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Solving China, Russia
Dear Editor Seeing the problem for what it truly is means half solving it. Both Russia and China have stubborn false views/beliefs and false historical narratives, coupled with avarice, in coveting what is not theirs. That’s the bottom line. Both nations need to see this. And that is the solution to the crises they have created, the peaceful way. Russia has harbored resentment against independent Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and hallucinates that Ukraine is still part of “Mother Russia,” as opposed to the historic Act signed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk on 8 December 1991, recognizing Ukraine as an independent country. It was overwhelmingly approved by the people (90 percent) of Ukraine in a referendum even before the formal accord declaring their independence. China, for its part, in claiming almost all (90 percent) of the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea has only its own fabled “nine-dash line” to back up and defend its robbery or its continuing illegal occupation of the disputed sea. Studies and research by international experts and history professors disprove the “line.” Can we imagine if all nations created their own story and map artwork of the “nine-dash line” to invade neighboring territories? The situation in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China is no different from the ongoing senseless, savage Russia-Ukraine war which Russia started and continues to inflame. It is a war better called the “Russia War.” May sanity prevail and humanity in humans triumph. Stop the bloodshed. China’s bullying is not limited to its bullying of our fishermen. It is depictive of its impudence and defiance of international law, more so its disrespect and contempt for our ethos and dignity as a people and nation. Imperious. BBM would do well to take every “goodwill” gesture of China to the Philippines with a grain of salt, if not view it as an act of ill will. Any help, aid, or “trade cooperation” China has offered and may offer in the future is and would be meaningless, and could be construed as fraught with bad intentions — unless they repent. China used to be a good friend to the Philippines, but not anymore. Dear officials of the land, beware of the present Chinese officials playing (subtle) the “forbidden fruit” game. Don’t bite the bug or the bait. Succumb not. What they are doing in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented and indefensible. Open your eyes. Be very careful in dealing with them until they behave and cease their aggressions and juvenile sweeping claims to the contested body of water. Go ahead, dear senators, with your proposal to bring the WPS row to the United Nations for another just, intelligent decision/resolution of the brewing time bomb (for the world) on account of the incessant robber of foreign territories. It is a wise move. There are only two “ifs” — two crucial “ifs” — for China and the world to ponder upon. One is, if China won’t still budge and recognize another international ruling, this time by the United Nations no less, then all nations, not only the Philippines, should brace themselves for the undesirable. The other “if” is: If the Chinese leaders can’t and will not really accept the 2016 ruling of the arbitral tribunal rejecting its “nine-dash line” myth, before the action/decision of the United Nations, the only remaining wise thing left for them to do is to accept reason and justness. By doing so, they may engage our country and the rest of the claimant countries involved in the WPS row in a dialogue (serious, transparent, and sincere) to reach a compromise “win-win solution” for all — for the sake of peace and the saving of lives, and the preservation of our planet. Play fair and humane. That is even wiser. “God will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” — Psalm 9:8 (NLT) The post Solving China, Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Review: ‘Sharper’ (2023): Terrific cast, plodding movie
From A24, home of award-winning indie gems, comes this visually gorgeous caper movie starring Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, and John Lithgow. [caption id="attachment_148673" align="aligncenter" width="642"] JULIANNE Moore and John Lithgow.[/caption] Sharper (2023), currently streaming on AppleTV+, opens like a romantic New York tale. In a small, quaint and dreamy Manhattan bookstore, the manager and owner Tom (Justice Smith) falls in love with a new customer — the bookish grad student Sandra (Briana Middleton). [caption id="attachment_148672" align="aligncenter" width="1021"] BRIANA Middleton and Justice Smith in ‘Sharper.’[/caption] It’s all cute, with moody, elegant cinematography from Charlotte Bruus Christensen (All the Old Knives). But considering it’s a crime thriller about con artists swindling their way in New York City, you brace yourself for the anticipated theft that will end their fairytale-like romance. The story is divided into four sections, each following a key character: Tom, Sandra, Max (Stan) and Madeline (Moore). All four people are connected. How they met, as well as their relationship, is slowly revealed as the story unfolds. Each chapter feels episodic, ending with a surprise. While the small and scattered plot twists are fun — albeit some of them predictable — they are not thrilling enough to get you excited for the big conclusion. In fact, after every chapter, I would pause to scroll through Instagram or Shopee, or play with the cat, then resume streaming when I’m too bored to do other things. But Sharper is not a bad movie. It has a terrific cast delivering competent, engaging performances, but it is often plodding, with its dry dialogue and twists that could have been more imaginative. Sharper is intentionally an understated crime drama. It is purposely slow-burn. No wild car chases, no explosive action sequences, just characters outwitting one another — with the movie trying so hard to outsmart its audiences. Who is sharper? Sandra or Max? Madeline or Max? The movie or you? Who is the biggest con artist? Written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, the movie’s focus is also entirely on the business of conning, not so much on character development — hence you don’t find yourself sympathizing with any of the characters. But for a feature-film directorial debut, it’s not bad at all. This is Benjamin Caron’s first venture into directing a full-length film. The Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA-winning Caron previously helmed episodes of hit TV series such as The Crown and the soon-to-be-released Star Wars: Andor on Disney+. Sharper, though, is sharper than most mind-numbing new releases on any streamer. It is worth the look, especially if you’re a fan of Moore — and the prolific Sebastian Stan, who is almost in every streaming movie nowadays. Also, it’s an A24 film — so it is a safe pick if you can’t find anything entertaining to watch. Neither outstanding nor loathsome, Sharper is borderline mediocre, but a decent time-killer. 3 out of 5 stars On Apple TV+ The post Review: ‘Sharper’ (2023): Terrific cast, plodding movie appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How ready are we to manage disasters?
A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization warned that global temperatures are expected to rise to record levels in the next five years, triggered by greenhouse gases and the recurring El Niño. With the current hot weather already a bane to many, and occasional thundershowers offering temporary relief, the scenario in the not-too-distant future looms as a threat more than a warning, as the chances of having the hottest days on record within five years appear to be a dead certain reality. “A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months, and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory,” said WMO Secretary-General Pro. Peterri Taalas. “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management, and the environment. We need to be prepared.” Despite the grim announcement, Taalas offers a ray of hope. We still have time to prevent the inevitable from happening; he provides to soothe doomsayers. This is not an impossible situation and is not irreversible, he adds. Strengthening weather and climate services to protect people from extreme weather conditions and new greenhouse gas monitoring will be on top of the agenda of matters to be discussed during the forthcoming WMO Conference scheduled from 22 May to 2 June. For our part, how ready are we to handle disasters of this sort? Are we equipped to face or institute disaster-reduction/mitigation efforts? There has been a lot of discussion on making a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive in the matter of responding to disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and droughts, among others. The government and the private sector have stressed that responses should be immediate and efficient, and emergency relief immediately followed by the rebuilding of destroyed houses or infrastructure or rehabilitation and livelihoods restored to the affected victims. The World Conference on Disaster Reduction mapped out a framework from 2005-2015 that adopted “five priorities for action: 1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation; 2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; 3. Use knowledge, innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; 4. Reduce the underlying risk factors; and 5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.” Considering that the Philippines ranks first in the world regarding risks associated with natural disasters and is “host” to an average of 20 typhoons annually, six of which are destructive according to a World Risk Index report, have we used these recommendations? Only a few years ago, five Northern Luzon town mayors were facing charges in the Office of the Ombudsman after they were found missing from their posts as Typhoon Ompong ravaged most parts of the islands, causing deaths and destruction in the aftermath. Many victims of past calamities continue to live in makeshift dwellings as they cannot rebuild their homes far from their workplaces and schools for their children. There is a never-ending line of displaced people seeking food or ayuda and a mad scramble for the same caused by disorderly or ill-maintained distribution systems. Donations are being ripped off and do not go to the intended beneficiaries. Instead of being disaster-prepared, we react as if these calamities are happening for the first time. In contrast, look at how neighboring Bangladesh, another developing nation in 6th place on the Global Risk Index, deals with the catastrophes that come their way. Its government has boosted community-focused risk reduction efforts, decentralized disaster management, developed partnerships, and enhanced community resilience by working together to reduce their vulnerability to the elements and participating in risk-reduction activities. Our local government executives should look up to their Bangladesh counterparts and learn a thing or two, reviewing their original mandates and responsibilities to their constituents. Old systems that did not work must be discarded or restructured according to the needs of the times. And the time to act is now before it’s too late. The post How ready are we to manage disasters? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ladies PGT swinging back into action
After a three-month break due to the spike of COVID-19 infections in NCR Plus, the ladies of the Philippine Golf Tour brace for a two-tournament swing next month with Sherwood Hills Golf Club and Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club, both in Cavite, hosting the second restart of the pro circuit......»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Marian Rivera takes on projects that her children can watch
With her upcoming primetime show, “My Guardian Alien,” Marian Rivera has added sci-fi to the growing array of genres — from drama, fantasy, romance, and action to historical and comedy — that the Kapuso actress has successfully ventured into thus far......»»
Rebelasyon ni Elizabeth Oropesa best kisser si FPJ: Basta napakasarap!
SHOOKT ang publiko sa naging rebelasyon ng premyadong aktres na si Elizabeth Oropesa tungkol sa namayapang Action King na si Fernando Poe, Jr.. Nag-guest si La Oro (tawag kay Elizabeth sa showbiz) sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong nagdaang March 26, kung saan game na game niyang sinagot ang maiintrigang tanong sa kanyang career.....»»
Flintlock: A Classic Summer Blockbuster – The Daily Guardia
A44 Games, a New Zealand-based developer, is set to release their highly-anticipated third-person action-RPG, Flintlock: The Siege Of Dawn. The game pays homage to the.....»»
Workers hold pro-wage hike rally today
Workers will mount a protest action today to push for the immediate granting of salary increases whether through legislation or wage order......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
James Yap fulfilled after record All-Star appearance in Bacolod homecoming
James Yap claims the record for most PBA All-Star Game selections, seeing action for Team Mark in an entertaining clash with Team Japeth that ended in a draw in Bacolod City.....»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
‘Mayor is transparent, consultative, action-oriented’
‘Mayor is transparent, consultative, action-oriented’.....»»
UN Security Council fails to pass US resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
In a recent session at the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a US draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing.....»»
Biden to Host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a sta.....»»
Don Escudero junior tennis tilt fires off
Junior tennis action shifts to San Pablo City, Laguna Thursday for the Don Arsenio Escudero, Sr. National Championships, where over 200 entries across nine age categories will compete for top honors and ranking points......»»
Undefeated Tigresses brace for 2nd round challenge
After snatching the baton from favored bets, unbeaten University of Santo Tomas has no plans of surrendering the leadership when it shores up its drive in the crucial second round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament......»»
Top taekwondo jins test mettle SMART/MVPSF CPJ national tilt
The country’s top and seasoned players, including members of the national team, and rising stars from the various clubs and schools, will see action in the SMART/MVPSF National CPJ (Carlos Palanca Jr.) Taekwondo Championships on March 23-24......»»
UC Takes Action Vs Teacher Who Encourages Students To Commit Suicide
UC Takes Action Vs Teacher Who Encourages Students To Commit Suicide.....»»
Live-action adaptation ng ‘City Hunter’ ipinasilip, aarangkada sa April 25
EXCITING news para sa anime lovers at manga fans! Magkakaroon na ng live-action adaptation film ang hit manga series na “City Hunter” sa susunod na buwan. Lalong pinasabik ng Netflix ang fans nang inilabas kamakailan lang ang official trailer ng pelikula. Mapapanood sa pasilip na iikot ang istorya sa karakter ni “Ryo Saeba,” isang top-class.....»»