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Can any team topple the Pasig Pirates in PCAP?
It’s a new fourth season for the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines......»»
LTO summons road rage suspect
The Land Transportation Office yesterday issued a show-cause order against a motorcycle rider who slashed the tire of a delivery van in another case of road rage that went viral on social media......»»
Indian banking sector continues to improve with better asset quality, high credit growth: Survey
New Delhi [India], March 21 (ANI): The health of the Indian banking sector continues to improve with better asset quality and high credit growth, a survey conducted by industry body FICCI and banking association Indian Banks' Association (IBA) showed. The eighteenth round of the survey was carried out for the period July to December 2023. Those banks that were surveyed together represent about 77 per cent of the banking i.....»»
Public sector banks doing better in managing NPAs vis-a-vis their private counterparts: FICCI-IBA survey
New Delhi [India], March 21 (ANI): Public sector banks in India are doing better in comparison to their private sector counterparts in terms of non-performing assets, a survey conducted by industry body FICCI and banking association Indian Banks' Association (IBA) found. A nonperforming asset refers to loans or advances that are on the brink of default. According to the survey, a large majority (77 per cent) of the respon.....»»
Philippine shooting body to guest in maiden PSA Forum for 2024
The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum holds its first session for 2024 on Tuesday by featuring one of the sports vying for spots in the coming Paris Olympics......»»
Philta back in ITF rolls
After three years in limbo, the Philippine Tennis Association is back in the good graces of the International Tennis Federation after the world-governing tennis body lifted the latter’s suspension......»»
Suspension lifted for Philippine tennis body
After three years in limbo, the Philippine Tennis Association is back in the good graces of the International Tennis Federation after the world-governing tennis body lifted the latter’s suspension......»»
NGAP pursues golf growth with partners
With the impetus from the world governing body The R&A to grow the game, the National Golf Association of the Philippines has carried out various post-pandemic programs and events in partnership with golf clubs and charter members aimed at fulfilling this far-ranging goal......»»
Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties
Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, went the extra mile to iron out the diplomatic irritants between his country and the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday. Marcos said the Kuwaiti royal approached him on the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh for a brief meeting. “He said,” Marcos told reporters, quoting the Crown Prince, “‘Can we have a quick chat for just three to five minutes?’ He assured me it wouldn’t take long, and we readily agreed” to discuss the labor-related discord between our two countries.” The President said that following the Kuwaiti side’s initiative, he was all-in for resolving the problem. In their discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction over the actions taken by his own people, and said he disapproved of the strained relations between his country and the Philippines. “The words that he used were, ‘Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing,’” the Crown Prince told him Marcos said. Marcos said Crown Prince Mishal also “absolved” the Philippines of any need to apologize for trying to protect its citizens working in Kuwait who had been abused. “There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you,” Marcos quoted the Crown Prince, who cited the enduring support for Kuwait by the President’s late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines,” the Crown Prince said, according to Marcos. In 2018, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of new workers to Kuwait after the body of a Filipino domestic worker, Joanna Demafelis, was found in a freezer in her employer’s home. The ban was lifted in 2020 after the two countries signed a bilateral labor agreement that included provisions for increased protection for Filipino workers. However, tensions between the two countries flared up again in 2023 after the body of another Filipino domestic worker, Jullebee Ranara, was found in the Kuwaiti desert. The Philippine government accused the Kuwaiti government of failing to protect its workers and suspended the deployment of new workers to Kuwait. Kuwait responded by suspending the issuance of all visas to Filipinos, including tourist visas. The post Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to successfully resolve the diplomatic tensions between Kuwait and the Philippines following a brief meeting with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In a roundtable interview with the reporters on Saturday morning (Manila time), Marcos said Kuwait's Crown Prince approached him at the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh. According to Marcos, Kuwait's Crown Prince requested a brief meeting to address the ongoing discord between the two nations. "He said, 'Can we have a quick chat for just 3 to 5 minutes?' He assured me it wouldn't take long, and we readily agreed," Marcos told the reporters, describing how the impromptu meeting started. In the discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of his people and disapproved of the strained relations between Kuwait and the Philippines. "The words that he used are 'Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing'," Marcos said. He added that the Crown Prince absolved the Philippines of any need to apologize. According to the Chief Executive, the Crown Prince told him: "There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you." He cited the enduring support of President Marcos's father for Kuwait, emphasizing the historical ties between the nations. "We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines," the Crown Prince affirmed, promising resolution and reconciliation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Kuwait told the Philippines to honor the Gulf state's sovereignty after the Middle Eastern country halted issuing new entry visas to citizens of the Southeast Asian country due to a labor agreement dispute. Kuwait has announced that it will extend the temporary prohibition on all types of visas for Filipino workers. However, they have also confirmed that they will renew visas for those who hold valid residence permits and wish to continue their employment in Kuwait. In 2018, the Philippines and Kuwait entered into a labor agreement aimed at regulating domestic workers. This agreement came about following a dispute between the two nations, which resulted in a ban on Filipino workers after a domestic worker was tragically murdered. This year, another distressing incident occurred when a 35-year-old Filipina maid was killed by a Kuwaiti teenager, prompting the Philippines to reevaluate its labor agreement with Kuwait. This incident occurred nearly five years after the murder of Joanna Daniela Demafelis, a Filipina domestic worker whose body was discovered in a freezer after being killed by her employers. These events caused a diplomatic strain and led the then-president, Rodrigo Duterte, to temporarily ban Filipinos seeking employment in the Gulf country. The post PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos discusses labor relations with Crown Prince of Kuwait
RIYADH — The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, had a short bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit here, Malacañang said on Friday. In a brief statement from the Palace, both the head of state discussed the "labor relations between the two countries." The government has yet to provide information on the meeting as of writing. Kuwait is one of the top destinations for Filipino workers abroad, with over 250,000 Filipinos working there. However, there have been recent reports of abuse and exploitation of Filipino workers in Kuwait. Last May, Kuwait indefinitely suspended the issuance of new visas to Philippine citizens amid concerns between the Gulf nation and Manila concerning safeguarding worker rights and employer prerogatives. The Middle Eastern country's decision to suspend visas comes in response to the Philippines' earlier move in February to halt the initial deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait. The Philippines implemented the measure following the discovery of the body of domestic worker Jullebee Ranara in the Kuwaiti desert in January. The post Marcos discusses labor relations with Crown Prince of Kuwait appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release
The Daily Tribune recently published the opinion entitled “Releasing Fukushima water amid protests?” by Mr. Bernie V. Lopez, which worsens the misperception of Japan’s discharge plan. Therefore, I would like to provide explanations based on scientific evidence and facts as well as Japan’s efforts to take the measure in the most accountable and transparent manner. First of all, the water to be discharged is NOT “nuclear wastewater”.” It is “ALPS (advanced liquid processing system) treated water,” which has been sufficiently purified until the concentration of radioactive materials other than tritium is below the regulatory standard and then is further diluted before it is discharged. Tritium is a radioactive material that exists in nature, and can be found in rainwater and also in our bodies, but does not accumulate in the body. The reason for the discharge of ALPS-treated water is not a fear of the dangers of storing large amounts of nuclear wastewater but to restore life in Fukushima and achieve reconstruction. The Subcommittee on Handling ALPS Treated Water considered five options: geosphere injection, discharge into the sea, vapor release, hydrogen release, and underground burial. Of those methods, discharge into the sea was determined to be the best from a risk management perspective, because it has a proven track record in domestic and international nuclear facilities and is easy to monitor. Discharge of ALPS-treated water is an issue that cannot be postponed to construct new facilities to safely proceed with the decommissioning work, which will be more fully underway in the future. On 4 July 2023, The International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, the world’s authority on nuclear-related issues, published the Comprehensive Report on the Safety Review of the ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which presents the findings of a nearly two-year review conducted by the IAEA and independent international experts based on scientific evidence. The report states that Japan’s plans to discharge the ALPS-treated water into the sea and associated activities are consistent with relevant international safety standards, and the discharge will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. On 24 August 2023, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, or FDNPS, initiated the discharge of ALPS-treated water to promote the reconstruction of Fukushima. Since the start of the discharge, it has been confirmed that the concentration of nuclides including tritium in seawater and marine products is far below the standards, which indicates that the discharge is safe as planned. Specifically, Japan is implementing three types of monitoring (monitoring of treated water in tanks, real-time monitoring of a wide range of nuclides, mainly tritium) with the involvement of the IAEA. If a problem is detected during this monitoring process such as detecting radioactivity levels exceeding standards, appropriate measures will be taken, including immediate suspension of the discharge. In more detail, we will manage the annual discharge volume of tritium so it will not exceed 22 trillion Bq, which is equivalent to the target discharge management value for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station before the accident. It is worth noting that other countries also discharge tritium into the sea in compliance with their domestic laws and regulations; for instance, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association website, China, discharging 112 trillion Bequerel, or Bq, from Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant , 102 trillion Bq from Ningde NPP, 90 trillion Bq from Hongyanhe NPP in 2021. The amount of tritium in the ALPS-treated water is far smaller than the amount of tritium discharged from many nuclear power plants and other facilities in other countries. Consultations with stakeholders Furthermore, the aforementioned article states that “Japan planned the release unilaterally — no transparency, no consensus. They never made an effort for international awareness and inspection.” However, the fact is that Japan has provided information and has engaged in consultations with the interested parties including both international and domestic ones in a transparent manner based on scientific evidence, with an emphasis on providing sufficient data. In addition, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized that every possible measure would be taken to ensure the safety of discharge and that any emission that would harm the health of citizens or the marine environment would not occur. He also explained Japan’s efforts regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water at ASEAN-related Summit Meetings in Jakarta on September 6 and 7 and the G20 New Delhi Summit on September 9 and 10, which led to a wider and deeper understanding of our approach. The positive recognition and support in the international community for Japan’s efforts and its commitments are currently spreading. Many countries including the U.S., Australia, and NZ officially welcomed the IAEA’s Comprehensive Report, and also Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) acknowledged Japan’s efforts. Recently, on the margin of the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meetings, H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia expressed his understanding of Japan’s position. In addition, on the margin of the G20 New Delhi Summit, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye said that he is aware of Japan’s sincere efforts, and H.E. Mr. Mark RUTTE, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed his full support to Japan’s approach. Therefore, the author’s claim that Japan had “no transparency, no consensus” is inaccurate. As the author correctly stated, “Secrecy will be Japan’s enemy” and Japan has been and will prioritize our transparency. At the end of the day, all the questions should be left to scientists and experts on nuclear issues, to draw a conclusion that can stand the test of scientific evidence and facts. Having gone through unprecedented hardships since the Great East Japan Earthquake, we remain committed to facing the most difficult challenges with complete transparency in close collaboration with the IAEA. After the start of discharge into the sea, Japan will continue to conduct three types of monitoring in a multilayered manner with the involvement of the IAEA. We hope to gain the understanding and support of the international community. The government of Japan will continue to provide the necessary information transparently based on the conclusion of the comprehensive report and will continue efforts to gain further understanding from the international community, while scientifically refuting politically motivated opinions. The post Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New diabetes drug better for weight loss than Ozempic: research
A new diabetes drug leads to more weight loss and lower blood sugar than its blockbuster rival semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, a review of research said on Saturday. Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, is currently approved to treat type 2 diabetes in the United States, Europe and most recently the UK. However Eli Lilly is seeking to get the drug authorized in the US for obesity, which would put it further in competition with Danish firm Novo Nordisk's semaglutide drug, known as Ozempic for diabetes treatment or Wegovy for weight loss. After Ozempic went viral on social media earlier this year for its ability to help people lose weight, skyrocketing demand led to occasional supply shortages -- and concerns that people without diabetes or obesity were using it to shed a few kilos. New research, which is being presented at a conference in Germany and has not been peer-reviewed, suggests that Eli Lilly's newer drug could be even more effective. The Greek researchers combined data from 22 previous randomized control trials which separately looked at the two drugs, both of which are taken once a week as an injection. The researchers then used the studies, which covered a total of nearly 18,500 patients with type 2 diabetes, to compare three different doses of both drugs over a period of at least 12 weeks. Lead author Thomas Karagiannis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki told AFP that for the highest doses, "tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss that was 5.7 kilograms (12.5 pounds) more than semaglutide". It also led to a two percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the highest dose of semaglutide. "However, it is also notable that the highest tripeptide dose was associated with increased gastrointestinal adverse events," Karagiannis added. - Give to those with 'greatest need' - The research will be presented next month at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Germany. Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine at the UK's Aston University not involved in the research, cautioned that it was not a full peer-reviewed paper. "It would have been better if it had analyzed data from studies which directly compared the two drugs," he told AFP. Given previous shortages of these drugs, Mellor emphasized that it was essential that both are "given to those with the greatest need," such as people living with type 2 diabetes. A previous study found that the highest dose of tirzepatide leads to an average loss of 15 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. However, like Ozempic, the weight can come back if people stop taking the drug. Both drugs mimic the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1, activating receptors in the brain involved in appetite regulation. But unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide also targets fellow hormone GIP, which stimulates the release of insulin. Sales of Mounjaro nearly reached $1 billion in the second quarter of this year alone. © Agence France-Presse The post New diabetes drug better for weight loss than Ozempic: research appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thailand urged to halt crop burning after air pollution spike
Thailand must ban stubble burning by farmers to improve air quality, the head of a leading agricultural body said Monday, after a spike in dangerous pollution left millions needing medical treatment. The kingdom suffered dire air quality earlier in the year, with Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai ranked among the most polluted cities in the world on some days in April. Authorities urged people to stay indoors and work from home as concentrations of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles -- so tiny they can enter the bloodstream -- reached unsafe levels. One of the leading sources of the particles is farmers torching stubble to prepare land for the next crop, with "burning season" peaking between December and April. The head of the kingdom's top agricultural body said the practice must be halted. "The government should ban crop-burning -- the method widely used among farmers in Thailand," said Pornsil Patcharintanakul, president of Thai Feed Mill Association, which operates under the commerce ministry. He urged the government of new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to take action swiftly because of the urgency of the matter. More than two million people sought medical treatment in Thailand this year because of problems linked to air pollution. Pornsil, whose organization monitors the quality of animal feed, said Thailand should follow international farming guidelines that forbid stubble-burning. He said three years was a realistic timeframe in which to ban the practice. His call comes as the European Union begins to enforce its "Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism" (CBAM), charging for emissions linked to the production of imported goods. Srettha's government has said that tackling PM2.5 is one of its priorities, though it has not given details of what it plans to do. The post Thailand urged to halt crop burning after air pollution spike appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG’s BIDA Program rolled out in Zamboanga del Sur
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos led the rollout of the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" (BIDA) Program in Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday morning. The BIDA Program launch was one of the highlights of the 71st Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur celebration at the Mega Gymnasium Provincial Government Complex, Dao, Pagadian City, which Abalos attended as a guest of honor and speaker. In his message before an estimated crowd of 1,500 Zambosurians, the DILG chief highlighted the critical role of local government units (LGUs) and other sectors of society in addressing the drug menace through education, prevention, and rehabilitation to complement the relentless anti-drug operations of law enforcement agencies. “Ang importante habang nanghuhuli ang mga pulis, tayong mga nasa LGU—mga barangay captain, konsehal, mayor, gobernador, bokal—community groups, religious leaders, parents, whole-of-nation approach dapat. Bumaba tayo, tulungan natin ang pulis. It’s not only about supply reduction. But most importantly, it's about demand reduction,” Abalos said. Furthermore, the DILG secretary congratulated the province of Zamboanga del Sur on its 71st Charter Day celebration. He also commended the leadership of Governor Victor J. Yu, who focused his governance through HEARTS or Health, Education and Environment, Agriculture, Roads and Bridges, Tourism, and Security. Abalos ended his message by inspiring local officials to continue heed the call of President Marcos for unity. “Iisang bangka tayo. We are given this opportunity, let's make the most out of it. It's time to make a difference for our province, for our city, and most specially for our country. Wala nang sana ganito, sa ganyan sa Pilipinas, wala na. Panahon natin 'to gawin na natin ang tama at huwag tayong matakot. Magtulungan tayo," he said. Named as one of the best government initiatives in Asia by international award-giving body GovMedia Awards, the BIDA Program has already been rolled out to over 700 LGUs nationwide since it was officially launched in November last year, initiating several activities such as BIDA Fun Runs, Serbisyo Caravans, Zumba sessions, cycling events, workshops, and seminars. Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary for Local Goverment Marlo Iringan, during the Laging Handa press briefing in Malacañang, said the BIDA Program has been going around the country, in line with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s continued campaign against illegal drugs with a renewed focus on demand reduction through a whole-of-nation approach. "Iyong nangyaring bike fest sa Bulacan noong nakaraang Linggo ay isa lamang sa napakaraming mga event at activities na pinangunahan ng ating kagawaran, sa pangunguna ni Secretary Benhur Abalos patungkol doon sa flagship program ng ating pamahalaan na 'Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan'," he said. "Nailunsad po natin itong noong nakaraang taon, November actually, at napunta na po tayo sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas at nagkaroon ng bike fest, fun run. At hindi lang po iyon ‘no, napakarami nating mga ugnayan sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan at sa iba’t ibang lebel ng pamahalaan nang sa ganoon ay makuha iyong kanilang suporta sa ating whole-of-nation/whole-of-government approach against illegal drugs," Iringan explained. "Nagawa na po natin sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas at iyan nga ang isa sa mga gagawin pa natin sa mga susunod na araw. Subalit katulad ng nabanggit ko, this is only one of the strategies to generate support against illegal drugs. Nakikipag-ugnayan din po kami halimbawa sa Philippine Basketball Association, sa mga sports association nang sa ganoon suportahan ng mga athletes, na siyang tinitingala/iniidolo ng karamihan sa mga kabataan ‘no, na suportahan itong laban natin sa illegal drugs. Nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa mga iba’t ibang malalaking kumpanya katulad ng SM nang sa ganoon ay magkaroon sila ng initiative or intervention for a drug-free workplace. At iyon na nga po, pati na sa lahat ng mga eskuwelahan, mga unibersidad at mga kolehiyo ay hinihikayat din sila na tumulong ‘no sa laban sa iligal na droga," he added. DILG and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan partner on BIDA The DILG's BIDA Program has also gained anti-illegal drug advocates among the youth of Cagayan de Oro with the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Xavier University-Ateneo De Cagayan. Abalos said the important role of schools like Xavier University-Ateneo De Cagayan and the church in the whole-of-nation BIDA campaign dwells on the holistic formation of the values of the youth and helping them lead productive lives away from the temptation of illegal drugs. DILG Region X Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko, who signed the MOA on behalf of the DILG, said youth involvement is a significant and strategic approach to further strengthen the advocacy of the program. “The good thing about this partnership is that this will also be an opportunity to involve the youth in this campaign. We believe that our students could make a change and that they are our instruments in communicating effectively with the youth as well,” Suyko said. The post DILG’s BIDA Program rolled out in Zamboanga del Sur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoC reveries
An aversion to table the West Philippine Sea conflict and speeding up the progress of the Code of Conduct, or CoC, between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and China is very evident in the ongoing Summit in Indonesia. The maritime conflict is not even on the official agenda and will be tackled only through optional bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the yearly assembly, which is all under the wishes of China. ASEAN, thus, is pushing itself into irrelevance by acceding to the wishes of China and its cohorts in the regional bloc like Cambodia. Despite its existence as an Economic Community since its inception, with full integration envisioned in 2025, much of its aspirations, including being a cohesive body to advance the interests of its members, remain a pipe dream. The CoC would have been a stellar achievement, but it was described as a moving goal post for more than two decades. In the ongoing ASEAN meeting, all that host Indonesia was able to commit to was a three-year deadline to finalize a CoC. Another set of guidelines is, thus, expected after the Jakarta assembly instead of a pact that will bind all the claimants in the maritime conflict. The guidelines, moreover, will have to be endorsed by regional leaders during the ASEAN-China Summit that is scheduled later. The Philippines is not confident about a substantial progress in the CoC despite its being the most urgent matter to maintain stability in the region. An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said the outcome of talks on the long-delayed CoC will be limited “to mere reporting of past discussions.” “At most, there will be a report on what happened during the last meeting in the Philippines of the joint working group on the CoC,” which hardly equates to progress. During the third round of CoC talks in Manila from 22 to 24 August, discussions were stuck on the contentious issues of whether or not the CoC would be “legally binding.” China has historically resisted a legally binding CoC, the reason for the existence of the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DoC. In 2019, Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated his optimism that a CoC would be completed within three years, or by 2022. It is now 2023. He also announced that China supported a CoC that had “binding force” and was “an upgraded and strengthened version” of the DoC. The discussions then came to a head due to the different perspectives among those at the negotiating table, which are the same obstacles blocking the resolution of the maritime rift. China has refused to recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration award that the Philippines and other claimant countries use as a basis for their position in the DoC negotiations. In not recognizing the arbitral ruling and insisting on its historical basis for the territorial claims, China and ASEAN are not on the same page in the negotiations, meaning that hopes for an agreement are futile. Like what happened in the local context when the Communist Party of the Philippines sued for negotiations with the government and used it to consolidate its forces, China uses the CoC discussions as a delaying tactic to fortify its position. Its recent release of the 10-dash line, which was a rewriting of its territorial boundaries again based on historical data, proves China is not about to change its position. According to reports on the Summit, China will only support a legally binding code when its historical version prevails. Another term that China wants included in the negotiations is barring countries outside the region from interfering. It also wants economic activities at sea, including oil and gas development, “to be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region.” China also wants the CoC signatories not to “hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection.” The untenable conditions appear designed to prevent the CoC from ever coming into being. The post CoC reveries appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MAP denies backing on dismissed MIAA chief
Management Association of the Philippines president, Atty. Benedicta Du-Baladad denied that her group aired its support to the dismissed Manila International Airport Authority, General Manager Cesar Chiong, and MIAA OIC assistant general manager Irene Montalbo, saying that the backing came from some of its members. Besides MAP, the Makati Business Club last week released a statement of support backing Chiong and Montalbo, questioning the decision of Ombudsman Samuel Martires. “Please note that this is not a MAP statement. Nowhere should the statement be attributed to MAP. This is a statement of individual businessmen and professionals who requested us to distribute it to the media,” Baladad told the Daily Tribune. Trabaho Partylist on Wednesday also hit business groups petition urging Ombudsman Martires to reverse the decision dismissing Chiong, stating that it is a clear interference with the independence and investigatory functions of the Ombudsman. “While the 1987 Constitution created the Ombudsman as ‘an independent constitutional body, unfettered by political influence and insulated it from the ebb and tide of political fortunes,’ here comes now a group of businessmen trying to erode the integrity of the office,” Trabaho Partylist Secretary General Atty. Juan Paolo Lorica said. “The decision dismissing Chiong and MIAA OIC assistant general manager Irene Montalbo is clearly supported by evidence. It is unfair for the business sector to even insinuate that the Ombudsman and the panel of investigators did not investigate and decide the case with utmost objectivity,” he added. Lorica pointed out that Martires’ record as Ombudsman has consistently shown he has maintained his independence and that he does not look into the political color of the respondents of the cases being decided by his office. “It must be recalled that Ombudsman Martires caused the withdrawal of the usurpation case that his predecessor has filed against President Noynoy Aquino. And just recently he dismissed from the service the Over-All Deputy Ombudsman for his involvement in the Pharmally case. The Ombudsman exacted justice for the Filipino people even as other government organs failed to do the same,” he said. The Trabaho Partylist Secretary General further stressed that what the business groups are asking is for the Ombudsman to favor Chiong. “Is Chiong the only citizen who can manage the airport efficiently and effectively? Is he the only citizen who is honest for which this government must lean on?” he asked. Last April 2023, Chiong and Montalbo were put on preventive suspension by the Ombudsman for Grave Abuse of Authority, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service for reassigning 285 MIIA personnel despite the two officials’ temporary positions in the attached agency of the Department of Transportation. The post MAP denies backing on dismissed MIAA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Golden Globes to air January 7 under new ownership
Next year's Golden Globes will take place on 7 January, the organization that bestows the entertainment awards said Thursday, in the wake of intense scrutiny over accusations of corruption and racism in recent years. Nominations are set to be revealed on 11 December, the organization added in a statement. The combined film and television awards have long been considered among the most prestigious in Hollywood after the Oscars. But the Golden Globes have lost their luster among many in the industry after The Los Angeles Times in 2021 revealed the bleak backstage operations of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which made up the contest's jury. In particular, the report said the group did not have a single Black member at the time, and detailed accounts of HFPA voters receiving lavish gifts from entertainment studios whose products they were voting on. In 2022, the historically raucous ceremony was shunned by Hollywood's elite and was not broadcast on television. Since then, the Globes have launched several image reform measures, including involving a more diverse group of voters and instituting a crackdown on ethics violations. The changes brought the ceremony back to live television in January 2023, and despite several notable red-carpet absences, the number of stars in attendance -- including Steven Spielberg, Michelle Yeoh, and Brad Pitt -- suggested that Hollywood was ready to move on from the scandal. Still, the show recorded its worst-ever ratings, with only 6.3 million viewers. As part of its reforms, the Golden Globes have been bought out by private investors, effectively shuttering the 80-year-old HFPA. As part of Thursday's announcement, the Globes said it had formed a new committee that would now be "responsible for selecting, ratifying and accrediting journalists as voting members" of the Globes' jury. The nine-member committee will "uphold and enforce rigorous standards and practices for the voting body," the statement added. The committee will include Tim Gray, veteran entertainment journalist from Variety magazine, who was named vice president of the Golden Globes. The post Golden Globes to air January 7 under new ownership appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First country workshop for local insurance industry stakeholders
The Insurance Development Forum and its partner Microinsurance Network recently organized the first country workshop for local insurance industry stakeholders to advance an inclusive insurance-focused strategy in the Philippines. IDF Inclusive Insurance Working Group coordinator Pedro Pinheiro said that the objective of the country workshop was to close the protection gap of the low-income population through accessible and affordable insurance. “We want to increase the uptake of insurance among the low-income population who can benefit from affordable and accessible insurance products developed by local insurers,” Pinheiro said. MiN Chairman and Pioneer Group head Lorenzo Chan said that IDF partnered with MiN as a natural step to implement its inclusive insurance strategy. “The partnership allows the IDF to capitalize on the grassroots reach and wealth of resources the MiN has accumulated in the last 20 years,” Chan said. Chan said the workshop marked the kick-off engagement of the IDF in the Philippines and the establishment of a country task force. “The country task force in the Philippines will effectively allocate financial resources and technical assistance from the IDF membership to local inclusive insurance programs. Together, we will seek to address the gaps that were identified in the workshop,” Chan said. Pinheiro said that the Philippines has been selected as one of the priority countries by the inclusive insurance working group of the IDF. “The Philippines is identified as a crucial market because it is very vulnerable to climate risks and has a real need for insurance solutions. The Philippines is also advanced in the development of a regulatory framework for inclusive insurance with a thriving private sector and a very engaged government body,” Pinheiro said. Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado expressed his full support for the 1st IDF-MiN Country Workshop for Inclusive Insurance in the Philippines. “The Insurance Commission will continue to work collaboratively with microinsurance providers, non-government organizations and other stakeholders to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that will further cater to the needs of the low-income sector of the society. We commit to crafting policies that will further enhance financial inclusion in the country,” Regalado said in a statement. “IC recognizes the significance of inclusive insurance in fostering resilience and promoting economic stability in the Philippines. Inclusive insurance empowers individuals and communities by providing the same protection needed against unexpected shocks and calamities,” he added. The IDF is a public-private partnership supporting the growth and development of insurance-related resources and capabilities to help achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global 2030 Agenda. It was first announced at the United Nations Conference of the Parties Paris Climate Summit in 2015 and then formally launched by leaders of the insurance industry, the United Nations and the World Bank in 2016. The MiN, based in Luxembourg, is the only non-profit global multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to promoting inclusive insurance to low-income people and households worldwide. Chan is the first Asian and insurance practitioner elected as MiN Chairman in 2021. The workshop was attended by insurance industry stakeholders representing the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Philippine Life Insurance Association, Microinsurance Intermediaries and Practitioners Association of the Philippines, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, GIZ Philippines and several other organizations in the inclusivity ecosystem. ### The post First country workshop for local insurance industry stakeholders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Plus-size movement reshapes fashion in Brazil
Defying the fashion world's narrow stereotype of beauty, Brazilian plus-size designer Amanda Momente poses confidently for the camera, wearing the clothing label she founded after failing to find other options that fit. More than half of all adults in Brazil are overweight, but Momente is part of a growing movement of entrepreneurs, activists and models who are fed up with a fashion industry they say fails to fit their needs and shames them for their bodies. "Society judged me based on one thing, so I took that thing and used it... to launch my business," says Momente, 34, dressed in a sheer black bodysuit created by Wondersize, the company she founded in 2017. The former real-estate agent, who sports a pink mohawk and multiple tattoos, got the idea after feeling uncomfortable at the gym in clothes she says were too tight, turned transparent when stretched or bunched up around her thighs. She decided to find a seamstress to help her make her own workout outfit. It turned out so well she quit her day job and plunged headfirst into the fashion world, she says. The rise of colorful, stylish clothes for Brazilians with large bodies is part of a broader international trend rejecting unrealistic standards of beauty, especially for women. "The fashion industry needs to fit our bodies, not the other way around," says Momente. - 'Identity and dignity' - Major brands tend to dedicate at most a small portion of their lines to clothing in larger sizes, leaving "repressed" demand, says Marcela Liz, head of the Brazil Plus Size Association. The plus-size sector grew in Brazil more than 75 percent in the decade through 2021, reaching sales of 9.6 billion reais (about $1.9 billion) that year, according to the association. It projects sales will hit 15 billion reais by 2027 in Latin America's biggest economy. "Supply has improved, but we're still not meeting demand," says Liz. The nascent industry sashayed through Sao Paulo this month at the Pop Plus fair, where indie designers showed off sparkling skirts, racy tops, T-shirts stamped with bold statements and other clothes in sizes ranging up to 70. "The market saw fat people as people who didn't like fashion, who just wanted to hide their bodies," says Flavia Durante, the activist who founded the fair in 2012. "We had clothes, not fashion," she told AFP. "Fashion isn't just about consumption. It's about identity and dignity." - More work to do - TV presenter and plus-size model Letticia Munniz has strutted the runway at glitzy Sao Paulo fashion week, made the cover of glossy magazines and been the face of numerous ad campaigns. But she says real inclusion remains a long way off for the overweight and obese in Brazil -- 57 percent and 23 percent of the adult population, respectively, in the country of 203 million people. "Things have improved, but our work is still seen as just checking a quota box. We're not seen as real equals," she says. The activist and influencer, who usually wears custom-made clothes, says she is glad to see more plus sizes on runways -- but adds that doesn't necessarily mean they are actually available in stores. She encourages her more than one million followers on social media to love themselves as they are. "When you find something made to exalt your body instead of hide it, it changes everything," she says in one post. mls/jhb/md/dw © Agence France-Presse The post Plus-size movement reshapes fashion in Brazil appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»