We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
US, Canada condemn China’s ‘disruption’ of Phl’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal
The United States on Sunday denounced China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that led to a collision of its vessels with Philippine vessels en route to a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal. In a tweet, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson described China Coast Guard’s actions as a “disruption” of a “legal” resupply mission of the Philippines to the BRP Sierra Madre, its permanent military post in the West Philippine Sea. “The United States condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk,” Carlson said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Earlier today, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing "dangerous blocking maneuvers" that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. The NTF-WPS condemned the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the China Coast Guard ship which “imperiled the safety” of the Unaiza May 2 crew. It also flagged the “bumping” of the Chinese Maritime Militia vessel against the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra’s port side while it was lying approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. Carlson said Washington “stands” with Manila in “protecting Philippine sovereignty and in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.” Over the past months, the US reiterated its “ironclad” alliance commitment to the Philippines, amid the escalating tension in the WPS, a portion of the South China Sea both claimed by the Philippines and China. In August, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III stressed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and Manila is extended to the latter’s public vessels. In a separate statement, Canada also condemned what it described as “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of the People's Republic of China in the WPS, which “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.” “The PRC's actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. “Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region, and increase the risk of miscalculation,” it added. Canada said it welcomed the news that no injuries resulted from these collisions and commended the “professionalism and restraint exercised” by the Philippine Coast Guard. “Canada affirms its support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral decision, which is final and binding on the parties,” it said. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. The post US, Canada condemn China’s ‘disruption’ of Phl’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French rapper MHD faces verdict over youth’s murder
Acclaimed French rapper MHD was on Saturday awaiting with eight co-accused a verdict in the trial over the murder of a young man in Paris in 2018. MHD, whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, once again insisted on his innocence as he made his final statements before the court retired to render the verdict after three weeks of proceedings. "From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence in this case and I will continue to maintain my innocence," he told the packed court. The prosecutor has asked for an 18-year prison sentence for the rapper, acquittals for two of the accused, and jail sentences of 13-20 years for the others. The verdict is due to be delivered later in the day. His seven co-accused present in court -- an eighth is being tried in absentia -- have also insisted they were not involved in the violent attack on Loic K. in July 2018 that resulted in his death. The death of the 23-year-old man has been portrayed by investigators as a settling of scores between rival gangs. MHD, who rose to fame with a distinctive blend of West African sounds with US-style hip-hop, was charged with homicide in January 2019 and imprisoned. He has denied taking part in the assault, which saw the victim rammed by a black Mercedes and then beaten up and stabbed by around a dozen people in a gritty part of the capital's 10th arrondissement. But a local resident filmed the incident from his window, and the Mercedes was quickly identified as belonging to MHD. Other witnesses identified the rapper by his haircut or a Puma sweatshirt, for which he was a brand ambassador, according to investigative reports seen by AFP. The incident concerns the Cite des Chaufourniers, a low-income estate in the area that the former pizza delivery driver continued to frequent despite his fame. He was released in the summer of 2020 after a year and a half in custody as the investigations continued and released a new album. MHD is seen as a pioneer of afro-trap, which mixes hip-hop and African traditions. The football-mad performer, who was born in France to Guinean and Senegalese parents, is best known for "Afro Trap Part 3 (Champions League)", a song in praise of the Paris Saint-Germain football club. The post French rapper MHD faces verdict over youth’s murder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ukraine battles Russia in legal front
Ukraine was in the offensive against Russia on Tuesday in both battle and legal fronts claiming its forces broke enemy defense lines and telling the International Court of Justice that Moscow’s aggression is a threat to international law. Ukraine’s ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi announced Monday they have broke through Russian defense line in the area of Bakhmut. Ukraine’s defence ministry also said Monday its troops had recaptured a total of seven square kilometers last week near Bakhmut and also along the southern front. The air force said it had brought down 18 out of 24 Russian attack drones over the Black Sea regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv overnight Sunday. Russia, however, said that with the strikes it had hit storage facilities for British Storm Shadow cruise missiles and ammunition with depleted uranium — a controversial weapon supplied by the United States to Kyiv. Twisting international law At the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands, Ukraine’s lead speaker Anton Korynevych told the court, sitting just a few metres from his Russian opponents in the Peace Palace, that “Russia is not above the law. It must be held accountable,” for attacking Ukraine. “You have the power to declare that Russia’s actions are unlawful, that its continued abuses must stop, that your orders must be followed and that Russia must make reparations,” he told the judges. Korynevych said Russia’s use of the Genocide Convention to justify a war of conquest twists international law into a tool for human right abuses and destruction.” “Russia’s defiance is also an attack on this court’s authority. Every missile that Russia fires at our cities, it fires in defiance of this court,” he added. On Monday, Russia’s legal team argued that ICJ has no jurisdiction over the case. The team said that if Kyiv denies Moscow’s accusation of genocide of pro-Russian Ukrainians,”why is the court even considering a case under the Genocide Convention.” Thanking US Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the United States on Monday to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York and meet with President Joe Biden. “I will thank the US for its leadership in supporting our struggle for freedom and independence,” Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m... pleased to announce that the M1 Abrams tanks that the United States had previously committed to will be entering Ukraine soon,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday at the opening of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany. The tanks are part of more than $43 billion in security assistance pledged by the US since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. WITH AFP The post Ukraine battles Russia in legal front appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US reaffirms ‘ironclad’ commitment to Phl amid celebration of 72nd anniversary of MDT
The United States on Wednesday reiterated its “ironclad” alliance commitment to the Philippines as the two nations observed the 72nd anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty. "The United States stands firm in our ironclad commitment to our alliance and partnership with the Philippines as we face new and continuing challenges," US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said in a tweet. Signed in 1951, the Philippines and the US agreed that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declared that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes. Earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III reiterated that the MDT between Washington and Manila is extended to the latter’s public vessels. “Austin reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—to include those of its Coast Guard—in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said. This was after China Coast Guard aggressively attempted to block the Philippines from its resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The US, along with other Western countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and France have condemned China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. The post US reaffirms ‘ironclad’ commitment to Phl amid celebration of 72nd anniversary of MDT appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Missing mom
Finding alive a person missing for many years can be intriguing as in the case of a Houston, Texas man. Reports say Rudy Farias, 25, was found by a Good Samaritan with cuts and bruises outside a Houston church and he was brought to a local hospital for treatment on 29 June. On 2 July, the Texas Center for the Missing tweeted that Farias was miraculously reunited with his mother, Janie Santana, on 1 July, New York Post reported. Reports quoted missing persons organizations as saying that Farias was 17 when he walked their dogs on 7 March 2015. The dogs returned home without him. An activist, Quanell X, told Fox 7 Austin that Santana claimed her son was kidnapped by Mexican traffickers and she raised money to find him but she used the funds instead for vacations and personal expenses. Santana got $2,000 in donations on GoFundMe to purportedly help search for her missing son. The fundraising platform said it has banned her, Fox News reported. X and Farias’ cousin, Michelle Rodriguez, also claimed that Santana mentally, physically, and sexually abused her son so he left. In a 6 July press conference, the Houston Police Department said they interviewed Farias, who denied the allegations. The HPD, however, said the man was never really missing. Farias returned home one day after his mother reported him missing, but Santana had told investigating police that Farias was her nephew, Lt. Christopher Zamora told reporters, according to Fox News. The misled HPD is still investigating but no charges have been filed against Santana. The mother and son were seen together in a friend’s home indicating there was no issue between them. Meanwhile, a San Diego, California man told an investigator of the US Social Security Administration last year that his mother was still alive and living in Japan where she was born. But much earlier, on 22 October 1990, Donald Felix Zampach, 65, had notified the US embassy in Tokyo that his mother, identified as STZ, had died, LA Times reported. She had returned to her home country that year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US. US authorities eventually learned that Zampach continued to collect his dead mother’s pension and survivor benefits from the Department of Defense that were deposited in her bank accounts by not informing the SSA that she was dead. He also received $12,000 from filing false tax returns, opened multiple credit card accounts, and obtained a home refinance loan of $126,000 all under his mother’s name, according to LAT. Federal prosecutors said Zampach’s take was more than $830,000 in public funds over more than 30 years, the longest-running and largest fraud of its kind in the Southern District of California. Zampach pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to pay $830,000 in fines and surrender the house to the government, according to LAT. The post Missing mom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Basilan clobbers Computer Specialists, takes 1-0 lead in VisMin Cup Grand Finals
CEBU CITY, Philippines– The Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders manhandled the Visayas leg champions, KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City, 94-67, to take Game One of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup best-of-five Grand Finals, Wednesday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur. The Computer Specialists converted the first basket of the game which also […] The post Basilan clobbers Computer Specialists, takes 1-0 lead in VisMin Cup Grand Finals appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Computer Specialists, Peace Riders start VisMin Grand Finals battle tomorrow
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Mike Reyes, the veteran and multi-titled head coach of the reigning Visayas leg champions, the KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City is upbeat about their title chances in the grand finals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. The Specialists already proved that they can topple […] The post Computer Specialists, Peace Riders start VisMin Grand Finals battle tomorrow appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Basilan sweeps Roxas to rule Mindanao leg of VisMin Super Cup
CEBU CITY, Philippines– The Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders were crowned the inaugural champions of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg after winning Game Two of their best-of-three finals series against the Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards on Monday evening, August 9, at the Pagadian City gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur. The Peace Riders stormed […] The post Basilan sweeps Roxas to rule Mindanao leg of VisMin Super Cup appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
In Austin, they warn that the city’s Covid case is ‘extreme’
Austin- Authorities in Austin, Texas, warned the public Saturday that the city’s Covid-19 case is desperate, as the wave of cases caused by the delta.....»»
Computer Specialists tap asst coach to augment depleted lineup
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City has tapped its assistant coach, Jabby “Jax” Bautista to play in the grand finals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to augment the team’s badly depleted lineup. Bautista, one of the assistant coaches of Mike Reyes of the reigning Visayas leg champions was tapped […] The post Computer Specialists tap asst coach to augment depleted lineup appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Visayas champions KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue battling financial issues
CEBU CITY, Philippines—After winning the war on the hardcourt, the reigning Visayas champion of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue is facing another tough battle off the court. Team owner Ricky Verdida said the team is facing some financial issues that may affect the performance of the team once they get back […] The post Visayas champions KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue battling financial issues appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Chooks cooks up Champions League
Top teams from the MPBL, NBL Pilipinas and VisMin Super Cup will soon slug it out in one league set to be launched by their chief backer Chooks-to-Go......»»
Chooks-to-Go to hold Champions League for MPBL, NBL, VisMin Cup teams
Mascarinas, who backs several hoops tournaments like the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), the National Basketball League (NBL), and the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup through Chooks-to-Go, said Saturday during a press conference that they plan on bringing top talents from each of the leagues to a star-studded tournament that pits elite teams against each other......»»
Opening of KCS’ training camp depends on Mindanao leg tipoff
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The reigning Visayas leg champions of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, the KCS Computer Specialists Mandaue City, will not start their training camp unless there is an official announcement about the tipoff date of the Mindanao leg. The league has yet to announce the start of the Mindanao leg, which […] The post Opening of KCS’ training camp depends on Mindanao leg tipoff appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
KCS owner to use VisMin Super Cup prize money for players’ salaries
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Ricky Verdida, the team owner of the KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City, the newly-crowned Visayas leg champions of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, plans to use the P500,000 champion’s purse for the salary of his players and staff. According to Verdida, their P500,000 prize courtesy of Chooks-to-Go will be used for […] The post KCS owner to use VisMin Super Cup prize money for players’ salaries appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Specialists Coach Reyes shares formula on beating Aquastars to become VisMin Cup champions
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Basketball experts will probably say that the KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City won the inaugural Visayas leg title of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup because of their superb defense. But for Specialist Head Coach Mike Reyes, there is more to it than their superb defense. Reyes said that they had different aspects […] The post Specialists Coach Reyes shares formula on beating Aquastars to become VisMin Cup champions appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Underdog KCS Mandaue walk away with VisMin title
CEBU CITY, Philippines— They came in as underdogs with their backs against the wall, but the KCS Computer Specialists Mandaue City toppled the once invincible MJAS Zenith Talisay City Aquastars to walk away as the Visayas leg champions of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Sunday evening, May 9, 2021. The Specialists finished their […] The post Underdog KCS Mandaue walk away with VisMin title appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Laguna Heroes claim PCAP crown
Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla and FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus came through with the wins that mattered most as the Laguna Heroes edged the Camarines Soaring Eagles in the Armageddon playoff, 2-1, and crowned themselves first Professional Chess Association of the Philippines champions Saturday night......»»
MPBL awaits Basilan re-test
After a slight delay due to a positive COVID-19 case, the national finals of the MPBL Chooks-to-Go Lakan Season will be played next week pitting North division titlist San Juan against either Davao Occidental or Basilan from the South......»»
Team PH on a roll in Asian online chess
GM Banjo Barcenilla and IM Paulo Bersamina (File photo) The Philippines swept its last three round games including upset victories over top two seeds India and Kazakhstan for the No. 2 seeding in the knockout quarterfinals of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 on Sunday. The Filipinos slew the top-seeded Indians, who were the 2020 FIDE Online Olympiad co-champions with the Russians, and then brought down the second-ranked Kazakhs via identical 2.5-1-5 scores in the seventh and eighth rounds. The Agilas then capped a perfect day with a 3-1 thrashing of Kyrgyzstan in the ninth and final round to finish second with 14 match points. The PH men’s team was actually tied with Mongolia with the same match points and first tiebreak scores (24-24) but the Nationals beat the Mongolians, 2.5-1.5, in the fifth round in the deciding tiebreak for the No. 2 seeding. The PH team drew a familiar foe in No. 7 Kazakhstan on Friday in a format where each team will play two matches and one “Armageddon” blitz game in case of a tie. The other quarterfinal pairings pit No. 1 Iran against No. 8 Singapore, No. 3 Mongolia versus No. 6 India, and No. 4 Australia against No. 5 India. Against Kyrgyzstan, Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla and International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Haridas Pascua blasted IM Mikhail Markov, IM Asyl Abdyjapar and Ruslan Sezdebekov on boards two to four, while GM Mark Paragua blew another drawish game and succumbed to IM Semetey Tologontegin on top board. Against Kazakhstan, Bersamina and Pascua came through with the decisive triumphs while Barcenilla salvaged a draw out of a losing position. Versus India, it was Barcenilla who shone the brightest with a smashing triumph over GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly on board two while Paragua, Bersamina and Pascua fought to draws. The Lady Agilas, meanwhile, seek to hang on to the lead as they battle the heavily favored Indians in the seventh round Monday......»»