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Philippines, Japan, US foreign officials prepare for tri-summit
As the Philippines prepares for a trilateral summit with Japan and the US on April 11, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met on Thursday in Tokyo with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Okano Masataka and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to discuss regional security issues and economic cooperation......»»
Call for nominations: University of the Philippines launches search for outstanding alumni
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) has announced the deadline of April 1, 2024 for the submission of nominations to the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards 2024......»»
Team Secret grouped with tough foes in VCT Pacific Stage 1
Riot Games has announced more details for the upcoming Valorant Champions Tour, VCT Pacific Stage 1, happening from April 6 until May 12, with the top three teams from this stage, advancing to Valorant Masters Shanghai......»»
MMDA: Ban on e-bikes, e-trikes starts April 15
Electric bicycles and e-tricycles will be banned from traversing major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region beginning April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced yesterday......»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0930 GMT, Nov. 9
TOKYO -- SoftBank Group Corp. on Thursday announced a net loss of 1.41 trillion yen (9.3 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of fiscal 2023, or the April-September period. The figure expanded from a net loss of 129.1 billion yen booked a year earlier, with the losses in the recording period attributed in part to a fall in the value of its investment portfolio, the group reported. (Japan-SoftBank-Results).....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0930 GMT, Nov. 9
TOKYO -- SoftBank Group Corp. on Thursday announced a net loss of 1.41 trillion yen (9.3 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of fiscal 2023, or the April-September period. The figure expanded from a net loss of 129.1 billion yen booked a year earlier, with the losses in the recording period attributed in part to a fall in the value of its investment portfolio, the group reported. (Japan-SoftBank-Results).....»»
Popoy and Basha singing Ben& Ben? ‘One More Chance’ to become a PETA musical
Before the emergence of hugot and modern love in Filipino films, an entire generation of Filipinos bawled their eyes out as Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz threw heartbreaking lines against each other and tried mending their broken relationship in the Cathy Garcia-Molina film One More Chance. Now the classic film will become a musical courtesy of the stalwart theater group Philippine Educational Theater Association, which announced on 22 October, during the closing night of its latest musical Walang Aray, that it was developing the material into One More Chance, The Musical. What’s more, the upcoming show opening in April 2024 at the PETA Theater Center will use the music of Ben&Ben, one of the country’s most popular contemporary bands, adding another layer of pop relevance to the production. Gio Gahol and Marynor Mademasila, who acted as star-crossed lovers in Walang Aray, a modern adaptation of Severino Reyes’ classic sarsuwela Walang Sugat, teased the announcement of the new production by recreating an iconic scene from the Star Cinema movie. Then out came Ben&Ben who performed their hit songs “Kathang Isip” and “Araw-Araw,” throwing the closing-night crowd into a frenzy. Following Walang Sugat’s successful run, PETA made its upcoming production social media-official. “Natapos man ang love story ni Tenyong at Julia, simula naman ng kwento nina Popoy at Basha. Kamay sa dibdib, mga mangingibigs! WALANG AARAY dahil muli tayong IIBIG sa susunod na handog ng PETA…” said its post, along with a photo of Ben&Ben surrounded by the Walang Sugat stellar cast. PETA has produced over 500 plays in the last 55 years, among them the acclaimed musicals Care Divas, Three Stars and a Sun and Rak of Aegis. One More Chance is in good hands with PETA as it transitions into a brand-new musical that can bring devotees of the beloved movie as well as a new generation of fans into the theater. The post Popoy and Basha singing Ben&Ben? ‘One More Chance’ to become a PETA musical appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Scammer slapped with charges
The National Bureau of Investigation announced on Sunday that it has file charges against an alleged scammer who promised an investor between 10 percent and 25 percent returns in her invested money. The charges of Estafa under Article 315, 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code for the alleged investment scam was filed before the Quezon City prosecutors office by the NBI shortly after the suspect was arrested in Quezon City recently. Investigation showed that the suspect had convinced one victim to invest P400,000 and promised it would earn interest ranging from 10 to 25 percent depending on the term/paid-out date. “Believing the representations of the suspect, the complainant invested a total amount of P400,000 paid on various dates starting from February to April 2023,” the NBI said. “However, (the suspect) failed to make good her promise to pay the complainant with the agreed pay-out of her investment despite numerous demands.” The unnamed complainant told investigators that the money she gave the suspect “was not really invested and that the suspect has no Securities and Exchange Commission registration.” When the suspect asked for P440,000 in additional investment, the complainant decided to file a complaint in the NBI, which promptly launched an entrapment operation. The post Scammer slapped with charges appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Regional economies slowing down — WB
The World Bank expects East Asia and Pacific economies, excluding China, to grow by 4.6 percent this year as the Philippines catches up with digitalization. The WB prediction is slower than the previous 4.9 percent estimate announced by the multinational financial institution in April. If China is included, economic growth in the region is projected to settle at five percent, the World Bank’s report from Washington said last Sunday. “This is higher than average growth projected for all other emerging market and developing economies but lower than previously projected,” the World Bank said. “The East Asia and Pacific region remains one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the world, even if growth is moderating,” World Bank East Asia and Pacific vice president Manuela Ferro said. The multinational financial institution said the region might continue to face challenges in supplies of goods as more typhoons hit the region in the fourth quarter this year and climate change persists. Geopolitical tensions The World Bank added geopolitical tensions aside from the Russia-Ukraine war threatens to further hamper trade. China, the world’s second largest economy, and the US have been exchanging export bans, especially on electronic and technology products. Meanwhile, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states are protesting against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. For these reasons, the World Bank said prices of goods and services might rise, forcing central banks in the region’s developing countries to raise interest rates to prevent inflation from accelerating further. However, this means consumers might cut back spending on certain goods and services, while businesses slow operations. Borrowing costs to remain high “Therefore, borrowing costs will likely remain high, constraining room for spending and raising the risk of debt distress in some countries. Furthermore, high indebtedness, combined with rising costs of servicing debt, will weigh on private investments,” the World Bank said. For its 2024 forecast, the bank is more optimistic that the region’s economy excluding China’s will expand from 4.6 percent to 4.7 percent. “Growth in the rest of the region is expected to edge up, as recovery in global growth and easing of financial conditions offsets the impact of slowing growth in China and trade policy measures in other countries,” the World Bank said. Philippine economic growth is seen to improve to 5.9 percent next year from a 5.6 percent forecast for this year. Meanwhile, China’s economy could shrink by 4.4 percent next year from a 4.8 percent estimate for 2023 due to persisting elevated debt, tamer demand for real estate, and aging population. Sustaining high growth to require reforms “Over the medium term, sustaining high growth will require reforms to maintain industrial competitiveness, diversify trading partners, and unleash the productivity-enhancing and job-creating potential of the services sector,” Ferro said. The World Bank reported digitalization and other reforms in government services in the Philippines increased productivity of firms by 1.5 percent from 2010 to 2019. Digital technologies, for example, can spread education and health services in the provinces to ensure a bigger pool of high-skilled and energetic workers. The post Regional economies slowing down — WB appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Governor’s fight vs EDCA
Despite political pressure, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba continues to oppose the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement or EDCA sites in his province. Since April this year, he has been announcing publicly his opposition. Mamba also urged Cagayanos to make a united stand and voice their opposition following the announcement by the Presidential Communications Office that EDCA sites were to be established at Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana and the Lal-lo Airport in the province. I had a chance to meet Mamba last 25 August, and he said he is against any form of neo-colonialism, which is perhaps why he is not in favor of having American military personnel, facilities, and structures in the country, particularly in his province. During the occasion, he was also commended by a retired Philippine National Police general. I suppose we are aware that Governor Mamba is under heavy political oppression due to his opposition to PH-US military relations and new EDCA sites. To Cagayanos, Governor Mamba is undoubtedly the national hero of the new century because his courage and determination are worthy of admiration. Observers said his opposition to the military ties with the US and the new EDCA sites had alienated him from President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., to whom he was once close. In early May, in reaction to Governor Mamba’s opposition to the new EDCA sites, House Speaker Martin Romualdez reiterated that the President’s determination to strengthen cooperation with the US with new EDCA sites was “unshakable.” There were rumors the Speaker asked the Governor to keep quiet on the matter. To Governor Mamba’s supporters, this was a severe warning and a humiliation from the President and the US. On 9 February this year, US embassy personnel met with an assistant of Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, named Agatep, mainly to get an update on Governor Mamba’s alleged “irregular vote buying” in the last election. During the meeting, dissatisfaction was expressed with the Governor’s public opposition to the new EDCA sites in Cagayan. Well, should the vote-buying case push through, what could we expect? Should Governor Mamba’s election be overturned, Vice Governor Vargas, who supports the PH-US alliance, would be the likely successor. A friend from the north told me that Katrina Enrile, like her father Juan Ponce Enrile, the Presidential Chief Legal Adviser, is pro-EDCA. To eliminate the local opposition to EDCA, Katrina Enrile allied with Governor Mamba’s political rivals — Vice Governor Vargas and the Lara family. Vice Governor Vargas met with Katrina Enrile on 19 April and stated that he had garnered the support of a majority of the provincial officials regarding the establishment of the two EDCA sites in Cagayan. The new EDCA sites were the President’s decision, and they should not speculate on this. Katrina Enrile’s efforts paid off, as the President appointed her Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of CEZA, the office that manages the Cagayan Special Economic Zone. Interestingly, the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 was proposed and drafted by Juan Ponce Enrile. On 7 April, representatives of the US government met with Mayor Florant Pascual of Lal-lo and president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cagayan Chapter. During the meeting, the American government promised to carry out energy projects through USAID and provide local assistance in exchange for Pascual’s support of the new EDCA sites. On 20 April, Pascual and 18 other mayors publicly announced their support for the new EDCA sites in Cagayan. Soon after, on 15 June, USAID representatives visited the Philippines and announced a $65-million fund for Cagayan and Isabela to support local energy planning and introduce renewable energy technologies, such as solar roofs. The US embassy said the communities near the new EDCA sites in Santa Ana and Lal-lo would also benefit from the grant. The post Governor’s fight vs EDCA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More than 50 killed, dozens wounded in Pakistan blasts
More than 50 people were killed and dozens more wounded in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday by a suicide bomber targeting a procession marking the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, officials said. A second suicide attack by two men at a mosque hundreds of kilometers north in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province led to a roof collapse that killed four people, officials said. While the celebration of the Prophet's birthday is accepted by the majority of Islamic sects in Pakistan and elsewhere in the Muslim world, certain denominations view it as an unwarranted innovation. In southwestern Balochistan, officials said a suicide bomber detonated a device as rallies from neighborhood mosques converged on a meeting point in Mastung, around 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the provincial capital, Quetta. "My feet trembled and I was thrown to the ground," said 49-year-old Hazoor Bakhsh. "As the dust settled, I saw people scattered in all directions, some screaming while others called out for help." Local hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of wounded, and provincial authorities used social media platforms to appeal for blood donors. The death toll kept climbing throughout the day. "I can confirm that the death toll has increased to 52, with over 70 individuals injured," Munir Ahmed Shaikh, the deputy inspector-general of Balochistan's police force, told AFP. Every year, mosques and government buildings are elaborately illuminated with strings of lights, and people march in processions to mark the Prophet's birthday. On the same occasion in April 2006, a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in the port city of Karachi after detonating a device at a gathering of Sunni Muslims. Surge in violence Friday's blast comes as Pakistan prepares for an election due in January next year -- while grappling with a political crisis, a crippled economy, and a surge in militant violence inspired by the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021. Jan Achakzai, Balochistan's minister for information, announced a three-day mourning period. Balochistan, Pakistan's least populous province, is also home to several militant groups fighting for independence or a greater share of the region's mineral resources. Hundreds of kilometres north in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, four people were killed after the roof of a mosque collapsed following a suicide attack. "Two militants, armed with automatic firearms, hand grenades, and suicide vests attempted to breach the mosque's security," senior district police officer Nisar Ahmad told AFP. "They were intercepted at the main entrance leading to an exchange of gunfire. One of them detonated his vest, while the other managed to enter the mosque's hall through a window." Ahmad said most of those inside had managed to escape as the shooting started, but the detonation of the second bomber's vest brought the roof down, killing four people. In July, more than 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a religious political party's gathering. Pakistan's Taliban have stepped up attacks against military and government targets since the return to power of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. But the group said it had nothing to do with the Balochistan attack. The regional chapter of the Islamic State group, known as Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), has also carried out attacks in the area in the past. "The attack on innocent people who came to participate in the procession... is a very heinous act," the interior ministry said in a statement. Separately, Pakistan's military said Friday four soldiers had been killed as they fought an attempt by TTP militants to infiltrate Balochistan from Afghanistan. The post More than 50 killed, dozens wounded in Pakistan blasts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Netflix sends out last DVD
Streaming powerhouse Netflix mailed out its last DVD on Friday, ending service after 25 years that helped the company grow into an entertainment behemoth. Founder Reed Hastings has often said that he started the company in a pique of frustration with the Blockbuster rental store that charged him $40 for returning the movie Apollo 13 six weeks late. Out of that eventually came the idea for a subscription-based DVD-by-mail service that let the customer hold onto the title as long as they wanted. Once viewed, the DVD was slipped into a prepaid envelope and sent back to the company, with the subscriber's next choice sent on its way in exchange. "In 1998, we delivered our first DVD. This morning, we shipped our last," the company said on its website on Friday. "For 25 years, we redefined how people watched films and series at home and shared the excitement as they opened their mailboxes to our iconic red envelopes," the statement added. In April, when the decision to stop DVD rentals was announced, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said those "iconic" mailings "changed the way people watched shows and movies at home -- and they paved the way for the shift to streaming." On its site, the company said the mail service accumulated 40 million unique subscribers throughout its run, mainly in the United States. The streaming platform currently has 238 million subscribers worldwide. Netflix said that the first movie mailed out was the comedy Beetlejuice and that more than 5.2 billion DVDs have been sent out since then. The most-rented DVD was the US sports drama "The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock. That feel-good movie, about a white family that takes in a Black homeless child, was released in 2009 when the DVD service was at the height of its popularity. That movie has since proved controversial after the former NFL star and subject of the film Michael Oher said the portrayal was exaggerated and filled with inaccuracies. The post Netflix sends out last DVD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
8 firms in Makati, 8 in Parañaque deliquents SSS contributors
The Social Security System on Friday announced that eight firms in Makati City and another eight in Parañaque City were cited as deliquents employers for failing to pay their employees' contributions. The citations came from SSS continued Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign, running against employers who failed to remit monthly contributions of their employees. The Makati-JP Rizal branch has served Notice of Violations to eight deliquents employers in Barangay Tejeros, who incurred a total of P5.25 million delinquencies consisting of P2.86 million of unpaid contributions and P2.4 million of penalties which affects the social security coverage of 105 employees. The employers include two industrial suppliers, a bakery owner, real estate agent, a private hospital, pharmacy, photograph production and a chemical distributor. Among the eight delinquent employers cited for non-remittance of monthly contributions, one of the two industrial equipment suppliers topped the contribution delinquency of P2.41 million broken down into P1.58 million unpaid workers' contributions and over P832,000 penalties for it's 46 employees from April 2022 to August 2023. In Parañaque, the SSS Bicutan-Sun Valley NCR South Division has served notice of violations to eight delinquent employers in Sun Valley and Merville where a total of P1.70 million consisting of P717,000 unpaid contributions and P983,000 in penalties were incurred by the erring employers that include a whole-saler of food and beverages, manufacturer, seller in non-specialized stores, laundry services, food services activities, retail seller of construction materials, salon owner, and manufacturer of miscellaneous articles. Their delinquency has affected 82 employees. The Run After Contribution Evades (RACE) campaign is an activity conducted by SSS to ensure that employers are complying with their obligations as stipulated in Republic Act NO. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. The post 8 firms in Makati, 8 in Parañaque deliquents SSS contributors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BALMING TIGER DROPS FRESH SINGLE ‘KAMEHAMEHA’
Seoul-based collective Balming Tiger has released its new single “Kamehameha” and announced its debut album January Never Dies, scheduled for release on 19 October. A diverse music collective taking its name from the famous Asian ointment Tiger Balm, Balming Tiger describes itself as a “multinational alternative K-pop band” with a desire to create an impact globally and carve a uniquely captivating lane for K-pop. The main creative vision of Balming Tiger is to reflect and represent the younger generation of today’s society, aiming to further popularize hyper-expressive Asian youth culture throughout the world while drawing inspiration from a wider spectrum of global influences. Bouncy and playful, “Kamehameha’s” experimental soundscape pays homage to the Korean drinking game of the same name, simulating the light-headed, overconfident experience of being heavily intoxicated. The track is produced by bj wjwn and features vocals and melodies by sogumm. The track’s stripped-back composition varies from previous singles, providing another stylishly diverse addition to the collective’s expansive discography. The AI-inspired single artwork and surreal, cinematic music video were created by Balming Tiger’s visual artist Chanhee Hong. This is the fourth single to be unveiled from its forthcoming album, following the widescreen “SOS” in April, the radiant “Trust Yourself” in January and “SEXY NUKIM” in September of 2022 featuring RM of legendary K-pop band BTS, which achieved record-breaking results including reaching #1 on Billboard’s ‘World Digital Song Sales’ chart. The music video for “SEXY NUKIM (feat. RM of BTS)” has surpassed 16 million views. Balming Tiger consists of performers Omega Sapien, sogumm, bj wnjn and Mudd the student (who recently appeared on South Korea’s most popular music TV show SMTM, garnering millions of views), producers San Yawn and Unsinkable, video directors Jan’ Qui and Leesuho, DJ Abyss, visual artist Chanhee Hong and writer Henson Hwang. Each artist in this ensemble expresses a different artistic identity and energy, as well as a wide range of versatility in crafting the group’s distinct visual world. This year, Balming Tiger will cap off its world tour in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Maho Rasop Festival on 2 December. The post BALMING TIGER DROPS FRESH SINGLE ‘KAMEHAMEHA’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bayani Fernando’s wake open
The family of the late former Marikina City Mayor Bayani Fernando announced that his wake is now open to the public until today, 25 September 2023. Last Sunday, residents were seen paying their respects to the former mayor at the Queen of Angels Chapel at Riverbanks Center in Marikina City. Personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority were also deployed to the venue to help out in assisting visitors to the wake of Fernando who also became chairman of the MMDA. Among those who went to the wake is Vice President Sara Duterte. The former Marikina mayor passed away on Friday at the age of 77, his wife Marides said. He served three terms as mayor of Marikina City from 1992 to 2001. Fernando then served as MMDA chairperson from 2002 to 2009. He was also the secretary of Public Works and Highways from January to April 2003. From 2016 to 2022, Fernando served as the representative of the 1st District of Marikina in the House of Representatives. In the 2010 elections, he ran for a national post as running mate of then presidential candidate and former Senator Richard Gordon. Fernando was born on 25 July 1946 in San Juan to Gil Fernando, who served as Marikina mayor from 1947 to 1951 and 1956 to 1959, and the former Remedios Constantino Flores. Fernando graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1967. He founded the BF Group of Companies in 1985. The post Bayani Fernando’s wake open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SMC power unit investors warned
“Thread cautiously” on San Miguel Power Global Holdings Corp., or SMPGH, an international think tank advised investors after assessing the prospects of the energy unit of the Asian conglomerate. The Detroit-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA, issued the call for caution due to SMPGH’s piling debts in contrast to its earnings. In a review of the dominant power producer, IEEFA said the company’s elevated net debt-to-earnings and potential difficulties meeting financial obligations “create additional risk of devaluation, particularly in the long term.” Likewise, SMPGH investors were cautioned about its mounting challenges in securing favorable funding terms due to its high fossil fuel exposure and high non-call risk for its sizable US dollar-denominated perpetual securities. IEEFA said the backing of parent San Miguel Corporation, one of the most diversified Asian multinationals, offers only “some comfort.” It said SMC’s own elevated debt and “business uncertainties will be critical to monitor” when assessing financial risks to SMGPH. Thus, due to its ongoing fossil fuel expansion, the company needs more strategic options to address financial risks in the near to medium term. However, IEEFA expressed the belief that an immediate material pivot toward low-cost domestic renewable energy represents the best hedge against exposure to imported fossil fuels, prices of which remain on an upswing. A compilation of the financial performance of the SMC units last year showed that only SMGPH tallied a huge loss. By the numbers Food unit San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. reported a P34.6 billion or 10 percent gain; beer unit San Miguel Brewery Inc., a P31.75 billion profit, up eight percent; SMC Infrastructure a P14.24 billion net income, 110 percent higher; San Miguel Foods, P9.218-billion profit, up nine percent; Petron Corp., P6.697-billion, a nine percent increase; Ginebra San Miguel, P4.547 profit, a nine percent growth; San Miguel Packaging Group, 42 percent growth at P1.648-billion, and SMGPH, P3.134 billion or an 80 percent loss. SMGPH controls 4,719 megawatts or MW of operational power capacity, making it the largest power generation company in the Philippines by installed capacity. As of April 2022, the company owned 21 percent of installed capacity nationally and 28 percent of the Luzon grid, the largest of the three Philippine grids. However, SMC announced a 2050 net-zero target at its annual general meeting in June 2023. IEEFA said, “implementation details are sparse.” SMGPH’s existing generation portfolio is dominated by fossil fuel power plants, which comprise 87 percent of its operational capacity. Hydropower accounts for 12 percent. As of August 2023, the company does not have equity interests in wind or solar assets, IEEFA pointed out. “Without a change in strategy away from dependence on volatile fossil fuels, the company may increasingly find itself locked into financial instability,” according to IEEFA’s study. Fitch Ratings research unit CreditSights issued a similar report last year, saying the rising interest and debt payments of SMGPH may affect the company’s key projects. “Given the worsening financial profile of SMC Global Power, any concerns over its hypothetical default raise fears of triggering a cross-default on SMC,” the report said. The highly leveraged operation of the Asian conglomerate was also a concern raised by Bloomberg Intelligence, which indicated that it may impair the parent’s ability to rescue its subsidiaries in a financial fix. The post SMC power unit investors warned appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sudan clashes spread to port city
Sudan’s army clashed with tribal militiamen in Port Sudan late Monday, the first such clash outside Khartoum of the rival groups vying to control the country. A shootout erupted between soldiers and militia under Beja tribe leader Sheba Darar, according to witnesses. Darar — who supported the army at the start of the war before raging against government officials moving to eastern Sudan — has not announced an alliance with the Rapid Support Forces. Heavy artillery and air strikes continue to rock the capital city on Monday, witnesses said. Thousands have been killed in fighting that has raged between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary RSF, since 15 April. Across Sudan, the violence has killed at least 7,500 people since 15 April, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The war in Sudan has decimated already fragile infrastructure, shuttered 80 percent of the country’s hospitals and plunged millions into acute hunger. More than five million people have been displaced, including 2.8 million who have fled the relentless air strikes, artillery fire and street battles in Khartoum’s densely populated neighborhoods. WITH AFP The post Sudan clashes spread to port city appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
And then there were three: SUGA next BTS member to enlist
It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later! On 17 September, BIGHIT Music announced via Weverse that SUGA of K-pop mega-group BTS will begin mandatory military service on 22 September. “SUGA will be beginning his required service on 22 September” the agency wrote on the fan community platform. “There will not be any official events taking place on the day he starts his service or on the day he enters the training camp.” “We kindly ask fans to refrain from visiting Suga at his workplace during the period of his service. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts only,” the statement continued. The statement concluded with the agency asking for the fans’ continued support until Suga finishes his military service: “We ask for your continued love and support for Suga until he completes his service and returns. Our company will also strive to provide all the support he needs during this time.” After wrapping up the encore for the successful D-Day: The Final concert tour in August, the agency announced that the 30-year-old rapper had terminated his enlistment postponement and would begin his enlistment process. Suga will be the third BTS member to enlist in the military, following Jin’s compulsory military service in December 2022 and J-hope’s in April this year. South Korean law mandates that all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 should serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. The post And then there were three: SUGA next BTS member to enlist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott
Professional women's tennis tournaments return to China on Monday, less than two years after the WTA vowed to boycott the country out of concern for player Peng Shuai and risks to its players and staff. The WTA tournament opening Monday in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou will be the first in mainland China since 2019 -- and while no top-20 stars are expected to attend, it is set to attract plenty of attention. The WTA suspended activities in China in December 2021, when former world doubles number one Peng briefly disappeared after making -- and then withdrawing -- accusations of sexual assault against a senior Chinese leader. Saying the issue was "bigger than business", the tennis body insisted it would not hold events in China until Beijing guaranteed the safety of Peng. "Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China," WTA chief Steve Simon said at the time. Peng published a long social media post in November 2021 saying she had been "forced" into sex during a years-long, on-and-off relationship with Zhang Gaoli, a married ex-vice premier of China 39 years her senior. She has since denied she accused anyone of sexual assault and described the situation as a "huge misunderstanding". Peng has not been seen outside China since the allegations were made. In April this year though, the WTA announced the resumption of tournaments, admitting its "principled stand... a powerful message to the world" had not been able "to bring about change". "It was, in my opinion, a complete capitulation, because it was pretty obvious to anyone who knows anything about China that China wasn't going to offer a free or fair investigation into the sexual assault claims," China-based sports expert Mark Dreyer told AFP. "I really do feel they've undone all that good will that they had gained by taking a principled stance." Dreyer added that the suspension had been largely symbolic as most international sporting events were put on hold during the pandemic under China's strict zero-Covid policy. - An economic choice - China is a crucial market for the WTA, given the quality of local infrastructure and investment as well as TV rights and sponsorship deals with mainland partners. "The choice to return is an economic one," Lionel Maltese, a former member of the executive committee of the French Tennis Federation, told AFP. "The income generated in China has a strong impact on the financing and income of all players." Before the pandemic, the WTA organized 10 tournaments in China each year -- with a total of $30 million in prize money -- out of more than 60 tournaments globally. These included the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, which in 2019 offered the largest tennis prize in history: $4.4 million. China is also home to five players on the world's top 100 list. They include 20-year-old Zheng Qinwen, world number 22 and recent quarter-finalist at the US Open, and 21-year-old Wang Xinyu, this year's French Open women's doubles winner. These stars have boosted the popularity of tennis in China, along with the market's economic potential. "If you have enough big names, the money will come, the tournaments will come," Dreyer told AFP. - 'Convictions' - The headliners in Guangzhou are likely to be world number 24 Magda Linette from Poland and Romania's Sorana Cirstea, currently world number 26. It is unclear if any players will be vocal about Peng, with Maltese saying there was "no leadership among players on ethical issues". "Very few athletes are taking a stand," he said. But France's Alize Cornet, ranked 99th globally, announced this week she would skip the tournament. "Staying true to my convictions and careful about my health, I decided that I will not be playing in China this year," she wrote on social media. Peng herself could make an appearance. After her initial disappearance from public view, she has made what appeared to be orchestrated appearances at multiple sporting events, including the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. ehl-tjx/reb/qan © Agence France-Presse The post Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Huthis, Saudis hold peace talk
A delegation of Iran-backed Huthi rebels from Sanaa arrived in Saudi Arabia Thursday for peace talks to end the war in Yemen. It was the first visit of Huthi officials to Riyadh since the neighboring country led a military intervention in Yemen in 2015 to restore the government they ousted the year prior. Saudi state TV Al Ekhbariya said the talks, which come after a Saudi team visited Sanaa in April, were aimed at “finding a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.” Also on the agenda of the talks are finding a comprehensive ceasefire and moving from the stage of conflicts to stability, it said. Huthis’ political chief, Mahdi al-Mashat, said via the rebels’ Saba news agency that the delegation will continue consultations “Peace was and still is our first option and everyone must work to achieve it,” Al-Mashat said. A United Nations-brokered, six-month ceasefire that expired last October is still largely holding but moves towards peace have been slow since the Saudi delegation left Sanaa without an agreement five months ago. The Yemen conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and forced millions from their homes, causing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in a country already pummelled by decades of conflict and upheaval. Moves towards peace in Yemen were boosted when heavyweight rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran announced a surprise rapprochement in March, seven years after they broke off ties. The Huthi demands include payment of their civil servants’ salaries by the displaced Yemeni government, and the launch of new destinations from Sanaa airport, which was closed until last year when commercial flights resumed to Jordan and Egypt. WITH AFP The post Huthis, Saudis hold peace talk appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»