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Canada accuses Meta of endangerment
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Meta is being accused of endangering lives by blocking news links in Canada at a crucial moment, when thousands have fled their homes and are desperate for wildfire updates that once would have been shared widely on Facebook. The situation “is dangerous,” said Kelsey Worth, 35, one of nearly 20,000 residents of Yellowknife and thousands more in small towns ordered to evacuate the Northwest Territories as wildfires advanced. She described to AFP how “insanely difficult” it has been for herself and other evacuees to find verifiable information about the fires blazing across the near-Arctic territory and other parts of Canada. “Nobody’s able to know what’s true or not,” she said. “And when you’re in an emergency situation, time is of the essence,” she added, explaining that many Canadians until now have relied on social media for news. Meta on 1 August started blocking the distribution of news links and articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a recent law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content. The company has been in a virtual showdown with Ottawa over the bill passed in June, but which only takes effect next year. Building on similar legislation introduced in Australia, the bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. It requires companies like Meta and Google to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information — estimated in a report to parliament to be worth Canadian $330 million (US$250 million) per year — that is shared on their platforms, or face binding arbitration. But Meta has said the bill is flawed and insisted that news outlets share content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms to attract readers, benefiting them and not the Silicon Valley firm. Trudeau irked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week assailed Meta, telling reporters it was “inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of (safety)... and keeping Canadians informed about things like wildfires.” Almost 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada go to Meta and Google, which has expressed its own reservations about the new law. Ollie Williams, director of Cabin Radio in the far north, called Meta’s move to block news sharing “stupid and dangerous.” He suggested in an interview with AFP that “Meta could lift the ban temporarily in the interests of preservation of life and suffer no financial penalty because the legislation has not taken effect yet.” Nicolas Servel, over at Radio Taiga, a French-language station in Yellowknife, noted that some had found ways of circumventing Meta’s block. They “found other ways to share” information, he said, such as taking screen shots of news articles and sharing them from personal — rather than corporate — social media accounts. Several large newspapers in Canada such as The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star have launched campaigns to try to attract readers directly to their sites. But for many smaller news outlets, workarounds have proven challenging as social media platforms have become entrenched. Reverse course Public broadcaster CBC in a letter this week pressed Meta to reverse course. “Time is of the essence,” wrote CBC president Catherine Tait. “I urge you to consider taking the much-needed humanitarian action and immediately lift your ban on vital Canadian news and information to communities dealing with this wildfire emergency.” Meta — which did not respond to AFP requests for comment — rejected CBC’s suggestion. Instead, it urged Canadians to use the “Safety Check” function on Facebook to let others know if they are safe or not. The post Canada accuses Meta of endangerment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta faces backlash over Canada news block as wildfires rage
Meta is being accused of endangering lives by blocking news links in Canada at a crucial moment when thousands have fled their homes and are desperate for wildfire updates that once would have been shared widely on Facebook. The situation "is dangerous," said Kelsey Worth, 35, of one nearly 20,000 residents of Yellowkife and thousands more in small towns ordered to evacuate the Northwest Territories as wildfires advanced. She described to AFP how "insanely difficult" it has been for herself and other evacuees to find verifiable information about the fires blazing across the near-Arctic territory and other parts of Canada. "Nobody's able to know what's true or not," she said. "And when you're in an emergency situation, time is of the essence," she said, explaining that many Canadians until now have relied on social media for news. Meta on August 1 started blocking the distribution of news links and articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a recent law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content. The company has been in a virtual showdown with Ottawa over the bill passed in June which only takes effect next year. Building on similar legislation introduced in Australia, the bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. It requires companies like Meta and Google to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information -- estimated in a report to parliament to be worth Can$330 million (US$250 million) per year -- that is shared on their platforms, or face-binding arbitration. But Meta has said the bill is flawed and insisted that news outlets share content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms to attract readers, benefiting them and not the Silicon Valley firm. Profits over safety Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week assailed Meta, telling reporters it was "inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of (safety)... and keeping Canadians informed about things like wildfires." Almost 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada go to Meta and Google, which has expressed its own reservations about the new law. Ollie Williams, director of Cabin Radio in the far north, called Meta's move to block news sharing "stupid and dangerous." He suggested in an interview with AFP that "Meta could lift the ban temporarily in the interests of preservation of life and suffer no financial penalty because the legislation has not taken effect yet." Nicolas Servel, over at Radio Taiga, a French-language station in Yellowknife, noted that some had found ways of circumventing Meta's block. They "found other ways to share" information, he said, such as taking screenshots of news articles and sharing them from personal -- rather than corporate -- social media accounts. Life and death Several large newspapers in Canada such as the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star have launched campaigns to try to attract readers directly to their sites. But for many smaller news outlets workarounds have proven challenging as social media platforms have become entrenched. Public broadcaster CBC in a letter this week pressed Meta to reverse course. "Time is of the essence," wrote CBC president Catherine Tait. "I urge you to consider taking the much-needed humanitarian action and immediately lift your ban on vital Canadian news and information to communities dealing with this wildfire emergency." As more than 1,000 wildfires burn across Canada, she said, "The need for reliable, trusted, and up-to-date information can literally be the difference between life and death." Meta -- which did not respond to AFP requests for comment -- rejected CBC's suggestion. Instead it urged Canadians to use the "Safety Check" function on Facebook to let others know if they are safe or not. Patrick White, a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal, said Meta has shown itself to be a "bad corporate citizen." "It's a matter of public safety," he said, adding that he remains optimistic Ottawa will eventually reach a deal with Meta and other digital giants that addresses their concerns. The post Meta faces backlash over Canada news block as wildfires rage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
United House gets things done
As the 19th Congress convened on 25 July 2022, then newly-elected House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez immediately saw the need for quick delivery of government services to help the country and our people recover from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. Romualdez stressed that the key to achieving this daunting task is for everyone to pull together — and that is what he set himself to do and the impressive performance the House for the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress indicated the wisdom of the path he has chosen. When the House adjourned sine die on 2 June 2023, it managed to approve 33 out of 42 bills listed as priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. Moreover, through Romualdez’s stewardship, the bigger chamber was able to process a total of 9,600 measures consisting of 8,490 House bills, 1,109 resolutions, and one petition, with 577 bills approved on third reading. This means the House processed 30 measures per session day, or 10 percent higher than the previous Congress for the same period. In his speech at the House plenary just before the sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress recently, Romualdez credited the hard work of the House members for the past 10 months, which helped shape the successes achieved by the legislature in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s socio-economic development agenda. “Needless to say, our first regular session has been both eventful and productive,” Romualdez said. “Congratulations to everyone for this impressive performance. You did not take your jobs lightly. You conducted yourselves with a sense of pride, professionalism and responsibility. You have carried out your individual roles with zest, making sure that you serve as effective voices of your respective constituents.” Likewise, Romualdez expressed gratitude for the significant contributions of the Minority Block, led by Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan. “Your close scrutiny of every piece of legislation has allowed us to bring depth, richness and nuance in the performance of our legislative duties,” Romualdez said. “We also thank all the Deputy Speakers, the Majority Leader, Honorable Manuel Jose ‘Mannix’ M. Dalipe, together with all the Deputy and Assistant Majority Leaders, and Chairpersons of the Standing and Special Committees. With your incessant support, the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading, 33 out of the 42 priority measures listed in our common legislative agenda.” Among the measures that the House approved on third and final reading during the past 10 months include the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, Magna Carta of Seafarers, E-Governance Act/E-Government Act, Negros Island Region, Virology Institute of the Philippines, Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act, National Disease Prevention Management Authority or Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Medical Reserve Corps, Philippine Passport Act; Internet Transaction Act/E-Commerce Law, Waste-to-Energy Bill, Free Legal Assistance for Police and Soldiers and Apprenticeship Act. Also passed on third reading were the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, Valuation Reform, Eastern Visayas Development Authority, Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone, Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery, National Citizens Service Training Program and National Government Rightsizing. During the final week of sessions, the House gave final approval of LEDAC measures, House Bill 8203, or the proposed Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act; and HB 8278, or the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act. The Speaker reported that the House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report relative to establishing specialty centers in hospitals under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Health. Moreover, he said it is worthy to note that both Houses of Congress have agreed on a version of the Maharlika Fund, the country’s first-ever sovereign investment fund, designed to promote economic development by making strategic and profitable investments in key sectors including public road networks. The post United House gets things done appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta says Canada news to be blocked after media bill passes
Facebook and Instagram users in Canada will be blocked from viewing Canadian news, parent-company Meta said Thursday, after Ottawa passed a bill requiring digital giants to pay for such content. Google, another critic of the Online News Act, has previously said it is considering a similar move. The two Silicon Valley giants have pushed back against the bill, which aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. "Exciting news! (No pun intended)," Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez tweeted after the bill passed a final hurdle in the Senate on its way to becoming law. He said Meta's decision to block news content was regrettable, but vowed to "defend Canadians against web giants." His office said officials met with Facebook and Google this week and looked forward to further discussions about the new law. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month slammed Meta for a trial run of blocking Canadian news content for some users, saying the company was being "deeply irresponsible and out of touch" for refusing to pay journalists for their work. Opposition to the bill, he said, was "flawed (and) dangerous to our democracy, to our economy." Google in February had also temporarily limited access to news for Canadian users of its popular search engine. In a statement on Thursday, Meta said it was "confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada." "The changes affecting news content will not otherwise impact Meta's products and services in Canada," it added. The new law requires digital giants to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information that is shared on their platforms, or face binding arbitration. It builds on Australia's New Media Bargaining Code, a world first, aimed at making Google and Meta pay for news content on their platforms. Australia, too, had accused the two companies, who dominate online advertising, of draining cash away from traditional news organizations while using their content for free. Big tech firms had fiercely opposed the Australian legislation initially, fearing it would threaten their business models, but with amendments it was easily passed by lawmakers. The post Meta says Canada news to be blocked after media bill passes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIF now or never
The chief obstructionist in the Senate, who was not even present when the voting took place after a marathon session that resulted in the approval of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill, is hysterically suggesting that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. veto the measure. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III claimed the bill, after going through deliberations in the chamber, was full of contradicting provisions. The position he has taken exposes his dense nature as a nitpicker who should not be in the Senate. He had the chance to work for the improvement of the bill but his priority as a member of the legislature, instead, was to block its passage. Now, Pimentel is throwing dirt on the bill which his colleagues had to stay up late for, until dawn, before the congressional break, to approve. The bill was sent to Malacañang for Marcos’s signature — which will be soon considering that the President has been adamantly pushing the creation of the fund — after both chambers of Congress approved the proposal Wednesday. The Chief Executive knows that the creation of the MIF is overdue as the economy’s toughest challenge is to generate investments. Yearly, the Philippines lags behind its neighbors in Asia in terms of enticing foreign capital. The MIF will be a magnet for serious investors who look at the long-term prospects of the economy. An economist said that for serious investors, the time to invest is now when most of the global market is bad. When activity picks up, the returns will be higher, the economist explained, to debunk the warning of its detractors that the MIF will be prone to bankruptcy. The wealth fund will primarily tap government income from resources such as the Malampaya royalties that were earlier reported as having been misused. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that income from resources can also be generated from the radio frequency bandwidth that should be auctioned off instead of being awarded by the government. “Why does the government just give it away to the telcos?” Diokno asked. Another possible resource is the reclamation projects which should also be auctioned off to generate income for the government, he said. The President’s economic managers dismissed contentions that the high debt level which became bloated during the pandemic would deter interest in the MIF. “The way to look at public debt is about the economy’s size. Like a household’s income, if a family earns P20,000 and you borrow P3,000, it is manageable, but if you’re not earning anything and you have a lot of debts then you’re in trouble,” Diokno said. The debt to GDP ratio is about 60 percent, which is fairly manageable based on the current standards compared to other countries which have a 200 percent to 300 percent ratio mainly as a result of spending for programs to address the effects of the pandemic. Many of the debts are long-term, some of which stretch to a maximum term of 40 years,” Diokno said. Now the International Monetary Fund accepts as reasonable a 70-percent debt level in comparison to the economic output. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN region, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and East Timor have their equivalent of a sovereign wealth fund and these are heavily contributing to their efforts to pull in the capital. Pimentel had blown up opportunities in the past to effectively lead the chamber due to his lack of political will in spearheading changes, which had led to his colleagues withdrawing their confidence in him. Now he is trying to project that lack of inner courage onto the President who has made the MIF his crusade, by calling on him to veto the bill and return it to the House of Representatives. Politics has been blamed for the nation’s failure to realize its full potential, which is best mirrored in Pimentel’s obstructionism. The Senate has put up enough safeguards for the MIF to be shielded from the threats of corruption. Moreover, the overwhelming support of the legislature for the sovereign wealth fund indicated the acknowledgment of elected officials of the need for the fund. Several foreign financing groups have indicated their interest in the MIF, which in themselves are opportunities that will be lost, perhaps with rival economies grabbing them, the longer that the approval of the MIF is delayed. The post MIF now or never appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl launches eGov Super App
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday asked government agencies to adopt e-governance to improve the delivery of services to the public as the country launched the eGov Super App, the country's first one-stop-shop platform for national and local government services. In his speech during the launching of the eGov SuperApp at Malacañang Palace in Manila, Marcos said that the government must keep up with the rapid pace of technological adoption and facilitate the development of interconnectivity infrastructure. "Our Government must keep up with that frantic pace, and it is frantic, and facilitate the rapid development of our interconnectivity infrastructure to allow our economy to ride the wave and open up an ocean of opportunities for prosperity," Marcos said. The President also stressed that the country "cannot compete on an even basis unless you are highly digitalized both in the private and public sectors." Marcos reiterated what he said during his first address to the nation last year: "We are in the midst of an age of exponential adoption of technology." He added that the Philippines had fallen behind in e-governance, citing a survey showing that only five percent of Filipinos do their transactions with the government online. "We cannot do (transactions) online with the government. We have to go to the office. We have to collect the birth certificate, documentation, and clearance, then go to the government office. They say: 'You're missing one document,' and the Filipinos must return to that office. And they do all of these things," Marcos added. To address this, Marcos said that the government is pushing for the passage of the E-Governance Act of 2022, which would promote the use of ICT in government operations. The bill –– which House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and Tingog Sinirangan Party-List Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre filed last June 2022 –– would establish a national e-governance framework and create a central agency to oversee its implementation. Marcos said that the E-Governance Act is "essential" to the government's goal of transforming the economy. "This is going to be another building block in the foundation of our economic transformation," Marcos said. He also mentioned the issuance of the national ID is critical or that is important or that's necessary for the conduct of business with the government. Now that the Department of Information and Communications Technology launched the eGovPH "super app," Marcos said the Philippines could compete with neighbors in the global market. "This is a very good step, and we will continue to push this; we will need the partnership, not only of our government agencies but also of the private sector because the private sector also has concerns in this regard, especially when it comes to cybersecurity," Marcos said. The e-GovPH super app, considered a one-stop-shop platform for local and national government services, could be downloaded in the Google Play and Apple application stores. Among transactions that could be done in the application include SIM registration, local government unit services, job application, tourism information, start-up empowerment, healthcare information, and feedback. To use all the application functionalities, one should sign up and undergo identity verification, including submitting a live selfie. Once the initial verification is complete, users will receive an eGov Digital ID and a QR code. However, according to DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, not all government agencies are currently integrated with the application. Still, efforts are underway to establish those connections. The post Phl launches eGov Super App appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Proposed IP Code amendments take aim at online piracy
A bill that seeks to amend the intellectual property code to combat online piracy is one step away from the House of Representatives' final nod. House Bill 7600, passed on second reading on Tuesday via viva voce, seeks to amend the Intellectual Property Code Of The Philippines by introducing stronger provisions to combat content online piracy. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the bill's proponent, said that cyber piracy, without enforcement measures, will kill digital creatives. The proposed measure aims to give authorities more power to crack down on pirated content, notably films, which is "the most piracy-prone component" of the industry. It allows content generators and the concerned public to file petitions to block websites featuring pirated online content. "In practical terms, it allows the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to receive complaints and petitions to take down infringed content posted online, or to conduct site blocking," said the economist-lawmaker. "The complaints can be heard in a simplified manner [but which] also adheres to the constitutional requirement of due process -- including the means for appeal. And within five days, the IPOPHIL can decide on the complaint, and 48 hours thereafter, compel an internet service provider to block the offending site," Salceda explained. If passed, the legislation will create a method for internet service providers to restrict websites that include pirated content. Likewise, it would be a major backer of the thriving Philippine streaming business as it strives to institutionalize measures limiting pirates' hiding sites under the guise of due process. "Copyright laws become impossible to enforce on viral content. So, the point of any intellectual property enforcement law in the digital age must be to prevent infringement before it becomes viral," Salceda said. The proposed revisions aim to make IP protection more proactive in the country by adopting powerful tools such as site-blocking, which Salceda believes is vital to intellectual property protection because the internet has sped the transfer of stolen content. The post Proposed IP Code amendments take aim at online piracy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Move over Corgis: Jack Russell becomes new royal top dog
Beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth II, corgis have become an enduring symbol of the British royal family. But there is a new breed on the block -- the plucky Jack Russell Terrier. Bluebell and Beth, two rescue dogs belonging to King Charles III's wife Queen Camilla, are the new hairy residents of Buckingham Palace. The pooches have been captured in photos with the queen consort and appeared in a portrait of the royal couple for their 15th wedding anniversary in 2020. "I think it's fair to say that the Jack Russell is probably going to increase in popularity," said Bill Lambert, spokesman for The Kennel Club. The governing body for all matters canine in Britain has noted a rise in registrations of new puppies. Ownership of corgis, Queen Elizabeth's constant companions throughout her 70-year reign, may "fall back a little bit", he added. According to Lambert, Jack Russells, like all dogs, enjoy company but they also like "a bit of luxury". Queen Camilla adopted Beth from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where she is the royal patron. Bluebell was rehomed from the same south London shelter some time later. Originally bred in the 19th century for fox hunting, the energetic Jack Russell Terrier is already a popular breed in Britain. At an agility training course for dogs, Lesley Roberts said she has owned Jack Russells for about 35 years. Sporting a purple collar, her pet Lorna jumped up and down impatiently in the hope of securing a treat. "I suppose it's quite a nice thing to have a royal dog," Roberts said with a laugh. The post Move over Corgis: Jack Russell becomes new royal top dog appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian strike kills nine, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine
Russia shelled a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, killing nine people, authorities said Saturday, including a two-year-old boy who was rescued from the rubble but died on his way to hospital. Friday's strike on the quiet neighborhood came as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill that will make it easier to mobilize citizens into the army and block them from fleeing the country if drafted. Russia also said it was pushing further into the hotspot of Bakhmut, 45 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Sloviansk, which is one of the cities that will be at risk if Kyiv loses the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Sloviansk lies in a part of the Donetsk region that is under Ukrainian control. According to Kyiv, it was struck by seven missiles which hit five buildings, five homes, a school and an administrative building. Vadim Lyakh, the head of Sloviansk's military administration, said Saturday that nine people died -- including a woman whose body was recovered from the rubble overnight -- and 21 were wounded. Five people were still under the rubble and their identities were established, he said. AFP journalists saw rescue workers digging for survivors on the top floor of the typical Soviet-era housing block, and black smoke billowing from homes on fire across the street. "A child died in an ambulance after being pulled out from the rubble," Ukrainian police said on Twitter. Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska sent her condolences to the child's family during this "indescribable grief". President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier denounced Russia for "brutally shelling" residential buildings and "killing people in broad daylight". The street below -- including a playground -- was covered in concrete dust and debris, including torn pages from school books and children's drawings. Shocked residents "I live on the opposite side of the street and I was sleeping a little when I heard this huge boom and I ran out from my flat," 59-year-old resident Larisa told AFP. "I was really scared and in a state of shock," she said, adding that the impact of the shelling had broken her windows and sent shards of glass flying throughout her home. "I heard a woman screaming, 'there's a child here, there's a child here' -- She was screaming so much." A resident nearby, who declined to give her name, told AFP the strikes had blown out her windows and dislodged her front door from its frame. "No one from our side of the building was injured but maybe someone here was," she said, pointing to a pool of blood next to another entrance of her building. Fresh mobilization drive More than a year after Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine, fears are high in Russia that the government is planning a fresh mobilization drive after a bill was rushed through parliament this week to create a digital draft system. Under the legislation, which Putin signed Friday, a draftee would be banned from travelling abroad and would have to report to an enlistment office once electronic call-up papers were received. Tens of thousands of men fled Russia last autumn after Putin announced a mobilization to prop up the forces in Ukraine. The strike on Sloviansk, which many residents have fled since Russia invaded, came as Moscow said it was pushing to take more districts of ravaged Bakhmut. The town has become a fixation of military commanders despite having little strategic value, leading to a brutal nine-month war of attrition. "Wagner assault units are conducting high-intensity combat operations to conquer the western districts of the city," the Russian army said in a statement, referring to the private paramilitary group. Russian airborne troops were "providing support to assault squads and halting the enemy's attempts to deliver ammunition to the city and bring in reserves", it added. Separately, an intelligence source said any pullout from Bakhmut would be slow and gradual because there was only a narrow escape path left. The post Russian strike kills nine, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian strike kills eight, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine
Russia shelled a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk on Friday, killing eight people, including a toddler who was pulled out of the rubble but died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital, authorities said. The strike on the quiet neighborhood came as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill that will make it easier to mobilize citizens into the army and block them from fleeing the country if drafted. Russia also said it was pushing further into the hotspot of Bakhmut, 45 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Sloviansk, which is one of the cities that will be at risk if Kyiv loses the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Sloviansk lies in a part of the Donetsk region that is under Ukrainian control. "21 people were wounded and eight people died," Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of the Donetsk region, said on Ukrainian television after the strike devastated an apartment building. He said the child who died was a boy. AFP journalists saw rescue workers digging for survivors on the top floor of the typical Soviet-era housing bloc, and black smoke billowing from homes on fire across the street. "A child died in an ambulance after being pulled out from the rubble," Ukrainian police said on Twitter. Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska sent her condolences to the child's family during this "indescribable grief". President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier denounced Russia for "brutally shelling" residential buildings and "killing people in broad daylight". The street below -- including a playground -- was covered in concrete dust and debris, including torn pages from school books and children's drawings. Shocked residents "I live on the opposite side of the street and I was sleeping a little when I heard this huge boom and I ran out from my flat," 59-year-old resident Larisa told AFP. "I was really scared and in a state of shock," she said, adding that the impact of the shelling had broken her windows and sent shards of glass flying throughout her home. "I heard a woman screaming, 'there's a child here, there's a child here' -- She was screaming so much." A resident nearby, who declined to give her name, told AFP that the strikes had blown out her windows and dislodged her front door from its frame. "No one from our side of the building was injured but maybe someone here was," she added, pointing to a pool of blood next to another entrance of her building. Russia pushes to take Bakhmut More than a year after Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine, fears are high in Russia that the government is planning a fresh mobilization drive after a bill was rushed through parliament this week to create a digital draft system. Under the legislation, which Putin signed Friday, a draftee would be banned from traveling abroad and would have to report to an enlistment office once electronic call-up papers are received. Tens of thousands of men fled Russia last autumn after Putin announced a mobilization to prop up the forces in Ukraine. The strike on Sloviansk, which many residents have fled since Russia invaded, came as Moscow said it was pushing to take more districts of ravaged Bakhmut. Despite having little strategic value, the town has become a fixation of military commanders, leading to a brutal nine-month war of attrition. "Wagner assault units are conducting high-intensity combat operations to conquer the western districts of the city," the Russian army said in a statement, referring to the private paramilitary group. Russian airborne troops were "providing support to assault squads and halting the enemy's attempts to deliver ammunition to the city and bring in reserves", it added. On Thursday, Moscow claimed to have cut off Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut. Kyiv denied the claim, saying it had access to its troops and was able to send in munitions. Ukraine has vowed to continue defending Bakhmut. But on the ground, Ukrainian sources near Bakhmut told AFP on Friday that Kyiv's forces were in a "difficult" position. "I know that many of our soldiers are missing, that positions were lost and it was impossible to evacuate or withdraw the troops," an army source said while adding that Ukraine was still "bringing in fresh people" into Bakhmut. Separately, an intelligence source said any pullout from Bakhmut would be slow and gradual, as there was only a narrow escape path left. The post Russian strike kills eight, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Laban vs disinformation, palalakasin ng media workers welfare bill – CHR
MANILA, Philippines – Umaasa ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) na palalakasin ng kakapasa pa lamang na proposed Media Workers Welfare Act sa Kamara ang laban kontra disinformation. “CHR acknowledges the bill’s measure on the responsibility of media entities in terms of possible gross negligence or malicious acts of block timers and media workers,” pahayag […] The post Laban vs disinformation, palalakasin ng media workers welfare bill – CHR appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
52 Texas lawmakers face arrest over walkout
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A top Texas lawmaker late Tuesday signed arrest warrants for 52 absent Democrats who walked out of the state’s House of Representatives last month in an effort to block a restrictive voting bill, US media reported. Republican state lawmakers in Texas voted earlier in the evening to allow the arrests. The warrants, […] The post 52 Texas lawmakers face arrest over walkout appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden warns of devastating consequences of Trump block on pandemic relief
US President-elect Joe Biden warned Saturday of "devastating consequences" if President Donald Trump continues to delay signing a COVID-19 economic relief bill passed by Congress......»»
Go assures assistance despite strict health protocols
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has continued to lend help to those in need of assistance while strictly observing proper health and safety protocols amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / MANILA BULLETIN) Go, through his office, distributed aid today to 26 families who were affected by the fire incident that ravaged properties and had one casualty in Astek Block 3 in San Joaquin, Pasig City. The chairman of the Senate health and demography committee said his staff provided immediate relief, such as food and financial assistance. The team also distributed face masks and medicines and gave away bicycles, specifically to fire victims.Go has earlier expressed his support for using bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation, especially at a time when public transportation is limited in many places in the country and at the same time promote a healthy lifestyle. “And, in fact, doon po sa mga nasunugan, tinatanong ko sila, hirap po sila… they’re having a hard time po sa transportation in going to their respective na trabaho po nila, so sabi ko, I encourage them to use bicycles. Minsan po namimigay po ako ng bisikleta sa kanila,’’he said. (I asked the fire victims, [and they said] they’re having a hard time in going to their respective works. I encourage them to use bicycles. I provided them with bicycles.) Government agencies also provided aid to the fire victims, particularly the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Local government officials were also present in each visit. “Walang tinitingnang oras o panahon ang pagtulong sa kapwa, lalong lalo na sa panahon ng pandemyang ito. Lagi kong sinasabi noon na kahit maging Senador man ako, kahit anong oras at pagkakataon, kapag kailangan ako ng aking mga kababayan, tutulong agad ako,’’Go said. (We don’t look at time when it comes to helping our fellowmen, especially now during this pandemic. I have always said before that even if I become a senator. Anytime, if I am needed by my countrymen I will help them.) Go had urged the national government to also provide proper face masks for the poor and to those who cannot afford. He also urged the government to enforce a stronger face mask-wearing policy in the country. Go also stressed that government must prioritize buying locally-made masks to save jobs, and provide it to those who cannot afford to buy their own masks to help save lives. The senator from Davao has also reiterated the need to pass the Senate Bill 204, or the Fire Protection Modernization Bill, to institutionalize the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)......»»
Claudine Barretto remembers ex-boyfriend Rico Yan on 22nd death anniversary
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Contagious pertussis disease continues spreading in Philippines
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The contagious pertussis has continued spreading in the Philippines, where it has caused at least 40 death cases, after a province near the capital region reported an outbreak of the disease. In a social media post on Wednesday night, the Cavite government posted a resolution declaring the province under a state of calamity "due to the outbreak of pertussis" after logging 36 cases an.....»»
LIST: Saint movies to watch this Holy Week
YouTube offers free access to films on the lives of Catholic Saints in time for the Holy Week. .....»»
EXPLAINER: Why did the Baltimore bridge collapse and what is the death toll?
(Reuters) -Divers recovered the remains of two of the six missing workers more than a day after a cargo ship smashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bodies of two men were found in a red pickup truck submerged in the icy waters of the Patapsco River. Rescuers pulled two workers from the water.....»»
Marian Rivera takes on projects that her children can watch
With her upcoming primetime show, “My Guardian Alien,” Marian Rivera has added sci-fi to the growing array of genres — from drama, fantasy, romance, and action to historical and comedy — that the Kapuso actress has successfully ventured into thus far......»»
House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»