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DFA launches e-Apostille service; first in Asean region
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA – OCA) announced that it launched an e-Apostille service for civil registry documents. DFA said the system will allow the public to apply online for e-documents and e-Apostilles from the Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA) without having to appear in both offices. Foreign Affairs.....»»
US warns China against armed attack on Philippines
Washington, DC [US], March 19 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China on Tuesday, stating that any "armed" attack on Philippine vessels in the South China Sea would activate a mutual self-defence agreement between Washington and Manila, underscoring the escalating tensions in the region that could potentially embroil the United States in conflict with Beijing, as reported by The New York Times. Despite th.....»»
China, Not Russia, Still Tops List of Threats to US
WASHINGTON - Russia's war in Ukraine - portrayed by top U.S. officials as posing a danger to the United States itself - still trails China when it comes to long-term threats to America's security, according to a top Pentagon official.The warning from Ely Ratner, the Defense Department's assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, comes in testimony prepared for a hearing Wednesday by the House Armed S.....»»
UN report warns of catastrophic risks to Earth systems
Melting glaciers, unbearable heat and space junk: a month before crunch climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, a UN report published Wednesday warns about irreversible impacts to the planet without drastic changes to connected social and physical systems. The Interconnected Disaster Risks Report identifies thresholds it calls "risk tipping points," defined as "the moment at which a given socioecological system is no longer able to buffer risks and provide its expected function" -- after which the risk of catastrophe increases significantly. It focuses on six areas that connect the physical and natural world with human society: accelerating extinctions, groundwater depletion, mountain glacial melt, space debris, unbearable heat and an "uninsurable" future. "As we indiscriminately extract our water resources, damage nature and biodiversity, and pollute both Earth and space, we are moving dangerously close to the brink of multiple risk tipping points that could destroy the very systems that our life depends on," said Zita Sebesvari, the report's lead author. For example: Underground water reservoirs represent an essential freshwater resource around the world and today mitigate half of the losses of agriculture caused by droughts, which are being exacerbated by climate change. But aquifers themselves are now depleting faster than they can be naturally replenished: Saudi Arabia has already crossed the groundwater risk tipping point while India isn't far behind. In the case of accelerating extinctions, the report highlights the cascading effects of extinctions throughout food chains. "The gopher tortoise, which is threatened with extinction, digs burrows that are used by more than 350 other species for breeding, feeding, protection from predators and avoiding extreme temperatures," the report said. If the gopher tortoise goes extinct, the gopher frog that helps control insect populations will likely follow, triggering effects throughout the entire forest ecosystem of the southeastern United States. Mountain glaciers that store vast amounts of freshwater meanwhile are melting twice as fast as they did in the past two decades. "Peak water" -- the point when a glacier produces its maximum amount of water runoff due to melting -- has been reached or is expected to be reached within the next ten years across small glaciers in Central Europe, Western Canada and South America. "The 90,000+ glaciers of the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains are at risk, and so are the nearly 870 million people that rely on them," the report said. In the case of space junk, the report warns Earth's orbit is in danger of becoming so full of debris that a collision triggers a chain reaction that threatens humanity's ability to operate satellites -- including those that provide vital early warning monitoring against disasters. The report finds most solutions currently being implemented focus on delaying problems rather than genuinely addressing the root causes. "We need to understand the difference between adapting to risk tipping points and avoiding them, and between actions that delay looming risks and those that move us towards transformation," it said. The post UN report warns of catastrophic risks to Earth systems appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tanduay optimistic about entry into competitive Taiwan rum market
Tanduay has a positive outlook about its entry into Taiwan amid stiff competition from other rum brands. “Based on early reviews, we think that the brand will perform well since the Taiwanese market already has a sophisticated taste and is very accepting of brands that offer them something new and unique,” said Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development manager and senior brand manager. He compared the Taiwanese rum market to that of Singapore where people are willing to spend on quality spirits and cocktails. In entering Taiwan, Tanduay partnered with the distributor, Mr. Mixer, Ltd., one of the leading spirits and other liquor distributors in the country. “They believe in the brands and they share our passion for bringing our world-class rums to the Taiwan market,” Ngo said. Mr. Mixer, Ltd recently held a grand launch of Tanduay at Driftwood Bar in Ximending District and invited Taiwan’s premier mixologists Mars Chang and the members of “To Infinity and Beyond Team”, the 2021 World Class competition Taiwan champions, to showcase their outstanding mixology skills as they infused Tanduay rums into unique signature cocktails. Seven world-class rums Tanduay is making its award-winning and best-selling rums available in Taiwan. These include the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Tanduay Double Rum, Boracay Rum Coconut, Boracay Rum Cappuccino, Tanduay Dark and Tanduay White. Ngo said they are currently focused on opening and partnering with on-trade accounts to feature their brands and for consumers to try. “At the same time, we are having discussions with big chain accounts for them to carry Tanduay rums in their stores. We are also planning to join the Tainan Cocktail Event on 20-21 October to feature our brands more to local consumers,” he said. The brand’s international business has been on a steady growth trajectory in recent years. Taiwan is the 19th country where Tanduay rums are being sold. In Asia, it is already available in China, Singapore, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe it is being distributed in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Austria, Poland, Georgia, Armenia and the Czech Republic. It is also available in the United States and Canada in Northern America and Costa Rica in Central America. Apart from its increasing global footprint, Tanduay has received numerous accolades from international competitions, such as the World’s Number 1 Rum recognition from Drinks International Magazine for six consecutive years, and Brand of the Year from the World Branding Awards. Not one to rest on its laurels, Tanduay is eyeing further international expansion in the coming months. The post Tanduay optimistic about entry into competitive Taiwan rum market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BayaniPay expands North American reach
Backed by an additional funding round of $2.1 million, Filipino-owned financial technology firm BayaniPay is expanding its services in North America to better serve more Asian American immigrants. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, BayaniPay CEO Winston Damarillo said the company will leverage the large concentration of Filipinos in Canada to grow its reach. Filipino immigrants in Canada recorded a population of almost one million in 2021, while Filipino immigrants in the United States or US numbered around 2 million, comprising more than 4 percent out of over 45.3 million US immigrants. “We aim to sustain this momentum and explore new territories. Our commitment towards improving and growing our platform is driven by the desire to make the lives of Filipinos easier, wherever they may be found,” Damarillo said. BayaniPay currently serves customers in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Alaska by allowing them to remit funds to their loved ones and make direct payments to service providers in the Philippines. Its platform allows customers to have easy access to a digital checking account, a debit card that maximizes their spending power, zero fee remittance fees, and market-leading forex rates. According to Damarillo, the company will utilize its new funding, which brought the total seed round of BayaniPay to $6.6 million to date, for the planned expansion. BayaniPay previously raised $4.5 million in seed funding, allowing it to scale its product features and explore new territories. During the first half of the year, BayaniPay saw its average transaction value surge to over P100 million per month, a huge jump from only P30.64 million in average transactions last year. Damarillo attributed this to the strong demand for cross-border payment solutions, including remittances as well as bill payments. BayaniPay thus targets to reach P1 billion in total transaction value before the end of the year. “We are on track to meet this milestone, as we continue to acquire more customers each month. The demand for BayaniPay continues to grow as more and more Filipinos see the value and benefit of convenience while allowing them to enjoy zero fees and competitive foreign exchange rates,” Damarillo said. Early this year, BayaniPay, in partnership with BDO Remit USA, launched its Buena Mano Rate program of $1 = P60 forex rate for its first-time remitters, which exponentially increased BayaniPay’s customer acquisition. The Buena Mano Rate program is applicable for up to $500 of every first remittance or first remittance in six months. BayaniPay plans to launch its loyalty program for active users this fourth quarter, which would grant them preferential high forex rates as incentives. As of end-June, BayaniPay recorded a 36-percent growth in new users. It is also strengthening its partnerships with other institutions to further expand its portfolio of services. BayaniPay targets to increase its current 10,000 user base to 100,000 in the next two years. The post BayaniPay expands North American reach appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
United Airlines joins Travel Sale Expo 2023
One Klik Events recently signed a partnership agreement with United Airlines for its participation, as one of its sponsors in the Travel Sale Expo 2023 scheduled on 29 September 2023 to 1 October 2023 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. One Klik Events is the organizer of Travel Sale Expo 2023 which is co-presented by UnionBank of the Philippines. The Travel Sale Expo 2023 will host about 150 exhibitors from the different stakeholders of the travel industry like travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, cruise liners, tour operators, travel insurance, amusement parks, museums and retailers of travel-related products. They will have the opportunity to showcase their various travel services to the public at special and discounted rates. At the Travel Sale Expo 2023, United Airlines will get the chance to promote its latest travel destination. “United Airlines is excited to bring our direct non-stop Manila- San Francisco flight service in the Philippine market. We offer our customers not only the convenient nonstop service to SFO, but also more than 70 one-stop destinations in the mainland US, Canada and Latin America via the SFO hub. And we are excited to have the GTBA and Travel Sale Expo 2023 as the platform to offer this amazing service to our customers,” Pam Navarro, Country Manager United Airlines explained. Travel Sale Expo 2023 can be a good venue in promoting our sponsor’s services in the Philippine market. “We are very honored for United Airlines to join us in this event and this will motivate us to work harder in making Travel Sale Expo 2023 a success”, Ms. Michelle Taylan said. The post United Airlines joins Travel Sale Expo 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century ticked towards 100 Sunday, fueling criticism that government inaction contributed to the heavy loss of life. At least 96 people were confirmed to have died as of Sunday night, but officials warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs work their way through hundreds of homes and burned-out vehicles in Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." That was making identification difficult, he added, appealing for those with missing relatives to give DNA samples that might speed up the process. Pelletier said cadaver dogs still had a vast area to search in the hunt for what could still be hundreds of people who are unaccounted for. "We're going as fast as we can. But just so you know, three percent -- that's what's been searched with the dogs," he said. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to nonprofit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Questions are being asked about how prepared authorities were for the catastrophe, despite the islands' exposure to natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes and violent storms. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low." Yet the layers of warning that are intended to buffer a citizenry if disaster strikes appear not to have operated. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens sounded and many Lahaina residents spoke of learning about the blaze from neighbors running down the street or seeing it for themselves. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was dependent on handouts and the kindness of strangers, and was sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson and two cats. The New York Times reported Sunday that firefighters sent to tackle the flames found some hydrants had run dry. "There was just no water in the hydrants," the paper quoted firefighter Keahi Ho as saying. Roadblocks The congregation of Grace Baptist Church, which was leveled in the blaze, gathered Sunday in a coffee shop in Kahului for two hours of solace. Pastor Arza Brown led the service in his sandals, the only shoes that survived the blaze that destroyed his house. But the trappings of ministry were far from his mind as he comforted fellow evacuees. "That's one thing about getting together today -- just to be with each other and encourage each other," he said. For some survivors, the difficult days after the tragedy were being worsened by what they see as official intransigence, with roadblocks preventing them from getting back to their homes. Maui police said the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark Sunday, fueling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life. Officials updated the toll to 93 late Saturday but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned-out homes and vehicles in the epicenter of Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost completely destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." Among the ruins in Lahaina, a town of more than 12,000 and the former home of the Hawaiian royal family, an iconic, 150-year-old banyan tree remained standing but severely burned, AFP journalists saw. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he was "looking at" the possibility of visiting the island. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to the non-profit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens were sounded, and many Lahaina residents have spoken of learning about the blaze because of neighbors running down the street. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was depending on handouts and the kindness of strangers while sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson, and two cats. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low". Some residents who fled the flames have also expressed anger at a roadblock put up preventing them from returning to their homes. Maui police said members of the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Some residents waited for hours hoping to be allowed in to comb through the ashes or look for missing pets or loved ones. When asked about growing anger at the response, Hirono told CNN she understood the frustration because "we are in a period of shock and loss." Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll hits 55, expected to rise
A terrifying wildfire that left a historic Hawaiian town in charred ruins has killed at least 55 people, authorities said Thursday, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the US state's history. Brushfires on the west coast of Hawaii's Maui island -- fueled by high winds from a nearby hurricane -- broke out Tuesday and rapidly engulfed the seaside town of Lahaina. The flames moved so quickly that many were caught off-guard, trapped in the streets or jumping into the ocean in a desperate bid to escape. "It really looks like somebody came along and just bombed the whole town. It's completely devastated," said Canadian Brandon Wilson, who had traveled to Hawaii with his wife to celebrate their 25th anniversary, but was at the airport trying to get them a flight out. "It was really hard to see," he said, teary-eyed. "You feel so bad for people. They lost their homes, their lives, their livelihoods." The fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. "What we've seen today has been catastrophic... likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii state history," Governor Josh Green said. "In 1960 we had 61 fatalities when a large wave came through Big Island," he said earlier in the day, referring to a tragedy that struck a year after Hawaii became the 50th US state. "This time, it's very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that." Maui County officials said just after 9:00 pm Thursday (0700 GMT Friday) that fatalities stood at 55, and firefighters were still battling the blaze in the town that served as the Hawaiian kingdom's capital in the early 19th century. Pictures taken by an AFP photographer who flew over Lahaina showed it had been reduced to blackened, smoking ruins. The burned skeletons of trees still stand, rising above the ashes of the buildings to which they once offered shelter. Green said 80 percent of the town was gone. "Buildings that we've all enjoyed and celebrated together for decades, for generations, are completely destroyed," he said. Thousands have been left homeless and Green said a massive operation was swinging into action to find accommodation. "We are going to need to house thousands of people," he told a press conference. "That will mean reaching out to all of our hotels and those in the community to ask people to rent extra rooms at their property." President Joe Biden on Thursday declared the fires a "major disaster" and unblocked federal aid for relief efforts, with rebuilding expected to take years. 'Bodies in the water' US Coast Guard commander Aja Kirksey told CNN around 100 people were believed to have jumped into the water in a desperate effort to flee the fast-moving flames as they tore through Lahaina. Kirksey said helicopter pilots struggled to see because of dense smoke, but that a Coast Guard vessel had been able to rescue more than 50 people from the water. "It was a really rapidly developing scene and pretty harrowing for the victims that had to jump into the water," she added. For resident Kekoa Lansford, the horror was far from over. "We still get dead bodies in the water floating and on the seawall," Lansford told CBS. "We have been pulling people out... We're trying to save people's lives, and I feel like we are not getting the help we need." Green said around 1,700 buildings were believed to have been affected by the blaze. "With lives lost and properties decimated, we are grieving with each other during this inconsolable time," Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. "In the days ahead, we will be stronger as a... community," he added, "as we rebuild with resilience and aloha." Evacuations Thousands of people have already been evacuated from Maui, with 1,400 people waiting at the main airport in Kahului overnight, hoping to get out. Maui County has asked visitors to leave "as soon as possible," and organized buses to move evacuees from shelters to the airport. The island hosts around a third of all the visitors who holiday in the state, and their dollars are vital for the local economy. At the airport in Kahului, Lorraina Peterson said she had been stuck for days without food or power, and was now looking at a lengthy wait for a flight. "I don't know if we'll be able to get a hotel room, or we'll have to sleep here on the floor," she said. With a hurricane passing to the south of Hawaii, high winds fueled flames that consumed dry vegetation. Thomas Smith, a professor with the London School of Economics, said that while wildfires are not uncommon in Hawaii, the blazes this year "are burning a greater area than usual, and the fire behavior is extreme, with fast spread rates and large flames." As global temperatures rise over time, heat waves are projected to become more frequent, with increased dryness due to changing rainfall patterns creating ideal conditions for bush or forest fires. The post Hawaii fire death toll hits 55, expected to rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll expected to rise ‘very significantly’: governor
The death toll from a terrifying wildfire that razed a historic Hawaiian town is expected to rise "very significantly", the state's governor said Thursday, with 36 people already known to have perished. Brushfires on the west coast of Hawaii's Maui island -- fueled by high winds from a nearby hurricane -- broke out Tuesday and rapidly engulfed the seaside town of Lahaina. The flames moved so quickly that many were caught off-guard, trapped in the streets or jumping into the ocean in a desperate bid to escape. Governor Josh Green said Thursday the latest confirmed death toll of 36 would dramatically increase. "That number is going to go up very significantly," Green told CNN. "In 1960 we had 61 fatalities when a large wave came through Big Island. This time, it's very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that." An official update was expected later Thursday, but Green said the numbers would "go into the 40s today at the least." Lahaina on Thursday lay in charred, smoking ruins, with Green saying 80 percent of the town was gone. "There is no doubt everyone would describe this as though a bomb hit Lahaina," he said. "It looks like total devastation; buildings that we've all enjoyed and celebrated together for decades, for generations, are completely destroyed." President Joe Biden on Thursday declared the fires a "major disaster" and unblocked federal aid for relief efforts, as residents said they needed more help in a recovery that could take years. Bodies US Coast Guard commander Aja Kirksey told CNN around 100 people were believed to have jumped into the water in a desperate effort to flee the fast-moving flames as they tore through Lahaina. Kirksey said helicopter pilots struggled to see because of the dense smoke pouring from the huge fire, but that a Coast Guard vessel had been able to rescue more than 50 people from the water. "It was a really rapidly developing scene and pretty harrowing for the victims that had to jump into the water," she added. For resident Kekoa Lansford, the horror was far from over. "We still get dead bodies in the water floating and on the seawall," Lansford told CBS. "We have been pulling people out... We're trying to save people's lives, and I feel like we are not getting the help we need." Aerial photographs of Lahaina, which served as the Hawaiian kingdom's capital in the early 19th century, showed entire blocks reduced to cinders. Green said around 1,700 buildings were now believed to have been affected by the blaze. "With lives lost and properties decimated, we are grieving with each other during this inconsolable time," Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. "In the days ahead, we will be stronger as a... community," he added, "as we rebuild with resilience and aloha." Evacuations Thousands of people have already been evacuated from Maui, with 1,400 people waiting at the main airport in Kahului overnight, hoping to get out. Maui county has asked visitors to leave "as soon as possible," and has organized buses to move evacuees from shelters to the airport. The island hosts around a third of all the visitors who holiday in the state, and their dollars are vital for the local economy. Fires have also broken out on Hawaii's Big Island, but officials said they were under control on Thursday. The state's tourism chief Jimmy Tokioka acknowledged the tragedy but reiterated that the "rest of Hawaii is open." With a hurricane passing to the south of Hawaii, high winds and dry vegetation fueled the flames. Thomas Smith, a professor with the London School of Economics, said that while wildfires are not uncommon in Hawaii, the blazes this year "are burning a greater area than usual, and the fire behavior is extreme, with fast spread rates and large flames." The Hawaii fires follow other extreme weather events this summer in North America, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. As global temperatures rise over time, heat waves are projected to become more frequent, with increased dryness due to changing rainfall patterns creating ideal conditions for bush or forest fires. The post Hawaii fire death toll expected to rise ‘very significantly’: governor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rizal monument to be installed near Niagara Falls
The Filipino community in Canada has secured approval, after many years, for the installation of a Rizal monument in a park overlooking Niagara Falls, one of North America’s Seven Natural Wonders......»»
Taylor Swift adds Canada tour dates after Trudeau plea
US superstar Taylor Swift announced Thursday several Toronto dates for her much-hyped world tour after a plea from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not to skip Canada. Concert sponsor, Rogers Communications said in a statement that Swift will perform six shows as part of her "Eras Tour" in Canada's largest city and that tickets would soon go on sale for the November 2024 dates. Swift herself also posted on Instagram: "Turns out it's NOT the end of an era." "Miami, New Orleans, Indy and Toronto: The Eras Tour is coming to you in 2024," she said, with a photo listing Canada stops as November 14-16 and 21-23. US singer Gracie Abrams, the daughter of film director J.J. Abrams, will also be performing, Swift added. Swift's initial snub of Canada when the tour schedule was first announced had greatly disappointed her Canadian fans, and Trudeau apparently could not shake it off. In a tweet referencing the lyrics of Swift's songs, Trudeau last month urged her to fill the blank space and perform in America's neighbor to the north. "It's me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you," Trudeau said in a message on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that quickly went viral. "So, don't make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon." The artist had just announced the addition of new dates through 2024 to her consistently sold-out tour, which began in March in Arizona. She'd planned more than 100 concerts in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia, but not Canada. The bad blood risked turning Swift into something of an anti-hero in famously nice Canada. In June, a conservative lawmaker also lamented what he called the singer's lack of respect for the country and similarly implored her to save some dates for Canada. Swift's turnaround was the top story in most Canadian media on Thursday. She last came to Canada in 2018. The post Taylor Swift adds Canada tour dates after Trudeau plea appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe
Temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heatwaves and wildfires scorched swathes of the Northern Hemisphere, forcing the evacuation of 1,200 children close to a Greek seaside resort. Health authorities have sounded alarms from North America to Europe and Asia, urging people to stay hydrated and shelter from the burning sun, in a stark reminder of the effects of global warming. Near Athens, a forest fire flared in strong winds by the popular beach town of Loutraki where the mayor said holiday camps for youngsters had come under threat. "We have saved 1,200 children who were in the holiday camps," said mayor Giorgos Gkionis. Emergency services were also battling wildfires in Kouvaras and the resorts of Lagonissi, Anavyssos and Saronida near Athens. Several homes were burned in the area, according to footage from public broadcaster ERT. "The extreme weather ... is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies," said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible." 'We thought we'd escape' In Rome, where temperatures hit a near-record 39C on Monday, American Colman Peavy could not believe the heat as he sipped a cappuccino at a cafe with his wife Ana at the start of a two-week vacation. "We're from Texas and it's really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it's even hotter here," said the 30-year-old. It was already the world's hottest June on record, according to the EU weather monitoring service, and July looks to be readying to challenge its own record. China reported a new high for mid-July in the northwest of the country, where temperatures reached 52.2C in the Xinjiang region's village of Sanbao, breaking the previous high of 50.6C set six years ago. Heatstroke alerts had been issued in 32 out of Japan's 47 prefectures, mainly in central and southwestern regions. At least 60 people were treated for heatstroke, media reported, including 51 taken to hospital in Tokyo. In Cyprus, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C through Thursday, a 90-year-old man died as a result of heatstroke and three other seniors were hospitalised, health officials said. 'Oppressive' US heat In western and southern US states, which are used to high temperatures, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave roasted the region. California's Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, state capital Phoenix tied its record of 18 consecutive days above 43C (109F), as temperatures hit 45C (113F) early Monday afternoon. The US National Weather Service predicts similar highs at least through Sunday, while warning of overnight lows remaining dangerously elevated, above 32C (90F). "We're used to 110, 112 (degrees Fahrenheit)... But not the streaks," Nancy Leonard, a 64-year-old retiree from the nearby suburb of Peoria, told AFP. "You just have to adapt." In Southern California, several wildfires have ignited over the past few days in rural areas east of Los Angeles. The biggest, named the Rabbit Fire, had burned nearly 8,000 acres and was 35 percent contained on Monday morning, according to authorities. In neighbouring Canada, 882 wildfires were active on Monday, including 579 considered out of control, authorities said. Smoke from the fires has descended on the United States again, prompting air quality alerts across much of the northeast. Historic highs forecast In Europe, Italians were warned to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time", with a red alert issued for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Spain enjoyed little reprieve with temperatures of 47C in the southern town of Villarrobledo. Along with the heat, parts of Asia have also been battered by torrential rain. South Korea's president vowed Monday to "completely overhaul" the country's approach to extreme weather, after at least 40 people were killed in recent flooding and landslides during monsoon rains, which are forecast to continue through Wednesday. The post Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Drought scuppers salmon fishing season in California
Gazing out at San Francisco harbor from her wooden fishing boat, Sarah Bates looks glum. In happier times, she would head out to sea every morning. But for much of this year, she has remained hopelessly docked, due to a ban on salmon fishing as a result of California's drought. "Salmon is my main fishery and it's 90 per cent of my income," says the 46-year-old. In force since April along the entire coast of the Golden State, and parts of neighboring Oregon, the moratorium will last until the end of the salmon fishing season in September. It was brought in as the number of salmon expected to return to the region's rivers has plummeted close to historic lows. The decades-long drought gripping the American West, aggravated by climate change, has seen the levels of California's rivers drop, and their waters grow warmer. With many dams already constructed on these waterways, these inhospitable conditions mean salmon are struggling to swim upstream to reproduce, and their offspring often die before reaching the ocean. The ban is a significant blow to California, where salmon fishing generates $1.4 billion per year, and supports 23,000 jobs, according to the Golden State Salmon Association. On the San Francisco harbor front, several restaurants have been forced to import salmon from further afield, including Canada, in order to keep the popular fish on their menus. "Salmon is king... that's what people want," says Craig Hanson, a 60-year-old chartered boat operator specializing in sport fishing. "They're also a very spectacular fish to catch... the salmon is going to fight you to the end." 'Marine heat waves' In summers past, Hanson would take his boat out every day. This season, the sailor weighs anchor only four times a week He blames a lack of enthusiasm among customers for fishing halibut or striped bass. Despite the loss of income, Hanson approves of the ban if it helps the future of the industry, and is optimistic that salmon can rebound soon thanks to recent months of heavy rain and snow. Yet many fishermen fear another ban next year. "The Chinook salmon that are fished here in California typically have a three- or four-year life cycle," explains Nate Mantua, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "So when things happen to them in freshwater, as eggs or juveniles, we see it impacting the fishery two or three years later." The decline in salmon numbers has been precipitous for at least a decade. Low river water levels -- which authorities have tried to work around, by trucking baby salmon down to the ocean -- are only part of the problem. Between 2014 and 2016, the Pacific reached temperatures never before seen off the west coast of North America. "Marine heat waves" created "really poor growth and survival conditions for salmon", says Mantua. Deprived of cold ocean currents that bring essential nutrients, the fish fell prey to other hungry species. "It's not just a California problem. It's really the entire Pacific, except for a few exceptions," such as certain Alaskan species, he adds. 'Climate shocks' But in California, "our fish were already predisposed to being vulnerable to any kind of climate shocks," says Mantua. This is because the state -- with a giant 40-million population, and a sprawling agricultural sector essential for feeding the United States -- has relentlessly developed its rivers, in order to support its cities and farms. Due to countless dams and canals, salmon have lost 80 percent of the habitats in which they can spawn. Water management, and the priority afforded to farmers in central California, is now a major source of grievance for fishermen. In San Francisco, many are calling for water to be re-diverted into rivers, rather than supplying producers of water-intensive crops like almonds, pistachios and walnuts -- which are often grown for export. "When it comes down to it, water is more important for the fish than it is for nuts," says Ben Zeiger, a 23-year-old deckhand working on a local sport-fishing boat. Salmon fishers are waiting to receive financial compensation from federal authorities for this year's fishing ban. But their priority is efforts to improve salmon habitats. Along northern California's Klamath River, a giant project has just begun to demolish four hydroelectric dams, potentially reopening 400 miles of river for migratory fish. "If we don't fix the water policy, we're going to be here again" in future drought years, says Bates, back on the wharf. "Climate change is happening. And it's happening faster than I think any of us expected." The post Drought scuppers salmon fishing season in California appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trans fat ban iffy sans DTI-FDA deal
Even if the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health’s order is already in effect for manufacturers to reformulate their products to remove trans fatty acids or trans fat from their products, the DTI said it cannot mandate the pull-out of existing products in supermarkets nor supervise how traders are heeding the order. Issued in 2021, DoH Administrative Order 2021-0039 and FDA Circular 2021-028 and 2021-028A gave food manufacturers until 18 June 2023 to heed the orders to tweak the formulation of their food products and totally eliminate trans fat from their products. Speaking for DTI Assistant Secretary for Legal Agaton Uvero, Trade Undersecretary for Communications Kim Bernardo-Lokin said the full force of the order and circular should be imposed by the FDA and the DoH which have the power to do so. “The issue is under the jurisdiction of the FDA and the DoH. DTI cannot enforce the DoH and FDA regulations on its own in the absence of an agreement between the two agencies,” Lokin said. Based on the DoH and FDA order, food manufacturers were given two years to reformulate and remove TFAs from their products or face sanctions. Even if products with high trans fat are usually found in supermarkets and grocery stores that are under the jurisdiction of the DTI, Lokin said a memorandum of agreement is needed for them to check if the trans fat content of manufacturers’ products is reformulated, or pull them out from supermarkets and groceries. Products that are traditionally high in iTFA or industrial trans fat, include margarine, coffee creamer, instant noodles, and baked goods such as donuts and cookies, among others. “We cannot easily pull them out since many products in supermarkets have trans fat in them,” Lokin said. iTFA is created by adding hydrogen to oil and, based on medical studies, it has no known health benefits and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and stroke worldwide, estimated to cause around 540,000 deaths every year. 564 food products Last week, Michael Pelagio, a science research specialist at the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute chemical laboratory revealed that based on a chemical examination of 564 food products tested, 17 percent had high trans fatty acid or TFA content that was risky for consumers. He said oils and fats such as sesame oil and mayonnaise, unsalted butter, all-purpose cream, and bread and pastry products such as cookies and doughnuts have a TFA content of more than two grams per 100-gram serving. “Based on our results, 17 percent of sample foods contain more than two grams per 100-gram fat. 564 samples were analyzed for TFA content. Average results in the food category showed that fats and oils had the highest TFA content, followed by milk and dairy products,” Pelagio revealed during the DoST-FNRI seminar at the Dusit Thani Manila on Friday. On the other hand, Atty. Mikhail Millan of ImagineLaw urged the public to join in the effort to enforce the DoH and FDA orders and report any manufacturers violating the orders. According to the FDA, if a company violates a provision of the circular, it will be basis for disapproval of the company’s application for a Certificate of Product Registration, or if already issued a CPR, it will be a ground for suspension or revocation of the CPR, Millan said. Late enforcement The Philippines is already late in enforcing the ban given that the World Health Organization said new laws should protect more than 3.2 billion people from TFAs by the end of 2020. Many countries, including Canada, the European Union and South America have implemented bans or restrictions on trans fats in food products. Trans fat, according to medical experts, is the worst type of fat to eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats, which are artificial, raise “bad” cholesterol and lower “good” cholesterol. Cardiologists will always tell you that a diet laden with trans fats increases the risk of heart disease, the top killer of Filipinos, aside from hunger. The post Trans fat ban iffy sans DTI-FDA deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NUJP North America Marks the First Year of the Fight for Press Freedom
Distance did not become a hindrance for members of the NUJP (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines) North America chapter to soldier on and fight for press freedom on this side of the planet, the group now reaching its first-year anniversary milestone.On June 30, 2022 (July 1 Philippine time), twelve journalists and media workers from the United States and Canada joined the formation of NUJP-North Ame.....»»
Not ‘another cruel summer’: Trudeau beckons Taylor Swift to Canada
When US superstar Taylor Swift announced yet more dates for her much-hyped world tour -- but once again skipped Canada -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not shake it off. In a tweet referencing the lyrics of Swift's songs, Trudeau urged her to fill the blank space and perform in America's neighbor to the north. "It's me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you," Trudeau said in a message on Twitter Wednesday evening that quickly went viral. "So, don't make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon." The artist had just announced the addition of new dates to her consistently sold-out Eras Tour, which began in March in Arizona. She plans more than 100 concerts through the summer of 2024 -- in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia, but none in Canada. The bad blood risks turning Swift into something of an anti-hero in famously nice Canada. Last month, a conservative lawmaker lamented what he called the singer's lack of respect for his country and similarly implored her to save some dates for Canada. Swift last came to Canada in 2018. The post Not ‘another cruel summer’: Trudeau beckons Taylor Swift to Canada appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CJ Gesmundo: linguists still relevant despite artificial intelligence
Supreme Court Chief Justice maintained that despite the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the work and role of forensic and legal linguists will remain relevant in the judiciary. He said AI is not meant to replace linguists but to support and accelerate their work, in a speech delivered for him by Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez during the opening of the 16th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Forensic and Legal Linguistics (IAFLL 16) at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. A press statement issued by the Supreme Court’s (SC) public information office (PIO) said that Gesmundo “even acknowledged that AI can lend itself well to the work of forensic and legal linguistics in analyzing vast amounts of data, identifying language patterns even from large volumes of texts, and harnessing deep learning for more complex language analysis.” “Indeed, even with the torrent of such tools, we count on linguists such as yourselves to stay at the helm of the field—especially given the issues that are likely to arise when law, language, and technology intersect," he said. Gesmundo pointed out that with the promise of more efficient and more effective tools, “issues are already emerging in the context of artificial intelligence.” He cited as examples “the transparency and accountability of AI systems and their algorithms; biases that seep through from the datasets that AI tools train on; data privacy and security issues, especially given the kind of information involved in legal contexts; the reliability and accuracy of tools; possible ethical considerations, especially as these could impact the administration of justice; and questions over the admissibility of AI generated evidence in court.” “In navigating these issues, we will heavily depend on the expertise of practitioners such as yourselves; and in the coming years, we will look to you in the IAFLL to lead this endeavor,” Gesmundo stressed. He said the “work of the Judiciary in a multilingual setting requires a delicate balancing act between standardizing courtroom language for effectiveness and efficiency on one hand and making space for our native languages to ensure not just accuracy and fairness but also access and inclusion on the other.” The SC has initiatives geared towards access and inclusion relating to language. Gesmundo said that early this year, the SC “created a technical working group to draft rules for implementing the Filipino Sign Language Act in the Judiciary, which has been tasked to use Filipino Sign Language as the official language and legal interpreting for the deaf in all the public hearings, proceedings, and transaction of our courts.” Likewise, he cited the approved Guidelines on the Use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette, as part of its efforts to combat sexist language in the Judiciary. He said the SC “is undertaking efforts to enhance public access to information and legal services via social media. Access to Justice information sites with user-friendly, easy-to-understand language on court services and ways to access them, using not just English and Filipino, but also the most commonly used local languages.” The initiatives on gender-fair language and enhancing public access are crucial activities under the SC’s blueprint of action for judicial reforms – the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI). There are more than 130 participants onsite and online in IAFLL 16 from 20 countries including the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The post CJ Gesmundo: linguists still relevant despite artificial intelligence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MEZ waste treatment facility under construction
The construction of a hazardous and hospital waste treatment facility started this month inside the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. State-run Development Bank of the Philippines, in an agreement with Pacific Mactan Renewable Environmental Systems Inc., will provide 70 percent of the funding while the latter will shoulder the 30 percent equity. The loan from the DBP will be amortized over seven years. This P150 million state-of-the-art investment will cater to all waste produced at MEZ and hospital waste in Cebu province. This would reduce the cost of MEZ locators on their waste disposal and treatment fees and more importantly, enhance their environmental laws compliance. “With this innovative project, MEZ locators will no longer have to dispose of their hazardous waste on their own, which marks the commencement of a smart waste management and energy recovery system for the locators. This is in support of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s greening of ecozones program, reinforcing enhancement of the locators’ compliance to environmental laws,” PMRESI president Jesus Jayme Jr. said. The construction started this month and will be completed by September 2023. PMRESI is the local counterpart of Canada-based Eneco WTE Pacific Inc., the technology provider. Eneco pioneered the entry of Tops in the Philippines. Tops has been widely used in Canada and the United States of America, meeting both USA and European emissions regulations. These containerized oxidizers are used by organizations including British Petroleum, Shell, all divisions of the US Armed Forces, and healthcare facilities such as Washington Medical University and Michigan State University. With this innovative project, MEZ locators will no longer have to dispose of their hazardous waste on their own, which marks the commencement of a smart waste management and energy recovery system for the locators. The 2,000 square-meter treatment facility will feature a containerized Thermal Oxidation Process System that uses the thermal gasification/oxidation process to decompose carbon-based components of waste and reduce its volume by 97 percent. The facility can accommodate up to 15 tons per day of industrial, hazardous waste, and even hospital waste. This will be a sole treatment, storage and disposal facility inside MEZ 1. PMRESI will charge locators and nearby hospitals tipping fee for the use of the facility. MEZ 1 and 2 have about 200 locators. Presently, hazardous wastes of MEZ locators are collected and treated by non-MEZ third-party companies. In 2019, the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas slapped Davao City Environmental Care Inc. and a private hospital in Cebu with a fine of P250,000 and P110,000 respectively for illegally throwing medical waste along Mactan Channel. The post MEZ waste treatment facility under construction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»