMPC who helped us.” Over the past 25 years, SMPC has introduced numerous livelihood programs to communities across Semirara Island and neighboring communities, providing viable sources of income to thousands of households which continue until today. The post SMPC distributes seaweed propagules to Caluya seaweed farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR still wants P13M in confidential funds, despite not using it
Despite unutilized confidential funds amounting to over P13 million this year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources maintained it will retain an additional P13 million in confidential funds for 2024. Lawmaker Jose Alvarez of Palawan, the DENR's budget sponsor, contended before the House of Representatives that the agency will not forego next year's confidential funds, which, according to Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel, amounts to P13 million. In 2023, the DENR had P13.95 million in confidential funds, which Alvarez disclosed remained unutilized. "So far, Mr. Speaker, our new secretary has not used a single cent of the confidential funds," the sponsor said. Manuel proposed it would be best that the DENR refrain from using the unutilized CIF and that the agency instead foster tighter coordination with law enforcement units as an alternative approach. "That would justify confidential funds, Mr. Speaker," he said. Manuel then suggested that if the DENR survived and operated without relying on the secret fund, it must forego next year's CF. Notwithstanding the lack of utilization, Alvarez asserted that the CF sought by the DENR next would allow the agency to effectively carry out its mandate and operations. "Mr. Speaker, your Honor, no. They need that. They need. And if so spent, I will ask them how they spent it with the report to [the] CoA (Commission on Audit). And I will give a copy to our Honorable Manuel," Alvarez said. "DENR's confidential funds are small. It is used in the buying of information regarding the number one illegal logging, or everything illegal. That's what is being reported and gets paid. That has no receipt. If that's what you're referring to, Mr. Speaker. That whether there is a receipt or not," he said. Citing COA-DBM (Department of Budget and Management) Joint Circular 2015-01, Manuel said the DENT could opt to submit documentary proof, such as a voucher or invoice to substantiate the utilization of funds. According to Manuel, failure of the DENR to submit a receipt for using the CIF may potentially have detrimental consequences to the government. "The important thing, Mr. Speaker, is that every expenditure must have proof of where it was spent. There can't be anything. If it is not a receipt, other alternatives will prove where it is actually used," Manuel said. The post DENR still wants P13M in confidential funds, despite not using it appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kareem Hunts Browns Visit: A Tryout with The Daily Guardian
Title: Kareem Hunt Remains a Free Agent Amid Limited Offers, Cleveland Browns Consider Alternatives Word count: 327 In a surprising turn of events, Kareem Hunt.....»»
Solar panels go into service near North Pole
Norway has installed solar panels in its Svalbard archipelago, a region plunged in round-the-clock darkness all winter, in a pilot project that could help remote Arctic communities transition to green energy. Neatly lined up in six rows in a field, 360 solar panels will on Thursday begin providing electricity to an old shipping radio station, Isfjord Radio, now converted into a base camp for tourists. The windswept archipelago -- also known as Spitsbergen -- is located some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from the North Pole and is accessible only by boat or helicopter, weather-permitting. "It's what we believe to be the world's northernmost ground-mounted PV (photovoltaic) system," Mons Ole Sellevold, renewable energies technical adviser at state-owned energy group Store Norske, told AFP. "It's the first time anyone has done it at this scale in the Arctic," he said, his rifle slung over his shoulder in case polar bears turn up, a not uncommon occurrence at these latitudes. Another 100 solar panels are positioned on the roof of the radio station -- which has until now run on diesel generators -- and should cover about half of the site's electricity needs and cut its CO2 emissions. In summer, the region is bathed in an abundance of sunlight, with a "midnight sun" that never sets. The solar panels also benefit from the "albedo" effect, the reflective power of snow and ice, as well as low temperatures that improve their efficiency. Conversely, in winter, the region is plunged in total darkness from early October until mid-February, which makes it impossible for Isfjord Radio to completely give up fossil fuels. Store Norske is therefore also considering other alternatives, such as wind farms, to further the station's green transition. - 'Test site' - The move is motivated by environmental considerations as well as economic factors, with diesel costly to buy and transport, while solar panels are also easy to maintain and do not break down, Sellevold said. The aim is also to use the installation as a pilot project to see if the technology can be used by some 1,500 other sites or communities in the Arctic that are not hooked up to traditional electricity grids and also need to transition to green energy, he said. "We want to make Isfjord Radio a test site to ... get an Arctic-proven technology that we can afterwards take to other locations like this," he said. According to a study published last year, the Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet over the past 40 years, causing ice to melt faster and disrupting ecosystems. This has affected both local populations and the rest of the world, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events. vk-phy/ef/po/lth © Agence France-Presse The post Solar panels go into service near North Pole appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Popular decongestant proven ineffective, find the best alternatives – The Daily Guardia
Title: FDA Considers Removing Ineffective Over-The-Counter Decongestant from Market The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently announced that a popular over-the-counter decongestant, phenylephrine, does.....»»
DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño
The Department of Social Welfare and Development over the weekend said that Project LAWA or the Local Adaptation to Water Access will improve the resiliency of communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Project LAWA, which was simultaneously launched in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique on Thursday (31 August), is an early action plan of the government to mitigate the impacts of drought and dry spells by establishing small farm reservoirs (SFRs). “By building water-harvesting facilities, our farmers and fisherfolk will be ready for the effects of El Niño and climate change," DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said. "They can use SRFs to improve the production of crops or they can use it as fishponds for an additional income,” Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, pointed out. The LAWA project targets to construct 90 SFRs in the nine local government units (LGUs) in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique. The three provinces were chosen based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) geophysical map which showed that Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique would be severely affected by El Niño. To assist the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized families of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), farmers, and fisherfolk, the DSWD, through its cash-for-training and –work program, will provide financial support as an alternative income in exchange for the work rendered by the beneficiaries while constructing the alternative water resources. “Through this cost-efficient and small-scale infrastructure for community-based rainwater retention, production of crops will not be affected, hence the continuous income of our farmers,” the DSWD spokesperson explained. According to the Department of Agriculture-Water Resources Management Division, SFR is a smaller version of Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) that “collects rainfall and runoff for use by a single farm, with height of less than 4 meters and reservoir area of 300–1,500 square meters serving about half to a hectare of farmlands.” In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the DSWD is exploring the possibility of applying vermicomposting to Project LAWA in 2024 to further provide the beneficiary- communities with alternatives to increase crop yield. The post DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»