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Minglanilla’s ‘6th man’ crucial for Gullas Cup finals— Velez
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Jesus “Boyet” Velez, the head coach of Abante Minglanilla, admitted that their sixth man, their home crowd, would be a massive factor for the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Rhea Gullas Cup First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament Best-of-Three finals on Saturday, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Talisay Aksyon.....»»
PUBG Mobile continues steady rise in Philippines
PUBG: Mobile has been a steady shooting game that Filipinos have been playing since its release back in 2018. Since then, the game has had Filipino-centric initiatives in 2022......»»
Minglanilla ends 22-year title drought, wins Gullas Cup in dominating fashion vs. Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla hoisted the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament title after routing the visiting Talisay Aksyon Agad, 72-58, on Saturday evening, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Minglanilla, also known as the Archangels, beat Talisay in their do-or-die Game 3 of the finals, and.....»»
Tenorio makes PBA comeback after beating Big C
Barangay Ginebra's LA Tenorio will be making his long-awaited comeback to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after successfully beating colon cancer. Tenorio, who underwent a six-month treatment in Singapore, is now in remission and ready to step back onto the court. The 39-year-old point guard expressed his excitement and high spirits ahead of his first game in 10 months. Despite acknowledging the challenge of readjusting to competitive basketball, Tenorio is determined to fit in seamlessly with his teammates. He also expressed his gratitude to his family, friends, management, coaches, and the entire sports community for their support during his recovery. Tenorio, known as the Iron Man for his impressive streak of 744 consecutive games in the PBA, had his streak interrupted due to a groin injury and subsequent cancer diagnosis. During his time away from the game, he served as an assistant coach for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th China Asian Games, where the Philippines emerged victorious......»»
Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks
A third round of Ukrainian-backed peace talks opened in Malta Saturday with representatives from more than 60 countries but without Moscow, which denounced it as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the first of two days of closed-door talks among national security and policy advisors, which he hopes will drum up support for his 10-point plan to end the war. In a statement on social media afterward, he said 66 countries had taken part in the talks, proof that his plan "has gradually become global". It follows similar meetings in Jeddah and Copenhagen this summer, with the Ukrainians hoping to eventually hold a summit at the level of heads of state. "The meeting confirmed the broad interest and increasing support for the key elements of Ukraine's Peace Formula," an EU official said Saturday. Against the backdrop of the Hamas-Israel war, it also showed "that restoration of just peace is important beyond Ukraine -- it is about a global plea for respect of international law". Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova however has dismissed the Malta talks as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". They had "nothing to do with the search for a peaceful resolution", she said on Thursday. "Obviously such gatherings have absolutely no perspective, they are simply counterproductive." China absent Participants in Malta included the United States, the EU, and Britain, staunch supporters of Kyiv following Russia's February 2022 invasion. Turkey, which has offered itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, was also represented, according to a list seen by AFP before the talks opened. So too were South Africa, Brazil, and India -- all members of the influential BRICS bloc, which also includes Russia. South Africa and India have not condemned Russia's invasion, while Brazil has refused to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Moscow. China, which insists it is neutral and refuses to criticize the invasion, did not attend, despite being present in Jeddah in August, according to the EU official. Organizers were hoping for a joint statement from the Malta summit after both previous meetings ended without a final declaration. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said on Telegram that the discussions on Saturday were "lively" and focused on five key areas, notably the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Zelensky's peace plan calls for Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including from the territory of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Russia, which claimed last year to have annexed the four Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, has rejected any settlement that would involve giving up land. The Malta talks are also looking at nuclear security, notably the need to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and how to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. The issue of food security was also on the agenda, as Russia blocks grain exports from Ukraine; and humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to taken to Russia. "Russia will have to give in to the international community. It will have to accept our common conditions," Yermak said. Both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a grueling winter ahead, with Ukraine warning of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia pushing back against Kyiv's counteroffensive. The post Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." "Meta earnings looked pretty good," said independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "They have clearly cut back on the bleeding surrounding their metaverse efforts and the company appears to be on a more even keel right now." The tech giant said it made a profit of $11.6 billion as ad revenue climbed 23 percent to $34 billion when compared to the same period a year earlier. "We had a good quarter for our community and business," said Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The number of people using Facebook monthly rose slightly to 3.05 billion in a year-over-year comparison while monthly active users of Meta's "family" of apps was 3.96 billion a 7 percent increase from the same quarter in 2022, the company reported. Meta said it had trimmed costs, with layoffs and other belt-tightening measures started last year providing "greater efficiency." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta's business. Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta shares, which closed the formal trading day down, fell more than three percent further in after-hours trades to $289.50. Chief financial officer Susan Li said during an earnings call that Meta is seeing "volatility" in an ad market that started to soften when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. "It's hard for us to attribute demand softness directly to any specific geopolitical event," Li said. "We have seen broader demand softness follow other regional conflicts in the past, such as in the Ukraine war, so this is something that we're continuing to monitor." Lawsuit peril Analyst Enderle maintained that Meta is at risk from lawsuits poised to damage its image and its wallet. Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. "In seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its Social Media Platforms," argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. The states accused Meta of exploiting young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta said the states were singling it out unfairly instead of working with social media companies to develop universal standards for the whole industry. "This landmark lawsuit could herald a seismic shift in how social media platforms approach product features and user engagement," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jeremy Goldman. "That said, even as tech stocks face uncertainty, Meta's consistent performance cements its leadership in the digital realm." Meanwhile, the European Union is seeking details on measures Meta has taken to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The AI race The tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. "I'm proud of the work our teams have done to advance AI and mixed reality with the launch of Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and our AI studio," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica have a starting price of $299. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing," Zuckerberg said. Meta has taken a more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. "The majority of the world's population will have their first experience of generative artificial intelligence with us," Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told AFP in a recent interview. Meta recently unveiled AI-infused chatbots with personalities, along with tools for creating images or written content using spoken prompts. The post Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility
There is something quite riveting about Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar. Her gaze direct, her rhetoric fluid, she shares stories of immersing in conflict areas, of being in Leyte post-“Yolanda” and in Marawi post-violence, and within the same conversation, of her corporate hat within the “power, banking, food, land and infrastructure sectors.” Not so much as a vein mars her refined features. If not for those eyes, which reveal a depth of thought and feeling, hers would likely be a face some might take as just another classic beauty. Then again, her relationship with similarly strong-minded women cannot be discounted. She says, from the get-go, that she would rather not talk about herself or her sisters (Risa, the senator, and Pia, the broadcast news personality). Unlike them, she took the private route, but now unwittingly finds herself in the limelight. The Aboitiz Group, for which she handles a vital role, has many exciting things to share, Ginggay says. Smiling, she proceeds to rattle off some of these pillars — in education (“to create future leaders” who are solutions-oriented), in climate action and in enterprise and jobs. “For over 35 years, we’ve delivered probably over 5,000 CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects, spread over all the business units all over the Philippines. We’ve partnered with something like 600,000 individuals and organizations and we’ve invested the amount of P5.1 billion in all these different programs. We’re trying now to reevaluate what it is that’s next for Aboitiz Foundation, and then how we can serve our stakeholders better, and what are some of the things that we want to scale. Maybe to create a bigger impact in the country, help the country more, I think is what we want to do.” In the pipeline toward this goal of creating a bigger impact on development, Aboitiz Foundation is seeking more collaboration — “more conversations between organizations that are doing a lot of work already here in the country, and probably having a stronger voice and then putting that voice out there,” she enthuses. Clearly, Ginggay is in her element in the world she inhabits — at the heart of an “old legacy conglomerate,” her words, that now sees the need to transform along with the climactic times. “I lead a department called Reputation Management. We cover brands, media, corporate communications, sustainability — the ESG (environmental, social and governance) journey for the Aboitiz Group. We provide strategy, direction, governance and then very recently, just this year, we have our CSR arm which is called Aboitiz Foundation. It was recently also placed under us. Because at the end of the day, Aboitiz Foundation is like the big ‘S’ in our ESG — it’s really all about the social impact, the social good that we want to continue,” Ginggay tells the DAILY TRIBUNE in an interview on Pairfect. Ginggay is currently vice president for Reputation Management and Sustainability at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., a holding company of the Aboitiz Group. For the Aboitiz Foundation, meanwhile, she works to help “scale its impactful programs for systemic change.” The mother of two is also communications lead for the Philippines’ Private Sector Advisory Council and team leader for APEC Business Advisory Council, which are areas where the visionary leader, Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, holds key roles. Grateful her children are adults now, Ginggay keeps her nurturing side on overdrive with her current responsibilities. “Aboitiz is a group,” she emphasizes. “And as a family of organizations, our priority has always been about people. That’s always been our passion, whether it’s the well-being of our own employees or the well-being of communities where we have our businesses. It’s really always been about people. “We don’t feel it’s right that a business does well and then the community that it’s in doesn’t. It cannot be like that — it has to go hand in hand. So, we’ve always been like that. Very people-centric. I think what we’re trying to change now in our transformation or evolution is to see how can we use more of technology and innovation and balance it with our people-centric approach. So maybe we can be a little bit faster, be better, be more data-driven in the kinds of things that we’re doing,” she says. And has her heart always been in this kind of work — one she freely admits is demanding and sometimes even emotion-driven? “My dad was pretty laidback. And he usually let us do what we want to do as long as you know, like, please do well in school, and things like that,” Ginggay recalls. “My mom was very attentive to us and she just wanted to make sure that aside from doing well in studies, you also had to do well in something else. And then, very ingrained, I think, in our DNA, I think as a family also, is that aspect of service, whether it’s public service, or you know, just service in general — whether it’s to your community or to your family, or your immediate set of, I suppose, stakeholders. So, it’s almost been like part of my DNA or something like that, or probably my character as well.” With so much on her plate, and a daily grind that consists of steering various teams to ensure the conglomerate is moving toward its goals smoothly, Ginggay makes sure she takes time — even just 30 minutes a day, she says — disconnecting from it all and connecting with herself. “Our days are very fast — they are jam-packed with schedules, meetings, a lot of stakeholder engagement activities,” she says. “There’s a lot of collaboration also that goes on between our team and the rest of the business units in the Aboitiz Group, and then a lot of meetings as well with the board just to check in on directions and things like that. It’s very fast-paced. It’s very demanding. It takes a lot of time and I think a lot of commitment… and this is what I see from all our team leaders and team members — people are really passionate about what they do. I think that’s important.” For Ginggay, certainly, such passion is necessary to lead the company toward its goals including “delivering on communications and brand that are integral to the transformation of the group into the Philippines’ first techglomerate.” Techglomerate, she explains, “is a dream in Aboitiz Group, something that we have really been working hard on for the past few years. We kind of coined the term from ‘technology’ and ‘conglomerate,’ putting it together — and it is really about trying to be more technologically advanced but we also want to incubate exciting businesses which are more in the techspace or, say, data science. To incubate all these new companies and hopefully lead in certain industries… and I think at the end of the day we realized we have a much greater responsibility to the country.” And what’s next? “We realized that to stay ahead, we also need to transform… and I suppose that transformation should happen first and foremost at the level of the person. We’re also really focused on building a new kind of culture for the Aboitiz Group, still very much rooted in our core values of responsibility, innovation, teamwork, integrity. But now, probably trying to imbibe more of the behaviors like being more entrepreneurial, trying to be more articulate, being better storytellers, being more open to new things, being more data-driven in our decisions, you know, and a lot of other things that we’re trying to do in terms of helping to develop this new culture.” In her capacity as first vice president at Aboitiz, as well as in her other roles — senior adviser for Agripreneurship at Go Negosyo, for example — Ginggay keeps her “eye on the prize” no matter what challenges come along. This “multi-disciplined, results-oriented and multi-awarded leader,” as she is described in the Women of the Future, may prefer to keep herself below the radar, but Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar will certainly not stay unnoticed. The post Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia ‘interfering’ in global election
Russia is using its spy network, state-run media and social media to undermine public trust in elections around the world, according to a United States intelligence report released Friday that was shared with around 100 countries. “Russia is focused on carrying out operations to degrade public confidence in election integrity,” the report said, citing findings from the US intelligence community. “This is a global phenomenon. Our information indicates that senior Russian government officials, including in the Kremlin, see value in this type of influence operation and perceive it to be effective.” The assessment, which was sent in a cable to the embassies of around 100 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia engaged in a “concerted effort” between 2020 and 2022 to undermine public confidence in at least 11 elections across nine democracies, including the US, the report said. An additional 17 democracies were targeted through “less pronounced” methods involving Russian messaging and social media activity that sought to amplify domestic narratives related to election integrity, it added. Without naming the targeted countries, the report said the US government had shared with them information about the Russian operations. It alleged Russia utilizes both “covert and overt mechanisms” to influence elections. That includes influence networks managed by its security agency, the Federal Security Service or FSB, which covertly attempted to intimidate campaign workers in an unspecified European country’s 2020 election, it said. Russian state media amplified “false claims of voting fraud” in multiple elections in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America in 2020 and 2021, it added. Russia also exploited social media platforms and “proxy websites” to cast doubt about the integrity of elections in one South American country last year, the report said. “For Russia, the benefits of these operations are twofold: To sow instability within democratic societies, and to portray democratic elections as dysfunctional and the resulting governments as illegitimate,” the report said. The US recognizes its “own vulnerability to this threat,” the report said, reiterating that Russian actors sought to undermine public confidence in the 2020 election which President Joe Biden won against Donald Trump. In a media briefing, a US State Department official said Russia was encouraged to press ahead with election influence operations after its perceived success in spreading disinformation about the 2020 US election and the Covid-19 pandemic. “Russia is capitalizing on what it perceives as a relatively inexpensive success in 2020 in the United States to take this more broadly, globally,” the official said on condition of anonymity. WITH AFP The post Russia ‘interfering’ in global election appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups
Israel warned humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip on Friday to evacuate a major hospital and five schools ahead of a potential strike, aid agencies said. The Al-Quds Hospital is in northern Gaza, which has borne the brunt of Israeli air raids since Hamas staged their biggest ever attacks on Israel on October 7. The Palestine Red Crescent launched an "urgent appeal" saying it had "received a threat from the occupying authorities to bombard Al-Quds Hospital". The Israeli warning "demanded" the hospital's evacuation, which would affect more than 400 patients and 12,000 displaced people who have sought "safe haven", the group said. "We call upon the international community to take immediate and urgent action to prevent another massacre similar to what occurred at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital," the statement added. A rocket attack on the Al-Ahli hospital killed hundreds of people, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. Hamas blamed Israeli jets, while Israel blamed misdirected fire by militants inside Gaza. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in parallel that Israel had told it to evacuate five schools "as fast as possible". All of the schools are in Gaza City, close to the hospital. "We did what we could to protest and reject this decision, but this means that from now these facilities are no longer safe," said an UNRWA statement, calling on thousands of people in and around the hospitals to flee. The Red Crescent said last Saturday that it had received a similar evacuation order for Al-Quds Hospital. Palestinian media said a rocket attack hit near the hospital on Wednesday. Gaza authorities say more than 4,100 people have been killed in Israeli raids since the Hamas attacks that left 1,400 people dead. The attacks were the worst suffered by Israel since its creation 75 years ago. The post Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shun mass protests in Egypt
Filipinos in Egypt have been advised to avoid joining any protests following the mass demonstrations, denouncing the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip that reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. In an advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt cautioned Filipinos against joining the random demonstrations and planned mass actions. “The Philippine Embassy in Cairo advises everyone to exercise caution, keep away from mass congregations, and stay home unless necessary,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 1,990 Filipinos in Egypt. Egyptians took to the streets to express their anger over the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinians dead. In one of the demonstrations, a Palestinian flag was raised while an Israeli flag was burned. The demonstrations came after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on Egyptians to express solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. This developed as top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday denounced the ongoing war in the Middle East. End bloodshed In a statement, the foreign ministers of the 10-member regional bloc called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. “We strongly condemn the acts of violence which have led to the deaths and injuries of civilians, including ASEAN nationals,” the foreign ministers said. “We urge the immediate end of violence to avoid further human casualties and call for the full respect of international humanitarian law,” it added. Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are engaged in armed conflict following the surprise attack launched by the terror group on Israel last 7 October. The attack by Hamas has left more than 1,400 dead, most of them massacred on the first day of the assault. Meanwhile, the widespread airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have reportedly left at least 3,478 dead. ASEAN also called on “all parties to create safe, rapid and unimpeded passages of human corridors.” Last week, Israel imposed a 24-hour deadline for 1.1 million civilians to evacuate northern Gaza ahead of its ground offensive in the Palestinian territory. Since then, millions of civilians, including foreign nationals, have scrambled to move from northern Gaza to southern Gaza in hopes of exiting the war-torn territory. The bulk of civilians are swarming to the Rafah border in an attempt to enter Egypt despite the border remaining closed and the restricted availability of food, water and electricity. Two-state solution Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a “negotiated two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” “This will be the only viable path to resolving the root cause of the conflict,” it said. The regional bloc also called on the “international community to support the peace process in order to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.” “We have issued our respective national statements on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East,” it said. On Wednesday, the Philippines, one of the founding members of ASEAN, expressed its “profound sadness” over the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. Israel and Hamas denied being behind the attack and blamed each other for the bombing. The Philippines said all parties should “do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict.” “We support efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 135 Filipinos in the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Deep concern In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is attending the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the Chief Executive expressed deep concern over the rising number of victims and the safety of those affected by the conflict. In his intervention during the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit here on Friday, Marcos said, “All parties (should) exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.” He called on the members of the GCC and ASEAN to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea. Marcos also underscored the importance of cooperation between member countries of the two regional groups to ensure their continued prosperity. “As the two regional organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure the stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” Marcos said. “Peace and stability are indispensable to ensuring continued prosperity in our respective regions and the world,” he added. The six GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while the 10 ASEAN member countries are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. President Marcos attended the ASEAN-GCC Summit, where he discussed business opportunities in the Philippines and urged investors to invest in the Maharlika Investment Fund, among other significant opportunities in the Philippines. The post Shun mass protests in Egypt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence
Elianne Andam was headed to school like any other teenager in London last month when she was stabbed to death, becoming the latest victim of rising knife crime in England and Wales. The 15-year-old suffered a "brutal attack" in Croydon, south London, shortly after she and her friends had stepped off a public bus on a Wednesday morning, prosecutors have said. A 17-year-old boy arrested nearby just over an hour later will stand trial for her murder next April. One of the latest tragic cases of teen-on-teen violence in the British capital, it has become an increasingly common problem nationwide over recent decades. A few days after Andam's death, 16-year-old Taye Faik died in Edmonton, north London, following another knife attack. He was the 14th teenager to be killed with a blade in the city this year. The UK government, and mayors in some of its biggest cities and regions, have repeatedly vowed to tackle the persistent scourge of youth violence, but appear to be failing. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of knife and offensive weapon offences amongst children aged 10-17 increased by 19 percent across England and Wales, according to the Ministry of Justice. That compared with an eight percent increase among adults. 'Social issue' With the sale of guns strictly controlled in Britain, teenagers intent on violence typically turn to blades, including machetes and so-called "zombie" knives. Inspired by horror films, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge, and feature graphics or text on the blade or handle glorifying violence. Possessing them has been illegal since 2016, but some manufacturers have managed to evade this quasi-ban by altering their design. The government unveiled plans in August to outlaw them entirely and give police more powers to seize the weapons, which it said "seem to be designed to look menacing with no practical purpose". The new legislation will also increase the maximum penalty for their "importation, manufacturing, possession and sale" from six months to two years. However, machetes and zombie-style knives can be bought with relative ease for less than £50 ($60) on social media platforms like TikTok or Snapchat, circumventing online age restrictions, according to anti-knife crime campaigners. They urge more focus on the roots of the problem. "Knife crime isn't just a law-and-order issue, it's a social issue," Patrick Green, president of the Ben Kinsella Trust, told AFP. The anti-knife crime charity is named after a London teenager murdered in 2008. "When you start to unpick knife crime, you start to look at social deprivation, poverty, the lack of social mobility, mental health probation for young people," Green said. 'Awful weapons' Youth knife violence is more prevalent in Britain than many other European countries, he noted. "It's difficult to determine why exactly," Green added. London mayor Sadiq Khan's office blamed the austerity policies of successive Tory governments in power since 2010, which it argued have "decimated youth services" in the capital and beyond. As many as 130 centers offering sports and arts activities in the city have closed over that period, its statement noted. The pandemic and the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, driven by decades-high inflation, are also seen as contributing to the problem. Following the recent knife crime deaths in the capital, the Labour mayor urged the Conservative government in a letter "to speed up the legislation so we can ban these awful weapons as soon as possible". "The proposals also need to be toughened up to close the loopholes that could still allow the sale of these weapons," Khan added. He also wrote this month to London's 500 secondary schools reiterating that wand metal detectors to screen pupils for weapons were available, as well as police officers to deliver knife crime prevention talks. His opposition Labour party -- well ahead in polls for over a year -- has pledged to spend up to £100 million if it wins power in an election expected next year on a "Young Futures" program. It would fund new youth mentors and mental health hubs in every community, youth workers in schools set up for troubled students and hospitals, alongside wide-ranging public sector reforms. The post England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Geopolitical tension’ a major threat to climate action: IEA chief
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Monday that nations need to set aside "geopolitical tensions" and fight for greater international cooperation in order to advance the struggle against climate change. "The 1.5C target" agreed in Paris in 2015 is "still within reach" but it faces "many challenges" the energy watchdog's boss Fatih Birol told an international climate and energy gathering in Madrid ahead of COP28. Among the challenges, "the geopolitical fragmentation of the world" was "creating a key impediment for some of the steps we are hoping to take", he told the gathering of some 40 ministers and top global energy and environment leaders. Although levels of investment in "the technology area and in clean energy technologies" were "very strong", it is not enough, he said. "The lack of international cooperation is a major, major problem. We have to find a way to isolate these geopolitical tensions ... to focus on this issue of countries coming together," he said. The world's energy future will be at the heart of debates at the UN's COP28 climate summit in Dubai, a major oil producer, between November 30 and December 12. Spain's Ecology Minister Teresa Ribera admitted that talks at COP28 were likely to be "challenging" but said "multilateralism is the way to respond to the current challenges". "A global problem deserves a global response," she told delegates. 'Race against time' Global tensions have mounted in recent years notably due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the growing rivalry between the United States and China, hiking fears the climate crisis will be pushed down the geopolitical agenda. The crunch Dubai talks should enable the international community to make progress on the reduction of greenhouse gases and the clean energy transition. It will also be a chance to take stock of national commitments to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 2C and if possible to 1.5C compared with pre-industrial levels -- a difficult task in light of current conditions. "The green transition process must pick up speed, we're in a race against time to tackle climate change," Ribera told a press conference, while adding there is "room for optimism" about COP28. The IEA says several conditions must be met for the Dubai conference to be considered a success. Key issues will be a tripling of investment in renewables and a funding mechanism for clean energy in developing countries. In November 2022, the COP27 summit hosted by Egypt wrapped up with a landmark deal on funding to help vulnerable countries but it made no progress on phasing out fossil fuels, which the IEA sees as urgent. "July and August" have been "perhaps the hottest in history, and it looks like 2023 will be the hottest year ever," Birol said with heatwaves, floods and wildfires soaring on all continents. The post ‘Geopolitical tension’ a major threat to climate action: IEA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gabon PM defends coup before UN
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — Gabon’s military-installed prime minister on Friday defended the takeover before the United Nations as a “lesser evil,” saying the intervention prevented bloodshed. Military leaders on 30 August overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has ruled the oil-rich Central African state for more than half a century, just as he was proclaimed the winner of another term. The military had installed Raymond Ndong Sima, who had run against Bongo in the latest election, as a transitional prime minister. Representing Gabon before the United Nations, Ndong Sima promised that he would announce next week steps toward holding new elections. He called on the international community not to speak “without nuance” on the coup and instead to look at the situation in Gabon, where the Bongo family has been accused of rampant corruption. “To condemn such an event would be to say it’s better to let clashes take place and then count the number of victims, because no one in the opposition was willing to let this umpteenth heist go ahead,” Ndong Sima said of Bongo’s declared election victory. “Security forces had the choice between preparing to repress the protests, with the risk of being held accountable now or later before international courts, or deciding to stop this fraudulent and dangerous process for the sake of national cohesion,” he said. “They chose with full responsibility the second path to prevent the risk of a fire that could have shaken the very foundations of Gabonese society and would not have spared the numerous foreign communities living in Gabon,” he said. “This intervention without any blood or damages was the lesser evil,” he said. Ndong Sima, a French-educated economist who had earlier served as prime minister under Bongo, also represented Gabon in the Security Council, where the country holds a non-permanent seat. At a session Wednesday on Ukraine attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the military-installed Gabonese prime minister called for negotiations to end the war. The post Gabon PM defends coup before UN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zelensky in Canada to shore up support
After getting military support from United States President Joe Biden, Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky turns to Canada for more assistance in the war against Russia. Zelensky is scheduled for a Friday meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said that “Canada remains unwavering in our support to the people of Ukraine” ahead of the Ukrainian leader’s arrival in Ottawa on Thursday. Zelensky will also address Canada’s parliament before he and Trudeau head to Toronto for meetings with business leaders and members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the Canadian government said. Canada is home to the world’s second-largest Ukrainian diaspora after Russia, with about 1.36 million people of Ukrainian origin living there, according to government data. Canada’s $8.9 billion in aid to Ukraine has included more than $1.8 billion in military aid, including Leopard 2 tanks, air defense and artillery systems, anti-tank weapons, drones and other equipment. It has also trained more than 36,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Earlier, Biden said the first US M1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine “next week,” boosting Kyiv’s forces as they battle Russian troops in a slow-moving counteroffensive. WITH AFP The post Zelensky in Canada to shore up support appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
R-II Builders marks 35 years of excellence
It was a night of memories, music, laughter, and optimism when Quadruple A and Platinum-accredited construction conglomerate R-II Builders, Inc. marked its 35th anniversary at the Obispado de Cubao in Quezon City on 8 September. Chairman of the Board Reghis M. Romero II led the celebration, looking back to the day he serendipitously founded the company on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a commitment to excellence. [caption id="attachment_182218" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Engr./Retired MGen Gerardo P Catindoy outlined the big-ticket projects of RII Builders Inc. that ushers in its 35th year and beyond.[/caption] “To be part of this organization, we have to exceed our expectations,” he said in his speech, affirming the company’s commitment to build better lives for the nation. [caption id="attachment_182220" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Dr. Reghis M. Romero II offered the toast for more productive years ahead for RII BUILDERS Inc.[/caption] “Ang Pilipino ay isang dakilang lahi. Kayo ang Pilipino, kayo ang dakilang lahi (Filipinos are a great race. You are the Filipinos, you are the great race).” [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="182210,182211"] R-II Builders president, retired Major General and now Engineer Gerardo P. Catindoy, announced that the company would soon implement “mega infrastructure projects” worth P218 billion. “That’s ten times more than what we have implemented in 35 years,” he said. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="182214,182219"] These undertakings include a project with the Metro Rail Transit, the Canlubang-Bay bypass road and development project, and the Cebu agro-industrial and reclamation project. Romero was also recognized as among the company’s four pillars. Engineer Edmond Q. Sese, Engineer Victor S. Songco and Reghis “Red” Romero III were the three others. [caption id="attachment_182216" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Mark Roy Boado, RII Builders Vice President for Business Development and Community Relations welcomed the guests, officials’ and guests of RII Builders Inc.[/caption] Sese served as president during the company’s birth-pain years, from 1990 to 1999, while Romero III took the leadership reins from 2005 to 2006. “Let us toast to signify our commitment to build better lives. Cheers to everybody!” Romero said. The post R-II Builders marks 35 years of excellence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. warns N. Korea on arming Russia
North Korea would pay a price. This was the warning of the United States to Pyongyang if it forges a weapons deal with Russia. The White House issued the threat in Washington on Tuesday ahead of a looming talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. US President Joe Biden’s national security advisor Jake Sullivan has said that Pyongyang could trade munitions and missiles to Russia for satellite and nuclear submarine technology as well as food. Sullivan said Tuesday Russia could use weapons from North Korea to attack food supplies and heating infrastructure heading into winter to “try to conquer territory that belongs to another sovereign nation.” “This is not going to reflect well on North Korea and they will pay a price for this in the international community,” Sullivan said without elaborating. The Kremlin declined to comment on the reported summit between Kim and Putin in Vladivostok. The US warned last week that Russia was already in secret talks with the North to acquire a range of munitions and supplies for Moscow’s war effort. The post U.S. warns N. Korea on arming Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Strong post-pandemic market drives up Lazada investments
Lazada, a pioneering e-commerce platform, has committed to sustaining serious investments in the Philippine market as the appetite for online shopping remains strong, especially in the post-pandemic landscape. Lazada Chief Executive Officer Carlos Barrera conveyed at a recent media event that the e-commerce giant has been heavily investing in its local operations. “We are proud to have such a strong seller community, and we are confident we can achieve even more success together. We have been focusing our investments in key areas that will allow our partners to grow faster and gain more market share, and we want everyone to win," Barrera said. "We are happy to reaffirm our partnership not only during this Mega Campaign season but the rest of the year,” he added. Aside from ramping up investments, he said Lazada has also boosted its sellers’ growth by providing winning strategies that enable them to stay ahead of new waves of competitors in the online shopping industry. By fostering a highly engaged and resilient seller community, Lazada continues to initiate networking events and training and invest in innovative all-around marketing tools that would give sellers an advantage in the digital marketplace. Lazada has been rolling out more promotions, such as the Cashback program, which has been effective in keeping customers loyal, as they earn back a percentage of the money they spend while shopping on Lazada. With #MasMabilisSaLazada, its banner campaign for its unbeatable fast and free shipping services, Lazada has further cemented its position in providing a superior online shopping experience for both sellers and consumers. As an opening salvo for the Ber months festivities, Lazada users can enjoy the best of what Lazada sellers have to offer during the 9.9 Mega Brands Sale, with up to 90% Off Branded LazFlash Deals, Fast and Free Shipping, and Up to P1,000 Cashback. Lazada Group is Southeast Asia's pioneer eCommerce platform with a presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam through commerce and technology. The post Strong post-pandemic market drives up Lazada investments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Drones target Ukraine’s Odesa region ahead of grain talks
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) — Russia carried out a “massive” drone attack targeting Ukraine’s Odesa region, Ukrainian officials said Monday, damaging a grain export hub on the Danube river. The strikes came hours before a summit in Russia between President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hopes to revive a grain deal Moscow exited in July aiming to safeguard Ukraine’s Black Sea exports. “Seventeen drones were shot down by our air defense forces,” regional governor Oleg Kiper wrote on Telegram, adding there were no civilian casualties. “But, unfortunately, there are also hits,” he said. “In several settlements of Izmail district, warehouses and production buildings, agricultural machinery and equipment of industrial enterprises were damaged.” The Danube river port of Izmail, which borders NATO member Romania, has become a main export route for Ukrainian products following Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered grain deal. Ukraine’s military said Russia had used Iranian-made Shahed drones in the “massive” overnight attack, which “was directed at the civil infrastructure of the area of the Danube.” The strikes come a day after Ukraine fought off a barrage of Russian drones in the same region, with Russia’s army saying Sunday it had targeted fuel storage facilities in the Danube port town of Reni. Also on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he was replacing Kyiv’s defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for “new approaches” a year and a half into Russia’s invasion. Zelensky has nominated Rustem Umerov, who has been head of the State Property Fund since last year, to replace Reznikov — subject to approval by Ukraine’s parliament. Umerov, a leading member of the Crimean Tatar community, has represented his country in sensitive negotiations with Russia. Earlier on Monday, Russia said it destroyed four Ukrainian military boats carrying troops in the Black Sea. “Naval aviation aircraft of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed 4 ‘Willard Sea Force’ US-made high-speed military boats with landing groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Russia’s defense ministry said on Telegram. The post Drones target Ukraine’s Odesa region ahead of grain talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rotaract Club Makati holds 18th induction, handover ceremonies
The induction ceremony, held at the Makati Rotary Club Foundation Building in Guadalupe, Viejo, Makati City, was a grand affair that brought together distinguished Rotarians including District Governor Nominee Reginald Alberto “Reggie” Nolido; Rotary Club of Makati president Senen “Bing” Matoto; New Generation director, James Julian Lim; Rotarian Filomeno “Boy” Arteche; Rotaractors and friends. The event began with a warm welcome by past president April Jan Sembrano who expressed his enthusiasm regarding a busy year ahead for the new set of officers, even as he highlighted particular instances of service in the community provided by the Club during his leadership. RC-Makati president Senen “Bing” Matoto” then gave the keynote address in which he emphasized the bringing of hope to the world through service. Saturday evening’s event was highlighted by the installation of the Club’s new officers who come from various backgrounds but are all driven by the common goal of making a positive impact in the community. The ceremony was officiated by Director Lim. A touching moment was when all four newly inducted members, Darlah Marcela S. Leonardo, Jazmin Faye A. Berrame, John Martin R. Revilla and Shania M. Tumbagahan took the Rotaract pledge. With their right hands raised, they vowed to uphold the principles of Rotaract, which is particularly focused on community service, professional development and fellowship. That moment symbolized the collective commitment of the club members to work together for a better Makati. As the ceremony came to a close, outgoing president John Nicole dela Cruz delivered his Valedictory Address followed by incoming president Adrian Emmanuel Manuel’s sharing of the Club’s plans and objectives set for this Rotary year. The initiatives will include community service projects, leadership development workshops, and partnerships. “The Rotaract Club of Makati is determined to be a force for positive change, and its members are all eager to roll up their sleeves and get to work,” said Manuel in his speech. Clearly, the induction ceremony held last Saturday by the Rotaract Club of Makati was an inspiring testament to the power of young adults coming together with a shared purpose. Rotaract is a service club for young people ages 18 and up who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in a community and beyond while developing leadership skills and making friends from around the world. The Clubs decide how to organize and run their own affairs, manage their funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects that are important to their communities. Rotaract Clubs are members of Rotary International; mother clubs, e.g., Rotary Club of Makati, sponsoring Rotaract Clubs, offer guidance and support and work as partners in service. The post Rotaract Club Makati holds 18th induction, handover ceremonies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bringing tourism and hospitality to a green future
A dynamic power couple has been creating waves in the Philippines’ hotel industry with their innovative approach to sustainable tourism. [caption id="attachment_175626" align="aligncenter" width="1284"] Don Ramon and Alessandra Bagatsing’s family.[/caption] Don Ramon and Alessandra Bagatsing, the creative minds behind the pioneering green service hotel company, Eco Hotel, are redefining sustainable travel adventures. Their journey began in the world of real estate, but it was Alessandra’s desire for a passion project that led to the inception of something truly remarkable. Alessandra, chief executive officer of the CA Hernandez Development Group, the holding company for BookExpress.com and Eco Hotels, shared, “Originally, we were both in real estate, but I wanted something that was different. A passion project where I could put my creative talent and real estate development skills together.” This fusion of inventiveness and commercial savvy gave rise to the idea for Eco Hotel, a sustainable company that values the environment, society and the communities it serves. Eco Hotel, founded in 2015, was born out of Alessandra’s commitment to ecotourism and environmental preservation. She and her husband, Don Ramon, a professor of Economics and Finance at De La Salle University and founder of Sampaloc Holding Corporation, joined forces to create a noteworthy project. Alessandra’s advocacy for sustainable growth, purposeful profit and community development found harmony with Don’s spatial intelligence and keen grasp of business and financial affairs. Their first hotel, The Cabins by Eco Hotel in Tagaytay, was designed to be more than just an accommodation. It was a testament to their vision of responsible tourism. “We saw the potential of tourism in the Philippines,” Don Ramon explained. “We believe tourism is a sunrise industry, especially with the growing population of Millennials and Gen Z who love to explore.” Their strategy also made an impact on the local community by involving them in the hotel’s operations and sourcing supplies from nearby businesses. Alessandra’s resourcefulness and creative ingenuity were evident in the hotel’s unique design. From repurposed wine bottles transformed into light fixtures to furniture crafted from unconventional materials, the Eco Hotel concept celebrated sustainability on every level. The dedication extended to architectural features, such as rainwater catchment and solar power, all contributing to the overall ethos of an Eco Hotel. Over time, the Eco Hotel brand expanded and opened more branches, including Dormitos.ph, which caters to young travelers seeking affordable accommodations. The couple also saw the potential growth of the countryside. “Manila is already a contained space,” he said. “The future is the countryside. We have no choice but to develop it.” Their strategic approach involved securing properties aligned with the government’s infrastructure plans. While their professional collaboration thrived, their personal connection remained the bedrock of their success. “She’s always right. What’s hers is hers and what’s mine is hers,” quipped Don Ramon. Their ability to overcome obstacles while relying on one another and their team showed how well they worked together. They were all dedicated to improving the community where they operate. Looking ahead, the couple envisioned an even brighter future for Eco Hotel, with plans to expand their presence while continuing to focus on sustainability and community engagement. They highlighted the growth of their food and beverage selections, stating, “In the next three to five years, we’ll probably have 10 restaurants and maybe 30 hotels and around 20 commercial buildings.” The Surf Kamp Caliraya Lake, the Containers Tagaytay, the Cabins Tagaytay, the Villas Mataasnakahoy Batangas and the Suites El Nido are all under the Eco Hotel banner. El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Cloud9 Siargao all have Pops District commercial pedestrian streets nearby. Their journey, much like their hotels, is about more than just a destination; it’s about creating a sustainable legacy and a better green future for all. The post Bringing tourism and hospitality to a green future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»