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Chip maker Intel beats earnings expectations as it pursues rivals
US chip giant Intel on Thursday said it made more money than expected in the recently ended quarter as it continued to invest in a "geographically balanced" supply chain. Intel shares jumped more than 7 percent to $34.88 in after-market trades. "We delivered a standout third quarter, underscored by across-the-board progress on our process and product roadmaps; agreements with new foundry customers, and momentum as we bring AI everywhere," said Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger. Intel reported revenue of $14.2 billion, which was 8 percent less than the amount seen in the same quarter a year earlier but ahead of forecasts. Net income tallied $300 million, compared with $1 billion profit in the same period in 2022, earnings figures showed. "Our results exceeded expectations," said Intel chief financial officer David Zinsner, who said earnings benefited from "expense discipline." Intel has been working to catch up with rivals, especially Nvidia, when it comes to powerful chips needed to handle the computing demands of artificial intelligence. Intel touted investments being made in chip production facilities with an aim of creating a "geographically balanced, secure, resilient supply chain." California-based Intel is seen as a key tool for the United States to reduce its dependence on major global producers, such as Taiwan's TSMC. Earlier this year, Intel announced it would spend $25 billion on a new plant in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it the country's single largest foreign investment. The "agreement in principle" would see the semiconductor firm build the facility in the southern city of Kiryat Gat that would open by 2027 and operate at least until 2035, Israel's finance ministry said. Intel has been operating in Israel since the 1970s with development centers and a production site that employs some 12,000 people, the finance ministry said. In 2017, Intel acquired Israel-based Mobileye, which makes technology for automated driving systems in vehicles, for just over $15 billion. Gelsinger said Intel teams have kept operations going despite the war between Israel and Hamas. "Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of our people in Israel and their families," Gelsinger said. "Despite all of these challenges, they're performing extremely well. I am praying for a swift return to peace." China Gelsinger said Intel was carefully studying updated rules in the United States that tighten curbs on exports of state-of-the-art AI chips to China. "We do believe that we'll have plenty of opportunity in China," Gelsinger said. "We are continuing to deploy our products there broadly, even as we comply and work with (the United States) around the regulations that they're putting in place." The new rules tighten measures from a year ago that banned the sale to China of microchips crucial to manufacturing powerful AI systems. Calls to further close the supply chain grew after the popularity of generative AI platform ChatGPT. When announcing the beefed-up curbs, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo insisted they were intended to close loopholes and prevent China's development of AI for military use. "It's true that AI has the potential for huge societal benefit. But it also can do tremendous and profound harm if it's in the wrong hands and in the wrong militaries," she told US media. The rules will not affect chips used in consumer goods such as laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles, though some will be subject to export licensing requirements. China has said it is "strongly dissatisfied" and "firmly opposes" the curbs. "The US continues to generalize the concept of national security, abuse export control measures, and implement unilateral bullying," the commerce ministry said in a statement. The post Chip maker Intel beats earnings expectations as it pursues rivals appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pentagon amps up posture in Mideast in response to ‘escalations’
The United States warned against any "escalation" in the Middle East in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. The United States has seen a "prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops" in the region, Austin said Sunday, adding that the US military was preparing for "the ability to respond." "If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see, our advice is: don't," he told ABC News. "We maintain the right to defend ourselves and we won't hesitate to take the appropriate action," he added. His comments came hours after the Pentagon said it was upping readiness in the region in response to "recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces." Austin ordered the activation of air defense systems and notified additional forces that they may be deployed soon. Austin did not say how many US troops would be added to those already in the region. The Pentagon's moves came after what Austin had earlier described in a statement as "detailed discussions" with President Joe Biden. "These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for US forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel," Austin said. The steps continued the Biden administration's response since Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip stormed Israel on October 7, taking more than 200 hostages and killing at least 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials. tensions rising Israel has since vowed to destroy Hamas, and says around 1,500 of the group's fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area initially under attack. Austin said he had activated deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and additional Patriot battalions "throughout the region." "Finally, I have placed an additional number of forces on prepare-to-deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required," Austin said. Tensions are rising along Israel's northern border with Lebanon after the Israeli army traded fire with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah amid fears of a new front opening as Israel battles Hamas. In south Lebanon on Saturday, Hezbollah said four of its fighters were killed. Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said one of its fighters was also killed. Armed factions close to Iran have threatened to attack US interests in Iraq over Washington's support for Israel. Multiple Iraqi bases used by US-led coalition troops have been targeted in several attacks in recent days. Israel's military said Saturday it would intensify strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza ahead of a planned ground invasion. The military has pounded Gaza with relentless strikes in response to Hamas's 7 October attack. The bombing campaign has killed more than 4,650 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and reduced swaths of the densely populated territory to ruins. A first trickle of aid entered the Palestinian enclave from Egypt on Saturday, but the 20 trucks permitted to cross have been described as a "drop in the ocean" given the needs of 2.4 million residents. The post Pentagon amps up posture in Mideast in response to ‘escalations’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First relief convoy enters Gaza devastated by ‘nightmare’ war
The first aid trucks arrived in war-torn Gaza from Egypt on Saturday, bringing urgent humanitarian relief to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave suffering what the UN chief labelled a "godawful nightmare". Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist militant group carried out the deadliest attack in the country's history on October 7. Hamas militants killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death, and took more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israel has retaliated with a relentless bombing campaign on Gaza that has killed more than 4,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. An Israeli siege has cut food, water, electricity and fuel supplies to the densely populated and long-blockaded territory of 2.4 million people, sparking fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. AFP journalists on Saturday saw 20 trucks from the Egyptian Red Crescent, which is responsible for delivering aid from various UN agencies, pass through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into Gaza. The crossing -- the only one into Gaza not controlled by Israel -- closed again after the trucks passed. The lorries had been waiting for days on the Egyptian side after Israel agreed to a request from its main ally the United States to allow aid to enter. UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Friday that the relief supplies were "the difference between life and death" for many Gazans, more than one million of whom have been displaced. "Much more" aid needs to be sent, he told a peace summit in Egypt on Saturday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the aid and urged "all parties" to keep the Rafah crossing open. But a Hamas spokesman said "even dozens" of such convoys could not meet Gaza's needs, especially as no fuel was being allowed in to help distribute the supplies to those in need. 'Reeling in pain' Tens of thousands of Israeli troops have deployed to the Gaza border ahead of an expected ground offensive that officials have pledged will begin "soon". As international tensions soar, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was hosting a peace summit in Cairo on Saturday attended by regional and some Western leaders. "The time has come for action to end this godawful nightmare," Guterres told the summit, calling for a "humanitarian ceasefire". The region "is reeling in pain and one step from the precipice", he said. Guterres said "the grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long" after "56 years of occupation with no end in sight". But he stressed that "nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorised Israeli civilians". "Those abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," he added. Egypt, historically a key mediator between Hamas and Israel, has urged "restraint" and the relaunch of the long-frozen peace process. But diplomatic efforts to end the violence have made little headway, without the participation of Israel and its enemy Iran, a supporter of Hamas and other armed groups. 'Sliver of hope' A full-blown Israeli ground offensive carries many risks, including to the hostages Hamas took and whose fate is shrouded in uncertainty. So the release of two Americans among the hostages -- mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan -- offered a rare "sliver of hope", said Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. US President Joe Biden thanked Qatar, which hosts Hamas's political bureau, for its mediation in securing the release. He said he was working "around the clock" to win the return of other Americans being held. Natalie Raanan's half-brother Ben told the BBC he felt an "overwhelming sense of joy" at the release after "the most horrible of ordeals". Hamas said Egypt and Qatar had negotiated the release and that it was "working with all mediators to implement the movement's decision to close the civilian (hostage) file if appropriate security conditions allow". Traumatised families with loved ones missing in Gaza demanded more action. "We ask humanity to interfere and bring back all those young boys, young girls, mothers, babies," Assaf Shem Tov, whose nephew was abducted from a music festival where Hamas killed hundreds, said Friday. Devastation Almost half of Gaza's residents have been displaced, and at least 30 percent of all housing in the territory has been destroyed or damaged, the United Nations says. Thousands have taken refuge in a camp set up in the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Fadwa al-Najjar said she and her seven children walked for 10 hours to reach the camp, at some points breaking into a run as missiles struck around them. "We saw bodies and limbs torn off and we just started praying, thinking we were going to die," she told AFP. In Al-Zahra in central Gaza, Rami Abu Wazna was struggling to take in the destruction wreaked by Israeli missile strikes. "Even in my worst nightmares, I never thought this could be possible," he said. Israel's operation will take not "a day, nor a week, nor a month" and will result in "the end of Israel's responsibilities in the Gaza Strip", Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Friday. Regional tensions flare In Gaza, retired general Omar Ashour said the destruction was "part of a clear plan for people to have no place left to live". "This will cause a second Nakba," he added, referring to the 760,000 Palestinians who were expelled from or fled their homes when Israel was created in 1948. The United States has moved two aircraft carriers into the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran or Lebanon's Hezbollah, both Hamas allies, amid fears of a wider conflagration. Fire across Israel's border with Lebanon continued overnight, with one Israeli soldier killed, Israeli public radio said. The military said it hit Hezbollah targets after rocket and missile fire. Violence has also flared in the West Bank, where 84 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The post First relief convoy enters Gaza devastated by ‘nightmare’ war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brownlee formula
The issue surrounding Justin Brownlee is a major blackeye to Philippine basketball. It is yet another heartbreaker for Filipinos, who were hoping and praying to see the national team reassert its dominance in the international arena. For the longest time, the Filipinos had struggled internationally. In the Asian Games, for instance, the Philippines emerged victorious in its first four editions — 1951 in New Delhi, 1954 in Manila, 1958 in Tokyo, and 1962 in Jakarta before suffering a string of frustrating finishes. The closest we got to the gold medal was in 1990 when the Basketball Association of the Philippines tasked the Philippine Basketball Association with assembling a team that would reclaim our Asian glory. It was a tall order at the time as the Philippines was coming off a bitter setback at the hands of Malaysia in the 1989 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. The BAP knew that only an Asian crown would soothe the pain of a nation craving revenge. But it didn’t happen. Coached by Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, the team bannered by Allan Caidic, Benjie Paras, Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, and Chito Loyzaga surrendered to powerhouse China featuring Shan Tao and Ma Jian in the gold medal match. Eight years later, Tim Cone was given the marching orders to assemble another star-studded squad to represent the country in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. But like Jaworski, his bitter coaching nemesis at the time, Cone was also unsuccessful as his Centennial Team had to settle for bronze behind China and South Korea. In the next edition in Busan in 2002, hopes were high. Despite a sudden coaching change after American mentor Ron Jacobs suffered a stroke in the final stretch of preparations, Jong Uichico was still able to form a solid team that had a mix of Filipino-foreign stars like Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, and Rudy Hatfield, as well as homegrown stars like Olsen Racela, Kenneth Duremdes, and Danny Ildefonso. But fate wrote a cruel script. The Philippines was ahead, 68-66, in the final 23.9 seconds of the semifinal clash against South Korea. A victory would have sent the Filipinos to the gold medal match against China, while a setback would relegate them to a battle for bronze against Kazakhstan. Racela was at the charity stripe for a chance to ice the game and seal the victory. But he missed both free shots. In a shocking — and heartbreaking — turn of events, Korean gunner Lee Sang Min buried a long three-pointer off a broken play at the buzzer that sent the host country to the finals. The players were crushed while a river of tears flowed through the streets of Manila as the entire country couldn’t believe how merciless the basketball gods could be. Since then, Philippine basketball has been reduced to a mere footnote in Asian basketball. We bombed out of the medal podium in Doha in 2006 and Guangzhou in 2010. We even suffered international embarrassment when head coach Chot Reyes instructed naturalized player Marcus Douthit to shoot at our own basket in Incheon in 2014. In 2018, a legitimate National Basketball Association campaigner, Jordan Clarkson, came along and was billed as the hero who would save Philippine basketball. But he was unsuccessful. The Filipinos’ string of misfortunes continued as Gilas Pilipinas settled for fifth place. Then here came Brownlee, tapped to see action as a naturalized player in the Hangzhou Asian Games. The 35-year-old American was tasked to power a team already familiar to him — guys he had been playing with for more than five years. The coach — Cone — had been his mentor since he arrived in Manila in 2016 and led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to six PBA titles while winning three Best Import honors. There was no honeymoon period to speak of. He hit the ground running. The result was impressive as Brownlee dropped 36 points to lead Gilas Pilipinas to a razor-thin 84-83 win over Iran in the quarterfinals, before dropping back-to-back three-point bombs in their miraculous 77-76 victory over host China in the semifinals. The Filipinos won their first gold medal in 61 years following a 70-60 victory over Jordan in the final, but an asterisk was attached to the victory after Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a banned substance linked to the use of cannabis. At this point, it is unknown whether Brownlee will contest the findings or how long his possible suspension will be. What is clear is that Brownlee made a tremendous impact on Philippine basketball as he proved that the best way to win an international title is to field a naturalized player who is very familiar with the Filipinos’ style of play. Brownlee may not be as exciting and flashy as Clarkson or as tall as Douthit and Blatche, but he knows Philippine basketball like the back of his hand. It’s time for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to create more Justin Brownlees by recruiting young foreign players who are willing to stay in the country for a longer period — not just to earn and play as imports in the PBA — but to win the hearts and minds of these basketball-crazy Filipinos. Brownlee’s professional career is in great peril, and we may not see him don the Gilas or Ginebra jerseys again. But we should always remember his most significant contribution to Philippine basketball. Nope, it wasn’t the incredible play he delivered against China or how he stood his ground against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the powerful Jordanians that led to the country’s first Asian Games title in 61 years. His most important contribution was the idea that to gain international success, the federation must recruit a naturalized player not based on skills, height, or popularity but on his love, respect, and dedication to the country he wishes to represent. The post Brownlee formula appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups
Israel warned humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip on Friday to evacuate a major hospital and five schools ahead of a potential strike, aid agencies said. The Al-Quds Hospital is in northern Gaza, which has borne the brunt of Israeli air raids since Hamas staged their biggest ever attacks on Israel on October 7. The Palestine Red Crescent launched an "urgent appeal" saying it had "received a threat from the occupying authorities to bombard Al-Quds Hospital". The Israeli warning "demanded" the hospital's evacuation, which would affect more than 400 patients and 12,000 displaced people who have sought "safe haven", the group said. "We call upon the international community to take immediate and urgent action to prevent another massacre similar to what occurred at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital," the statement added. A rocket attack on the Al-Ahli hospital killed hundreds of people, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. Hamas blamed Israeli jets, while Israel blamed misdirected fire by militants inside Gaza. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in parallel that Israel had told it to evacuate five schools "as fast as possible". All of the schools are in Gaza City, close to the hospital. "We did what we could to protest and reject this decision, but this means that from now these facilities are no longer safe," said an UNRWA statement, calling on thousands of people in and around the hospitals to flee. The Red Crescent said last Saturday that it had received a similar evacuation order for Al-Quds Hospital. Palestinian media said a rocket attack hit near the hospital on Wednesday. Gaza authorities say more than 4,100 people have been killed in Israeli raids since the Hamas attacks that left 1,400 people dead. The attacks were the worst suffered by Israel since its creation 75 years ago. The post Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle
The Rolling Stones burst back to life on Friday with "Hackney Diamonds", their first album in 18 years, featuring megastar cameos from Elton John, Lady Gaga and even their old rival, Paul McCartney. Now in their seventh decade of making music together, the legendary British band is back with their 24th studio album. McCartney joins in for the first time, playing bass on the punky "Bite My Head Off". Back in their 1960s heyday, much was made of the rivalry between the Stones and the Beatles, but it was always more marketing than reality, with John Lennon singing on the Stones' "We Love You" in 1967. "Paul and I have always been friends," Stones frontman Mick Jagger, 80, told France 2 this week. McCartney's appearance was something of an accident, Keith Richards told Guitar Player magazine. "He happened to be around and dropped by," Richards said. "I don't even think he intended to play bass on a track, but once he was in there, I just said, 'Come on, you're in. You ain't leaving till you play.'" While McCartney and Elton John's contributions are somewhat hard to pick out, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder make more of an impact on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven", a blues-y ballad in the vein of classics such as "You Can't Always Get What You Want". 'Hackneyed duds' Reviews have been mostly polite rather than gushing. The Guardian gave it four stars, saying: "If this is the end, they're going out with a bang", while the LA Times called it "surprisingly spry, sparked by the deathless riffs". There has indeed been plenty of hype ahead of the release, with some saying it is their best piece of work since "Some Girls" in 1978. But others were deeply unimpressed by the sleek production from Andrew Watt, used to working with popstars like Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa. "Hackney Diamonds" is old London slang for "broken glass", but was used as a pun by Pitchfork, who called the album "a bunch of hackneyed duds, polished until the character has disappeared." No one is pretending it comes close to the legendary run between 1968 and 1972 that saw the release of "Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." in quick succession. Nor does it head in any new directions. "The group seemed to concede years ago that, with such a legendary discography, new albums and attempts at new styles are almost superfluous," wrote Variety. "(But) if there's a better way to end the Rolling Stones 60-plus-year recording career, it's hard to imagine what it could be," it added. The post Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence
Elianne Andam was headed to school like any other teenager in London last month when she was stabbed to death, becoming the latest victim of rising knife crime in England and Wales. The 15-year-old suffered a "brutal attack" in Croydon, south London, shortly after she and her friends had stepped off a public bus on a Wednesday morning, prosecutors have said. A 17-year-old boy arrested nearby just over an hour later will stand trial for her murder next April. One of the latest tragic cases of teen-on-teen violence in the British capital, it has become an increasingly common problem nationwide over recent decades. A few days after Andam's death, 16-year-old Taye Faik died in Edmonton, north London, following another knife attack. He was the 14th teenager to be killed with a blade in the city this year. The UK government, and mayors in some of its biggest cities and regions, have repeatedly vowed to tackle the persistent scourge of youth violence, but appear to be failing. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of knife and offensive weapon offences amongst children aged 10-17 increased by 19 percent across England and Wales, according to the Ministry of Justice. That compared with an eight percent increase among adults. 'Social issue' With the sale of guns strictly controlled in Britain, teenagers intent on violence typically turn to blades, including machetes and so-called "zombie" knives. Inspired by horror films, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge, and feature graphics or text on the blade or handle glorifying violence. Possessing them has been illegal since 2016, but some manufacturers have managed to evade this quasi-ban by altering their design. The government unveiled plans in August to outlaw them entirely and give police more powers to seize the weapons, which it said "seem to be designed to look menacing with no practical purpose". The new legislation will also increase the maximum penalty for their "importation, manufacturing, possession and sale" from six months to two years. However, machetes and zombie-style knives can be bought with relative ease for less than £50 ($60) on social media platforms like TikTok or Snapchat, circumventing online age restrictions, according to anti-knife crime campaigners. They urge more focus on the roots of the problem. "Knife crime isn't just a law-and-order issue, it's a social issue," Patrick Green, president of the Ben Kinsella Trust, told AFP. The anti-knife crime charity is named after a London teenager murdered in 2008. "When you start to unpick knife crime, you start to look at social deprivation, poverty, the lack of social mobility, mental health probation for young people," Green said. 'Awful weapons' Youth knife violence is more prevalent in Britain than many other European countries, he noted. "It's difficult to determine why exactly," Green added. London mayor Sadiq Khan's office blamed the austerity policies of successive Tory governments in power since 2010, which it argued have "decimated youth services" in the capital and beyond. As many as 130 centers offering sports and arts activities in the city have closed over that period, its statement noted. The pandemic and the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, driven by decades-high inflation, are also seen as contributing to the problem. Following the recent knife crime deaths in the capital, the Labour mayor urged the Conservative government in a letter "to speed up the legislation so we can ban these awful weapons as soon as possible". "The proposals also need to be toughened up to close the loopholes that could still allow the sale of these weapons," Khan added. He also wrote this month to London's 500 secondary schools reiterating that wand metal detectors to screen pupils for weapons were available, as well as police officers to deliver knife crime prevention talks. His opposition Labour party -- well ahead in polls for over a year -- has pledged to spend up to £100 million if it wins power in an election expected next year on a "Young Futures" program. It would fund new youth mentors and mental health hubs in every community, youth workers in schools set up for troubled students and hospitals, alongside wide-ranging public sector reforms. The post England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What we know about the Hamas assault on Israel
Gun battles raged Sunday between Hamas militants and Israeli forces a day after the Islamist group launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, in a dramatic escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Hundreds of people have been killed on both sides since the Iran-backed Hamas launched the multi-pronged assault at dawn on Saturday, with Israeli forces fighting holdout militants and pounding the Gaza Strip with air strikes. This is what we know about the conflict so far: How it unfolded The army said hundreds of Hamas militants attacked Israel from around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, in an assault that also came 50 years after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The Islamist group fired thousands of rockets into Israel from Gaza as its militants used explosives and bulldozers to break through the fence surrounding the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Using motorbikes, pickup trucks, motorized gliders, and speed boats, the militants streamed into Israeli urban areas including Ashkelon, Sderot, and Ofakim, which is about 22 kilometers (13 miles) from Gaza. The gunmen attacked a rave party attended by hundreds of young Israelis near Kibbutz Reim, close to Gaza, Israeli media reported. Israel said Hamas has taken more than 100 hostages in Israel. They include an unknown number of Americans and Germans. The militants overran several locations inside Israel, including a Sderot police station where they engaged in a shootout with Israeli forces on Sunday. How Israel is responding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to reduce to "rubble" Hamas hideouts in Gaza, an impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people hemmed in by an Israeli blockade for more than 15 years. The army said it has deployed tens of thousands of soldiers to fight the militants who were still "on the ground" Sunday on Israel territory. It has also carried out air strikes on Hamas positions inside Gaza, in an operation it has dubbed "Swords of Iron". Army spokesman Richard Hecht said the air raids had struck 800 targets including Gaza tunnels, buildings, and other infrastructure. The military said it aims to rescue Israeli hostages and then evacuate the entire region within 24 hours. Almost 1000 killed Israel says Hamas gunmen have killed more than 600 people and wounded over 2,000 in Israeli cities, towns, and kibbutz communities. AFP journalists have seen the bullet-riddled bodies of civilians lying on the streets in at least three locations in Israel: the city of Sderot, the nearby kibbutz of Gevim, and Zikim beach north of the Palestinian coastal enclave. An unknown number of people were reportedly killed at the rave. On the Gaza side, at least 370 people have been killed and more than 2,200 wounded, taking the combined toll to almost 1,000 dead. A British man who had been serving in Israel's army was among those killed in the Hamas attack, his family said. Two Ukrainian women who had been living in Israel were also killed, Ukraine said. Thailand has said two of its citizens were killed, while Cambodia reported the death of a Cambodian student. What Hamas said about the offensive Hamas said it fired 5,000 rockets in an offensive it has branded "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood". Its chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday vowed to press ahead with "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons". Hamas has called on "resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as in "Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle. Early on Sunday, Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah said it launched missiles and artillery shells into northern Israel "in solidarity" with the Hamas offensive. The Israeli army said it retaliated with artillery fire. Elsewhere, media outlets in Egypt said a policeman opened fire on an Israeli tour group in the northern city of Alexandria on Sunday, killing two Israelis and one Egyptian. How the world has reacted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned "in the strongest terms" Hamas' attack on Israel and called for "diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration". The West, much of which has designated Hamas a "terrorist" organization, has also condemned the Islamist group's assault on Israel. President Joe Biden said the United States support for its key ally Israel was "rock solid and unwavering". The White House said on Sunday he had ordered "additional support" for Israel. The European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said: "I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel." Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said the Islamic Republic supported the Palestinians' right to self-defense and warned Israel must be held accountable for "endangering the security of nations in the region". Russia has called for an "immediate ceasefire". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who strongly supports the Palestinian cause, on Sunday urged both sides "to support peace". Saudi Arabia appealed for an "immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, protection of civilians, and self-control". The post What we know about the Hamas assault on Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
October is A’TIN month as SB19 celebrates 5 amazing years
P-pop mega-group SB19 has claimed October as theirs ahead of their fifth anniversary, with multiple activities that will keep their fans, known as A’TIN, bristling with joy and excitement. “Kalahating dekada na tayo A’TIN! Maraming salamat sa patuloy na pagsuporta at pagtangkilik sa aming musika at mga kwento (We’re half a decade, A’TIN! Thank you for continuing to support our music and our journey.) And with that, we’ve prepared a month-long celebration para sa inyo. Mark your calendars for all these activities you won’t want to miss!,” said the group’s announcement online. For starters, SB19 revealed that they will be launching a podcast called Atin Atin lang on 9 October, with new episodes to be released every Monday. Apart from the podcast, which promises “heart-to-heart and intimate talks” with the group’s members Josh, Stell, Pablo, Justin and Ken, a new episode of their ardently followed web series Show Break 5 will drop 19 October. Biggest milestone But the biggest milestone the P-pop powerhouse unveiled was the launch of their own company, IZ Entertainment, which they presented to the public in a livestream on 1 October. “Siguro five years ago when SB19 was just starting, together we had a dream: That dream was to have Filipino music, Filipino talent, the whole Filipino culture pinned on the world map,” Pablo, the group’s leader and now CEO of IZ Entertainment, said. In June, SB19 transitioned to being a self-managed group. “It all started as a crazy idea during trainee days. Nagbibiruan kami na ‘Balang araw, gagawa tayo ng sarili nating company, our own management (We were just telling each other in jest that we would create our own company.) We’ll [choose] the people na pagkakatiwalaan namin,” Josh said. And now look where they are — the group that started from nothing, busking on the side of malls to sparse crowds and slaving away at endless training days for four years, the owners of their own newly minted entertainment company and the undisputed P-pop Kings increasingly acknowledged and acclaimed around the world. The group, in fact, is set to resume their world tour with new performances announced for Asia after successful, sold-out concerts in the Philippines, Canada and the United States. The boy band will be performing at Singapore’s Capitol Theatre on 15 November, Thailand’s KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre on 19 November and Dubai’s Sheikh Rashid Auditorium on 24 November, with more tour dates to be announced in the future. Josh also announced that they will represent the country at the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival Round on 21 October in Indonesia, performing alongside popular K-pop idols and artists from ASEAN countries. Fan meet The month-long celebration will not be complete, of course, without a special gift for their hometown fans. This time, the quintet said that instead of a concert for Filipino A’TIN, they will host an intimate fan meet, called Half a Decade Celebration, on 28 October at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. “Magkakaroon po kami ng fan meet na puno ng malulupit at masasaya na performances, fun games at interactions kasama kayong A’Tin,” Ken said. Fans joining them at the fan meet will go home with special-edition merchandise and cherished “experiences” with the group, added Justin, promising a more up-close and personal encounter than is usually experienced in their concerts. With the global-level career milestones the group has achieved in five years, SB19’s members have nothing but gratitude for everyone supporting them. “Gusto ko magpasalamat sa A’TIN for supporting us ever since. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi mangyayari ang ginagawa natin ngayon (If not for all of you, we won’t be able to do what we’re doing now),” Justin said. “We believe that we’re just starting. This is just the starting line for all of us, so we’re proud and I hope na proud rin kayo sa amin (We’re proud [of what we’ve accomplished], and I hope you’re also proud of us),” Ken added. A’TIN can only nod and say: We are, Ken. We sure are. The post October is A’TIN month as SB19 celebrates 5 amazing years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSKE 2023 still a go, says PNP
The Philippine National Police on Monday stressed that it is not seeing any postponement of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on 30 October amid the reported 2,594 areas of concern. PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said that the PNP has recorded 246 “areas of grave concern” or under the red category while 1,248 villages are under the orange category and 1,100 are under the yellow category. “So far, we are not seeing any areas that may postpone the polls. All areas will be simultaneously doing or conducting the BSKE as scheduled. There are some areas that we think that needs additional troops like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Acorda said. “We have to send additional forces there and our deputy chief for operations are also preparing in coordination with the other agencies. If some areas will be challenging, we will render the appropriate measures,” he added. Areas listed under the red category would be under the Commission on Elections’ control and the poll body has the authority to augment security forces in the said areas. “With regards to the preparations for the barangay elections to our assessment and after the presentation of all the regional directors and after their meeting with the different Regional Joint Security Control Center, provincial JSCCs and of course on the national level, it’s a go for all of us,” said Acorda. The PNP chief revealed that the 246 “areas of grave concern” for the BSKE are mostly from Bicol, Eastern visayas and BARMM. “In BARMM alone we have 151, in Region 8 we have 60 and in Region 5 we have 21 this list is fluid, it may change anytime depending on the political climate in the area and these are being constantly monitored through our coordination with the Comelec, Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Acorda. He also said that the PNP keeping a close watch on 38 potential PAGs and four active PAGs ahead of the BSKE this year. The election period for the BSKE started on 28 August and will end on 29 November 2023. During this period, the Comelec mandates the suspension of activities involving the carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons and the employment of security personnel or bodyguards by incumbent public officials, whether elected or appointed, as well as private individuals. The post BSKE 2023 still a go, says PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope appoints 21 new cardinals to fill highest ranks of Church
Pope Francis on Saturday elevated 21 clergymen from distant corners of the world to the rank of cardinal, saying diversity was indispensable to the future of the Catholic Church. Under sunny skies and with a crowd that filled half of Vatican City's grandiose, colonnaded St Peter's Square, the 86-year-old pope welcomed the new, so-called "Princes of the Church" -- one of whom could one day become the successor to the current pontiff. "The College of Cardinals is called to resemble a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and synodality of the Church," said Francis, seated under a canopy before the gathered cardinals on the steps of St Peter's Basilica. "Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design," said the Argentine Jesuit. The choice of the new cardinals, who include diplomats, close advisers and administrators, is closely watched as an indication of the priorities and position of the Church. One of them could also one day be elected by his peers to succeed Francis, who has left the door open to stepping down in the future should his health warrant it. Saturday's ceremony, known as a consistory, is the ninth since Francis in 2013 was named head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. One by one, the scarlet-clad cardinals knelt before the pope, who bestowed on them the two symbols of their high office: a scarlet four-cornered cap known as a biretta, and a cardinal's ring. To some, a grinning Francis uttered an encouraging "Bravo!" or "Courage!" as he shook their hand. Eighteen of the 21 newly made cardinals are under the age of 80 and thus currently eligible to vote as "cardinal electors" in the next conclave, when Francis' successor will be decided. They are among 99 cardinal-electors created by Francis, representing about three-quarters of the total That has given rise to speculation that the Church's future spiritual leader will be cast in the same mold as Francis, preaching a more tolerant Church with a greater focus on the poor and marginalized. Bishops taking action Throughout his papacy, Francis has sought to create a more inclusive, universal Church, looking past Europe to clergy in Africa, Asia and Latin America to fill the Church's highest ranks. With his latest roster of cardinals, Francis has again looked to the world's "peripheries" -- where Catholicism is growing -- while breaking with the practice of promoting archbishops of large, powerful dioceses. "He is looking for cardinals who correspond to the times. These are people who have all taken a step away from the Church of the past, who positively ensure a break," an informed observer of the Holy See who asked to remain nameless told AFP ahead of the ceremony. The array of cardinals represent "a richness and a variety of experience, and that's what the Church is all about," the Archbishop of Cape Town, Stephen Brislin, told AFP Thursday before his elevation to cardinal. "The Church encompasses all people, not just a certain group of people," he said. There are three new cardinals from South America, including two Argentinians, and three from Africa, with the promotion of the archbishops of Juba in South Sudan, Tabora in Tanzania, and Cape Town's Brislin. Asia is represented by the Bishop of Penang in Malaysia and the Bishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow, who is seen as playing a key role in seeking to improve tense relations between the Vatican and Beijing. Diplomats and managers Some of the new cardinals, like Chow, have experience in sensitive zones of the world where the Holy See hopes to play an important diplomatic role. The list includes the Holy Land's top Catholic authority, Italian Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first seated Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be made cardinal. "Jerusalem is a small laboratory, interreligious and intercultural, and that's a challenge that the whole world is facing at this point," Pizzaballa told AFP. Also promoted was the apostolic nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, France's Christophe Pierre, whose decades-long diplomatic career includes posts in countries including Haiti, Uganda and Mexico. Francis also tapped top administrators in the Curia, the Holy See's government. His new choices include Claudio Gugerotti, the Italian prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; Argentina's Victor Manuel Fernandez, whom Francis recently named head of the powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Chicago-born Robert Prevost, a former missionary in Peru who leads the Dicastery for Bishops. Following the ceremony, the new cardinals were congratulated by members of the public at the Vatican's sumptuous Apostolic Palace. The post Pope appoints 21 new cardinals to fill highest ranks of Church appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Socorro town under close Comelec monitoring ahead of barangay, SK elections
The Commission on Elections said it is closely monitoring developments in Socorro municipality, Surigao del Norte ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October. Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body wants to ensure there will be no failure of election in the area. “Dapat maayos at makakaboto sila nang walang pressure, walang dikta ng kahit na sino, at the same time, base sa kung ano ang kalooban nila (They should be able to vote without pressure, no influence from others, but according to their will),” he said in a media interview on Thursday. The security situation in Socorro municipality is currently being assessed amid the ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which began on Thursday. on the alleged presence of a shabu laboratory and a heavily armed private army within the town’s Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, The senate joint panel is also investigating the alleged systematic rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, forced labor and child marriage in the area perpetrated by a local cult. “‘Yun ang issue sa Socorro and that’s the reason why the Comelec is monitoring closely the development in Socorro and likewise ‘yung hearing d’yan sa Senado (That’s the issue in Socorro and that’s the reason why Comelec is monitoring closely the development in Socorro and likewise the Senate hearing),” Garcia said. Garcia urged the town’s residents not to worry about a "possible postponement of the elections” in the area, as he noted that the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have not yet recommended deferring the election. “There should be no failure of election in any part of the country and we can hold the elections at all costs,” he added. The post Socorro town under close Comelec monitoring ahead of barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stocks slip anew ahead of Fed meet
Stocks slipped below the 6,000 level in mid-session yesterday but managed to recover at the close as investors picked up bargains, yet the main index mirrored the cautious sentiment around Asia as the highly anticipated meeting of the US Federal Reserve nears......»»
Armenia holds drills with US amid rift with Russia
The United States and Armenia opened military drills on Monday, the latest sign of Yerevan drifting from Moscow's orbit as Russia's invasion of Ukraine reshapes post-Soviet relations. The exercises come amid mounting frustration in Armenia over what it sees as Russia's failure to act as a security guarantor amid mounting tensions with its historic rival Azerbaijan. Exercise Eagle Partner opened with some 85 US soldiers to train around 175 Armenian soldiers through September 20, according to the US Army Europe and Africa Command. Armenia's defense ministry said the exercises aimed to "increase the level of interoperability" with US forces in international peacekeeping missions. The US military said the drills would help Armenia's 12th Peacekeeping Brigade meet NATO standards ahead of an evaluation later this year. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Armenia's decision not to conduct drills with the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) alliance and instead work with the United States required "very deep analysis". "Of course, we will try to comprehend and understand all this. But in any case we will do so in close partnership dialogue with the Armenian side," he said. The United States brushed off the Kremlin critique and pointed to Russia's wars with both Ukraine and Georgia. "I think that given Russia has invaded two of its neighbors in recent years, it should refrain from lecturing countries in the region about security arrangements," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. He said that the United States has had security cooperation with Armenia since 2003 and called the latest drill "a routine exercise that is in no way tied to any other events." But Moscow last week summoned Armenia's ambassador to complain about "unfriendly steps" the country was taking. The ministry said Armenia's envoy was given a "tough" rebuke but insisted that the countries "remain allies." "It sounded more like a threat to Yerevan than a description of reality," said Gela Vasadze, an independent political analyst. "In fact, Russian-Armenian relations have reached a strategic impasse," he told AFP. 'Weakened Russia' In Yerevan, residents expressed frustration over Russia's lack of military and political support as tensions with Azerbaijan flared again. Mariam Anahamyan, 27, told AFP that Armenia had made a mistake by "pinning its hopes on the Russians". "So now let's try with the Americans. The consequences may be bad but not trying would be even worse," she said. For Arthur Khachaduryan, a 51-year-old security guard, "Russia failed to keep its commitments during the war and has even made our situation worse." He was referring to a brief but bloody conflict in 2020 for control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist region in Azerbaijan. Russia brokered a ceasefire and deployed 2,000 peacekeepers to the Lachin corridor, which connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. But Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently said Moscow was either "unable or unwilling" to control the passage. His government has accused Azerbaijan of closing the road and blockaded the mountainous region, spurring a humanitarian crisis in Armenian-populated towns. Pashinyan also recently claimed that Armenia's historic security reliance on Russia was a "strategic mistake". Bogged down in its invasion and isolated on the world stage, "weakened Russia is rapidly losing influence in its Soviet-era backyard", said independent analyst Arkady Dubnov. "Armenians are frustrated with Russia, which failed to help them during the Karabakh war and its aftermath," he said, adding that Moscow "also seems to be lacking a clear plan, strategy in the Caucasus". 'New allies' Nagorno-Karabakh was at the centre of two wars between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In the 1990s, Armenia defeated Azerbaijan and took control of the region, along with seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan. Thirty years later, energy-rich Azerbaijan, which built a strong military and secured the backing from Turkey, took revenge. After the 2020 war, Yerevan was forced to cede several territories it had controlled for decades. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains volatile and Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of moving troops near the region recently, raising the spectre of a fresh large-scale conflict. The European Union and United States have taken a lead role in mediating peace talks but have so far failed to bring about a breakthrough. "The Kremlin has no resources -- neither the will -- to help Armenia and is letting Azerbaijan and Turkey to pursue their objectives," Dubnov said. "In that situation, Armenia is trying to forge strong new alliances." The post Armenia holds drills with US amid rift with Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US and Vietnam set to expand ties as China worries grow
US President Joe Biden arrives in Vietnam on Sunday set to deepen cooperation between the two nations, in the face of China's growing ambitions in the region. Biden -- who is flying from the G20 summit in New Delhi -- will meet the leader of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, on Sunday, and is expected to sign off on a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Hanoi's highest level of diplomatic ties. The underlying goal of the short visit will be much the same as during Biden's time at the G20 gathering -- to shore up support against China's increasing influence. For Vietnam, the upgrading of diplomatic ties is significant. It only has top-level ties with Russia, India, South Korea and China. Although it will be careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and China, Vietnam shares American concerns about its neighbor's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. The United States and Vietnam -- a key manufacturing hub -- also have increasingly close trade ties, and Washington sees Hanoi as an important partner as it looks to source less from China after supply chain shocks rocked the global economy in recent years. In Hanoi on Sunday, there will be a welcome ceremony, speeches by the two leaders and a press conference by the US president -- who on Tuesday awarded the top US military honor to a helicopter pilot who rescued four soldiers during the Vietnam War. Biden will meet President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh the following day. Ahead of the 80-year-old US president's arrival, Hanoi's central Hoan Kiem Lake area, packed with families out for a weekend stroll, was adorned with American and Vietnamese flags. Nearby in the city's old quarter, a souvenir shop sold T-shirts with Biden's face emblazoned across the front. "I think the US is a good friend to Vietnam," said the shop's 61-year-old owner Truong Thanh Duc. "With this visit of President Joe Biden, I think he will bring more business contracts and jobs to Vietnamese people." - Human rights - In Vietnam, Biden will be juggling strategic interests with the defense of human rights. The Southeast Asian country has a dire human rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says. While the president has often criticized China's human rights record, he has largely stayed quiet on Vietnam and campaigners are fearful he may not press the subject. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said prior to the trip that Biden would raise issues related "to freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and other basic human rights". His visit comes days after a US government commission on religious freedom harshly criticized Vietnam for "egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations". On Saturday, Nguyen Bac Truyen, a legal expert and religious freedom advocate who was sentenced in 2018 to 11 years in prison for subversion, said on Facebook he had been released and allowed to travel to Germany with his wife. Vietnam often releases political prisoners prior to US presidential visits. Biden's visit to Hanoi will mean he leaves early from the G20 summit, where leaders agreed on a joint declaration that papered over deep divisions on the war in Ukraine and tackling climate change, avoiding direct criticism of Moscow and any concrete pledge to phase out polluting fossil fuels. His Vietnam trip will also include a poignant visit to the memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years helped rebuild ties between the two countries. burs-aph/sco © Agence France-Presse The post US and Vietnam set to expand ties as China worries grow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japanese man admits starting deadly anime studio fire: reports
A Japanese man reportedly angry that his ideas had been stolen admitted Tuesday to starting a fire that killed 36 people in an animation studio in 2019, local media said. The blaze that ripped through the studios of Kyoto Animation in July 2019 shocked the anime industry and its fans in Japan and around the world. "It's correct I've done" what is in the charges, Shinji Aoba said at the Kyoto District Court, according to the Jiji Press news agency. "I didn't think so many people would die and now I think I went too far," said the 45-year-old who appeared in a wheelchair. Aoba's lawyers however pleaded not guilty, citing mental incompetence, the reports said. Aoba, who nearly died from burns he himself sustained, faces five charges including murder, attempted murder, and arson, according to local prosecutors. He is accused of breaking into the studio's building, spreading gasoline around the ground floor, and setting it alight before reportedly shouting "drop dead". Many of those killed in the blaze were young staff, including a 21-year-old woman. More than 30 others were injured. Firefighters told reporters at the time that the incident was "unprecedented" and the mission to rescue victims and extinguish the fire was "extremely difficult". Aoba's motives were unclear but there have been claims that he accused the studio of stealing his work, which Kyoto Animation has denied. Its president Hideaki Hatta said he was "heartbroken for the employees who lost their lives and people who were close to them" ahead of the hearing, according to public broadcaster NHK. The charges were made after a psychiatric evaluation, local media said. More than 90 percent of Aoba's skin was burnt and a doctor who treated him told the Yomiuri newspaper this week that he required 12 operations. Aoba regained consciousness weeks later and apparently sobbed with relief after undergoing a procedure that restored his ability to speak. The doctor, Takahiro Ueda, said he was not allowed by police to talk about the incident, but he told Aoba that "taking someone's life is not acceptable for any reason". "I want him to explain everything at the court, and express sincere regret and apologize" to the victims and their families, the doctor said on Sunday. Kyoto Animation, known by its fans as KyoAni, is well known domestically and abroad for its role in producing popular TV anime series including "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "K-ON!" While many animation studios are based in Tokyo, the firm reportedly felt strongly about remaining in the ancient western city of Kyoto. The post Japanese man admits starting deadly anime studio fire: reports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rotaract Club Makati holds 18th induction, handover ceremonies
The induction ceremony, held at the Makati Rotary Club Foundation Building in Guadalupe, Viejo, Makati City, was a grand affair that brought together distinguished Rotarians including District Governor Nominee Reginald Alberto “Reggie” Nolido; Rotary Club of Makati president Senen “Bing” Matoto; New Generation director, James Julian Lim; Rotarian Filomeno “Boy” Arteche; Rotaractors and friends. The event began with a warm welcome by past president April Jan Sembrano who expressed his enthusiasm regarding a busy year ahead for the new set of officers, even as he highlighted particular instances of service in the community provided by the Club during his leadership. RC-Makati president Senen “Bing” Matoto” then gave the keynote address in which he emphasized the bringing of hope to the world through service. Saturday evening’s event was highlighted by the installation of the Club’s new officers who come from various backgrounds but are all driven by the common goal of making a positive impact in the community. The ceremony was officiated by Director Lim. A touching moment was when all four newly inducted members, Darlah Marcela S. Leonardo, Jazmin Faye A. Berrame, John Martin R. Revilla and Shania M. Tumbagahan took the Rotaract pledge. With their right hands raised, they vowed to uphold the principles of Rotaract, which is particularly focused on community service, professional development and fellowship. That moment symbolized the collective commitment of the club members to work together for a better Makati. As the ceremony came to a close, outgoing president John Nicole dela Cruz delivered his Valedictory Address followed by incoming president Adrian Emmanuel Manuel’s sharing of the Club’s plans and objectives set for this Rotary year. The initiatives will include community service projects, leadership development workshops, and partnerships. “The Rotaract Club of Makati is determined to be a force for positive change, and its members are all eager to roll up their sleeves and get to work,” said Manuel in his speech. Clearly, the induction ceremony held last Saturday by the Rotaract Club of Makati was an inspiring testament to the power of young adults coming together with a shared purpose. Rotaract is a service club for young people ages 18 and up who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in a community and beyond while developing leadership skills and making friends from around the world. The Clubs decide how to organize and run their own affairs, manage their funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects that are important to their communities. Rotaract Clubs are members of Rotary International; mother clubs, e.g., Rotary Club of Makati, sponsoring Rotaract Clubs, offer guidance and support and work as partners in service. The post Rotaract Club Makati holds 18th induction, handover ceremonies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Hamilton’ ticket lottery confirmed for Phl
Producers Jeffrey Seller and Michael Cassel have confirmed the Hamilton digital ticket lottery for the Metro Manila season of the international tour playing at The Theatre at Solaire from 17 September. The digital ticket lottery, known in North America as Ham4Ham, is run exclusively through TicketWorld in the Philippines. The Hamilton Lottery will have a limited number of tickets available throughout the season at a special price. Winners will have the opportunity to purchase two orchestra tickets at P800 each. The lottery will be open from 10 a.m. on 11 September through 11:59 p.m. on 13 September for tickets to performances on the week of 17 to 24 September. Subsequent Hamilton lotteries will begin on each Monday and close the following Wednesday for the upcoming week’s performances. [caption id="attachment_178871" align="aligncenter" width="735"] THE Broadway cast of ‘Hamilton’ (from left) Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos and Lin-Manuel Miranda.[/caption] To enter the lottery, sign up at TicketWorld to receive Hamilton Lottery entry access. Those who sign up must use the email address associated with their active TicketWorld account. The lottery will open at 10 a.m. every Monday and will close for entry at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following week’s performances. Participants can enter to win the chance to purchase two tickets for the upcoming week’s performances at P800 per ticket. A one-entry-per-week limit will be applied. Winners will be notified every Thursday at 12 p.m. for the upcoming week’s performances via email from TicketWorld. The confirmation email will include a one-time-use promo code and a purchase link that will expire at 12 p.m. the following day of the receipt of the email. Winners may claim and pay for their tickets online or over the counter at TicketWorld outlets before the promo code expires. Additional rules and full terms and conditions can be found on TicketWorld site. “The digital ticket lottery, created for Hamilton fans on Broadway has been embraced with tremendous enthusiasm wherever the show has played all over the world and we know fans in Manila will be exactly the same,“ Cassel said. “It’s important that theatre is accessible for anyone who wants to see it and the digital ticket lottery allows us to introduce this transformative experience to people who may not have been able to see it otherwise.” Hamilton’s first ever international tour will premiere in Manila at The Theatre at Solaire on 17 September ahead of making its Middle East premiere at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in January 2024. More cities are expected to be announced in coming months. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education. It premiered on Broadway in August 2015 to wide critical and audience acclaim. The show has won Tony, Grammy and Olivier awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. The Hamilton creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights. Scenic design is by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe. The international tour of Hamilton is produced by Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cassel. The Manila season is presented by Michael Cassel Group and GMG Productions. Tickets to the Manila and Abu Dhabi seasons are available now at hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour. To be notified when the Hamilton lottery opens and get more updates on the ticket promo news, sign up for the Hamilton Lottery Newsletter at TicketWorld. For more information on tickets and Hamilton Lottery details, visit gmg-productions.com/hamilton/lottery. For news and updates, fans can visit hamiltonmusical.com/international-tour, instagram.com/hamiltoninternationaltour or www.facebook.com/hamiltonintltour. The post ‘Hamilton’ ticket lottery confirmed for Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 100 collapse-prone schools told to close
Education authorities in the United Kingdom has told at least 104 schools and colleges to shut their buildings that are prone to collapse. The education ministry said Thursday that affected schools buildings are those made with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete which was widely used for school and college constructions from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. RAAC poses collapse risk over time and schools were warned about this and told to implement mitigations as early as 2018, according to the ministry. In its new guidance, the ministry asked that affected buildings be vacated and to either fully or partially relocate to alternative accommodation. The announcement comes as millions of pupils in England are returning to school after the lengthy summer holidays. “Nothing is more important than making sure children and staff are safe in schools and colleges, which is why we are acting on new evidence about RAAC now, ahead of the start of term,” Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said. Education officials, public-sector unions and opposition parties hit out at the government. Unison union’s head of education Mike Short said it “squandered valuable months hiding this crisis when they should have been fixing dangerous school buildings.” WITH AFP The post Over 100 collapse-prone schools told to close appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»