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NoKor missile launches alarming — BBM
JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the recent surge of intercontinental ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK. During his intervention at the 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Summit on Wednesday, Marcos underscored the need for the DPRK to fully comply with all UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea, often referred to as DPRK and NoKor, carried out what it called the second military reconnaissance satellite launch from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station last 24 August. Several reports said the launch was unsuccessful due to an in-flight error. The launch came after a prior satellite launch attempt on 31 May. Based on official reports, the nation is planning to carry out a third satellite launch in October. “We (...) affirm our support for the principles embodied in the RoK’s audacious initiative that aims to achieve a denuclearized DPRK, an essential component for sustainable peace and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia, and the world,” Marcos said. The RoK may be better known as South Korea. Marcos also appreciated the RoK’s continued support in upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as a key pillar of the rules-based international order. “We share concerns on the militarization of reclaimed features, the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, and other coercive activities,” he said. “We are equally alarmed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing which are being detected.” Marcos also welcomed the implementation of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, which will further deepen ASEAN and RoK’s collaboration on common political, economic, social and cultural concerns. “In particular, we welcome the enhancing policy dialogue on maritime affairs with the RoK under the initiative to contribute to the overall enhancement of ASEAN-RoK comprehensive security cooperation,” he said. Marcos also thanked the RoK for its valuable assistance in addressing the recent oil spill in Mindoro and for its contributions to emergency humanitarian assistance for the damage caused by the recent typhoons. The post NoKor missile launches alarming — BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM expresses support for ROK’s initiative for a denuclearized NoKor
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the recent surge of intercontinental ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. During his intervention at the 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Summit on September 6, 2023, Marcos Jr. underscored the need for the DPRK to fully comply with all UN Security Council Resolutions. For context, North Korea, often referred to as DPRK, carried out what it termed as its second military reconnaissance satellite launch from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station last 24 August. Several reports mentioned that the launch was unsuccessful due to an in-flight error. This launch comes after a prior satellite launch attempt on 31 May. Based on official reports, the nation is planning to carry out a third satellite launch in October. "We (...) affirm our support for the principles embodied in the ROK's audacious initiative that aims to achieve a denuclearized DPRK, an essential component for sustainable peace and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia, and the world," Marcos said. Marcos also appreciated the ROK's continued support in upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a key pillar of the rules-based international order. "We share concerns on the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels; and other coercive activities," he said. "We are equally alarmed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing which are being detected." Marcos also welcomed the implementation of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), which will further deepen ASEAN and ROK's collaboration on common political, economic, social, and cultural concerns. "In particular, we welcome the enhancing policy dialogue on maritime affairs with the ROK under the initiative to contribute to the overall enhancement of ASEAN-ROK comprehensive security cooperation," he said. Marcos also thanked the ROK for its valuable assistance in addressing the recent oil spill in Mindoro and for its contributions in emergency humanitarian assistance for the damages caused by the recent typhoons. "We are optimistic that what we have achieved together in the past decades will be quickly surpassed when relations with ROK are elevated to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partner of ASEAN," he said. On the economic front, Marcos said that ASEAN and ROK will continue efforts at enhancing ASEAN connectivity and supply chains to further expand mutual trade through the effective implementation of ASEAN-ROK economic cooperation projects and programs. He also underscored ASEAN's strong partnership with the ROK on preserving biodiversity throughout the years. "We thank the ROK for its consistent support for the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, located in the Philippines, in fulfilling their vision of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity," he said. Marcos concluded by welcoming ROK's intention to elevate their relation with ASEAN to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "We are optimistic that what we have achieved together in the past decades will be quickly surpassed when relations with ROK are elevated to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partner of ASEAN," he said. "Such deepening relations continue to serve as a good indicator of the development and evolution of the ASEAN-ROK relation." The post PBBM expresses support for ROK’s initiative for a denuclearized NoKor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Handwritten letters a lifeline in war-devastated Darfur
With no cell service or phone calls, people in Sudan's war-ravaged western region of Darfur are resorting to a bygone means of communication: handwritten letters, carried by taxi drivers. Ahmed Issa, 25, sits on a plastic chair in a roadside cafe, penning a message to relatives he left behind in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. In the safety of El Daein, 150 kilometers (93 miles) southeast, he told AFP the letters are often the only way to get news in and out of his hometown, the second-biggest city in Sudan and the site of brutal battles between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. "Even at the start of the fighting, it was hard to get in touch with people in other neighborhoods inside Nyala," he said, nearly five months after the war began. The situation has only grown worse since, with horrific violence reported across Darfur, a region the size of France that is home to around a quarter of Sudan's 48 million people. They remember all too painfully the years-long war and atrocities that began in 2003. Hundreds of thousands were killed and more than two million displaced after the government of Omar al-Bashir unleashed the Janjaweed militia in response to a rebel uprising. Hunched forward in a black patterned shirt and a neat crew cut, Issa carefully folds his letter over and over. "You wait a week for the letter to arrive, and you don't know for sure if they'll get it," he told AFP. "And if they do, there's no guarantee they can send one back" through the treacherous roads in and out of Nyala. Three months ago, the West Darfur state capital of El Geneina seemed to be the nucleus of the fighting, becoming a symbol of the return of ethnic violence in Darfur. Western countries and the UN linked the violence to the RSF and its allies. It triggered the International Criminal Court to open a new investigation into alleged war crimes. Now Nyala is the centre of clashes between the army and the RSF. On one day last week 39 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed when shelling hit their homes in Nyala, medics and witnesses said. Over 10 days in August, more than 50,000 people fled Nyala's violence, according to the United Nations. Water and electricity networks quickly failed, compounding threats in a city where one in four people already needed humanitarian aid before the war, the UN said. The messenger Residents on Sunday looked up to see a new escalation of the violence: Air Force fighter jets -- whose strikes have been largely limited to the capital Khartoum -- were flying overhead. Their bombs struck both RSF bases and the residential neighborhoods they inhabit, witnesses told AFP. People will do anything to make sure their loved ones are alright, according to human rights defender Ahmed Gouja, who left Nyala but is trying to inform the world of the gruesome violence unfolding. Last week, he reported on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, that five entire families were "killed in one day". He himself spent 16 days "with no info" about his family in Nyala, before finally reaching "one of my brothers who arrived at El Daein, searching for an internet signal". "We die every moment that passes while we are deprived" of news of loved ones, he wrote. For weeks, Suleiman Mofaddal has seen families like Gouja's walk through his El Daein office, a small room with yellow walls, anxious for news of those who cannot or refuse to leave their homes in Nyala. On his desk sits a pile of small, neatly folded paper rectangles, each with a name scrawled in blue ink. Some have a phone number, just in case the recipient gets cell service for even a moment. All wait to be handed to drivers on Mofaddal's team, who will carry the letters on their way to Nyala. "Most often, the recipient immediately writes a response and hands it back to the driver before he leaves," Mofaddal told AFP. Then the driver heads back out, hoping the road ahead won't be closed -- by either the bombs, militia checkpoints, or the downpours of Sudan's rainy season. The post Handwritten letters a lifeline in war-devastated Darfur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gun ban violators netted
The weeklong checkpoints related to the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections logged at least 216 gun ban violators so far, according to the Philippine National Police on Sunday. PNP spokesperson and acting Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo revealed that the 216 violators were apprehended from 28 August until 2 September 2023, adding that of the total violators arrested, most were civilians while two were security guards and two were military personnel. A total of 130 firearms have been confiscated during the implementation of the gun ban. The establishment of checkpoints was carried out under Commission on Elections Resolution 10924 to effectively implement the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons during the 90-day election period from 28 August to 29 November. The resolution prohibits the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Comelec. Exempted from the ban are law enforcers but they should have authorization from the Comelec and wear an agency-prescribed uniform while on official duty during the election period. The post Gun ban violators netted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
600 checkpoints net over 15 Comelec gun ban violators: PNP
Around 15 persons have been apprehended since the start of the Commission on Elections' gun ban on Monday during the first day of filing of the certificate of candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Tuesday. Acorda said since implementing the gun ban, 15 firearms have been confiscated from more than 600 checkpoints nationwide. The establishment of checkpoints was carried out under Comelec Resolution No. 10924 to effectively implement the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons during the 90-day election period from 28 August to 29 November. The resolution prohibits the bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Comelec. Acorda also said he has ordered a probe and has a person of interest in the incident that happened in Libon town in Albay where the victim Alex Repato, reelectionist captain of Barangay San Jose, was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in his residence at around 5 p.m. Monday, just hours after he filed his candidacy. “It is unfortunate in Albay we have one case of shooting but we already have a person of interest there and tinututukan ng ating kapulisan. What happened in Albay is election-related but I want to get first 'yung talagang official result of the investigation,” Acorda said on the sidelines of the National Capital Region Police Office's commemoration of its 122nd Police Service anniversary at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan Taguig City. Addressing the event, Acorda lauded the NCRPO's dedication to the PNP's agenda, which includes the relentless pursuit of justice, commitment to excellence and fostering deep connections with the communities under their care. He extended his congratulations and recognition to the men and women of the NCRPO for their invaluable contributions to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of the nation's capital. The ceremony was also marked by the presentation of awards to outstanding officers and units within the NCRPO. The awards recognized excellence across various categories, including community engagement, crime prevention and exceptional acts of valor. The NCRPO's Northern Police District, Eastern Police District, Manila Police District, Southern Police District and Quezon City Police District were feted for their outstanding contributions. The post 600 checkpoints net over 15 Comelec gun ban violators: PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Australia boosts partnership, mulls more bilateral military exercises
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defense Forces are mulling more bilateral military exercises that will further strengthen and boost both of their military forces. This development came after ADF chief Gen. Angus Campbell paid a courtesy call to AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Brawner and Campbell discussed the existing defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia as well as the joint Exercise ALON. "We want to showcase the close ties that we have among our Armed Forces. We would also like to thank you for the recent exercise,” Brawner said. For his part, Campbell emphasized that the ongoing Philippine-Australia bilateral drills serve an “expression of an important message and a demonstration of cooperation among partner nations.” “We want to make sure that the particular form of the military is evolving in ways that the Armed Forces of the Philippines want and that would see mutual benefit and partnership. I want to make sure that we remain a partner that listens and adapts,” Campbell said. Brawner, meanwhile, thanked the Australian Defense Force Chief for the continuous support that they have given to the country. "All have seen how the relationship between both our Armed Forces has grown, from counterterrorism and now shifting to territorial defense. There is a lot of room for us to work together,” Brawner said. [caption id="attachment_176884" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] AFP Chief General Romeo S Brawner Jr. welcomed Chief of Australian Defense Force General Angus Campbell during arrival honors conducted at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on 29 August 2023. (Photo by AFP PAO)[/caption] From Comprehensive to Strategic Partnership Department of National Defense Undersecretary Ireneo Espino on Tuesday also announced that the Philippines and Australia are now elevating bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership following their biggest bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial exercise. “Indeed, the importance of our two countries' place on security partnership comes at the crucial junction in our regional security landscape with challenges becoming more complex by the day,” Espino said during the closing ceremony of Philippines-Australia Exercise ALON 2023, which was held at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “Our partner can rest assured that DND stands ready to further heighten the Philippines' friendship and cooperation with Australia,” he added. Meanwhile, Bgen, Jimmy Larida, executive director for Exercise ALON-23, described the newly concluded combined amphibious drills between AFP and ADF as a “very resounding success,” noting that the strategic objectives were met throughout the exercises. “We were able to identify what particular procedures where we are already good in dealing with Australia and what particular tactical procedures that we should improve further so we will do everything to improve during the next iteration of this exercise,” Larida said. AFP Public Affairs chief, LtCol. Enrico Gil Ileto, said the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the AFP and ADF included an air assault exercise in Palawan on 21 August and a combined amphibious assault exercise in Zambales on 25 August —which was carried out by launching a combined amphibious landing force from the Navy ships to secure the beach landing sites, followed by parachute insertion to seize the objectives and a simultaneous landing via landing craft and USMC MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The Palawan air assault exercise in Rizal was designed to simulate realistic combat scenarios, enhancing the forces’ preparedness and operational readiness across air, sea and land actions. It featured over 600 soldiers from the AFP, ADF and USMC, and close air support by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightening II and E-7A Wedgetail. Ileto said the assets used in these drills included HMA ships Canberra and Anzac, with the Tarlac-class BRP Davao Del Sur (LD 602), close air support from RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft, Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and two Philippine Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles. To mark the final phase of the exercise, the AFP and ADF will hold a live fire training as the final phase in Capas, Tarlac on 31 August. Exercise ALON was designed to enhance both military forces’ capability in conducting combined operations and improved their tactics, techniques and procedures for amphibious operations. Participants were composed of 1,000 personnel from the AFP and 1,200 from the ADF, with support from 150 US Marine Corps. The post Phl, Australia boosts partnership, mulls more bilateral military exercises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Strong winds postpone Japan lunar lander launch
Japan’s space agency on Monday postponed for the third time the launch of its “Moon Sniper” lunar mission due to strong winds just half an hour before takeoff. Tatsuru Tokunaga, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries official in charge of the launch, told reporters that it would take “at least three days” to prepare for another attempt. The firm said the launch needs to happen before the current window expires on 15 September. The rocket, set for launch from the southern island of Tanegashima, was to land Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's “Moon Sniper” or “Smart Lander for Investigating Moon” within 100 meters of a specific target on the Moon. Using a palm-sized mini rover developed with a toy company, SLIM aims to investigate how the Moon was formed by examining exposed pieces of the lunar mantle. The rocket will also carry a research satellite developed by JAXA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency. JAXA’s setback comes a week after India successfully landed a probe near the Moon’s south pole. Japan has also tried last year to land a lunar probe named Omotenashi, carried on NASA’s Artemis 1 mission, but the mission went wrong and communications were lost with the craft. In April, Japanese start-up ispace failed in an ambitious attempt to become the first private company to land on the Moon, losing communication with its craft after what the firm called a “hard landing.” WITH AFP The post Strong winds postpone Japan lunar lander launch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper’ mission looks to match Indian success
Hot on the heels of India's historic lunar landing, Japan's space program is hoping to rebound from a string of setbacks next week with the launch of its own mission — "Moon Sniper". The rocket will carry a lander expected to reach the Moon's surface in four to six months as well as an x-ray imaging satellite designed to investigate the evolution of the universe. The launch is scheduled to take place Monday after bad weather pushed it back by a day, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday. Japan's space program is one of the world's largest, but its first attempt to put a lander on the Moon failed in November 2022, and a new type of rocket exploded during a test last month. JAXA's hopes are now centered on the "Smart Lander for Investigating Moon". As its acronym suggests, SLIM is small and light, standing 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) high, 2.7 meters wide, and 1.7 meters long, and weighing around 700 kilograms (1,545 pounds). Dubbed the "Moon Sniper" for its precision, JAXA is aiming to land it within 100 meters of a specific target on the Moon, far less than the usual range of several kilometers. Using a palm-sized mini rover that can change shape, the probe -- developed with a toy company -- aims to investigate how the Moon was formed by examining exposed pieces of the lunar mantle. "Lunar landing remains a very difficult technology," Shinichiro Sakai from the SLIM project team told reporters on Thursday while paying homage to India's success. "To follow suit, we will do our best in our own operations," Sakai said. India success On Wednesday, India landed a craft near the Moon's south pole, a historic triumph for the world's most populous nation and its low-cost space program. Previously, only the United States, Russia, and China had managed to put a spacecraft on the lunar surface, and none on the south pole. India's success came days after a Russian probe crashed in the same region and four years after the previous Indian attempt failed at the last moment. Japan has also tried before, attempting last year to land a lunar probe named Omotenashi, carried on NASA's Artemis 1, but the mission went wrong and communications were lost. And in April, Japanese start-up ispace failed in an ambitious attempt to become the first private company to land on the Moon, losing communication after what the firm called a "hard landing". Japan has also had problems with launch rockets, with failures after liftoff of the next-generation H3 model in March and the normally reliable solid-fuel Epsilon the previous October. Last month, the test of an Epsilon S rocket, an improved version of the Epsilon, ended in an explosion 50 seconds after ignition. Plasma wind The workhorse H2-A rocket launching from Tanegashima in southern Japan on Monday will also carry the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) developed by JAXA, NASA, and the European Space Agency. The satellite's high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of the hot gas plasma wind that blows through the universe will help study the flows of mass and energy as well as the composition and evolution of celestial objects. "There is a theory that dark matter is preventing galaxies from expanding," explained XRISM project manager Hironori Maejima. "The question of why dark matter does not converge, and what are the forces that spread it, is expected to be clarified by measuring plasma with XRISM." The post Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper’ mission looks to match Indian success appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAL expects to carry 14.5 million passengers in 2023
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines anticipates carrying 14.5 million passengers in 2023. In 2022, the airline carried 9.3 million passengers. According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, PAL is further expanding its fleet with brand-new Airbus A350-11000s coming in 2025. PAL maintains a fleet of 75 aircraft (46 for PR and 29 for 2P). Of the 75, they have a total of 5 parked aircraft: 3 PAL A321 NEOs and 2 PALex A320 CEOs. The NEOs are parked while awaiting delivery of Pratt and Whitney engines; the CEOs are awaiting engines and parts as well. The parked aircraft represent only 7 percent of the PAL Group fleet, according to Villaluna. The airline said it has improved schedule dependability despite ongoing supply chain problems by taking proactive measures to cut back on flights and improve operational efficiency. Villaluna also said that to address this, they have reduced their schedules since the beginning of the year and improved their spares provisioning. They also started sourcing additional engines for lease and adding aircraft to their fleet network. Within a 24-hour period, around 2.4 percent of the 8,485 flights that were scheduled for June were cancelled. During the month of April in Saudi Arabia, 97.6 percent of their flights were in service; 438 delays were brought on by lightning, while 139 were caused by other weather-related problems. Technical difficulties accounted for about 12 percent of flight delays. Fuel prices have a direct correlation to total trip costs, pointed out Villaluna. Thus, the fuel surcharge level, pegged anew at level 4 and relatively lower than past periods, is a welcome development for airlines, but PAL still offers a variety of fares, enabling travelers to avail of lowered fares if they book early, said the spokesperson. The post PAL expects to carry 14.5 million passengers in 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Faulty, defective accessories lead to road accidents—LTO
7,451 motorists were apprehended for various violation of traffic laws in the first half of 2023, the Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region (LTO-NCR) reported over the weekend. Of this numbers, LTO-NCR Regional Director Roque I. Verzosa III said. 837 individuals were found to be operating motor vehicles with faulty accessories, devices, equipment, and parts, violating the provisions of Republic Act 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Thus Verzosa issued a safety advisory, urging motorists to exercise caution and refrain from driving motor vehicles with defective accessories to mitigate the risk of accidents. According to Verzosa, driving motor vehicles with faulty or malfunctioning components can pose several dangers, including: malfunctioning of headlights, taillights, or turn signals can impair visibility, reducing other drivers' ability to see your vehicle's movements and increasing the likelihood of accidents. Faulty brake systems or worn-out brake pads can hinder your ability to stop the vehicle efficiently, resulting in longer stopping distances and an increased risk of collisions. Defective steering mechanisms or suspension components can diminish your control over the vehicle, heightening the chances of accidents, particularly during maneuvers like turning or sudden lane changes. Defective airbags, seat belts, or child safety restraints may not provide adequate protection in the event of an accident, significantly increasing the risk of injuries or fatalities for occupants. Malfunctioning wiring or electrical components can give rise to electrical malfunctions, such as fires or electrical shorts, can lead to vehicle breakdowns or accidents on the road. Malfunctioning accessories such as horns, wipers, or emergency lights can impede your ability to effectively communicate or respond in emergency situations, potentially endangering yourself and others. "It is crucial to address any defective accessory promptly by repairing or replacing it to ensure your safety and the safety of passengers and other road users," Verzosa said. The LTO-NCR chief said that based on their data, another 1,055 motorists were apprehended by personnel from the Regional Law Enforcement Unit (RLEU) and the District Law Enforcement Teams (DLET) for violating other provisions of Republic Act 4136. The majority of these motorists, according to Verzosa, were issued tickets for various violations such as failure to carry OR/CR while driving a motor vehicle (154); unregistered motor vehicle (131); disregarding traffic signs (122); unauthorized mv modification (100); reckless driving (95); driver wearing slippers (81); obstruction (44); failure to provide canvass cover to cargos or freight of trucks (39); driving without a valid driver's license (34); failure to attach motor vehicle license plates (28); no CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience) carried (23); allowing passengers on top or cover of a motor vehicle (18); motor vehicles operating with unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts (17); pick and drop passenger (16); breach of franchise (15); excess passenger (14); Illegal terminal (13); motor vehicle operating with improper accessories, devices, equipment, parts (12); driving without valid certificate of public convenience (11); improper attachment of mv license plates (10); no authorization to use improvised plate (10); unregistered topload (9); and disregarding traffic officer (9). Verzosa said other motorists were apprehended due to violations of R.A. 875O (failure to wear the prescribed seat belt device and failure to require the front passenger to wear a seatbelt device); and R. A. 10054 (failure to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet and failure to require the back rider to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet). He said a total of 881 motorists were apprehended for failure to wear the prescribed seat belt device, which falls under R.A. 8750. On the other hand, another 343 motorists were also apprehended for failing to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet under R.A. 10054. The post Faulty, defective accessories lead to road accidents—LTO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmonte lauds QCJ Male Dormitory
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte over the weekend lauded the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory for bagging the best jail institution in the entire metropolis. The QCJMD under the leadership of Supt. Michelle Ng-Bonto bagged anew the ‘Top 1 - Best City Jail’ award given by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology - National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR). "Quezon City is very happy that our QCJ Male Dormitory won as the best jail institution that received the recognition for the second time. This is proof that they have effectively implemented their duty to be a temporary home for our countrymen who are bouncing back from the cases they are facing,” Belmonte said. The all-male QCJMD is led by a female warden. Bonto said she could not carry out her job as jail warden effectively without the support of the BJMP higher-ups and the city government led by Mayor Belmonte and City Administrator Mike Alimurung. She also lauded the detainees who have been cooperative in respecting the policies as well as rules and regulations being enforced at the detention facility. “Gone are the days that there were riots and violent confrontations among detainees who belong to different groups or what they call gangs, they have been cooperative to the jail authorities,” Bonto said. BJMP-NCR Director Chief Supt. Efren Nemeno handed the recognition on Bonto during the bureau’s 8th Regional Management Meeting and Awarding Ceremony as the former hailed her for keeping the QCJMD drug-free. The BJMP said QCJMD’s achievement could be attributed to the "winning hearts and minds approach” being advocated by the female jail warden toward the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and jail personnel. “She has been effective in espousing positive engagement of jail personnel in the implementation of welfare and development programs for PDL,” the BJMP said. Meanwhile, the QCJMD remains to be a "drug-free jail" following the latest greyhound operation that yielded no illegal drugs but improvised bladed weapons and other nuisance contrabands. The latest operation was carried out by Bonto's team and members from the nearby Kamuning Police Station (PS-10) as well as Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Units from the police district headquarters, the jail warden said. Bonto added that greyhound operations are being conducted almost daily in order to ensure that no illegal contrabands particularly illegal drugs will be kept inside the detention facility. “Our campaign inside QCJMD is also in support to the ‘Buhay, Ingatan, Ayawan’ (BIDA) program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government which calls for the support of local government units, partner government agencies, local stakeholders, and organizations in order to effectively advocate drug demand reduction to all sectors of the community,” the jail warden said. The post Belmonte lauds QCJ Male Dormitory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tattoo artists ink masterpieces at Rembrandt house
Visitors to the Museum of Rembrandt's House in Amsterdam will have the chance to get their own permanent work by the 17th-century master this week. But they should expect to have more skin in the game than most art lovers, as the Schiffmacher and Veldhoen team of tattoo artists have set up their studio in the Dutch painter's former home for a week. They are offering visitors the chance to have their very own work by Rembrandt (1606-1669) inked on their skin, until Sunday, at what they call the "Poor Man's Rembrandt project". "I think it's a fantastic opportunity to bring what was the lowbrow into the highbrow world -- or the other way around!" Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher said. The 71-year-old, known as "Hanky Panky", says he has tattooed rock royalty during his illustrious career, including band members from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, and Motorhead. Lilian Ramcharan, the first to get her tattoo, smiles as he inks her shoulder blade with a famous drawing of a 17th-century elephant, following one of Rembrandt's works. The Hansken elephant, now carried by Lilian, had traveled through the fairs and gardens of Europe and been painted by Rembrandt in Amsterdam. There are also windmills, self-portraits, characters from works, and even the signature of the painter of the Night Watch. "I felt very honored... to be the first one and also by Henk himself," says Ramcharan, 36. Around 90 people have made appointments for tattoos, which cost between 100 and 250 euros and the museum also offers walk-in time slots in the Rembrandthuis, where the artist and his students worked. "The end result is a work of art that you carry with you for life," according to the museum. "It's the peak of your career you could almost say," adds tattoo artist Tycho Veldhoen. The post Tattoo artists ink masterpieces at Rembrandt house appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
N. Korea will ‘correctly’ put spy satellite into orbit soon, Kim’s sister says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister said Thursday that Pyongyang would "correctly" place a spy satellite into orbit soon, a day after their first attempt crashed. Pyongyang has pitched its military satellite as a necessary counterbalance to the growing US military presence in the region, pointing to Washington's ongoing joint drills with Seoul as one example of many. North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket lost thrust and plunged into the sea with its satellite payload on Wednesday, state media said in a rare same-day announcement following the failed launch. Kim Yo Jong, who also serves as a spokesperson for the regime, said a second attempt would soon be made. "It is certain that the DPRK's military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put on space orbit in the near future and start its mission," she said Thursday, referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang also released photographs of what it said was the new Chollima-1 rocket taking off from a seaside launch site surrounded by flames and smoke. The rocket -- named after a mythical winged horse that often appears in Pyongyang's propaganda -- featured a bulbous nose, apparently used to carry the satellite payload. The United States, South Korea and Japan slammed the launch, saying it violated UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from any tests using ballistic missile technology. Kim Yo Jong said such critiques were a "self-contradiction", given that the United States and other nations have already launched "thousands of satellites". "The US is a group of gangsters who would claim that even if the DPRK launches a satellite in space orbit through balloon, it is illegal and threatening," she said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. Analysts warn that if North Korea succeeds, the satellite's monitoring capabilities would be a major issue, enabling Pyongyang to target US and South Korean forces more accurately. "The use of satellites for military purposes includes reconnaissance (intelligence collection), global positioning information and the attacking of opponent's satellites. Space warfare," Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean army general, told AFP. Since diplomatic efforts collapsed in 2019, North Korea has ramped up military development, conducting a string of banned weapons tests, including test-firing multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles. Leader Kim declared last year that his country was an irreversible nuclear power and called for an exponential increase in weapons production, including tactical nukes. The post N. Korea will ‘correctly’ put spy satellite into orbit soon, Kim’s sister says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iraq unveils $17-B transport project linking Europe and Mideast
Iraq on Saturday presented an ambitious plan to turn itself into a regional transportation hub by developing its road and rail infrastructure, linking Europe with the Middle East. Once completed, the $17 billion project known as the "Route of Development" would span the length of the country, stretching 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the northern border with Turkey to the Gulf in the south. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani announced the project during a conference with transport ministry representatives from Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. "We see this project as a pillar of a sustainable non-oil economy, a link that serves Iraq's neighbors and the region, and a contribution to economic integration efforts," Sudani said. While further discussions are required, any country that wishes "will be able to carry out part of the project", the Iraqi parliament's transport committee said, adding the project could be completed in "three to five years". "The Route of Development will boost interdependence between the countries of the region," Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad Ali Riza Guney said, without elaborating on what role his country would play in the project. War-ravaged and beset by rampant corruption, oil-rich Iraq suffers from dilapidated infrastructure. Its roads, riddled with potholes and poorly maintained, are in terrible condition. Those connecting Baghdad to the north cross areas where sporadic attacks are still carried out by remnants of the Islamic State group. Sudani has prioritized the reconstruction of the country's road network, along with upgrading its failing electricity infrastructure. Lack of 'fluidity' Developing the road and rail corridor would allow Iraq to capitalize on its geographical position, with the aim of making the country a transportation hub for goods and people moving between the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe. Work has already started to increase capacity at the commercial port of Al-Faw, on the shores of the Gulf, where cargo is to be unloaded before it embarks on the new road and rail links. The project also includes the construction of around 15 train stations along the route, including in the major cities of Basra, Baghdad, and Mosul, and up to the Turkish border. The Gulf, largely bordered by Iran and Saudi Arabia, is a major shipping zone, especially for the transportation of hydrocarbons extracted by countries of the region. Zyad al-Hashemi, an Iraqi consultant on international transport, cast doubt on the plan to develop the country into a transportation hub, saying it lacks "fluidity". "Customers prefer to transport their goods directly from Asia to Europe, without going through a loading and unloading process," that would see containers moved between ships and road or rail, he said. Transport is a key sector in the global economy and Iraq's announcement is the latest in other planned international mega-projects, including China's "Belt and Road Initiative" announced in 2013 by its President Xi Jinping. The planned works in that project would see 130 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa connected through land and sea infrastructure providing greater access to China. The post Iraq unveils $17-B transport project linking Europe and Mideast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US votes on Trump’s fate under threat of election turmoil
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Americans vote Tuesday in an election amounting to a referendum on Donald Trump and his uniquely brash, bruising presidency that Democratic opponent and frontrunner Joe Biden urged supporters to end, restoring “our democracy.” US President Donald Trump leaves after speaking during a Make America Great Again rally at Fayetteville Regional Airport November 2, 2020, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. – The US presidential campaign enters its final day Monday with a last-minute scramble for votes by Donald Trump and Joe Biden, drawing to a close an extraordinary race that has put a pandemic-stricken country on edge. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) The United States is more divided and angry than at any time since the Vietnam War era of the 1970s — and fears that Trump could dispute the result of the election are only fueling those tensions. Despite an often startlingly laid-back campaign, Biden, 77, leads in almost every opinion poll, buoyed by his consistent message that America needs to restore its “soul” and get new leadership in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 231,000 people. “I have a feeling we’re coming together for a big win tomorrow,” Biden said in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a vital electoral battleground where he was joined by pop superstar Lady Gaga. “It’s time to stand up and take back our democracy.” But Trump was characteristically defiant to the end, campaigning at a frenetic pace with crowded rallies in four states on Monday, and repeating his dark, unprecedented claims for a US president that the polls risk being rigged against him. After almost non-stop speeches in a final three-day sprint, he ended up in the early hours of Tuesday in Grand Rapids, Michigan — the same place where he concluded his epic against-the-odds campaign in 2016 where he defeated apparent frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Despite the bad poll numbers, the 74-year-old Republican real estate tycoon counted on pulling off another upset. “We’re going to have another beautiful victory tomorrow,” he told the Michigan crowd, which chanted back: “We love you, we love you!” “We’re going to make history once again,” he said. Packing Trump’s bags While Tuesday is formally Election Day, in reality Americans have been voting for weeks. With a huge expansion in mail-in voting to safeguard against the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly 100 million people have already made their choice. Biden has the wind in his sails after indications that Democratic enthusiasm in the early voting may be matching the more visible energy at Trump’s impressive rallies. In one of US history’s great political gambles, Biden stuck to socially distanced gatherings with small crowds right up to the last moment, in stunning contrast to Trump’s constant, large rallies where few supporters so much as bothered with masks. But the Democrat, making his third attempt at the presidency, clearly senses that his calmer approach and strict attention to pandemic protocols is what Americans want after four tempestuous years. “It’s time for Donald Trump to pack his bags and go home,” Biden told supporters in Cleveland. “We’re done with the chaos! We’re done with the tweets, the anger, the hate, the failure, the irresponsibility.” In chilly downtown Pittsburgh, Justine Wolff said she had cast her ballot for Biden already and was cautiously hopeful he would carry Pennsylvania, which along with Florida may be the tightest of all the swing states that decide close national elections. “I hope that people have seen the writing on the wall,” said the 35-year-old nurse. “We need some kind of change because this isn’t working for anybody.” But where many early votes are believed to have been cast by Democrats, Trump’s side is hoping for a massive wave of Republican supporters voting in person on Tuesday. “Whether he wins or loses, this is history,” said Kolleen Wall, who turned out to cheer Trump in Grand Rapids. But “when you come to one of these rallies, all you think is, how could he not win?” The first polling stations opening were in two New Hampshire villages, Dixville Notch and Millsfield, starting at midnight. Most polling stations on the East Coast were to open at 6:00 am or 7:00 am (1100 or 1200 GMT). A tiny hamlet of 12 residents in the middle of the forest, near the Canadian border, Dixville Notch has traditionally voted “first in the nation” since 1960. The vote took minutes, as did the count: five votes for Biden, and none for Trump. Warning of violence Trump himself is planning to visit his campaign headquarters in Virginia on Tuesday, while Biden will travel to his birthplace of Scranton, the scrappy Pennsylvania town where Trump also visited on Monday. There are worries that if the election is close, extended legal chaos and perhaps violent unrest could ensue — not least because Trump has spent months trying to sap public trust in the voting process in a nation already bitterly divided along political fault lines. He ramped up these warnings in the final days, focusing especially on Pennsylvania’s rule allowing absentee ballots received within three days after Tuesday to be counted. In a tweet flagged with a warning label by Twitter on Monday, he said this would “allow rampant and unchecked cheating.” “It will also induce violence in the streets. Something must be done!” Trump tweeted......»»
After 30 years, a farmer now owns three gardens and provides jobs amid crisis, part 2
In part 1, Mary Ann Cogollo, a farmer from Iloilo, shares about how her 30-year gardening story began and evolved. Here, she talks about the hurdles she had to face that molded her for who she is today. Trials behind the triumphs At the back of her success is an unsteady, challenging voyage that she had to endure. “It’s 30 years in the making and looking back to what I’ve been through and endured, my heart is full,” said Cogollo. Growing up, Camille, her eldest daughter, saw how she fell and risen many times, she says, “I witnessed how she carried the pails from our wells to water her plants, pull the weeds every day, carried potted plants to hide them because of the heavy storms, how she failed and endured everything, how she learned from her experiences, and how she managed to be a farmer, a gardener, and a mother to us.” A throwback photo of Cogollo taken in 1994 with her 5-year old daughter. Before the birth of the gardens, Cogollo had been gardening alone for 10 years. She did the propagation, watering, and application of fertilizers. It was a challenge for this gardener to find suppliers and to travel the plants from the city to their place, but the hardest to deal with is the weather. “Typhoons and extreme summer are two of the most difficult situations to handle as well as dealing with plant diseases and pests. I failed a lot, some of my plants weren’t a success, but I learned from them,” Cogollo added. Blooming profits The price for the plants in the flower farm ranges from P25 to P10,000 and up. On normal days, they get to sell hundreds of plants every month that differ based on the demand. Most of it is purchased by co-gardeners too. Cogollo said that this season has the highest sales so far to the point that they travel some plants to the other garden to fill the demand. When they opened last month, they were able to dispose of 3000 to 5000 pots, which allowed them to generate a minimum of 50k per day from all the gardens. A mother, farmer, and businesswoman As a mother of two, she lets her children participate in farmwork and immerse themselves in nature at a young age. As per Camille, Cogollo taught her how to plant when she was four and let her have her mini garden at home. Their youngest also helps in raising livestock since he was in grade six. “They let us oversee the farm the same way that my lolo did before. She’s taught me how to plant and to marcot, how to fertilize and water correctly, and educated me what plants can grow from cuttings and what plants need to be in full sun or in shade,” Camille added. Despite the crisis, Cogollo added that God still made a way to provide for her family and their farm workers. She finds herself staring at the sky and thanking God for not leaving her family and the families working for them after two months of farm closure. When many people began growing plants to improve lifestyle amid the crisis, her children told her, “Nay your dream is coming true, farming and gardening are taking its shape, gakatabo na nay (it’s finally happening).” Cogollo only hopes for the public to continue appreciating nature and to start growing plants. Farming has been her life ever since. The life she chose is the same life lived by her parents and grandparents and according to her, to be able to help others while pursuing your passion is a blessing. Current situation As the government implemented enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to halt the spread of COVID-19, they had to close their gardens for two months. Since they only allow walk-ins and do not offer delivery services, they had no income from the garden. For Cogollo, those two months were the hardest; there were no landscaping projects but they had to give salaries to the employees every weekend. They thought of stopping their daily farm operations, but their musings brought them back to their primary goal, which is to provide the workers’ livelihood. They hired five more people who lost their jobs during those two months and didn’t stop propagating and maintaining the gardens. All smiles on her farm – As per Cogollo, the crisis allowed them to pause and see what they can do better. Living on a farm is an advantage because it’s COVID-free and their staff live nearby so they carry on with their daily work in the gardens and farm. Fortunately, after two months, a sudden increase in demand for plants began. The crisis has become as she calls it, “a ‘plantdemic’ for Ilonggos.” Their gardens re-opened for visitors when Iloilo was placed under GCQ (general community quarantine). From then on, the farm was amplified by different networks through social media and word of mouth. Despite their location, they were shocked that people kept visiting or asking about their gardens’ location. At some point, they were afraid due to the increasing numbers of visitors and of the risks it can entail that might harm their whole community. However, it was all worth it because according to Cogollo, “We know our dream is coming true. Farming/Gardening is taking shape.” They were also supposed to put up a garden café and park last May but due to these circumstances, things didn’t go as planned. In the future, they see the garden as a haven where people can stroll and appreciate and realize the beauty of nature. Photos from Dafalongs Flower Farm. For more information, visit the Dafalongs Flower Farms......»»
Sunsparks sweep BREN Esports to reach Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines (MPL-PH) Grand Finals
With Jaypee leading the way, Sunsparks swept BREN Esports to march to their second straight SMART Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines (MPL-PH) Grand Finals, Saturday. After dominating BREN in the opening game of the series, the reigning kings of MPL-PH carried enough momentum in Game Two to hand the league-leaders a 2-0 sweep. The top two squads of the regular season figured in a clash at the top side of the river with Kielvj (Esmeralda) taking down Pheww (Popol and Kupa) to kick-start the blood bath. Though BREN was able to shut Jaypee (Karrie) down in the ensuing play, Greed_ (Selena), Killuash (Xborg), Rafflesia (Lolita), and Kielvj was able to stand their ground even without their hyper carry, killing Ribo (Valir), Lastii (Atlas), and KarlTzy (Wanwan), to completely tighten their grip on the match. BREN tried one last attempt to save the game, but Jaypee and the rest of the men in blue made sure to lock onto the victory en route to their second consecutive finals appearance. “Sobrang synced ng team namin, saka ang ganda ng galaw namin, lahat kami gumagalaw sa team namin na hindi lang sa isa umaasa,” said “Jaypee” Dela Cruz. Jaypee spearheaded Sunsparks’ rally with four kills, six assists, and two deaths while Kielvj displayed another consistent performance with norms of six kills, two assists, and two deaths to send BREN Esports to the lower bracket. KarlTzy, on the other hand, was the lone bright spot for BREN with four kills, two assists, and two deaths. Meanwhile, ONIC PH, who booted out SGD-Omega earlier in the day, ended Execration’s run via a 2-0 sweep to set up a lower bracket final match-up against BREN Esports. ONIC PH team captain OhMyV33NUS (Popol and Kupa) was hailed as the Most Valuable Player in Game Two after finishing with a stat line of two kills and eight assists. Dlar (Uranus) provided four kills and four assists while Wise (Hanzo) had two kills and four assists to deny local MLBB star Z4pnu a shot at the grand finals. Execration, who defeated Blacklist International before facing ONIC PH, tallied only three kills in the match – all coming from Bennyqt (Esmeralda). The lower bracket finale between ONIC PH and BREN Esports will happen Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The winner of the match will take the last seat in the finals and face defending champions Sunsparks at 8:00 p.m. in the grand finals. Catch the MPL-PH on LIGA SKY Cable channel 86 and SKY Cable HD channel 183 with livestream on sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/mlbb, YouTube.com/ABSCBNSports......»»
Hoffman boosts bid for Paris Paris
Olympics hopeful Lauren Hoffman yesterday set a new national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a gold medal performance in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida......»»
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......»»
BOI boosts PH’s role as green metals hub
BOI boosts PH’s role as green metals hub.....»»