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Hong Kong’s top court to rule on same-sex marriage
Hong Kong's top court will decide Tuesday whether to recognize same-sex marriages, rendering a verdict in one of the most consequential cases on the subject in the city's history. Over the past decade, LGBTQ activists in the former British colony have won piecemeal victories in court, striking down discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes, and housing benefits. But the case brought by jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham -- set to be decided at 2:30 pm local time (0630 GMT) Tuesday -- will be the first time Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal has directly addressed the issue of same-sex marriage. Since launching his challenge in 2018, Sham, 36, has twice failed to convince the courts that Hong Kong should legally recognize his marriage to a same-sex partner, which was registered in New York nearly a decade ago. In his most recent setback, in August 2022, appeal judges wrote that Hong Kong's constitutional text "only provides access to the institution of marriage to heterosexual couples". Sham has argued the city's ban on same-sex marriage violates his right to equality, while the lack of a policy alternative -- such as civil unions -- does the same, in addition to breaching his right to privacy. British rights lawyer Karon Monaghan, representing Sham, told the court in June the ban disadvantages same-sex couples in areas such as inheritance and housing rentals. A poll this year found that 60 percent of Hong Kongers supported same-sex marriage, compared to just 38 percent a decade ago. Some international businesses in the city have also backed marriage equality campaigns, crediting it as a way to attract talent. But the city's Beijing-approved leadership has shown little appetite for passing laws that advance LGBTQ equality. Rights advocacy has partly gone underground after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, following huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the finance hub. Sham, a prominent democracy campaigner, is one of dozens of activists behind bars awaiting prosecution under the security law on charges unrelated to LGBTQ rights. In July, a radio show promoting gay rights aired by Hong Kong's public broadcaster was canceled after a 17-year run. The post Hong Kong’s top court to rule on same-sex marriage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NEDA looks to satellite technology to verify inflation policy
The National Economic and Development Authority is looking into how satellite technology could be used to verify data from rice fields, help keep prices under control, and make sure there is enough food for everyone. In a statement, NEDA Officer in Charge Assistant Director Rory Jay S.C. Dacumos said they are currently evaluating how useful the Philippine Rice Information System is for studying inflation. "Currently, we (use Philippine Statistics Authority) data to inform our inflation policy, but to enhance our inflation analysis, we need to augment our data sources," Dacumos said. "This is particularly important in the case of rice, our staple, and amid volatile weather situations," Dacumos added. Hence, Dacumos said NEDA sent a research team to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, to evaluate the potential of the PRISM in providing valuable insights for the government's proactive measures to manage inflation. In the discussions during the study visit, it was pointed out that PRiSM can provide validated rice field data to their registered stakeholders every 7th day of the succeeding month compared to the quarterly PSA data. In the discussions during the study visit, it was pointed out that PRiSM can provide validated rice field data to their registered stakeholders every 7th day of the succeeding month compared to the quarterly PSA data. “We have also learned during the lectures and the field demonstration that the PRiSM data is reasonably accurate. So, we can see how this could enhance our policy recommendations on inflation,” Dacumos said. PRiSM collects rice field data through satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensing, which is unaffected by cloud cover. The data collected through the SAR has up to 95 percent overall accuracy, vis-a-vis the ground-validated data with the help of PRiSM data collectors in the field across the country using a mobile application to record and upload data more efficiently. When the SAR images are insufficient, PRiSM can process secondary data, such as data collected using drones. A satellite, Sentinel-1A, provides the SAR images used by PRiSM. The next satellite, Sentinel-1C, is set to be launched within the year and has the potential to further augment PRiSM’s operations. The compiled data is presented in the form of rice area maps that indicate the locations where rice has been planted, the timing of rice planting, estimated rice yield, areas of rice affected by flooding due to heavy rains and tropical cyclones, and areas where rice cultivation has been impacted by drought. “PRiSM is currently only applicable to rice, but according to PhilRice, the technology and methodology of PRiSM could also be adapted for monitoring other crops,” Dacumos said. PRiSM began full operation in 2018 under PhilRice to assist the Department of Agriculture in making well-informed decisions for policy formulation and planning. Since then, PhilRice has been continuously improving the methodology and technology of PRiSM. Meanwhile, NEDA chairs the Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook. The committee was formed to provide high-level policy advice on how to address the recent high inflation. Fulfilling this mandate involves providing anticipatory policy advice, which requires the analysis of timely data. The post NEDA looks to satellite technology to verify inflation policy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pita Limjaroenrat: Thailand’s opposition earth-shaker
Harvard graduate, corporate titan and unlikely pro-democracy champion, 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat has shocked the Thai establishment with a grassroots campaign pushing royal reform that has seen him emerge as a frontrunner to be the kingdom's next prime minister. His Move Forward Party (MFP) has captured the majority in an election that saw record turnout -- with 14.1 million people throwing their support behind him. Vowing Monday that he would be "the next prime minister of Thailand", Pita said in a triumphant victory speech that his party is now ready to form a government. "Today is a new day, and hopefully it is full of sunshine and hope," he said in English. Pita first appeared in Thailand's political scene as one of the fresh faces of the newly formed progressive Future Forward Party in 2018. It drew the third-largest share of voters in the following year's poll -- but after facing a barrage of legal challenges that critics say were politically motivated, Future Forward was dissolved and its leaders banned from politics. Reborn as the Move Forward Party, Pita has been a dynamic presence on the campaign trail -- capitalizing on his youth and energy to reach voters disillusioned and yearning for change after more than eight years of military-backed government. "We will together rewrite Thai political history," he told ecstatic supporters at MFP's last rally in Bangkok on Friday. The election is the first since major youth-led pro-democracy protests erupted across Bangkok in 2020 with demands to curb the power and spending of Thailand's king -- breaching a long-held taboo on questioning the monarchy. MFP is the only party promising to reform the kingdom's draconian lese majeste laws, known as "112" in Thailand after their section in the penal code. A hugely controversial and sensitive subject, it has long been held as an untouchable in Thai politics. Even opposition rivals Pheu Thai -- once Thailand's most popular party -- said they would leave the issue to parliament. But Pita has not shied from it, telling reporters late Sunday that "no matter what, we will push for royal lese majeste law reform". Harvard graduate In a Thai political scene more commonly populated by ageing wheeler-dealers, the charismatic father of one inspires rockstar levels of enthusiasm from his supporters. Educated in New Zealand and the United States, Pita studied at Harvard on an international scholarship, before going on to become an entrepreneur. However, following his father's death when he was 25, Pita returned home to run his family's heavily-in-debt business Agrifood, turning its fortunes around. He later became executive director of transport and delivery app Grab Thailand. In 2012 he married Thai TV actress Chutima Teepanat, and they have a seven-year-old daughter. The marriage broke down in 2019. His young daughter has featured prominently in the campaign with Pita bringing her on stage after speeches, much to the crowds' delight. Online, he has utilised a public "personal" account -- followed by almost one million users -- to share images of him and his daughter wearing matching t-shirts and eating ice cream together. But despite the success at the ballot box, there is no indication his path to prime minister will be straightforward. He must now cobble a coalition together to surpass government-appointed senators who elect Thailand's prime minister from among eligible candidates. The post Pita Limjaroenrat: Thailand’s opposition earth-shaker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ANZ raises Philippine inflation forecast to 3.8% this year
ANZ Research hiked its inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.8 percent this year, from 3.5 percent previously, as risks may drive inflation up to above the central bank’s two to four percent target in the coming months......»»
S& P: Philippines may miss growth goal this year
S&P Global Ratings sees the Philippines again missing its growth targets this year as it kept its gross domestic product growth forecast at 5.9 percent. While the projection is better compared to other economies in the region, it is again below the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth target......»»
Baltimore bridge collapse could lead to delayed shipments, higher shipping costs
The closure of the Port of Baltimore in the US following the collapse of the Baltimore key bridge is expected to lead to shipment delays and higher shipping costs......»»
EAM Jaishankar visits Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 27 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday during its port call to Manila and said that India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision will continue to give it a more contemporary form. He presented his remarks at the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday and said that his visit and the ship's presence signify th.....»»
Bargain hunting ends 2-day slump
The stock market broke out of its two-day slump yesterday as bargain hunters buoyed share prices......»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
‘Serenade of the Seas’ arrival restarts Subic cruise tourism program
The arrival here of GTS Serenade of the Seas, a 12-decker cruise liner operated by Royal Caribbean International, is expected to resurrect Subic’s cruise tourism program, which had gained momentum before being halted by the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago......»»
Shohei Ohtani says interpreter stole money, denies knowledge of gambling debts
Shohei Ohtani says he was unaware Ippei Mizuhara had gambling debts and that he had been lied to repeatedly by the interpreter who had been by his side since he joined Major League Baseball in 2018.....»»
Avoiding the play-in
The NBA regular season ends on April 14, meaning only 20 days are left to determine which teams from the East and West will figure in the dreaded play-in tournament......»»
Old habits die hard
In a 2018 article, I wrote about how I spent most of my weeknights playing video games and streaming random TV series, reality shows and movies......»»
PUBG Mobile continues steady rise in Philippines
PUBG: Mobile has been a steady shooting game that Filipinos have been playing since its release back in 2018. Since then, the game has had Filipino-centric initiatives in 2022......»»
Dovish Powell lifts markets to historic highs
Last week, US equities reached new all-time highs, thereby lifting global stock markets. This came on the back of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish policy statement. In that speech, Powell touted considerable progress in bringing down inflation, notwithstanding the bumps in the road toward the two percent target......»»
Minglanilla ends 22-year title drought, wins Gullas Cup in dominating fashion vs. Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla hoisted the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament title after routing the visiting Talisay Aksyon Agad, 72-58, on Saturday evening, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Minglanilla, also known as the Archangels, beat Talisay in their do-or-die Game 3 of the finals, and.....»»
Tough love: La Salle captain Coronel takes De Jesus criticism in stride amid steady rise
Often the target of helpful criticism by legendary La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus, Lady Spikers captain setter Julia Coronel bravely absorbs his lessons as she leads their title defense.....»»
Wilcon ramps up expansion to hit 100-store goal this year
Home improvement and construction supplies retailer Wilcon Depot Inc. is ramping up its expansion this year to hit its 100-store target......»»
Catriona Gray naka-focus sa kalusugan, may struggle sa scoliosis
NAGING bukas si Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray sa kanyang pinagdaraanang challenges dahil sa sakit niyang scoliosis. Sa kanyang panayam sa ABS-CBN News, ibinahagi nito na mas nararamdaman na raw niya ngayon ang epekto ng sakit. “‘I’m getting older, magthi-thirty na ako, sorry older in my context. I’m starting to really feel the effects of.....»»
Catriona Gray reacts to Miss Universe s fake inclusivity issue
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray hoped that the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) would prove that the pageant's inclusivity shouldn't be seen as "token thing" after owner Anne Jakrajutatip had a leaked viral video about the pageant's alleged "fake inclusivity." .....»»