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Eala, partner get boot in Workday Canberra doubles tilt
Filipinas tennis ace Alex Eala bowed out of her first doubles competition in 2024 after falling in the semifinals of the Workday Canberra International against the Australian pair of Kaylah Mcphee and Astra Sharma, 6(1)-7, 3-6, Friday in Australia......»»
Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’
US President Joe Biden met China's foreign minister for talks on Friday as the two countries seek to smooth ties ahead of a possible visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Biden told top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi that Washington and Beijing must "manage competition in the relationship responsibly and maintain open lines of communication," the White House said. With the Israel-Hamas conflict raging in the Middle East, Biden also "underscored that the United States and China must work together to address global challenges," it added in a statement. Biden has invited Xi to San Francisco next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, but he has also stood firm on China in the run-up, keeping up a stream of sanctions and backing US allies in disputes with Beijing. Wang Yi has been on a two-day visit to Washington during which he also met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The Chinese foreign minister had been expected to meet Biden too after Blinken met Chinese president Xi in Beijing in June, but it had not previously been confirmed. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had said on Thursday that this week's talks were a "milestone in that effort to keep the lines of communication open with the PRC (People's Republic of China)." Sullivan was going to raise "areas of concern" including China's behavior in the South China Sea, where it has been forcefully asserting its maritime boundaries. Stabilize Wang said after meeting Blinken on Thursday that he wanted to "stabilize US-China relations" and "reduce misunderstanding" after years of tensions. Acknowledging that differences will still come up, Wang said China would respond "calmly, because we are of the view that what is right and what is wrong is not determined by who has the stronger arm or the louder voice." Biden and Xi have had no contact since a meeting in Bali in November 2022. Relations have been tense for years between world's top two economies as they vie for influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and as Beijing boosts cooperation with Russia in a bid to reduce US dominance. Tensions have been particularly high over Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing that over the past year has launched major military exercises in response to actions by US lawmakers. The United States and China have also traded barbs over the conflict in the Middle East, where Biden has been Israel's foremost ally. US officials have repeatedly spoken of creating "guardrails" with China to prevent worst-case scenarios and have sought, without success, to restore contact between the two militaries. Biden on Wednesday warned China of US treaty obligations to the Philippines, which said that Chinese vessels deliberately hit Manila's boats in dispute-rife waters -- an account contested by Beijing. Speaking alongside Australia's prime minister, a key Asia-Pacific ally, Biden vowed to compete with China "every way according to the international rules -- economically, politically, in other ways. But I'm not looking for conflict." The post Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China
President Joe Biden said the United States officially recognized the Pacific nations of Cook Islands and Niue Monday, as he hosted regional leaders in a bid to wrest influence from China. The announcement came at the start of a summit with the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, where US officials said the president was announcing a more assertive American stance in the region. Biden said in statements that Washington recognized the Cook Islands and Niue as "sovereign and independent" states and would establish diplomatic relations with both. The move would help maintain a "free and open Indo-Pacific region," said Biden. Biden added that the deals to recognize the two nations would also help curb illegal fishing, deal with climate change in a vulnerable region and boost economic growth. The Cook Islands and Niue together have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants but constitute a sprawling economic zone in the South Pacific. Both are self-governing nations in "free association" with New Zealand, meaning that their foreign and defense policies are in varying degrees linked to Wellington. After decades of being treated as a relative backwater, the South Pacific has become an important arena for competition between the United States and an increasingly assertive China. China has dramatically ramped up its economic, political and military footprint in the strategic ocean region. 'Assertiveness' There is "no question that there is some role that the PRC has played in all this," a senior White House official said on condition of anonymity, referring to China by the abbreviation of its formal name. China's "assertiveness and influence, including in this region, has been a factor that requires us to sustain our strategic focus." The forum brings together states and territories scattered across the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to sparsely populated micro-states and archipelagos. But China's influence will be felt through the absence of the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, now closely aligned with Beijing. Manasseh Sogavare, who was in New York last week to attend the UN General Assembly, did not extend his stay in the United States. "We're disappointed that he's chosen not to come to this very special summit," another White House official said. Biden had been due to follow up last year's inaugural summit with a meeting of Pacific leaders this May, in Papua New Guinea. But he cut short an Asia trip and returned stateside to address a debt-ceiling crisis. For the Washington summit, Biden has prepared a full program, kicking off with an afternoon of American football on Sunday. The leaders traveled by train to Baltimore, where they were guests of honor at an NFL game between the port city's Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts. Monday's agenda features meetings and a lunch with Biden. On Tuesday, the leaders will meet with top officials on climate and the economy, and spend time with US lawmakers. The post Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate applauds string ensemble for twin awards at Europe music festivals
The Senate adopted on Monday a resolution commending and congratulating the De La Salle Santiago Zobel Strings Ensemble for their twin awards at music festivals held in Europe in July. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 758, which congratulates and celebrates the 34 young musicians who represented the Philippines on the international stage. "The Philippine Senate, on several occasions, has been paying tribute to outstanding Filipinos for their commendable performances that bring pride and joy to the country, especially in the field of music," the resolution read. “The DLSZ Strings' participation in these international events not only highlights the hard work and dedication of the students but also demonstrates Filipinos' world-class talent and musical excellence,” it added. [caption id="attachment_185678" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] The De La Salle Santiago Zobel Strings Ensemble[/caption] In her sponsorship speech, Hontiveros stressed the group deserved to be recognized for their countless hours of training, talent and amazing dedication to their craft. ”I can't help but be proud of what the De La Salle strings ensemble has accomplished for their school and for our country. Again, I am extremely honored to sponsor our Senate resolution, which celebrates these young musicians who brought pride and honor to our beloved Philippines,” said Hontiveros. The DLSZ bagged 4th place with an outstanding rating at the 15th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the Golden Hall of the Musikvere in held in Vienna, Austria, on 1 July. The group also won the Gold Award at the 2023 Bratislava Youth Music Festival Competition at the Slovak Radio Concert Hall in Slovakia on 7 July. The International Youth Music Festival is a world-renowned celebration of young musicians from across the globe. Among the participants were choirs, bands and orchestras from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Italy, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Taipei, Norway, Netherlands, Spain and the USA. The DLSZ is composed of high school students enrolled in the special music program to develop their musical skills. The group is headed by Strings Conductor Leopoldo Sumera Jr., accompanied by Strings teacher Shelly Isaga, Music Unit head Daryl Galicia and Cultural Affairs Office head Lynette Feliciano. The post Senate applauds string ensemble for twin awards at Europe music festivals appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success
In 2007, sports patron and prominent business executive Manny V. Pangilinan flew to Geneva to mend the country’s scarred relationship with FIBA when the Philippines was suspended due to a struggle between the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Over the years, MVP, along with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or SBP, were able to make amends and formed a strong bond with FIBA. And as they say, the rest was history. MVP’s vision to host the FIBA World Cup in a tri-nation bid was approved. The country, together with Japan and Indonesia, was granted to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, with 32 teams competing for the coveted Naismith trophy for the 2023 Last Sunday, the World Cup curtain finally closed, with several records written, erased, and etched in FIBA history. First, the expanded World Cup adopted by the organizers successfully achieved a more competitive playing field. Nine of the 32 that came to this World Cup did not play in the previous World Cup. After two weeks of grueling competition, six of the eight countries that previously entered the quarterfinals in the 2019 World Cup failed to advance to the next round. Argentina, France, Spain, Poland, Australia, and the Czech Republic were eliminated earlier in the group stages, with only the US and Serbia moving to the semi-final round. Second, for the first time since it participated in the tournament, Germany won the World Cup championship, beating all its opponents in the elimination rounds for an immaculate 7-0 and completing an 8-0 game sweep by beating Serbia in the final, 83-77. FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis was quoted by AP saying the expanded qualification field “has changed global basketball on the men’s side.” Third, the three host countries had record-breaking attendance, a rousing success for the tri-nation hosting of the world’s biggest basketball show. Across 92 games in 15 days in five different venues (three in Manila, one each in Okinawa and Jakarta), Zagklis said the World Cup drew a total of 700,000 fans pending the final numbers from the bronze-medal match between USA and Canada and Serbia-Germany finale. In the opener on 25 August, the Philippines tallied a World Cup record featuring 38,115 fans who witnessed the thrilling battle between home team Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The milestone highlighted the Philippines’ hosting and smashed the previous record of 32,616 spectators who watched the gold medal match between the USA and Russia in the 1994 games in Toronto, Canada. Zaglis was all praises for the three countries, especially the Philippines, whom he described as an excellent host. “I don’t think it’s easy to find anywhere in the world that has this kind of service to the visitors. Always with a smile and kindness and with a solution-oriented approach. I can only express how grateful FIBA is to the Philippines,” Zaglis said. SBP president Al S. Panlilio had mixed emotions as the FIBA World Cup ended. “We have proven that our country can host a global basketball event as huge as the FIBA World Cup. Everyone involved — the local organizing committee, various private and public stakeholders, volunteers, peace and order personnel, traffic enforcers, the LGUs, and basketball-loving Pinoys who bravely trooped to the venues to watch the games — must be congratulated for making the event a whopping success.” “But there’s also a feeling of extreme bittersweetness as it comes to an end, yet overshadowed by extreme hopefulness for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar,” he added. Panlilio spearheaded the country’s bid for the multiple-nation hosting of the World Cup along with MVP, SBP chairman emeritus, in 2017. He acknowledged what MVP did to bring the FIBA World Cup to the Philippines with his creative vision of bidding for multi-nation hosting. “It was a privilege to help realize that creative vision by collaboratively working with various groups and stakeholders and successfully hosting the World Cup. We are proud of the effort everyone contributed to make this huge undertaking a monumental and amazing feat,” Panlilio said. The post A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl will push cooperation with Chn but also uphold UNCLOS—PBBM
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Chinese Premier Li Qiang that the Philippines will "continue to push for cooperation with China and work toward more partnerships and collaboration" after bringing up "coercive activities" in the South China Sea. The two Asian leaders met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China Summit earlier this week, where Marcos Jr. underscored the need for an international law-based code of conduct in the South China Sea. During the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Marcos Jr. raised concerns about "hegemonic ambitions" in the South China Sea. He urged other Southeast Asian leaders to find "practical" ways to protect the bloc's interests in the strategic waterway. "The President said that the Philippines will continue to push for cooperation with China and work towards more partnerships and collaboration," the statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) read. "He earlier said that he is pleased with the latest developments in the negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and that the Philippines will assert its rights in accordance with international law," it added. During the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, Marcos said that the Philippines still believes that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the rule of law should be used to settle maritime conflicts. Before the ASEAN-China Summit, Marcos called out "misleading stories that frame the disputes in the SCS only through the lens of strategic competition between two powerful countries." Marcos last talked to a high-level Chinese official at the ASEAN Summit with China. This happened a few days after Beijing's new 10-dash line and a few weeks after the water cannon incident in the West Philippine Sea, which made things worse between the Philippines and China. In August, Marcos said that the Philippines sent a note verbale to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian after the latest incident in Ayungin Shoal, where the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) allegedly used water cannons and harmful actions against Philippine vessels. The CCG said it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippine boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. Several countries, led by the U.S., Australia, Japan, and Canada, came out in support of Manila and criticized China's actions. This is the latest in a series of events this year where Philippine ships have been harassed by Chinese ships. Li, on the other hand, said on Wednesday that Beijing's "good neighborly friendship" with ASEAN countries has grown. “We have been committed to mutual assistance and our good neighborly friendship has become stronger… We seek common ground while setting aside differences, properly handle disagreements through dialogues and consultations and consistently deepen practical cooperation in the traditional and non-traditional security views,” the Chinese official said at the ASEAN-China Summit The post Phl will push cooperation with Chn but also uphold UNCLOS—PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US, Chinese and Russian officials gather at Southeast Asia summit
US Vice President Kamala Harris, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend an East Asia summit in Indonesia on Thursday, offering an opportunity for direct, high-level diplomacy between the rivals. The 18-nation meeting will bring Washington and Beijing into contact a day after Premier Li Qiang warned major powers must manage their differences to avoid a "new Cold War", ahead of the G20 summit in New Delhi this week where Chinese President Xi Jinping will be absent. Interactions between the officials from the world's top two economies will be closely watched as they seek to control tensions that risk flaring anew over issues ranging from Taiwan to ties with Moscow and the competition for influence in the Pacific. "To keep differences under control, what is essential now is to oppose picking sides, to oppose bloc confrontation, and to oppose a new Cold War," Li told regional leaders on Tuesday. Harris held her own talks with Southeast Asian leaders on "the importance of upholding international law in the South China Sea", according to a statement from her office, the disputed waterway where Chinese claims have angered several Southeast Asian nations. Thursday's summit will be the first time top US and Russian officials have sat around the same table in almost two months after US and European officials condemned Lavrov at a July ministerial meeting over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $1 billion in new assistance to Ukraine in a surprise visit to Kyiv on Wednesday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Canada's Justin Trudeau, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese will attend the summit, as well as leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. G20 host Modi addressed ASEAN leaders on Thursday morning, telling them it is essential to "build a post-Covid rules-based world order" and make collective efforts to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific", using another term for the Asia-Pacific region. Thursday's talks come several months after Blinken traveled to Beijing, the first visit by the top US diplomat in nearly five years, where he met Xi as well as former foreign minister Qin Gang. - 'Broken' - The meeting was not expected to be a fiery affair despite the differences between the major powers, according to a Southeast Asian diplomat who will attend. "They will state their positions, these meetings are not tense. Especially at the leaders' level where some degree of decorum will be observed." The group will issue a negotiated joint statement after the summit. While the gathering can bring major players together, its ability to help resolve a range of regional and global disputes is limited, experts say. "It's a sign of the ASEAN convening power but lately we can say that the East Asia summit is broken. It has been turned into a forum for talking points," said Aaron Connelly, senior fellow at Singapore-based think tank IISS. While Thursday's meeting will be more geopolitical in scope, big powers used earlier talks in Jakarta to shore up alliances and lobby the Southeast Asian bloc. Li traveled on a Chinese-funded high-speed train project between the capital Jakarta and the Javan city of Bandung with a senior Indonesian minister on Wednesday. Harris held separate meetings with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. -- both ASEAN members -- on the sidelines of the summit. "The Vice President reaffirmed the United States' ironclad alliance commitment to the Philippines, and highlighted the role the US-Philippines alliance plays in ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific," her office said in a statement. South Korea's Yoon reportedly pushed for the bloc to counter North Korea's nuclear threats, calling for any military cooperation with the country to stop. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also give an address on the sidelines of the summit later on Thursday. ASEAN members are holding bilateral meetings with India, Australia, and the UN on Thursday. The post US, Chinese and Russian officials gather at Southeast Asia summit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go resolution lauds victorious youth keglers
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairman of the Committee on Sports, took to the Senate floor Tuesday, 5 September, to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the Filipino bowlers for their historic win in the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships last 12 July in Bangkok, Thailand. The Senate recently adopted Senate Resolution 711, filed by Go himself on 1 August to officially commend and congratulate the Filipino bowlers for their outstanding achievement. The resolution highlights the importance of sports in fostering self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence, as mandated by Article XIV, Section 19 of the Philippine Constitution. In his sponsorship speech, Go emphasized the significance of the victory, stating, “The Philippine Bowling team achieved an extraordinary feat by capturing the overall championship for the first time.” He specifically acknowledged Artegal Barrientos for his remarkable victory in the boys’ masters division. Barrientos, along with Zach Ramin, Stephen Luke Diwa and Marc Dylan Custodio, clinched the championship title in the boys’ division. “My gratitude goes to the coaches, mentors, and the entire support staff who have played an instrumental role in molding our outstanding athletes,” Go said. For the first time in history, the Filipino youth bowling squad secured the top spot in the competition, winning two out of four gold medals available. Barrientos clinched a decisive victory against Australia’s Blake Walsh in the final round of the boys’ masters category. The post Go resolution lauds victorious youth keglers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AI takes backseat to good cop work
SULHAMSTEAD, UK (AFP) — Artificial intelligence and facial recognition software are seen by some as the future of crime-fighting around the world. But British police say it has to go hand in hand with more traditional methods of detection, including the use of so-called “super-recognizers.” Forces across the country have been using officers who have an exceptional memory for faces and an above-average ability to identify people. Only one percent of the population has the “super-power,” said Tina Wallace, a surveillance expert with Thames Valley Police. Her team began recruiting the specialist officers in 2017 and now have about 20 on their books, including Alex Thorburn, an officer for 17 years. “I’ve always been good with faces. So when they put a notice out about the tests, I did it!” Thorburn told AFP. “I was shown pictures, dated between 10 and 30 years old, of 10 people. I had to find them in the crowd in the shopping center.” “I found them all, but they looked a lot different from how they did in the photos. That was really interesting.” As AI and facial recognition technology develop at a rapid pace, human skills should not be discounted, insisted Neville. “It isn’t really a competition with facial recognition,” he said. “They can be used together. AI is good with high-quality, front-on images (as with passports at airport e-gates).” According to Neville, demand for super-recognizers is growing, particularly from police forces in Germany and Australia. Professor Davis has posted a basic 14-point test online for anyone curious to check if they have the powers of recall that make them a super-recognizer. “If you get less than 10 or 12, you are not going to be a super-recognizer,” he said. “But if you reach 14, contact me please!” The post AI takes backseat to good cop work appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eala, partner exit W25 Roehampton doubles tilt
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala and her partner, Australia’s Destanee Aiava, crashed out of contention W25 Roehampton doubles’ competition in Great Britain after losing to the Australian pair of Petra Hule and Talia Gibson, 1-6, 5-7......»»
Philippines coach Stajcic steps down after Women’s World Cup exit
Philippines coach Alen Stajcic has left his post after the national team's exit from their first Women's World Cup, the Philippine Football Federation said on Tuesday. The Philippines have shaken off their status as regional minnows since Stajcic's appointment as coach in late 2021 -- they have jumped from 68 in the FIFA rankings to a best-ever 46th. The Philippines were not expected to get out of their group, but caused a major upset by beating co-hosts New Zealand for a historic first World Cup win before a 6-0 defeat to Norway on Sunday ended their adventure. The Philippine Football Federation said Stajcic and assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte had "decided to explore other options" at the end of the World Cup campaign. "Coach Alen Stajcic's appointment as Philippine Women's National Team head coach brought women's football in the Philippines to new heights and hope," PFF president Mariano Araneta said in a statement. "Coach Alen showed full dedication to hone the Filipinas into a fighting team. He will long be remembered as the coach who trained and dared the team to win at any international competition," Araneta said. Under Stajcic, the Philippines made the semi-finals of the Women's Asian Cup in early 2022, where they lost to South Korea but secured a historic World Cup berth. They followed it up with bronze at the Southeast Asian Games last year, then won the regional AFF Women's Championship on home soil. Stajcic was a major reason for the Philippines' improvement. He brought a wealth of experience after a playing and coaching career in Australia. He coached Australia at the 2015 World Cup and took the Matildas to as high as fourth in the FIFA rankings, but was dumped despite guiding them to the 2019 tournament. After the Philippines' loss to Norway, Stajcic said he was "proud of the heart and spirit" of the team, but ducked questions about his future as coach. "We will reflect on that for now and in the coming days we will start making plans for the future," he said. The post Philippines coach Stajcic steps down after Women’s World Cup exit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Future’s wide open
It didn’t seem like Gilas would mark a breakthrough in the recent FIBA Asia Women’s Cup in Sydney after starting the competition with a 105-34 loss to host Australia......»»
Look to Japan
Largely ignorant sniping seems to be the favored pastime of those reluctant to go along with Mr. Marcos Jr.’s re-warming of our relations with the United States. Often framed as risking a fatal nuclear apocalypse if the US-China rivalry comes to a head, the sniping is obviously meant to scare the gullible. Of the more recent sniping, notable was Mr. Rodrigo Duterte’s warning two weeks ago that the Philippines could be drawn into a “Third World War” if more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA sites were built in the country. Right after, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile advised “pontificating” conservative critics to first do their homework before whipping up public outrage. Mr. Enrile didn’t name anyone in particular. But he was obviously disgusted with the political framing of Mr. Marcos Jr.’s notable move of making it easier for the United States to maintain a presence in the country. We, of course, do know where the “pontificating” ex-Philippine leader and his cohorts are coming from. We can ascribe their anxieties to what geopolitical analysts often tell us about smaller states aligned with more powerful hegemons — smaller states face the vexing dilemma of entrapment in conflicts they do not seek when moving too close to a larger power. Such an entrapment predicament — observed long ago by ancient Greek historian Thucydides — was what drove Mr. Duterte, under the guise of neutrality, to keep his distance from the US and experiment with embracing China. But the ex-leader’s experiment, as we all know by now, backfired badly, forcing him near the end of his term — after years of avoiding “entrapment” in US strategies containing China — to reaffirm the country’s long-standing defense alliance with the United States. This is largely because hegemonic China had openly demonstrated our country’s inability to stop its illegal incursions in the West Philippine Sea. In a sense then, Mr. Marcos Jr. is merely restating his predecessor’s belated realization that the challenge posed by China can only be blunted by reaffirming the Philippine-US alliance. Of course, Mr. Marcos Jr.’s embracing tighter security cooperation with the US means he has accepted the risk of entrapment in Asian conflicts that this entails. But to see Mr. Marcos Jr.’s renewing the Philippine-US alliance merely as reluctant hedging against China or as caving to American pressure is geopolitically naïve. In fact, the warming of the Philippine-US alliance can be said to be less about the US, but more about another regional powerhouse most concerned with China — Japan. Japan, as we know, presently has the strongest alliance with the US in the Asian region and has a strong, albeit quiet, influence on Philippine affairs. Yet, far too often, Japan is mistakenly seen as an adjunct to American geopolitical strategies when, in fact, Japan is at the forefront, more than the Americans, of confronting the challenge of China. As American Japanologist Michael J. Green put it, “At the time when the US was just beginning to debate a long-term strategy for competition with China, Japan had already defined its own.” “Japan has arguably the clearest conceptualization, consensus, and implementation of a grand strategy of any of the democracies confronting Chinese hegemonic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific,” Green said. The architect of such a grand strategy was the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, whose vision provided solutions on how best to make use of a strategic alliance with a hesitant US to outflank China. In fact, the often cited strategic framework in current geopolitical circles of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” was Abe’s catchphrase, which US President Joe Biden recently fully embraced, as well as Abe’s original idea of the Quad, the Japan-US-Australia-India partnership. In short, for our own purposes of moving forward with the renewed Philippine-US alliance, it means lessening our fixation with the US and studying more closely Japan’s unique proactive efforts vis-à-vis the US and China. *** Email: nevqjr@yahoo.com.ph The post Look to Japan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Monsters in Phl volleyball
Philippine volleyball is again in trouble. The country’s lone professional volleyball league — the Premier Volleyball League — is under fire after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation penalized it for staging a tournament “within the national team period without authorization.” Based on the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation, no commercial tournaments will be held around the world from 16 May to 15 October to give way to the national teams’ participation in various tournaments. The PVL, however, kicked off its Invitational Conference last week to run till 30 July with guest teams from Japan and Australia said to be joining to jack up the level of competition in the semifinals. The biggest casualty is the national squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Indonesia recently. With the core of the team that saw action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games like Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Jia de Guzman, and Mylene Paat busy with their respective mother teams in the PVL, the PNVF had no choice but to send young and untested players to the prestigious continental tournament. Bannered by Faith Nisperos, Michelle Cobb, AC Miner, and Roma Doromal with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Bang Pineda as the only veterans, the national squad had a forgettable seventh-place finish. This didn’t sit well with the PNVF. In a memorandum that Daily Tribune obtained last Thursday, the federation cracked the whip by barring PVL clubs from securing the International Transfer Certificates of foreign players in the reinforced conference. Sideliners see the penalty as a declaration of war by the PNVF leadership as it will prompt the PVL organizers to either alter their format or scrap the season-ending conference altogether. But more than that, the sanction will disrupt PVL operations, hurting the players, coaches, officials, utility, and other personnel who are banking on professional volleyball to make ends meet. But let us remember that the PVL is the federation’s last remaining ally. When the PNVF was formed at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the PVL rallied behind it while other leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League refused to toe the line. The PVL had also been very cooperative and supportive of the national team program by deploying its players to major international tournaments. In fact, when the PNVF leadership threw a tantrum and fired National University players from the national squad, it was the PVL that cleaned up the mess by sending its players to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup that the country was set to host. During the buildup to the SEA Games, the PVL made the major sacrifice of halting its operations so its players could go to Japan for a 15-day training. Although it could have easily refused since the Osaka training was scheduled from 13 to 28 April, which was outside the national team window, the PVL still agreed to lend its players to help the federation regain a SEA Games medal. The PVL has also been very gracious, allowing national team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil to coach one of its marquee clubs, Akari, even though there are many local coaches available who can easily do the job. And now this? The PNVF is penalizing the PVL for something that could have been resolved with a mere phone call or a 30-minute meeting. You don’t do that to your partner, especially your most loyal — and last remaining — ally. What if — only what if — PVL team owners fire back and bar their stars from playing for the national team in the 19th Asian Games? Can the PNVF still form a competitive team? The monsters that have been terrorizing Philippine volleyball are again starting to appear. And, sad to say, they are destroying the relationship between the PVL and PNVF, greatly affecting the country’s chances to form a stronger, more competitive national team. Unless local officials slay the monsters — pride, greed, arrogance, and lust for power — Philippine volleyball will forever be a source of punchlines in the international arena. The post Monsters in Phl volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan power into women’s Asia Cup basketball final
Defending champions Japan kept their bid for a sixth straight women's Asia Cup basketball title on track Saturday with an 88-52 semi-final thumping of New Zealand. Stephanie Mawuli poured in a game-high 17 points with six rebounds and three assists while Monica Okoye added 16 points as the world number nine overpowered a Tall Ferns side ranked 20 places below them. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallists will meet either world number two China -- runner-up to Japan at the last two Asia Cups -- or third-ranked hosts Australia on Sunday's final. Japan closed out the first quarter with a 24-11 advantage and went on a 14-0 run in the second to surge into a 47-25 half-time lead at Sydney Olympic Park. They shifted up a gear in the third frame with aggressive offense and built a 66-38 buffer going into the home stretch when New Zealand had nothing left in the tank. New Zealand was led by Charlisse Leger-Walker with 14 points. All four semi-finalists in the eight-team competition clinched a place at the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifying tournament. The post Japan power into women’s Asia Cup basketball final appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RCEP seen driving trade funds demand
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus five other countries will help drive demand for business loans from Philippine banks, economists told the Daily Tribune on Thursday. “RCEP would expand the sources of cheaper imports for foreign and local investors, including small and medium enterprises or SMEs, that manage their respective global supply chains,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said. Effective starting 2 June, RCEP aims to gradually reduce tariff rates on various goods from ASEAN members and other countries over 20 years. It is also seen as streamlining rules on intellectual property, telecommunications, financial services, e-commerce and professional services. Doing business smoothly Ricafort said these mechanisms will also allow foreign firms to do business in the Philippines more smoothly. “It would help attract more foreign direct investors to locate in the country as a production base, as well as an access point to bigger export markets of RCEP member countries in the region and other parts of the world,” he said. Aside from the Philippines, the 14 other trade partners in RCEP are Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, South Korea and China. New opportunities “RCEP will create new opportunities, expand business operations, and thereby improve the business environment for SMEs in the Philippines by which banks should benefit as well,” Security Bank chief economist Dan Roces said. RCEP members could generate total exports worth $5.2 trillion and a gross domestic product of $26 trillion, according to global business consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers or PwC. However, Ricafort said local SMEs should adapt fast by improving their employees’ skills and business strategies. “RCEP would also mean increased competition for some local producers, including SMEs, in view of the influx of cheaper imports from other RCEP member countries for the coming years.” The Department of Trade and Industry had reported at least 52 percent of micro businesses and SMEs fully reopened in 2021. “The country’s membership in RCEP would be one of the sources of economic growth and recovery especially after the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ricafort said. The post RCEP seen driving trade funds demand appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Injured Willemse named in preliminary France Rugby World Cup squad
Injured lock Paul Willemse was named in France's first Rugby World Cup training squad by the French Rugby Federation on Monday. Montpellier's Willemse, 30, has been sidelined since late April and will receive treatment as part of the 26-man group for a two-day camp this week starting on Wednesday, in Marcoussis, to the south of Paris. Centre Arthur Vincent and winger Gabin Villiere are also included after recovering from fitness issues with scrum-half Baptiste Serin and forward Yacouba Camara joining Willemse on the treatment table. Six uncapped players have been selected by head coach Fabien Galthie including the Top 14's leading try scorer in 19-year-old Pau center Emilien Gailleton. Players from Top 14 semi-finalists, Toulouse, Racing 92, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux-Begles are omitted with the last four ties taking place this weekend. France's next training camp, with 42 players, will take place in July in Monaco. Galthie will name his final 33-man squad for the tournament on August 21, six days before Les Bleus' final pre-competition Test with Australia. Hosts France open their World Cup campaign against three-time winners New Zealand in Paris on September 8 before also facing Uruguay, Namibia, and Italy in Pool A. The post Injured Willemse named in preliminary France Rugby World Cup squad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kelvin Lee gets Thought Leadership Gold Awards for Fintech initiatives
The work of the Securities and Exchange Commission, led by Commissioner Kelvin Lester Lee, to grow Financial Technology (Fintech) in the Philippines has brought pride to the Philippines after Atty Lee was recognized as the top winner in the category of "Thought Leader of the Year" by the Asia Pacific Stevies Award. In winning the Gold Prize, Commissioner Lee's exceptional contributions to the field of Fintech have garnered recognition from the international community and cemented his position as a leading authority in the Asia-Pacific region, triumphing over other winners from the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, and India. Apart from the Gold Prize, Commissioner Lee also won the coveted Grand Stevie Award for the Philippines, a recognition presented to the highest-scoring nomination from each of the four nations that submitted the most nominations to the competition after getting an impressive score of 8.83/10 from international jurors. As an incumbent Commissioner of the SEC, Lee has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives within Fintech. His noteworthy accomplishments include his involvement in the pioneer cohort of the University of Cambridge's Fintech and Regulatory Innovation Programme, significantly influencing his drive for a meticulous and balanced policy approach to Fintech regulation. In recognition of his vision and advocacy, Commissioner Lee played a pivotal role in establishing the SEC's PhiliFintech Innovation Office (PhiliFINNO) in 2021. Working under guidance, this office focuses on fintech regulation and policy recommendations, positioning the Philippines as a frontrunner in embracing technological advancements while prioritizing investor protection. Lee has also crafted the SEC's "delicate balancing act" policy to maintain a healthy marriage between encouraging innovation and ensuring investor safety. This policy enables the SEC to foster an environment conducive to Fintech growth while upholding its responsibility as a financial regulator to safeguard the interests of investors. The Commissioner's influence extends beyond national boundaries, as he is frequently invited to speak at Senate hearings, sit on panels, and deliver keynote speeches on Fintech policy. His expertise and insights on Fintech, Fintech policy, and Fintech regulation are sought after both in the Philippines and internationally. Noteworthy platforms where he has shared his knowledge include events organized by the University of Cambridge, the Asian Institute of Management, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia, the Fintech Alliance, and the World Economic Forum, among others. Lee's dedication to advancing Fintech has taken him to Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and Cambridge, where he has shared his expertise and contributed to shaping the global Fintech landscape. In December 2022, the SEC official's Fintech policy work and thought leadership led to him being honored as one of the Philippine Blockchain Champions by the Blockchain Council of the Philippines. This recognition acknowledges his invaluable contributions in driving the adoption of blockchain and Web3 technologies in the Philippines, positioning the country as a prominent blockchain hub in Asia. In January 2023, Lee also solidified a partnership with the University of the Philippines Law Center through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for joint research and capacity-building projects focused on digital assets, blockchain, non-fungible tokens, and decentralized finance. As a regulator, Commissioner Lee remains guided by the SEC's overarching approach to Fintech, striking a delicate balance between regulatory objectives, such as investor protection, and fostering an environment that embraces the innovative potential of Fintech. His leadership has adopted enabling policies encouraging innovation while proactively mitigating excessive risk buildup, ensuring market integrity and investor safeguarding. Lee's pursuit of innovation within the Fintech sector has solidified his position as a trusted and influential figure. According to the Stevies jurors, Commissioner Lee's accomplishments are a testament to his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing Fintech and promoting a secure and investor-friendly environment. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards received over 800 nominations this year, reflecting the remarkable innovative achievements across the 29-nation region. The winners will be celebrated during a virtual ceremony on June 27, providing an opportunity to recognize and honor the outstanding individuals and organizations shaping the business landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. The post Kelvin Lee gets Thought Leadership Gold Awards for Fintech initiatives appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Australia unveils biggest defense reform in decades
Australia unveiled its biggest military shakeup in decades on Monday, refocusing the armed forces on deterring would-be foes far from its shores. Sketching a future in which Australia would have substantially longer-range strike capability, Defense Minister Richard Marles said the decades-old territory-focused strategy was "no longer fit for purpose". Facing a more combative China, he said Australia will shift its focus to deterring enemies before they reach its shores -- at sea, in the air and online. "Today, for the first time, in 35 years, we are recasting the mission of the Australian Defense Force," Marles said. The long-awaited strategic review by the defense ministry said Beijing's military build-up is now the largest and most ambitious of any country since World War II. "This build-up is occurring without transparency or reassurance to the Indo-Pacific region of China's strategic intent," the review said, using another term for the Asia-Pacific. "China's assertion of sovereignty over the South China Sea threatens the global rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in a way that adversely impacts Australia's national interests." Australia has already announced a key tool in its new strategy -- the development of stealthy long-range nuclear-powered submarines. Building on that, the Australian Defense Force will acquire long-range missile strike capabilities, both air- and land-launched. There will be a short independent review this year of the Navy's surface combatant fleet to ensure its size, structure and composition complement the capabilities provided by the new nuclear-powered submarines. The Australian army will focus more sharply on coastal defense, particularly along the country's vast north. As a result, a plan to purchase 450 infantry fighting vehicles will be scaled back to just 129. Australian military planners have viewed China's military rise warily, fearing that Beijing's now-vast capabilities could effectively cut Australia off trading partners and global supply chains. The return of major power strategic competition between China and the United States "should be seen as the defining feature of our region and time", the review said. The post Australia unveils biggest defense reform in decades appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift lookalike pambato ng Australia sa Miss Earth pageant
AAKALAIN mong kaharap mo ang tanyag na American singer-songwriter na si Taylor Swift kapag nasilayan mo si Miss Earth Australia Sheridan Mortlock. Sinabi ng beauty queen na nawa’y makatulong sa kanya ang pagkakahawig na ito sa pagsabak niya sa pandaigdigang patimpalak ngayong buwan. Para sa national costume competition na isinagawa online, inamin ni Mortlock na […] The post Taylor Swift lookalike pambato ng Australia sa Miss Earth pageant appeared first on Bandera......»»