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US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the two countries struck a deal to deepen cooperation, including on semiconductors, but said he was not aiming to contain China. The "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Hanoi is part of Washington's push to bolster its network of allies around Asia and the Pacific in the face of Beijing's rising influence. Biden accused Beijing of seeking to bend the international order to its will. "One of the things that is going on now is China is beginning to change some of the rules of the game, in terms of trade and other issues," Biden said. Sometimes to Beijing's chagrin, Washington has invested heavily in building alliances as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, including the Quad security dialogue with India, Australia and Japan, and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia. Biden said he wanted establish clear ground rules for relations. "I don't want to contain China. I just want to make sure we have a relationship with China that is on the up and up, squared away, everybody knows what it's all about," he said. Biden flew in to Hanoi straight from a G20 summit that failed to agree to a phase-out of fossil fuels and highlighted deep divisions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US president said he had met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 -- a meeting the White House had not announced -- and discussed "stability". Semiconductor deal Global supply chain shocks and fears about US reliance on China for strategic resources have further driven the push to boost ties with the likes of Vietnam. The new partnership includes an agreement on semiconductors, with the United States committing to help Vietnam develop its capabilities and expand production. There is also a section on rare earth minerals, which used in the manufacture of high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric car batteries. Vietnam has the world's second-largest deposits of rare earths after China and US officials say it has a key role to play as it looks to diversify and strengthen its supply chains. Biden moved last month to restrict US investment in Chinese technology in sensitive areas including semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. "This can be the beginning of even a greater era of cooperation," Biden said as he met Nguyen Phu Trong, the head of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party and the country's paramount leader. "Vietnam and the United States are critical partners at what I would argue is a very critical time." The deal puts the United States on a par with China -- as well as Russia, India and South Korea -- at the top level of the Vietnamese hierarchy of diplomatic relations. Trong thanked Biden for his contribution to improving US-Vietnamese ties and said his country would work hard to implement the new agreement. Although it is careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and China, Vietnam shares US concerns about its neighbour's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. However, The New York Times reported just ahead of Biden's visit that Vietnam was secretly arranging to buy arms from Russia in contravention of US sanctions. The report cited a Vietnamese finance ministry document that laid out plans to fund arms purchases from the Kremlin through a joint oil and gas project in Siberia. AFP has contacted the Vietnamese government for comment. US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters that Washington acknowledged Vietnam's decades-long military relationship with Russia. But he said there was "increasing discomfort on the part of the Vietnamese with that relationship", and the new partnership would help Hanoi "diversify away from those partnerships" by allowing it to source from the United States and its allies. Human rights Biden said he had raised human rights in his meeting with Trong and pledged to "continue our candid dialogue in that regard". Vietnam has a dire rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says. While Biden has often criticised China's human rights record, he has largely stayed quiet on Vietnam and campaigners feared he may not raise the subject. On Monday Biden visit a Hanoi memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years helped rebuild ties between the two countries. The post US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Children trapped in cable car dangling over Pakistan ravine
Six children are among the eight people who have been trapped all day Tuesday in a cable car dangling over a deep valley in Pakistan, with military helicopters hovering nearby ahead of a possible rescue attempt. The children were using the chairlift to get to school when a cable broke at a height of around 1,200 feet (about 365 meters) midway through its journey in a remote, mountainous part of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "The evening is coming nearer. Tell us why the helicopters are going back?" Gul Faraz, one of the adults stuck in the cable car, said to AFP by phone. "For God's sake help us," he earlier told local media. Several military helicopters flew reconnaissance sorties and an airman was lowered by harness to deliver food, water and medicine, Tanveer Ur Rehman, a local government official, told AFP. "This is a delicate operation that demands meticulous accuracy. The helicopter can not approach the chairlift closely, as its downwash (air pressure) might snap the sole chain supporting it," he said. Anxious crowds gathered on both sides of the ravine, which is several hours from any sizeable town. "Every time the helicopter lowered the rescuer closer to the chairlift, the wind from the helicopter would shake and disbalance the chairlift making the children scream in fear," Ghulamullah, chairman of the Allai valley area, told Geo News. 'What can they do?' The gondola broke down at around 7:00 am local time, with residents using mosque loudspeakers to alert neighborhood officials across the Allai valley. Headmaster Ali Asghar Khan told AFP by phone that the children were teenage boys and students at his government high school Battangi Pashto. "The school is located in a mountainous area and there are no safe crossings, so it's common to use the chairlift," Khan said. "The parents are gathered at the site of the chairlift. What can they do? They are waiting for the rescue officials to get their children out. We are all worried." Abid Ur Rehman, a teacher from another school in the area, said around 500 people had gathered to watch the rescue mission. "Parents and women are crying for the safety of their children," he told AFP. Syed Hammad Haider, a senior Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial official, said the gondola was hanging about 1,000 to 1,200 feet above the ground. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar issued a directive for all chairlifts in mountainous areas to be inspected and for those that are not "safety compliant" to be immediately closed. Cable cars that carry passengers and sometimes cars are common across the northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Gilgit-Baltistan, and are vital in connecting villages and towns in areas where roads cannot be built. In 2017, 10 people were killed when a chairlift cable broke, sending passengers plunging into a ravine in a mountain hamlet near capital Islamabad. The post Children trapped in cable car dangling over Pakistan ravine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘NBN-ZTE, China’s first salvo’
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday refuted a claim that it was his father, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who promised China the BRP Sierra Madre would be removed from Ayungin Shoal. Ejercito pointed out that it was his father who ordered in 1999 that the World War II-era ship be run aground to bolster the Philippines’ sovereignty claim to what was also called the Second Thomas Shoal. The senator was reacting to a former government official’s claim in an opinion piece in a national daily that it was Estrada who promised the Chinese the Sierra Madre would be removed. “That claim seems inconsistent. The mere fact that President Estrada was the one who ordered the BRP Sierra Madre be grounded on Ayungin Shoal, it’s impossible that he would commit to removing the same,” he told reporters in a Viber message. Ejercito also took a swipe at the ex-official in connection with a controversial project the administration he worked for entered into with China. “At least President Erap had the courage to fight for our sovereignty,” the senator said. “Unlike them who paved the way for the NBN-ZTE, the first salvo of Chinese intrusions in our country.” Estrada’s son to former actress Guia Gomez was referring to the canceled National Broadband Network project with ZTE Corp., a Chinese telecommunications firm. China continues to insist it has territorial rights over Ayungin Shoal, which is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as affirmed by a 2016 arbitral ruling. No such pledge After a China Coast Guard vessel used a water cannon in an attempt to drive away Philippine Coast Guard-led resupply boats headed to the BRP Sierra Madre last 5 August, Beijing claimed the Philippines had pledged to tow away the scuttled tank landing ship that serves as the Philippines’ outpost on Ayungin. In reaction, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he knew of no such promise by the Philippine government to remove the Sierra Madre, adding that if there was such a pledge made by a past administration, he was rescinding it. “Who was closer to China? Was it Erap? The VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) was in fact approved during his time,” Ejercito averred, referring to the military cooperation deal between the Philippines and the United States. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines decided in 1999 to deploy the BRP Sierra Madre as a permanent station on Ayungin Shoal in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1995. The deployment was years ahead, according to the DFA, of the conclusion in 2002 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. “[It] is therefore not a violation of the DOC,” the DFA pointed out. The post ‘NBN-ZTE, China’s first salvo’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
JV: Not my father who made ‘deal’ to remove BRP Sierra Madre
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday refuted claims that it was his father, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who made an alleged agreement with China to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal. Ejercito said the claim that it was his father who committed to removing the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal is “impossible,” since it was Estrada who ordered the grounding of the World War II ship in the low-tide elevation. “That claim seems inconsistent. The mere fact President Estrada was the one who ordered the BRP Sierra Madre be grounded in Ayungin Shoal, it’s impossible he will commit to remove the same,” he told reporters in a Viber message. He also took a swipe against columnist Rigoberto Tiglao, who claimed it was his father who made such a commitment to China. “At least President Erap had the courage to fight for our sovereignty,” he said. “Unlike them who paved the way for NBN-ZTE, the first salvo of Chinese intrusions in our country,” he added, referring to the canceled National Broadband Network project with ZTE Corp., a Chinese telecommunications firm, during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now Pampanga 2nd District Representative. Tiglao served as the former presidential spokesperson and Chief of Staff of Arroyo, who served as the 14th president of the Philippines following the ouster of Estrada during the second People Power Revolution or EDSA II in 2001. China is insisting on its territorial rights over the Ayungin Shoal, which is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. It also claimed the Philippine government had repeatedly made promises to tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. “Who was closer to China? Was it Erap? The VFA was in fact approved also during his time,” said Ejercito, referring to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines decided in 1999 to deploy the BRP Sierra Madre as a permanent station on Ayungin Shoal in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1995. It also explained that the Philippine station on Ayungin Shoal was deployed in 1999, years ahead of the conclusion in 2002 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. “[It] is therefore not a violation of the DOC,” the DFA pointed out. The post JV: Not my father who made ‘deal’ to remove BRP Sierra Madre appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
600 join anti-SONA protest in Cebu
CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 600 members of cause-oriented groups gathered in downtown Cebu City a few hours ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, to air their sentiments against his administration. They especially asked Marcos to take a closer look at the […] The post 600 join anti-SONA protest in Cebu appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Father’s golden legacy
The first time one meets Avelino “Ave” Tolentino III, Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, one is easily impressed by his good looks and pleasant mien. One gets surprised that someone as young as he should already occupy a top position in the government. Until one finds out he is already 42 years old, which, to belabor the point, hardly shows in the man’s appearance, neither in his voice, mannerisms, and unbridled enthusiasm for his life’s purpose. He could pass for someone who had seen only three decades so far. But as he talks with you, you also realize he is very articulate and knows whereof he speaks. Brilliance is a mark of this man. But on the day that we interviewed him at the Daily Tribune office in Makati when he accompanied his boss, Secretary Gerry Acuzar, to an online guest in our early morning online show, we chose to veer away from the expected questions about his duties in the bureaucracy. Instead, we focused on the man behind the official title and function. And since Father’s Day was coming in a few weeks, we wondered as to the kind of father who would raise such a remarkable son — so young and yet so significant in the affairs of the Filipino — or make that common tao, the man on the street who deserves to live happily in a pleasant home he and his family could call their own. What makes Ave Tolentino tick? We surmised that he is the upshot of parents who instilled in him the right values from day one. And we were not wrong, except that if one imagined the father to be a strong figure, the master of his home, we were in for a surprise. As Ave revealed, theirs was not the typical family. This, in the sense that “it was our father, Avelino Jr. who kept us, four sons and a daughter, company at home, while our mom was busy at the office,” Ave shared. Given their family dynamics, his father worked from home by engaging in trading, which did not require his full-time attention. It had been an arrangement, if one could use the word, of his parents who both realized early on as they were building a family that “my mother had a future in the corporate world.” There was no doubt about her breaking the so-called glass ceiling as she was one woman who knew she would succeed as a business executive. His mom, Jenette, was a Certified Public Accountant and, at the time of her retirement, was the chief executive officer of a company that was engaged in the selling of ammunition. His father, according to Ave, “was very kind. He was what I would call a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He was cool. Someone you could relate to. When we were younger, we could talk to him about almost anything. What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon.” But he was also working as a trader. He was juggling work and yet he was also raising his sons. “Well, he was practically watching over us,” Ave remembered. Just being there Being present to his children turned out to be a blessing, as “seeing him every afternoon, we made sure we would behave well, and not get into trouble. His presence was a deterrent to any of us getting into trouble or behaving foolishly. Because if we did, he would find out when he came to fetch us. Ave’s right at the gate of Colegio de San Agustin in Makati. It would have been different if we were not supervised.” As an added benefit to the family, he and his siblings grew closer as they came home together with their Dad in one car. On the other hand, just like most fathers, he had his list of don’ts. “Don’t do vices. No smoking, no drinking at a young age. And don’t give him any trouble. He made clear he did not like going to the principal’s office because any one of us needed to be disciplined.” Equally important to Ave’s father was family togetherness and awareness of their roots. “We spent a lot of time with our relatives. We had a lot of weekends at my grandfather’s, my father’s side, in Parañaque. We would all congregate there. And we also played a lot of table tennis growing up. Our games were for bonding, more than competing with one another. “He was the quintessential family man. He just enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very close to all his relatives, cousins, and second cousins. His friendship even extended to the neighbors of his cousins.” Go to guy Sharing his time and his listening ears was his idea of giving. “Dad was not too big on gifts. He showed he cared through service, or being there when you needed him. So, if you needed anything or you were in a situation, he was the person to call,” although he does not recall “having to call him at any point. But I knew that if I had to, he would have answered. He was very reliable.” And if there was one oddity about him, Ave pointed to his being a cockfighting aficionado. “As a kid, I would join him and my uncles and the rest of his relatives when they went to the cockpit in our home province, Mauban. In Parañaque, there would be cockfights right in our backyard. Our uncles would arrive with their fighting cocks.” What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon. If it was clean fun tinged with occasional rowdiness and incessant ribbing, Ave early on realized “it is a gentleman’s game. But for me, what I learned about cockfighting is that you have to raise the fighting cocks, you have to raise the chickens. I remember that when I was growing up, we had to help raise and take care of the chickens. I would help feed them like they were athletes. Their food was measured. It could not be more and it could not be less.” Ave was the middle child. “We had two batches,” he explained. “My two older brothers were 7 and 5 years ahead of us. And then myself and another brother. We were two years apart. My parents raised the first batch and then they raised us, the second batch, I believe they raised us well.” The post Father’s golden legacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN talks aim to harness AI power and potential
The United Nations is convening this week a global gathering to try to map out the frontiers of artificial intelligence and to harness its potential for empowering humanity. The UN hopes to lay out a clear blueprint for the way forward for handling AI, as the development of the technology races ahead the capacity to set its boundaries. The "AI for Good Global Summit", being held in Geneva on Thursday and Friday, will bring together around 3,000 experts from companies like Microsoft and Amazon as well as from universities and international organizations to try to sculpt frameworks for handling AI. "This technology is moving fast," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the International Telecommunication Union, the UN's information and communications technology agency that convened the summit. "It's a real opportunity for the world's leading voices on AI to come together on the global stage and to address governance issues," she told reporters. "Doing nothing is not an option. Humanity is dependent upon it. So we have to engage and try and ensure a responsible future with AI." She said the summit would examine possible frameworks and guardrails to support safe AI use. Listed participants include Amazon's chief technology officer Werner Vogels, Google DeepMind chief operating officer Lila Ibrahim and former Spain football captain Iker Casillas -- who suffered a heart attack in 2019 and now advocates for AI use in heart attack prevention. They will be joined by dozens of robots, including several humanoids like Ai-Da, the first ultra-realistic robot artist; Ameca, the world's most advanced life-like robot; the humanoid rock singer Desdemona; and Grace, the most advanced healthcare robot. Benefiting humanity? The Geneva-based ITU feels it can bring its experience to bear on AI governance. Founded in 1865, the ITU is the oldest agency in the UN fold. It established "SOS" as the Morse code international maritime distress call in 1906, and coordinates everything from radio frequencies to satellites and 5G. The summit wants to identify ways of using AI to advance the UN's lagging sustainable development goals on issues such as health, the climate, poverty, hunger and clean water. Bogdan-Martin said AI must not exacerbate social inequalities or introduce biases on race, gender, politics, culture, religion or wealth. "This summit can help ensure that AI charts the course that benefits humanity," UN chief Antonio Guterres said. However, while AI proponents hail the technology for how it can transform society, including work, healthcare and creative pursuits, others are worried by its potential to undermine democracy. 'Perfect storm' "We're kind of in a perfect storm of suddenly having this powerful new technology -- I don't think it's super-intelligent -- being spread very widely and empowered in our lives, and we're really not prepared," said serial AI entrepreneur Gary Marcus. "We're at a critical moment in history when we can either get this right and build the global governance we need, or get it wrong and not succeed and wind up in a bad place where a few companies control the fates of many, many people without sufficient forethought," he said. Last month, EU lawmakers pushed the bloc closer to passing one of the world's first laws regulating systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. There is also growing clamor to regulate AI in the United States. ChatGPT has become a global sensation since it was launched late last year for its ability to produce human-like content, including essays, poems and conversations from simple prompts. It has sparked a mushrooming of generative AI content, leaving lawmakers scrambling to try to figure out how to regulate such bots. Juan Lavista Ferres, chief data scientist of the Microsoft AI For Good Lab, gave an example of how AI could be used "to make our world a better place". He compared the more than 400 million people diagnosed with diabetes, a major cause of blindness, with the small number of ophthalmologists. "It's physically impossible to diagnose every patient. Yet we and others have built AI models that today can take this condition with an accuracy that matches a very good ophthalmologist. This is something can even be done from a smartphone. "Here AI is not just a solution, but it's the only solution." The post UN talks aim to harness AI power and potential appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU moves closer to launching digital euro
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday took its first significant step towards launching a digital version of the euro, a controversial project that has been questioned by politicians and banks. From China to the United States, Jamaica to Japan, more than 100 central banks worldwide are exploring or preparing to put in place digital currencies as electronic payments grow, changing the way people spend their money. The move to create a digital version of the single currency began in 2020 when European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde suggested the idea and her Frankfurt-based body launched a public consultation. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, published a proposal on Wednesday that will be the legal foundation on which the ECB could launch a digital euro. The currency would be available to individuals living in the euro area and for visitors. It would offer an additional payment option for citizens to use online and offline with their digital wallets, thus ensuring as much anonymity as coins and banknotes. The final law must be backed by the EU's 27 member states and the European Parliament. Digital euro enthusiasts say it will complement cash and ensure the ECB does not leave a gap later filled by private -- usually non-EU -- players and other central banks. "Given that the euro is already the world's second most-traded currency, it is not an area where can afford to stay behind the curve. We need to move ahead with a digital currency," commission vice president Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters. Critics question the need for a digital euro and banks warn of major risks, while the ECB's own study found the public was concerned over payment privacy. The ECB and the commission "have yet to make a compelling case of why we need the digital euro and what added value it will deliver," German MEP Markus Ferber said. Benefits 'outweigh' costs The commission's proposal argued that the digital euro's "long-term benefits... outweigh its costs" and warned, "the costs of no action can potentially be very large". Lagarde said in March that the digital currency was important for resilience and to "safeguard European payment autonomy". Many means of payment are "not necessarily European", she noted, adding it was "very unhealthy to rely on one single source of payment". US giants Visa and Mastercard currently dominate the global card payment market. Others argue, however, that the bloc's plans spell trouble unless the EU takes necessary other steps. Banks have warned of the risk of bank runs as customers could hold their funds in digital euro accounts and wallets, moving them away from the banks' balance sheets. "To shield banks from the risk of deposit flight and to limit the negative impact on banks' ability to finance the economy, it is important to set appropriate and firm limits in holdings and transactions," the European Banking Federation said on Wednesday. The proposal indicates there will be a limit to how much money people can keep in digital euros. ECB officials have suggested a cap of 3,000 euros ($3,300). The digital currency will be granted "legal tender" status, meaning it must be accepted as payment. But there would be exceptions, including for small businesses that do not accept any form of digital payment. The ECB is set to give the formal green light to a digital euro in October and the expectation is it would be available from 2027 onwards. The ECB welcomed the commission's proposal, which it said offered "private intermediaries appropriate economic incentives to distribute the digital euro as they do other digital means of payment while preventing excessive fees for merchants". Privacy concerns The ECB has a difficult battle to win over Europeans. A public consultation showed that the number one priority when it comes to the digital euro is privacy. To calm people's fears, the ECB has stressed it would not attempt to control how people can spend digital currency or use it for surveillance, as critics claim is the case in China. "This is not a Big Brother project for online payments," the EU's financial services commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, said during a press conference in Brussels. "With the digital euro, the data privacy will be the same as for existing private digital means of payment. For offline payments, the data privacy will be even higher." The commission's proposal said the digital euro "will be designed so as to minimize the processing of personal data by payment services providers" and the ECB. The post EU moves closer to launching digital euro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go lauds mayors as he attends 2023 Mindanao LMP convention
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go attended the 2023 Mindanao League of Municipalities of the Philippines Convention on Saturday, 10 June, at Acacia Hotel, Davao City. Accompanied by Senator Robinhood Padilla, Go underscored the crucial role of public service in nation-building and highlighted his and Padilla's commitment to grassroots governance and their dedication to empowering local communities by bringing government services closer to those in need the most. “This gathering brings together the voices of municipal mayors from all regions throughout Mindanao to collectively address the pressing issues and seize the opportunities that lie ahead for our beloved region,” expressed Go. “Your dedication to your constituents, your steadfast resolve to address the unique challenges facing your communities, and your unwavering belief in the potential of Mindanao are truly inspiring,” he continued. The senator also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be among the dedicated local leaders who are at the forefront of driving progress in Mindanao. He emphasized the importance of effective governance and the tireless efforts required to address the needs of the people. “Galing ako sa mababa. Alam ko kung ano ang pinakaproblema sa pinakamababa. So salamat sa inyong pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Magkakasama tayo. Sino ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang, mga kapwa ko Pilipino,” he continued. Go then highlighted the need for strong collaboration between national and local governments, emphasizing the importance of a harmonious relationship to achieve sustainable development. He likewise stressed the significance of responsive and accountable governance, encouraging the local leaders to be proactive in addressing the challenges faced by their respective communities. “I understand the challenges you face—the need for sustainable infrastructure, the importance of peace and security, the quest for economic growth, and the pursuit of social progress. These are not easy tasks, but I firmly believe that by working together, we can achieve great things for Mindanao,” Go remarked. “Let me assure you that you are not alone in this journey. As your senator, I am committed to working hand in hand with you to champion the interests of Mindanao at the national level. I will continue to advocate for the necessary legislation and policies that will enable you to better serve your constituents and empower your local government units,” he asserted. Go then reiterated the urgent need to harness the potential of e-governance as he continues to push for Senate Bill No. 194, recognizing its potential to revolutionize the way government services are delivered to the people. According to the senator, by implementing digital platforms and tools, citizens can more easily access information, track government processes, and monitor the progress of projects. E-governance, also known as electronic governance, is the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of government operations and services. The utilization of digital platforms and online systems streamlines administrative processes, simplifies public service delivery, and improves citizen engagement. The proposed E-Governance Act aims to establish an integrated and interconnected information and resource-sharing and communications network that spans national and local governments. It shall mandate the creation of an internal records management information system, an information database, and digital portals for the delivery of public services. “Government should always be responsive to the demands of changing times. It is for this reason that I filed the proposed E-Governance Act. Una ko na po itong nai-file noong panahon pa ng pandemya during the 18th Congress. Marami tayong natutunan noon kung paano mag-adapt sa panahon,” Go previously said. Earlier on the same day, Go, together with Padilla, personally extended support to impoverished residents of Pili, Camarines Sur, and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Center in Talisay, Camarines Norte, where they also offered aid to indigents. They also conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital in Daet, Camarines Norte. The post Bong Go lauds mayors as he attends 2023 Mindanao LMP convention appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public service without break
I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants The Senate adjourned sine die last 31 May 31 its First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. Our first such session under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos. Six of the proposed measures that hurdled the Senate are now laws, including several of my co-authored and co-sponsored bills, such as the SIM Registration Act, postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and SK Elections, and naturalization of our national basketball team key player, Justin Brownlee. Senate Bill 1849, which I co-sponsored, has also been enacted, amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 11709 to establish a fixed term and retirement age for some officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that would hopefully better promote their welfare. I likewise co-sponsored RA 11938, converting the municipality of Carmona, Cavite into a city. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I am also particularly happy that the Bicameral Conference Report on our proposed Regional Specialty Centers Act has already been ratified, marking a significant milestone towards improving access to specialized healthcare across the country. As the principal sponsor of the measure, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of establishing more specialty centers in various regions to ensure that our Filipinos have better access to the specialized medical services they require. This measure is a steadfast commitment, and a collective vision to improve our healthcare system. It is our people’s experiences and stories that have driven us to aim for a healthcare system that is compassionate, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of Filipinos. Likewise approved on third and final reading in the Senate are several bills that I co-authored and co-sponsored, such as: (1) the proposed Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act which seeks to establish safe routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and slow vehicles across the entire country; (2) Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers; (3) No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act which seeks to protect students from preventing them in taking exams due to outstanding financial obligations; (4) New Agrarian Emancipation Act which seeks to condone almost P58 billion worth of loans that agrarian reform beneficiaries incurred in owning lands under the government’s agrarian reform programs; (5) Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act which aims to stimulate economic growth for decent job generation; and (6) Senate Bill No. 2021 which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by granting them access to shared facilities and services, technology, and skills training. The proposed National Day for Awareness on the Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire Act, and the Cultural Mapping Act, which I both co-authored, have also hurdled the Senate. Meanwhile, I likewise filed several other measures in a bid to bring services closer to our people, especially the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless. These include bills establishing Mental Health Offices in higher educational institutions, mandating financial literacy and entrepreneurship as core subjects in the junior and senior high school curricula, and institutionalizing a technical-vocational program specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. To improve the resilience of the agricultural sector, I also filed a bill seeking to provide immediate financial assistance to ARBs in the event of natural calamities and another measure that proposes to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. Among others, I also filed bills seeking to institutionalize the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), a flagship housing program of President Marcos, Jr.; establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate infrastructure flagship programs; strengthen our coast guard; better protect our kasambahays, freelance and media workers; and provide equitable incentives to our para-athletes. After a hectic yet fruitful legislative year, I continue to personally visit our kababayans in need to provide the necessary aid. On June 1, I was in Samal, Bataan with my team to witness the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center and distribute aid to 500 of its struggling residents. We also visited Balanga City to provide similar assistance to 1,008 indigents. Batangas was our destination the following day where I inspected the Super Health Center and a multipurpose building which will be the new municipal hall in Ibaan. I also led relief operations for 1,000 of my fellow Batanguenos in Ibaan and 1,086 in Sta. Teresita. Meanwhile, I was in Naga City, Camarines Sur on June 3 where I attended the 1st Bicol Social Media Summit and assisted 1,500 indigent residents. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Bicol Medical Center in the city and likewise aided 824 patients and 2,702 frontliners. The DSWD also committed to providing financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Thereafter, I inspected a bypass road in the city, a project I also supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Across the country, my outreach teams aided 5,102 Typhoon Agaton victims in Banate, Iloilo; 170 fire-hit families in Parañaque City; five fire-hit families in Cotabato City and three more in Catbalogan City, Samar. Indigent families were also aided, including 420 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; 598 in Socorro, Surigao del Norte; 1,000 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; 40 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; 520 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; 180 in Sibalom, Antique; 518 in Kalibo, Aklan; 83 TESDA graduates in Carcar City, Cebu; and 408 barangay health workers in Sariaya, Quezon. My staff likewise attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants. As we have always done and as we are mandated to do, we should continue spending the days ahead trying to help uplift the lives of our Filipino people. The post Public service without break appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Humans must stay in control of AI, European trade union chief warns
No employee should be "subject to the will of a machine", European trade union chief Esther Lynch has warned, calling for regulation to ensure humans remain in control as artificial intelligence technology advances at breakneck speed. In the same way that European Union treaties protect health and safety in the workplace, rules are needed to guarantee "the human-in-control principle" when it comes to AI, Lynch said in an interview ahead of a major gathering of union representatives in Berlin. "We need to be guaranteed that no worker is subject to the will of a machine," Lynch told AFP, a scenario she said would be "dystopian". Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation since last December, will head the four-day ETUC Congress that kicks off in the German capital on Tuesday. The event, held every four years, brings together hundreds of union officials from more than 40 countries to discuss topics ranging from workers' rights to the future of work, environmental protection, inequality and cross-border union cooperation. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are among the speakers scheduled to address the congress. 'Not just the 1 percent' Ever since the wildly popular AI chatbot ChatGPT burst onto the scene late last year, debate has been swirling about how the technology will upend the world of work, potentially transforming many jobs along the way. While supporters point out that AI tools can take over automated or repetitive tasks and free up staff to do more creative work, sceptics worry about job cuts, data protection and losing a human element in some decision-making processes. Lynch, 60, said AI regulation was one of the topics she would be discussing with the EU's Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit during the congress. With every technology there's "a positive side and a negative side, and the same will be true of AI," the Irish woman said. "What we have seen is that whenever you involve workers and their unions in the introduction of technology... the outcomes are better." The EU is currently debating a draft text calling for curbs on how artificial intelligence can be used in Europe, bringing the bloc a step closer to an AI law. It is "critically important" that AI is introduced "in a way that works for working people rather than against them", Lynch said. "It can't be the case that only the top one percent take all of the benefits of AI, and leave everybody else not benefiting from the productivity gains that will come from AI," she went on. "We need to make sure that where parts of jobs or whole jobs or whole industries are displaced, that there are other quality jobs created." Inflation costs Division of wealth will be a key theme at the congress as employees across Europe feel the pain from a cost-of-living squeeze as a result of high inflation. Lynch said while workers were struggling to make ends meet, many companies had benefited from rising prices and enjoyed higher profits and dividend payouts. "Europe's top 1,200 companies' dividends increased by 14 percent" last year, she said, whereas wages only rose by four percent on average. "So it's quite clear who's driving inflation. It's not working people," Lynch said. The European Central Bank's series of interest rate hikes, aimed at cooling inflation, were only worsening the inequality, she added. Higher borrowing costs "aren't the solution for treating dividends in a fairer way," according to Lynch. "The solution for that is: tax those dividends and then redistribute the wealth," she said. The post Humans must stay in control of AI, European trade union chief warns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds of millions of life years lost to pandemic: WHO
Nearly 337 million life years were lost in the two first years of the Covid-19 pandemic, as millions of people died prematurely, the World Health Organization said on Friday. The UN health agency's annual world statistics report also showed a swelling threat from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The most dramatic finding, based on data up to 2022, was the estimate of how many years of life Covid had taken, WHO said. The pandemic has wreaked global devastation and officially killed nearly seven million people, with the true figure believed to be closer to 20 million. The WHO report lays bare how the virus itself and the broader impact of the crisis abruptly cut short the lives of millions of people. While the WHO officially registered 5.4 million Covid deaths in 2020 and 2021, its excess mortality data shows around 14.9 million people actually likely died due to the crisis over that period. Even more striking, perhaps, it said the statistics show that during those two years alone, Covid resulted in the loss globally of 336.8 million years that otherwise would have been lived. "It's like losing 22 years of life for every excess death," Samira Asma, WHO's assistant chief for data and analytics, told reporters ahead of the launch. Off-track "Significant inequities underpin the distribution of Covid-19 cases and deaths, as well as access to vaccinations," the report said. The WHO warned that the pandemic had helped throw off-track many health-related indicators that had been improving for years. During the first two decades of the century, the world saw significant improvements in maternal and child health, with deaths falling by one-third and one-half respectively. The incidence of infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and malaria also declined significantly, as did the risk of premature death from NCDs. Global life expectance rose from 67 years in 2000 to 73 in 2019. But after the pandemic hit, existing inequalities in access to high-quality health care, routine immunizations and financial protection deepened, among other things sending the long improving trends on malaria and TB in the opposite direction. 'Stark message' And while the world still enjoys health progress overall, the share of deaths caused each year by NCDs has grown, the study showed. In 2000, around 61 percent of global deaths annually were linked to NCDs. By 2019, almost 74 percent were. "If this trend continues, NCDs are projected to account for about 86 percent of the 90 million annual deaths by mid-century," WHO said in a statement. "The report sends a stark message on the threat of noncommunicable diseases, which take an immense and increasing toll," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. The findings, he said, show the need for "a substantial increase in investments in health and health systems to get back on track towards the Sustainable Development Goals." NCD deaths were increasing despite a reduction in exposure to many health risks, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption and unsafe water and sanitation, WHO said. Exposure to other risks like air pollution however remained high, it said. The report warned in particular that the prevalence of obesity was growing with no sign of reversal. The post Hundreds of millions of life years lost to pandemic: WHO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal
Joe Biden and opposition Republican leaders on Tuesday offered hope of a deal that could avoid a catastrophic US debt default, although the president was forced to shorten an upcoming Asia tour for further crisis talks. After the latest negotiations ended without a breakthrough, Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters there was still "a lot of work to do" to break the high-stakes standoff with Democrat Biden over the borrowing limit. But while stark differences remained, the White House said Biden was "optimistic that there is a path to a responsible, bipartisan budget agreement if both sides negotiate in good faith." And McCarthy likewise indicated he ultimately expected a deal, even if so far "nothing has been resolved." "America is the number one economy in the world. And when we get done with these negotiations, America's economy is going to be stronger," he said. The US president -- who flies to Japan on Wednesday for a G7 summit -- scrapped subsequent stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia, instead returning to Washington on Sunday. The Treasury has warned of grim consequences if the country runs out of cash to pay its bills, which would leave it unable to pay federal workers and trigger a likely surge in interest rates with knock-on effects for businesses, mortgages -- and global markets. The United States could begin defaulting on its debts "potentially as early as June 1," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has forecast June 15. The White House said Biden had directed his staff "to continue to meet daily on outstanding issues," and that he would confer with Republican leaders on his return from the G7 meetings. Republicans have continued to insist Biden agree to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, ignoring Democratic calls for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. Democrats have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" at which the United States starts defaulting on its debts. In a sign of growing nervousness over what would be the first-ever US debt default, more than 140 top US chief executives sent a letter to Biden and congressional leaders stressing the need for an agreement. "We strongly urge that an accord be reached quickly so that the country can avert this potentially devastating scenario," the letter signed by the CEOs from Pfizer and Morgan Stanley, among others, said. Republicans, who regained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, are using their newfound clout to demand cuts of $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for support for lifting the debt ceiling. This would limit spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries and claw back unspent Covid relief funding. There are now only three days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before June 1 -- the day the Treasury predicts the United States could run out of money. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that such a move could be challenged in court and has continued to call publicly for Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. The post Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden and McCarthy to reconvene Tuesday for debt limit talks
President Joe Biden will reconvene crunch debt talks Tuesday with senior Republican leaders including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in another attempt to avert a costly US default. The Treasury has warned that the US could run out of cash to pay its bills as soon as 1 June, leaving it unable to pay federal workers and triggering a likely surge in interest rates with a huge impact on businesses and mortgage holders. The talks have a lot of ground to cover, with the two parties still sharply divided on the terms under which they will agree to lift the government's borrowing cap to pay for existing spending commitments. Republicans continue to insist that Biden agrees to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, while Democrats have been calling for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. They have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their political agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" -- the point at which the United States will be unable to meet its financial obligations. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the X-date could come as early as June 1, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast on Friday an X-date of 15 June. Still far apart House, Senate, and White House negotiators met over the weekend in a bid to make progress ahead of the talks, US media reported. When asked Monday whether he was meeting with McCarthy the following day, Biden responded in the affirmative. But McCarthy signaled the two sides still had much to hammer out. "I still think we're far apart," he told reporters Monday at the US Capitol, adding that "it doesn't seem to me yet that they want a deal." "They're not talking anything serious," he went on. "It seems more like they want a default than a deal." Republicans, who regained control of the House in the midterm elections, are using their newfound political clout to demand deep cuts of roughly $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for their support, limiting spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries, claw back unspent Covid relief funding, and impose work requirements for social programs. President Biden has rebuffed many of these proposals, accusing Republicans of "holding the economy hostage" to further their political objectives. Four days left Including Monday, there are just four days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before 1 June. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized, although there is no official plan to do so. In recent days, Biden has suggested he may have to postpone a planned trip to Asia later this month if the two sides fail to reach agreement, but has stopped short of canceling his visit while the talks continue. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally -- a move opposed by Republicans. The legal argument for doing so hinges around language in the Civil War-era amendment stating that US sovereign debt "shall not be questioned," which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that the move would almost certainly be challenged in court, and has instead continued to call on Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. Not doing so could cause a recession, which would be "catastrophic," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told CNN Sunday. "The United States of America has never defaulted on its debt -- and we can't," he said. The post Biden and McCarthy to reconvene Tuesday for debt limit talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bringing people gov’t services
The dry season has brought not only uncomfortably higher temperatures across our country but also a slew of “summer diseases” that range from sore eyes to skin conditions and heat stroke. These health problems are not trivial matters. Heat stroke, in particular, poses a significant threat, especially to our kababayans whose work requires them to stay under the blistering heat of the sun. Most of them are our fellow Filipinos in underserved areas who do not have access to electricity and worse, the health services that they need. Following our state weather bureau’s recent announcement that it may issue an El Niño alert by next month, all the more we must prioritize our health as we brace for warmer days ahead. This is why, we also continue striving to bring public healthcare services closer to our fellow Filipinos, especially the needy, the helpless, and the hopeless who have no one else to turn to but our government. Part of these initiatives are the Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers which we initiated and continue to provide to communities in need. Each Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop for medical assistance from different government agencies. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored, institutionalized the program. The program has so far helped over seven million particularly poor and indigent Filipinos through the 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide, according to the Department of Health. We have also been supportive of the establishment of Super Health Centers in areas identified by the DoH as the lead implementing agency. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I took the time last week to visit some of these Malasakit Centers and SHC in various parts of the country to check on their operations or the progress of their construction. On 17 April, we kicked off the week with a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City, Capiz where we also checked on the ongoing construction of the new building of the hospital which I supported for funding the previous years as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. I likewise personally led the distribution of aid to 218 indigent patients and 666 front liners of the hospital while representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the qualified patients and 59 utility workers. We attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Centers in Panay and Panitan towns in Capiz where we also aided indigent residents from each town. We then proceeded to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental to visit another Malasakit Center at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital where we aided 375 patients and 1,877 hospital front liners, including security guards, utilities, and other hospital staff. Indigent patients, 148 qualified security guards, and hospital utility workers also received financial assistance from the DSWD. In Bacolod City, we joined the Panaad Festival celebration and assisted 1,000 struggling residents. The following day in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, we witnessed the groundbreaking of the city’s Super Health Center and provided aid to 1,000 of its residents. A visit to the Malasakit Center at Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center was meant to assess the continuing services to the public and aid 573 patients and 1,550 front liners. A team from the DSWD also extended financial assistance to the patients and 119 qualified hospital workers, including housekeeping and security guards. We witnessed the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center in Umingan, Pangasinan on the same day, and helped 709 persons with disabilities. The inspections of other centers and aid distributions continued for the rest of the week. On 21 April, we flew to Samar where we inspected the SHC in Santa Margarita and assisted 1,000 town residents. In Calbayog, we aided 216 fire victims and 1,000 indigents. During our visit to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines in Camp Alano, Davao City, we expressed support for their endeavors in recognition of their role in women empowerment and nation-building. On 22 April, we conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at Quirino Province Medical Center in Cabarroguis where we helped 101 patients and 830 front liners while the DSWD aided the patients and 317 qualified front liners. We joined the town’s 6th Quirino Motorismo. A total of 500 residents in Saguday, Quirino received aid before we inspected the ongoing construction of the SHC. My teams assisted 100 indigent families in Casiguran, 100 in San Luis, and 100 in Dipaculao, Aurora; 100 in La Paz, 200 in Talacogon,100 in Sibagat, 100 in Bayugan, 100 in Esperanza, 100 in Prosperidad, and 550 in Sta. Josefa and Trento, Agusan del Sur; 1,427 in Iba, Zambales; 33 in Sta Rita, Pampanga; 495 households affected by separate fire incidents in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagoloan, and 500 in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; and 54 fire victims in Maramag, Valencia City, Malaybalay City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. I was also honored to be able to attend the Philippine Councilors League — Quezon province chapter seminar in Davao City on 20 April, and the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas-National Cluster Barangay Congress in Pasay City yesterday. Our jobs are no different from each other; we have the same mandate to serve our people. Local leaders are our partners in ensuring that their constituents are well supported to effect real positive change from the local to the national level. Amid the challenges we face, let not these trials beat and hinder us from doing our duties and reaching out to more of our struggling Filipinos in their times of need. Let us all strive to bring public services, particularly healthcare, closer to our people. The post Bringing people gov’t services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks
The Philadelphia 76ers shrugged off the absence of Joel Embiid to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs on Saturday as the Phoenix Suns edged closer to a second-round berth by beating the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers advanced to an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown against either Boston or Atlanta with a dominant second-half display to seal a 96-88 victory in Brooklyn. Elsewhere in the East, the Miami Heat thrashed the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 121-99 to edge ahead of the top seeds 2-1 in their best-of-seven series. In Brooklyn, the Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but transformed the contest with an 18-4 run to take the lead before closing out victory with a fourth-quarter rally. The Sixers' win was all the more impressive given the absence of star center Embiid, who suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's 102-97 victory in game three. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points a game and is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Paul Reed stepped in to fill the void and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tobias Harris led the scoring for Philadelphia with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Anthony Melton came off the bench to produce 15 points and lead the fourth-quarter surge. Harris said the Sixers were determined to use Embiid's absence as a motivator. "He's the MVP. And when we heard he wasn't playing, I think it was an opportunity for everybody else to really step up and understand that we've got to get a win without the big fellow," Harris told the TNT television network. "The whole group came together today. It's a great win for us and a great way to sweep the series." Asked what his message to the injured Embiid would be, Harris replied: "Hurry up and get your ass back out here." The 4-0 series victory was Philadelphia's first playoff sweep since 1991. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn's scoring with 20 points while Nic Claxton had 19 points with 12 rebounds. "Getting swept is trash," a dejected Claxton said. "It's not a good feeling." Suns on the brink In Los Angeles, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help Phoenix beat the Clippers 112-100 for a 3-1 series lead. Devin Booker plundered 30 points and veteran Chris Paul added 19 in a late burst of scoring as Phoenix bagged their second straight win in Los Angeles. "I'm in a good place and I'm enjoying playing ball," Durant said. "I've been out a few months this season, and I'm just happy I'm out here where the ball is." It means the Suns need just one more win to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals, with game five set for Phoenix on Tuesday. The Clippers' hopes of squaring the series had been dealt a blow by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who joined Paul George on the injured list. Russell Westbrook produced one of his best performances for the Clippers with a 37-point display. In Miami, the Heat took full advantage of the absence of Milwaukee's two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading by double digits much of the night. Jimmy Butler scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting before departing late in the third quarter after taking a hard fall. After visiting the locker room he returned to the bench but with the game in hand did not go back on the floor. Duncan Robinson scored 20 points and fellow reserve Kyle Lowry added 15 as the Heat bench delivered 59 points. "We just came out here and played with some intensity," Lowry said. The Heat will try to level the series on Monday, but Lowry said he knows they'll face a tough task. "Every game is a different game," he said. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team would continue to "monitor" Antetokounmpo, who suffered a back contusion in game one, missed game two and was a late scratch on Saturday. In the late game the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed star guard Ja Morant back after a hand injury as they visited the Los Angeles Lakers with their series knotted 1-1. The post Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tearful Biden ends Ireland trip with nod at re-election
US President Joe Biden ended an emotional visit to Ireland on Friday with a campaign-style exhortation for hope, as he inched closer to formally launching his 2024 bid. The 80-year-old Democrat, who has Catholic Irish roots, had a tearful encounter with a priest before a concluding speech that coincided with an angry address back home by Donald Trump, his potential Republican rival for next year's White House battle. "I told you my plan is to run again," Biden told reporters before flying to the United States. "I've already made that calculus. We'll announce it relatively soon. But the trip here just reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done." Biden was feted by an estimated 27,000 people as he spoke in front of the floodlit St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina, one of his family's ancestral hometowns, in northwest Ireland. In 1828, Biden's forebear Edward Blewitt sold the bricks that went into the construction of the Roman Catholic cathedral, using the money to fund his famine-stricken family's later emigration to the United States. The Irish and Americans were united by an optimistic vision, Biden said in the speech. "More than anything, hope is what beats in the hearts of all our people," he said, reprising the core message of his and Barack Obama's historic campaign in 2008. "Even during times of darkness and despair, hope has kept us marching forward toward a better future, one of a greater liberty, greater dignity and greater possibilities." Biden was in a more sorrowful mood earlier on a visit to the celebrated Roman Catholic pilgrimage shrine at Knock, near Ballina. Organizers made the last-minute discovery of a link between the Biden family and one of their priests, Father Frank O'Grady, who returned to Ireland after years serving as a chaplain in the US army. The president's son Beau Biden died of brain cancer aged 46 in 2015. Father O'Grady administered the last rites at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center outside Washington. O'Grady was not on the official guest list but was given hurried security clearance. Biden said it was "incredible" to meet by chance with the priest. "It seemed like a sign," he said of the 10-minute meeting, which was joined by his remaining son Hunter and the president's sister, Valerie Biden Owens. O'Grady told Irish broadcaster RTE that Biden "certainly misses his son" but that the president said his Catholic faith had "sustained him". "He has been grieving a lot, but I think the grief is kind of going down a bit," the priest said. Knock Shrine parish priest Richard Gibbons told the BBC that Biden "got the shock of his life" at discovering O'Grady's presence in Knock. "He was crying, it really affected him and then we said a prayer, said a decade of the rosary for his family. "He lit a candle and then he took a moment or two of private (reflection) for prayer." The US president went on to visit the Mayo Roscommon Hospice nearby with his son, sister, and Irish cousin Laurita Blewitt. In 2017, he came for the building's groundbreaking, and a plaque there commemorates Beau Biden. Biden then headed to the picturesque riverside town of Ballina, which was proudly displaying US flags and red, white and blue bunting as locals thronged the streets in anticipation. Ballina commissioned a five-meter-high (16-foot-high) mural of Biden when he won the 2020 presidential vote. Blewitt descendants still live in the town, where the Mocha Beans cafe changed its shop sign to read "Mocha Biden" for the occasion. "That buzz is incredible around Ballina today," the cafe's owner Trevor Mangan told AFP. As a baby, Flori Garvin was given a cuddly toy donkey by Biden when the Democrat visited Ballina as vice president. Now aged seven, she was back with her grandmother, Elizabeth Robinson, 63. "She hasn't stopped talking about it," Robinson said. "She thinks she's going to see him herself." The surrounding county of Mayo was the ancestral homeland of one branch of the Biden family, and the president also toured a genealogy center to find out more about his origins. Biden had declared in a speech Thursday to the Irish parliament: "I'm home." Ahead of a potential rematch against Trump, the president dwelt both at the parliament and the cathedral on the success of Irish emigres in carving out a new life far from home. "We Irish," he said on Friday, "we always believe in a better tomorrow because no matter what, we've always carried hope in our hearts." The post Tearful Biden ends Ireland trip with nod at re-election appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LIST: 6 super nutrients for your adulting goals
Young working adults, of course, know this. That’s why many juggle different jobs and commitments, hustling to get ahead and be one step closer to achieving their many goals......»»
Superal edges closer to crown despite 72
Princess Superal struggled to find her rhythm and range but her even par 72 still proved enough to keep her safely ahead as her pursuers failed to mount any serious challenge in the second round of the ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge......»»
Share prices gain anew ahead of US poll results
The stock market index rallied closer yesterday to the psychological 6,500 level as investors hoped for a clear winner and a peaceful turnout of the US presidential elections......»»