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DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño
The Department of Social Welfare and Development over the weekend said that Project LAWA or the Local Adaptation to Water Access will improve the resiliency of communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Project LAWA, which was simultaneously launched in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique on Thursday (31 August), is an early action plan of the government to mitigate the impacts of drought and dry spells by establishing small farm reservoirs (SFRs). “By building water-harvesting facilities, our farmers and fisherfolk will be ready for the effects of El Niño and climate change," DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said. "They can use SRFs to improve the production of crops or they can use it as fishponds for an additional income,” Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, pointed out. The LAWA project targets to construct 90 SFRs in the nine local government units (LGUs) in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique. The three provinces were chosen based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) geophysical map which showed that Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique would be severely affected by El Niño. To assist the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized families of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), farmers, and fisherfolk, the DSWD, through its cash-for-training and –work program, will provide financial support as an alternative income in exchange for the work rendered by the beneficiaries while constructing the alternative water resources. “Through this cost-efficient and small-scale infrastructure for community-based rainwater retention, production of crops will not be affected, hence the continuous income of our farmers,” the DSWD spokesperson explained. According to the Department of Agriculture-Water Resources Management Division, SFR is a smaller version of Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) that “collects rainfall and runoff for use by a single farm, with height of less than 4 meters and reservoir area of 300–1,500 square meters serving about half to a hectare of farmlands.” In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the DSWD is exploring the possibility of applying vermicomposting to Project LAWA in 2024 to further provide the beneficiary- communities with alternatives to increase crop yield. The post DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep
Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday, beginning the first papal visit to the vast Asian nation landlocked between China and Russia. The 86-year-old pontiff's trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for the tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400. The Argentine pontiff left Rome at 1640 GMT Thursday bound for the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, arriving Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey. He was greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire and foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. Aboard the papal plane soon after take-off, Francis described the vast, sparsely populated country of Mongolia as one that "can be understood with the senses." Asked by a journalist whether he found diplomacy difficult, the pope answered: "Yes, you don't know how difficult it is. "Sometimes you need a sense of humor." The nine-hour flight passed over Chinese airspace and the pontiff, following custom, sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping, bearing "greetings of good wishes" to him and the Chinese people. "Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace," he wrote. The voyage -- Francis' second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan -- is geopolitically strategic. It is seen as encouraging Mongolia's fragile democracy and potentially helping the Church make inroads with the country's more powerful neighbors. "This is a clear effort of the Holy See to take care of Central Asia and not abandon it to Russia or China," Michel Chambon, a scholar of Catholicism in Asia, told AFP. The visit -- Francis' 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church -- is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation. "It's a way to not give up, to remind them 'I'm here!'" Chambon said. "It's a way not to just stay in Rome and wait for things to happen but to jump in." Stamina test The trip will be a stamina test for the pope, who continues to travel widely despite undergoing a hernia operation in June and pain in his knee that has forced him to use a wheelchair. After a day of rest, the pontiff's itinerary on Saturday includes a welcome ceremony, meetings with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a first address to authorities, diplomats, and members of civil society. He will meet the Catholic community -- which includes just 25 priests and 33 nuns, only two of them Mongolian -- later Saturday in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its circular nave resembles a "ger", the Mongolian nomads' traditional tent dwelling. The Jesuit pope addresses an interreligious meeting Sunday, where the rector of Ulaanbaatar's Russian Orthodox Church is expected to be present with a delegation, and later presides over a mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena. Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, the Vatican said, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Not taking sides Once part of the empire of Genghis Khan, Mongolia is dependent on Russia for energy imports and on China for the export of its raw materials, primarily coal. But while toeing a neutral line with its powerful neighbors, it has engaged in a "third neighbor" policy, strengthening relations with other nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, for balance. That makes Mongolia potentially helpful for Vatican relations with both Beijing and Moscow. The Holy See last year renewed a deal on the thorny issue of bishop appointments with China, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. Francis may use his trip to the former Soviet satellite state, a democracy since just 1992, to hammer home democratic principles. A major coal industry corruption scandal provoked street protests in December, eroding public trust amid a weak economy, high inflation, and major gaps between rich and poor. Chambon, a fellow at Singapore's Asia Research Institute, said Francis may take a page from last year's Kazakhstan visit, during which he warned authorities they have a responsibility to govern well. "The pope is not taking sides but is really putting politicians in front of their responsibilities," Chambon said. "'Who are we serving, are we honest, are we caring for the poor and marginalized, are we taking care of the entire nation in its religious and ethnic diversity?' "He plays the games but he asks the hard questions." Francis, who plans in October to publish an update to his seminal 2015 "Laudato Si'" a global call to action for the environment, will also likely bring attention to the impact of climate change on Mongolia's ecosystems. Together with mining and overgrazing, rising temperatures and their effects are fuelling desertification across swathes of the country. Severe cold, flooding and drought have killed off herds on the vast grasslands, forcing nomads who make up one-third of the population to migrate to Ulaanbaatar, now surrounded by shantytowns inhabited by displaced herders. The post Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Forked-tongue promises
Commitment to transparency is among the qualities of a corporation that investors and the public look at before making the crucial decision to either infuse some capital into it or buy its products. Power companies have the bigger responsibility for disclosures during the difficult period of rising prices, coupled with the global effort to save the earth from climate catastrophe as a result of greenhouse gases. In 2017, a movement among global big businesses for full disclosure of their projects that may impact the environment called Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD, was launched. Since then, the country’s biggest corporations have signed up to the global transparency movement but not San Miguel Corp. Instead, SMC said in its annual report that it “developed a comprehensive, standardized data template to capture pertinent data and disclosures on our material ESG topics from our various subsidiaries,” without actually signing up for the global accord. Among companies engaged in power generation, SMC also lags in terms of its climate commitments. Think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development said in 2019 that First Gen of the Lopez Group announced it will “lead the transition to a decarbonized energy system in line with the United Nations target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.” SMC, which now dominates energy production through fossil fuel, also has not made any commitments to align with the 1.5°C Paris temperature goal. CEED said that unlike some of the biggest conglomerates in the country, SMC has yet to indicate unqualified support for TCFD. The body was created to develop recommendations on the types of information that should be disclosed by corporations to support investors, lenders and insurance underwriters in appropriately assessing and pricing a specific set of risks related to climate change. The Aboitiz Group, through its holding company Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., was the first local supporter of TCFD. The global movement said on its online site that companies that express support for TCFD recommendations “join a cohort of leading companies that take action against climate change and are thoughtful to consider how climate change will impact their businesses.” “Easing transparency makes markets more efficient, and economies more stable and resilient,” Michael Bloomberg, TCFD chairperson said. According to CEED, the disclosure of climate risks in key private undertakings would guide SMC and its shareholders in making informed choices in “an increasingly carbon-constrained world.” It added that the value of climate-disclosure information and SMC’s plans for a low-carbon economy are becoming increasingly valuable for stakeholders. SMC, by the way, has major shareholders affiliated with the Catholic Church that have kept silent amid the reluctance of the Asian giant for full disclosure. Church groups, ironically, have been calling for action and accountability from financial institutions, energy and extractive companies, and government leaders to contribute to efforts to save the planet. In July 2021, SMC announced plans to move away from building new coal facilities, including those that use “clean technology,” and move towards clean energy. SMC, however, never discloses which power plant projects will be dropped except for three projects in Quezon and Cebu that have total capacities of 1,500 megawatts. CEED said data from the DoE from July 2020 showed plans for new coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of 3,628 MW until a moratorium imposed by the Department of Energy disrupted these plans. SMC also stated that it is aggressively pursuing more sustainable sources of energy which include expensive liquefied natural gas. The duplicity is very apparent since the company’s environmental commitments clash with its actual program to dominate power generation through imported fossil fuel. The post Forked-tongue promises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Algeria battles raging wildfires that have killed 34
Algerian firefighters were Tuesday battling blazes that have killed 34 people across the tinder-dry north, destroyed homes and coastal resorts and turned vast forest areas into blackened wastelands. Witnesses described fleeing walls of flames that raged "like a blowtorch", and TV footage showed charred cars, burnt-out shops and smoldering fields and scrubland as thousands of residents were evacuated. Severe fires raged through the mountain forests of the Kabylia region on the Mediterranean coast, fanned by hot winds amid blistering summer heat that peaked at 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) Monday. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent his condolences to the families of those killed -- among them 10 soldiers trapped by flames at Beni Ksila, in Bejaia province, according to the defense ministry. Authorities reported progress in fighting back the almost 100 fires reported in recent days, having mobilized more than 8,000 civil defense personnel, over 500 fire trucks and multiple chartered aircraft. "Out of 97 declared fires, only 15 remained" at 8:30 am (0730 GMT) Tuesday, including two in worst-hit Bejaia, civil defense information officer Karim Belhafsi said on national television. The interior ministry expected to soon announce "the total extinction of all fires", he said, as the public prosecutor of Bejaia ordered an investigation into the causes of the fires and possible perpetrators. An unknown number of people suffered injuries from burns to smoke inhalation, and more then 1,500 were evacuated as the fires hit 15 provinces, especially Bejaia, Bouira and Jijel. Climate change and drought Much of the water-scarce northern African region has been hit by serious drought, severe summer heat and regular wildfires, a trend expected to worsen as climate change intensifies. Serious fires have also raged in recent days in neighboring Tunisia, especially the northwestern Tabarka region. An AFP team there witnessed significant damage and saw helicopters and Canadair water bombers in action. More than 300 people were evacuated from the coastal village of Melloula by boat and overland. Northern and eastern Algeria battle forest fires every summer. In August last year, 37 people were killed by fires in the northeastern El Tarf region, a year after 90 died, mostly in Kabylia. To prepare for this year's fire season, Algerian authorities deployed observation drones and created multiple helicopter landing sites. The government in May announced the purchase of a large water bomber aircraft and the rental of six others from South America. Algeria also placed an order with Russia for four water bombers, but reported that their delivery was delayed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The post Algeria battles raging wildfires that have killed 34 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl urges: Intensify fight vs climate change
The Philippines recently urged the global community to enforce immediate and concrete actions amid the worsening impacts of climate change. Speaking at the 58th Session of the Subsidiary Bodie of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Climate Change Commission vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje stressed the need to translate the decisions of the 27th Session of Conference of the Parties or COP27 into tangible outcomes which is responsive to the needs of vulnerable developing nations. “As we build on the progress Parties made in Sharm El-Sheikh, we believe in the real possibility that we will be able to transform COP27 decisions into actions with outputs and outcomes that are concrete, relevant, appropriate, responsive to the vulnerable, developing nations’ needs and priorities, and based on best available science and evidence,” Borje said. Borje also raised the alarming effects of climate change in the Philippines and its nearby countries in the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations over the past decade. He lamented that the Philippines suffered loss and damage amounting to US$12 billion — equivalent to a doubled national budget for crucial health services. Within the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand emerged as four of the 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change and disasters — making almost 50 percent of the ASEAN population exposed to hazardous impacts of calamities. Moreover, the ASEAN region endured economic and human losses of US$97.3 billion, nearly matching the global commitment of US$100 billion by Annex I or industrialized countries for the same period, 2009 to 2020, to support vulnerable developing nations. The Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 Group of Finance Ministers reported a staggering $525 billion worth of loss and damage to 58 vulnerable ASEAN members over the past two decades. “These numbers manifest in no uncertain terms, that in the face of worsening climate change, it is our lives, our livelihood, and our collective future at stake,” Borje said, adding that climate change would really affect people’s livelihood and future living conditions. Borje also shared how the Philippine government prioritized climate change as a critical national concern as the country wants to become climate resilient and put a premium on its accelerated climate action under the country’s development agenda. The Philippines allocated US$8.2 billion or 9 percent of its total national budget for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs this year. Borje underscored the importance of inclusive participation among stakeholders in developing holistic and multidimensional climate solutions. “There’s a need to translate dialogues into actions with concrete, relevant, and appropriate outputs and outcomes as the world is raising time to mitigate the impacts of climate change with only seven critical years remaining until 2030,” Borje said. “It is time to act on our commitments and deliver what we said we will do — with the highest speed and on the largest scale possible,” he added. “This is no longer the time to explore. Now is the time to ensure that we implement and deploy the most appropriate measures so that we no longer need to grieve, but survive and thrive with higher levels of adaptive capacities and climate resilience.” Borje rallied the global community to work harder and “save lives, protect livelihoods, and secure a safe, resilient, and sustainable future for all.” The Philippines was earlier tasked to co-facilitate the pre-COP27 meeting with Poland, tackling climate finance on 13 October in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following this event, Borje attended the SB58 in Bonn, Germany from 5 to 15 June 2023, for representing the Philippines in discussions on critical issues related to climate change—which will provide a crucial platform for dialogue and negotiation leading up to COP28 in Dubai, UAE this coming November. The post Phl urges: Intensify fight vs climate change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonia Loyzaga addressed over 150 World Wide Fund for Nature international leaders from 80 countries during the 2023 WWF Annual Conference held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 25 May. Loyzaga said her department is exploring a potential partnership with global conservation organization WWF to boost efforts toward preserving the country’s rich biological diversity and protecting threatened species and their habitats amid climate change. Founded in 1961, WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organization. It aims to conserve and restore biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations. Leaders who attended the conference in Palawan included newly-appointed WWF international president Dr. Adil Najam, director general Dr. Kirsten Shujit, president ad interim Neville Isdell, WWF Philippines chairperson Maribel Garcia and executive director Trin Custodio. Joining them were WWF international board member and former Department of Energy chief Vince Perez. Loyzaga said that while the Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries and considered the richest marine eco-region on the planet, it is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species. “We must now prioritize restoration of degraded areas to prevent and reverse species loss, and work together toward investing in the regeneration of life on land and below water to achieve a nature-positive world,” Loyzaga said during her keynote speech. “I would like to extend an invitation to WWF to work with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Manila Observatory and the DENR on climate change-related species vulnerability analysis by biogeographic region using high-resolution scenarios, and the adoption of threatened endemic species in order to move them away from the threat of extinction,” she added. Loyzaga also urged the WWF to work with DENR on innovative approaches for corporate responsibilities through the adoption of spatial finance. According to Loyzaga, a whole-of-society approach is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, accelerate climate action and strengthen disaster resilience, which are key components of the Philippine Development Plan. “We must ensure a balance between advancing human development and protecting biodiversity, and the DENR is committed to investing in urgent and transformative change to address the intersecting crises of biodiversity loss and climate change,” she said, noting that achieving resilient and sustainable development can only be realized through concerted efforts and the sustained commitment of all. In 2010, the DENR issued its Administrative Order No. 2010-16 which established the “Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Program” pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. The order aims to ensure the perpetuity of threatened species and protection of their habitats; promote biodiversity conservation and prevent species extinction through the active participation of stakeholders; and raise awareness on the country’s threatened wildlife species, among others. The DENR and its partners in government, the private sector, development bodies and civil society groups are also implementing programs to fulfill the country’s global commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. These include the USAID Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes; Protect Wildlife Project; and collaborations with private sector organizations. This includes collaboration with Energy Development Corporation, Ayala Group, and Prime Infra on GHG and biodiversity inventories, climate disaster risk management programs, research, monitoring, reforestation, watershed area protection, and remote sensing technologies, to name a few. The post DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Makati activates task force against El Niño
Makati Mayor Abby Binay has announced the creation of a dedicated El Niño and Southern Oscillation Task Force that will work to mitigate the effects of the weather phenomenon in the city. "Makati is taking proactive action to mitigate the risks and impacts of extreme weather conditions on our citizens. As early as now, we will implement contingency measures to ensure the continuity of basic services and guarantee enough food and essential supplies for Makatizens," Binay said. Task Force ENSO is composed of key departments in the city government and power and water utility providers who will analyze and assess the city’s readiness and response to the El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon and its effects. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the probability of an El Niño occurrence from June to September has risen from 55 percent to 80 percent. According to Binay, Task Force ENSO will be headed by the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to oversee risk-mitigating strategies and ensure the unhampered delivery of health, food and sanitation services. The task force's mandate is to monitor the ENSO phenomenon and develop measures for the city's readiness regarding water supply, power outages, food availability, emergency healthcare services and infrastructure protection against flooding and landslides. Binay also asked power and water concessionaires servicing Makati to develop concrete and implementable contingency measures to ensure power and water supply during the period of heightened risk. For its part, Meralco has assured the city of uninterrupted power supply in key government offices, hospitals and, as much as possible, the financial district. The power company said it will implement rotational brownouts in residential areas and have already coordinated with establishments with backup power generators. On the other hand, water concessionaires assured Makatizens of continued water supply by ensuring that their reservoirs are well-supplied and that their water treatment plants will continue to operate without disruption. Maynilad and Manila Water have tapped deep well reserves to augment supply in case of shortage. They will activate additional water treatment facilities, explore alternative water sources and add more water tankers to deliver water to various barangays during scheduled service interruptions. More importantly, Binay said the task force will implement a multi-sectoral awareness campaign to educate Makatizens on weather advisories and create a culture of preparedness amid climate change. "This is an example of climate situations we should be prepared for. By conserving resources, being mindful of our environmental footprint and following the advisories and guidelines issued by Task Force ENSO, Makati and its stakeholders can effectively mitigate the effects of El Niño and its threats," the mayor concluded. The post Makati activates task force against El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Venice’s Grand Canal turns phosphorescent green
A stretch of Venice's Grand Canal turned bright green Sunday, prompting police to investigate amid speculation about a stunt by environmentalists. Gondoliers could be seen punting through the phosphorescent waters, while tourists took photographs of the green area, from the Rialto Bridge up and along part of the Canal. [caption id="attachment_137834" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (Photo by STRINGER / ANSA / AFP)[/caption] The color was first spotted by local residents, the Veneto region's president Luca Zaia said on Twitter. "The prefect has called an urgent meeting with the police to investigate the origin of the liquid," he said. The Italian fire service said it was helping the regional environmental protection agency take samples for testing. It is not the first time the Grand Canal has been turned green. In 1968, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu dyed the waters of Venice's Grand Canal green with a fluorescent dye during the 34th Venice Biennale in a stunt to promote ecological awareness. Police were looking into whether Sunday's action could be a protest by climate change activists, local daily La Nuova Venezia said. The post Venice’s Grand Canal turns phosphorescent green appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden to sign executive orders on Day 1, amid high alert for inauguration
Joe Biden’s top aide said Saturday the incoming president would sign about a dozen executive orders on his first day in office, as police fearing violence from Trump supporters staged a nationwide security operation ahead of the inauguration. Authorities in Washington, where Wednesday’s inauguration will take place, said they arrested a man with a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition at a security checkpoint, underscoring the tension in the US capital which is resembling a war zone. However, the man’s family told US media he was a security guard, rejecting the idea he was intent on causing harm. Incoming Biden chief of staff Ron Klain said in a memo to new White House senior staff that the executive orders would address the pandemic, the ailing US economy, climate change and racial injustice in America. “All of these crises demand urgent action,” Klain said in the memo. “In his first ten days in office, President-elect Biden will take decisive action to address these four crises, prevent other urgent and irreversible harms, and restore America’s place in the world,” Klain added. As he inherits the White House from Donald Trump, Biden’s plate is overflowing with acute challenges. The US is fast approaching 400,000 dead from the Covid-19 crisis and logging well over a million new cases a week as the coronavirus spreads out of control. The economy is ailing, with 10 million fewer jobs available compared to the start of the pandemic. Biden this week unveiled plans to seek $1.9 trillion to revive the economy through new stimulus payments and other aid, and plans a blitz to accelerate America’s stumbling Covid vaccine rollout effort. On Inauguration Day Biden, as previously promised, will sign orders including ones for the US to rejoin the Paris climate accord and reverse Trump’s ban on entry of people from certain Muslim majority countries, Klain said. “President-elect Biden will take action — not just to reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration — but also to start moving our country forward,” Klain said. – 500 rounds of ammunition – Meanwhile, Washington was under a state of high alert after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. The assault left five people dead, including a police officer. Security officials have warned that armed pro-Trump extremists, possibly carrying explosives, pose a threat to Washington as well as state capitals over the coming week. Thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington and streets have been blocked off downtown with concrete barriers. On Friday night, police arrested a Virginia man at a security checkpoint where he tried to use an “unauthorized” credential to access the restricted area where Biden will be inaugurated. As officers checked the credential against the authorized access list, one noticed decals on the back of Wesley Beeler’s pick-up truck that said “Assault Life,” with an image of a rifle, and another with the message: “If they come for your guns, give ’em your bullets first,” according to a document filed in Washington, DC Superior Court. Under questioning, Beeler told officers he had a Glock handgun in the vehicle. A search uncovered a loaded handgun, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, shotgun shells and a magazine for the gun, the court document said. Beeler was arrested on charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. But Beeler’s father Paul told The New York Times his son had been working as a security guard on the Capitol grounds. Asked if the younger Beeler supported a peaceful transition of power, Paul Beeler told the newspaper, “That’s the reason he’s there.” In addition to the heavy security presence in Washington, law enforcement was out in force in state capitals around the country to ward off potential political violence. Mass protests that had been planned for the weekend did not materialize on Saturday, with security far outnumbering Trump supporters at several fortified statehouses, US media reported. In St Paul, Minnesota, for example, hundreds of law enforcement officers, some armed with long guns, ringed the Capitol with National Guard troops providing backup. The number of protesters totaled about 50......»»
Urgent climate action needed amid typhoons
The government must deal with the climate crisis with urgency following the consecutive typhoons that hit the Philippines which submerged communities, claimed lives and exposed the country to much greater risks......»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Philippines FDI ‘bound to improve’ in coming years – HSBC
The Philippines would be able to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) in the coming years amid reforms that improved the country’s business climate, HSBC Global Research said......»»
UN Security Council demands immediate Gaza ceasefire after US abstains
(1st UPDATE) The US abstains from the vote to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire amid growing global pressure for a truce.....»»
UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The US abstains from the vote to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire amid growing global pressure for a truce.....»»
Biden to Host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a sta.....»»
PPP mode draws interest from Swedish businesses
Businesses in Sweden are open to investing in the Philippines via public-private partnerships amid improving macroeconomic fundamentals and business climate......»»
Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN AND ZYSA MEI ELLORAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – For environmental defenders, the government’s push for charter change (cha-cha) could worsen the already dire impacts of destructive mining corporations on vulnerable communities. The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP) held a protest in front of… The post Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Haiti: Urgent Action Needed amid Growing Lawlessness
(Washington, DC) - Haiti is on the brink of a total collapse or takeover of the state as violent criminal groups seeking to overthrow the government have attacked police officers and state institutions, including prisons, Human Rights Watch said today. The groups' actions have brought economic activity, the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, and nearly.....»»
US Airdrops Aid in Northern Gaza Amid Limited Supplies
The Daily Guardian- In response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the U.S. Central Command has taken action by dropping essential aid into the region......»»
Spring came early: February likely warmest on record amid climate change
While data has not been finalized, three scientists say that February is on track to have the highest global average temperature ever recorded for that month, thanks to climate change and the El Nino.....»»