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New film on historical Native American murders reflects universal themes: Scorsese
Martin Scorsese, best known for his action-packed thrillers and gangster epics, now depicts an investigation into the murders of Native Americans in his latest film, "Killers of the Flower Moon", which previewed in New York on Wednesday. Adapted from a nonfiction book of the same name, "Killers of the Flower Moon" tells the true story of the 1920s murders and disappearances of members of Osage Nation on oil-rich lands in the central US state of Oklahoma. At a red carpet event at Manhattan's Lincoln Center, Scorsese told AFP his film about the 100-year-old crimes touched on broad themes. "It's about a clash of cultures, misunderstanding each other, the sense of entitlement -- and it could be (about) not only Americans," Scorsese told AFP about the film, which he shot on Oklahoma's prairies with around 40 Osage Native Americans included in the cast. The $200-million film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart, a man in love with a Native American woman (played by Lily Gladstone) who finds himself embroiled in a plot hatched by oil-hungry cattle magnate William Hale, played by Robert De Niro. An FBI agent, Jesse Plemons, is assigned to solve the murders. "Killers of the Flower Moon" will be released in North American cinemas on October 20, before being made available on Apple TV+. The violence and crimes depicted in the film "could be in any part of the world," Scorsese said. "It just so happens to be a story that actually reflects through the millennia." "It's good to tell this kind of story now because people are trying to shy away from this stuff. Show it, talk about it," the "Gangs of New York" and "Taxi Driver" director added. American writer David Grann, whose book the film was based on, told AFP that the story covers "one of the most monstrous crimes and racial injustices committed by white settlers against Native Americans for their oil money." "What it is fundamentally about is what happens when greed is fused together with the dehumanization of other people," the New Yorker journalist said. "And what that led to were these genocidal crimes." Grann believes that the history of the Osage Tribe, and of many Native Americans across the United States, has been "largely erased from our conscious". "It was not taught in any of my schoolbooks. I never learned about it," he said. In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first US president to issue a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day, which coincides with the increasingly controversial national holiday celebrating explorer Christopher Columbus. Principal Chief of the Osage Nation Geoffrey Standing Bear also appeared at the red carpet event. "It's not just the Osage people -- all of the Native peoples have had their hard times for 500 years," the North American leader said. "And this movie shows us it still goes on. "It wasn't that long ago. It was my grandparents' generation when this movie, the facts in it, occurred." The post New film on historical Native American murders reflects universal themes: Scorsese appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mega racket bared
The recruitment scam in Italy revealed in DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show, Usapang OFW, has proven to be bigger than first thought as more victims surfaced yesterday. The victims recounted tales of deceit and a web of lies committed by the “CEO” of the agency. In an exclusive interview with Daily Tribune, 12 more victims agreed to recount their unpleasant experiences with Italy-based immigration consultancy firm Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro. They joined fellow victims Vanessa Antonio, Apple Cabasis, Enrique Catilo, and “victim-turned-runner” of Alpha Assistenza Socorro Velasquez, who had spoken of their experiences in the 21 September episode of Usapang OFW. The victims painted a picture of “serial scamming” that involved word-of-mouth testimonials, mostly from friends and even relatives that were too good to be true, about the agency’s social media savvy, its network of agents acting as “fixers” and collectors, and a heap of promises that turned into a mountain of excuses allegedly made by Respicio herself. (Daily Tribune is withholding the real names of all the victims at their request.) “One of Alpha Assistenza’s staff was able to get in touch with my in-laws, and they were told how the agency could bring Filipinos to Italy in as short as three months. We paid P150,000. We got a fake Nulla Osta (work permit),” Ramon said. Another victim, Janice, revealed that eight members of her family were recruited by Alpha Assistenza, and their agent was a relative. They paid a total of 21,000 euros. They all received fake work permits. Another requested a refund. The victim was issued a check, which was deposited in an ATM. The check bounced. Timeline of deception Each victim said they began their transactions with Alpha Assistenza last May. Several compartmentalized online chat groups, with members of at most 15, were set up by the agency for communications. The staff of Alpha Assistenza and Respicio herself were in each of the chat groups. “But almost none of us got to see Respicio personally,” said the victims. The agents of Alpha Assistenza acted as collectors for the agency, taking payments via online banking or accepting cash from the “clients.” One victim said she paid in cash at the agency’s office. She claimed it was Respicio who accepted the payment. The scam unraveled in July when a slew of Nulla Ostas “processed” by Alpha Assistenza was rejected at the local Piasi Via (immigration office). Several victims said they arrived as a group for their appearance, only to have their documents rejected because they were found fake. “After that, Respicio began to make all kinds of excuses. There was a glitch in the system. Or the rules at the Piasi had changed. Or there was a typo in the documents. She even gave the excuse that a popular show was having a tour in Milan so that the Piasi couldn’t process more papers,” several victims said. While they began to doubt Alpha Assitenza, they continued to hold on to the promises of Respicio, the victims said. Only when they connected with other victims did they realize the scam’s grand scale. The post Mega racket bared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Paranas town mourns village chair’s death
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Paranas in Samar raised the flag on a half-mast last Monday to mourn the death of a barangay captain who was shot dead by suspected members of the communist New People’s Army on 16 September 2023. The victim — identified as Tito Llamado, barangay chairman of Anagasi, a far-flung village of Paranas — is believed to have been killed by members of NPA’s Arnulfo Ortiz Command based on a hand-written note that was found on his body where the communist rebels owned up to the killing. “Kap. Tito was a dedicated leader who tirelessly served the residents of Barangay Anagasi, striving to improve their lives with purpose, choice, dignity, and respect,” a statement posted in the LGU’s social media account said. “We honor his memory and stand in solidarity with the people of Barangay Anagasi during this difficult time, forever inspired by his exemplary service, leadership, and friendship,” it added. The LGU also expressed condolences to the family of the slain village leader. “We deeply appreciate the positive impact of your benevolent actions and outstanding leadership in Barangay Anagasi. May justice be served in the wake of your passing,” it said. Meantime, Paranas Municipal Police chief PMaj. Kim Windell Montilla disclosed that responding investigators found the note of the NPA group owning up responsibility for the killing along with empty shells of 5.56mm gun. Montilla said Llamado is running unopposed in his re-election bid as barangay captain of Anagasi for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023. As the village chief, Montilla said Llamado was an active partner of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in encouraging rebels to surrender and return to the folds of the law. “Paranas Police will ensure that justice will be served and we will pursue to file appropriate criminal charges against the heartless terrorists who are responsible for this inhumane act,” Montilla said. “The government forces would not be startled nor shaken by this violence committed by the Arnulfo Ortiz Command.” “This assault on the agent of the government who vows only to serve the country and his countrymen will fuel our counter-insurgency efforts to strengthen our battle to free the municipality from the bondage of insurgency,” Montilla added. The post Paranas town mourns village chair’s death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Baldie’ and big-talker
As the celluloid world has long since crossed over to the realm of real life, we, the people, have not been left wanting amusement by big-talking politicians who cultivate images reeking with swagger. Who would forget former Hollywood actor and then-United States President Ronald Reagan’s melodramatic, “Mr. (Mikhail) Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” line during a speech in Berlin in 1987 at the climax of the Cold War? Very few millennials or those belonging to generations after may know that Reagan’s call to the Soviet Union’s supreme leader led, in part, to the toppling of the Berlin Wall, separating communist East Berlin from democratic West Berlin. John le Carré even referenced the Berlin Wall in his novel “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold,” which begins and ends in Berlin, where the wall served as a physical and symbolic presence throughout the story. In the opening scene, the protagonist, Alec Leamas, watched as his last agent was shot dead by Soviet-affiliated East German sentries at the wall, tipping him over the precipice, and convincing him to defect. Way earlier in 1956, Soviet strongman Nikita Khrushchev was visiting Poland when he made that infamous line, “We will bury you,” referring to the US-led West, which then used it to further feed its nuclear holocaust, “end of days” paranoia. Khrushchev would later clarify that he never meant he’d rain nukes on Western nations, but that communism would eventually triumph over capitalism, and that the US would be “buried” by the forces of history. How wrong Khrushchev would be with the demise of Soviet empire. Like Khrushchev, our own debonair senator who dropped his screen name Robin, and assumed his real name Robinhood Padilla, may have not meant literally that he would beat up a resource person in a Senate investigation on the alleged violence committed by an employer to a woman, his house helper. According to journalists, Padilla left the hearing in a huff and mouthed an apology off-camera that he let emotions get the better of him. Fine, if the lesson had been learned not to blur the line between reel and real life. But there’s just this propensity by supposed public servants to use big words when faced with challenges that may not be as big as tearing down the Berlin Wall. Again, amusing, but forgivable, if it gets the desired results. We are referring to that post by Quezon City Police District chief Nicolas Torre III in response to a viral video of a man who hit a cyclist after he swerved his car into the path of the bicycle. The hot-tempered motorist even drew and cocked his pistol. Posted Torre in the video blog: “Damn, yari kang kalbo ka. Sumurrender ka na sa pinakamalapit na QC police station para hindi na tayo mapagod pa pareho. Pakidala at surrender na rin ng baril mo para hindi na kami mag-search warrant pa sa bahay mo. Baka kabahan pa ang SWAT ko at makalabitan ka pa ng M16.” Torre’s post is disturbing on several points, foremost of which is that it was a threat to shoot the man on account of his Special Weapons and Tactics team maybe being too “nervous” to have itchy trigger fingers. Doesn’t speak well of the QCPD SWAT team, really, considering that incident in Navotas City when cops, elite SWAT members according to Senator Risa Hontiveros, fired “warning” shots that killed 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar. The general could have also chosen to be more circumspect in his language since that kind of cop-speak does not build public confidence and even adds to the perception that cops shoot first and ask questions later. At any rate, that gun-poking incident involving Willie Gonzales, adds to the reasons why neuropsychiatric tests given by the Philippine National Police to cops and gun license applicants may be considered a failure. Appearing in a press conference called by the suddenly jovial Torre, Gonzales said all’s well that ends well as he and the cyclist had already patched up their tiff. There’s no criminal complaint against Gonzales, said Torre, only an administrative one, with the Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office to review Gonzales’ fitness to be allowed to own and carry firearms. In a matter of hours, the tough-talking general had become, to some observers, patronizing of the man he threatened with his post. What an about face? Which brings us to that recent exposure of some rogue cops doctoring neuropsychiatric test results may have to do with us being saddled with neurotic cops and loony armed civilians who can pay thousands of pesos to get them certified to own or carry firearms. Shall we heave a sigh of relief that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections gun ban is about to commence? Nah. Criminals and those drunk with power are, in fact, most happy during such times when they’re the only ones packing heat. The post ‘Baldie’ and big-talker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 child exploiters nabbed
Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation have arrested three individuals believed to be involved on offering videos on sexual exploitation of children for a fee in Taguig City. The NBI did not reveal the names of those arrested but they were already charged with violations of Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children; RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364 and RA 11862; and RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Initial reports disclosed that the suspects were arrested last 11 July during an operation conducted by agents of the NBI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division in Tipas, Taguig City. The agents were accompanied by officers of the NBI’s Digital Forensic Laboratory and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in implementing a Warrant to Seize, Search, and Examine Computer Data. The NBI said the results of examination turned positive on subjects’ cellular phones. The operation was launched by the NBI on “a report and case referral from Destiny Rescue International regarding the alleged sexual exploitation of young children committed by a certain person who appeared to be in the Philippines and is offering live sexual exhibition involving two-year-old child in exchange for a fee.” Destiny Rescue International is a global non-profit organization with a mission “to rescue kids from sexual exploitation and human trafficking and to help them stay free.” An NBI agent, posing as a private individual, was “able to establish communication with the Subject who was offering toddlers of seven to eight years old.” “From 50 CSAEMs or child sexual abuse and exploitation materials sent by the suspect, there were videos showing a toddler being sexually abused by her mother,” the NBI said. The post 3 child exploiters nabbed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCSO to suspended STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte: Stop unauthorized operations
Determined to stamp out illegal gambling and instill full compliance among its accredited Small Town Lottery operators, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Tuesday clamped down on the unauthorized operations of an erring STL operator in Cebu City and Southern Leyte. PCSO General Manager Mel Robles explained that all operations of Saturn Gaming N' Amusement Corporation in the said provinces are already deemed illegal, after the termination of its authority to operate last 8 March 2023. Robles pointed out the PCSO’s order is effective and must be fully enforced in the said areas except in Metro Cebu and Mandaue City. The PCSO made the announcement Tuesday on its official website, stating, among others, that the authority to operate of Saturn Gaming was revoked effective 8 March 2023 by virtue of PCSO Board Resolution No. 55 Series of 2023, even as the revocation order subsequently took effect on 6 April this year. The bulletin said: “Ipinababatid ng PCSO na ang Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay hindi Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office para sa Southern Leyte at Cebu simula ika-6 ng Abril 2023. Ang Authority to Operate (ATO) ng Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay binawi at tinanggal sa ilalim ng PCSO Board Resolution No. 55, Series of 2023 na inilabas noong ika-8 ng Marso 2023”. It added that any attempts by Saturn Gaming to defy the lawful order is in clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 (Prescribing Stiffer Penalties On Illegal Gambling) and Republic Act No. 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and For Other Purposes). Robles said they decided to terminate the authority to operate after they discovered that Saturn Gaming had committed and was continuing to commit numerous violations of the terms and conditions stipulated on the Authorized Agent Corporation Agreement. Robles said Saturn Gaming’s closure should serve as warning to other STL operators, reiterating that the PCSO will not hesitate to impose sanctions or revoke their authority to operate if they are found violating the Authorized Agent Corporation Agreement. “Magsilbing babala sana ito sa ating mga STL operator na sana ay sundin nila ang nakasaad sa kasunduan na kanilang pinirmahan. Dahil hindi kami magdadalawang-isip na ipasara sila kapag napatunayan namin na lumalabag sila sa mga probisyon ng nasabing agreement,” he said. The PCSO and the Philippine National Police earlier vowed to unite in waging war against illegal gambling operations in the country. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in a recent meeting with Robles, said he would strictly enforce the one-strike policy against police commanders who fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their respective areas of responsibility. The PCSO said it has already informed Acorda and P/Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, PNP Regional Director in Cebu City, regarding the agency’s position that Saturn Gaming is now an illegal operation. Robles is adamant that illegal gambling operations in the country must be stopped, noting that they greatly affect the PCSO's ability to generate higher revenues as the greater portion of their earnings end up in the hands of illegal gambling operators. "In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits the PCSO provides," he said. Saturn Gaming, for its part, said it was able to secure a Writ of Preliminary Injunction from Regional Trial Court-Mandaluyong Branch 213 against the PCSO order. Robles, however, clarified that no such writ has been issued by the court in favor of Saturn Gaming. The post PCSO to suspended STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte: Stop unauthorized operations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCSO suspends STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte
DETERMINED to stamp out illegal gambling and instill full compliance among its accredited Small Town Lottery operators, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Tuesday clamped down on the unauthorized operations of an erring STL operator in Cebu City and Southern Leyte. PCSO General Manager Mel Robles explained that all operations of Saturn Gaming N' Amusement Corporation in the said provinces are already deemed illegal, after the termination of its authority to operate on 19 January 2023. GM Robles pointed out the PCSO’s order is effective and must be fully enforced in the said areas except in Metro Cebu and Mandaue City. The PCSO made the announcement Tuesday on its official website stating among others that the authority to operate of Saturn Gaming was revoked effective 19 2023 by virtue of PCSO Board Resolution No. 55 Series of 2023, even as the revocation order subsequently took effect on April 6 this year. The bulletin said: “Ipinababatid ng PCSO na ang Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay hindi Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office para sa Southern Leyte at Cebu simula ika-6 ng Abril 2023. Ang Authority to Operate (ATO) ng Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay binawi at tinanggal sa ilalim ng PCSO Board Resolution No. 55, Series of 2023 na inilabas noong ikaw-8 ng Marso 2023”. It added that any attempts by Saturn Gaming to defy the lawful order is in clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 (Prescribing Stiffer Penalties On Illegal Gambling) and Republic Act No. 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and For Other Purposes). GM Robles said they decided to terminate the authority to operate after they discovered that Saturn Gaming has committed and is continuing to commit numerous violations of the terms and conditions stipulated on the Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) Agreement. This developed as GM Robles said that Saturn Gaming’s closure should serve as warning to other STL operators who might want to follow its footsteps, stating that they will not hesitate to impose sanctions or revoke their authority to operate if they are found violating the Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) Agreement. “Magsilbing babala sana ito sa ating mga STL operator na sana ay sundin nila ang nakasaad sa kasunduan na kanilang pinirmahan. Dahil hindi kami magdadalawang-isip na ipasara sila kapag napatunayan namin na lumalabag sila sa mga probisyon ng nasabing agreement,” he said. To recall, the PCSO and the Philippine National Police earlier vowed to unite as they wage war against illegal gambling operations in the country. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in a recent meeting with GM Robles, assured that he would strictly enforce the one-strike policy against police commanders who would fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their respective areas of responsibility. Relative to the latest development, the PCSO said it already informed Gen. Acorda Jr. and P/Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, PNP Regional Director in Cebu City, regarding the agency’s position that Saturn Gaming operations remain unsanctioned and therefore, illegal. GM Robles is adamant that illegal gambling operations in the country must be stopped, noting that they greatly affect their agency's ability to generate higher revenues as the greater portion of their earnings end up in the hands of illegal gambling operators. "In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits the PCSO provides," Robles was previously quoted as saying. Saturn Gaming for its part is claiming that it was able to secure a Writ of Preliminary Injunction from Regional Trial Court-Mandaluyong Branch 213 against the PCSO order. GM Robles, however, clarified that the court has not issued any writ of preliminary injunction in favor of Saturn Gaming. The post PCSO suspends STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia blocks renewal of UN panel monitoring North Korea sanction compliance
At the United Nations, a recent vote on renewing a panel of experts monitoring North Korea’s compliance with international sanctions has caused tension among member.....»»
China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»
2 ex-James Bond actors approve of Aaron Taylor-Johnson as next 007
Former James Bond actors George Lazenby and Pierce Brosnan have stated their approval for Aaron Taylor-Johnson should the latter be the next individual to carry the Agent 007 mantle......»»
Fully independent PHI-NADO pushed
With the WADA compliance issue settled and cleared, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization are moving forward and making sure that all bases are covered from hereon......»»
Valorant releases first nonbinary agent
Riot Games has unveiled its newest agent for first-person shooting game Valorant — Scottish troublemaker Clove......»»
PSAC welcomes Blinken’s bid to deepen bilateral ties
Private sector leaders have extended their full support to President Marcos as he deepened ties with the United States during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic visit to the country last March 19......»»
Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand's concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. "The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New Zealand and the United Ki.....»»
Hamas tells mediators it will stick to original position on ceasefire
Hamas earlier presents a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States in mid-March that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences.....»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
The US is cultivating an antagonist to China in Beijing s own backyard
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the president of the Philippines, is a stark contrast to his predecessor - and besides, Washington has dirt on him The Philippines has been a treaty ally of the United States since 1951, almost as long as it's been an independent country. Before that, it was a colony of the US, which had won it as.....»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
At UN event, women activists want Palestine free
Women activists gathered in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on March 21, 2024 to express their support for Palestine. The post At UN event, women activists want Palestine free appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
United Kingdom government recognizes University of the Philippines scientists’ achievements
Two scientists at the University of the Philippines-Diliman were recognized by the British government for their contributions to Philippine research and development......»»