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BRICS seen overtaking G7
A political analyst at a known think tank disclosed that a rare event happened in world affairs only recently but which hardly merited mention in global publications. Austin Ong, political analyst at the think-tank Integrated Development Studies Institute, said Bloomberg forecasted that the new BRICS+ grouping would dominate the world’s GDP by 2050, overtaking the economic output of the top industrialized countries under G7. BRICS+ recently added six regional players, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, aside from the emerging Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and around 20 more countries have expressed interest in joining. The analysis said developing economies desire a greater role in reforming global trade and financial architecture which was manifested in the recent expansion of BRICS. It said marginalizing the Global South is one of the structural flaws of the longstanding Western-built and led world order. The existing system had long given privileges to North America and Western Europe. Geopolitical experts said the industrialized countries failed to adjust to changing realities, notably the rise of a more multipolar world. Emerging and fast-developing countries will no longer beg or wait for a seat at the table if their appeals fall on deaf ears and trade barriers are put up to restrict them. 2006 foundation Ong said BRICS has come a long way since the meeting of foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India and China on the sidelines of the 61st UN General Assembly in 2006 which resulted in the forming of the group. The original BRIC convened their first leaders’ summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2006. Developing economies desire a greater role in reforming global trade and financial architecture which was manifested in the recent expansion of BRICS. By 2010, South Africa had joined. In 2015, they created the New Development Bank, based in Shanghai. The group indicated openness to new members, which can bring vitality and expand the organization’s resources and influence. In contrast, the G7, which dates to 1973, remained stagnant since expelling Russia from a short-lived G8 in 2014. US-led Quad, founded in 2007 and revived in 2017 is also having a hard time taking off. The security quartet failed to induct new members despite overtures to other Indo-Pacific countries. “The obvious security focus of the grouping made regional countries edgy about formally joining the minilateral,” according to Ong. The post BRICS seen overtaking G7 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BRICS expansion: Boon or bane?
The BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has emerged as a significant player in the global geopolitical landscape since its inception in 2006. Over the years, BRICS has demonstrated its potential to influence international economic policies, trade agreements, and even security affairs. The proposal, therefore, to expand BRICS by incorporating six more nations, namely Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Nigeria, Egypt and Vietnam, is worthwhile as all of them are emerging economies with substantial influence in their respective regions. This expansion could enhance the economic and geopolitical clout of the BRICS alliance, bringing together a diverse group of countries with considerable resources, markets, and geopolitical importance. The inclusion of these six nations would significantly bolster BRICS’ economic power. Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey, in particular, possess large and dynamic economies, adding greater diversity to the group’s financial portfolio. This expanded BRICS could collectively represent a substantial portion of global GDP, potentially rivaling the G7. The proposed expansion would give BRICS access to a broader range of natural and human resources. For instance, Nigeria and Egypt are rich in natural resources, while Vietnam offers a young and dynamic workforce. This resource diversity can stimulate economic growth and cooperation among member nations. The inclusion of these nations could strengthen BRICS’ influence in their respective regions. Indonesia, for instance, is a key player in Southeast Asia, while Nigeria holds sway in West Africa. This regional influence could help BRICS in pursuing its collective interests on the global stage. Expanding BRICS may enhance security and stability by providing a forum for member nations to collaborate on regional and global security issues. With increased representation, BRICS could become a more influential force in addressing challenges such as terrorism, cyber threats and regional conflicts. While the idea of BRICS expansion holds promise, it has its challenges and considerations. The inclusion of additional nations may lead to conflicting interests within BRICS. The current members already have diverse economic, political, and strategic goals, and adding more voices to the mix could complicate decision-making processes. Some proposed new members, such as Turkey, have complex geopolitical relationships with existing BRICS countries. Balancing these tensions while fostering cooperation will be crucial for the success of an expanded BRICS alliance. The existence of the G7 grouping adds another layer of complexity. The G7, consisting of economically advanced Western nations, has historically set the tone for global economic policies. The expansion of BRICS could create competition or cooperation between these two blocs, impacting global economic dynamics. The expansion of BRICS would undoubtedly significantly impact the world economy. With an enlarged membership, BRICS could exert greater influence over international economic policies, trade agreements, and financial institutions. This could lead to a more balanced and equitable global economic order. An expanded BRICS could challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This may lead to the creation of alternative financial institutions that better represent the interests of emerging economies. BRICS’ expansion could facilitate increased trade and investment among member nations. This could create new business opportunities and stimulate economic growth, especially in regions with emerging markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. A larger BRICS alliance would have a stronger voice in global economic governance. This could result in more inclusive policies that consider the needs and priorities of developing nations. Therefore, the idea of expanding BRICS represents a compelling proposition with the potential to reshape global economic and security dynamics. While challenges and complexities exist, the benefits of an enlarged BRICS alliance, including financial strength, resource diversity, and enhanced regional influence, cannot be ignored. However, the success of such an expansion would depend on the ability of member nations to navigate divergent interests, manage geopolitical tensions, and effectively cooperate on a global stage. More importantly, the relationship between an expanded BRICS and the G7 will play a crucial role in shaping the future of global governance. In an era of evolving international relations, an expanded BRICS could be a key player in driving positive change on the world stage. The post BRICS expansion: Boon or bane? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Colombia deadliest country for green activists in 2022
Environmental activist murders doubled in Colombia last year, making it the most dangerous country in the world for those trying to protect the planet, a watchdog said Tuesday. In its annual review, Global Witness named 177 land and environmental defenders who had been killed in 2022 -- from the Amazon to the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Latin America again bore the brunt of the murders, including 39 killings across the vast Amazon rainforest, a vital carbon sink facing widespread destruction at a time when the world is grappling to curb climate change. The number of those killed has progressively decreased since a record 227 in 2020, however, "this does not mean that the situation has significantly improved," said Global Witness. "The worsening climate crisis and the ever-increasing demand for agricultural commodities, fuel, and minerals will only intensify the pressure on the environment -– and those who risk their lives to defend it," warned the London-based watchdog. While in 2021 most killings took place in Mexico, Colombia last year surged ahead with 60 deaths -- more than a third of all the murders globally. "This is almost double the number of killings compared to 2021 when 33 defenders lost their lives," said the report. Many of those targeted were Indigenous people, members of Afro-descendant communities, small-scale farmers, and environmental activists. At least five children, three of them Indigenous, were among the global tally. "Yet there is hope," said the NGO, praising efforts under new leftist President Gustavo Petro to boost protection for defenders -- a first in the country. Colombian sociologist and activist Nadia Umana, 35, fled her northern home after the murders of four colleagues, all of whom had been fighting for the return of rural lands taken over by paramilitaries. "Knowing that a colleague of yours was murdered is an indescribable pain," Umana told AFP in Bogota. Even the country's vice-president, Francia Marquez -- the 2018 winner of the prestigious Goldman environmental prize -- has faced multiple threats. In 2019, she survived an attack by gunmen who tried to kill her over her work defending her home region's water resources against mining companies. Mining, logging, farming According to Global Witness, almost 2,000 land and environmental defenders have been murdered over the past decade -- some 70 percent of them in Latin America. In Brazil, where British journalist Dom Philips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira were killed last year in the Amazon, a total of 34 land defenders were killed. Mexico, Honduras, and the Philippines also had high numbers. Global Witness said that while it was "difficult to identify" the exact drivers for the killings, 10 were found to be linked to agribusiness, eight to mining, and four to the logging industry. Aside from activists, state officials, demonstrators, park rangers, lawyers, and journalists are also among those who lost their lives. "All of them shared a commitment to defend their rights and keep the planet healthy. All of them paid for their courage and commitment with their lives," said the report. The post Colombia deadliest country for green activists in 2022 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Analyst: Look out for BRICS
The government must not only monitor China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea but also the developing countries’ bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or BRICS. BRICS members are considered the emerging geopolitical rivals to the G7 group of advanced economies. UST Political Science professor Marlon Villarin said China wanted to resolve the conflict in the West Philippine Sea through economic, not legal, terms. “We should watch BRICS closely. This is an international alliance, particularly now that it has attracted new members which are backers of China,” Villarin said when he guested on the program “Hot Patatas” of DAILY TRIBUNE and Dyaryo Tirada Wednesday. Villarin said that despite China’s tactics in asserting its maritime claim, some nations maintain a soft approach to China, like the United Kingdom, because of its economic stakes in China, such as the minerals needed for solar power and electric batteries. “When it comes to technology, China has strong leverage. For example, minerals are used to produce solar power and electric batteries. So, we should ask about the reasons for not antagonizing China. Is the economic leverage successful in convincing some countries to keep their peace?” he said. Take down app The National Security Council, meanwhile, has called on the government to “seriously consider” banning the Chinese social media application TikTok among local security officials. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the NSC, suggested in a news forum, noting that the council had yet to conduct a complete study on whether or not the TikTok app was being used by China in the Philippines to promote its propaganda. “We should seriously consider it for the security sector alone, not for the civilian agencies of government,” Malaya said. TikTok faces increasing limits and bans on a global scale. In the US, a looming ban is under review while a recent congressional hearing grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Several countries across North America, Europe, and Asia have implemented some level of restriction on the app, mainly over privacy and cybersecurity concerns connected to its parent company, ByteDance, which has ties to the Chinese government. International government bodies, including the European Commission and NATO, have banned their staff from using TikTok on their corporate phones. “Maybe if there is a need to ban, it will not be for public school teachers, it will not be for civilians, but it will be for the armed personnel,” Malaya said. NSA to be consulted Malaya said there was a thorough discussion with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on the matter. “We will need to study this very carefully, based on national security considerations. We will discuss this with the National Security Adviser if it will be proper for the Philippines to take this step,” he said. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines assured that measures are in place to protect the national security from internal and external threats. The post Analyst: Look out for BRICS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM names Rosalia de Leon as Monetary Board member
Malacañang on Saturday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon as a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Marcos cited de Leon’s expertise and dedication to serving the finance sector in the country. De Leon, who has served three presidents as national treasurer, played a “critical role” in developing effective borrowing strategies and implementing credit enhancements to ensure access to the most cost-effective financing options. Marcos believes de Leon’s expertise in shaping monetary policies and managing foreign reserves can contribute to the stability of the country’s banking system. "I am profoundly honored to be entrusted with this prestigious role as a Monetary Board member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” De Leon said. "I recognize the significant impact my decisions in this role can have on the lives of our fellow Filipinos. I am committed to working towards financial stability, fostering growth, and contributing to the overall well-being of our nation,” she added. De Leon, meanwhile, has expressed unwavering commitment to helping the country’s growth and diversification of the domestic capital market. The Palace cited de Leon’s distinguished career at the Department of Finance where she has served in various roles including director and undersecretary for the International Finance Group, as well as chief-of-staff. “As the Undersecretary for the IFG, she successfully oversaw various significant transactions, including the issuance of Global Peso Notes and several Liability Management Exercises,” the Palace said in its statement. “These exercises effectively reduced the Philippine government’s funding costs, extended maturity profiles, and converted foreign exchange liabilities into local currency,” it added. De Leon also held the role of alternate executive director at the World Bank Group in Washington DC, representing Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, the Philippines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. She was also a former advisor to the executive director of the Asian Development Bank. De Leon obtained her Master of Arts in Development Economics from Williams College in Massachusetts, United States of America. The post PBBM names Rosalia de Leon as Monetary Board member appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heat stress could threaten health of one billion cows
By the end of the century, more than one billion cows worldwide could suffer from heat stress if global warming continues unabated, threatening their fertility, milk production, and lives, according to research published on Thursday. Nearly eight out of 10 cows across the planet are already experiencing excessively high body temperatures, spiked respiration rates, bowed heads, and open-mouthed panting -- all symptoms associated with severe heat stress, the study said. In tropical climates, 20 percent of cattle endure those symptoms year-round. These numbers are projected to balloon if cattle farming continues to expand in the Amazon and Congo basins, where temperatures are on track to rise more quickly than the global average. If emissions of climate-heating greenhouse gases continue to rise, the study predicts heat stress will become a year-round problem in Brazil, southern Africa, northern India, northern Australia, and Central America by 2100. "A very important determinant of how many cows are exposed to this heat is decisions about land-use change," lead author Michelle North of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa told AFP. "Deforestation of tropical forests for livestock expansion is not a viable development future, because it makes climate change worse and will expose hundreds of millions more cattle to severe heat stress," she added. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, found that in a worst-case scenario, cattle husbandry will nearly double in Asia and Latin America and increase more than fourfold in Africa. Losing livelihoods If greenhouse gases are curbed sufficiently -- including by cutting the use of fossil fuels and by limiting the expansion of cattle farming -- the number of cows suffering could be reduced by half in Asia and by four-fifths in Africa. Commercial ranchers stand to lose a lot of money from heat stress. It already costs as much as 1.7 billion dollars annually in the United States alone. But these farmers usually have insurance, good relations with banks, and the ability to draw on loans to help them recover from heat-related losses, said North. When heat or other climate disasters hit small-scale farmers, however, "it can lead to farmers literally losing their livelihoods, even if the net losses may appear 'negligible'", she said. North and her team found that global milk supplies would be reduced by 11 million tonnes per year by 2050 under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario. If emissions are aggressively reduced, nearly half of that amount would still be lost, mostly in Asia and Africa, where milk supplies are already low. In the near term, overheated cows can be helped by providing them with access to shade and fans, and feeding them earlier in the day. The post Heat stress could threaten health of one billion cows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Total frenzy’: Swift fever grows in Latin America
Excitement is building among Taylor Swift fans in Latin America who have endured months-long queues, expensive tickets and, in one case, assault to realize their dream of seeing the pop superstar. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter, who holds the women's record for most number one albums, will bring her "Eras" tour to the region from Thursday starting in Mexico, followed by Argentina and Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, Renan Rodrigues camped out for several nights to buy tickets for Swift's November 17-19 concerts at the Nilton Santos stadium. The 24-year-old DJ, who performs at parties for Swifties, as the pop star's devoted fans are known, got tickets to all three performances. But he paid a high price -- an assailant hit him on the head with a bottle for resisting an attempted robbery while he was waiting. "They wanted to take my cellphone, and inside the case was my card from the only bank authorized for ticket sales. I just thought: they won't take my card," said Rodrigues, who suffered superficial injuries. Tickets for Taylor Swift shows in Brazil cost between $35 and $468. In Mexico, where young people earn an average salary of $366 a month according to official data, fans had to pay between $55 and $614. Ingrid Cruz, founder of the official Mexican fan club, described the high cost as "abuse" and complained that VIP packages were prioritized over regular tickets. Fans also reported problems with the platform of US retail giant Ticketmaster. The vendor operates in Mexico as part of the powerful CIE entertainment and media group, which in turn controls around two-thirds of the local market for live shows. Pre-sales for the four concerts in Mexico City were based on a previous registration of "verified fans" by email. But even Joel Aguilar, creator of Taylor Swift MX, a fan site with some 20,000 followers from 20 countries, failed to qualify, he said. Denisse Castro, 26, who has been unemployed for six months, hoped that building a credit history and obtaining a card from the bank sponsoring the concert would help her to secure good seats. Unfortunately for her, the bank recently tightened its credit restrictions, so Castro could only afford the cheapest tickets. In the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, a group set up camp outside the River stadium in June, five months before the concert, to ensure they have places near the stage. "It's going to be a total frenzy," said Iara Palavencino, one of the fans, who take it in turns to reserve their spots. Tickets sold out quickly in Argentina, despite the country's serious economic crisis. In Chile, President Gabriel Boric, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, made an unsuccessful appeal to Swift to include his country on her tour. And in Mexico, proving that the pop star's popularity transcends age, a 64-year-old Supreme Court judge outed himself as a Swiftie earlier this year. "There's nothing trivial about Taylor Swift," Arturo Zaldivar wrote in a newspaper in June. The post ‘Total frenzy’: Swift fever grows in Latin America appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Plus-size movement reshapes fashion in Brazil
Defying the fashion world's narrow stereotype of beauty, Brazilian plus-size designer Amanda Momente poses confidently for the camera, wearing the clothing label she founded after failing to find other options that fit. More than half of all adults in Brazil are overweight, but Momente is part of a growing movement of entrepreneurs, activists and models who are fed up with a fashion industry they say fails to fit their needs and shames them for their bodies. "Society judged me based on one thing, so I took that thing and used it... to launch my business," says Momente, 34, dressed in a sheer black bodysuit created by Wondersize, the company she founded in 2017. The former real-estate agent, who sports a pink mohawk and multiple tattoos, got the idea after feeling uncomfortable at the gym in clothes she says were too tight, turned transparent when stretched or bunched up around her thighs. She decided to find a seamstress to help her make her own workout outfit. It turned out so well she quit her day job and plunged headfirst into the fashion world, she says. The rise of colorful, stylish clothes for Brazilians with large bodies is part of a broader international trend rejecting unrealistic standards of beauty, especially for women. "The fashion industry needs to fit our bodies, not the other way around," says Momente. - 'Identity and dignity' - Major brands tend to dedicate at most a small portion of their lines to clothing in larger sizes, leaving "repressed" demand, says Marcela Liz, head of the Brazil Plus Size Association. The plus-size sector grew in Brazil more than 75 percent in the decade through 2021, reaching sales of 9.6 billion reais (about $1.9 billion) that year, according to the association. It projects sales will hit 15 billion reais by 2027 in Latin America's biggest economy. "Supply has improved, but we're still not meeting demand," says Liz. The nascent industry sashayed through Sao Paulo this month at the Pop Plus fair, where indie designers showed off sparkling skirts, racy tops, T-shirts stamped with bold statements and other clothes in sizes ranging up to 70. "The market saw fat people as people who didn't like fashion, who just wanted to hide their bodies," says Flavia Durante, the activist who founded the fair in 2012. "We had clothes, not fashion," she told AFP. "Fashion isn't just about consumption. It's about identity and dignity." - More work to do - TV presenter and plus-size model Letticia Munniz has strutted the runway at glitzy Sao Paulo fashion week, made the cover of glossy magazines and been the face of numerous ad campaigns. But she says real inclusion remains a long way off for the overweight and obese in Brazil -- 57 percent and 23 percent of the adult population, respectively, in the country of 203 million people. "Things have improved, but our work is still seen as just checking a quota box. We're not seen as real equals," she says. The activist and influencer, who usually wears custom-made clothes, says she is glad to see more plus sizes on runways -- but adds that doesn't necessarily mean they are actually available in stores. She encourages her more than one million followers on social media to love themselves as they are. "When you find something made to exalt your body instead of hide it, it changes everything," she says in one post. mls/jhb/md/dw © Agence France-Presse The post Plus-size movement reshapes fashion in Brazil appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Uruguay scrambles for potable water
Workers in Montevideo, Uruguay are frantically laying pipes between two rivers so one can replenish the other, and digging for underground water wells as the city grapples with severe water shortage due to drought. For weeks already, the 1.8 million residents of the Montevideo metropolitan area — home to more than half the South American country’s total population — have switched en masse to bottled water for drinking and some cooking. Water from the capital’s main source — the Santa Lucia River — has had to be increasingly augmented with brackish water from the River Plate, an estuary on the Atlantic Ocean. 'Some people take eight, 12 large bottles (between six and 10 liters) at a time each.' But the estuary itself has had less fresh water input from the Uruguay and Parana rivers, which both start in Brazil, as the worst drought in decades batters parts of South America. Thus, 13.3 kilometers of pipe are being laid to transfer freshwater from the San Jose River to the Santa Lucia River State-owned water company OSE is also building a dam and a pumping station on the San Jose River. Meanwhile, at Montevideo's Batlle Park, a well recently drilled by OSE to extract groundwater produces about 30,000 liters per hour, which are distributed in tankers to hospitals. Pending the completion of the river pipes and other underground water wells, Montevideo’s residents use bottled water for drinking and cooking as water flowing from the tap is not potable. Pregnant women and those with high blood pressure — almost a third of the Uruguayan population according to the World Health Organization — as well as those with chronic kidney disease, heart and liver problems should avoid it, Public Health Minister Karina Rando warned. Since the beginning of July, the government has made available two liters of bottled water a day for each of the more than 500,000 low-income residents of Montevideo. For those who can afford to buy their own, it has eliminated value added tax. Nevertheless, the contingency is costing Uruguayans a lot, if it is still available in the supermarket. Vendor Nicolas Perez, 40, said bottled water was flying off the shelves. “Some people take eight, 12 large bottles (between six and 10 liters) at a time each,” he said. “Some businesses take up to 20” per day. The post Uruguay scrambles for potable water appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN highlights ‘vicious cycle’ of climate impacts for Latin America, Caribbean
As some Latin American countries battle severe drought and other disease outbreaks brought on by flooding, the World Meteorological Organization warned Wednesday that extreme weather and climate shocks were becoming more acute in the region. Latin America and the Caribbean were caught in a "vicious cycle of spiraling impacts" of accelerated warming and sea-level rise, the UN weather agency said in a new report on the state of the climate in 2022. Many recent events in the region were influenced by a long-running La Nina climate event, "but also bore the hallmark of human-induced climate change," said WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas. And he warned, "The newly arrived El Nino will turn up the heat and bring with it more extreme weather." El Nino is marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific near the equator, while La Nina has the opposite effect. Highlights of the WMO report released in Havana: - In Latin America and the Caribbean, the period from 1991 to 2022 showed an average warming trend of about 0.2 degree Celsius per decade (higher in Mexico and the Caribbean) -- the highest rate on record - Sea levels rose at a higher rate in the South Atlantic and subtropical North Atlantic than the global mean, increasing the risk of coastal flooding and freshwater contamination - Exceptionally high temperatures, low air humidity, and severe drought led to periods of record wildfires in countries including Argentina and Paraguay - The fires, in turn, contributed to planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions reaching their highest levels in 20 years, "locking in even higher temperatures" - Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains caused hundreds of fatalities in the region and billions of dollars in losses - Drought in the Parana-La Plata Basin which includes areas of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, was the worst since 1944. Low river flows reduced hydropower production, forcing countries to replace hydroelectric energy sources with polluting fossil fuels - Chile is in the grips of a 14-year-long mega-drought -- the most severe in the region in over 1,000 years - Glacier melt has worsened, with near total loss of snowpack in the Andean glaciers in the 2022 summer. The darker glaciers, as a result, absorbed more solar radiation, further accelerating the melt - Only about 60 percent of people in Latin America and the Caribbean are covered by early warning systems for severe weather events. The post UN highlights ‘vicious cycle’ of climate impacts for Latin America, Caribbean appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift to perform in South America
American pop superstar Taylor Swift announced on Saturday that she will be bringing her phenomenal concert tour, dubbed "The Eras Tour", to some countries in South America. "Really thrilled to tell you this!! Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil: We are bringing The Eras Tour to you this year!" She exclaimed on social media, adding that singer Sabrina Carpenter will be joining her on all of the shows. "LOTS more international dates to come soon," Swift promised to her fans. [caption id="attachment_140148" align="aligncenter" width="525"] (Image from Taylor Swift / Facebook)[/caption] Meanwhile, in the Philippines, her fans gathered inside TriNoma Mall in Quezon City last week to watch the popstar's preeminent local impersonator, Taylor Sheesh, performing a version of the "Eras" concert. Sheesh's gig was courtesy of Swifties Philippines, a fan-led coalition campaigning for Swift's return to the country. The American singer last performed in the Philippines in 2014 for her "Red" concert tour. The fan group is hoping and clamoring for the Philippines' inclusion in "The Eras Tour" itinerary. The post Taylor Swift to perform in South America appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems
This country’s stunning natural wonders never fail to amaze with Bohol, at this juncture, getting the world to beam a spotlight on us after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the island province the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark. Created in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geopark label recognizes the geological heritage of international significance. Seventeen other new sites, other than Bohol, were likewise declared global geoparks by UNESCO during its 216th Executive Board Session in Paris, France on 24 May. These are Cacapava and Quarta Colonia in Brazil; Lavreotiki in Greece; Ijen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin Jambi, and Raja Ampat in Indonesia; Aras and Tabas in Iran; Hakusan Tedorigawa in Japan; Kinabalu in Malaysia; Waitaki Whitestone in New Zealand; Sunnhordland in Norway; Jeonbuk West Coast in South Korean; Cabo Ortegal in Spain; Khorat in Thailand; and Mourne Gullion Strangford in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Altogether, the 18 new sites bring the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks to 195 in 48 countries. What qualifies an area to become a UNESCO Global Geopark? Basically, there must exist in the area discernibly significant geological heritage of international value, as determined by an independent evaluation team of scientific professionals. UNESCO took note of Bohol’s growing fame as a “prime eco-cultural destination with its pristine beaches, diving spots, magnificent geological formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.” Bohol’s Global Geopark journey started in 2013 with the arrival of a research team from the UP — School of Urban and Regional Planning in the province. The researchers were going around the country looking for an area with a range of geological heritage significant enough to be submitted for UNESCO’s consideration as a Global Geopark candidate. Partnering with the Bohol provincial government and guided by the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO, the UP-SURP researchers conducted extensive studies and investigations, and, in 2015, the island was deemed possessed with the best possible qualifications as a global geopark, for UNESCO’s consideration. Eight years later, UNESCO included Bohol in its new list of sites labeled a Global Geopark. Predictably cited by UNESCO were Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, that is, conical karst hills made of grass-covered limestone formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits, and Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef. Consisting of three large sets of offshore coral reefs stretching across 130 kilometers, it is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines, one of only three such sites in the Indo-Pacific region, and one of only six documented barrier reefs on Earth. Also highlighted by UNESCO is the highest waterfall in Bohol, the stunning 60-meter three-tiered Can-umantad waterfalls, as well as the otherworldly phenomenal Loon Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park. Covering 417 hectares, the area’s shoreline areas were raised during the catastrophic 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Bohol in 2013. Locals now refer to it as Coral Gardens; when the 2013 quake struck, the former inter-tidal zone where the tide submerges or exposes the land was heaved up 1.5 meters, even as the shoreline shifted 50 meters towards the sea. Today, the entire area is an uplifted marine terrace completely on dry land, teeming with sea purslane, that is, creeping succulent seagrass whose color is red and orange on sunlit days, and changes to green when it rains. Other amazing natural features in Bohol are blue-water cave pools, including the Cabagnow cave pool in Anda which is the deepest — some 25 feet — among cave pools in the province and are similar to Central America’s cenotes, which are natural pits of sinkholes connected to the sea. Visitors to Bohol have invariably been bowled over by its pristine clear waters and its lush, breathtaking landscapes — a manifestation of its geologic history as evidenced by its varied, unique landforms and structural features. Divers worldwide know of Bohol’s famed dazzling dive spots such as the one off Pamilacan island, teeming with marine life, including dolphins and pilot whales, and the crystal clear waters off Balicasag, with its spectacular marine sanctuary brimming with diverse coral and pelagic species, its vertical coral walls plunging deep into the depths. The waters surrounding Panglao Island contain more marine biodiversity than Japan and the Mediterranean Sea combined. Bohol, replete as it is with marine and geologic gems, is a class apart from all other tourist draws this country has to offer; its natural wonders are more than enough to seal its reputation many times over as among the most stunning spots on this planet to travel to and see before one breaths his (or her) last. It is totally easy to see and understand how and why Bohol was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark. The question is, what took the UN agency so long? The post Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
TikTok will allow you to create AI-generated avatars
In Latin America, Brazil is the country with the highest number of TikTok users, followed by Mexico. In December, US President Joe Biden signed a.....»»
Peru ex-president Toledo surrenders for extradition
Peruvian ex-president Alejandro Toledo surrendered to US authorities Friday, ahead of his expected extradition to Lima where he is accused of corruption and money laundering. Toledo has lived in the United States for several years and gave himself up at a federal court building in San Jose, California, where he was handed over to the US Marshals Service. The 77-year-old, who served as Peru's president from 2001 until 2006, is wanted by Peruvian prosecutors investigating a sprawling scandal involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht. Toledo, who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, is accused of taking millions of dollars from Odebrecht in exchange for favored treatment in bidding on public works. He denies all charges, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted in Peru. Friday's surrender appeared to be the start of the endgame for a man who was initially detained in California in 2019. He was put under house arrest in 2020 and ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor in the swanky Menlo Park area near Stanford. Earlier this week, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Toledo's most recent legal move to block the extradition Peru has sought since 2018, and a US judge ordered him to surrender. Peruvian prosecutors say they have testimony from two people who claim Toledo received bribes from Odebrecht. The firm acknowledged paying backhanders in Brazil and several other nations around Latin America in the so-called "Car Wash" scandal, which has so far seen dozens of politicians and business figures behind bars. Four other former Peruvian presidents currently face corruption investigations. They are Ollanta Humala (who ruled 2011-2016), Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Martin Vizcarra (2018-2020), and Pedro Castillo (2021-2022). Former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was convicted of corruption charges and is in prison. Another ex-president, Alan Garcia, died by suicide in 2019 as police were preparing to arrest him in the Odebrecht case. The post Peru ex-president Toledo surrenders for extradition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lula narrowly defeats Bolsonaro to win Brazil presidency again
(1st UPDATE) Luis Inacio Lula da Silva's victory consolidates a new 'pink tide' in Latin America, after landmark leftist victories in Colombia and Chile's elections.....»»
The bats won the final against Brazil and became the Copa America champions
The Argentine blind football team won the penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. They had avenged themselves in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games final. batArgentine.....»»
Amazon.com launches free one-day shipping service in Brazil amid fierce competition | America
E-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc began offering free one-day messaging to its subscribers in Brazil on Wednesday in 50 cities across the country, amid growing competition.....»»
Messi, Neymar to battle in dream Copa final for 1st title
Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will line up opposite each other in Saturday’s Copa America final looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries’ greatest players. Like Brazil’s Pele and Diego Maradona of Argentina before them, neither Messi nor Neymar has ever won the Copa. That statistic will […] The post Messi, Neymar to battle in dream Copa final for 1st title appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
10% of those who earn the most take 6 out of 10 pesos – El Financiero
Latin America is the region with the second highest inequality in the world after sub-Saharan Africa, with Mexico, Brazil and Chile being the countries with.....»»
Economie. Former Braskem CEO diverted over 200 million bribes in twelve years
01/01/1970 Braskem lost 500 million in 2019 due to the resettlement program in Alagoas (Brazil) South America, Brazil and Latin America from Spain The Priscom.....»»