‘Avoid stigma vs COVID-19 patients, close contacts’
The Commission on Human Rights reminded local officials yesterday to avoid policies that may instill stigma against those who test positive for COVID-19......»»
Oil prices jump as Hamas attack on Israel fuels supply fears
Oil prices rallied while the dollar and yen advanced Monday after Hamas launched a shock attack on Israel at the weekend, sparking fresh concerns about tensions in the Middle East. The crisis fanned concerns about supplies of crude from the region at a time when supply worries are already high owing to Saudi Arabia and Russia's output cuts. It has also renewed fears about the impact on inflation, with energy costs a key driver of spiking prices, giving a fresh headache to central banks as they try to ease up on interest rate hikes to avoid recessions. The surprise attack and Israel's declaration of war in response to it have left more than 1,000 dead and raised concerns that a potential broadening of the conflict could draw in the United States and Iran. "Key for markets is whether the conflict remains contained or spreads to involve other regions, particularly Saudi Arabia," said ANZ Group's Brian Martin and Daniel Hynes. "Initially at least, it seems markets will assume the situation will remain limited in scope, duration, and oil-price consequences. But higher volatility can be expected." Both main contracts surged more than five percent in early Asian business before easing back as the day wore on. However, SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes warned: "Historical analysis suggests that oil prices tend to experience sustained gains after the Middle East crises. "Meanwhile, stocks tend to eventually recover and trend higher after an initial period of volatility. Safe-haven assets like gold and Treasurys, which initially see gains during such crises, tend to fade from their initial price spikes as the situation stabilizes. "But with Middle East analysts considering this to be a pivotal moment for Israel, the view looks incendiary in any current scenario." A decidedly risk-off mood also saw investors push into the safety of the dollar, which was up against the pound and euro, as well as the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The yen, considered one of the safest currencies, strengthened against the greenback, though it still remains locked around 11-month lows. Gold, another key haven, gained more than one percent. Equity markets were mixed, with Shanghai dropping on its first day back after a week-long holiday as investors continue to fret over the stuttering Chinese economy. There were also losses in Mumbai, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok and Wellington, though Hong Kong rose as it opened in the afternoon, having been closed in the morning owing to a typhoon. Sydney and Jakarta eked out gains. Tokyo was closed for a holiday. London edged up at the open while Paris and Frankfurt were lower. The tepid performance came despite a rally on Wall Street, where traders welcomed data showing a forecast-busting jump in new jobs but wage growth slowing. The "Goldilocks" figures -- neither too strong nor too weak -- lifted optimism the world's top economy can avoid a recession even as the Federal Reserve keeps rates elevated. Still, there are worries the bank will hike one more time before the end of the year, with officials determined to bring inflation to heel and keep it at their two percent target. Key figures around 0715 GMT West Texas Intermediate: UP 3.5 percent at $85.69 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: UP 3.1 percent at $87.23 per barrel Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.4 percent at 17,552.01 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,096.92 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,518.16 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0540 from $1.0588 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2195 from $1.2234 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 149.15 yen from 149.30 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.49 pence from 86.52 pence New York - Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 33,407.58 (close) (Bloomberg News contributed to this story) The post Oil prices jump as Hamas attack on Israel fuels supply fears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Local elections guaranteed uninterrupted power
The upcoming elections of local officials, at least across the franchise area of the Manila Electric Co., the country's largest power distributor, will be free from power disruptions that could potentially impact the outcome of the activity. In a press statement on Monday, the company reported that it mobilized its team to respond to any electricity service concerns on the 30 October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. “Meralco will be on alert 24/7 to respond to any distribution-related problem until the conclusion of the election process," Meralco Spokesperson and Vice President for Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said. "Our crews will be deployed in strategic locations across its franchise area and will be ready to address any possible problem with electricity service,” he added. Among others, Meralco has inspected the electric facilities of close to 3,000 polling and canvassing centers, which include public schools and barangay halls, within its franchise area. It is also conducting maintenance activities for its distribution facilities to ensure stable and reliable electricity service on election day. The distribution utility has also trimmed trees, removed hazards that can obstruct power lines, and prepared over 300 generator sets as well as nearly 800 flood lights on standby in case there is an unexpected power interruption. Meralco also reminded personnel who will be manning polling and canvassing centers to refrain from plugging in unnecessary appliances to avoid octopus wiring, which can lead to overloading. The public, meanwhile, is urged to refrain from using balloons, firecrackers, confetti, party poppers, and the like near overhead lines and facilities to avoid tripping and power interruptions. The post Local elections guaranteed uninterrupted power appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors
Maricel Soriano inevitably became the recipient of tribute-like statements from her costars at the recent media conference for the psychological drama series Linlang, which premiered last Thursday, 5 October, on Prime Video. [caption id="attachment_194585" align="aligncenter" width="788"] MARICEL Soriano[/caption] The 58-year-old actress, called the Diamond Star in recognition of her illustrious career in Philippine movies that began in her childhood, made lasting impressions on younger colleagues Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, JM de Guzman and Kaila Estrada, as well as on an older castmate, Ruby Ruiz, while shooting the series. “She’s the Diamond Star for a reason,” Estrada exclaimed. Nodding, De Guzman said, “Naging challenge sa ’kin pagka magka-eksena kami. Nanonood ako sa kanya kasi sobrang galing. Nadadala ako sa scene (It became a challenge to be in a scene with her. She’s so good. I get carried away).” Avelino summed up his feelings for his senior co-star with “napakaraming respeto at paghanga (So much respect and admiration).” Soriano, who’s also called Inay by people close to her, just played it cool, even cracking jokes. “Wala bang cash?’ Puro na lang salita ang natatanggap ko (No cash? I only get good words),” she quipped. Accolades But the accolades kept pouring in, this time about how she can make a slapping scene so realistic that a fellow award-winning actress once said she literally saw stars after being slapped by Soriano. Chiu revealed that she has at least one slapping scene with Soriano in Linlang, which tackles marital infidelity and other forms of deception. “Sobra po akong natigalgal. Siyempre, di ba, pangarap ’yun ng isang artista na masampal ni Inay. Bucket list naming lahat ’yun. Bucket list, check! Ang lala! Baseball! (I was stunned. It’s every actor’s dream to get slapped by Inay. It’s in our bucket list. Mine is so strong, like being hit by a baseball).” Soriano then explained, “Mahirap kasing i-fake ’yun. Kailangang maramdaman ’yung galit ng nanay (It’s difficult to fake the emotions. I have to let out a mother’s anger).” In the story, she’s the mother of both De Guzman and Avelino’s characters. Chiu, on the other hand, plays the woman who comes between the two brothers. Ruiz, who takes on the role of Chiu’s grandmother, noted that Soriano gave “sobrang totoo n’yang emosyon (all-too-real emotions) in that slapping scene. Napakahusay ng pag-arte. Parang hindi umaarte (excellent acting, like not acting at all).” She expressed her fervent wish to work with Soriano again. “Hindi lang sampal ang gusto ko sa kanya. Umaatikabong acting (It’s not just a slap I want to get from her, but also the highest level of acting). Kung meron akong hindi malilimutan, ’yung friendship na nabuo namin ni Miss Maricel Soriano (If there’s one thing I won’t forget, it’s the friendship I’ve made with Miss Maricel Soriano).” Beyond the Diamond Star tag and image, Soriano is loved for her maternally caring ways, hence the pet name Inay. As De Guzman put it, “Parang nanay s’ya po talaga sa set. Inaalagaan n’ya po kami (She’s really like a mom on the set. She takes care of us).” Soriano herself gave examples of how she takes care of her wards, such as putting on baby powder and towel on their backs to avoid getting soaked by sweat. “Masaya ako, kaya looking forward ako na pumunta sa set nang maaga. Inaantay ko sila, ‘Anong latest? Naghahanap ako ng latest (I’m happy, that’s why I look forward to coming to set early. I wait for them, and then ask, ‘What’s the latest news?’).” Generous According to Chiu, “Very generous si Inay. Ang dami n’yang binibigay sa ’min, lalo na ’ko kasi magka-paa kami. So ang dami-dami ko nang sapatos na mamahalin galing kay Inay (She gives us a lot of stuff. I now have so many expensive shoes that were given by Inay).” Also, “Ang dami n’ya parating pagkain sa kuwarto n’ya, so pupunta lang kami do’n, tapos magkukuwentuhan kami and chikahan, gano’n (She has so much food in her room. We just go there and chat).” “Ang galing lang na makatrabaho ang isang (It’s great to work with) Maricel Soriano na ang tagal-tagal na sa industriya pero (who’s been in the business for so long, yet is so) down-to-earth and very accommodating to help ’yung mga artista na katulad namin (other actors like us),” Chiu added. For his part, Avelino said he takes the initiative to remind new actors, when they get the chance to work with Soriano, to a least introduce themselves, say hi and show respect to a much-esteemed pillar of the industry. The post Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What we know about the Hamas assault on Israel
Gun battles raged Sunday between Hamas militants and Israeli forces a day after the Islamist group launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, in a dramatic escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Hundreds of people have been killed on both sides since the Iran-backed Hamas launched the multi-pronged assault at dawn on Saturday, with Israeli forces fighting holdout militants and pounding the Gaza Strip with air strikes. This is what we know about the conflict so far: How it unfolded The army said hundreds of Hamas militants attacked Israel from around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, in an assault that also came 50 years after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The Islamist group fired thousands of rockets into Israel from Gaza as its militants used explosives and bulldozers to break through the fence surrounding the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Using motorbikes, pickup trucks, motorized gliders, and speed boats, the militants streamed into Israeli urban areas including Ashkelon, Sderot, and Ofakim, which is about 22 kilometers (13 miles) from Gaza. The gunmen attacked a rave party attended by hundreds of young Israelis near Kibbutz Reim, close to Gaza, Israeli media reported. Israel said Hamas has taken more than 100 hostages in Israel. They include an unknown number of Americans and Germans. The militants overran several locations inside Israel, including a Sderot police station where they engaged in a shootout with Israeli forces on Sunday. How Israel is responding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to reduce to "rubble" Hamas hideouts in Gaza, an impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people hemmed in by an Israeli blockade for more than 15 years. The army said it has deployed tens of thousands of soldiers to fight the militants who were still "on the ground" Sunday on Israel territory. It has also carried out air strikes on Hamas positions inside Gaza, in an operation it has dubbed "Swords of Iron". Army spokesman Richard Hecht said the air raids had struck 800 targets including Gaza tunnels, buildings, and other infrastructure. The military said it aims to rescue Israeli hostages and then evacuate the entire region within 24 hours. Almost 1000 killed Israel says Hamas gunmen have killed more than 600 people and wounded over 2,000 in Israeli cities, towns, and kibbutz communities. AFP journalists have seen the bullet-riddled bodies of civilians lying on the streets in at least three locations in Israel: the city of Sderot, the nearby kibbutz of Gevim, and Zikim beach north of the Palestinian coastal enclave. An unknown number of people were reportedly killed at the rave. On the Gaza side, at least 370 people have been killed and more than 2,200 wounded, taking the combined toll to almost 1,000 dead. A British man who had been serving in Israel's army was among those killed in the Hamas attack, his family said. Two Ukrainian women who had been living in Israel were also killed, Ukraine said. Thailand has said two of its citizens were killed, while Cambodia reported the death of a Cambodian student. What Hamas said about the offensive Hamas said it fired 5,000 rockets in an offensive it has branded "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood". Its chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday vowed to press ahead with "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons". Hamas has called on "resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as in "Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle. Early on Sunday, Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah said it launched missiles and artillery shells into northern Israel "in solidarity" with the Hamas offensive. The Israeli army said it retaliated with artillery fire. Elsewhere, media outlets in Egypt said a policeman opened fire on an Israeli tour group in the northern city of Alexandria on Sunday, killing two Israelis and one Egyptian. How the world has reacted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned "in the strongest terms" Hamas' attack on Israel and called for "diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration". The West, much of which has designated Hamas a "terrorist" organization, has also condemned the Islamist group's assault on Israel. President Joe Biden said the United States support for its key ally Israel was "rock solid and unwavering". The White House said on Sunday he had ordered "additional support" for Israel. The European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said: "I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel." Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said the Islamic Republic supported the Palestinians' right to self-defense and warned Israel must be held accountable for "endangering the security of nations in the region". Russia has called for an "immediate ceasefire". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who strongly supports the Palestinian cause, on Sunday urged both sides "to support peace". Saudi Arabia appealed for an "immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, protection of civilians, and self-control". The post What we know about the Hamas assault on Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CAAP intensifies airport security amid bomb threats
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Thursday said that it has heightened the security of all its 42 commercial airports after the Air Traffic Service received a warning via email that planes leaving Manila for Puerto Princesa, Mactan-Cebu, Bicol, and Davao International Airports are about to be detonated by a bomb. Following the information, all airports were immediately ordered to intensify security measures while verification process is under way. CAAP Security and Intelligence Service assistant director general II retired MGen. Ricardo Banayat and all CAAP airports and area centers should augment appropriate security personnel to meet the anticipated high volume of passenger and vehicle traffic. Stringent access control procedures for both personnel and vehicles will be implemented, accompanied by thorough inspections of passengers and cargo. CAAP-CSIS personnel are also collaborating closely with the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group and military authorities, intensifying intelligence and monitoring operations with other security units. Continuous foot and mobile patrols are also being conducted within both the airside and landside areas of the airport complex. Meantime, Airport Security Coordination meetings will also be convened with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the strict implementation of security measures aimed at preventing any unlawful interference with civil aviation. In order to avoid any difficulty, they also advise international travelers to get to the airport at least three hours prior to their departure as CAAP also urged the general public to comply fully with security agents and to exercise caution when visiting the airport. “Our primary priority continues to be safety and security, and these steps are being taken to protect everyone who uses our airports,” CAAP said. Meantime, the Manila International Airport Authority assured the traveling public that it had instituted measures to ensure the safety of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport passengers, flights and facilities. Foot and mobile patrols are in place, and K9 units are doing the rounds of the terminals as added measures to their already established day-to-day protocols. The MIAA is also in close coordination with the PNP-AVSEU and pertinent government law enforcement units tasked with validating any threat to national security. The post CAAP intensifies airport security amid bomb threats appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New mission: BuCor reform
Following his tenure as chief of staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2015, retired four-star General Gregorio Pio Catapang chose to settle in Pampanga. Here, he embraced a simpler life as a farmer, relishing in the delights of native chicken, fresh produce, and the serene natural surroundings. “I am an environmentalist, so I decided to stay in Arayat, Pampanga, to be a farmer upon my retirement in October 2015, and I prayed, ‘Lord, it has been mission accomplished, so give me a new mission,’” Catapang narrated. The former military chief, the AFP’s 45th from July 2014 to 2015, is not a stranger to close encounters with mortality. Throughout his extensive service in the Philippine Army, from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, he has endured several clashes with enemies, even more than one could count with the fingers. He held major positions in the AFP as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division — the Army’s largest unit, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, 703 Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade, among others. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His rise to prominence was not without hitches because he barely survived nine brushes with death. His strong faith in the Lord enabled him to be alive today. “The first incident that I encountered that almost ended my life was when I fell from the second floor of our house when I was just a kid; the second was when I was in the field where a provincial bus liner rammed the car I was in,” Catapang said. He was airlifted from Basa Airbase to V. Luna General Hospital and eventually transferred to Quezon City Medical City as he continued to bleed due to his severe injuries. “The doctor told me not to sleep because I might turn into a coma. So I fight on as the doctors continue to treat me,” he added. While still recovering, with his facial wounds still not yet fully healed, he was called by his commander to report back to work. “Nakangiwi pa ako dahil sa sugat (I was still grimacing in pain), but as a soldier, I followed the order, and that was then I realized that he was teaching me how to become chief of staff,” Catapang said, adding that as a good soldier, he had to endure the pain. He recalled that a chopper ride in the mountains of Cagayan also nearly took his life as it flew at 1,000 feet and traveled 18 knots. “The chopper is already old. I just have to make the sign of the cross as the chopper made a low-altitude flight due to poor visibility. We plunged downward, and I thought it was the end for me. But thankfully, the chopper normalized, and we safely landed,” he said. While in a restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga, Catapang said he was informed that NPA (New People’s Army) rebels would ambush him. “We ate at a chicken restaurant in Angeles and received information that I would be ambushed on returning to our camp. It was retaliation for the death of eight commanders of the NPA after movement patterns were detected based on information from barangay chairpersons,” he said. He cannot forget, too, that during the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the roof of the building they were occupying collapsed due to the accumulated volcanic ash. Catapang, named after two generals — Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar — led his soldiers in helping the indigenous peoples in the area, giving them food, clothing, and other necessities. “The natives very loved us because of that,” he added. He said he is thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from the all-out war against Muslim secessionists in Mindanao. It almost ended his life, but he survived with solid faith in the Lord. Throughout his life, he consistently believed that prayers are always answered, particularly when reciting the rosary. Proof was when he fervently prayed to the Lord to allow him to marry his first girlfriend, and his request was granted. He married Maria Lourdes and has three children. Catapang’s early life lacked the excitement it later encompassed. He was a typical teenager. He attended high school at the Claret School of Quezon City. Shortly after graduating from PMA, he pursued graduate courses at the University of the Philippines. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, an accountant at the Department of Finance, from whom he learned the value of public service. As a military officer, Catapang rallied the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP’s slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO” — three key words that spell out the Do’s and DON’T’s to become proficient in fire and maneuver and avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and the rule of law, and the rules of engagement. Catapang moved on with his career and retirement life, carrying an excellent performance standard, exemplary leadership and a keen vision. Answered post-retirement prayer After retiring from active military service spanning 34 years, he received a divine blessing through a new mission. Following seven years of working as a farmer, he experienced a life-altering moment on the evening of October 19, 2021. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla gave him an offer to lead the Bureau of Corrections. Unaware of the challenges that awaited him within the BuCor, especially at the New Bilibid Prison, he accepted the offer. It was only later that he discovered the appalling issues of corruption among the prison staff and the dire condition of the overcrowded facilities. Under the guidance of Secretary Remulla, Catapang’s mission to reform the BuCor is yielding positive results. They are actively organizing culminating activities to release eligible individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. To alleviate the overcrowding in the jail facilities, the BuCor is actively organizing and implementing various reforms. The main goal is to transfer all persons deprived of liberty from the maximum security compound of the NBP to new facilities outside of Metro Manila. Catapang is confident plans will come to fruition, as they have already presented their long-term reform plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. “At present, the reformation of BuCor is in full swing. I am confident we will accomplish and make things happen,” he said. The NBP, he said, is undergoing a significant transformation. The plan is to shut down the NBP in Muntinlupa and repurpose the area into a new business district similar to Bonifacio Global City in the southern part of Metro Manila. Explaining the reason behind the decision, he said high-end residential communities surround the current location of the NBP in Muntinlupa. To align with the surrounding environment, the intention is to close down the NBP and relocate all inmates to regional jail facilities nationwide. Catapang shared plans to dedicate eight hectares of land within the NBP to improve the living conditions of the settlers and provide them with opportunities for reintegration into society. “We will build condominium units for the settlers at the NBP, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, multipurpose facilities, and the like. Repair of residential houses is no longer possible, including power lines, so we decided to allocate the lands for them,” he added. The government will optimally use the land area by developing it into a business and government center, aligning with the DoJ’s plan. To support the food security initiatives of the President, he said they have already started the cultivation of approximately 10 hectares of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony. The aim is to grow rice and high-yield crops, contributing to the government’s long-term food security plans. “Hopefully, this will be done also to other penal farms of BuCor because we have ample lands for cultivation,” Catapang said. For the BuCor Director General who refused to be defined by limitations and setbacks, the relentless spirit and passion for reforms radiate triumphs against the most formidable odds. The post New mission: BuCor reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl can do without China — Bersamin
Executive Secretary Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said that the Philippines can live without China despite their strong economic ties, adding that the country should avoid being dependent on its Asian neighbor. Nonetheless, Bersamin said in a recent TV interview that Philippine-China relations have many aspects, and that he is not in a position to talk about them because of his closeness with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “We are dealing with issues diplomatically. It is still possible for us to go with China, but about the economic viability of our relations or the economic dimensions if we were to go against China. You know, we can’t say that we are dependent on China,” Bersamin said. “China might be our trading partner or supplier, or it gives us some products that we may need, but we should not be too dependent on China. I don’t think China will even want us to be dependent because China knows that we have a multilateral approach,” Bersamin added. Bersamin’s statement comes as the Philippines is facing increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea. China has been militarizing islands and reefs in the disputed waters despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims. He maintained that the Philippines has exclusive rights to the fisheries and natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, which China is claiming as part of its nine-dash line territory (recently expanded to 10-dash line) in the South China Sea. “That’s probably why China is acting like that. But beyond that, we do not want to have a conflict with China. We do not want to provoke a conflict with China because we can coexist with China,” Bersamin said. He refused to contrast the Marcos administration with the previous Duterte government, which was seen to be close to China. “I don’t want to compare,” he said. “We leave that to the Presidents to make those decisions, the directions that they take.” Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that China has become the Philippines’ primary trade partner. As of May, total exports to the Philippines reached $6.44 billion, with China having 16.6 percent of the trade volume. The post Phl can do without China — Bersamin appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’
Executive Secretary Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said that the Philippines can live without China and that it should avoid overdependence on its Asian neighbor despite the two countries' strong economic ties. In a recent interview with journalist Ka Tunying, he asked Bersamin whether the Philippines is dependent on China. He responded that the question has many aspects and that he is not in a position to speak about it because he is too close to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. However, Bersamin did say that the Philippines is dealing with the issue of its relationship with China diplomatically. He also said that it is still possible for the Philippines to go with China but that the country should not be too dependent on its Asian neighbor. "We are dealing with (several) issues diplomatically. It is still possible for us to go with China, but about the economic viability of our relations or the economic dimensions if we were to go against China. You know, we can't say that we are dependent on China," Bersamin said. "China might be our trading partner or supplier, or it gives us some products that we may need, but we should not be too dependent on China. I don't think China will even want us to be dependent because China knows that we have a multilateral approach," Bersamin added. Bersamin's statement comes when the Philippines is facing increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea. China has been militarizing islands and reefs in the disputed waters despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its claims. When asked if he thinks China needs the Philippines more than the Philippines needs China, Bersamin said that the Philippines has exclusive rights to the fisheries and natural resources in that area. "Perhaps China is acting this way because they know that in the eyes of other countries, we are the ones who should be recognized as having the exclusive right to own these fisheries and natural resources in that area," Bersamin said. "That's probably why China is acting like that. But beyond that, we do not want to have a conflict with China. We do not want to provoke a conflict with China because we can coexist with China." Ka Tunying, meanwhile, said that more countries are siding with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute because the current administration is being more transparent about what China is doing. "The biggest news today regarding China's aggression is that more countries are siding with us because this administration is becoming transparent about what China is doing in the WPS (West Philippine Sea). Did you notice that during the previous administration, they intentionally did not report what China was doing because we didn't want to upset China back then?" Ka Tunying asked Bersamin. Bersamin said that he was not paying much attention to the issue during the previous administration. Still, he said that he wants to avoid comparing the two administrations' foreign policy directions. "I don't want to compare," he said. "We leave that to the Presidents to make those decisions, the directions that they take," he added. Despite the dispute, the Philippines and China have maintained close economic ties. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that China has become the Philippines' primary trade partner, representing a significant portion of the nation's exports and serving as the leading provider of imported products. As of May, exports reached a total of $6.44 billion, with China carrying out 16.6 percent of total exports during the month. Import costs, meanwhile continued to surpass export receipts, hitting $10.84 billion during the month. China was also the country's biggest source of imported goods, supplying 24 percent of the country's total imports. The post Bersamin: ‘Phl can live without China’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Franco’s Spain: a long and haunting dictatorship
What was one of Europe's longest-running dictatorships comes under scrutiny on Friday as a victim of alleged torture by the forces of General Francisco Franco testifies for the first time in a Spanish court. AFP looks back at the dictator's repressive 36-year legacy, which continues to divide Spain nearly half a century after his death in 1975. Civil War Franco rose to power during the Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936 when he led a coup against the country's left-wing Republican government. A three-year battle for control of Spain ensued, pitting Franco's Nationalist rebels, backed by fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, against the Soviet-backed Republicans. The Nationalists won the conflict, which ended in 1939 with hundreds of thousands of dead. Among the killing sites was the Basque town of Guernica, which was bombed by German war planes -- an atrocity immortalised in a haunting painting of the same name by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. In his book "The Spanish Holocaust", historian Paul Preston estimated that 200,000 people died in combat during the conflict, and another 200,000 were murdered or executed -- 150,000 at the hands of the Nationalists. Atrocities were also committed by the Republican side. After WWII broke out, Franco held talks with Hitler on joining the Axis Powers but ultimately decided against direct military involvement. Executions and stolen babies Franco ruled for another three decades with the backing of the military and the Catholic Church. During his first five years in power, he executed tens of thousands of Republican prisoners and dumped their bodies in mass graves. Spain's prison population shot up, and half a million people fled the country as their property was seized. Newborns were snatched from opponents and poor families to be passed on to couples unable to have children, many of them close to Franco's regime. Campaigners estimate there were thousands of "stolen babies" over the decades. Reckoning with the past After Franco's death on November 20, 1975, King Juan Carlos succeeded him as head of state and led the transition from dictatorship to democracy. The authorities opted for a "pact of forgetting" over the dictatorship's crimes, to avoid a spiral of score-settling between Franco supporters and opponents. For decades, all attempts to bring Franco-era officials to justice were blocked. A major shift took place under Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has driven efforts to commemorate those who died or suffered violence or repression during the civil war and dictatorship. One of his most controversial moves was to remove Franco's remains from a vast hillside mausoleum north of Madrid that drew a steady stream of right-wing sympathizers and move them to a more discreet family tomb. Right-wing parties have accused Sanchez of needlessly dredging up the past and vowed to reverse a new law that commits the state to searching for victims of the dictatorship buried in unmarked graves. The post Franco’s Spain: a long and haunting dictatorship appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 Popes: JP2, Benedict, Francis
Author’s Note. My perspective in this article is as a Catholic. Readers are warned that the Catholic Church is as human as it is divine. The human frailty and errors among Popes and Cardinals should not scandalize the faithful into leaving the Church, join the growing non-Catholic sects, led by the Born Again movement, and deepen the crisis. Rather, we should pray for the human Church to have the grace to reform itself. Note also that the term “Conservative” and “Liberal” are used as generic terms and do not necessarily apply to certain individuals. There is a vast rainbow of theological positions among Popes and Cardinals. St. Pope John Paul II or “JP2” (1978-2005) was a staunch Liberal. When Vatican journalists exposed the “Vatican mafia,” dominated by Conservatives, who embezzled Vatican Bank funds on a massive scale, JP2 shrewdly chose Conservative Cardinal Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI) to contain his fellow Conservatives. Ratzinger partly succeeded, for which he was labeled the “German Shepherd,” but the Conservatives had been too big and powerful in the last few centuries to be easily extinguished totally. When JP2’s Parkinson’s disease worsened, Ratzinger advised him to resign. Instead, JP2 formed a commission to handle the Vatican mafia problem. The commission also gave him the same advice — resign. So it was a dead-end in the effort to weed out the mafia. When Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013), he still could not control his fellow Conservatives, especially the powerful Roman Curia, the central government of the Catholic Church. The corrupt Cardinals were the modern-day Pharisees who were causing a Church crisis, which was prophesied by Our Lady of Fatima. Benedict was forced to resign because he was helpless in handling the Vatican Bank scandals and the growing pedophile epidemic, two raging Church issues. In the latter, there were growing cases of pedophile prelates, from priests to cardinals, who were simply transferred to other dioceses to cover up their crimes, where they continued their evil ways. Thus, the pedophile epidemic spread even more. The cases were swept under the rug, until a massive avalanche of court cases, especially in Europe and America, was bleeding the Vatican coffers dry. Pope Benedict, before resigning, wanted the next Pope to solve the problems that he failed to solve. He chose Cardinal Bergoglio (future Pope Francis). But Bergoglio was a staunch Liberal and Benedict a staunch Conservative. Their theological perspectives were like oil and water. In spite of this, in despair, Benedict campaigned for Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis (2013-present). Benedict knew Bergoglio would easily win because he was a close runner-up in the last Papal conclave (election) where he was elected Pope. In spite of their differences, Benedict and the future Francis became intimate friends as they forged a strategy to contain the growing Church crisis. The movie “Two Popes” accurately featured the drama of their violent debates and gentle friendship. When the Liberal Bergoglio became Pope Francis, he was the first Jesuit Pope of history. The Jesuits have been the epitome of radical reforms ever since the days of the Counter Reformation (1517), a response to Luther’s Reformation, the largest splinter of the Church ever. The Jesuits led the era of counter-reforms to restore the Church. Upon ascending to St. Peter’s chair, the Liberal Pope Francis quickly suppressed the Conservatives in a deadly Blitzkrieg, especially in the Roman Curia, within six short months, shocking the Vatican media. Francis did it quickly but not totally, and he paid a dear price for it. The Conservatives exacted deep vengeance that led to the accusations of Papal “heresy” and “blasphemy’.” An eye for an eye. This was the “apostasy” (civil war) that Our Lady of Fatima also prophesied. That Satan works within the Vatican to cause havoc is a theological fact and a matter of history. Some Church historians point out that the Inquisition was the prime example of the work of the devil, where thousands were randomly beheaded without trial. Do not fret about the Church crisis. God is on top of that situation. We need only to pray for everyone, on both sides of the civil war, and God will take care of everything in His time in His way. Avoid joining the theological debates which tend to confuse. It is better to remain neutral in such complex theological issues. Let the Conservatives and Liberals fight it out. Faith has two aspects — the intellectual and the spiritual, the mind and the heart. On the mind level, it is easy to be confused (dogma, canon law, etc.). You have to prove or disprove. But on the heart level, everything becomes crystal clear, because it is simply a matter of faith. “Praise to you, Oh Father, for what you have hidden from the wise, you have revealed to little children” Luke 10:21. The post 3 Popes: JP2, Benedict, Francis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift announces film of massive ‘Eras’ tour
Didn't score tickets for Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour? Never fear -- the culturally defining juggernaut will hit movie theaters with a concert film released on 13 October. "The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I'm overjoyed to tell you that it'll be coming to the big screen soon," Swift said on social media Thursday. "Eras attire, friendship bracelets, singing, and dancing encouraged." The giant AMC movie chain is vowing that each of its theaters across the United States will play the film at least four times a day on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets are on sale now. The company said it had upgraded its website and ticketing services to "handle more than five times the largest influx of ticket-buying traffic the Company has ever experienced before." "But AMC is also aware that no ticketing system in history seems to have been able to accommodate the soaring demand from Taylor Swift fans," the statement added, warning that customers may experience delays and outages. Earlier this year botched sales for Swift's wildly popular tour wreaked havoc, prompting a congressional hearing over Ticketmaster's purported anti-competitive practices. And while "Eras" tickets reached thousands of dollars, fans will be able to nab movie viewings at $19.89 for adults, $13.13 for children and seniors, plus tax. As of Thursday morning, the website for AMC showed that opening weekend tickets in the New York area was already close to selling out. A few hours after Swift's announcement, the release of Universal's sequel to the horror classic "The Exorcist" was pushed up a week to avoid clashing with the concert film. "Look what you made me do. The Exorcist: Believer moves to 10/6/23 #TaylorWins," producer Jason Blum posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The 33-year-old Swift wrapped the North American leg of her global tour with four shows in Mexico and will pick back up in Argentina in November, with plans to tour into the end of 2024. With 146 total stadium dates, it is expected she will set the record for the first billion-dollar tour, with trade publication Pollstar estimating she's selling some $14 million in tickets per show. Swift's team does not report box office numbers. The current record-holder is Elton John, whose "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour, which began in 2018, ultimately made $939 million. The post Taylor Swift announces film of massive ‘Eras’ tour appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We are afraid’: Violence-hit Ecuador votes under heavy security
Heavily-armed security officers kept watch Sunday as Ecuadorans voted in a presidential election marked by the murder of a top candidate and despair over the lawlessness that has engulfed the once-peaceful nation. Polls closed after a tense day, with soldiers and police searching voters at the entry to polling stations, while some of the eight presidential candidates wore helmets and bulletproof vests to cast their ballots. The small South American country has in recent years become a staging for foreign drug mafias seeking to export cocaine, stirring up a brutal war between local gangs. The murder of serious presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio on the campaign trail less than two weeks before the vote underscored the challenges facing the country. "The most serious problem is insecurity," said voter Eva Hurtado, 40, as she left a polling station north of the capital Quito on Sunday morning. "So many crimes, assassinations, disappearances. We are afraid." "Security, above all the security of our families, of our people, must be improved," said public worker Luis Veloso, 52. Villavicencio's killing has reshuffled the electoral cards, with none of the eight contenders expected to get an absolute majority -- likely forcing a runoff on October 15. Ecuadorans voted for a successor to conservative leader Guillermo Lasso, who called a snap election to avoid an impeachment trial just two years after coming to power. - Lawyer, reporter, sniper - Leading the polls before Villavicencio's murder was Luisa Gonzalez, 45, a lawyer from the leftist party of former president Rafael Correa. Villavicencio, who was polling second before his murder, was replaced at the last last minute by a close friend, another journalist, Christian Zurita, who witnessed his gunning down. Hours ahead of the vote, Zurita said he was receiving death threats on social media. "The threats against my life and my team will not stop us, but they are forcing us to take greater security protocols," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding that his party had alerted authorities and election observers. Political analysts say the candidate who has seen the biggest boost to his popularity is 40-year-old right-wing businessman Jan Topic. Nicknamed "Rambo," the former paratrooper and sniper with the French Foreign Legion has vowed to wipe out criminal gangs and build more prisons, emulating El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. While casting his ballot, Topic urged voters to elect "the candidate who has the experience, the will, and the plan to eradicate violence in the country." Other leading candidates are right-wing former vice president Otto Sonnenholzner and leftist Indigenous attorney Yaku Perez. In one of the world's most biodiverse countries, two key referendums are taking place on Sunday alongside the election. One will ask voters to choose whether to continue oil drilling in an Amazon reserve that is home to home to three of the world's last uncontacted Indigenous populations. Another focuses on whether to forbid mining activities in the Choco Andino forest. "I feel bad voting in favor of oil exploitation, but Ecuador lives off this oil," said electrician Magdalena Maurisaca. - Brutal gang war - Ecuador was once seen as a haven of peace wedged between cocaine-producing nations Colombia and Peru. The small country straddles the Andes and the Amazon, and was best known as the world's top exporter of bananas and home to the biodiverse Galapagos Islands, where British scientist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. However, in the past five years its large ports, lax security and corruption have lured foreign cartels that have come under increased pressure from the war on drugs in Mexico and Colombia. A struggle for power between local gangs has mostly played out in prisons, where 430 have been killed since 2021, leaving a trail of dismembered and burned bodies. "Ecuadorans are going to vote with three feelings: fear of insecurity... pessimism regarding the economic situation and distrust of the political class," political scientist Santiago Cahuasqui of the SEK International University told AFP. In 2022, the country hit a record of 26 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, higher than the rate in Colombia, Mexico or Brazil. Voters will also elect members of the 137-seat parliament. Initial results are expected to trickle in late Sunday, with a final tally expected in 10 days. To win in the first round a candidate must capture 40 percent of the vote or come 10 points ahead of their nearest competitor. The new president will take office on October 26 and will serve only the remainder of Lasso's term, a year and a half. bur-fb/dw © Agence France-Presse The post ‘We are afraid’: Violence-hit Ecuador votes under heavy security appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Peso weakens vs. the greenback on Fed bets
The Philippine peso weakened against the US dollar on Friday as the latest US inflation reading boosted hopes the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates next month. Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed that the local currency closed at P56.315 on Friday, 0.095 weaker than Thursday's P56.22 close. The local unit opened Friday's session at P56.23 per dollar. Its intraday best was at P56.10, while its worst showing was at P56.34 against the greenback. Dollars traded rose to $1.43 billion on Friday from $1.24 billion on Thursday. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said that the BSP has the means to stabilize the peso-dollar exchange rate over the coming months. The purpose of the BSP's involvement, according to Remolona, is to "avoid destabilizing swings in exchange rates that tend to upset the markets and make them worry about the peso in the future." "This tends to weaken the peso, so we have judiciously intervened when things get too crazy in the foreign exchange market," Remolona said. The post Peso weakens vs. the greenback on Fed bets appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remolona: ‘Be careful not to hike too much’
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona underscored the need for careful consideration before making any decisions on tightening the monetary policy despite inflation easing for the sixth consecutive month and other non-monetary measures that the economic managers laid out. In a recent interview with reporters, Remolona acknowledged that the country is already close to its full capacity with the current state of the economy. His remarks imply that any additional interest rate hikes must be approached cautiously to avoid excessive tightening that could impede economic growth. "If we could hike, we have to be careful not to hike too much. Maybe just a little for now," Remolona said ahead of the upcoming Monetary Policy meeting on 17 August. The BSP Governor stressed the importance of data-driven decisions, stating that a pause in rate hikes is warranted if the economic data is inconclusive or contradictory. "We don't want to raise just because we feel like raising. We want to know why we are raising," Remolona said. Addressing concerns about the potential impact on the country's GDP growth target, which aims for 6 to 7 percent growth this year, the BSP Governor reiterated the importance of data consistency and accurate analysis. "Usually the pause is because we want to reassess, and if the data that come are not quite consistent with each other or we're kind of scratching our heads about what is really happening, the thing to do is to pause," he explained. "We don't want to raise just because we feel like raising. We want to know why we're raising," Remolona added. When asked about the influence of the recent Federal Reserve interest rate hike on the BSP's decision-making, Remolona pointed out that the Monetary Board has already considered the Federal Reserve's 25-basis-point increase in their data analysis. He further explained that the narrowing of the differential between the target country and the reverse repurchase transactions policy rate typically weakens the Philippine Peso. However, he noted that market participants are optimistic about the stable peso as the differential is not expected to narrow further in the next few meetings. When asked about the influence of the recent Federal Reserve rate hike, Governor Remolona reassured that the Monetary Board had already considered the data analysis. For context, the Federal Reserve raised its rates by 25 basis points, narrowing the differential between the target country and the Philippines' RRP policy rate. "Looking at the meetings, it doesn't look like the differential will narrow further. That's why the peso remains stable despite the hike of the Federal Open Market Committee," Remolona said. The post Remolona: ‘Be careful not to hike too much’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bautista’s CLA mandate ‘ultra vires’, says source
The order of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista for shipping lines to avoid charging container deposits from brokers and importers, and subscribe instead to the Container Ledger Account, or CLA, is “ultra vires” or imposing powers beyond his capacity to do so, a source in the logistics industry said. “The SoTr (secretary of transportation) cannot validly issue an order adopting the CLA “ultra vires.” The Office of the Secretary has only direct line supervision and control over the department’s regional offices. The DoTr proper shall be responsible for developing and implementing the department’s policies, plans, programs, and projects,” a source who sought anonymity told Daily Tribune. The source said Anti-Red Tape Authority chief, Atty. Ernesto V. Perez admitted the CLA did not undergo a Regulatory Impact Assessment by ARTA. “The CLA is not being imposed by way of regulation by a government agency. But if a stakeholder can show that (the regulation) is being imposed by a government agency-DoTr, then we can ask that it be subjected to an RIA. Otherwise, if it is only an option and the shipping lines are not required to use the CLA, then there is no regulation by DoTr to be subjected to RIA,” the source said. “The closest agency with authority over shipping lines (other than PPA) is Marina, and it does not have any regulatory power over shipping lines,” the source added. Moreover, the source revealed, quoting a report from PortCalls, 20 shipping lines are now subscribers of CLA, including COSCO Shipping Lines (Phils.) Inc., Sinotrans (Uni-ship), Hyundai Merchant Marine (Philippines) Co. Inc., and Kyowa Shipping Lines (Skybest Logistics). He said other shipping lines that are currently subscribed to the CLA include BLPL Singapore, CK Line, Concorde Container, Eagle Express Lines Inc. (RCL South Phils.), Federated Cargo Line, Lancer Container, Macro Ocean Philippines Inc., MBF Carpenters, New Zealand Line, Oceanus Container, OOCL Philippines Inc., Samudera Shipping, Sarjak Container Lines, Southern Star Agencia Maritima Inc. (Namsung Shipping), KMTC (Phils.) Corp., and RCL Feeders Phils. Inc. CLA subscribers AISL allies? Meanwhile, the source said most of the CLA subscribers have a close alliance with the Association of International Shipping Lines. “You can check all those shipping lines that signed up with CLA. If not most, all have only one ship agent, AISL President Patrick Ronas. Not all shipping lines are AISL members. With this DoTr directive, they require all shipping lines to adopt the AISL system,” the source added. CLA is an online system that aims to simplify and speed up container deposit refunds. “Only 19.86 percent of shipping lines are subscribed to CLA. They want the remaining 80 percent also to subscribe. That’s a regulatory capture,” the source said. AISL, the source said, had been pushing for the implementation of the CLA since 2021 to contradict the performance of the PPA Administrative Order No. 04-2021 or the Trusted Operator Program- Container Registry and Monitoring System. The TOP-CRMS, currently deferred for implementation by Philippine Ports Authority Board chaired by Transportation Secretary Bautista, is said to be the answer to the overcharging of container deposits by international shipping lines, which cost the logistics industry roughly P23 billion in 2022 alone. In his 12 July 2023 letter to Joseph Collantes, operations manager of RCL Feeder Pte. Ltd., and Jesus Sedano, owner’s representative of RCL Feeder Pte. Ltd., Bautista directed shipping line operators to discontinue the container deposit practice, as the issue of delays in refunds of container deposits and unreturned deposits in the millions of pesos continued to burden and create financial difficulties for many importers that have now become an industry problem. “Discontinue container deposit practice or continue to collect container deposits contingent upon the ability to refund within 14 days and subscribe to container deposit from CLA subscribers or other providers that offer equivalent services. The cooperation and commitment of all parties will address these perennial industry concerns and significantly reduce logistics costs in the Philippines,” Bautista’s letter read. The post Bautista’s CLA mandate ‘ultra vires’, says source appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon Falcon strengthens, enhances ‘habagat’
Typhoon Falcon's enhancement of the southwest monsoon or "habagat" will bring a significant amount of rain in the next three days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Monday In its latest weather bulletin, PAGASA said "Falcon" has maintained its strength as it moves north-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour on Monday morning—with its center last tracked over 1,045 km east of extreme Northern Luzon. It packs maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. PAGASA said "Falcon" may exit the Philippine area of responsibility between Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening. It is forecast to further intensify over the next two days and may reach its peak intensity Tuesday or on Wednesday. When outside the PAR region, the typhoon will turn west-northwestward and pass close— with landfall not ruled out—over Okinawa Islands in the Ryukyu archipelago between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning while gradually decelerating. The "Falcon"-enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon and Visayas. ‘Falcon’ is the sixth cyclone to hit the Philippines this year. PAGASA said the hoisting of Wind Signal due to "Falcon" over any locality in the country remains “unlikely” based on the current forecast scenario. However, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring gusty conditions over Zambales, Bataan, the central and southern portions of Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and most of Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region and Western Visayas on Monday. Gusty conditions will prevail in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, the central and southern portions of Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and most of Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region and Western Visayas throughout on Tuesday. On Wednesday, gusty conditions will be experienced in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, the western portion of Northern Samar and most of Western Visayas. The typhoon-enhanced "habagat" will bring moderate to rough seas over the coastal waters along the northern (1.2 to 2.8 m), western (2.5 to 3.5 m), and southern (1.5 to 3.0 m) seaboards of Luzon. PAGASA advised mariners of small seacraft to take precautionary measures when venturing over these waters. “If inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels, avoid navigating in these conditions,” it warned. The post Typhoon Falcon strengthens, enhances ‘habagat’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Record heatwaves sweep the world from US to Japan via Europe
Record heat is forecast around the world from the United States, where tens of millions are battling dangerously high temperatures, to Europe and Japan, in the latest example of the threat from global warming. Italy faces weekend predictions of historic highs with the health ministry issuing a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna, and Florence. The meteo center warned Italians to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time". The thermometer is likely to hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Rome by Monday and even 43C on Tuesday, smashing the record of 40.5C set in August 2007. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia could wilt under temperatures as high as 48C, the European Space Agency warned -- "potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe". Greece is also roasting. "Parts of the country could see highs as much as 44C on Saturday," according to the national weather service EMY. The central city of Thebes sweated under 44.2C on Friday. The Acropolis, Athens's top tourist attraction, will on Sunday close during the hottest hours for the third day running. In France, high temperatures and resulting drought are posing a threat to the farming industry, earning Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau criticism from climatologists on Saturday for having brushed aside conditions as "normal enough for summer". June was the second-hottest on record in France, according to the national weather agency, and several areas of the country have been under a heatwave alert since Tuesday. There is little reprieve ahead for Spain, as its meteorological agency warned Saturday that a new heatwave Monday through Wednesday will bring temperatures above 40C to the Canary Islands and the southern Andalusia region. Killer rains Parts of eastern Japan are also expected to reach 38 to 39C on Sunday and Monday, with the meteorological agency warning temperatures could hit previous records. Meanwhile, the northern city of Akita saw more rain in half a day than is typical for the whole month of July, Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported. The downpours also triggered at least one landslide, forcing 9,000 people to evacuate their homes. Torrential rains described by the meteorological agency as the "heaviest rain ever experienced" have also hit southern Japan in recent weeks, leaving at least 11 people dead. Relentless monsoon rains have reportedly killed at least 90 people in northern India, after burning heat. The Yamuna River running through the capital New Delhi has reached a record high of 208.66 meters, more than a meter over the flood top set in 1978, threatening low-lying neighborhoods in the megacity of more than 20 million people. Major flooding and landslides are common during India's monsoons, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. Americans are watching as a powerful heatwave grip stretches from California to Texas, with its peak expected this weekend. In Arizona, one of the hardest-hit states, residents face a daily endurance marathon against the sun. State capital Phoenix recorded 15 straight days above 109F (43C), with Saturday expected to reach well above that mark. Deadly danger Authorities have been sounding the alarm, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to be wary of dehydration. The Las Vegas weather service warned that assuming high temperatures naturally come with the area's desert climate was "a DANGEROUS mindset! This heatwave is NOT typical desert heat". "Now the most intense period is beginning," it added, as the weekend arrived with record highs threatening on Sunday. California's Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, is also likely to register new peaks Sunday, with the mercury possibly rising to 130F (54C). Southern California is fighting numerous wildfires, including one in Riverside County that has burned more than 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) and prompted evacuation orders. Further north, the Canadian government reported that wildfires burned a record-breaking 10 million hectares this year, with more damage expected as the summer drags on. Morocco may be used to hot weather, but it was slated for above-average temperatures this weekend with highs of 47C in some provinces -- more typical of August than July -- sparking concerns for water shortages, the meteorological service said. River Tigris shrinking Water-scarce Jordan was forced to dump 214 tonnes of water on a wildfire that broke out in the Ajloun forest in the north amid a heatwave, the army said. In Iraq, where scorching summers are common, along with power cuts, Wissam Abed told AFP he cools off from Baghdad's brutal summer by swimming in the Tigris river. But as Iraqi rivers dry up, so does the age-old pastime. With temperatures near 50C and wind whipping through the city like a hair dryer, Abed stood in the middle of the river, but the water only comes up to his waist. "I live here... like my grandfather did before me. Year after year, the water situation gets worse," said the 37-year-old. While it can be difficult to attribute a particular weather event to climate change, scientists insist global warming -- linked to dependence on fossil fuels -- is behind the multiplication and intensification of heat waves in the world. The heatwaves come after the EU's climate monitoring service said the world saw its hottest June on record last month. The post Record heatwaves sweep the world from US to Japan via Europe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU urges keeping cats, dogs inside over bird flu
The European Food Safety Authority called on Thursday for cat and dog owners to keep their pets inside in response to record cases of avian influenza across the world after 24 cats tested positive in Poland. Since first emerging in 1996, the H5N1 avian influenza virus had previously been confined to mostly seasonal outbreaks. But "something happened" in mid-2021 that made the group of viruses much more infectious, according to a World Health Organization collaborating center studying influenza in animals. In rare cases, humans have contracted the sometimes deadly virus, usually after coming in close contact with infected birds. The virus has also been detected in a soaring number of mammals. "It is recommended to avoid exposure of domestic cats and dogs, and in general carnivore pets, to dead or diseased animals," EFSA said in a bulletin. "Possible measures are keeping dogs on a leash, and confining cats indoors in areas where extensive circulation of HPAI viruses in wild birds has been confirmed." In recent weeks, five dogs and a cat have been infected in Italy. Since 10 June, 24 cases have been reported in domestic cats in various regions of Poland. The source of the contamination has not yet been determined, with one hypothesis being that they may have ingested raw poultry meat infected with the virus. In April, the United States started testing several vaccine candidates for potential use on birds. France recently said it hopes to start vaccinating poultry as early as autumn this year. Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said that vaccinating poultry was not "a silver bullet because the virus changes constantly". The post EU urges keeping cats, dogs inside over bird flu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Blinken on rare Beijing visit in bid to lower temperature
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday began the highest-level trip by a US official to China in nearly five years as the two powers looked to notch down the temperature in an escalating rivalry. Both sides have voiced guarded hope of improving communication and preventing conflict, with the world's two largest economies at odds on an array of issues from trade to technology and regional security. Officials though have played down hopes of a major breakthrough during Blinken's two days in Beijing. Blinken was originally scheduled to visit in February but abruptly scrapped his plans as the United States protested -- and later shot down -- what it said was a Chinese spy balloon flying over its soil. US President Joe Biden played down the balloon episode as Blinken was heading to China, saying: "I don't think the leadership knew where it was and knew what was in it and knew what was going on." "I think it was more embarrassing than it was intentional," Biden told reporters Saturday. Biden said he hoped to again meet President Xi Jinping after their lengthy and strikingly cordial meeting in November on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Bali, where they agreed on Blinken's visit. "I'm hoping that, over the next several months, I'll be meeting with Xi again and talking about legitimate differences we have but also how there's areas we can get along," Biden said. The two leaders are likely to attend the next G20 summit, in September in New Delhi, and Xi is invited to travel to San Francisco in November when the United States hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Blinken will see top Chinese officials including over a banquet at the state guesthouse in the ancient Diaoyutai gardens. He has said he would seek to avoid "miscalculations" and to "responsibly manage" relations with the country identified by US policymakers across party lines as the greatest challenge to Washington's global primacy. "Intense competition requires sustained diplomacy to ensure that competition does not veer into confrontation or conflict," Blinken said Friday in Washington. - Array of disputes - The United States and China are at odds over a slew of issues including trade, technology and Taiwan. Beijing has not ruled out seizing Taiwan by force and has conducted military drills twice since August near the self-governing democracy, in response to top US lawmakers' actions. Ahead of Blinken's visit, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the United States needed to "respect China's core concerns" and "give up the illusion of dealing with China 'from a position of strength'". Beijing has been especially irritated by Biden's restrictions on the export of high-end semiconductors to China, with the United States both fearing their military application and eager to prevent the communist state from dominating next-generation technologies. In a rising domestic priority for the United States, Blinken is expected to press China to curb precursor chemicals sent to Latin America to produce fentanyl, the powerful painkiller behind an addiction pandemic that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. "We're going to discuss this issue directly, and we're going to be looking for steps to reduce the scale of the problem," said a US official traveling with Blinken. Washington has also lashed China over human rights, with Blinken's visit the first by a cabinet member since the United States formally accused Beijing of genocide against the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority. - Keeping allies close - As part of the Biden administration's focus on keeping allies close, Blinken spoke by telephone with his counterparts from both Japan and South Korea during his 20-hour trans-Pacific journey. Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, traveled to Tokyo for separate three-way meetings involving Japan and both South Korea and the Philippines. In recent months the United States has reached deals on troop deployments in southern Japan and the northern Philippines, both strategically close to Taiwan. Blinken before departure also met in Washington with his counterpart from ally Singapore, who voiced hope that the United States would stay as a power but also find ways to coexist with a rising China. Blinken's "trip is essential, but not sufficient", Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said. "There are fundamental differences in outlook, in values. And it takes time for mutual respect and strategic trust to be built in." Blinken is the first top US diplomat to visit Beijing since a stop in 2018 by his predecessor Mike Pompeo, who later championed no-holds-barred confrontation with China in the final years of Donald Trump's presidency. The Biden administration has gone further than Trump in some areas, notably semiconductors, but has remained open to cooperation in limited areas such as climate. Experts say China sees more predictability with Biden than with Trump, who is running for president again next year. Danny Russel, the top diplomat on East Asia during Barack Obama's second term, doubted Blinken's brief trip would resolve fundamental differences. "But his visit may well restart badly needed face-to-face dialogue and send a signal that both countries are moving from angry rhetoric at the press podium to sober discussions behind closed doors." sct/je/leg © Agence France-Presse The post Blinken on rare Beijing visit in bid to lower temperature appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gains outweigh differences
In the dialogues between Chinese and Philippine officials, the guiding principle is the oft-repeated credo that “differences are not the total of relations.” This has worked well as a guidepost while the territorial conflict increasingly becomes a complicated issue. As the situation in the region heats up, economic ties remain in constant flow that has even progressed with the start of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, which is now the biggest economic bloc in the world. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. even indicated that the ties with China had improved, during his January visit to Beijing in which the West Philippine Sea disputes took a back seat. The contending parties have created a parallel track for the economy and diplomacy in that the two issues develop independently of each other. Taking a similar track was how China was able to achieve the paradox of a socialist political order while its economy exploded through capitalism. Marcos had recognized the logic of a twin approach that keeps relations warm despite the divergence. During his January visit to Beijing, the Chief Executive said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had committed to work for ways “to move forward, to avoid possible mistakes, misunderstandings that could trigger a bigger problem than we already have.” Marcos raised to Xi the case of Filipino fishermen who had been denied access to their traditional fishing areas by China’s navy and coast guard. Xi promised BBM “a compromise that will be beneficial.” Marcos described the evolving deal with China as similar to what the country has with the US. Trade with the United States has grown due to preferential tariffs instead of direct aid. Maintaining such a relationship allows both China and the Philippines to avoid the “elephant in the room,” which is the heightened maritime conflict. A stable relationship with Beijing then becomes possible while still protecting the interests of the Philippines. Marcos said the key is keeping the lines of communication open. Thus, it will deter “unfortunate incidents that we see, such as blocking our fishermen from our fishing grounds, and intimidation of our maritime forces.” A main component of the mechanism with China is a hotline between both Presidents which he said both sides were “still working on.” “As long as we continue to engage all our partners, not only China, in an open, available system to communicate, provoking a more serious situation than it already is now can be avoided,” according to the President. China remains the biggest trading partner of the Philippines as a result of shared interests in business. In several cases, both countries are intricately linked mainly because of the low prices of Chinese manufactured imports and a huge export market that beats the United States due to its proximity. In 2022 alone, the trade volume between both countries reached $87.7 billion. China and the Philippines share an interest in expanding ties. The imperative of close relations is also the consequence of the complementing quality of the workforce in which China’s population is fast aging with a median age of 38.4 compared to the Philippines’ 25.7 years. The country’s demographic sweet spot translates to a likely source for the dwindling number of workers of the giant economy. In terms of both countries’ development, the deepening relationship with China outweighs the two nations’ differences. The post Gains outweigh differences appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»