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GPS 2024: Over $20 billion to get transport back on track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government's plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely. "Over the next three years, our investment of around $7 billion per year prioritises economic growth and productivity, increased.....»»
US Treasury seeking coalition against Hamas financing: official
Washington aims to build an international coalition to target the financing of Hamas, a top US Treasury official said Tuesday, as conflict rages on in the Middle East. The comments to AFP by Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo come after the United States unveiled fresh sanctions last week on Hamas members, operatives and financial facilitators. "Our goal is to build a coalition with countries both in the region but also around the world to go after their financing," Adeyemo said on the sidelines of an event in Washington. Hamas gunmen stormed across the border from Gaza into Israel on October 7, carrying out the deadliest attack since the country was created in 1948 and taking over 200 people hostage. In retaliation, Israel announced it would destroy Hamas and began a relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Thousands of civilians have been killed on both sides since the conflict began. Adeyemo said that during a trip to Europe later this week, he plans to meet with "allies and partners and talk about what we can do in a coordinated way to go after Hamas' financial network." While the United States has previously issued a number of sanctions against Hamas, which Washington has designated a terrorist group, Adeyemo said the organization has tried to find ways around the restrictions -- such as by using cryptocurrencies and new facilitators. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron -- on a solidarity visit to Israel -- called for Hamas to be added to the targets of an international coalition against the Islamic State group. Without commenting on Macron's specific remarks, Adeyemo told AFP that "the strategy that was used to counteract the Islamic State and other terrorist groups is the one we have to use here." Brian Nelson, the Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, is also visiting Qatar and Saudi Arabia this week. He held a meeting with "a number of Gulf countries, where they talked about what they can do to increase their focus on terrorism as well," said Adeyemo. "We look forward to taking additional actions when it comes to sanctions and using some of our other tools against Hamas," Adeyemo added. The post US Treasury seeking coalition against Hamas financing: official appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Luxembourg, EU’s richest country, grapples with housing crisis
Luxembourg's residents may be classified as the wealthiest in the European Union, but the sky-high cost of buying or renting a home in the country has made living there nearly impossible for some. The crisis has become the number one concern in the Grand Duchy of 660,000 people -- smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state -- as it goes to the polls on Sunday. Pascale Zaourou, a teacher and mother of three children, had to wait five years before being able to access coveted social housing. "On the private market, renting an apartment with two rooms costs at least 2,000 euros -- it's difficult with only one income," she told AFP at a recent demonstration in Luxembourg City. "Affordable housing is scarce, especially for young people and single-parent families," she said. Antoine Paccoud, a researcher at the Housing Observatory, which compiles data guiding government policy, backed up that sentiment. "More and more Luxembourgers are crossing the border to live in Germany, Belgium, or France just because rents and property prices are lower," he said. The situation is jarring for a country with a flourishing economy based around financial services. Net average earnings for a single worker in Luxembourg were 47,000 euros ($49,000) annually in 2022, according to estimates from the EU's statistics agency -- the highest in the bloc. 'Overshadows all others' In the capital city, new-build flats sell for 13,000 euros per square meter (around $1,300 per square foot) and older ones go for 10,700 euros. The average cost of a house is 1.5 million euros. Rents increased by 6.7 percent between June 2022 and June 2023, much faster than the inflation rate of 3.4 percent over that period. Philippe Poirier, a political analyst at the University of Luxembourg, told AFP that housing has become "the question that overshadows all others" at the legislative elections. He ticked off "the scarcity of housing and land, the cost of construction or purchase, and the high rents" as the key problems. The two major political parties hoping to spearhead the next government have pledged action. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel's Liberal Party promised to create a super-ministry for housing, wants to tax vacant properties more and invest in social housing. Socialist leader Paulette Lenert -- the health minister in the current coalition government -- is pushing for huge investments in affordable housing. 'Holding on to land' But the structural problems with housing run deep and changing them will not be easy. Paccoud said a lack of inheritance tax and only symbolic duties have encouraged owners to sit on land without developing it. "0.5 percent of the resident population, or 3,000 people, own half of the buildable land," he said. "These owners are holding on to their land as long as possible because prices are increasing." The economic opportunities on offer also bring in droves of foreign workers, which helps drive up the cost of the limited housing pool. Around half the people living in Luxembourg are not citizens of the country. There is a wide gulf in terms of homeownership rates between native Luxembourgers, at 80 percent, and foreign residents at just 50 percent. While many Luxembourgers have nearly guaranteed jobs working for state institutions, foreigners have to deal with the changeable job market. "Those who are at the bottom of the scale in Luxembourg are rather the resident foreigners," Poirier said. As a result, and despite the high salaries and an official minimum wage of 2,571 euros a month, Luxembourg ranks in the top three in the eurozone in terms of risk of poverty for single-parent families with one income, according to a recent report by the Chamber of Employees. The post Luxembourg, EU’s richest country, grapples with housing crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First German offshore wind farm auction raises billions
Germany on Wednesday auctioned off rights to build offshore wind power plants for the first time, raising billions of euros earmarked to help slash consumer electricity bills. Three sites on the North Sea and one on the Baltic brought in proceeds of 12.6 billion euros ($14.0 billion), the Federal Network Agency, a government regulatory body, said. The winning offers came from energy giants BP and TotalEnergies among eight bidders for each of the sites. "The outcome confirms the attractiveness of investments in offshore wind energy in Germany," said Federal Network Agency president Klaus Mueller in a statement. "Competition for offshore wind energy has never been higher." Ninety percent of the windfall is to be used to offset a spike in household electricity costs largely with grid expansion, the agency said, with the remaining funds going toward marine conservation and sustainable fishing measures. It was the first time the agency used an auction to determine which companies could build wind farms, which are set to open by 2030. The North Sea sites are due to have a capacity of 2,000 megawatts each while the Baltic facility will produce up to 1,000 megawatts. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left-led coalition government has pledged to produce 80 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with an ambitious timetable for boosting offshore wind capacity. The post First German offshore wind farm auction raises billions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Charles III presented with Scottish Crown Jewels
King Charles III was on Wednesday presented with symbols of his authority in Scotland, two months after he was officially crowned as monarch. The 74-year-old head of state received the Honours of Scotland -- a crown, scepter, and sword of state -- at a service in Edinburgh's St Giles' Cathedral. Charles and his wife Queen Camilla are in Scotland as part of a week of official engagements, staying at their official residence the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Crowds watched as they made their way by car to the cathedral but the couple were also met by groups of anti-monarchy protesters, shouting "Not my king." Republican demonstrators have trailed Charles since his accession in September last year, as part of their campaign for an elected head of state. There was controversy at his coronation, when police used pre-emptive powers to arrest a number of demonstrators, causing a row about free speech. The service of thanksgiving and dedication was attended by Charles's eldest son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate, and other senior royals. Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf was in the congregation, despite the Scottish National Party leader being an avowed Republican. But several Green lawmakers in Yousaf's governing coalition in the devolved Scottish Parliament stayed away, as they oppose hereditary monarchy. One of them, Patrick Harvie, said the monarchy was "fundamentally at odds with the kind of modern and democratic society we are trying to build here". The SNP and Greens are pushing for Scottish independence but their bid to break away from the United Kingdom has received a setback in the courts. The service came after a "people's procession" of prominent figures in the world of Scottish arts, politics, education, civil society, and business. Soldiers in regimental tartan kilts marched on foot up the cobbled Royal Mile to the skirl of bagpipes. They were led by Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV, the regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. A fly-past by the Royal Air Force aerobatic team the Red Arrows ended the celebrations. Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the royal family's private Scottish Highland retreat, Balmoral, in September last year aged 96. Her body was brought to Edinburgh and lay in state at St Giles' Cathedral, before being flown south to London for a state funeral. The post Charles III presented with Scottish Crown Jewels appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pita claims Thai poll victory
Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party claimed victory in the country’s election Monday after a result that decimated military-backed parties that have ruled the kingdom for nearly a decade. A stunning surge for the upstart MFP in Sunday’s ballot left it on course to be the biggest party, followed by its rival opposition — the Pheu Thai movement of billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he would seek to build a six-party coalition including Pheu Thai. “I am Pita Limjaroenrat, the next prime minister of Thailand,” he told reporters at the MFP headquarters in Bangkok. “We are ready to form the government,” he added, vowing to be a “prime minister for all.” The 42-year-old said he had called Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai’s lead candidate to be prime minister, to congratulate her on her campaign and invite her to join the coalition. Thais turned out in record numbers to deliver a brutal verdict on former coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, blamed for economic stagnation and a crackdown on rights. Between them, MFP and Pheu Thai are expected to take 292 out of 500 seats in the lower house, with the two main army-allied parties mustering just 76 seats in total. But in a kingdom where coups and court orders have often trumped the ballot box, there are fears that the result may yet be thwarted. MFP has vowed to reform the country’s strict lese-majeste laws, putting it on course for a collision with the powerful royalist-military establishment. The post Pita claims Thai poll victory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night: Celebrating partners
World Intellectual Property Day is just around the corner and the IP Office of the Philippines, or IPOPHL, has a glamorous night in store for everyone to celebrate the event on 26 April. On this evening, IPOPHL will bring you a star-studded Fashion Night and the annual Gawad Yamang Isip Awards to celebrate faces that have been redefining innovation in fashion and various fields. Particularly, the Fashion Night is in line with the theme of this year’s National IP Month: “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” as it aims to empower women and help break gender disparities in the fashion and wearables industries. In a 2018 research note on the garment, textile and footwear sector in the Asia Pacific, the International Labor Organization found that women in the GTF sector in the Philippines were paid around 6.5 percent less than men on average. The finding, according to ILO, implied that even when women attained similar or better education and experience than men, they still received lower wages for work of equal value due to gender-based discrimination. With the incentive of the IP system, we envision craftsmanship to serve as a force for good, redefining the Philippine fashion and wearables industries as channels to expand freedoms and opportunities equitably for women. Fashion Night will also celebrate heirloom products that are pivotal in expanding the country’s growing geographical indications map as around 32 percent of IPOPHL’s official list of potential GIs are made up of local textile products. For this event, we have partnered with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Textile and Research Institute, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, and the Philippine Fashion Coalition. We will also be featuring creations by award-winning designers such as JC Buendia, Pablo Cabahug and Jor-el Espina — all members of the PFC chaired by former Trade Undersecretary Carissa Cruz Evangelista. The objective is to showcase the most celebrated pieces of Philippine fashion and other emerging pieces that speak volumes of the innovative genius of Filipinos and Filipinas. As for the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards, this is an annual event conferring the highest IP award on Philippine nationals who have contributed substantially to their respective fields through creating intellectual property (IP) protected products and works. For this event, we will recognize one inventor, one industrial designer, one enterprise and a few artists from the creative sector. This will also mark the first time that the World IP Organization will be giving a national award in the country, mainly to an enterprise that has helped uplift the lives of women through IP. We will also honor women who have helped transform the IP system to benefit more innovators and creators, and also recognize top filers and other partners who have gone above and beyond to support our IP creators and rights holders. The Fashion Night and GYI is just one way for IPOPHL to celebrate men and women whose ingenuity and talent have created IP assets for the good of society and the environment. For IPOPHL, this event will also remind us that it takes many hands to build the foundations of a robust and inclusive IP system. So I hope everyone can join us on 26 April by watching our live streamed event starting at 4 p.m. It will be a night of celebrating creativity, innovation, culture, IP and our ever-expanding network of allies who aim to see an IP system that benefits every Filipino and Filipina. The post Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night: Celebrating partners appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BuCor urged to rethink plan to put up facilities in Masungi reserve
The Upper Marikina Watershed Coalition said the proposal of BuCor to build facilities in the award-winning ecotourism site “would threaten the delicate balance of the ecosystem and compromise the integrity of the entire area.”.....»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Comelec says systems can thwart foreign interference
The Commission on Elections is preparing to defend its servers from attempts to hack it in the 2025 midterm polls, its chairperson announced on Wednesday......»»
Sy family invests P5 billion in Megawide affiliate
The Sy family is once again playing a big brother role to a company led by businessman Edgar Saavedra, this time investing in Megawide’s affiliate renewable energy real estate investment trust......»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Security Council warns of foreign interference in 2025 polls
There may be foreign interference in next year’s midterm elections and the Department of Information and Communications Technology should prepare to counter cyberattacks, the National Security Councilwarned yesterday......»»
Negros Occidental health office urges masking amid pertussis threat
The Negros Occidental provincial health office is campaigning for the use of face masks amid the threat of pertussis or ”whooping cough.”.....»»
Eala advances in W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tennis tilt
Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala has gone into the next round of the W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tournament in France after sweeping hometown bet Emeline Dartron, 6-3, 6-4, late Tuesday night (Manila time)......»»
Cebuano Larz Dawson first runner-up for Mister Tourism Universe 2024
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Another Cebuano is putting Cebu on the centerstage of pageants. Larz Kent Dawson, 22, from Tisa, Cebu City recently bagged the first runner-up title for this year’s Mister Universe Tourism. Dawson, who was crowned Ginoong Pilipinas 2023, added another title in his bag, this time on the international stage. “Joining Mister Universe.....»»
Yogi Ruiz: Salaries, incentives for City Hall employees must be paid on time
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Job order (JO) employees at the Cebu City Hall have not been paid their salaries from January to March 2024. They have not also received their share of the Charter Day incentive amounting to P5, 000 each. Councilors Noel Wenceslao and Nestro Archival have raised a concern on the delay in.....»»
Boxing trainer Domingo is confident Jerusalem will upset Shigeoka
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran boxing trainer, Michael Domingo of ZIP Sanman Boxing Team, is confident that his prized ward Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will make a repeat of the latter’s January 2023 world title victory in Japan. The Cebu-based Jerusalem will face the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight champion, Yudai Shigeoka, in Nagoya,.....»»
Most Filipinos reject Charter change, lifting foreign ownership restrictions
An overwhelming majority of Filipinos oppose changing the 1987 Constitution at this time, according to a new Pulse Asia Survey, with results showing Filipinos in all regions and all socio-economic classes did not support the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions in key industries......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»