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Bohol artist to receive Da Vinci International art prize
A Bohol-based visually impaired artist will hold his first exhibit in Milan, Italy as he was among the winners in this year’s Leonardo Da Vinci International Art Prize......»»
GCash sets sights on further international expansion
With GCash Overseas, Filipinos in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia can now download and use the GCash app, whether they have Philippine SIMs or local mobile phone numbers in the countries or territories where they live......»»
Nesthy leaves fate to God
Kapit kay Lord” was what Nesthy Petecio said when asked if she felt pressure heading to her make-or-break bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in Busto Arsizio, Italy, last week......»»
Philippines bans live poultry from Belgium, France
MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has indefinitely banned the importation of poultry and other poultry products from Belgium and France due to the outbreak of bird flu in the two European countries, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Tuesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the ban will immediately stop domesticated and wild birds from Belgium and France from ente.....»»
Philippines bans live poultry from Belgium, France
MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has indefinitely banned the importation of poultry and other poultry products from Belgium and France due to the outbreak of bird flu in the two European countries, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Tuesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the ban will immediately stop domesticated and wild birds from Belgium and France from ente.....»»
DA bans poultry products from France, Belgium due to avian flu cases
MANILA, Philippines — Due to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in France and Belgium, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has prohibited the importation of poultry products from these countries. In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said that both Belgium and France reported the outbreaks to the World Organization for Animal Health.....»»
Besides chocolates, beer, Belgium also a vaccine powerhouse
In this Flanders town in Belgium known for its strong local beer Duvel lies the vaccine manufacturing site of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, making its factory the center in the COVID-19 vaccine race......»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 1030 GMT, Nov. 8
YANGON -- Myanmar earned 271 million U.S. dollars from the export of 583,683 tons of rice and broken rice within seven months in the current fiscal year 2023-2024, according to the figures from the Myanmar Rice Federation on Tuesday. The Southeast Asian country exported rice and broken rice to more than 20 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and Belgium, it said. (Myanmar-Rice Export).....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 1030 GMT, Nov. 8
YANGON -- Myanmar earned 271 million U.S. dollars from the export of 583,683 tons of rice and broken rice within seven months in the current fiscal year 2023-2024, according to the figures from the Myanmar Rice Federation on Tuesday. The Southeast Asian country exported rice and broken rice to more than 20 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and Belgium, it said. (Myanmar-Rice Export).....»»
Belgian wealth fund managers to explore Phl investments
Belgium’s sovereign wealth fund managers are looking to visit the country to explore investments in Philippine firms engaged in a range of public services, the Department of Finance said Saturday. DoF Secretary Benjamin Diokno and officers of the Federal Holding and Investment Company or La Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement discussed opportunities in public-private partnerships in finance, aeronautics and mobility, health, utilities and impact investing. “Koenraad Van Loo, CEO of SFPIM, shared that the company is keen to visit the Philippines to explore partnerships in its priority sectors,” a statement from the DoF said. “SFPIM preserves the long-term stability of the Belgian economy by contributing to the anchoring of strategic assets through smart capital solutions for both promising and established companies,” the DoF added. According to the 2023 World Competitiveness Ranking, Belgium is 13th out of 64 countries in economic performance. The country is also among the top in business efficiency at fifth place and tenth in infrastructure. The Philippines, on the other hand, ranks 40th in economic performance and business efficiency, and 58th in infrastructure. Long-term economic growth President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to boost infrastructure development for national long-term economic growth through proceeds from the Maharlika Investment Fund which his administration expects to be activated before the end of the year. The Philippine sovereign fund is open to local and foreign investors in the public and private sectors, and aims to support 197 flagship infrastructure projects worth a total of some $155 billion. Diokno said the DoF has met with foreign government and business leaders at the European Union’s first Global Gateway Forum last 25 to 26 October in Brussels, Belgium to also discuss the Philippine sovereign fund. The Finance Secretary said he talked to the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries or BIO led by its chief executive officer Luuk Zonneveld. “Discussed were opportunities to finance projects in the Philippines that drive sustainable development, particularly gender equality, climate action, and decent work,” he said. BIO uses private funds to support small and medium businesses, and financial institutions also in Africa and Latin America. Confident in the administration Meanwhile, Professor Dindo Manhit of business consultancy outfit, Stratbase ADR Institute said he is confident the Marcos administration can attract more foreign investments in agro-industrial and digitalization through its participation in global economic meetings abroad. “By establishing strong links in the economic space, the Philippines can further solidify its role in the global supply chain,” Manhit said. “We are confident that this administration will continue to advocate for reforms that will ensure our economic growth to make the country a premiere investment destination,” he added. The post Belgian wealth fund managers to explore Phl investments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack
The European Union or EU and the Philippines are crafting a digital development program, set for launch next year to help the boost Internet speed and reach, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate more women into the digital economy. On Thursday, the Department of Finance said the two partners, along with other countries, are creating the Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Package. “The package has key elements on capacity building, regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable connectivity,” a DoF statement said. “The package, which is being considered for launch next year, will also help address the digital gender gap in the country by empowering women in the digital economy,” the DoF added. Connectivity partnership This global partnership on digital connectivity was recently sealed during the first Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 25 to 25 October in Brussels, Belgium. There were 40 government leaders who attended the forum, with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno representing the Philippines. Global Gateway is the EU’s largest global investment program, with funding of up to 300 billion euros to be used by partner countries from 2021 to 2027 to improve their digital, energy, and transportation infrastructure, along with health and education systems. During the forum, the EU and the Philippines signed a 60 million euros financing agreement to help the latter realize projects for climate change mitigation and digital transformation. Under its digital program, the European Commission already committed in 2021 to provide all highly populated areas of the EU’s 27 member-states with faster Internet through 5G by 2030. Less than one-third of these areas benefited from that Internet technology two years ago. Expanding use of AI The commission also aims to expand the population of the EU’s small businesses using artificial intelligence and cloud from less than half to 75 percent, and those with basic technology skills from 75 percent to 100 percent over a decade. The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, on the other hand, is developing 500 to 1,000 digitalization programs. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Mon Gutierrez said the government is doubling its efforts to realize over 10 percent of its total number of digitalization programs through public-private partnerships. Also conducted by the DICT are digital literacy campaigns for government agencies, private firms and the public to spur technological innovations and better digital policies. The post EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palestinian arrested in Belgium over talk of suicide attack
According to the Belga press agency, the young man was arrested around midday Wednesday in a Brussels hotel following a large-scale search operation. In early afternoon, the Brussels public prosecutor's office announced the arrest of an individual in the Belgian capital, without confirming that it was the individual who had been sought. The terrorist threat level in Belgium was raised last week from two to three, the second-highest level and considered "serious". This followed an attack in the Belgian capital in which two Swedish nationals were shot dead, and another injured, by a radicalised Tunisian. The attacker was shot dead by Belgian police on October 17, the day after the attack. Adding to the fears is the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas which was prompted by the unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israeli territory on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians. More than 220 others were kidnapped amid the attack, according to Israeli officials. Israel declared a war to "annihilate" Hamas, and has been relentlessly pounding the Gaza Strip. More than 6,500 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza. Against this backdrop, the threats made on Tuesday by the young Palestinian exile were taken very seriously. "We can't allow the slightest lapse in our precautions," said the informed source. The post Palestinian arrested in Belgium over talk of suicide attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How nations allow or restrict legal gender change
A small number of countries have made it easier for transgender people to change their legal gender, while other nations have restricted such changes, notably Russia and Pakistan. Here is a snapshot of the situation around the world. Exception, not the rule According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), 24 UN member states have legally allowed people to change their gender on the basis of self-identification. In about 40 other countries, the legal and administrative process can take years and may include requirements such as psychiatric diagnosis, hormone treatment, gender confirmation surgery, or even sterilization. Making it easier Argentina has led the way on transgender rights, allowing a change of gender on national ID cards with a simple declaration since 2012. Several Latin American countries have followed suit. Denmark was the first European country in 2014 to allow adults to apply for a gender change without undergoing medical or psychological assessments, with Belgium, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and most recently Spain following suit. Since 2017, France has allowed transgender people to change their status on their ID documents without treatment, surgery, or sterilization but they must receive court approval. The issue of trans rights sparked a fierce row in 2022 in Scotland, where parliament passed a bill making it easier for people to self-identify their gender that was sensationally vetoed by London. The German cabinet in August 2023 signed off plans under which Germans will be able to change their name or legal gender by making a simple application to their local registry office. The law still has to go to parliament. Hesitating Sweden, one of the world's most liberal countries, was the first in the world to authorize physical and legal gender reassignment for adults in 1972. But last year it began restricting hormone therapy available for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, such as puberty blockers, citing the need for caution following a strong increase in demand. It also restricted access to mastectomies for teenage girls wanting to transition. Finland in 2020 had already restricted hormone treatment for minors. Making it harder Russia adopted new legislation in July 2023 banning "medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person" and "the state registration of a change of gender without an operation". President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly railed against transgender rights in his speeches. Pakistan's religious judiciary ruled in May that landmark transgender legal protections from 2018 are un-Islamic and therefore void. An appeal is being sought with the Supreme Court. Pakistan continues to recognize the existence of a third gender, neither masculine nor feminine, as do India and Nepal. Restricting gender-affirming treatment, such as puberty blockers for minors, has become a major campaign of US conservatives. Arkansas in 2021 became the first US state to ban physicians and health workers from offering transition-related treatment to transgender minors. A federal judge in June overturned the ban. Around 20 states, including Florida and Texas, have passed similar laws. Anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Hungary has escalated during the rule of Viktor Orban's right-wing government. In May 2020, the country passed a law making it impossible for transgender people to change their name and gender on their ID documents. The post How nations allow or restrict legal gender change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Model by day, gangster at night’
The Bureau of Immigration reported yesterday that a Belgian male model wanted for terrible crimes has been arrested by BI Fugitive Search Unit operatives. BI-FSU Chief Randel Sy identified the fugitive as Kristof Debie, 38, who was arrested last Tuesday, 17 October at a hotel in Parañaque City. Debie claimed that he worked as a model and a bartender, but according to reports from the European authorities, he was actually part of a criminal organization involved in narcotics. Sy said that after receiving information on Debie’s criminal acts in his home country, the Bureau tagged him as an undesirable alien. Debie was the subject of an interpol red notice requesting nations to locate and arrest him, issued in March of this year. The Court of First Instance of East Flanders, Ghent Section, in Belgium issued a European warrant of arrest against him for a number of serious offenses, including the torture of minors, involvement in a criminal organization, and serious drug-related charges in violation of the Belgian Penal Code. In addition, reports from foreign news sources have described the heinousness of his actions, including one in which he amputated the ear of a 17-year-old teenager after misplacing a cocaine stockpile. In anticipation of his deportation procedures, Debie is now being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated that fugitives are not welcome in the country. “Fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines,” Tansingco said. “We are committed to upholding the law. We will not allow our country to be a safe haven for those who seek to escape justice,” he added. The post ‘Model by day, gangster at night’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Model by day, gangster by night: Belgian apprehended by BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that a Belgian model wanted for terrible crimes was arrested by BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives. BI-FSU Chief Randel Sy identified the fugitive as Kristof Debie, 38, who was arrested on 17 October at a hotel in Parañaque City. Debie claimed that he worked as a model and a bartender, but according to the reports from the European authorities, he was actually part of a criminal organization involved in narcotics. Sy said that after receiving information on Debie's criminal acts from his home country, the bureau tagged him as an undesirable alien. Debie was the subject of an Interpol red notice requesting nations to locate and arrest him, issued in March of this year. The Court of First Instance of East Flanders, Ghent Section, in Belgium issued a European warrant of arrest against him for a number of serious offenses, including the torture of minors, involvement in a criminal organization, and serious drug-related charges in violation of the Belgian Penal Code. In addition, reports from foreign news sources have described the heinousness of his actions, including one in which he amputated the ear of a 17-year-old teenager after misplacing a cocaine stockpile. In anticipation of his deportation procedures, Debie is now being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated that foreign fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines. “We are committed to upholding the law. We will not allow our country to be a safe haven for those who seek to escape justice," he added. The post Model by day, gangster by night: Belgian apprehended by BI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chooks 3x3 scores upsets
Manila Chooks! pulled off a giant upset yesterday in Doha, Qatar with a 14-12 overtime win over world No. 3 Antwerp TOPdesk of Belgium in the level-9 FIBA 3x3 EXPO Al Bidda Park Challenger......»»
Eala loses to Belgian foe, crashes out of Jasmin Open
Alex Eala bowed out of the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia after suffering a tough 5-7, 0-6 loss against Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the first round of the tournament......»»
Yulo misses podium finish in Antwerp
The Philippines’ Carlos Yulo finished fourth in his pet floor exercise in the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium Saturday, seeing the end of his streak of podium windups......»»
Luxembourg, EU’s richest country, grapples with housing crisis
Luxembourg's residents may be classified as the wealthiest in the European Union, but the sky-high cost of buying or renting a home in the country has made living there nearly impossible for some. The crisis has become the number one concern in the Grand Duchy of 660,000 people -- smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state -- as it goes to the polls on Sunday. Pascale Zaourou, a teacher and mother of three children, had to wait five years before being able to access coveted social housing. "On the private market, renting an apartment with two rooms costs at least 2,000 euros -- it's difficult with only one income," she told AFP at a recent demonstration in Luxembourg City. "Affordable housing is scarce, especially for young people and single-parent families," she said. Antoine Paccoud, a researcher at the Housing Observatory, which compiles data guiding government policy, backed up that sentiment. "More and more Luxembourgers are crossing the border to live in Germany, Belgium, or France just because rents and property prices are lower," he said. The situation is jarring for a country with a flourishing economy based around financial services. Net average earnings for a single worker in Luxembourg were 47,000 euros ($49,000) annually in 2022, according to estimates from the EU's statistics agency -- the highest in the bloc. 'Overshadows all others' In the capital city, new-build flats sell for 13,000 euros per square meter (around $1,300 per square foot) and older ones go for 10,700 euros. The average cost of a house is 1.5 million euros. Rents increased by 6.7 percent between June 2022 and June 2023, much faster than the inflation rate of 3.4 percent over that period. Philippe Poirier, a political analyst at the University of Luxembourg, told AFP that housing has become "the question that overshadows all others" at the legislative elections. He ticked off "the scarcity of housing and land, the cost of construction or purchase, and the high rents" as the key problems. The two major political parties hoping to spearhead the next government have pledged action. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel's Liberal Party promised to create a super-ministry for housing, wants to tax vacant properties more and invest in social housing. Socialist leader Paulette Lenert -- the health minister in the current coalition government -- is pushing for huge investments in affordable housing. 'Holding on to land' But the structural problems with housing run deep and changing them will not be easy. Paccoud said a lack of inheritance tax and only symbolic duties have encouraged owners to sit on land without developing it. "0.5 percent of the resident population, or 3,000 people, own half of the buildable land," he said. "These owners are holding on to their land as long as possible because prices are increasing." The economic opportunities on offer also bring in droves of foreign workers, which helps drive up the cost of the limited housing pool. Around half the people living in Luxembourg are not citizens of the country. There is a wide gulf in terms of homeownership rates between native Luxembourgers, at 80 percent, and foreign residents at just 50 percent. While many Luxembourgers have nearly guaranteed jobs working for state institutions, foreigners have to deal with the changeable job market. "Those who are at the bottom of the scale in Luxembourg are rather the resident foreigners," Poirier said. As a result, and despite the high salaries and an official minimum wage of 2,571 euros a month, Luxembourg ranks in the top three in the eurozone in terms of risk of poverty for single-parent families with one income, according to a recent report by the Chamber of Employees. The post Luxembourg, EU’s richest country, grapples with housing crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The only brief that is long
Jurisprudence holds that the right to appeal is neither a natural right nor a part of due process; it is merely a statutory privilege, and may be exercised only in the manner and in accordance with the provisions of law. (Fenequito v. Vergara Jr., G.R. No. 172829, 18 July 2012). An appeal being a purely statutory right, an appellant or appealing party must strictly comply with the requisites in the Rules of Court. With respect to ordinary appealed cases to the Court of Appeals (CA), Section 7, Rule 44 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure requires an appellant to file an Appellant’s Brief with the CA within 45 days from receipt of the notice of the clerk. According to the Supreme Court in Philippine Coconut Authority v. Corona International Inc. (G.R. No. 13991, 29 September 2000), the purpose of the Appellant’s Brief is to present to the court in coherent and concise form the point and questions in controversy and by fair argument on the facts and law of the case, to assist the court in arriving at a just and proper conclusion. Failure to file an Appellant’s Brief within the prescribed period is a ground for the dismissal of the appeal. (Section 1(e), Rule 50 of the Revised Rules) However, the SC clarified in Sindophil Inc. v. Republic (G.R. No. 204594, 07 November 2018) that the use of the permissive “may” in the wording of the above-stated provision means the dismissal of an appeal by the CA is directory and not mandatory. This means that the failure to file an appellant’s brief within the reglementary period would not automatically result in the outright dismissal of the appeal, as the CA is bound to exercise its sound discretion whether to allow the appeal to proceed or not. The SC explained that allowing the appeal despite the failure to file an Appellant’s Brief must be decided by the CA, taking into account all the factors surrounding the case. Its discretion must be exercised with due regard to justice and fair play under the circumstances. In several cases, the question of whether or not to sustain the dismissal of an appeal due to the appellant’s failure to file the Appellant’s Brief had been raised before the SC. In some of these cases, the High Court relaxed the Rules and allowed the belated filing of the Appellant’s Brief. In other cases, however, the Court applied the Rules strictly and considered the appeal abandoned, which thus resulted in its eventual dismissal. Finally, in Government of the Kingdom of Belgium v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 164150, 14 April 2008), the SC revisited the cases that it had previously decided and laid down the following guidelines in confronting the issue of non-filing of the Appellant’s Brief: 1. The general rule is for the CA to dismiss an appeal when no appellant’s brief is filed within the reglementary period prescribed by the rules; 2. The power conferred upon the CA to dismiss an appeal is discretionary and directory and not ministerial or mandatory; 3. The failure of an appellant to file his brief within the reglementary period does not have the effect of causing the automatic dismissal of the appeal; 4. In case of late filing, the appellate court has the power to still allow the appeal; however, for the proper exercise of the court’s leniency[,] it is imperative that: (a) the circumstances obtaining warrant the court’s liberality; (b) that strong considerations of equity justify an exception to the procedural rule in the interest of substantial justice; (c) no material injury has been suffered by the appellee by the delay; (d) there is no contention that the appellee’s cause was prejudiced; or (e) at least there is no motion to dismiss filed. 5. In case of delay, the lapse must be for a reasonable period; and 6.Inadvertence of counsel cannot be considered as an adequate excuse to call for the appellate court’s indulgence except: (a) where the reckless or gross negligence of counsel deprives the client of due process of law; (b) when application of the rule will result in outright deprivation of the client’s liberty or property or (c) where the interests of justice so require. The post The only brief that is long appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»