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US Officials Warn of New Axis of Evil With China at the Fore
WASHINGTON - U.S. military and defense officials are increasingly concerned that as China and Russia forge ever stronger ties, they might attempt to challenge Western unity and eventually alter the balance of power on the world stage.The commander of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that the evolving relationship between Beijing and Moscow is a "big portion" of.....»»
Hollywood stars invoke ‘Oppenheimer’ in anti-nukes campaign ahead of Oscars
"As artists and advocates, we want to raise our voices to remind people that while Oppenheimer is history, nuclear weapons are not," the letter says.....»»
Google to launch anti-misinformation campaign ahead of EU elections
Google will run a series of ads with what it calls 'prebunking' techniques to help viewers identify manipulative content.....»»
Samsung unveils three anti-glare Odyssey OLED gaming monitors prior to CES 2024
Samsung Unveils New Odyssey Gaming Monitors Ahead of CES 2024 Samsung has revealed the exciting details about its upcoming lineup of Odyssey gaming monitors, just.....»»
Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks
A third round of Ukrainian-backed peace talks opened in Malta Saturday with representatives from more than 60 countries but without Moscow, which denounced it as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the first of two days of closed-door talks among national security and policy advisors, which he hopes will drum up support for his 10-point plan to end the war. In a statement on social media afterward, he said 66 countries had taken part in the talks, proof that his plan "has gradually become global". It follows similar meetings in Jeddah and Copenhagen this summer, with the Ukrainians hoping to eventually hold a summit at the level of heads of state. "The meeting confirmed the broad interest and increasing support for the key elements of Ukraine's Peace Formula," an EU official said Saturday. Against the backdrop of the Hamas-Israel war, it also showed "that restoration of just peace is important beyond Ukraine -- it is about a global plea for respect of international law". Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova however has dismissed the Malta talks as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". They had "nothing to do with the search for a peaceful resolution", she said on Thursday. "Obviously such gatherings have absolutely no perspective, they are simply counterproductive." China absent Participants in Malta included the United States, the EU, and Britain, staunch supporters of Kyiv following Russia's February 2022 invasion. Turkey, which has offered itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, was also represented, according to a list seen by AFP before the talks opened. So too were South Africa, Brazil, and India -- all members of the influential BRICS bloc, which also includes Russia. South Africa and India have not condemned Russia's invasion, while Brazil has refused to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Moscow. China, which insists it is neutral and refuses to criticize the invasion, did not attend, despite being present in Jeddah in August, according to the EU official. Organizers were hoping for a joint statement from the Malta summit after both previous meetings ended without a final declaration. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said on Telegram that the discussions on Saturday were "lively" and focused on five key areas, notably the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Zelensky's peace plan calls for Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including from the territory of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Russia, which claimed last year to have annexed the four Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, has rejected any settlement that would involve giving up land. The Malta talks are also looking at nuclear security, notably the need to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and how to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. The issue of food security was also on the agenda, as Russia blocks grain exports from Ukraine; and humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to taken to Russia. "Russia will have to give in to the international community. It will have to accept our common conditions," Yermak said. Both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a grueling winter ahead, with Ukraine warning of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia pushing back against Kyiv's counteroffensive. The post Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence
Elianne Andam was headed to school like any other teenager in London last month when she was stabbed to death, becoming the latest victim of rising knife crime in England and Wales. The 15-year-old suffered a "brutal attack" in Croydon, south London, shortly after she and her friends had stepped off a public bus on a Wednesday morning, prosecutors have said. A 17-year-old boy arrested nearby just over an hour later will stand trial for her murder next April. One of the latest tragic cases of teen-on-teen violence in the British capital, it has become an increasingly common problem nationwide over recent decades. A few days after Andam's death, 16-year-old Taye Faik died in Edmonton, north London, following another knife attack. He was the 14th teenager to be killed with a blade in the city this year. The UK government, and mayors in some of its biggest cities and regions, have repeatedly vowed to tackle the persistent scourge of youth violence, but appear to be failing. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of knife and offensive weapon offences amongst children aged 10-17 increased by 19 percent across England and Wales, according to the Ministry of Justice. That compared with an eight percent increase among adults. 'Social issue' With the sale of guns strictly controlled in Britain, teenagers intent on violence typically turn to blades, including machetes and so-called "zombie" knives. Inspired by horror films, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge, and feature graphics or text on the blade or handle glorifying violence. Possessing them has been illegal since 2016, but some manufacturers have managed to evade this quasi-ban by altering their design. The government unveiled plans in August to outlaw them entirely and give police more powers to seize the weapons, which it said "seem to be designed to look menacing with no practical purpose". The new legislation will also increase the maximum penalty for their "importation, manufacturing, possession and sale" from six months to two years. However, machetes and zombie-style knives can be bought with relative ease for less than £50 ($60) on social media platforms like TikTok or Snapchat, circumventing online age restrictions, according to anti-knife crime campaigners. They urge more focus on the roots of the problem. "Knife crime isn't just a law-and-order issue, it's a social issue," Patrick Green, president of the Ben Kinsella Trust, told AFP. The anti-knife crime charity is named after a London teenager murdered in 2008. "When you start to unpick knife crime, you start to look at social deprivation, poverty, the lack of social mobility, mental health probation for young people," Green said. 'Awful weapons' Youth knife violence is more prevalent in Britain than many other European countries, he noted. "It's difficult to determine why exactly," Green added. London mayor Sadiq Khan's office blamed the austerity policies of successive Tory governments in power since 2010, which it argued have "decimated youth services" in the capital and beyond. As many as 130 centers offering sports and arts activities in the city have closed over that period, its statement noted. The pandemic and the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, driven by decades-high inflation, are also seen as contributing to the problem. Following the recent knife crime deaths in the capital, the Labour mayor urged the Conservative government in a letter "to speed up the legislation so we can ban these awful weapons as soon as possible". "The proposals also need to be toughened up to close the loopholes that could still allow the sale of these weapons," Khan added. He also wrote this month to London's 500 secondary schools reiterating that wand metal detectors to screen pupils for weapons were available, as well as police officers to deliver knife crime prevention talks. His opposition Labour party -- well ahead in polls for over a year -- has pledged to spend up to £100 million if it wins power in an election expected next year on a "Young Futures" program. It would fund new youth mentors and mental health hubs in every community, youth workers in schools set up for troubled students and hospitals, alongside wide-ranging public sector reforms. The post England, Wales grapple with growing teen knife violence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison
Another suspect in the assassination of a presidential candidate in Ecuador has died in prison, the same fate that befell six other suspects to the crime at another penal facility. The prison authority reported Saturday the killing of the Colombian suspect at the El Inca prison in Quito as President Guillermo Lasso announced the sacking of the police force’s general commander, investigations chief and prisons director. Lasso’s office also said it will file a criminal complaint against the director of the Guayaquil prison, where the six prisoners were said to have died amid “disturbances.” “He has already been detained... to give his version before the prosecutor’s office,” the presidency said. Authorities have not provided details on the inmate deaths, nor explained how the Quito prison failed to provide extra protection for the seventh suspect following Friday’s killings. All dead victims were arrested and detained in August over their alleged involvement in the assassination of anti-corruption crusader Fernando Villavicencio. The centrist candidate who had been polling in second place was gunned down days ahead of the 20 August as he left a stadium where he held a campaign rally. One suspected assassin was killed by police responding to the shooting of Villavicencio, while another six were arrested. The suspects’ deaths come just over a week before the election between leftist frontrunner Luisa Gonzalez and challenger Daniel Noboa. The winner of the 15 October vote will succeed Lasso, who called snap polls to avoid possible impeachment for embezzlement. The post Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fighting gun violence, Kamala’s new task
“We know true freedom is not possible if people are not safe,” United States Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday in announcing her new role to combat gun violence. The 58-year-old Democrat will lead the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which will coordinate on the issue but lacks significant enforcement authority to combat the epidemic in a nation with more firearms than people. “We do not have a moment to spare nor a life to spare” while the United States is “torn apart” by gun violence, she said at the White House on Friday. “After every mass shooting, we hear a simple message, the same message all over the country,” she added, saying Americans are begging for their leaders to “‘do something, please do something.’” Despite the new push, the White House does not have unilateral power to meaningfully limit gun use in the United States, such as by banning assault weapons. Any substantial moves would have to come from Congress, where fiercely anti-gun regulation Republicans control the House of Representatives. Biden has tried to work around legislative requirements and imposed certain regulatory and administrative restrictions, which have only a limited scope. The new role adds a significant job to Harris’s portfolio just a little over a year ahead of the 2024 race, in which she and the 80-year-old president are facing re-election. The vice president has already been tasked with handling other politically sensitive issues such as immigration. Tackling gun violence gives the former California prosecutor the chance to work on a visible issue that often garners more widespread consensus from the American public. According to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization, 44,374 people were killed by guns across the United States last year. Gun deaths have slowed slightly this year, at 28,793 for the first eight months, according to the archive. Harris — the first woman to become vice president as well as the first Black person and person of South Asian descent to hold the job — also recently embarked on the so-called Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour, in which she visited several US universities. She was generally received with enthusiasm, in contrast to her often-flagging favorability poll numbers. with AFP The post Fighting gun violence, Kamala’s new task appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zelensky in Canada to shore up support
After getting military support from United States President Joe Biden, Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky turns to Canada for more assistance in the war against Russia. Zelensky is scheduled for a Friday meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said that “Canada remains unwavering in our support to the people of Ukraine” ahead of the Ukrainian leader’s arrival in Ottawa on Thursday. Zelensky will also address Canada’s parliament before he and Trudeau head to Toronto for meetings with business leaders and members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the Canadian government said. Canada is home to the world’s second-largest Ukrainian diaspora after Russia, with about 1.36 million people of Ukrainian origin living there, according to government data. Canada’s $8.9 billion in aid to Ukraine has included more than $1.8 billion in military aid, including Leopard 2 tanks, air defense and artillery systems, anti-tank weapons, drones and other equipment. It has also trained more than 36,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Earlier, Biden said the first US M1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine “next week,” boosting Kyiv’s forces as they battle Russian troops in a slow-moving counteroffensive. WITH AFP The post Zelensky in Canada to shore up support appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gag Trump, prosecutor asks court
Former United States president Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric have gotten prosecutors threatened and may influence jurors and witness testimony, a special counsel argued in seeking a gag order on him. Special Counsel Jack Smith made the request on Friday ahead of Trump’s trial for election subversion. Smith enumerated Trump’s menacing comments posted on social media since his 1 August indictment for allegedly upending the results of the 2020 US election in a concerted effort that led to the violent 6 January 2021 attack by his supporters on the Capitol. “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” read one of Trump’s posts. Trump, who is running for president in next year’s election, also labeled trial judge Tanya Chutkan a “fraud” and “Trump-hating,” Smith’s office a “team of thugs” and Washington “filthy and crime-ridden” with a population “over 95 percent anti-Trump,” Smith added. Trump’s statements “could have a material impact on the impartiality of the jury pool while simultaneously influencing witness testimony,” Smith’s filing with the Washington federal court stated. “It is clear that the threats are prompted by the defendant’s repeated and relentless posts,” the filing added. The ex-president is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise American voters with his false claims that he won the November 2020 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty, and has formally asked Chutkan to recuse herself from the case, accusing her of bias against him. WITH AFP The post Gag Trump, prosecutor asks court appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alibaba announces surprise departure of ex-CEO
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has announced the surprise departure of former CEO Daniel Zhang, who had been set Monday to take charge of a key subsidiary as the firm undergoes a major restructuring. Hangzhou-based Alibaba is one of China's most prominent technology firms, with business operations spanning cloud computing, e-commerce, logistics, media and entertainment, and artificial intelligence. After years of turbulence in the Chinese tech sector, Alibaba in March announced the biggest restructuring in its history, dividing itself into six entities, with the goal of listing them on the stock exchange separately. CEO Daniel Zhang was due to take charge of the firm's new cloud computing branch, now a separate entity, on Monday. But two months after announcing his appointment, Alibaba said its ex-boss was no longer with the company. "The board of our Company expresses its deepest appreciation to Mr. Zhang for his contributions to Alibaba Group over the past 16 years," the company said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, where it is listed, late on Sunday. It gave no reason for his departure. Plans for a spin-off cloud computing firm would go ahead, Alibaba said, "under a separate management team to be appointed". The company announced in June that Zhang would be replaced by Joseph Tsai as chairman and Eddie Wu as CEO. The executive played a vital role in the company's success in the past decade, spearheading the now hugely popular Singles' Day shopping festival since its first edition in 2009. Shares in the firm sank nearly 3.5 percent Monday -- the first working day of its new reorganization into six distinct branches. In addition to e-commerce and cloud computing, Alibaba's reach stretches into everything from logistics to media, entertainment and artificial intelligence. But its vast size brought it into the crosshairs of Chinese regulators as Beijing sought to crack down on the tech sector. In 2020, Alibaba became the country's first tech giant to bear the brunt of increased oversight, when authorities called off what would have become one of the most valuable public listings in history -- valued at $34 billion -- for its former subsidiary Ant Group. Ant Group is the owner of Alipay, a mobile payment application widely used in China. One month after officials hit the brakes on its IPO, Alibaba was investigated for alleged anti-competitive practices, then issued a $2.8 billion fine. And in July authorities fined Ant Group nearly $1 billion for breaching banking regulations. The post Alibaba announces surprise departure of ex-CEO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore ex-deputy PM Shanmugaratnam elected president
Singapore's former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected president Friday, earning a landslide victory in the city-state's first contested vote for the largely ceremonial position in more than a decade. Singaporeans headed to the polls that were closely watched as an indication of support for the ruling party after a rare spate of scandals, but the longtime stalwart of the party won more than two-thirds of the vote over two rivals. "I believe that it's a vote of confidence in Singapore. It's a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans," the former finance minister said in a speech before the results were announced. "I'm humbled by this vote. It is not just a vote for me, it is a vote for Singapore's future." He won 70.4 percent of the vote to win a six-year term. His main rival Ng Kok Song, a former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, which manages the country's foreign reserves, conceded after winning only 15.7 percent of the vote. "The result is clear," he told reporters, adding Shanmugaratnam "has indeed earned a mandate from the people of Singapore." Shanmugaratnam acknowledged the "changing and evolving" nature of Singapore, notably its diversity, and said he believes the election was seen as "another milestone in that process of evolution." There are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city's accumulated financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. While the presidency is a non-partisan post under the constitution, political lines had already been drawn ahead of the election to replace incumbent Halimah Yacob, who ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. 'Decisive margin' Shanmugaratnam was widely viewed as the favourite for the position and had resigned as a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and as a senior minister in the cabinet ahead of the election as all presidential candidates must be independent. The 66-year-old economist is perceived as having the government's backing and was questioned about his independence during the campaign. The city-state's government is run by the prime minister, currently Lee Hsien Loong of the PAP, which has ruled Singapore continuously since 1959. "Singaporeans have chosen Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam to be our next President by a decisive margin," Lee said in a statement. Observers said the vote would indicate the level of PAP support ahead of general elections due in 2025 or discontent after recent scandals that include a corruption probe into the transport minister and the resignations of two PAP legislators over an affair. "What we want is a prosperous Singapore," self-employed worker Patrick Low, 70, told AFP after casting his vote. Shifting sentiments Another candidate, former insurance executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, had gained the support of several opposition leaders but only picked up 13.88 percent of votes. "The presidential election is increasingly being treated as a general election," said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore. Voting is compulsory for Singapore's more than 2.7 million eligible citizens. As of 5:00 pm local time (0900 GMT), more than 2.3 million Singaporeans, or about 85 per cent of eligible voters, had cast ballots, according to the Elections Department. Long but orderly lines snaked from polling centres absent the raucous environment that can accompany elections in other countries, where supporters chant or distribute flyers to lobby for last-minute votes. Izzuddin said an increase in protest voting had been expected but Shanmugaratnam secured an overwhelming win despite what experts had said was shifting opinions about the ruling party. The PAP suffered its worst-ever election performance in 2020 but maintained its more than two-thirds majority. Singapore requires presidential candidates to have served either as a senior civil servant or the chief executive of a company with shareholder equity of at least 500 million Singaporean dollars ($370 million). Perhaps the president's most crucial function is to serve as a custodian of Singapore's financial reserves, which can only be drawn upon in exceptional circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2009 global financial crisis. The post Singapore ex-deputy PM Shanmugaratnam elected president appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore holds first contested presidential vote in over a decade
Singaporeans head to the polls Friday in the city-state's first contested presidential election in more than a decade, a vote being closely watched as an indication of support for the ruling party after a rare spate of political scandals. The president's role is largely ceremonial, but there are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city's accumulated financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. While the presidency is a non-partisan post under the constitution, political lines were already drawn ahead of the election to replace incumbent Halimah Yacob, who ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. The city-state's government is run by the prime minister, currently Lee Hsien Loong of the People's Action Party, which has ruled Singapore continuously since 1959. Observers said the vote could indicate the level of PAP support ahead of general elections due by 2025 or discontent after recent scandals that include a corruption probe into the transport minister and the resignations of two PAP legislators over an affair. The frontrunner is former deputy prime minister and finance minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a long-time PAP stalwart before he resigned ahead of his candidacy. The 66-year-old economist is widely perceived as having the government's backing and was questioned about his independence during the campaign. Another candidate, former insurance executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, has gained the support of several opposition leaders. The third candidate, Ng Kok Song, 75, is the former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, which manages the country's foreign reserves. "The presidential election is increasingly being treated as a general election," said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore. "An increase in protest voting is anticipated due to vacillating ground sentiments vis-a-vis the ruling government." The PAP was recently rocked by political scandals, a rarity in the city which has capitalized on its reputation for clean government to become an international hub for an array of industries like finance and aviation. The PAP suffered its worst-ever election performance in 2020 but maintained its more than two-thirds majority. Voting is compulsory for Singapore's more than 2.7 million eligible citizens. Those who do not vote without a valid reason risk being struck from the voters' list. Singapore requires presidential candidates to have served either as a senior civil servant or the chief executive of a company with shareholder equity of at least 500 million Singaporean dollars ($370 million). Perhaps the president's most crucial function is to serve as a custodian of Singapore's financial reserves, which can only be drawn upon in exceptional circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2009 global financial crisis. The post Singapore holds first contested presidential vote in over a decade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Austrian ex-chancellor charged in latest corruption scandal
Austrian prosecutors said Friday they have charged former chancellor Sebastian Kurz with giving false testimony, the latest in a series of wide-ranging corruption scandals that have rocked the Alpine country. Kurz -- once hailed as a "wunderkind" of Europe's conservatives -- stepped down as chancellor in 2021 following a string of graft accusations, including spending public money for favorable media coverage. It marked the spectacular fall of the charismatic hardliner, who became the world's youngest democratically elected head of government in 2017 at age 31. Prosecutors said they have charged Kurz and two other people with providing false testimony to a parliamentary committee probing numerous graft allegations. The trial has been set for 18 October and is expected to last three days, the Vienna criminal court said. Kurz, 36, has repeatedly dismissed the accusations levied against him. The investigation by the state economic crime and corruption prosecutor into the charges Kurz allegedly lied to a committee of lawmakers wrapped up in January. In statements to the parliamentary committee, Kurz downplayed his influence in appointing then-finance ministry official, Thomas Schmid, to head the state-run company OeBAG. But chat messages leaked to the press about the process of setting up OeBAG suggested that both men had discussed the matter. Ahead of the indictment, Kurz said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the "allegations are false" and his team was looking forward to them being "proven baseless in court". If found guilty, he could face up to three years in jail. Earlier this year, Kurz's lawyer Werner Suppan said that 30 witnesses so far have exonerated his client with their statements. The former chancellor is now involved in numerous private international enterprises, including launching a cybersecurity company with the ex-head of Israel's NSO Group, which makes controversial Pegasus spyware. The conservative People's Party, which Kurz headed until 2021, continues to govern in a coalition with the Greens -- but their approval ratings have plummeted. In a separate case, prosecutors are investigating Kurz on suspicion of embezzling public funds for favourable coverage to help his political rise. Austria tightened its anti-corruption law in July. The post Austrian ex-chancellor charged in latest corruption scandal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Branson urges Singapore to ‘grant mercy’ to woman set for hanging
British tycoon Richard Branson urged Singapore on Thursday to halt an impending hanging that would be the city-state's first execution of a woman in nearly 20 years. Convicted drug trafficker Saridewi Djamani, 45, is scheduled to be hanged on Friday, according to the local rights group Transformative Justice Collective (TJC). "It's still not too late to grant mercy to Saridewi Djamani," Branson posted Thursday on Twitter, which is being rebranded as "X". "Shameful that Singapore's leaders continue to hang people for non-violent drug offences, joining countries like North Korea and Iran that still do so against evidence and better judgement," the billionaire said. Djamani was sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking around 30 grams (1.06 ounces) of heroin. If her execution goes ahead, she will be the first woman put to death in Singapore since 2004, when 36-year-old hairdresser Yen May Woen was hanged for drug trafficking, according to TJC activist Kokila Annamalai. Prison officials have not answered emailed questions from AFP seeking confirmation of Djamani's scheduled execution, but local rights activists said her family had received a notice setting the date. Rights watchdog Amnesty International has also urged Singapore to halt the hanging, saying there is no evidence the death penalty acts as a deterrent to crime. The Asian financial hub has some of the world's toughest anti-narcotics laws and insists the death penalty is effective in discouraging trafficking. Singapore's law minister last year challenged Branson to a televised debate in the city-state on the death penalty. The tycoon declined, saying such a debate "cannot do the complexity of the death penalty any service". On Wednesday, Singapore hanged a local man convicted of drug trafficking, the 14th prisoner sent to the gallows since the government resumed executions in March 2022 after a two-year pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, 57, was convicted and sentenced to death in 2017 for trafficking around 50 grams of heroin. The post Branson urges Singapore to ‘grant mercy’ to woman set for hanging appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
600 join anti-SONA protest in Cebu
CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 600 members of cause-oriented groups gathered in downtown Cebu City a few hours ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, to air their sentiments against his administration. They especially asked Marcos to take a closer look at the […] The post 600 join anti-SONA protest in Cebu appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PNP: Fair treatment for SoNA rallyists
The Philippine National Police discourage the burning of effigies during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address or SoNA by any groups that would demonstrate support or protests on Monday. In a radio interview on Saturday, PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said the destruction of effigies by progressive groups will not be allowed during their demonstration as it would cause heavy traffic. “ We have already conveyed the request that we discourage the burning of effigies. There are existing laws when it comes to burning in public places,” Fajardo said, noting that the Quezon City government provided permits to four groups for the upcoming SoNA. She also noted that protesters are only allowed to position in Tandang Sora near Commonwealth, while pro-government groups are designated in front of the St. Peter Parish also along Commonwealth. The city government has allotted between 2 and 3 lanes for protesters or rallyists along Commonwealth Avenue. It also opened a zipper lane on the southbound. Fajardo said the two different groups are given more or less two kilometers distance to prevent possible commotion between them during their demonstrations on Monday. “There are given safe distances between these groups that have acquired permits,” she added. Fajardo said the PNP will apply fair treatment between the administration supporters and anti-government groups. “Whatever security coverage will be given to militant groups will be the same treatment to be provided with the pro-government rallyists,” she said while assuring that the PNP has enough security personnel to cover these different groups. Fajardo warned that police would not allow any group to leave their designated areas as stipulated in the permits. “We are hoping for their compliance to what has been agreed upon,” she said. The PNP will allow progressive groups to demonstrate from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. while pro-government groups will conduct their programs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fajardo said. Rallyists are given a chance to demonstrate according to what has been provided by their permits, she added: “It was very clear where should they stay and they should maintain discipline among their ranks.” ‘PNP 100% ready for SoNA’ In a separate radio interview, PNP Public Affairs Chief, BGen. Redrico Maranan said the PNP is all set for the President’s second SoNA noting that they have not monitored any threat ahead of the event. “Patuloy ang paglalatag natin ng security measures at patuloy ang pagkalap natin ng impormasyon sa paligid (We continue to lay down security measures and acquiring more information in the surroundings),” he said. Maranan said more than 22,000 police personnel, including a force multiplier, will be deployed in the entire Metro Manila during SoNA. The post PNP: Fair treatment for SoNA rallyists appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-VP Pence jumps into 2024 White House race
Washington, United States Republican former vice president Mike Pence launched his bid for the 2024 presidential nomination on Monday, offering a traditionalist alternative to the battle royale being waged by populists Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. The evangelical Christian filed his paperwork with the Federal Election Commission ahead of an official declaration Wednesday in the early voting state of Iowa -- joining an already crowded field. Pence, 63, honed his reputation as an unstintingly loyal deputy who stuck with Trump throughout a scandal-plagued four years and brought the religious right into the tent. But he became a pariah in Trumpworld after rejecting the Republican leader's demands that he overturn the 2020 election in his role as president of the Senate. Berated constantly by Trump after Joe Biden's victory -- and even heckled at a conservative conference with chants of "traitor!" -- Pence continued to praise the tycoon in public. That eventually changed after Trump's torrent of false claims of election fraud led to a mob chanting for Pence to be hanged at the US Capitol. Pence has spent much of the last two years touring early-nominating states such as Iowa and New Hampshire to reinforce his political vision as a "Christian, conservative, Republican -- in that order." His entry doesn't much change the dynamics of the race, which is divided into three lanes -- runaway leader Donald Trump, Trump's closest rival and sitting Florida governor DeSantis, and everyone else. Pence is framing himself as a traditional Republican, concerned with fiscal responsibility and family values, who can deliver Trump's economic policies without the drama. But he has also pointed to some clear blue water between the pair, as he allies himself strongly with Ukraine and refuses to rule out cuts to welfare payments. While his politics are popular among Republicans, critics question whether Pence has a constituency in a party that is more focused now on populism and cultural politics than traditional conservatism. And voters sympathetic to his decision to stand up for the Constitution have other candidate choices, such as the proselytizing Christian Tim Scott who do not bring with them the baggage of the Trump years. "We all give (Pence) credit for certifying the election," Republican strategist Sarah Longwell told Politico. "But he also stood next to Donald Trump and normalized and validated him for four years while Trump ran roughshod over the presidency." DeSantis has consistently been polling almost 20 points above Pence and is hoping to outflank Trump from the right. But the Florida governor's poor showing in head-to-head polls has opened the floodgates, with Chris Christie due to announce on Tuesday, joining former governors Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson and Doug Burgum in the race. Like Haley and DeSantis, Pence has appeared determined to avoid conflict with Trump in hopes of wooing his former supporters should the cascade of criminal investigations targeting the former president take him out of the race. The lower-ranked candidates have also pointed out that there is a long way to go in the race, and that Trump was trailing in the low single digits at this point in the 2016 cycle. Democrats watching from the sidelines pointed to Pence's socially conservative agenda as an abortion hardliner who has opposed same-sex marriage as evidence that he would drag the contest to the right. "In Mike Pence's own words, he was a member of the extreme Tea Party 'before it was cool,' and he hasn't slowed down since," said Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. Zee Cohen-Sanchez, a left-leaning election strategist who has worked with progressives like Bernie Sanders, said Pence's break with Trump over the insurrection was a double-edged sword. "Despite allegations and charges against Trump, his base remains strong and given Pence essentially turned against Trump, these voters will not support him," she told AFP. "The majority of other Republicans support DeSantis, who has a track record conservatives are excited about and they see him as a powerful alternative to Trump." ft/jh © Agence France-Presse The post Ex-VP Pence jumps into 2024 White House race appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French supermarket CEO detained in stock manipulation probe
The head of a top French supermarket chain was briefly taken into custody for questioning Thursday in an inquiry over stock price manipulation, insider trading, and corruption suspicions, a source close to the case said. Jean-Charles Naouri -- already under pressure to reduce debt at retailer Casino -- was held in Paris by judges probing links between the CEO and a populist financial journalist who has made several attempts at the French presidency. The alleged acts date to 2018 and 2019, the source told AFP, with judges investigating since 2020. Lawyers for Naouri did not respond to requests for comment. Sources familiar with the matter told AFP later Thursday that Naouri had been released without charges being brought against him at this stage. Investigators searched Casino's headquarters as well as Naouri's home in May 2022. According to the French daily Le Parisien, Casino paid more than 800,000 euros ($857,000) to several companies controlled by Nicolas Miguet, editor of financial newsletters who has sought the French presidency on an anti-tax platform. The French financial markets regulator AMF, which lodged the complaint, suspects that in exchange Miguet made "buy" recommendations on Casino shares in his various publications and statements. In a recent financial filing, Casino said the legal inquiry was based only on "an encounter with a former consultant to Casino" and denied the allegations. Naouri's detention comes after a Paris court ordered last week that Casino, whose debt mountain stood at 6.4 billion euros at the end of 2022, be placed in conciliatory proceedings with creditors ahead of a potential debt restructuring. The share price of the group -- which employs more than 200,000 people worldwide under several brands -- hit a record low in Paris at the end of trading on Thursday. The post French supermarket CEO detained in stock manipulation probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Of warm summer nights and cool, soft sleep fabric
Sleep is a luxury, and it’s the reward waiting for you at the end of a long, demanding hard day’s work. When we finally sink into our beds and lay our weary heads and shoulders on our pillows, we yearn for nothing more than to drift into a restful slumber that will recharge us physically and mentally so that we wake up refreshed and full of energy. In our desire for a good night’s sleep, the myths, tips and tricks have most likely outnumbered the actual hours of naps that we’ve clocked in. Finding the right temperature, setting up just the right amount of light and even playing soothing sounds or spraying calming scents are efforts. But the secret to the best sleep ever is as close to you as a second skin. Think fabric. Linen & Homes has developed sustainable bedding woven from 100-percent cooling bamboo viscose. The result: lightweight sheets that are three times softer than cotton sheets. And while you slide into your buttery sheets, here are more benefits from bamboo. They’re naturally cooling. Bamboo fibers regulate your body’s temperature and even the temperature around you. They do not retain heat, so you stay cool. Its moisture-wicking properties mean it is breathable, which reduces hot flashes and night sweats. They’re sustainable. Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative fiber source — it grows faster and can still reproduce after a harvest, requiring less water. They’re hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Both are great features when you have sensitive skin! It is free from allergens, dust mites, and bacteria. The anti-microbial properties also mean the bamboo plant does not need pesticides, so that’s zero chemicals for you to worry about. Dream suite If you haven’t already, it’s time to switch and sleep in sustainable fabric. At the Linen & Homes Dream Suite, their new showroom along Perea Street in Legaspi Village, Makati City, you can go ahead and see and feel the attainable luxury and quality of the sustainable fabric that goes into each of their products. Run your hands across the smooth sheets and pillowcases, feel the buttery soft blankets between your fingers and even try on a weighted blanket to see if it’s for you. The beds are inviting and set up entirely in their range of products — from the covers to the mattress toppers and protectors. In another corner, you’ll also find sleepwear — pajamas, loungewear and robes made to feel soft yet durable and with the perfect amount of stretch for the luxuriously comfortable sleep that you deserve. And even towels are also made from 100-percent eco-friendly bamboo terry, loomed to 700 grams per square meter, so it’s a perfect combination of softness, durability and absorbency. All this, as if to say even the art of getting ready for bed — a nice bath, comfy clothes — is the perfect lead-up to falling into soft sheets and fast asleep. The venue was created as a haven for all things sleep — conducive enough to try the fabric, you can sit on a corner of the bed and find yourself inching your way up to the pillows. You can mix and match the colors and prints, decide on softness, smoothness, and weight, and choose sleepwear to complete the experience. The post Of warm summer nights and cool, soft sleep fabric appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»