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Japan begins release of water from Fukushima nuclear plant
Japan began releasing wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant on Thursday in an operation it insists is safe but has generated a fierce backlash from China. The beginning of the discharge of around 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water into the Pacific over several decades is a big step in decommissioning the still highly dangerous site 12 years after one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. Live video provided by plant operator TEPCO showed engineers behind computer screens and an official saying -- after a countdown -- that the "valves near the seawater transport pumps are opening." Monitors from the UN atomic watchdog, which has endorsed the plan, were due to be on site for the procedure, while TEPCO workers were scheduled to take water samples later on Thursday. Ahead of the operation, about 10 people held a protest near the site and around 100 others gathered outside TEPCO headquarters in Tokyo, AFP journalists said. "It's like dumping an atomic bomb in the ocean. Japan is the first country that was attacked with an atomic bomb in the world, and the prime minister of the country made this decision," said Kenichi Sato, 68. China's environment ministry on Thursday blasted Japan's plan as "extremely selfish and irresponsible", saying it would "track and study" the impact on its waters. Multiple meltdowns With around 1,000 steel containers holding the water, TEPCO has said it needs to clear space for the removal of highly dangerous radioactive nuclear fuel and rubble from the wrecked reactors. Three of the reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi facility in northeastern Japan went into meltdown following a massive earthquake and tsunami that killed around 18,000 people in 2011. Since then, TEPCO has collected 1.34 million cubic metres of water contaminated as it cooled the wrecked reactors, along with groundwater and rain that has seeped in. TEPCO will carry out four releases of the treated water from Thursday until March 2024. The first discharge will take about 17 days. About 5 trillion becquerels -- a measure of radioactivity -- of tritium will be released this fiscal year, TEPCO added. Japan insists that all radioactive elements have been filtered out except the tritium, levels of which are harmless and lower than what is discharged by operational nuclear power plants, including in China. This is backed by most experts. "When released into the Pacific, the tritium is further diluted into a vast body of water and would quickly get to a radioactivity level which is not discernibly different from normal seawater," said Tom Scott from the University of Bristol in England. "Hence, it poses very little risk and the risk itself decreases with time due to the relatively short radioactive half-life... meaning that the amount of tritium (and hence the risk) continually reduces." Sushi safety Not everyone is convinced, with environmental group Greenpeace saying that the filtration process is flawed, and China and Russia suggesting the water be vaporised and released into the atmosphere instead. China has accused Japan of treating the Pacific like a "sewer", and even before the release, Beijing banned food imports from 10 out of 47 Japanese prefectures and imposed radiation checks. Hong Kong and Macau, both Chinese territories, followed suit this week. Restaurants in Beijing and Hong Kong serving sushi and sashimi are already reeling from the restrictions. "About 80 percent of the seafood products we use come from Japan," Hong Kong caterer Jasy Choi, who runs a small kitchen for takeaway Japanese food, told AFP. "If more than half of my Japan-imported ingredients are affected, then it would be difficult for me to continue to operate." Analysts said that while China may have genuine safety concerns, its strong reaction is also at least in part motivated by its economic rivalry and frosty relations with Japan. The South Korean government, which is seeking to improve ties with Japan, has not objected although many ordinary people are worried and have staged protests. Social media posts in China and South Korea have included false claims about the release including doctored images of deformed fish with claims they were linked to Fukushima. The post Japan begins release of water from Fukushima nuclear plant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chikungunya invades Mountain Province
BAGUIO CITY — The provincial government in Mountain Province has warned the public on the alarming rise of Chikungunya in the province as the Provincial Health Office logged 672 cases of the dengue-like viral infection from January to August 2023. Chikungunya is transmitted to humans through a bite of an infected mosquito that can cause excruciating joint pain and swelling. The disease, however, is different from dengue yet they are both caused by mosquito bites. Fever as a result of chikungunya typically lasts three to four days, while dengue fever can last anywhere from two to seven days or even more. In Chikungunya, rashes all across the face, palms, feet, limbs can be found while rashes are limited to limbs and face for those who are infected with dengue. Based on the data from the PHO, the Municipality of Paracelis tops the list with 658 cases which were detected in the barangays of Bantay, Banana and Butigue while 14 cases were listed in the neighboring town of Natonin. The post Chikungunya invades Mountain Province appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iran re-arrests reporter who interviewed Amini father
Iranian authorities have re-arrested a journalist who interviewed the father of the woman whose custody death sparked months of protests, just two days after her release from jail, activists said on Tuesday. Nazila Maroufian walked out of Tehran's Evin prison on Sunday, posting on social media a picture of herself without a headscarf in defiance of the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women. "Don't accept slavery, you deserve the best!" she wrote in her posts. But she has now been detained again and moved outside of Tehran to Qarchak women's prison, whose conditions are repeatedly criticized by rights groups, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said. The group, which collates information from activists, said it had confirmed her re-arrest with a source close to the family. Maroufian, whose age is given by Persian media outside Iran as 23, in October published an interview on the Mostaghel Online news site with Amjad Amini. He is the father of Mahsa Amini, 22. Her death in custody last 16 September after she allegedly violated the dress rules sparked months of protests. In the interview, Amjad Amini accused authorities of lying about the circumstances of his daughter's death. Iranian authorities have indicated she died because of a health problem, but the family and activists have said she suffered a blow to the head while in custody. Echoes of another case Maroufian, a Tehran-based journalist from Amini's hometown of Saqez in Kurdistan province, was first arrested in November. She was later released but in January said she had been sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for five years, on charges of propaganda against the system and spreading false news. According to rights groups, Maroufian was again ordered back to Evin prison in early July. Her rapid return to prison after posting defiant images upon her release on Sunday recalls the case of labor activist Sepideh Gholian. In March, Gholian was re-arrested hours after she walked free from jail bare-headed and chanting slogans against Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Gholian, one of the most prominent female activists detained in Iran, remains in prison. Iran has reacted harshly to reporting inside the country on the Amini case. The two women journalists who helped bring the story to the world's attention have now spent almost a year in Evin prison after their arrest in September. Niloufar Hamedi reported for Iran's Shargh newspaper from the hospital where Amini languished in a coma for three days before she died, and Elahe Mohammadi, a reporter for the Ham Mihan newspaper, went to Saqez to report on Amini's funeral. Both are now on trial on charges of violating national security, which they vehemently deny. According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, 95 reporters were arrested in the crackdown on the Amini protests, although most have now been released on bail. The crackdown left hundreds dead, mainly demonstrators but also security personnel. The post Iran re-arrests reporter who interviewed Amini father appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tainted love: Misinformation drives ‘vaccine-free’ dating
In a private dating group on Facebook, Renee flaunts herself to like-minded singles as a fit, adventurous Kizomba dancer who at 35 exudes "inner child vibes." But her main draw? She is unvaccinated. The Covid-19 pandemic may have receded, but dating apps, websites and social media groups still offer to unite vaccine-hating singles who believe debunked falsehoods such as that coronavirus jabs alter DNA or cause infertility. The trend underscores how anti-vaccine sentiment has become an entrenched identity for many who willfully resist or ignore scientific assertions that inoculations saved tens of millions of lives globally when the pandemic was raging. A prospective match's vaccination status determines compatibility not just for Renee, a self-employed Australian, but for many posting in "unvaxed singles" groups that have cropped up on Facebook. Dating decisions there are driven by chemistry but not science. In one closed group breached by AFP, many listed "no jabbies" as their top dating criteria, while others cheered anti-vaccine advocates as "pure blood freedom fighters." One meme popular in the group described their ideal partner: "She's curvy, funny, intelligent, unvaccinated." It demonstrates how the pandemic turned rejecting vaccines from a personal health decision to the way "people express their personal brand," said Timothy Caulfield, a professor at the University of Alberta in Canada. "It shows how high the walls of their echo chambers are. Being anti-vaccine has become an ideological flag -- a way to demonstrate which team you belong to," Caulfield told AFP. "It is less and less about science and more and more about the values being antivax signal." 'Swipe left' According to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, about half of US adults who used a dating site or app said it was important to see the vaccination status on profiles. "Why is your vaccination status such a big deal? I've even seen it listed as a 'dealbreaker' on some profiles," said a post in a dating discussion group on the online messaging board Reddit. "The profiles I see most state the following: 'if you're vaccinated then please swipe left.'" Some comments in the group referred to vaccinated singles as people carrying "biological weapons," an apparent reference to the debunked claim the vaccinated spread "super strain" variants. Vaccine falsehoods often overlap with other types of misinformation, introducing believers to those espousing the QAnon conspiracy theory and anti-LGBTQ narratives. "Studies have consistently shown that if a person is anti-vaccine – or unvaccinated – you can make a strong guess about that person's positions on a host of other issues," Caulfield said. Spreading falsehoods can also be profitable. The Florida-based Wellness Company sells a detoxification supplement that it claims counteracts the harmful effects of coronavirus jabs, destroying spike proteins to get back "that pre-Covid feeling." But experts and public health authorities told AFP's fact-checkers there is no evidence the nearly $65 supplement does that. The same company also backs a dating website for unvaccinated people called Unjected. Before being accepted, its members are required to have their "vaccination status certified by a medical professional," according to the website. In 2021, US media reported the Unjected app, dubbed as the "Tinder for anti-vaxers," was removed from Apple's App Store over Covid-19 misinformation. A slew of similar apps for unvaccinated singles are available on the Google Play Store. One such platform is called Unjabbed, whose user reviews expressed concern about bugs and phone hacking attempts after the app was downloaded. 'Tall, dark, handsome' At the height of the pandemic in 2021, conventional online dating platforms including Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid sought to boost vaccinations. As part of a White House-backed effort, many platforms allowed users to create badges displaying vaccination status, with OkCupid calling the inoculated the "new tall, dark and handsome." Users who were vaccinated or planned to be saw a spike in matches and engagement, OkCupid said in a blog, adding the "vaccine is really helping people find love." But any future inoculation drive could be jeopardized by anti-vaccine sentiment, which appears resilient even as the pandemic ebbs and travel restrictions are lifted around the world. The allure of finding an unvaccinated partner is reinforced by false social media posts sharing unfounded fears that vaccines can be "shed" or passed onto people through body fluids, threatening fertility. "The only real utility a dating platform like this could have is finding a partner that aligns with your 'medical freedom' views," Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, told AFP. "There is no clinical reason to do so." The post Tainted love: Misinformation drives ‘vaccine-free’ dating appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
In the wake of ‘Egay’
Like a little tin roof against a strong gust of wind, our notions of preparedness in times of calamity are often blown away for various reasons. When “Yolanda” (Haiyan) caused so much destruction in 2013, they said it was because nobody really knew what a storm surge was. Meanwhile, Typhoon “Odette” (Rai) in 2021, packing winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour, flattened Siargao. It was later described as the “strongest storm to hit Mindanao in 10 years.” Prone as we are to cyclones, is it fair to say it is still ill-preparedness that worsens the damage and loss during typhoons? July being National Disaster Resilience Month, we may as well examine where we are in the realm of disaster preparedness and rehabilitation. “Yolanda’s” wrath caused the death of 6,300 and damage of about P101 billion, sources say. The government “had to spend some P559.86 billion for rehabilitation and recovery.” “Odette” meanwhile, took the lives of over 400 people and did damage worth P51.8 billion. It was the 15th storm to hit the country that year. At one time or another, parts of the calamity-prone Philippines get hit and suffer damage that takes billions of pesos and a long time to reverse. In the a ftermath, we identify areas for disaster preparedness that may yet be improved. And what came out after the most recent typhoon slammed into the northern Philippines? Super Typhoon “Egay” (Doksuri) hit provinces “with ferocious wind and rain, displacing nearly 16,000 villagers,” reports said. As usual, floods rose and electric posts fell, causing power outages. And, as usual, too, the aid came to the affected families, as temporary as the rains that soaked them and the winds that blew away their homes and livelihood. There are always funds for calamities, after all, and for “Egay,” this was more than P173 million. MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), a “pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing” based in Basel, Switzerland, defines disaster preparedness as “a set of steps taken to guarantee that the resources needed for a successful response are accessible before a disaster happens or that the resources can be accessed quickly when disaster strikes.” The response, for the most part, is the most obvious sign of improvement. Where it took hours for rescue teams to arrive due to logistical nightmares in decades past, now our teams are ready and able to save more lives. Evacuations are often done in advance following prior warnings from the agencies concerned for local governments to mobilize. What is unfortunate about super typhoons hitting agricultural areas is that farms and crops take months to recover from the extensive damage. The power supply is another matter that, when cut off because of storms, worsens the situation for victims of calamities in affected areas, sometimes for days. Why do we have electric posts all over the country that only get toppled by strong winds barreling in the months of July to September? Impassable roads and bridges, too, cause delays and inconvenience in places razed by typhoons. Public Works and Highways can only manage infrastructure issues, but when it comes to soil erosion that causes landslides, for example, or shrinking mangroves that would have protected coastal towns from floods – well, that is Environment and Natural Resources. Government can keep creating agencies and bodies to handle risk reduction and disaster management, but in the end, what will save more people and lessen the overall impact of harsh calamities is a concerted effort from all sectors, all departments, and agencies, performing their duties consistently even before disasters come rolling in. Sometimes strong winds cannot uproot stronger roots. The post In the wake of ‘Egay’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fall out
A lack of teeth can lower one’s self-esteem and make eating challenging. That was the predicament of Jan Davies from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom until she became an eligible dental patient under the government’s healthcare system. When Davies was already undergoing dental treatment, her hopes for dentures were dashed when she missed two appointments with a public dentist. She was delisted from the roster of dental beneficiaries. Davies appealed to health officials to be reinstated in the dental patient register but was denied. The Covid-19 pandemic then struck and Davies was unable to access public dental service since. Davies told itvX she now lives on soup because she can’t chew. “I just want to be able to live and eat without being in pain. I have worked all my life and paid all my taxes and national insurance and can’t get access to something so basic,” she complained, according to itvX. If having no false teeth is a problem, having them can also spell disaster as Bryan Jay Ishioka of Dinagat Islands in the Philippines found out recently. Ishioka and his friends were recently performing in a dance contest when his dentures popped out and fell to the stage in front of a boisterous audience, “State of the Nation” reported. The dental drop was caught on video, and it went viral on social media. It showed the still-dancing Ishioka grabbing his false teeth from the floor just before his co-dancers could step on it and before the end of their performance. The memorable mishap made Ishioka famous online for keeping his poise in the middle of a jaw-dropping situation. The post Fall out appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Journos in police scuffle cry foul
TACLOBAN CITY — The three Tacloban-based journalists who figured in a conflict with policemen during coverage of a land dispute in Pastrana town last Friday disclosed that they are being subjected to surveillance operations and expressed concerns for their personal safety and that of their family. San Juanico TV manager Fred Padernos said two men — onboard a motorcycle without a plate number — were seen carrying a sling bag on their shoulders and coming back and forth to their neighborhood. Meantime, reporter Noel Sianosa said an unknown man around 30 years of age went to their house last Saturday asking for his whereabouts. Sianosa said that while he is subject to this harassment, he is afraid that this will implicate his family. The two other reporters, Ted Tomas and Lito Bagunas, said they are also being targeted for veiled harassment by people who could have been affected by their media coverage. Sianosa, Tomas and Bagunas are all reporters of the online news platform San Juanico TV. They were following up a story on an agrarian reform dispute last 14 July in Sitio Cancamartes, Barangay Jones, Pastrana, Leyte when they were reportedly harassed by a land claimant who was identified as PSSg Rhea May Baleos who is assigned in the neighboring town of Sta. Fe. The viral video showed Baleos attacking Sianosa and trying to push him to the rice paddy. A few minutes later, several shots were heard in the background coming from a still unknown direction. Baleos then called the Pastrana Municipal Police Station to report about the presence of armed men in the area. Six personnel of Pastrana MPS responded and one of them was PSSg Ver Baleos, the husband of Rhea May and investigator of the police station. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security immediately called on the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas to investigate and impose disciplinary actions against policemen involved in harassing the three journalists. PTFoMS executive director Paul M. Gutierrez said the actions made by members of Pastrana Municipal Police Station amounted to abuse of authority and power. “The actions made by elements of the Pastrana Municipal Police Office in confronting members of the press who are merely doing their job of conducting an interview is totally uncalled for, unnecessary and amounted to abuse of authority and power,” Gutierrez said. The PRO-8 relieved the Baleos couple from their respective posts and reassigned them at the Leyte Police Provincial Office. They were also ordered to turn-in their issued firearms while PSSg Ver Baleos with his firearms will undergo a paraffin examination. The post Journos in police scuffle cry foul appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mt. Inayawan in Lanao del Norte now a protected area
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday said the biodiversity-rich Mount Inayawan Range Natural Park (MIRNP) in Nunugan, Lanao del Norte is now a protected area of high conservation importance. In a statement, DENR said MIRNP was officially launched as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) in ceremonies held during the 64th Araw ng Lanao del Norte-Environment Day celebration last 28 June. DENR OIC Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Western Mindanao Arleigh Adorable and DENR Region 10 Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado joined Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, and other stakeholders in launching MIRNP as the 53rd AHP across the Southeast Asian region. The event saw the unveiling of the official landmark marking MIRNP as the eleventh AHP in the Philippines and the fourth in Region 10. Other AHPs in the country are Mt. Apo Natural Park in Cotabato, Mt. Iglit-Baco Natural Park in Mindoro, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental, Mt. Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument in Camiguin Island, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, and Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), as the secretariat of the AHP Programme, shall provide the park’s protected area staff with capacity-building activities as well as logistical support for activities under the park’s management plan. Adorable said the MIRNP is of biological importance to the residents of Nunungan as it functions as an industrial and domestic water source and irrigation for Kapatagan Valley, the rice granary of Lanao del Norte. “Based on the recent Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring conducted by DENR Region 10 and representatives of the local government unit of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, MIRNP is an important refuge of a great number of diverse endemic fauna and flora species found in the old growth and mossy forest in the higher areas,” Adorable said. MIRNP is the largest remaining virgin forest in Lanao del Norte and is a critical watershed in the province. It covers three major lakes: Malaig, Pantar, and Sungod. It sustains the residents in the Municipality of Nunungan and those in the adjacent municipalities of Sapad, Kapatagan, and Lala. For the locals, the mountain is the center of their belief, their protector, and the provider of their needs for many centuries. The park’s flora is dominated by dipterocarp species while its fauna includes the endangered Philippine Eagle and Philippine Deer, and the rare Mindanao flying squirrel, Giant Scops Owl, White Collared Kingfisher, Philippine Warty Pig, and Mindanao hornbill. It is considered a Key Biodiversity Area and is also regarded as one of the 17 Important Bird Areas. MIRNP was legislated as a national park on 22 June 2018 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. It covers an area of 4, 236 hectares and the 25 barangays of Nunungan. The DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau supports the protection of MIRNP through technical assistance in its protected area development and management initiatives. These include support to demarcation, updating of MIRNP's Protected Area Management Plan, reviewing of reports, and providing recommendations and guidance to resolutions issued by the Park's Protected Area Management Board. MIRNP was declared as an AHP during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment on 31 October 2022, following the signing of the AHP certificate by the Secretary General of the ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment Chairperson Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar. The post Mt. Inayawan in Lanao del Norte now a protected area appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mt. Inayawan in Lanao del Norte now a protective area
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday said the biodiversity-rich Mount Inayawan Range Natural Park (MIRNP) in Nunugan, Lanao del Norte is now a protected area of high conservation importance. In a statement, DENR said MIRNP was officially launched as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) in ceremonies held during the 64th Araw ng Lanao del Norte-Environment Day celebration last 28 June. DENR OIC Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Western Mindanao Arleigh Adorable and DENR Region 10 Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado joined Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, and other stakeholders in launching MIRNP as the 53rd AHP across the Southeast Asian region. The event saw the unveiling of the official landmark marking MIRNP as the eleventh AHP in the Philippines and the fourth in Region 10. Other AHPs in the country are Mt. Apo Natural Park in Cotabato, Mt. Iglit-Baco Natural Park in Mindoro, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental, Mt. Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument in Camiguin Island, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, and Pasonanca Natural Park in Zamboanga City. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), as the secretariat of the AHP Programme, shall provide the park’s protected area staff with capacity-building activities as well as logistical support for activities under the park’s management plan. Adorable said the MIRNP is of biological importance to the residents of Nunungan as it functions as an industrial and domestic water source and irrigation for Kapatagan Valley, the rice granary of Lanao del Norte. “Based on the recent Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring conducted by DENR Region 10 and representatives of the local government unit of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, MIRNP is an important refuge of a great number of diverse endemic fauna and flora species found in the old growth and mossy forest in the higher areas,” Adorable said. MIRNP is the largest remaining virgin forest in Lanao del Norte and is a critical watershed in the province. It covers three major lakes: Malaig, Pantar, and Sungod. It sustains the residents in the Municipality of Nunungan and those in the adjacent municipalities of Sapad, Kapatagan, and Lala. For the locals, the mountain is the center of their belief, their protector, and the provider of their needs for many centuries. The park’s flora is dominated by dipterocarp species while its fauna includes the endangered Philippine Eagle and Philippine Deer, and the rare Mindanao flying squirrel, Giant Scops Owl, White Collared Kingfisher, Philippine Warty Pig, and Mindanao hornbill. It is considered a Key Biodiversity Area and is also regarded as one of the 17 Important Bird Areas. MIRNP was legislated as a national park on 22 June 2018 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. It covers an area of 4, 236 hectares and the 25 barangays of Nunungan. The DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau supports the protection of MIRNP through technical assistance in its protected area development and management initiatives. These include support to demarcation, updating of MIRNP's Protected Area Management Plan, reviewing of reports, and providing recommendations and guidance to resolutions issued by the Park's Protected Area Management Board. MIRNP was declared as an AHP during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment on 31 October 2022, following the signing of the AHP certificate by the Secretary General of the ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment Chairperson Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar. The post Mt. Inayawan in Lanao del Norte now a protective area appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Twitter rivals pile up with Meta’s Threads launch
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter eight months ago, users irked by the platform's new regime have vowed to move their online presence elsewhere, though the habit has proved hard to break. Now Facebook owner Meta is jumping into the ring, launching its own contender to dethrone Twitter as the go-to website for the media, officials and celebrities. Here is a breakdown of Twitter's wannabe alternatives. Zuckerberg's Threads Described as Instagram's "text-based conversation app," Meta's Threads will launch at 7:00 pm Eastern Wednesday (2300 GMT) and will certainly spice up the rivalry between Twitter's Musk and Meta supremo Mark Zuckerberg. Threads was for a brief period viewable online, revealing a platform used by a few thousand users, including Zuckerberg and other top executives, in what was clearly a test phase. Screenshots showed a pared-back version of Twitter, with users able to like, comment on and share posts as well as use their same profile names as on Instagram. A plan to make Threads interoperable with other Twitter rivals such as Mastodon is on hold for now, but not abandoned, according to reports. Bluesky, Dorsey's Twitter clone Bluesky was created by Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey and is very popular in Silicon Valley, leaving those in the know scrambling to secure an invite to join the app that is still at the testing phase. The upstart told CNBC it experienced record-high traffic Saturday after Musk said Twitter would temporarily limit the number of posts users can read per day. Bluesky looks and feels like Twitter as its backers want users from the Musk-owned site to feel at home. Bluesky was actually created as a Twitter side project in 2019 as a way to think about a decentralized version of the platform where users -- and not the company -- are more in control of personal data and content moderation. It also uses something called the AT Protocol that allows people to maintain their identities across multiple platforms. Mastodon, the anti-Twitter Unknown to the general public, Mastodon saw its popularity explode when Musk took over Twitter, though it is well off the pace of Twitter's roughly 200 million monthly users. Created in 2016 by the German developer Eugen Rochko, the site is also a decentralized social network without advertising where preserving privacy is sacrosanct. In practice, Mastodon like Twitter is based on postings of small messages, but each new user must sign up to an independently-run server and there are thousands of them. In theory, users can interact freely across the Mastodon servers, but this can be complicated and unreliable. Many new users complain about the platform's less than intuitive interface, underlining the difficulty of creating an account and the poor response times unlike sites run by the tech giants. Content moderation is also a big question mark as it is left to the sole discretion of server administrators, with some refusing access to others, disrupting the experience. Substack Notes In an act of vengeance, Musk earlier this year briefly blocked links and search responses to Substack, the site that helps writers monetize their work, after the site launched Substack Notes. Notes, much like Twitter, allows writers to post short pieces of content such as links, images and quotes and helps guide users to paid content. Musk reversed his retribution decision but has since heavily promoted ways Twitter will help users make money. Substack Notes has faced some flak as it is not yet sure how it will manage content moderation but says it will feel less pressure to cook up viral content since its revenue is based on taking a cut from writer pages and not page views and advertising. Niche platforms A few other start-ups are also attracting attention, especially ones that cater to a specific audience. Right-wing sites such as Gab or Truth Social, the platform launched by former US president Donald Trump, positioned themselves as conservative alternatives to Twitter long before it was taken over by Musk. Discord is a platform used especially by gamers that allows users to create invite-only chat rooms where participants can hold discussions on shared interests. The site entered the headlines when a 21-year-old American national guardsman named Jack Teixeira allegedly used the site to share a trove of sensitive US documents involving state secrets to his chat group. The post Twitter rivals pile up with Meta’s Threads launch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fact check: Vice Ganda did not pay P3 million for Awra s bail
A viral TikTok video incorrectly claimed that comedian Vice Ganda gave P3 million to facilitate the release of teen celebrity Awra Briguela, whose real name is McNeal Neri Briguela, from police custody. Briguela only posted bail of P6,000. This is false......»»
Keeping Siargao’s waters clean and safe
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is helping Siargao Island protect its water resources by helping local residents follow proper waste disposal protocols. Siargao is a declared protected area pursuant to Republic Act 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 as amended by Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018. But it is prone to generating a high volume of waste from its tourism activities. Educating residents and visitors on proper waste disposal will prevent the contamination of the island’s waters with the E. coli bacteria that had blighted Boracay in 2018. Unlike Boracay which consist only of three barangays, Siargao Island is composed of nine municipalities. Gina Barquilla, Del Carmen Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer, said the DENR helped them put up a two-hectare land to serve as the materials recovery facility for the municipality, funded by an Asian Development Bank grant. "We are now able to segregate our solid waste, which are then recycled and pulverized for other uses. Glass bottles may be used as bricks while plastic can be made as “sagwan” (banca paddle)," Barquilla said. Mayor Alfredo Corro II, she added, has also entered into a public-private partnership with the JCA 1221 Group of Companies, whose subsidiary FLOV2VS (Faith Lived Out Vision to Ventures), has put up a septage treatment plant that converts waste water into recyclable water. Inaugurated in 31 May this year, the treatment plant can clean up waste water from septic tanks, kitchen sinks and showers and distribute the recycled water for firefighters' water tanks and other uses. DENR Protected Area Superintendent Sam Malayao said they have teamed up with the island's municipalities to implement environmental laws, teaching commercial establishments how to dispose of waste property as well as manage their sewage system. All tourism-related establishments are encouraged to avail themselves of Del Carmen's waste water treatment under the Siargao Sewage Program, added Malayao. So far, of the more or less 2,000 commercial establishments around Siargao Island, 30 already make use of the service, with more expected to join by the end of the year. "STP is an ecology-driven investment. It's just one modality for our waste management. Pag sinabi kasing septic, parang ayaw pag-usapan, pero kailangan natin gawin (Nobody wants to talk about septic needs, but we need to act on it)," Del Carmen Municipal Mayor Alfredo Corro II told the Daily Tribune. The post Keeping Siargao’s waters clean and safe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Swiss welcome offers sweet respite
Welcome to “The Suite Life,” which explores the world of hotels in and out of the Philippines. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious novice, I hope this column helps guide you to what hotels in the Philippines and beyond have to offer. From the bustling cityscape of Manila to the tranquil beaches of Boracay, it’s a journey through the best hotels, resorts and villas in the country and beyond to discover the most exciting and exotic hotels in the world. Pack your bags and join me on this exciting adventure as I share the hidden gems and ultimate destinations for your next getaway. Our first hotel for this month is the Swissötel Clark in Pampanga. [caption id="attachment_148661" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF Swissötel Clark | Swissötel Clark Pampanga.[/caption] Cheese and chocolate, watches and private banks — if there’s any country defined by these words, it’s Switzerland. Renowned for its punctuality and precision, the country is very well-known for its high-end horology. If you want to know how deep this characteristic runs within the country, Switzerland’s national hero, William Tell, is more famous for shooting an apple off his son’s head than his defense of Switzerland from many a tyrant. Such precision is what Tell and Switzerland are known for, and it’s this exact value that the Swiss carry into hospitality. [caption id="attachment_148662" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE atrium.[/caption] Apart from what the history books will say about Switzerland, it’s also a place I’ve gotten to know up close. I lived in Neuchatel when my husband was taking his post-grad degree and got to imbibe in its culture and way of life, day in and out. It’s always in the details. These may seem minute or effortless, but they always add a thoughtful layer to the whole experience. Such touches abound at Swissötel Clark, and it definitely reminded me of the Swiss approach to doing things. The welcome: Located in the Clark Freeport Zone, I was surprised to find the hotel packed and buzzing. The lobby café was full, leaving no seats available, and the bright, bustling lobby was filled with people waiting — either for loved ones or colleagues — to be taken in by Swiss hospitality or having just finished a relaxing stay. The lobby was a walk away from the casino, leaving the vibrant lobby to shine all on its own. The room: Rooms and suites at Swissötel Clark welcome you with floor-to-ceiling views of the city or the mountains, flooding the room with natural light. A medley of creams, grays and browns, coupled with a king-size bed and Posturepedic mattress, high-speed Wi-Fi, cable and satellite TV channels, and USB charging stations provide a great sense of comfort for anyone looking to relax. The bathroom continues this philosophy with marble furnishings, a rain shower, and a soaking tub. Anyone looking for a more luxurious experience can upgrade to a Swiss Executive Lounge access suite with complimentary breakfast and refreshments. [caption id="attachment_148664" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PREMIUM room with king size bed.[/caption] The restaurants: I wasn’t able to try the breakfast because my alarm didn’t go off that morning, but I was able to try meals at Swissötel Clark’s two restaurants. Markt is their all-day dining buffet with incredible food. Initially conceived as an a la carte offering for diners to choose from, every station offers the full package with mains at every section, making them all stars in their own right. The hotel also has a permanent place on the menu for classic Swiss dishes like älplermagronen (Swiss macaroni and cheese with applesauce) and Zurich-style veal with mushrooms. [caption id="attachment_148663" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NASI, a contemporary restaurant that specializes in Filipino cuisine.[/caption] Ristorante Di Verona, on the other hand, is easily one of the best places to try modern and authentic Italian cuisine without leaving the country. With large, luxurious windows and al fresco seating, their spacious halls are filled with soothing Italian music and the noise of happy diners. They offer a fine selection of aperitifs, over 300 wines sourced from various regions of Europe, digestivos, and other Italian favorites, as well as their famous balsamico de Modena 25 anni 550, delightfully paired with Italian bread. Unique touches to the hotel: Details like the collar brooch and the shoe buckle of the doorman did not go unnoticed. The doorman is the first to greet visitors and serve as the best representation of the Swiss tradition of service. Their gear resembles the Appenzell costume designed by Ida Gout and the delicate brooch designed by goldsmith Sebastian Fassler shows a lot of care and thought for the kind of service they want to bring. The hotel itself also makes use of Appenzell design, the town famous for its mountain range. One must also have the Swissötel traditional cake with its notable ingredient of ground hazelnuts. Experiential for all senses that pull focus on their attention to what matters. The Spa: Swissötel Clark will launch their spa and Vitality suites soon. Every one of their six private suites will have its own gym equipment for guests to enjoy their fitness regimens in private. Swiss mindfulness podcasts, the Vitality kit, wellness treatments, and menus round out the entire experience for a great session. Outside, on the other hand, lets guests exercise with fresh air on bike and jogging paths as part of the hotel’s promotion of a healthy environment. I’m hearing that one of the managers hails from a 5-star hotel in Mandaluyong with a very good spa, who is also a professional therapist with a good grasp of wellness and treatments — a lot of which they can do themselves, so consider my expectations high. [caption id="attachment_148665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] VITALITY suite[/caption] Great food, comfortable rooms and fresh air for all — they did not miss a beat when it came to bringing Swiss hospitality to the country, even down to the finest details. Taking a trip up north to Pampanga is a great way to retreat from the city for a bit, made even better if you’re staying at Swissötel Clark. The post Swiss welcome offers sweet respite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home
For many, a hotel is synonymous to comfort and relaxation, offering people luxurious amenities for a memorable and hassle-free stay. For Belmont Hotel Mactan, these experiences are taken to the next level as it extends incomparable services and first-rate amenities that not only embody class and elegance but also add convenience into the total hotel experience. Belmont Hotel Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Cebu, is the third hotel to open under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ homegrown hotel chain in the country. Under its business and leisure or “bleisure” label, Belmont Hotel Mactan is also the second hotel (after Savoy Hotel) that sits on the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township. Yes, Megaworld’s townships have always been known as a city within a city that amazingly brings everything together — upscale condominiums, lifestyle malls, commercial establishments, office towers, banks, learning institutions and more — in one mixed-used development. That’s why Belmont Hotel Mactan guests in The Mactan Newtown, particularly the business travelers, are assured of this rare convenience because almost everything they need while staying at the hotel is within their reach. “Guests surely find it efficient to stay within the heart of a 30-hectare lifestyle and business hub of the township,” says Johnson Del Valle, Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager. [caption id="attachment_145632" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH BY VANGIE BAGA-REYES | JOHNSON del Valle (left) Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager, and Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs.[/caption] Home away from home The 20-story hotel is poised as a business travelers’ home away from home while staying in the beguiling island of Mactan. Located along Newtown Boulevard and just beside Savoy Hotel Mactan, Belmont Hotel Mactan features 550 guestrooms and suites with three room categories, namely, Junior Suite (50 sqm), Deluxe Premium (36 sqm) and Superior (26 sqm). It also has seven rooms dedicated for guests with special needs. [caption id="attachment_145629" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DELUXE Premier[/caption] All rooms are fully equipped with essential amenities, such as an in-room electronic safety box, wall-mounted TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar and wireless Internet connection. [caption id="attachment_145630" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BELMONT Café, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet offering Asian and Mediterranean dishes.[/caption] Interestingly, most units feature expansive views of the Magellan Bay and the Hilutungan Channel, a deep-water channel that separates Mactan Island from Olango Island. With regards to its location, guests arriving via Cebu International Airport will only take at least 15 minutes to reach the hotel. Del Valle says Belmont provides a logical choice for guests with a business mindset. “Since we opened, we host mainly guests who visit the area for business,” he shares. “The hotel features facilities built specifically for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), team-building, networking and corporate celebrations across our four available function rooms that can accommodate a maximum of capacity 120 guests down to 30 guests.” These function spaces are equipped with smart-control projectors and sound systems. “The Mactan Island is populated by hotels and resorts focusing heavily on leisure and wellness, so we are very excited to bring a new kind of hospitality experience through Belmont Hotel Mactan,” says Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. “Just like the first two Belmont Hotel properties in Newport City in Pasay and Boracay Newcoast in Aklan, Belmont Hotel Mactan will host guests who are in the area for both business and leisure.” She adds: “They can expect the usual topnotch amenities that enable rest and relaxation, but because we want to address the need for Mactan to be MICE-ready we have also built here facilities for business events. Coupled with the Megaworld brand of hospitality, we are very proud to say this kind of experience is something that cannot be found anywhere else on this side of Cebu.” Rich history Stepping inside the lobby, Belmont Hotel becomes a tribute to Cebu’s festive culture, landmarks, marine life, rich history as showcased through numerous art installations. For instance, colorful headdresses used in Cebu’s Sinulog are displayed in the walls of its all-day dining outlet, Belmont Café; Cebu’s finest handcrafted guitars in different sizes and colors are mounted in the chic hangout spot, Zabana Bar; and the room’s wall art paper features popular things Cebu is known for, from guitars to its delicacies, such as otap and puso (rice wrapped and boiled in woven coconut leaves). To relax and unwind, the central amenity area on the third floor has the swimming pool and kiddie pool, female and male wet and dry sauna, outdoor lounge with elevated deck, fitness center and viewing deck where guests can marvel at the beauty of the nearby sea and the rest of the township and the Mactan Island. In terms of food outlets, guests can also savor a variety of cuisines and delicacies from the hotel’s three food and beverage outlets. Belmont Café offers a wide variety of Asian and Mediterranean dishes, as well as other local delicacies. Just a few steps away from Belmont Café is the Zabana Bar, where guests can enjoy a selection of cocktails and refreshing beverages. [caption id="attachment_145635" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FITNESS center.[/caption] Over on the third floor is the Float Pool Bar, where guests can sample a variety of snacks and beverages as they lounge and take a refreshing plunge at the swimming pool. Belmont Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the Mactan Newtown Beach, and about five-minute walk away from the Mactan Alfresco, a hawker-type dining destination. “While in the area, don’t forget to visit the notable tourist sites much like the Mactan Shrine where the iconic 20-meter statue of Lapu-Lapu stands or the Sto. Nino de Cebu Mactan Parish Church which is noted to be shaped like the Magellan’s hat,” shares Del Valle. Largest hotel operator With the opening of Belmont Hotel, alongside Savoy Hotel, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts now has a combined room keys of 1,100, the largest number of room keys in the entire Mactan Island. At the same time, it makes Megaworld the largest developer and operator in the entire Cebu province today. “Belmont means Beautiful Mountain in French,” says Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs. “It was a name created by our chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan when we launched the first Belmont Hotel in Newport City. He fell in love with the name. He just wanted to create a new brand for Megaworld Hotels and Resorts because the first brand that we introduced was Richmonde Hotel. The second brand was Belmont.” The first Belmont Hotel was opened in 2015 at Newport City in Pasay City. It was followed by Belmont Hotel Boracay. Soon, the fourth Belmont Hotel will open in Iloilo City. Geronimo adds that Belmont Hotel will complement the Savoy Hotel inside the township because the vision of Megaworld is to be able to expand its portfolio of hotels in Mactan Island. They want to cater to more business and leisure travelers. “When we open Savoy Hotel, we notice there has been a high demand for those types of travelers who want to do business meetings here, as well as families and tourists who are on vacation in Mactan Island. We want to cater to both that’s why we are adding more rooms.” Belmont Hotel is still in the process of coordinating with the Department of Tourism for the hotel-star rating. The post Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trump took secret docs, put national security at risk: indictment
Federal prosecutors unsealed a wide-ranging indictment of Donald Trump on Friday, accusing the former US president of endangering national security by holding on to top secret nuclear and defense documents after leaving the White House. The 76-year-old Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, took hundreds of classified government documents in cardboard boxes to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the 49-page charge sheet said. Trump kept the files -- which included records from the Pentagon, CIA, and National Security Agency -- unsecured at Mar-a-Lago, which regularly hosted large social events, the indictment said. On at least two occasions, Trump showed classified documents on US military operations and plans to people not cleared to see them at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, it said. Trump faces 37 separate counts in the indictment including 31 counts of "willful retention of national defense information" relating to specific documents. A conviction on each count carries up to 10 years in prison. "We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone," said Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the historic indictment against Trump, the first former US president ever to face federal criminal charges. "Laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced," Smith said, adding that he would seek to ensure that Trump receives a "speedy trial." Other charges facing the twice-impeached Trump include conspiracy to obstruct justice, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, withholding a document or record, which also carries a potential 20-year sentence, and making false statements. Trump's personal aide, Walt Nauta, was named as a co-conspirator, and charged with six counts for helping Trump hide documents, which were kept at various locations in Mar-a-Lago, according to the indictment, including a ballroom, a bathroom, Trump's bedroom, and a storage room. "The classified documents Trump stored in the boxes included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries," the indictment said. Other records dealt with US nuclear programs and potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack along with plans for retaliation, it said. "The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources," according to the indictment. Trump hater Trump is to appear in court in Miami at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday for the first hearing in the case. According to US media, the case will initially be handled by Aileen Cannon, 42, a Trump-appointed judge who made rulings favorable to the former president during a court review of documents seized in an August 2022 FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. A trial is not expected to begin for several months and there is nothing to prevent Trump from pursuing a second term in the White House while facing charges. According to the indictment, Trump directed his aide Nauta to conceal boxes containing documents from the FBI and his own attorney and suggested to his lawyers at one point that they hide or destroy documents being sought. The indictment also recounted a conversation between Trump and one of his attorneys about the documents in which the former president reportedly said "Wouldn't it be better if we just told them we don't have anything?" Trump responded to the indictment with a string of posts on his Truth Social platform, calling Smith, the special counsel, "deranged" and a "Trump hater." "Under the Presidential Records Act, I'm allowed to do all this," Trump said. "There was no crime." In a defiant video Thursday, Trump also declared his innocence and framed the indictment as election interference by a Justice Department "weaponized" by President Joe Biden. "They come after me because now we're leading in the polls again by a lot against Biden," Trump said. Biden said Friday that he would have no comment on the case and has had no contact with Attorney General Merrick Garland, who appointed Smith as special counsel to conduct the Trump probe. "I have not spoken to him at all and I'm not going to speak with him," Biden told reporters. Trump was already the first former or sitting president to be charged with a crime, indicted in New York in March in a case involving election-eve hush money payments to a porn star who said she had an affair with him. Smith is also looking into whether Trump should face charges over the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters. And Georgia prosecutors are investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome in the southern state. The post Trump took secret docs, put national security at risk: indictment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trump indicted in classified documents probe
Donald Trump said Thursday he has been indicted over his handling of classified documents after leaving office, the US ex-president's most serious legal threat yet as he pursues a second White House term. "The corrupt Biden Administration has informed my attorneys that I have been Indicted, seemingly over the Boxes Hoax," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as he broke the bombshell news of a historic moment for the United States: the first time a sitting or former commander-in-chief has faced federal charges. There was no immediate confirmation from the Justice Department. Trump attorney Jim Trusty told CNN that his client has been indicted on seven charges including the willful retention of documents in violation of the Espionage Act, making false statements, obstruction of justice and a count of conspiracy. Though the precise details of the charges were not immediately clear, people familiar with the matter told The New York Times the conspiracy charge was related to obstruction of justice. In his post, Trump, who is running for president again, said he has been summoned to a federal courthouse in Miami next Tuesday -- the day before his 77th birthday. His announcement came a day after US media said federal prosecutors had informed his lawyers that he is the target of the probe into his handling of classified documents. Trump was already the first former or sitting president to be charged with a crime -- in his case over election-eve hush money payments to a porn star who said she had an affair with him. That indictment was handed down by Manhattan's district attorney in March. In a statement after his initial online posts, the Trump campaign lashed out at what it called an "unprecedented abuse of power," and called for the indictment to be thrown out. 'Dark day' In a defiant video released after he shared the news, Trump repeatedly declared his innocence and framed the indictment as a form of election interference by a Justice Department "weaponized" by the Biden administration. "They come after me because now we're leading in the polls again by a lot against Biden," Trump said in the clip. "Our country is going to hell and they come after Donald Trump... We can't let this continue." Fellow Republicans swiftly stood by him, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, who has had a rollercoaster relationship with Trump. "Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him," McCarthy said in a statement. "I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a rival for the GOP presidential nomination, echoed Trump's claims of a "weaponized" DOJ, adding on Twitter that he would "excise political bias" if elected president. The Twitter account of Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee posted a repeated Trump slogan: "WITCH HUNT." Special counsel Jack Smith, named by US Attorney General Merrick Garland, has been looking into a cache of classified documents that Trump had stored at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after leaving the White House. The FBI carted away some 11,000 papers after serving a search warrant on Mar-a-Lago in August, and obstruction-of-justice charges could be a result of his resisting efforts to recover the trove. Trump eventually turned over 15 boxes containing almost 200 classified documents to the National Archives in January 2022 but was subpoenaed for any outstanding records in his possession. When asked about the charges Thursday night, Smith's spokesman Peter Carr told AFP: "We are declining to comment." The White House said it learned of the indictment from media coverage and a spokesperson declined to comment on the news, noting that the DOJ "conducts its criminal investigations independently," CNN reported. Mounting legal woes Some Democratic lawmakers spoke out following Thursday's revelation. Trump's indictment "is another affirmation of the rule of law," House Democrat Adam Schiff said. "For four years, he acted like he was above the law," he added. "But he should be treated like any other lawbreaker. And today, he has been." Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the documents case, telling a Fox News town hall event on June 1 that "everything I did was right." But he has openly acknowledged taking and storing the documents, undermining his lawyers' suggestion that he took the stash inadvertently in the confusion of a chaotic departure. "This evidence just adds to the mound of stuff that already exists, and no one piece is the 'be all and end all,' but when you put them all together, the case is so strong," former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks told MSNBC. "You cannot imagine his getting away with this." The latest indictment comes with Trump facing numerous other probes as he bids to be the Republican nominee to challenge Joe Biden for the presidency in 2024. Smith is also looking at whether Trump should face charges over the 2021 US Capitol riot, and Georgia prosecutors are investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome there. Trump has already been charged with dozens of financial crimes as part of the alleged hush money scheme to silence the porn star, and is due to go on trial next March, in the middle of primary election season. The post Trump indicted in classified documents probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sweden not holding a ‘sex tournament’
German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) debunked a viral news report that Sweden had declared sex as a sport and was organizing a "sex tournament". The competition was reported to be scheduled to start on 8 June in Gothenburg City. "All this information is false," said Anna Setzman, spokesperson for the Swedish Sports Confederation (SSC), in a written statement to DW. "Right now, false information is being spread in some international media about Sweden and Swedish sports. These are vigorously denied," she added. The SSC, however, confirmed to DW that there was an individual who claimed to be from Swedish Sex Federation who applied for membership, but the application was rejected in May. It categorically denied any collaboration with the sex organization. "There is no sex federation that is a member of the Swedish Sports Confederation," Setzman stressed. The post Sweden not holding a ‘sex tournament’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Artificial intelligence and the legal practice
The Sony World Photography Awards of 2023 chose the entry of Boris Eldagsen to receive the first prize in its creative open category. Yet this German artist refused to accept the award. According to a CNN news article, this was because what he submitted was generated by an Artificial Intelligence or AI program. AI can be defined as the simulation of human intelligence by software-coded problem-solving shortcuts. The topic of AI has recently generated buzz. If before it was only a theme of futuristic movies, now the concept is materializing in present-day reality. AI has not only affected the industries of manufacturing, media, and transportation, it has now found its way into the field of law. OpenAI, a San Francisco-based AI research laboratory, launched ChatGPT in late 2022. This is a chatbot, which is an application that can imitate real-world and human-like functions. Some of these functions cover what comprises much of a lawyer’s work — drafting pleadings, reviewing contracts and writing memoranda, among others. Since the possibilities for the development of AI are endless, one cannot help but weigh the pros and cons of using it. In an interview with Reuters, Suffolk University Law School Dean Andrew Perlman thought that much like conducting research in Westlaw and LexisNexis, first-year law students should learn about using ChatGPT as a tool in their legal research and legal writing classes. However, just like any creation undergoing development, AI is far from being perfect. According to a recent national daily news article, an American lawyer is facing controversy when the court document he submitted cited six false cases generated by ChatGPT. He claimed that he was unaware that the AI program may produce fake content. As a result, he will be facing a sanctions hearing. This is not the first time that AI has generated misleading content. Fake photos of former US President Donald Trump being arrested, as well as fake photos of Pope Francis wearing a puffer jacket, went viral on the Internet. With the plethora of information accessible online, it is getting harder to detect what is true and it is getting easier to fabricate what is false. In an article published on the official website of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo revealed in a virtual meeting that the Court had proposed the use of AI for improving court operations. The proposal aims to build on the areas of preparation of transcripts of stenographic notes and digitalization of judgments that were already rendered. Since it has been established that AI can further progress as a powerful tool, it begs to answer the question, “What lies ahead for us in the legal practice?” As a new lawyer, I regularly use electronic legal research tools like CD Asia. Compared to the traditional way of going to the library, electronic tools greatly save time. How much more effort can be saved when one uses AI that can produce output by simply typing an instruction? It is my humble opinion, however, that while AI programs indeed promise cost-cutting benefits, there is nothing wrong with sticking to our old ways of diligently doing our legal work, especially when AI research programs are still problematic. We must err on the side of caution when using Artificial Intelligence because the stakes are high when we talk about what we represent before the courts. Putting myself in the shoes of clients, it would also be disconcerting if the lawyers they hired were charged for work that was only generated by an AI tool. Artificial Intelligence truly has its potential in legal practice. But pertaining to the core of what lawyering is and what the profession means, nothing beats our human touch. (Atty. Kristine Arlyce R. De Guzman just became a Member of the Philippine Bar in 2023. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. She is currently an Associate at the Aranas Cruz Araneta Parker & Faustino Law Offices.) The post Artificial intelligence and the legal practice appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce
Philippine mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal, and a court annulment takes years. The Philippines is the only place outside the Vatican where divorce is outlawed, with the Catholic Church -- which holds great influence on Philippine society -- opposing the practice as against its teachings. Those in favor of legalizing divorce say the ban makes it difficult to escape violent or otherwise abusive spouses, or even for couples to amicably cut ties. People wanting to end their marriage can ask a court for an annulment or a declaration that the nuptials were invalid from the start, but the government can appeal against those decisions. The legal process is slow and expensive -- cases can cost as much as $10,000 or more in a country plagued by poverty -- with no guarantee of success, and some people seeking a faster result fall for online scams. "I don't understand why it has to be this difficult," said Sibonga, who has spent 11 years trying to get out of a marriage that her parents forced her into after she became pregnant. Sibonga's legal battle began in 2012, when she applied to a court to cancel her marriage on the basis of her husband's alleged "psychological incapacity", one of the grounds for terminating a matrimony. After five years and $3,500 in legal fees, a judge finally agreed. The former domestic worker's relief was, however, short-lived. The Office of the Solicitor General, which as the government's legal representative is tasked with protecting the institution of marriage, successfully appealed the decision in 2019. Sibonga said she requested the Court of Appeals to reverse its ruling, but is still waiting for an answer. "Why are we, the ones who experienced suffering, abandonment and abuse, being punished by the law?" said Sibonga, 45, who lives near Manila. "All we want is to be free." 'Dysfunctional marriages' The most powerful opponent to divorce in the Philippines is the Catholic Church, which is also against abortion and contraceptives. Around 78 percent of the country's 110 million people are Catholic, according to official census data, and many politicians are wary of contradicting the Church on sensitive social issues. But Congress has scored significant wins in recent years. A controversial birth control law was passed in 2012, despite strong opposition from the Church. And in 2018, majority and opposition parties in the House of Representatives approved a divorce bill that later stalled in the Senate. It was the first time such a proposal had got that far. Surveys conducted by polling company Social Weather Stations show a shift in Philippine attitudes towards divorce. In 2005, 43 percent of Filipinos supported legalizing divorce "for irreconcilably separated couples", while 45 percent disagreed. The same survey in 2017 showed 53 percent in favor, while only 32 percent disagreed. A group of lawmakers is now leading a fresh push to legalize divorce, with several bills filed in the House and the Senate. "We are not destroying any marriage," said Edcel Lagman, a congressman and author of one of the bills. Lagman said divorce was for "dysfunctional marriages beyond repair" and legalizing it would enable women and their children to escape "intolerant and abusive husbands". Before he was elected, President Ferdinand Marcos said the country should consider allowing divorce, but insisted it should not be easy. Annulment scams The burdensome process for getting a court order to end a marriage has spawned online scams offering to secure a quick ruling without time-consuming court appearances. AFP fact checkers found numerous Facebook posts spreading false information about the legal process for annulment in order to attract clients, underscoring a growing global trend of fraudsters profiting off disinformation. One victim told AFP she was charged the equivalent of $2,400 for an annulment service that turned out to be fake. She is now considering converting to Islam in the hope of securing a divorce under Muslim law. "I'm really trying every possible option just to be single again," she told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Annulment takes so long, it's so expensive and it's not guaranteed, so I'm seeking a more convenient way." Family law specialist Katrina Legarda said the number of people falling for bogus services showed there was a "dire need" for new legislation. But Father Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said the nation should be "proud" to be the only country outside the Vatican "holding on to the traditional concept of marriage". "There will always be imperfections in a relationship," he said. Secillano said divorcing an abusive partner would "perpetuate the violence" because the perpetrator would go on to abuse their next partner. "You are not actually curing the disease itself," he said. 'I'm a sinner' Sibonga was raised a Catholic, but stopped attending church to avoid accusations of adultery. She has a long-term boyfriend, but cannot tie the knot with him until her first marriage is legally terminated. That her case has dragged on for so long is not unusual in the Philippines, where a creaky justice system can take years to resolve even minor issues. "People think that because I am still technically married, I'm a sinner," she said. "They really believe that what God has united cannot be separated. Really? Even if your husband is trying to kill you, even after everything he's done, divorce is still not allowed?" Sibonga said her relationship with her husband had been traumatic and had pushed her to attempt suicide twice. She does not want her children to marry until divorce is allowed. "I told them they can cohabitate and have as many children as they want, but I won't ever consent to them getting married," she said. "I just don't want them to end up like me." The post ‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinoy drag queens shine at DragCon LA, join ‘Drag Race Philippines’ cast reunion
Several Filipino drag queens participated in RuPaul’s DragCon Los Angeles on 12 and 13 May at the Los Angeles Convention Center, California, United States. This year’s expo of drag culture welcomed its first delegation of Filipino drag performers and it was a sizable group, led by Drag Race Philippines’ first winner Precious Paula Nicole. She was joined by Marina Summers, Eva Le Queen, Xilhouete, Minty Fresh, Viñas DeLuxe, Turing, Gigi Era, Corazon and Prince — all contestants of the Philippine version of the phenomenal drag reality series RuPaul’s Drag Race. [caption id="attachment_135144" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph COURTESY of Twitter.com/@minortiz | Double Mints Minty Fresh with Sminty Drop from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 4.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_135147" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph COURTESY of Twiiter.com/@VinasDeluxe | Vinas DeLuxe in the Filipiniana version of her famous tuwalya look in ‘Drag Race Philippines.’[/caption] [caption id="attachment_135146" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Photograph COURTESY of FB.com/Prince Marell | Prince, dramatic in black and red.[/caption] The annual RuPaul’s DragCon LA, which started in 2015, is an outgrowth of RuPaul’s Drag Race and is also organized by the series’ producer, World of Wonder. This year, it spotlighted about 150 queens from 12 countries and received thousands of attendees from all over the world. One of the biggest events for drag fans, it featured many events, such as a market, performances, meet-and-greets, wig and sewing workshops, talks and parties. The Queens’ Walk One of the highlights was the Queen’s Walk on the now famous Pink Carpet on the first day after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The queens were introduced to the public one by one and sashayed down the pink carpet in their fabulous outfits. Eva Le Queen was in an all-white ensemble inspired by the Philippine national flower — the sampaguita or Indian jasmine — designed by Ehrran Montoya, who described the outfit as a “long-sleeve corseted column dress with bias folds and structured draping on top” with “a detachable train with voluminous cascades.” [caption id="attachment_135151" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph COURTESY of FB.com/Eva Le Queen | Eva Le Queen’s all-white Pink Carpet outfit.[/caption] Montoya was also behind’s Marina’s pink-carpet look, which is inspired by the sea. “Splashing from the Philippine sea to the pink carpet of @rupaulsdragcon. Bringing the sea to the City of Angels in custom @ehrranmontoya,” Marina wrote on her social media posts. According to Montoya, the gown was a “full-length mesh bodice with slit embellished with rhinestones, pearls and sequins adorned with dangling crystals, attached with voluminous layers of iridescent ruffles and pleated organza on the train, epitomizing a goddess rising from the sea.” Corazon was also in a Montoya creation, inspired by the butterfly. A “Fairytopia Fantasy,” the drag queen described. [caption id="attachment_135143" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph COURTESY of FB.com/Corazon Filipinas | Corazon on the Pink Carpet.[/caption] “Transforming our Lepidoptera SS22 piece into a new breed of majestic full-on metamorphosis look with this full-length serpentine gown with cape adorned with voluminous ruffles and cascades embellished with beadworks and crystals,” the designer explained. Minty was in a gown with an open slit and dripping with large silver sequins, while Precious was in all gold. The Filipino queens took centerstage at one of the reunion events, “Bring Back My Girls.” The Drag Race Philippines cast reunion happened on 13 May with one of the judges, Jiggly Caliente, serving as host. WOWIE winners They also shone at the WOWIES, which celebrates trailblazers in different fields, such as drag, art, activism, pop culture and entertainment. Precious was one of the Breakout Star awardees. The nine other winners were Admira Thunderpussy, Danny Beard, Drag Couenne, Giselle Lullaby, LA Diamond, Matt Rogers, Paloma, Spankie Jackzon and Stephanie Hsu. The awarding ceremony was held on 13 May, hosted by Ts Madison, with special performances by Marina Summers and Sasha Colby. Two more Filipino drag queens were announced as winners — Marina for WOWlebrity on the Rise and Eva Le Queen for Best Beauty Guru. [caption id="attachment_135148" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph Courtesy of David Martinez | WOWlebrity on the Rise Marina Summers’ Pink Carpet look, inspired by the Philippine seas.[/caption] Marina received her The Can’t Get You Out of My Head Award right after her performance, dancing to Beyonce’s “Love on Top.” She bested Anetra, Gemini Dai, Grant Vanderbilt, Kristen Kish, Lemon, Liam Krug and Rylie. On the other hand, Eva bagged the Painted Award, besting Abby Roberts, Bosco, Emira D’Spain, Gigi Gorgeous, Julie Vu, Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Sminty Drop. The other WOWIE winners are Gigi Goode (Best Instagram); Sugar and Spice (Best TikTok); Miss Fiercalicious (Best Twitter): Rock M. Sakura (Best YouTube Channel); Krystal Versace in Girls Aloud Performance at London Marathon (Best Viral Moment); Chase Strangio (Resistor of the Year); Fire of Love (Best Documentary); BenDeLaCreme on The Daily Show (Best Television Appearance); RuPaul’s Black Butta (Best Album); Amethyst (Best New Artist); The House of Avalon (Fiercest Nightlife People); Ariana Grande (Best Ally); Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers of Las Culturistas (Best Podcast); Ts Madison (Best Comedian); Trixie Cosmetics (Best Beauty Line); Sasha Velour’s The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag (Best Book); Taylor Hale (Biggest Drag Superfan); Jazell Royale (Hottest Hottie Award); and Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Gottmik and Violet Chachki at the Grammys (Best Dressed). Meaningful and memorable The Filipino drag queens expressed delight and gratitude for being part of DragCon LA. “After all the madness I just want to say that I had the best time of my life with my family. It just blows my mind to think that this was beyond our wildest dreams a few years back. And to know that Filipino drag is LOVED AND RAVED all the way here. Thank you everyone!,” wrote Eva Le Queen on her Twitter account (@eva_lequeen) on 15 May. “To know and hear it from Queens like Sasha Colby, Angeria and many others that Drag Race PH is their FAVORITE FRANCHISE IN THE WORLD is just f*ckin wild!!! I would think we have made a mark in the PH mainstream but guuurl — we made a mark in the WORLD,” she added. On the other hand, Viñas DeLuxe, on her Twitter (@vinasdeluxe), said: “Being part of @rupaulsdragcon was an unforgettable experience, feeling the love and connection with supporters from all over the world, making an impact one glittery step at a time!” This year’s DragCon had an extra special meaning as attacks on drag queens and trans persons are intensifying and laws against them are being pushed in the United States. The post Pinoy drag queens shine at DragCon LA, join ‘Drag Race Philippines’ cast reunion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»