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Swift stays on top but ‘Flower Moon’ impresses on North America screens
The new Taylor Swift concert movie held on to the top spot in North American theaters this weekend, but the history-based crime epic "Killers of the Flower Moon" had an impressive debut -- the best for a Martin Scorsese film since 2010. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," distributed by AMC Theaters, took in an estimated $31 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday. That pushed the two-week domestic total for the film, which includes scenes from three of the pop superstar's concerts to $129.8 million. It is now the only concert film ever to top the box office for two straight weekends, Variety reported. Meantime, Scorsese's new film had a strong debut -- particularly given its three-and-a-half-hour runtime, its upcoming release on streamer Apple TV+, and the inability of stars Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio to promote it as the actors' strike continues -- taking in $23 million. "Reviews and audience scores are superb," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. With a slew of award nominations expected for the director and cast (also including Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone), "the picture is set up for a strong run," Gross added. "Flower Moon" tells the true story of the murders of Native Americans in Oklahoma early in the last century by evildoers after their oil rights. In the third spot for the weekend, down from second, was Universal's horror film "Exorcist: The Believer," at $5.6 million. Leslie Odom Jr. and Ann Dowd star in this scary sequel to the 1973 original. Fourth place went to Paramount's family-friendly animation "Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie," at $4.5 million. Taraji P. Henson, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, and McKenna Grace voice the super-pups. And in fifth was Disney's re-release of the 1993 classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at $4.1 million. Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, and Catherine O'Hara star in Tim Burton's dark stop-motion fantasy. Rounding out the top 10 were: "Saw X" ($3.6 million) "The Creator" ($2.6 million) "A Haunting in Venice" ($1.1 million) "The Blind" ($1 million) "The Nun II" ($887,000) The post Swift stays on top but ‘Flower Moon’ impresses on North America screens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned of a "long and difficult" war, as fighting with Hamas left hundreds dead on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group. The conflict's bloodiest escalation in decades saw Hamas carry out a massive rocket barrage and ground, air and sea offensive Saturday that Israel's army said had killed more than 200 Israelis and wounded 1,000, while soldiers and civilians were taken hostage. Gaza officials said intense Israeli air strikes on the coastal enclave had brought the Palestinian death toll to at least 256, with nearly 1,788 wounded. As fighting raged Sunday, Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said it had fired "large numbers of artillery shells and guided missiles" at Israeli positions in a contested border areas "in solidarity" with Hamas. Israel's army had earlier said it fired artillery on southern Lebanon in response to a shot from the area without identifying the attackers. "We are embarking on a long and difficult war that was forced on us by a murderous Hamas attack," Netanyahu said on X, formerly Twitter, early Sunday. "The first stage is ending at this time by the destruction of the vast majority of the enemy forces that infiltrated our territory," he added, pledging no "respite" until victory. Overnight Israel battered the Gaza Strip with air strikes as rockets from the blockaded Palestinians territory rained on Israel. Sunday morning gun still battles raged between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters in multiple locations, including at the Sderot police station across the border from Gaza. Police and Israeli army special forces "neutralized 10 armed terrorists" who were holed up inside the station, a police statement said. The bloody air, sea and land attack launched Saturday by Hamas came half a century after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, taking Israel and the world by surprise. As the UN Security Council called an emergency meeting for Sunday, President Joe Biden voiced "rock solid and unwavering" support for the US ally and warned "against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation". - Hostages and 'so many bodies' - The Israeli army said overnight its forces were still engaged in gun battles in a string of Israel locations, in an operation labelled "Swords of Iron", as reservists were being called up. Hamas earlier released images of several Israelis taken captive, and another army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, confirmed that soldiers and civilians had been kidnapped. "I can't give figures about them at the moment," he said late Saturday, adding there was also a "severe hostage situation" in the Negev desert communities of Beeri and Ofakim east of Gaza. According to Ynet Israeli news website "dozens of Israeli captives, including numerous women, children and elders, are believed to have been taken into the Gaza Strip". The fighting prompted Israel to cut off Gaza's electricity, fuel and goods supplies, Netanyahu said. The Islamist group started the multi-pronged attack around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday with thousands of rockets aimed as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some bypassing the Iron Dome defense system and hitting buildings. Hamas fighters -- traveling in ground vehicles, motorized paragliders and boats -- breached Gaza's security barrier and attacked nearby Israeli towns and military posts, opening fire on residents and passersby. "Send help, please!" one Israeli woman sheltering with her two-year-old child pleaded as militants outside opened fire and tried to break into their safe room, Israeli media reported. Bodies were strewn on the streets of the Israeli town of Sderot near Gaza and inside cars, the windscreens shattered by a hail of bullets. "I saw many bodies, of terrorists and civilians," one man told AFP, standing beside covered corpses on a road near Gevim Kibbutz in southern Israel. "So many bodies, so many bodies." AFP journalists witnessed Palestinian armed men gather around a burning Israeli tank, and others driving a seized Israeli military Humvee vehicle back into Gaza, where they were met by cheering crowds. - 'Gates of hell' - Israeli army Major General Ghasan Alyan warned Hamas had "opened the gates of hell". An AFP journalist in Gaza saw clouds of dust from the remains of bombed residential towers which Gaza's interior ministry said contained 100 apartments. Israel's military said it had warned residents to evacuate before targeting the multi-story buildings used by Hamas. The escalation follows months of rising violence, mostly in the occupied West Bank, and tensions around Gaza's border and at contested holy sites in Jerusalem. Before Saturday, at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners had been killed this year, including combatants and civilians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. Hamas labeled its attack "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" and called on "resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as in "Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle. Its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have fired more than 5,000 rockets, while Hecht said Israel had counted more than 3,000 incoming rockets. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group was on the "verge of a great victory", vowing to press ahead with "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons must be completed". - 'Dangerous precipice' - Air raid sirens wailed across southern and central Israel, as well as in Jerusalem on Saturday, and there were major disruptions at Tel Aviv airport where many carriers canceled flights. Israel said schools would remain closed on Sunday which marks the start of the week. Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, leading to Israel's crippling blockade of the impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people. Israel and Hamas have since fought several wars. The last major military exchange, in May, killed 34 Palestinians and one Israeli. Violence also erupted across the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, with five Palestinians killed and 120 wounded in clashes with Israeli forces and settlers, Palestinian medical services said. Countries around the world condemned the wave of attacks by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist group. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack "terrorism in its most despicable form". But Hamas drew support from other foes of Israel, with Iran's supreme leader declaring he was "proud". UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland warned of "a dangerous precipice" and called on all sides to "pull back from the brink". (Rosie Scammell with Adel Zaanoun in Gaza) az-rsc-jd/hkb © Agence France-Presse The post Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AI of the tiger: Tiny camera ‘protects’ predator — and people
Tiger populations are on the rise in the jungles of India and Nepal and the predators are roaming ever closer to villages, sparking a race among conservationists to find ways of avoiding conflict. They are increasingly finding solutions with artificial intelligence, a bunch of technologies designed to reason and make decisions like humans. Experts from Clemson University in South Carolina and several NGOs published research last month on their work using AI-enabled cameras that they say could help revolutionize tiger conservation. They placed tiny devices around enclosures in the two South Asian nations, both to protect villagers from the predators -- and the predators from poachers. According to their research, published in the BioScience journal, the camera system called TrailGuard can distinguish between tigers and other species and relay images to park rangers or villagers within seconds. "We have to find ways for people and tigers and other wildlife to coexist," Eric Dinerstein, one of the authors of the report, told AFP. "Technology can offer us a tremendous opportunity to achieve that goal very cheaply." Elephants and Amazon loggers The research claims the cameras were immediately effective, picking up a tiger just 300 meters from a village, and on another occasion identifying a team of poachers. They say their system was the first AI camera to identify and transmit a picture of a tiger, and it has almost wiped out false alarms -- when traps are tripped by passing boars or falling leaves. The scheme is one of several putting an AI spin on the established ideas of wildlife surveillance. Researchers in Gabon are using AI to sift their camera trap images and are now trying a warning system for elephants. Teams in the Amazon are piloting equipment that can detect the sounds of chainsaws, tractors and other machinery associated with deforestation. And US tech titan Google teamed up with researchers and NGOs four years ago to collect millions of images from camera traps. The project, called Wildlife Insights, automates the process of identifying species and labelling images, saving many hours of laborious work for researchers. Conservationists like Dinerstein, who also leads the tech team at the Resolve NGO, are sure that technology is helping their cause. 'Early warning system' Their goal is to ensure that 30 percent of the Earth's land and oceans are designated protected zones by 2030, as agreed by dozens of governments last year, with that number eventually going up to 50 percent. Those zones will need to be monitored, and animals will need to move safely between protected areas. "That's what we're shooting for, and the critical element of that is an early warning system," he said. The plight of tigers underscores the size of the challenge. Their habitats have been devastated across Asia and their numbers in India fell to an all-time low of 1,411 in 2006, before steadily rising to current levels of around 3,500. In the mid-20th century, India was home to an estimated 40,000. 'Jury still out' Jonathan Palmer, head of conservation technology at the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), who was not involved in the study, said TrailGuard had exciting potential. But Palmer, who helped found Wildlife Insights with Google, said the broader uses of AI in conservation were not yet settled. "In most cases, AI species identification is still in its infancy," he said. His NGO recommends outside verification of any species identification done by AI. And Palmer said the "jury was out" on whether AI was better deployed in cameras at the scene or afterwards on servers or laptops. Those uncertainties aside, Dinerstein is widening the rollout of TrailGuard -- this time with even bigger animals in his sights. "Elephants wander outside parks all the time and it leads to a massive amount of conflict," he said. They destroy crops, cause chaos in villages and can even cause train crashes, with dozens of deaths every year, he added. "There's an immense opportunity here to prevent that." The post AI of the tiger: Tiny camera ‘protects’ predator — and people appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quantum dots: the tiny ‘rainbow’ crystals behind chemistry Nobel
Quantum dots are tiny crystals that scientists can tune to different colors, giving an extra-vivid pop to next-generation TV screens or illuminating tumors inside bodies so surgeons can hunt them down. Three scientists won the Nobel Chemistry Prize on Wednesday for their work turning an idea first theorized in the 1930s into a reality that now has pride of place in living rooms across the world. What are they? Quantum dots are semiconducting particles just one-thousandth the width of a human hair. In 1937, the physicist Herbert Froehlich predicted that once particles were small enough -- so-called nanoparticles -- they would come under the strange spell of quantum mechanics. To explain this quantum phenomenon, American Chemical Society president Judith Giordan said to "think of it like a little box". When a particle is shrunk down small enough, the electron is "going to whack into the sides of the box," she told AFP. In a larger box, the electrons would whack the sides less often, meaning they have less energy. For quantum dots, the larger boxes emit red light, while the smaller ones show up blue. This means that by controlling the size of the particle, scientists can make their crystals red, blue and everything in between. Leah Frenette, an expert on quantum dots at Imperial College London, told AFP that working with the nanomaterial was like "watching rainbows all day". But it would be 40 years after Froehlich's prediction that anyone was able to actually observe this phenomenon. Who discovered what? In the early 1980s, Russian-born physicist Alexei Ekimov -- one of Wednesday's new laureates -- melted coloured glass and X-rayed the results. He noticed that the smaller particles were more blue, also recognizing that this was a quantum effect. But being glass, the material was not easy to manipulate -- and being published in a Soviet scientific journal meant few noticed. At around the same time in the United States, another new laureate Louis Brus -- oblivious of Ekimov's work -- became the first to discover this colorful quantum effect in a liquid solution. "For a long time, nobody thought you could ever actually make such small particles, yet this year's laureates succeeded," Nobel Committee member Johan Aqvist said. "However, for quantum dots to become really useful, you needed to be able to make them in solution with exquisite control of their size and surface." The third new Nobel winner, French-born Moungi Bawendi, found a way to do just this in his lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993. By precisely controlling the temperature of a liquid mixture of particles called colloid, Bawendi was able to grow nanocrystals to the exact size he wanted, paving the way for mass production. What are they used in? The most common everyday use of quantum dots is probably in "QLED" televisions. Cyril Aymonier, head of France's Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry, told AFP that the nanocrystals "improve the resolution of the screen and preserve the quality of the colour for longer". Doctors also use their bright fluorescence to highlight organs or tumours in the bodies of patients. Frenette said she is working on diagnostic tests which would use the dots as "little beacons" for diseases in medical samples. One problem is that most quantum dots are made using cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. Both Aymonier and Frenette said they are working on quantum dots that are not toxic. Future use? In the future, quantum dots could have the potential to double the efficiency of solar cells, Giordan said. Their strange quantum powers could produce twice as many electrons as existing technology, she explained. "That's amazing, because we are coming closer to the limit of current solar materials," she added. Past use? While quantum dots are considered on the cutting edge of science, people have probably been using them for centuries without knowing it. The reds and yellows in stained glass windows as far as back as the 10th century show that artists of the time unwittingly took advantages of techniques that resulted in quantum dots, according to scientists. The post Quantum dots: the tiny ‘rainbow’ crystals behind chemistry Nobel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Apayao seeks higher digital literacy
BAGUIO CITY — The Provincial Apayao Training Center kicked off on Wednesday a training program that aims to fulfill higher digital literacy targeting employees from various offices and departments of the provincial and municipal governments of Apayao. The two-day training first of the series of capacity building was started at is currently conducting a two-day photo and video editing training-workshop at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Multipurpose Hall in San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao. At least 24 participants from various offices in the provincial and municipal government of Flora and Calanasan towns attended the training — the first of the various trainings under ATC’s latest learning and development initiative in addition to its other regular technical-vocational course offerings. The workshop-training series will be undertaken in collaboration with the provincial government’s Human Resource Management and Development Division of the provincial government of Apayao. They are part of the bid to enhance capacities of its target participants with 21st century skills and competencies in order to contribute to a more efficient and innovative civil service workforce that can effectively meet the challenges of modern times. ATC administrator Jerome Lacambra stressed that acquiring and honing the digital skills of civil servants is not just an advantage but also a necessity. “I hope that you will embrace this opportunity to learn and grow as workers of the government,” Lacambra said. “As one of the skills development training institutions in the province, it is our goal to empower you with essential digital skills and competencies and foster professional growth and enhance your capabilities in the modern workplace,” he added. Lacambra also encouraged other interested participants to avail of all the rest of lined-up trainings for the month that include the technical writing on 10 to 11 October, basic journalism on 12 October, digital literacy on 19 October and basics of data analytics, also on 19 October. The post Apayao seeks higher digital literacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Innovation is essential for Phl transformation, says PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday emphasized the importance of innovation in transforming the country and achieving its development goals. In his speech during the launching of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032, Marcos called on all the stakeholders to collaborate with the government in promoting innovation. "Invest in our local enterprises. Support our research institutions. Embrace the corporate responsibility of financing innovation-driven programs and projects," Marcos said. "These undertakings serve as catalysts to achieve our overall developmental agenda. Your involvement will be instrumental to their success," Marcos added. Marcos also called on the academe to be at the forefront of innovation as the Chief Executive recognized their role as incubators of talent, skills, and ideas that will shape the future. "Continue to develop the minds and the sensibilities of our youth so that we can set them up for success and harness their talents for national development," Marcos said. Marcos said that the government is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing innovation and sustainable development. He added that the government understood the crucial role played by infrastructure development and cutting-edge facilities. "They serve as the crucible for innovation and the foundation of our glorious future. And that is why we will remain aggressive in our drive to invest in our infrastructure system," Marcos said. Marcos said that he is confident that the Philippines can achieve its goals for innovation and sustainable development with the guidance of the NIASD. In the same speech, Marcos said that the NIASD is a "blueprint that will accelerate the country's innovation governance as well as promote a culture of innovation among scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and of course citizens." He added that the document is not just a plan but a commitment to making innovation an indispensable component of the nation's development agenda, and a key driver in the vision to achieve a truly smart and innovative Philippines. NIASD, which Marcos approved on 30 June 2023, is in accordance with Republic Act 11293, also known as the Philippine Innovation Act. Per the information provided by the National Economic and Development Authority, the NIASD has outlined its plans from 2023 to 2032. One of the plans includes reforming the education curriculum design and learning platforms to develop Filipinos' creativity, curiosity, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial abilities for the 21st century. The post Innovation is essential for Phl transformation, says PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Balmain races to recover from robbery at Paris Fashion Week
The fashion world loves drama but normally it does not involve violent robberies, so there is outsize attention on Wednesday's Balmain show after the French label had 50 outfits stolen just days earlier. Balmain's creative director Olivier Rousteing announced on September 17 that a driver had been "hijacked" on the way from a Paris airport to the house's headquarters by a gang of thieves who stole 50 outfits. He and his team have since been racing to put together a collection for the show on Wednesday night. There were no signs of panic from Rousteing on Tuesday when he posted a video from his workshop showing the finishing touches being put to a dress that looked like a pink garden trestle with blue flowers climbing over it. He added the apparently ironic comment: "Florals for spring? Groundbreaking..." Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday and runs to 3 October, with 107 brands presenting, of which 67 are giving runway shows. One of the first big names was Pierre Cardin, which has returned to the official Paris lineup this year for the first time in a quarter-century. Its show was full of retro space-age outfits that harked back to its glory days, but the relatives of Cardin, who died in 2020, are currently tearing each other apart in court over the inheritance. "My uncle gave me the mission to perpetuate the house and its style," Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, who is currently overseeing the label, said backstage. "If the brand is sold, it will be the end of the house. I am confident the court decisions will ensure continuity," he added. Among the other highlights so far was the latest collection from Dior on Tuesday, which saw the walls of the show plastered with mock sexist slogans from old adverts, such as "Save your marriage -- iron properly". The collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who recently dressed Queen Camilla for her state dinner at Versailles, was a largely monochrome affair with comfortable, breezy items alongside straight masculine jackets, pleated skirts, and plenty of knitwear. Coming later this week are the final shows for two big-name designers. Gabriela Hearst is leaving Chloe after fewer than three years. Her focus on sustainable fashion was critically acclaimed but did not bring a major boost to sales. It will also be the last show for Sarah Burton, who took over at Alexander McQueen following the founder's suicide in 2010. The post Balmain races to recover from robbery at Paris Fashion Week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The Murdoch business: an empire on three continents
Over the last six decades, Rupert Murdoch built a media empire well beyond his native Australia, amassing key media properties across three continents in a run that was also characterized by multiple scandals. Through his companies, News Corp and Fox Corporation, Murdoch built one of the world's most substantial portfolios of newspaper and broadcast holdings under one roof. Murdoch's wealth was estimated at $17.3 billion by Forbes on Thursday when he announced he was handing the reins to his son Lachlan while shifting to an "emeritus" status at the two companies. Here is a closer look at the two businesses. News Corp The business includes Murdoch's holdings in his birth country of Australia -- led by The Australian, the lone national daily started by Murdoch in 1964. The company also owns Australia The Daily Telegraph and news website News.com.au, as well as television station Sky News Australia and pay television company Foxtel. Murdoch's initial investment in Britain came in 1969 with the purchase of the tabloid News of the World, which was shut down in 2011 following a phone hacking scandal. In 1981, he purchased the prestigious daily The Times, along with The Sunday Times, adding to a print news business that also included The Sun. Holdings in radio and television included talkSPORT, TalkTV, and Virgin Radio UK. News Corp is also present in Ireland with local radio stations. Murdoch's push in North America dates to 1985 with his purchase of the New York Post. In 2007, News Corp landed a major acquisition of the media group Dow Jones, whose holdings include the long-respected Wall Street Journal. The company in 1987 added the publishing house HarperCollins, which originally dates to 1817. HarperCollins bought romance publisher Harlequin in 2014. News Corp also controls Rea Group, which specializes in commercial and residential real estate through websites such as realtor.com and flatmates.com.au. In fiscal 2023, News Corp reported profits of $149 million on revenues of $9.9 billion. Fox Corporation In 1984, Murdoch acquired 20th Century Fox, an entity he reorganized and remade. In 2017, he sold the movie studio, renamed 21st Century Fox, to Disney. Fox Corporation is now comprised of the national television channel Fox and several cable channels, as well as Fox News, which is known for a right-wing spin on news popular with conservative Americans. Other holdings include the entertainment news network TMZ, as well as Studio Ramsay Global, which features British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the MasterChef franchise. In fiscal 2023, Fox reported profits of $1.3 billion on $14.9 billion in revenues. The post The Murdoch business: an empire on three continents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Big fuss over .02%
The Philippine Stock Exchange index is considered the gauge of the activity in the equities market and, by extension, of the economy since the direction of the line graph indicates the country’s financial health. The index tracks the price movements of a basket of select companies listed on the bourse, representing various sectors of the economy. Investors and market participants use the PSE index as a reference to evaluate the performance of their investment portfolios and make informed investment decisions. The daily movement of the index influences investor confidence and sentiment. Increased investor confidence can stimulate trading activity, attract foreign investments, and encourage local companies to raise capital through initial public offerings or secondary floats. A strong and stable PSE Index can enhance the stock market’s perception as an attractive investment destination. This could attract foreign capital inflows, increase liquidity, and contribute to developing the local capital market. Thus, the impending exit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., or MPIC, and Aboitiz Power Corp., or APC, from the Philippine Stock Exchange index seems a bit off as both companies are major players in the country’s growth story. Replacing APC and MPIC in the exclusive blue chips club are tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bloomberry Resorts and the Po family’s Century Pacific Food. The revamp takes effect on Tuesday, 26 September. MPIC is stepping out of the index after its public float dropped to 2.78 percent as part of its program to delist by October. APC’s exclusion from the benchmark was decided on, however, after it missed by a few decimal points of the 20 percent float rule for stocks to be retained in the PSEi. The company purchased 11.4 million shares as part of its buyback program that brought the public float level to below 20 percent, the level required to stay in the PSEi. Based on APC’s report to the market, stocks owned by the public are 19.98 percent of the total listed shares of 7.35 billion. Listed companies are required to have a 10-percent public float, but the elite index members are given a more arduous 20-percent public ownership condition. APC is off by .02 percent. APC’s buyback activities increased non-public scrips to 5.886 billion, bringing the total number of publicly owned shares to 1.47 billion. “Aboitiz Power’s current public ownership levels far exceed the 10-percent minimum public ownership level required for it to remain listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange,” an APC statement to the PSE said. “Even with this stock buyback program, there is no intention to delist from the PSE, but merely to reward our existing shareholders with a larger share of a brighter future,” APC added. The PSEi must accurately reflect the stock market’s overall performance and, in the bigger picture, the economy’s strength. Its composition should go beyond the mere technical criteria to allow a more representative indicator of the daily activity of the market. APC accounts for one out of every five megawatts, or MW, of installed capacity in the country and has some 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity in the pipeline. In the first half of the year, the company reported a P17.8-billion net income, 79 percent higher than the P10 billion recorded in the same period a year ago. In the second quarter, the company’s net income reached P10.3 billion, 46 percent higher than the P7 billion profit a year ago. The decision to remove a key bourse participant, which also has among the most active shares, is like benching your star player because he forgot to bring a matching pair of socks. The post Big fuss over .02% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan site added to world heritage list
The United Nations' cultural organization inscribed the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on its World Heritage List Sunday. Tell al-Sultan, which predates Egypt's pyramids, is an oval-shaped tell, or mound, located in the Jordan Valley that contains the prehistoric deposits of human activity. The UNESCO decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at its 45th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Riyadh. "The property proposed for nomination is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell al-Sultan, located outside the antique site of Jericho," UNESCO's assistant director general, Ernesto Ottone, said at the session. The site was inscribed following a three-year candidacy "during which no state party raised any objections", said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. "There are no Jewish or Christian remains found at the (Tell al-Sultan) site. It's a place of pre-historic remains," the diplomat told AFP. Israel quit the UN organization in 2019 over accusations it fosters an anti-Israel bias but sent a delegation to this year's meeting in Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority, acknowledged by the United Nations as a non-member observer state, welcomed the listing of the Tell al-Sultan site. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said he considered the decision to inscribe Tell al-Sultan "a matter of great importance and evidence of the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people". He vowed that the Palestinian authorities would "continue to preserve this unique site for all humanity", according to a statement from his office. Diverse Palestinian heritage UNESCO's listing shows that the Tell al-Sultan site is "an integral part of the diverse Palestinian heritage of exceptional human value", Palestinian tourism minister Rula Maayah, who was attending the meeting in Riyadh, said in a statement. Given Tell al-Sultan's "importance as the oldest fortified city in the world... it deserves to be a World Heritage Site," she said. "A permanent settlement had emerged here by the 9th to 8th millennium BC due to the fertile soil of the oasis and easy access to water," UNESCO said on its website. UNESCO said the "skulls and statues found on the site" testify to cultic practices among the neolithic population there, while the early bronze age archaeological material shows signs of urban planning. "Vestiges from the middle bronze age reveal the presence of a large Canaanite city-state occupied by a socially complex population," UNESCO added. The Tell al-Sultan site has been under excavation for over a century and is billed as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the planet, Palestinian official Wafa news agency reported. It is the fourth Palestinian site to be listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, alongside the Church of the Nativity and the Old City of Hebron. Israel has occupied the West Bank -- now home to some three million Palestinians -- since the 1967 Six-Day War, when it also seized the Gaza Strip, the densely populated coastal enclave it has since withdrawn from. The Palestinians want these territories for their future state, along with annexed east Jerusalem as its capital. Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet and is a major tourist destination in the Palestinian territories. UNESCO urged for the protection of other archaeological sites in Jericho. "The other archaeological sites located in Jericho, covering among other Jewish and Christian heritage, also have important historical interest and deserve to be preserved as well," said Ottone. Archaeology is a highly political subject in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and some discoveries have been used to justify the territorial claims of each people. The post Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan site added to world heritage list appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
At UN, fading hopes for improving lives on planet
World leaders meeting in New York next week will try to revive key goals meant to improve the lot of humanity by 2030, plans that are in doubt today as hunger, poverty and other crises persist. Leave no one behind In 2015, UN member-states adopted 17 wide-ranging development goals to be met by 2030, which included eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, providing access to drinking water, ensuring gender equality and health care for all. "In thriving economically in the 21st century, you cannot any longer try to do so at the expense of nature, or at the expense of people who are left behind," the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner, told AFP. But the 2030 Agenda is in trouble, according to the UN. "The Sustainable Development goals are in peril," the UN said in a report published in July. In order to meet these goals, governments coming together at the UN General Assembly on Monday are slated to commit to "act with urgency... for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership, leaving no one behind," according to the draft declaration. Poverty and hunger Progress has been slow and, in some cases, things are even worse now than they were in 2015. The Covid-19 pandemic has halted progress in combating extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 per day. Far from the hoped-for eradication, at the current rate 575 million people will still be living in such conditions in 2030, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. And the world has returned to levels of hunger not seen since 2005. Furthermore, 1.1 billion people live in urban areas in slum-like conditions, more than two billion still do not have access to drinking water, 38 out of 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday and the impacts of climate change are increasingly devastating. Debt burden Crippled by various world crises, from Covid-19 to the war in Ukraine, many countries are crumbling under the weight of their debt and do not have the means to change course. "Countries are not able to pursue the development they want right now, but they can only opt for a recovery, where they go for the growth they can get," Steiner said. That, however, is a risky path. "That growth takes us back to the fossil fuel dependency and to greater inequalities, precisely the things that have led to so many tensions, protests on our streets," he added. That is why the draft declaration that will be discussed on Monday talks about reforming international financial institutions, over which, however, the UN has no control. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for investing an additional $500 billion per year by 2030 in order to meet the ambitious goals. His plan received support at the recent G20 summit. Vicious or virtuous circle? Getting out of poverty, having access to education, drinking water or clean energy, being in good health and living in peace -- all these development goals are largely interdependent. Global warming and the extreme weather events it causes undermine most of the development goals as they destroy crops, infrastructure and livelihoods. That is why change must be comprehensive, Steiner said.. "We can use $1 to deliver more than $1 of impact. If you address poverty, you can also address access to electricity or vice versa," he said. "If you address access to electricity and combine it with the objective of decarbonization, you can achieve both poverty reduction" and address climate change. Steiner has worked with 95 countries to identify priorities to modify the growth model, such as policies aimed at creating decent jobs and investing in sustainable cities that offer basic services and affordable housing and infrastructure. The post At UN, fading hopes for improving lives on planet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aces of design
The search for the brightest and most creative interior designers and architects in the country continues after Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines Inc. turned on the green light with a theme launch of the Asia Young Designer Awards — a platform designed to inspire students to develop their skills through cross-learning opportunities and networking with key industry players, as well as with their fellow peers in the region. Held at the Quezon Hall 1 of Seda Vertis in Diliman, Quezon City, the event encouraged students of Interior Design and Architecture to use their talents in transforming future environments and creating a significant impact in the succeeding generations through practical design solutions that help address pressing issues of our time. Now on its 15th year, this year’s AYDA Awards carries the theme “Converge: Championing Purposeful Design,” which is a fitting reflection of Nippon Paint’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of creative excellence. This year’s theme is about finding your core and what you truly believe in before manifesting it into your design. It focuses on a designer’s journey in searching for a cause worth fighting for. What we believe, and invest in, may change over a period of time. The use of the word “converge,” on the other hand, refers to that situation when a point or a line meets — leading to a common result. “The AYDA Awards would like to help shape a future where designers from different backgrounds, cultures and regions can learn from each other and deliver the best possible solution to common and underlying social challenges,” explained Giselle Campos, sales and marketing manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines Inc. “Today, as designers face the challenge of providing a balance between sustainability and urbanization, and at a time when digitalization has already taken over interpersonal bonding, we believe that going local should also be considered fit for global appreciation,” she added. Aside from formally jumpstarting this year’s awards program, and explaining the contest mechanics, the launch was also used to introduce some of the biggest names in the industry who have agreed to serve as judges for the awards program. Leading the panel of adjudicators this year are Ar. Eduardo Casares (architecture category head judge), the brains behind the structure of the Tutuban Center in Divisoria, and IDr. Wilmer Lopez (interior design category head judge), president and creative director of Space Encounters, an interior design firm that specializes in interior branding and mid-century modern furniture. The post Aces of design appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Guardians of the seas
The Philippine Navy formally added two fast boats to its Alvarez-class patrol vessels. The former Cyclone-class patrol ships of the US Navy are now in service of the Philippine Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force as BRP Valentin Diaz-PS177 and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS178) in honor of two Filipino patriots who were among the founding members of the Katipunan, which ignited the Philippine Revolution against Spain in the 19th century. Paoay, Ilocos Norte-native Valentin Diaz was also a signatory in the Pact of Biak-na-Bato while Ladislao Diwa from San Roque, Cavite was instrumental in affecting the surrender of the Spanish forces in the province. Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro underscored that the acquisition of these vessels was a welcome and timely addition “because the sooner we can complete our littoral defenses the sooner we can pursue a more robust position in defending our sovereign rights in the 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone and under jurisdictions of the Republic of the Philippines.” In March 2023 at Manama in Bahrain, the Philippines formally accepted the former USS Monsoon (PC4) and USS Chinook (PC9) following their decommissioning from the US Navy in accordance with the Excess Defense Articles program. As Secretary Teodoro described this acquisition as a symbol of the continuing cooperation and collaboration between the Philippine and the United States. US Embassy in the Philippines Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reaffirmed US support “as the Philippines continues its courageous stand to uphold the international order and defend its rights in the West Philippine Sea.” The Philippine Navy eyes the deployment of these vessels in “the soonest possible time” upon the completion of reactivation activities and specialized training of the crews “to ensure the optimal and efficient use of these vessels, its machinery, sensors and weapon systems.” “We can expect that soon, BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa will inherit the critical roles played by their predecessor, BRP General Mariano Alvarez-PS38, currently deployed at Naval Forces Western Mindanao,” he added. These formidable platforms will complement the navy’s fast-attack interdiction crafts and multipurpose attack crafts in carrying out various naval, support to law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations within the littoral waters of the country’s porous borders and vast maritime environment. The post Guardians of the seas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Savoy dynasty daily life on display with Geneva auction
Porcelain figurines, a white faux-leather sofa and a foosball table: these are among the items in a House of Savoy auction, providing a rare glimpse into the everyday life of royals. More than 200 objects are going under the hammer this week, drawn from the former Geneva home of Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy -- the son of the last king of Italy, Umberto II -- and his wife Marina. Royal aficionados may be interested in a delicate 18th century tea cup, a modernist game of chess, or two motorcycles owned by the couple's 51-year-old son, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. A portion of the lots are being sold off online until September 18, while others will feature in an in-person auction two days later hosted by the Geneve Encheres auction house. In all, the objects being sold by the couple are expected to fetch between 100,000 and 150,000 Swiss francs ($112,000-$168,000). But Cyril Duval, a partner at Geneve Encheres, told AFP the value estimates were not really important, since the collection was more about "falling in love". This auction, he said, "makes it possible for collectors to obtain certain objects they may have dreamt about after seeing them in magazines or on the screen". The collection comprises of historical memorabilia and some household items from the villa the Savoy family had built in the 1970s in Vesenaz, on the outskirts of Geneva. Vittorio Emanuele is the 86-year-old head of the House of Savoy, whose family was forced to leave Italy after the monarchy was abolished in 1946. 'Rock and roll' Among the items for sale is "a 19th century dinner set used during a ball hosted by Queen Victoria in London City Hall", Duval said. There are also objects linked to the Savoy family heritage, including engraved silver coat of arms and porcelain figurines, but also bronze statuettes recalling the modernist interior style of the Geneva villa. The collection also includes items that are "much more pop", Duval said. He highlighted one of the two motorcycles, a 1941 Indian Sport Scout, with an asking price of 15,000-20,000 Swiss francs ($16,800-$22,400). "It belonged to crown prince Emanuele Filiberto, a 20th century rock and roll prince with tattooed arms," he said. The grandson of Italy's last king, who is married to French actress Clotilde Courau, enjoyed riding his motorcycles with Johnny Hallyday, the late French rock legend, he added. Duval explained that the auction was taking place after "the prince and princess left and sold" the Geneva villa this year, opting to stay in their residence in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Gstaad instead. Vittorio Emanuele was born in Naples in 1937, less than a decade before the monarchy ended and his family was forced to leave Italy. He and other male heirs of the Savoy family were sent into exile because his grandfather Vittorio Emmanuele III had collaborated with the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini on anti-Jewish laws during World War II. Vittorio Emmanuele III abdicated in May 1946 after 46 years on the throne, and his son Umberto II succeeded him, but only for a month before a June referendum abolished the monarchy. The Italian parliament only ended a constitutional ban on the House of Savoy's male heirs returning to Italy in 2002, after Vittorio Emanuele and Emanuele Filiberto swore loyalty to the republic, but they have continued living mainly in Switzerland. The post Savoy dynasty daily life on display with Geneva auction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man
The Aboitiz family is a big player in Philippine business for over a century. With businesses covering a wide range of industries, including power, banking, food, and infrastructure, the clan’s Aboitiz Group has been creating jobs and opportunities for Filipinos. Founded by Paulino Aboitiz, son of a Spanish farmer who migrated to the Philippines in the late 1800s, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., or AEV, has grown from being an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business to a conglomerate with interests in power, banking, food, property, biofuel and construction. The group is undergoing its Great Transformation to establish itself as the Philippines’ pioneering techglomerate. This innovative growth strategy, powered by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers the entire group to advance businesses and uplift communities. Among the driving forces propelling the Group’s business revolution is Erramon “Montxu” Aboitiz. Montxu previously served as the president and chief executive at Aboitiz Equity Ventures for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. He also briefly held the role of CEO at Aboitiz Power Corp. in 2018. Presently, he serves as a director at AEV and Endeavor Philippines and as chairman of the Board of Directors at Union Bank of the Philippines. Likewise, he serves as a board observer of the Aboitiz & Company. The Asian Institute of Management named Montxu as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees, effective from 1 September 2023. Montxu joined a respected group of successful business leaders who are dedicated to advancing the progress and welfare of Asia and its inhabitants. He was the 7th chairman of AIM, taking over from Peter Garrucho who held the position since 2017. Montxu graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance. In 2011, he was awarded the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines and recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years after that, AIM awarded Montxu with an honorary doctorate in management. Social responsibility runs in Aboitiz blood The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, donated $10 million to AIM in 2019 — known as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The fund aims to bridge the local and regional gap in data science and innovation. As a result of this generous donation, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is now able to provide top-notch education and research opportunities in data science, with a focus on practical applications. This is made possible by collaborating with data science professionals and leaders from around the world. Recently, Montxu was elected chairperson of the AIM board of trustees. He is widely recognized for his strong commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy. Regarding the endowment to AIM, Montxu said it targeted assisting AIM in its efforts “to expand its curriculum and facilities towards the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require.” Through his leadership in the Aboitiz Group and the Aboitiz Foundation, he has spearheaded numerous projects that have made a positive impact on local communities. As chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation, Montxu has played a key role in shaping its initiatives. The foundation focuses on three key areas which are education, enterprise development, and environmental conservation. “As businessmen, there is no doubt we seek profits and a return on our capital. But as Filipinos, we are equally guided by a sense of purpose to find meaningful ways of contributing to our communities across the country. This symbiotic relationship of profit and contributing to society is our secret sauce to true sustainability, allowing the Aboitiz Group to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities,” Montxu added. The foundation implemented various programs and scholarships to improve access to quality education, foster entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, and promote sustainability. Aboitiz Foundation has been heavily involved in rehabilitating and improving schools in underprivileged areas. They have renovated classrooms, libraries and other facilities, providing students with better learning environments. The foundation has also donated learning materials and equipment to enhance the educational experience of students. Aboitiz Foundation supports community-based programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities. These programs focus on various aspects such as health, nutrition, livelihood, and disaster resilience. The foundation works closely with local organizations and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and empower communities to become self-sufficient. Aboitiz Foundation places significant emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. They have initiated projects to protect and restore ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and reduce carbon footprint. The foundation actively supports reforestation efforts, marine conservation, and waste management initiatives. The foundation also has a strong focus on disaster response and preparedness. They have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief and support during natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods. The foundation also works towards building resilient communities by conducting disaster risk reduction and management training programs. Montxu Aboitiz encourages and supports employee volunteerism within the Aboitiz Group. The company promotes a culture of giving back by providing employees with opportunities to engage in community service and volunteer activities. This not only benefits the communities they serve but also fosters a sense of social responsibility among the employees. It also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their social responsibility initiatives. They work together to address complex social issues and implement sustainable solutions that create lasting change. Aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, AEV drives policies, advocacies, and initiatives to make a lasting impact. The post ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go highlights significance of education in ensuring a brighter future
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, adopted son of CALABARZON, underscored the significance of education as a gateway to a brighter future during the 50th Commencement Exercises of Cavite State University - CCAT Rosario Campus on Tuesday, September 5. The graduation ceremony was also attended by other officials, such as Rosario Vice Mayor Bamm Gonzales and General Trias Mayor Jonjon Ferrer, among others. “Sa mga graduates, sa mga estudyante, kahit anong course po ang inyong kinuha, ishi-share ko lang po sa inyo ang natutunan ko sa buhay. Isa lang ang sikreto diyan, mahalin n’yo po ang inyong kapwa Pilipino, hinding-hindi po kayo magkakamali. Malay n’yo po pagdating ng panahon kayo rin po ang mamumuno sa bayan o magiging senador ng bansa. Totoo iyan. Kaya unahin ninyo ang interes ng kapwa natin Pilipino,” Go said in his speech. “Ako po hindi ko po akalain na magiging senador po ako. At nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo, sa Panginoon na dinala po niya ako rito. Kaya naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he continued. Go emphasized how education can open doors to countless opportunities as he commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance, recognizing their hard work throughout their academic journey. He reminded them that their graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibilities and challenges. “Ngayong araw, tayo'y nagkakaisa upang parangalan hindi lamang ang pagwawakas ng academic journey kundi ang pagsilang ng isang bagong yugto sa buhay ng 680 estudyante ng inyong unibersidad,” highlighted Go. “Half a century ago, this campus was founded with a dream to cultivate abilities and expertise in the realms of Industrial Technology, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Education. Now, that dream persists, and I am both honored and humbled to be part of this milestone commencement ceremony,” he continued. The senator also expressed his gratitude to the school officials, including University President Dr. Hernando Robles, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ma. Agnes Nuestro, Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Mary Jane Tepora, Vice President for Business and Resource Generation Ms. Lolita Herrera, and Campus Administrator Dr. Lauro Pascua, among others. “To the committed University Administrative Council, our distinguished campus leaders, honored deans, and the lively academic community that envelops us, I offer my sincere thanks for your unwavering dedication to excellence,” Go highlighted. “To the parents and guardians, your affection and encouragement have been the pillars of these graduates' achievements. Your faith in them has ignited their resolve, and today, we revel in your victory as well,” he added. In his speech, Go took the opportunity to discuss his legislative efforts aimed at fortifying the education sector. He expressed his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Filipinos through various initiatives. SBN 1359 or the "No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act," was co-authored and co-sponsored by Go and received approval on the third and final reading in March. This proposed legislation aims to put an end to the practice of denying students access to examinations or other educational assessments due to unpaid tuition or school fees. The bill ensures that no student's education is compromised due to financial constraints. In a bid to enhance access to tertiary education, Go co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360. This bill seeks to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) by amending Republic Act No. 10931, known as the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. By broadening the reach of TES, Go expressed his confidence that more underprivileged students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education. In times of disasters and emergencies, students facing financial hardships often find it challenging to repay loans. To address this concern, Go introduced SBN 1864, known as the "Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act." This proposed measure offers relief to students who have taken out loans but are unable to meet their repayment obligations due to unforeseen circumstances. It underscores the importance of compassion and support during trying times. Go also earlier authored and co-sponsored RA 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020 as part of his vision to ensure promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting a quality education. NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. “To the graduates, remember that your education is not merely a ladder for personal success; it is a potent tool for uplifting our community and the broader society. Wield it with wisdom, and never lose sight of the values and principles that have been so lovingly instilled in you,” Go said. “As I draw to a close, I leave you with a philosophy that has steered me throughout my existence: ‘Ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang isang karapatan, kundi isang tungkulin na may kalakip na responsibilidad.’ Mabuhay ang Cavite State University – CCAT Rosario Campus! Mabuhay ang mga bagong graduates,” the senator concluded. Go also provided tokens to students who graduated with honors. He encouraged them to use their education to serve their community and the country. The post Bong Go highlights significance of education in ensuring a brighter future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We’re going to sink’: hundreds abandon Caribbean island home
On a tiny Caribbean island, hundreds of people are preparing to pack up and move to escape the rising waters threatening to engulf their already precarious homes. Surrounded by idyllic clear waters, the densely populated island of Carti Sugtupu off Panama's north coast has barely an inch to spare with houses crammed together -- some jutting out into the sea on stilts. The island's Indigenous community of fewer than 2,000 souls scrapes by without potable water or sanitation. They live off fishing, the harvesting of starchy crops like cassava and plantain, traditional textile production, and a bit of tourism. It is not an easy life, with intense heat and a lack of public services adding to the discomfort of overcrowded conditions on an island the size of five football fields. And now, climate change-induced sea level rise is threatening to make life even more difficult. With homes already flooded on a regular basis, experts say the sea will engulf Carti Sugtupu and dozens of neighboring islands in the Guna Yala region by the end of the century. Forty-nine of the isles are populated and rest just a few feet (less than one meter) above sea level. "We have noticed that the tide has risen," retired teacher Magdalena Martinez, 73, told AFP as she sat embroidering a brightly colored toucan onto a "mola" cloth traditional to the Guna people on Carti Sugtupu. "We think we're going to sink, we know it's going to happen," she said. Martinez is one of hundreds of inhabitants of the island expecting to move soon to a settlement on mainland Panama newly built by the government -- a move that may save the islanders but puts at risk their culture and way of life. "This will change our lifestyle quite a bit," said Martinez. But, she added, "it won't change our spirit, it won't change our habits." "The fact is that with sea levels rising as a direct cause of climate change, almost all the islands are going to be abandoned by the end of this century," Steven Paton, a scientist at the Panama-based Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, told AFP. There is no room On Carti Sugtupu, there is no drinking water, and residents have to go out in boats to collect it from rivers or buy it on the mainland. Few have reliable electricity. Most residents receive a few hours of power per day from a public generator. A few have solar panels feeding their homes built of zinc and wood, with floors of dirt. None have their own toilets, and residents have to visit communal cubicles at the ends of piers where wooden boards perched over the sea serve as latrines. "There is no room to expand homes or for children to play," Human Rights Watch said in a recent report on the island. "Floods and storms have made life even harder... affecting housing, water, health and education. Such extreme weather is only expected to become more common as the climate crisis accelerates," it said. After years of promises and delays, the government has announced that by the end of this year or early 2024, it will be ready to move families to the mainland, a 15-minute boat ride away, where it has built a new neighborhood that includes a school. "We are building 300 homes for 300 families, with an average of five people per family," Marcos Suira, national director of engineering and architecture at the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning, told AFP. "It's a pilot plan." Each family will have 300 square meters (3,200 square feet), including a two-bedroom house, drinking water, and electricity, according to the government. Resident teacher Braulio Navarro, 62, told AFP he has to cross the island every morning just to go to the toilet. He cannot wait to move. "I have no alternative but to go in search of a better quality of life," said Navarro. "I know that there will be 24-hour electricity, there will be fans and air conditioning, and there will be a great benefit for my family." The post ‘We’re going to sink’: hundreds abandon Caribbean island home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Woody Allen says supports 'MeToo as 50th film shows at Venice
After a critical mauling for Roman Polanski, there was a warmer reception at the Venice Film Festival on Monday for another blacklisted director -- Woody Allen -- who insisted he supported the #MeToo movement "when it's beneficial". The festival also saw the dark side of Elvis Presley with Sofia Coppola's well-received biopic of the rocker's wife, "Priscilla". But there was particular adulation for Allen's 50th film, "Coup de Chance" ("Stroke of Luck"), underlining that he is now far more popular in Europe than the United States. His first movie entirely in French is a classic Allen morality tale about love, infidelity and murder. Most reviews called it his best work in a decade, following a weak run of films from the prolific director. "I thought to myself: it's my 50th film and I love Paris so much that I'll make it in French... And then I could think I'm a genuine European filmmaker," he told reporters. The 87-year-old has been shunned by Hollywood since the #MeToo movement emerged, due to allegations he molested his adopted daughter in the 1990s, which he says were fabricated by his ex-partner Mia Farrow. He told Variety that he backed #MeToo "where it does something positive. "I read instances where it's very beneficial... for women," he said, but added: "When it's silly, it's silly." Cancelled himself The festival has drawn flak for including Allen and Polanski, who has a child sex conviction and faces other unresolved assault allegations, in its out-of-competition section. Allen's film fared far better than Polanski's slapstick comedy "The Palace", which was torn to shreds by critics after its premiere on Saturday. Set in a fancy Swiss hotel at the turn of the century, and with jokes that include a dog humping a penguin, critics called "The Palace" a "laughless debacle" (Variety) and "soul-throttlingly crap" (The Telegraph). "It beggars belief, but, at the age of 90, Polanski may have actually cancelled himself with a film that will probably never see the light of day in any English-speaking countries," wrote Deadline. American myth Meanwhile, Priscilla Presley joined Coppola on the red carpet for the biopic of her life. There were strong reviews, though many said it made disturbing viewing, showing Elvis wooing a 14-year-old when he was 24 -- "an insecure narcissist fixated on a teenage girl and unwilling to allow his young wife any independence," according to The Independent. Priscilla herself told reporters "Sofia did an amazing job", but added: "It's very difficult to sit and watch a film about you, about your life and your love." She defended their relationship, saying they"never had sex" when they were first together during Elvis's military service in Germany. "He was very kind, very soft, very loving, but he also respected the fact that I was 14-years-old," she said. Coppola won the top prize Golden Lion in Venice in 2010 for "Somewhere" -- controversially awarded by her ex-boyfriend, Quentin Tarantino. Her new film stars Cailee Spaeny ("Mare of Easttown") as Priscilla, and Jacob Elordi, famous as the heartthrob in Netflix show "Euphoria", as the rock'n'roll legend. There are 23 films competing for the Golden Lion, to be announced on Saturday. Frontrunners include "Poor Things", with Emma Stone as a sexually voracious reanimated corpse, and "Maestro", in which Bradley Cooper transforms into legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. David Fincher's "The Killer", starring Michael Fassbender as a cold-blooded assassin losing control, and Michael Mann biopic "Ferrari", were also well-received by critics. Many of the stars have been unable to attend the festival due to strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, primarily over pay in the streaming era and the potential threat of AI. The post Woody Allen says supports #MeToo as 50th film shows at Venice appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Road rage
Those with sharp memories and local crime story buffs will never forget three road rage cases that hogged print and broadcast news headlines toward the end of the 20th century and into the millennium. These high-profile cases involving detainees Inocencio Gonzales, Rolito Go, and Jason Ivler ended in their conviction and sentencing to long prison terms, with their names forever etched in the annals of heinous crimes recorded in the country. A brief refresher. On 2 July 1991, a De La Salle University engineering student was driving on a one-way street in San Juan City, Metro Manila, when he ran into construction firm executive Rolito Go, plying the road from the opposite direction. After a brief altercation, Go shot Eldon Maguan in the head, who died in the aftermath. Go served 25 years in prison before he was released. Seven years later, in the middle of a heated argument over a parking slot, real estate developer Inocencio Gonzales Jr. lost his cool, which led to the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman and the wounding of two younger children with her and her husband at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City on 21 October 1998. Gonzalez was meted a 14-year prison term. In 2009, a nephew of music celebrity Freddie Aguilar, Jason Ivler, shot dead a son of former Malacañang official Renato Ebarle Sr. after a tiff on a Quezon City road. An earlier road incident in 2004 that snuffed the life of another Malacañang official, Nestor Ponce, also pointed to Ivler as the accused in Ponce’s death. A Quezon City court found Ivler guilty of the murder of Renato Ebarle Jr. and sentenced him to 40 years in jail. There are no available statistics on road rage incidents in the Philippines, but observers have noted an alarming increase in recent years. But in the United States, statistics show 413 people were hurt in road rage shootings in 2022, or a 135 percent increase from 2018. US traffic experts say confrontational driving is more often the case that could be caused by traffic conditions, inconsiderate motorists, and high stress levels among motorists with ages ranging from 19 to 39. Not too long ago, two road rage incidents that have gained public attention because of social media posts that had gone viral involved men in uniform. In the viral video of an incident in Quezon City, Wilfredo Gonzales, a policeman dismissed from the service for grave misconduct in 2018, was shown brandishing a gun and threatening a cyclist in a traffic row. Even more controversial was a press conference conducted by the QC police days later that suggested they were “lawyering” for Gonzales, a former QC policeman. The PNP has no mandate to host such a press conference, it was later learned. In a separate incident, a Pasay City policeman, SSgt. Marsan Dolipas was also shown in a video post holding down an armed Angelito Velasquez Rencio, who said he was an Intelligence agent, after a traffic dispute in Makati City when the latter allegedly sideswiped the policeman. Both incidents prompted the usual calls for an investigation. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Rafael Tulfo have called for a Senate probe into the escalation of road rage cases in the country. It is interesting to note that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. filed Senate 2923 when he was still a senator back in 2011. The bill “hopes to once and for all stomp rood rage as on unnecessary and reprehensible evil, and define such as a circumstance that could aggravate, or even qualify, on offense occasioned by it. The incidents involve public order and safety, particularly “road sharing,” a concept that they said is often ignored or alien to many Filipino motorists, added the senators. For his part, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, whose jurisdiction includes the control of the PNP, said: “For the sake of a peaceful and orderly society, we cannot allow a culture of impunity. We cannot allow bullies to intimidate people with deadly weapons. There must be consequences here.” Still, the incidents persist. Behavioral scientists attribute road rage to several reasons: A need to control other drivers who violate their space, unchecked anger or aggression, huge egos, or a need to be dominant. Others think the rise in incidents lately came about by the advent of Covid-19 when stress levels reached abnormally unreachable heights caused by depression, the loss of jobs or loved ones to the pandemic, and the inability to cope with such. Solutions have been suggested. Push for continuing driver anger management education. Discard the “it’s the other driver’s fault” excuse. Don’t allow anyone to push your “rage buttons” by staying calm and collected when an altercation appears to be headed your way. Yield to others. These may be easier said than done, but why not take the chance? As an anger management expert said: Realize road rage is ridiculous, life-threatening, and not something you have to participate in — ever. And you can arrive at your destination safe and sure. The post Road rage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»