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BI assures enough manpower at departure area
Amid concerns over the crowding at the airport’s immigration departure area, the Bureau of Immigration assured the public Thursday that it has enough staff to assist those who will fly out of Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In his statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the immigration booths in NAIA 3 are always fully manned as the bureau has already beefed up the number of BI officers deployed at the premiere port. Tansingco added that although their manpower at the airport is more than enough, these long queues of passengers could not be avoided due to many factors, foremost of which is the recent transfer of several airlines from NAIA 1 to NAIA 3 that resulted from the impending shutdown of international flight operations at NAIA 2. The BI chief disclosed that the recent transfer to NAIA 3 of China Southern Airlines, Gulf Air, Jeju Air, Thai Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Jetstar, Starlux and Scoot has caused a 10-percent increase in the average number of passengers who depart from NAIA 3 daily. Tansingco also attributed the congestion problem at NAIA 3 to other factors, such as limited space, flight delays and diversions caused by bad weather, and the frequent declaration of lighting alerts that result in the simultaneous disembarkation of passengers from affected flights. “We are constantly coordinating our efforts with the Manila International Airport Authority in seeking the best solution to address this perennial problem of overcrowding in our immigration areas at the NAIA,” the BI chief added. “Among these are the installation of additional BI counters and expanding the space of our departure area.” He reiterated that the BI has already addressed its previous problem of manpower shortage in light of the continuous hiring by the bureau of new immigration inspectors. “In fact, due to the augmentation of our manpower, we have granted the request of our airport terminal heads outside Metro Manila, such as those in Clark, Mactan, and Davao, by reassigning immigration officers to their turfs, Tansingco said. The post BI assures enough manpower at departure area appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NZIA construction fund released
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Budget and Management has recently released P720 million to fund the acquisition of lands for the construction of the New Zamboanga International Airport project in the east district of the city. Mayor John Dalipe on Wednesday revealed that House Majority leader Mannix Dalipe was able to secure the release of the fund from the DBM for the continuous acquisition of lands in Barangays Mercedes, Zambowood and Talabaan areas where the new airport will be constructed. He added that the acquisition of lands where the NZIA project will be constructed is on track and up to date, stressing that the collaboration between the local government and the second congressional district office of the House Majority leader has contributed to ensure the project is on the right track. The mayor also stressed that the city government is now consolidating the documentary requirements to facilitate the approval of the memorandum of agreement with the Department of Transportation and the transfer of additional funds amounting to P200 million for the NZIA project. Dalipe met recently with different city department heads and discussed issues and concerns about the submission of the documents, such as the Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution authorizing the local chief executive to enter/sign the agreement with the DoTr, bank certificate, treasurer’s bond, a program of work for DoTr’s concurrence, implementing schedule/timeline and disbursement schedule. The additional P200 million will be used for NZIA’s site acquisition and construction of a temporary perimeter fence along the boundaries of the airport strip project, the mayor here said. The post NZIA construction fund released appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A month into Sudan’s brutal war, no end in sight
One month since Sudan's conflict erupted, its capital is a desolate war zone where terrorized families huddled at home as gun battles rage, while the western Darfur region has descended into deadly chaos. Residents of Khartoum have endured weeks of desperate food shortages, power blackouts, communications outages, and runaway inflation. The capital of five million, long a place of relative stability, has become a shell of its former self. Charred aircraft lie on the airport tarmac, foreign embassies are shuttered and hospitals, banks, shops, and wheat silos have been ransacked by looters. Violence also renewed in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, leaving hundreds killed and the health system in "total collapse", medics said. Fighting continued on Monday, with loud explosions heard across Khartoum and thick smoke in the sky while warplanes drew anti-aircraft fire, according to witnesses. "The situation is becoming worse by the day," said a 37-year-old resident of southern Khartoum who did not wish to be named because of safety concerns. "People are getting more and more scared because the two sides... are becoming more and more violent." Another witness reported "clashes with various types of weapons" in Omdurman, the capital's twin city. Battles erupted on 15 April between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). What remains of the government has retreated to Port Sudan about 850 kilometers (500 miles) away, the hub for mass evacuations. The United Nations says more than 700,000 people have been internally displaced by the fighting, and nearly 200,000 have fled Sudan for neighboring countries. There are fears for the stability of the wider region. "We're left on the street, in the sun," complained Hamden Mohammed, who escaped the Khartoum area for Port Sudan. "We want the organizations to evacuate us from Sudan because the country is totally devastated. There's no food, no work... nothing." Around 1,000 people have been killed, mainly in and around Khartoum as well as the ravaged state of West Darfur, according to medics. Violence on Friday and Saturday in El Geneina, the West Darfur capital, killed at least 280, according to the Sudanese doctors' union. "There was still heavy shelling on Sunday that hit my home, damaging a part of it and injuring one of my sisters," said one El Geneina resident. "Other houses around us were completely destroyed." After a month of war, Burhan declared he was freezing the assets of the RSF which, analysts say, has interests in Sudan's gold mines. Burhan dismissed the central bank governor and the police director general, while Daglo threatened in an audio recording that the army chief would be "brought to justice and hanged" publicly. History of coups Neither side has been able to establish dominance on the battlefield, and experts have forecast a protracted conflict. The army, backed by Egypt, has the advantage of air power while Daglo is, according to experts, supported by the United Arab Emirates and foreign fighters. Daglo commands troops that stemmed from the notorious Janjaweed militia, accused of atrocities in a war that began in Darfur two decades ago. The scorched-earth campaign killed up to 300,000 people and uprooted more than 2.7 million, the UN said. Many were still living in Darfur's displacement camps as war returned to the region. Multiple truce deals in the current conflict have been violated. Sudan has a long history of military coups, but hopes had risen after mass protests led to the ouster of Islamist-backed strongman Omar al-Bashir in 2019, followed by a shaky transition toward civilian rule. As Washington and other foreign powers lifted sanctions, Sudan was slowly reintegrating into the international community, before the generals derailed that transition with another coup in 2021. The security breakdown has extended beyond Khartoum and Darfur to other regions. Ethnic violence last week killed more than 50 people in West Kordofan and White Nile states, according to the UN. Poorer for longer The fighting has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where one in three people already relied on humanitarian assistance before the war. Since then, aid agencies have been looted and at least 18 of their workers killed. Diplomatic facilities have also been targeted. Jordan on Monday issued condemnation after its Khartoum embassy building "was stormed and attacked." Across the Red Sea, in the Saudi city of Jeddah, envoys from both sides have been negotiating. By May 11 they had signed a commitment to respect humanitarian principles and allow in badly needed aid. "Scarcely had the two warring parties signed the Jeddah Agreement on Thursday night when chaos erupted once again in Geneina," according to William Carter, the Norwegian Refugee Council's country director. Doctors Without Borders said food shortages in Darfur displacement camps mean "people have gone from three meals a day to just one". The fighting has caused "the partial deindustrialization" of the country, said Aly Verjee, a researcher at Sweden's University of Gothenburg, meaning "any future Sudan will be much poorer for much longer." The post A month into Sudan’s brutal war, no end in sight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
147 new immigration officers being trained
The Bureau of Immigration announced on Wednesday that 147 newly hired Immigration Officers will be deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for on-site training beginning on 24 April. According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the new officers will augment the agency’s manpower at the premier port at the height of the travel season this summer. Tansingco said these steps will enable them to provide better service to the traveling public during this time and ensure that immigration protocols are followed correctly to fend against trafficking concerns. After completing their training, the aforementioned officers will be sent to various airports and BI offices across the country. The BI chief added that this is part of their continuing goal of improving their manpower by maximizing their plantilla. Apart from the initial training, all BI officers are also set to undergo continuing training to improve both hard skills and soft skills. They want their officers to increase their training in other skills, like communication and conflict resolution. The post 147 new immigration officers being trained appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden to Host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a sta.....»»
NAIA deal signing set in Malacañang on Monday
Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. will get the blessing of no less than President Marcos in its takeover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the Chief Executive is expected to witness the signing of the concession on Monday......»»
New finance chief eyes carbon tax
Newly installed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto is pursuing the tax reform proposals of his predecessor, starting with the imposition of a carbon tax in a bid to generate additional revenues and address environmental concerns......»»
PNP vows intensified crackdown vs illegal drugs, cybercrimes
The public should expect an intensified crackdown from the Philippine National Police against illegal drugs and cybercrimes this year as PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has set his sights on addressing these two concerns of law enforcement......»»
Marcos appoints acting MIAA chief
Airport operations expert Eric Jose Ines will serve as the MIAA’s acting chief and board member, replacing Cesar Chiong. .....»»
DOST hails Meralco, Aboitiz nuclear energy initiatives
The chief of the Department of Science and Technology’s nuclear unit, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, hailed the separate initiatives of two of the country’s blue-chip conglomerates, Meralco and the Aboitiz Group, on the potential adoption of nuclear energy in the Philippines to address concerns on the looming power supply gap......»»
LTO innovates responses to backlogs
The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, now under the leadership of Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, has committed to implementing innovative solutions to immediately address the piles of problems “inherited” from the previous leaderships. Mendoza, whom Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista tasked to help the agency improve its current state, expressed confidence that he could turn the LTO around and make it more efficient and effective. He said this aligns with the Marcos administration’s marching orders to digitalize and bring government services closer to the people seamlessly. Mendoza has already begun to execute some changes, such as streamlining the driver’s license application process, implementing a new online vehicle registration system, and reducing the number of fixers at LTO offices, among others. Speaking in a recent interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk, Mendoza disclosed that his agency is studying cost-effective ways to produce license plates. Presently, the LTO has a manufacturing plant with eight machines working to produce license plates, but as recently directed by Bautista, the agency is looking at outsourcing them instead of producing them. “We make the plates ourselves, although we are studying if maybe it is high time to review whether the LTO should produce or outsource the plates. I told Secretary Bautista that in terms of efficiency, it might be less costly and faster if we outsource it,” Mendoza said. “We are thoroughly studying those options to weigh which will be less costly to the government. Thus, finally, we could resolve all the backlogs,” he added. Million plates a month Mendoza added that the agency’s plate-making plant could produce a million monthly plates to replace all the backlogs — from the old green plates to the new white ones. He said before the end of November, the license plate backlog will hopefully be fully addressed. With production in full swing, a motorist with a newly acquired four-wheel vehicle can claim his license plates within 10 days. In the meantime, new motorcycle owners can now get their plates immediately. This significantly improved from the previous year when motorists took years to get their plates. To recall, in March, ex-LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memo suspending the production of license plates due to a shortage of materials. Online portal needs full utilization Mendoza said the LTO is also working on finally utilizing the Land Transportation Management System, or LTMS, a P3.14-billion portal created to address Filipinos’ motoring concerns. He lamented that the underutilization of the online portal, which he described as just one of the many inherited problems of the agency, was a misuse of government funds. “The system design is incomplete, and you know that as much as possible, we want to be fully digital as instructed by the President. We want motorists to be able to apply for a license and register their vehicles through that platform,” Mendoza said. “We supposedly have all the facilities. There will be no need to go to LTO offices as it will also address the issues of fixers. However, we cannot do all these until we fully resolve the website’s functionalities,” he said, adding that the LTO would need the developers to provide them with some missing source and application codes. The LTMS was jointly developed by German technology firm Dermalog and its local partners, Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis, and Verzontal Builders Inc. The project went through competitive bidding in May 2018. The LTO’s online portal is a one-stop shop that will integrate all LTO services in a single contactless database system and digital platform. “We are waiting for their reply. I have been open since my first day in office, and I’ve been very open to them. There is a problem, let us talk about it. However, they have not replied to my letters on the source code and application code issue. We have to protect the government’s interest, and the government’s interest is to get the source and application codes so we can do the enhancements ourselves,” Mendoza said. According to the new LTO chief, hiring another third-party team to resolve the LTMS issues might cost the government at least another billion pesos. Mendoza asked why the government does not just find another software developer, saying: “We already paid for the contract.” “If we do it, maybe they will spend another billion just to complete everything, so the government will save a lot if we do it ourselves. We have DICT with us, and LTO is also hiring technical people for us to be able to do it ourselves. So, we can do it, we don’t need foreigners to teach us.” The post LTO innovates responses to backlogs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI says ready for Undas travel influx
The Bureau of Immigration said it will have sufficient manpower at airports to handle the increase in travelers during the All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day break. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that BI personnel deployed in all major international airports remain sufficient to cater to the needs of the travelling public. As previously practiced, officers are disallowed from going on vacation leaves during the peak season. Apart from the new immigration officers, augmentation teams have been assigned and mobile counters are ready for deployment as needed, said the BI chief. The BI is forecasting 4 million arrivals for the entire 2023 fourth quarter. From October to December, the BI also anticipates 3.8 million departures -- numbers that are close to pre-pandemic figures. “We have implemented numerous changes in our systems to cater to the resumption of international travel after the pandemic,” said Tangsingco. Prior to the pandemic, passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport increased by an average of 6 to 10 percent. Tansingco reminded the public to arrive at the airports at least three hours prior to their flight and proceed directly to the immigration area for clearance after check-in. All BI officers in all airports are likewise placed on heightened alert. “I have ordered all terminal heads to conduct close monitoring of our operations in the coming weeks to ensure smooth processing,” said Tansingco. The post BI says ready for Undas travel influx appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Siarganons urged to adopt eco-friendly practices to preserve island
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the people in Siargao to adopt eco-friendly practices to protect and conserve the environment as he expressed his commitment to fortify the island's position as a prime global surfing destination. In a speech delivered by the President's son, William Vincent Marcos, the Chief Executive underscored the significance of this annual event as a catalyst for economic recovery and sustainable development in the region. "Apart from showcasing the exceptional talents and skills of surfers, this Cup aims to fortify the position of Siargao Island as a prime surfing destination on the global map," said Marcos Jr. The International Surfing Cup, a prominent event on the island's calendar, not only celebrates the sport of surfing but also serves as a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and nurturing respect and solidarity amidst differences. It is an opportunity for locals and tourists to come together and experience the rich culture and values of surfing. "This competition reinforces the indomitable spirit of the people of Siargao," the President noted, acknowledging the resilience of the island's residents in the face of challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette, which caused significant damage to the island. He stressed the importance of supporting responsible fishing practices, buying sustainable seafood, and choosing eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products. The President also called on tourists and locals alike to support government initiatives aimed at the development of Siargao. He highlighted programs such as the Training on Homestay Pilipinas, which educates residential owners about accommodating tourists systematically and responsibly. In addition to these efforts, the government is actively pursuing projects to enhance tourism and trade on the island, including the New Siargao Airport Development Project. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also working on programs to strengthen Odette-hit towns' adaptive capacities and resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. President Marcos Jr. concluded his speech by expressing his optimism for the continued growth and prosperity of the International Surfing Cup and Siargao's legacy in the global surfing community. He reiterated the government's staunch commitment to supporting the island's efforts for economic recovery and sustainable development. "Let us, therefore, unite as one to bring forth a greener, more secure, and more progressive Philippines for all," the President declared, inspiring hope and unity among the people of Siargao. The post Siarganons urged to adopt eco-friendly practices to preserve island appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Settle fees early,departing aliens told
The Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday advised all foreign travelers leaving the country during the upcoming Undas holiday break to comply with immigration departure requirements early to avoid unnecessary queuing at the airport on the date of their departure. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reminded registered foreigners who are studying, working or living permanently in the Philippines that they can obtain their special return certificate or re-entry permit prior to departure at any of the various BI’s district, field, satellite, or extension offices nationwide. While foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months may also secure their emigration clearance certificates before departure, Tansingco said securing the required permits early will decrease queuing time by half, as they will not have to line up at the BI’s airport cashiers anymore. The BI chief added that with the complete elimination of all Covid-related travel restrictions, the Bureau is anticipating a spike in passengers at all international airports in the country, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, this upcoming December, and this time they are also experiencing a big increase in the volume of New Year’s Day travelers. During this peak season, the Bureau reminded all travelers that other immigration services are also available online via the BI’s e-services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph. Tansingco shared that the bureau also has a one-stop shop facility located at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, where departing aliens may also secure the said documents. He also reiterated previous reminders for passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight and go straight to immigration after check-in. The Bureau is confident that BI operations will be smoother this holiday season as it has deployed additional immigration officers and assigned a rapid response team as well as mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary. The post Settle fees early,departing aliens told appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI reminds departing aliens to settle fees; arrests high-profile Korean fugitive
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday advised all foreign travelers who are leaving the country during the upcoming Undas holiday break to comply with their immigration departure requirements early to avoid unnecessary queuing at the airport on the date of their departure. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reminded registered foreigners who are studying, working, or living permanently in the Philippines that they can obtain their special return certificate (SRC) or re-entry permit (RP) prior to departure at any of the various BI's district, field, satellite, or extension offices nationwide. While foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months may also secure their emigration clearance certificates (ECC) before departure, Tansingco said securing the required permits early will decrease queueing time by half, as they will not have to line up at the BI’s airport cashiers anymore. The BI chief added that with the complete elimination of all COVID-related travel restrictions, the bureau is anticipating a spike in passengers at all international airports in the country, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), this upcoming December, and this time they are also experiencing a big increase in the volume of New Year's Day travelers. During this peak season, the bureau reminded all travelers that other immigration services are also available online via the BI’s e-services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph. Tansingco shared that the bureau also has a one-stop shop (OSS) facility located at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, where departing aliens may also secure the said documents. He also reiterated previous reminders for passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight and go straight to immigration after check-in. The BI is confident that its operations will be smoother this holiday season as it has deployed additional immigration officers and assigned a rapid response team as well as mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 24 October, BI agents detained a South Korean wanted person who was allegedly part of a major narcotics ring that smuggled contraband into Korea from the Philippines. Commissioner Tansingco identified the suspect as Choi Sun Hyeok, a 56-year-old male who was arrested at his residence in Bgy. Lahug, Cebu City by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives. The BI-FSU operatives were armed with a warrant of deportation, which Tansingco issued pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI Board of Commissioners issued against Choi in 2017. Tansingco said that Choi would be immediately deported to Seoul, South Korea after the bureau had secured the necessary clearances for his departure. According to the South Korean government, Choi was tagged as a high-profile fugitive, as he is believed to be a member of the so-called MS Alliance syndicate that facilitates the illicit transport of narcotics to Korea. A red notice for his capture was also issued by Interpol this year after an investigation confirmed that he was in the country. According to Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila, Choi is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Changwon District Court in Korea, where he is charged with violating his country’s narcotics control act. Investigators have also established that this year alone, Choi’s accomplices in the syndicate managed to smuggle into Korea more than 265 grams of methamphetamine by concealing the drug in their underwear. It was gathered that the passport of Choi, who will be committed to the BI detention facility in Taguig City, was already revoked by the Korean government, thus making him an undocumented alien. Choi's name was also placed on the BI blacklist to prevent him from re-entering the Philippines. The post BI reminds departing aliens to settle fees; arrests high-profile Korean fugitive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field
Government regulators are now urged to prioritize the establishment of a level-playing field to entice developers to pour in massive capital for the development and integration of nuclear power into the country's electricity grid. During the second nuclear energy roundtable talks between the Philippines and Canada on Tuesday, Felino Bernardo, chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power Corp.'s Thermal Business Group, emphasized the need for well-coordinated industry policies to help kick off local nuclear adoption. "I think it will start with the amendment or the passing of laws in the Lower House. Once done, it requires setting up the regulatory body, and for that regulatory body to build its capability and come up with regulations, policies, and guidelines for us developers to follow," Bernardo said. "The DoE (Department of Energy) has to come up with the right signal for developers to come up with their plans to make sure that we build accordingly," he added. Coordinated deals Bernardo noted that nuclear power plants, whose operations can last as long as 80 years, require a different set of policies for power deal contracts. "That is quite different from what we have now. The current CSP (Competitive Selection Process) policies are only for 15 years. Now, nuclear power plants can live as long as 40, 60 years, and some probably 80, so you have to match the two," he explained. According to Bernardo, nuclear power, particularly the small modular reactors, "have a place in our economy because we need all of them and we will need a lot of them." He, however, noted that developers need to make sure that they can deliver nuclear power safely. Aboitiz Power Corp., the holding company for energy-related investments of the Aboitiz Group, previously announced its exploratory discussion with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., an American firm that can potentially help the company’s local nuclear energy development. The forum yesterday served as a platform for industry experts, policymakers, and leaders to collectively deliberate on the significant questions and concerns related to the transition to nuclear energy. It covered the determining mechanisms for transition financing, assessing the commercial viability of nuclear energy, and exploring the potential for retrofitting and upgrading existing plants to be nuclear-capable. Congress support Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla reiterated that the government would need the support of Congress in ratifying a law that would help jumpstart nuclear development. Pending the law, Lotilla pointed out that the DoE and all other concerned government agencies are actively looking out for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built. To recall, the House Nuclear Energy Committee approved a consolidated substitute bill last March that seeks to comprehensive atomic regulatory framework and establish the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission. Since the government is prohibited from taking on power generation endeavors, the DoE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority to work on the private sector’s participation in nuclear development. The post Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU, U.S. unite to support Israel
European Union and United States leaders met in Washington Friday to show their united stance in supporting Israel’s war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas. “We stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in the face of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression. We’re standing together now to support Israel in the wake of Hamas’s appalling terrorist attack,” US President Joe Biden said at the White House. “These conflicts show democracies must stand together,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters as she and European Council chief Charles Michel met Biden. “Today, the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges,” Michel said. EU leaders were looking for reassurance of continued US support for Ukraine, which is fighting to repel the Russian invasion launched in February 2022. That reassurance was evident Thursday when Biden urged Americans to back a $106 billion aid package including military assistance for Ukraine and Israel. The US is by far the biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine. Aid to Israel and Ukraine, however, faces hurdle as the US Congress has been paralyzed for more than two weeks divided Republicans, who hold the majority in the House of Representatives, failed for a third time to elect a new House speaker. Congress also faces a 17 November deadline to act on the budget, so as to avoid a possible government shutdown. House crisis In the 17 days since US House speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a rebellion by right-wing hard-liners from within his own party, no other Republican has been able to muster enough votes to replace him, sparking one of the worst institutional crises Washington has seen in decades. The US legislature is unable to perform even basic functions like funding the government and addressing growing national security concerns. The party dropped Ohio conservative Jim Jordan, chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, in a secret ballot Friday after he again failed to secure victory on the House floor on his third attempt. Despite backing from former president and leading 2024 Republican hopeful Donald Trump, Jordan was defeated by 25 colleagues from his own side who joined every Democrat to deny him the gavel for the third time in four days. Lawmakers told reporters as they left Capitol Hill for the weekend they would hold a “candidate forum” to choose a new standard-bearer on Monday, with several hopefuls expected to be announced on Sunday. WITH AFP The post EU, U.S. unite to support Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Caregiver scarred, scared by Hamas attack
An overseas Filipino worker, one of 18 who flew home from Israel on Friday, said he remained unsure whether to return to the country should its conflict with Hamas subside or be resolved peacefully. Elmer Puno, a 43-year-old caregiver from Pampanga, said his employer in Israel called him up before he left for the Philippines, urging him to return when things settle down. Puno said his experience during the attack by Hamas militants on Israel on 7 October had left him emotionally scarred and traumatized. “My employer called me and said that when the situation goes back to normal, if I still want to come back, I can. But I said to myself that I cannot decide yet because of what I encountered in Israel,” Puno said. He said he still has two years left of his four-year contract but decided to resign for his safety and his family’s concerns. “My salary is pretty good. In our currency, that is P70,000 a month, tax-free,” he said. “When I heard the sirens, I ran to a bomb shelter. I was talking to my wife, who also heard the sirens and bombing.” “She was so scared. She asked me to urgently go home. My children said that I should go home, so when there was an opportunity for repatriation, I didn’t think twice about asking the government to repatriate us,” he said. Of the 18 repatriates from Israel, one was left behind in Abu Dhabi due to elevated blood pressure. Puno and his fellow OFWs arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Etihad Airlines flight EY 424. The 18 OFWs received P105,000 each in direct financial assistance from various government agencies, and they are entitled to livelihood training to start a business. The post Caregiver scarred, scared by Hamas attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global stocks weak as ME fears persist
Global stock markets slid Friday on worries that an expected ground invasion of Gaza by Israel would spark a wider conflict in the Middle East. Wall Street stocks declined Friday, as investors looked to lower their risk going into the weekend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.9 percent, while the S&P and Nasdaq indexes fell over one percent. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury, which briefly rose this week to levels not seen since 2007 amid concerns the Fed is entering a long period of high-interest rates, slipped slightly. Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan added the Federal Reserve has been raising its benchmark lending rate to cool demand and bring down stubborn inflation, with some success. Nevertheless, rates remain stuck above their long-term target of two percent. Local shares ended the week in the red as investors turned more cautious following Fitch Group’s statement that inflation will likely stay elevated for an extended period, Limlingan added. Additionally, the recent statement by Fed Chairperson Jerome Powell “weighed on the local and global markets,” the RCDC executive said. He quoted Powell as saying inflation remains too high and lower economic growth will likely be needed to bring it down. Powell also said he doesn’t think rates are too high now. At the same time, markets are warily eyeing ongoing conflict in the Middle East, for signs it could spread to other countries. “Going into the weekend there is a downward trend as short-term investors try to square positions,” Jack Ablin, Cresset Capital’s chief investment officer, said. “There is an unwillingness from certain investors (to) hold risk positions over the weekend,” he added. Major stock markets in Europe closed down more than one percent, while those in Asia also saw declines. Double geopolitical whammy The US Federal Reserve warned that the recent attack on Israel and the ongoing Ukraine conflict could cause harm to the world economy and boost global inflation. Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated, or burned to death, according to Israeli officials. “The attack on Israel, in conjunction with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, has ratcheted up geopolitical tensions,” the Fed said in its semi-annual report on financial stability. with AFP The post Global stocks weak as ME fears persist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion
Thousands of tonnes of "life and death" aid for Gaza should be delivered soon, the United Nations said Friday, to relieve a "beyond catastrophic" situation after unrelenting Israeli bombing in response to an unprecedented Hamas attack. Some 175 lorries stuffed with vital medicines, food, and water stretched into the distance at the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which has removed concrete roadblocks and is scrambling to repair the route into besieged Gaza -- the only one not controlled by Israel. Overseeing operations personally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters: "These trucks are not just trucks, they are a lifeline, they are the difference between life and death for so many people in Gaza." Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist militant group launched a shock raid from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians shot, mutilated or burned to death, according to Israeli officials. Hamas gunmen also kidnapped some 200 hostages including foreigners from around two dozen countries. The Islamist group said Friday that its armed wing had released two Americans among the captives, a mother and her daughter, the first fruit of mediation efforts by the Gulf state of Qatar. The Islamist group did not detail how or when the hostages were released. The Israeli military said earlier Friday that most of those abducted to Gaza were still alive. It said more than 20 were minors. In response to the Hamas attack, Israeli bombers have levelled entire city blocks in Gaza in preparation for a ground invasion they say is coming soon. The Hamas-run health ministry said 4,137 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the onslaught. Israeli jets pounded more than 100 Hamas targets in Gaza overnight, the army said, with AFP reporters hearing loud explosions and witnessing plumes of smoke billowing from the northern Gaza Strip. Embracing front-line soldiers and clad in body armour, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to "fight like lions" and "win with full force". Fists clenched and voice raised, Netanyahu told cheering troops: "We will deal harsh blows to our enemies in order to achieve victory." Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told some of the tens of thousands of personnel preparing the ground invasion that "the order will come soon". 'Beyond catastrophic' US President Joe Biden said Friday he expected the first aid for Gaza to pass through the Rafah crossing from Egypt within the next two days, under a deal he clinched to allow in 20 trucks of supplies for civilians. Medicine, water purifiers and blankets were being unloaded at El Arish airport near Gaza, an AFP reporter saw, with Ahmed Ali, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, saying he was getting "two to three planes of aid a day". But World Health Organization emergencies director Michael Ryan said Biden's 20-truck deal was "a drop in the ocean of need" and that 2,000 trucks were required. The UN says more than one million of Gaza's 2.4 million people are displaced, with the humanitarian situation "beyond catastrophic" and deteriorating daily. Refugees from northern Gaza told harrowing tales of bombs, profiteering and extreme temperatures as whole families trekked on foot to flee the violence. Mother of seven Fadwa Al-Najjar walked for 10 hours with her family from northern Gaza to reach a UN camp in the southern city of Khan Yunis, saying she saw cars hit by a strike just in front of them. "We saw bodies and limbs torn off and we just started praying, thinking we were going to die," she said. 'It's unimaginable' On the other side of the conflict, the full horror of what Israel suffered on October 7 and following days was still emerging, as traumatised residents recounted their stories. Shachar Butler, a security chief at the Nir Oz kibbutz, where Hamas militants killed or kidnapped a quarter of the 400 residents, recalls more than a dozen gunmen spraying bullets indiscriminately and lobbing grenades at homes. "It's unimaginable," the 40-year-old told AFP as part of a trip organised by the Israeli military. "Anytime someone tried to touch my window, I shot him," he said. "The people who came out got kidnapped, killed, executed, slaughtered." Butler estimated as many as 200 militants attacked the kibbutz, entering from three sides before going house-to-house. Homes there were still charred with burnt personal belongings strewn everywhere. Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control. 'No safe place' Biden requested a massive $105 billion security package Friday, including $14 billion for Israel, but paralysis in the still speakerless Congress means it will hit an immediate wall. Fresh from a whirlwind trip to Israel this week, Biden is hoping to staunch the possibility of a wider Middle East war. The United States has moved two aircraft carriers into the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran or Lebanon's Hezbollah, both Hamas allies, from getting involved. After days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the Lebanese border, Israeli authorities announced the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona, a nearby town which is home to some 25,000 residents, many of whom have already left. The conflict has inflamed passions across the region, with protests held in several countries. Thousands flooded into Egypt's iconic Tahrir Square in support of Gaza, an AFP correspondent said. Protests were also held outside the French and US embassies in Tunis. Following a strike at a church compound late Thursday, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said several people sheltering at the church were killed and wounded, blaming an Israeli strike. The Israeli army acknowledged a church wall had been damaged in one of its air strikes targeting a "command and control centre belonging to a Hamas terrorist". "This place is dedicated for praying, a place of love and peace," said witness Abu Khalil Jahshan. "There is no safe place here in Gaza." The post Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»