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Saintfiet confident, hopes for ‘miracle’ as PH men’s football team hosts Iraq
Hoping to take advantage of playing at home, the Philippine men's football team targets a breakthrough win in the joint qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup as it battles favored Iraq.....»»
BPI unit targets to onboard more wealthy clients
The wealth management arm of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) aims to onboard more clients with high to ultra-high net worth by the end of the year......»»
Rohingya refugees rescued
Rohingya refugees rescued.....»»
Team from Bangladesh studying BARMM’s calamity, disaster contingencies
Officials from Bangladesh were briefed by experts in the Bangsamoro government on their “best practices” in calamity and disaster reaction operations during a dialogue in Cotabato City on Monday......»»
Bangladesh PM Hasina secures fourth straight term as expected
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who participated in the 2018 vote but kept away in 2014, boycotts the polls after Hasina refused demands to resign and allow a neutral authority to run the general election.....»»
Fire leaves nearly 7,000 Rohingya homeless in Bangladesh camp
Authorities say several other facilities like learning centers were also destroyed by the fire.....»»
Bangladesh PM Hasina votes in general election boycotted by opponents
There are no reports of violence on voting day in Bangladesh as nearly 800,000 security forces guard polling booths, assisted by troops nationwide.....»»
Bangladesh poll booths burn on election eve, train arson kills 4
(1st UPDATE) 'The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election...shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety, and security of the democratic processes of the country,' Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen says.....»»
Youth-led action to prevent terrorism and violent extremism
Vienna, 22 December 2023 - "A close friend from school unexpectedly became involved in terrorist activities. His capture by the police was covered in the newspaper and social media." 28-year-old Mohammed Abdul*, a law graduate and development activist from Bangladesh, describes that experience as a wake-up call. His friend's arrest made him aware that.....»»
PCG, TECO working for repatriation of Taiwanese boat’s crewmembers
The Philippine Coast Guard is coordinating with the Indonesian embassy and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office for the repatriation of seven crew members of a Taiwanese fishing boat that figured in an alleged collision with a Bangladesh-flagged bulk a on Dec. 12......»»
Fishing boat collides with cargo ship off
Ilocos A Taiwanese fishing boat with seven crewmembers onboard reportedly collided with a Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel in the waters off Candon, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said yesterday......»»
Philippines exit from FATF gray list in peril
The recent Marawi bomb blast and the impact of the $81-million Bangladesh bank heist may derail the removal of the Philippines from the gray list of global dirty money watchdog Financial Action Task Force, according to Anti-Money Laundering Council chairman and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr......»»
Bangladesh: Violent Autocratic Crackdown Ahead of Elections
Bangladesh: Violent Autocratic Crackdown Ahead of Elections.....»»
ADB extends USD 90 million loan to improve water supply and sanitation in Bangladesh s CHT Region
Manila [Philippines], October 27 (ANI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given the green light to a USD 90 million loan designed to transform water supply and sanitation services in Bandarban, Lama, and Rangamati towns situated in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) region of Bangladesh. According to a news release by ADB, a significant number of households in the CHT region have traditionally depended on shared tube wel.....»»
The crucial role of watershed management
Watersheds provide a range of ecosystem services and support plants, animals, and humans. Despite its crucial significance, watersheds face multiple threats, such as rapidly increasing population, disruption of hydrologic conditions, and biodiversity loss. Because of its importance, the sustainability and stability of the watersheds are at serious risk in the absence of appropriate interventions. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, with co-sponsorship from the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions held a Congress on Sustainable and Climate Resilient Watershed Management through ecosystem-based approaches in the Asia-Pacific Region in Muntinlupa City. This was the reason why the DENR-ERDB organized the congress to cover the dearth of information on how to sustain and develop climate-resilient watersheds. The event featured more than 50 oral and poster presentations on innovative solutions that merge sustainable practices with climate resilience based on the experiences of delegates from different countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In her message, ERDB Director Maria Lourdes G. Ferrer emphasized the need to address critical issues on watersheds, forge partnerships, and work collectively to attain a more sustainable and resilient future. She called the participants to engage in fruitful collaborations to exchange valuable information. To help achieve its objectives, the congress has four themes: Climate resilience and sustainable watershed management; Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded watersheds; Nature-based approach in watershed management; and Policies, legislations, and institutional arrangements. The three-day event revolved around watershed management. Six plenary speakers who are experts on various topics on watershed management shared informative talks and experiences in the field. Dr. Rex Victor Cruz of the University of the Philippines talked about climate resilience and sustainable watershed management while Dr. Shanker Kumar Sinnakaudan of the Universiti Teknologi MARA Pulao Pinang shared the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded watershed in the context of Malaysia. A plenary talk was also given by the former ERDB Assistant Director and former Director of the River Basin Control, Dr. Antonio M. Dano which focused on the policies, legislations, and institutional arrangements that are critical to watershed management. Two talks centered on experiences and best practices in terms of watershed management in the Philippines. Forester Percival Cardona of the DENR-Forest Management Bureau shared insights on the Enhanced National Greening Program, one of the initiatives that is substantial in sustaining watershed management in the Philippines. DENR Region 10 Executive Director Henry Adornado discussed the strategies and best practices for sustainable watershed management for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. The congress ended with a tour of the Upper Marikina watershed in Rizal province. The post The crucial role of watershed management appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two killed, nearly 275,000 flee Bangladesh cyclone
Nearly 275,000 people in Bangladesh fled to shelters on Wednesday as Cyclone Hamoon barrelled into the southeastern coast, killing at least two people, officials said. Hamoon is the latest major storm to batter Bangladesh's coast, with the low-lying South Asian nation witnessing an increasing number of severe weather events as climate change fuels bigger and deadlier storms. Power lines were cut and intense rainfall lashed coastal villages and islands, but there were no reports of widespread major damage, Kamrul Hasan, secretary of the disaster management ministry, told AFP. "We evacuated 273,352 people to cyclone shelters," Hasan said, adding that two people died, one crushed by a fallen tree and another when a building collapsed. "At least 10 people were injured and are being treated in hospitals," he said. Bangladesh Meteorological Department expert Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik said Hamoon made landfall in the Chittagong and Cox's Bazar coastal districts in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with wind speeds of up to 104 kilometers (65 miles) per hour. "It is likely to move further inland and weaken gradually," Mallik said. Bangladesh's southeastern coast is home to nearly one million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar and live in flimsy tarpaulin shelters, but Hasan said the camps did not fall in the main path of the cyclone. Cox's Bazar district lost power late Tuesday and district officials could not be contacted for updates on any damages caused. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage, experts say. In May, Cyclone Mocha became the most powerful storm to hit Bangladesh since Cyclone Sidr in November 2007. Sidr killed more than 3,000 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. In recent years, better forecasting and more effective evacuation planning have dramatically reduced the death toll from such storms. The post Two killed, nearly 275,000 flee Bangladesh cyclone appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nicole Borromeo moves up to 2nd spot in Miss International poll
MANILA, Philippines — Nicole Borromeo of the Philippines jumped to the No. 2 spot in the Asia-Pacific region, in the latest Miss International pageant’s online poll. On Oct. 15, the Cebu-based Borromeo ranked third in her region, following Vietnam’s Nguyen Phuong Nhi and Bangladesh’s Farzana Yasmin Ananna. The Vietnamese beauty maintained her lead in the latest partial count on Oct. 17. READ: Cebu City’s Nicole Borromeo is Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 But Ananna was dislodged of her spot in the Top 3, with a new delegate moving up, former Miss Philippines Australia and Charity Queen Australia Jazel Mae Alarca, who is representing the Land Down Under in the 2023 Miss International pageant. The votes were taken from an online poll on the Miss International mobile app, powered by Choicely, and available for free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The top delegates from three geographic regions will earn automatic spots in the Top 15. For the Americas, Itzia Garcia from Mexico maintained her lead, while Yamilex Hernandez from the Dominican Republic moved up to the second spot. Andrea Rubio from Venezuela who was second in the initial partial count has left the Top 3 in the latest tabulation, with Vanessa Hayes from Bolivia placing third. Europe and Africa, lumped in one geographic region for the poll, has a new leader. Nassita Diako from Cote D’Ivoire who was not even among the top vote-getters in the initial partial count now tops the group, dislodging Lilene Vieira Sarrao from Portugal who is now out of the Top 3. Lysia Allaire from France and Zoi Asoumanaki from Greece are still in second and third places, respectively. “Keep on voting for your favorite delegates by downloading our Miss International App” the pageant reminded the public on social media. READ: Nicole Borromeo is not just a pretty face Nicole Borromeo is not new to pageants. She was crowned Sinulog Festival Queen in 2019 and took home the Millenial Queen title that year. Last year, first runner-up Stephany Amado from Cape Verde and second runner-up Tatiana Calmell from Peru topped the voting for Europe, Africa, and the Americas, respectively. Savanna Delos Santos from the Northern Mariana Islands, who topped the poll for Asia-Pacific, finished in the Top 15. The results of the online voting will be announced during the coronation show at the Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 2 in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on Oct......»»
Humans increasingly settling in high-risk flood zones, study warns
Humans are increasingly settling in areas highly exposed to dangerous flooding, a study warned Wednesday, with China helping drive the rise in risky urban expansion into exposed areas. The research, led by a World Bank economist, warns that settlement growth in flood zones has vastly outpaced growth in safe areas since 1985. "In a time when human settlements should be adapting to climate change, many countries are actually rapidly increasing their exposure to floods," author Jun Rentschler told AFP. The study analysed 30 years of satellite imagery tracking the expansion of human settlement globally, along with flood maps. While past studies have tended to focus on a particular region or type of flooding, the new research looked worldwide at coastal, rainfall and river flooding risks. It found that by 2015, 20 percent of all settlement areas were in zones with medium or higher flood risks, up from 17.9 percent three decades earlier. The percentage rise might not seem substantial, but it represents an enormous area because of how quickly human settlement has expanded globally since 1985. About 76,400 square kilometres (29,500 square miles) of human settlement -- about 48 times the size of greater London -- now faces flooding of more than half a metre, Rentschler said. "These expanding settlements in high-hazard areas lock in flood exposure, as well as future losses and the need for mounting flood-protection investments," the paper published in Nature warns. East Asia and the Pacific region are among the most exposed, driven particularly by urban expansion in China, as well as Vietnam and Bangladesh. "In Vietnam, where almost one-third of the coastline is now built up, the safest and most productive locations are increasingly occupied," the authors wrote. "Thus, new developments are disproportionately forced onto hazardous land and previously avoided areas, such as riverbeds or floodplains." 'Authorities can do much more' The analysis does not incorporate potential increases in flood risks caused by climate change, deforestation or changes to features such as riverbeds. But Rentschler said there was little evidence flood zones were expanding at a rate similar to human settlement in known risk areas, suggesting settlement patterns remain the key factor for policymakers to address. The research does not distinguish between flood zones in countries with strong protections, such as the Netherlands, and those without. "There are large differences in flood protection systems, especially when comparing high- and low-income countries," Rentschler acknowledged. "However, in this study we consider relatively rare and intense flood scenarios, against which even most high-income countries cannot provide full protection," he said. Climate change increases the risk of devastating flooding, because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, making rain events potentially more powerful. That has meant flood events once considered likely just every hundred years or so are now increasingly common. Rentschler argues understanding the settlement trend should be the first step in shifting urbanisation policies. "This is where you want to start: before reducing risks, countries need to stop increasing it," he said. "Local authorities can actually do much more to protect people and prevent future climate change impacts." The post Humans increasingly settling in high-risk flood zones, study warns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India, Nepal each received less than 1 per cent of international funding for tackling air pollution during 2015-2021: Report
By Vishu AdhanaNew Delhi [India], October 3 (ANI) India and Nepal each have received less than 1 percent of the USD 17.3 billion provided by international development funders to address air pollution between 2015 and 2021, a report shows. Whereas, 86 percent of funding went to five nations: China, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Pakistan. The report-- State of Global Aiir Quality Funding 2023--has been publishe.....»»
Hybrid rice milestones wow AsPac producers
A field study tour organized by the over 50 member-country Asia Pacific Seeds Association, or APSA, had the latter “very impressed with the milestones achieved by the country in hybrid rice seeds production” as well as the close collaboration among stakeholders in the hybrid rice sector, the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Industry Development reported Thursday. DA-RID Undersecretary Leo Sebastian said this is the first field study tour in the Philippines which stemmed from an invitation by Dr. Frisco Malabanan, who is the current executive committee member from the Philippines who is now with the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program. Sebastian, who was former chairman of the Special Interest Group on Field Crops, was replaced by the Malaysian delegate starting this year. APSA is the largest regional seed association in the world with more than 600 members, according to its website. Headquartered in Bangkok, APSA promotes sustainable agriculture through the development, production and trade of quality seeds within, to and from the Asia-Pacific region, and continues to maintain strong links with a number of key international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Trade Organization. Heidi Gallant, executive director of APSA, provides more insights into what the association means to its members. Entire spectrum of the seed industry Its members represent the entire spectrum of the seed industry — both public and private sectors — including national seed associations, government agencies, public and private seed companies, and associate members, which represent organizations outside the Asia region. Majority of the members are seed enterprises, including breeders, producers, distributors, retailers, exporters and importers. Countries with the highest number of members are China with 20 percent; India with 19 percent, Pakistan, seven percent; Bangladesh, seven percent; Japan, seven percent; Thailand, four percent; South Korea, four percent; and Taipei, four percent. Sebastian said of the 15 companies that joined the just-concluded field study tour, three were from China and others from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. The APSA study tour was timed with the holding of the 16th National Rice Technology Forum of the private sector group, Rice Board, in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur — which showcased clustered demo farms of hybrid rice companies, soil nutrition companies and digital companies involved in the rice sector, Malabanan said. Delegates impressed The delegates, according to Sebastian, were impressed with how the Philippines could pool all seed production companies in one site, as seen during the NRTF tour in Davao Sur. Malabanan said this was a result of close collaboration between the government and private companies. They site-visited seed facilities (from drying, cleaning and sacking of seeds) in SL Agritech in Lupon Davao Oriental and had a whole day of farm visits to SL Agritech, Tao Seeds, Longping and BioSeeds farms where they saw actual parental lines (male and female) of the seed companies in their flowering stages. The post Hybrid rice milestones wow AsPac producers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»