We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged
In three months, the Philippines will be hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the biggest and most prestigious basketball tournament in the world. The joint bid of the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan bested other European countries and won hosting rights, with a promise to deliver a “world-class” tournament. This marks the second time for the country to host the World Cup — the first was in 1978. According to FIBA Archive, the PH line-up included Ramon Cruz, Bernardo Carpio, Alexander Clarino, Steve Watson, Edward Merced, Federico Israel, Federico Lauchengco, Nathaniel Castillo, Gregorio Gozum, Leopoldo Herrera, Cesar Yabut and Cesar Teodoro. The team was coached by Nicanor Jorge. During the assembly meeting, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis highlighted the crucial role that the Philippines will play in hosting the World Cup. “We play this year our biggest event, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 3 Asian countries — and this will be the first time in three countries combining together almost 500 million people. It will be an unprecedented event in terms of quality for the players and the fans,” he said. For this year, our very own Gilas Pilipinas is set to compete with 31 other teams. As the lead host, the Philippines will organize all the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final games featuring the top 8 teams, while Japan and Indonesia will co-host the competition of eight teams each. Preparations are in full swing, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio, who also was recently elected as the Second Vice President in the FIBA Asia board for 2023-2027. Commenting on his election, Panlilio was quoted as saying: “It is an honor to be elected in the board of members of FIBA Asia to help the federation continue promoting the game of basketball and camaraderie in the region and the world,” acknowledging the huge responsibility to push for the development of new projects in Asia that would elevate the level of basketball competitions in the region. In recent years, FIBA has embraced a comprehensive approach to basketball development, encompassing various formats such as 5x5, 3x3, women’s tournaments, and youth competitions. This progressive strategy aims to nurture talent at all levels, providing opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds and promoting inclusivity within the sport. By embracing these multifaceted endeavors, FIBA is actively shaping the future of basketball, ensuring its continuous growth and global appeal. As a passionate basketball enthusiast, I am filled with immense excitement for this opportunity to host the prestigious FIBA World Cup. This historic event not only signifies our nation’s love for the sport but also holds the promise of remarkable growth and advancement in basketball programs under the visionary leadership of Panlilio and other esteemed members of the FIBA board. The future of basketball in our country looks brighter than ever before. Moreover, the Philippines stands poised not just to relish the rewards of the World Cup in the realm of sports, but to make an indelible mark on the country’s revenue generation through travel and tourism. The tournament’s influx of visitors from around the globe will serve as a significant catalyst, bolstering the local economy and showcasing the Philippines as a premier destination for international travelers. Case in point – a FIBA study showed that when the World Cup was hosted by Spain in 2019 before the emergence of Covid-19, it raked in $396 million or P22.6 billion in revenues while only setting an operational budget of $38.6 million or P2.2 billion. The upcoming international sports competition holds tremendous promise for uplifting the Philippines on multiple fronts – as a host, in the realm of basketball, and within the tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Regardless of our personal fanhood, I urge everyone to stand united in wholeheartedly supporting our team – Gilas Pilipinas. Our unwavering backing will serve as a powerful catalyst in boosting their confidence, enabling them to represent our country with pride and strive for victory. Together, we can make a resounding impact and proudly wave our flag on the global stage while bringing forward the kind of relationship we Filipinos have with the sport, profoundly anchored on one word – PUSO. The post 2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA sole government agency to win Gold Quill award
Of the 395 entries worldwide, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority is the only Philippine government agency that bagged the most coveted 2023 Gold Quill Award of Excellence for its innovative annual report publications in the past three years. By pushing innovation to improve public’s access to information as well as telling stories behind financial data and technical reports to make it more appealing to its audiences, the “One Nation, One Legacy” BCDA annual report series from 2019 to 2021 met the high standards of the International Association of Business Communicators’ Seven-point Scale of Excellence, taking home the Gold Quill Award of Excellence in Publications. “This is not an ordinary feat for the Philippine government. At a time where many people and organizations were overwhelmed, this recognition demonstrates how important impactful, innovative and clear communication is to its stakeholders. We are humbled by this award that puts BCDA among the ranks of the best communicators in the world. Our vow is to continue setting the bar by reporting accurate financial and operational performances that are accessible and engaging to the public,” said BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa. Deviating from traditional government reports, BCDA’s “One Nation, One Legacy” series went beyond the usual financial statements by including human interest stories and eye-catching infographics and visuals anchored on corporate governance, business development, project management, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to communicate BCDA’s role as a catalyst of national growth and provider of economic opportunities for Filipinos. “We Win As One” (2019) featured New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “We Heal As One'' (2020) focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the pandemic. And lastly, “We Build As One” (2021) highlighted how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Clark International Airport terminal. For more than 40 years, IABC’s Gold Quill Awards have recognized and awarded excellence in strategic communication worldwide. The Gold Quill Awards honor the dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale with a focus on achieving solid business outcomes. Since 2008, more than 5,000 projects have been entered in the Gold Quill Awards. The IABC Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication excellence globally, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. The post BCDA sole government agency to win Gold Quill award appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trump found liable for sexually abusing writer
A New York jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday for sexually abusing and defaming an American former magazine columnist and ordered the ex-president to pay her $5 million in damages. The nine jurors rejected E. Jean Carroll's accusation of rape but unanimously upheld her other complaints in the closely watched civil trial, following less than three hours of deliberations. It marks the first time Trump has faced legal consequences over a string of sexual assault allegations dating back decades -- and the former leader immediately rejected the verdict as a "disgrace." Carroll, 79, sued Trump last year, alleging that he raped her in the changing room of the luxury Bergdorf Goodman store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in 1996. The former columnist for Elle magazine also claimed that Trump defamed her when he called her "a complete con job" after she went public with the allegation in 2019. Trump, the 76-year-old frontrunner for the Republican nomination in next year's presidential election, called her case a "hoax" and "a lie." The jury determined that Carroll had proved sexual abuse -- effectively sexual contact without consent -- by a preponderance of the evidence and awarded her $2 million. The six men and three women on the jury also said Trump should pay Carroll nearly $3 million for defamation. Following the verdict, Carroll left the Manhattan federal court smiling but did not speak to reporters. "We're very happy," said her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan. Trump slammed the outcome on his social media platform Truth Social. "I have absolutely no idea who this woman is," he wrote, using all capital letters. "This verdict is a disgrace -- a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time." Trump's 2024 campaign team said in a statement that the case was a "political endeavor" intended to derail Trump's bid to regain the White House, and that he would appeal. Carroll told the two-week-long civil trial that the assault had left her feeling "ashamed" and unable to have romantic relationships. She said it took her more than 20 years to go public because she was "frightened" by Trump. Her lawyers called to the witness stand two other women who testified that Trump sexually assaulted them decades ago. Former businesswoman Jessica Leeds said that Trump groped her in the business class section of a flight in the United States in the 1970s. Journalist Natasha Stoynoff said Trump kissed her without her consent during an interview at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2005. Around a dozen women accused Trump of sexual misconduct ahead of the 2016 election that sent him to the White House. He has denied all the allegations and has never been prosecuted over any of them. No criminal case can stem from Carroll's lawsuit. Trump did not testify during the proceedings, nor did his defense team call any witnesses. A video of a sworn deposition he gave in October was played to the jury. In it, Trump called Carroll "a liar" and "really sick person." His lawyers argued that Carroll invented the allegation "for money, for political reasons, and for status." She filed her lawsuit under a New York law that gave victims of sexual assault a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers decades after attacks may have occurred. The burden of proof in civil proceedings is lower than in criminal trial cases when prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was one of several legal challenges threatening to complicate Trump's bid to regain the presidency -- although the Republican's supporters have broadly stayed loyal to their champion up until now. Last month, Trump pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star just before the 2016 vote -- allegedly to cover up an affair. Trump is also being investigated over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021. The post Trump found liable for sexually abusing writer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SCTEX logs highest revenue collection
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A total of P3.26 billion worth of toll revenues was recorded by the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway in 2022, the highest ever since the opening of the expressway in 2008. According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the record-high collection in 2022 surpassed the P2.23- billion toll revenue collection from 2021 as it cited that their highest recorded toll revenue collection before 2022 was in 2019 when the toll revenue collected was recorded at P2.6 billion. “The toll collection in 2022 is 45.92 percent higher than the previous year and is 25.38 percent higher from the previous highest recorded revenue collection, which was in 2019,” the agency said. The BCDA, builder and owner of the SCTEX, cited that the influx of road users is due to the lifting of the pandemic-related border restrictions in 2021. The agency added that the SCTEX was favored among motorists due to its uninterrupted serviceability of the major road network. “As more people go on ‘revenge travel’ and more business operations return back to normal, we saw an increase in traffic volume in SCTEX. The BCDA is optimistic that this trend will be sustained as we continue to bounce back from the pandemic,” said BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen Zosa. In 2022, the average daily traffic in SCTEX exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching 70,894 as compared to 70,538 in 2019. This was also 25.78 percent higher than the 2021 average daily traffic of 56,362. The increase in traffic and toll revenues from SCTEX’s operations in 2022 also resulted in the highest concession fees received by the BCDA from its operations and maintenance partner, NLEX Corp. Last year, the BCDA’s share in SCTEX’s revenues stood at P1.63 billion, 58.83 percent higher than the 2021 level of P1.03 billion. Cumulatively, concession fees collected from NLEX Corp. reached P7.8 billion since 2008. The concession fees collected by BCDA enabled the government to cover its debt payments to the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which provided the financing support for the construction of the expressway amounting to 59.04 billion Japanese Yen. The 93.7-km SCTEX serves as a vital link between the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac. It has been instrumental in the transformation of Central Luzon into a world-class logistics and transshipment hub, opening doors to greater opportunities in investment, trade, and employment, and propelling economic growth in the region. The post SCTEX logs highest revenue collection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cantlay-Schauffele set records but Clark-Hossler keep PGA lead
Reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay set records on Friday but the US duo of Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler held the lead at the PGA Zurich Classic. Defending champions Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth and fifth in the world respectively, combined to shoot a tournament-record foursomes round of nine-under-par 63 in the second round of the only PGA pairs event. "Xander putted great and hit a lot of really nice wedge shots and pitches," Cantlay said. "Left me three feet and in a couple of times and made a bunch of mid-range 15-20 footers, which is exactly what you need to do to shoot nine-under par." Clark and Hossler, who opened with a 61 in four-ball (best ball) to share the 18-hole lead, added a 67 to top the leaderboard at 16-under 128, one stroke ahead of compatriots Doc Redman and Sam Ryder and South Korean Im Sung-jae and American Keith Mitchell at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale. Americans Schauffele and Cantlay were in a fourth-place pack of five duos on 130 as play finished just before dark after a storm delay of just over 2 1/2 hours. Schauffele and Cantlay, who won two matches together at last year's Presidents Cup and the 2021 Ryder Cup, combined for seven birdies and an eagle. That broke the old 18-hole pairs foursomes record of 65 set by Spain's Jon Rahm -- the top-ranked Masters winner who is off ahead of next week's PGA Mexico Open title defense -- and American Ryan Palmer in 2019 and matched last year by Australians Jason Day and Jason Scrivener and South Africans Branden Grace and Garrick Higgo. "Xander is really good, and I can play well," Cantlay said. "It helps that we're friends, but when you get two world-class players together and we both have a day where we're on like today, we can post a low one." Cantlay and Schauffele, who won last year with a 72-hole record 29-under 259 total, started on the 10th hole Friday with back-to-back birdies. They followed with birdies at 13 and 16 and eagled the par-5 18th to set a nine-hole tournament foursomes record with a 30 -- a mark later matched by Americans Nick Hardy and Davis Riley. "Pat sent a drive right down the center, left me 256 yards and hit a hybrid up on the green," Schauffele said. "He didn't need any help reading the putt. He just knocked it right in." They also birdied the first and second holes and added another at the fifth. Clark and Hossler, also back-nine starters, birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 13th, then the par-5 second and par-4 fourth. They birdied the par-5 seventh after the delay. The post Cantlay-Schauffele set records but Clark-Hossler keep PGA lead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Whispers, hints, and non-denials ahead of supposed Biden 2024 launch
No one at the White House will openly tell you Joe Biden is announcing his 2024 re-election campaign next Tuesday. And no one will tell you he isn't. Including Joe Biden. Asked by AFP as he crossed a sun-drenched Rose Garden on Friday whether he was announcing, the president playfully answered: "I don't know." Welcome to the Biden mystery reveal party. Here's what we know. Major US media, led by The Washington Post, quoted multiple unnamed sources late Thursday saying Biden, 80, will declare his candidacy next week -- possibly Tuesday. There are big caveats, namely that the Biden camp has several times previously teased an imminent announcement, then failed to deliver. January, February, start of April -- each deadline, when people in the know said they knew, came and went. This month, Axios quoted more unnamed sources saying that a decision might be put off for months, until after the summer. The latest speculation is different for its specificity and immediacy. And so far, no one -- named or unnamed -- is denying it's true. Tuesday happens to be the anniversary of the day in 2019 when Biden launched the campaign he ultimately rode to defeat Donald Trump in 2020. The symbolism of a new announcement, particularly when Biden's main challenger presently is none other than Trump, would be strong. No mention of election events is on the White House schedule for Biden next week. But his agenda would work nicely with an announcement, especially if it's just a video address, as the US media reports expect it to be. Monday, Biden will preside over a teachers of the year ceremony. He'll also host three Democratic lawmakers from Tennessee whose gun control protest in the state legislature became a national focal point for frustration over unending mass shootings. Public education and attempts at gun control are both major Biden priorities. On Tuesday, possibly the re-election announcement day, he is set to address a trade union conference on one of the main leitmotifs of his expected campaign message -- how his administration is "bringing manufacturing jobs back" and "rebuilding the middle class." Then on Wednesday, he hosts South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state dinner. The event will underline Biden's far-reaching attempts to strengthen US foreign policy by restoring alliances that withered under Trump. Just don't try asking White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre if Biden is about to pass go. She immediately ducks behind a US law, the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from being involved in political campaigns. "I know there's a lot of interest in this. Obviously, I totally understand this, the questions about all of this, the press reports that we have seen the last 24 hours," she said at the start of her daily briefing on Friday. "When it comes to the president's plans for 2024, I just want to say... federal law prohibits me from discussing campaign-related topics from this podium." Her attempt to stonewall triggered attempts by reporters to ask the election question in ever more novel ways. "Does the president have any plans to mark the fourth anniversary of his announcement?" asked one. "Who will be able to address questions about 2024?" asked another. "It's not a 2024, not a Hatch Act-type question," began another, prompting Jean-Pierre to burst out laughing and retort: "That's what you think." "I don't have anything to say about 2024," Jean-Pierre summarized. "Either way, it's not going to come from this podium." The post Whispers, hints, and non-denials ahead of supposed Biden 2024 launch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA marks new milestone
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority recently clinched two Gold Awards from the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards as the agency continues to intensify efforts on uniting people. The BCDA won the award for its innovative storytelling and creative design in the highly prestigious award. The “One Nation, One Legacy” BCDA annual report series from 2019 to 2021 was awarded the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Annual Reports. Meanwhile, the annual report of “We Build As One” garnered the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Government Publications. According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa, these awards signify additional feathers to BCDA’s cap, three years after winning two bronze medals in the 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for the 2018 Annual Report, “Clark. It Works. Like A Dream,” and the BCDA external newsletter, “Collective.” She added that the annual report is an important tool to connect the BCDA and its stakeholders as the agency continues to look for ways to make their content more accessible and engaging. “With these publications, we ask our readers to look beyond the data and see how BCDA’s accomplishments are also the accomplishments of the Filipino people. All these, while not forgetting to exercise transparency and accuracy in reporting our financial performance, as is our duty as a government institution,” Zosa said. “We are happy and very honored that the vastly prominent Stevie Awards has recognized our efforts. This inspires us to carry on with our task of ensuring effective communication with our stakeholders, including the military, our investors, and the public,” she added. Adopting elements of a lifestyle magazine both in terms of content and design, BCDA’s One Nation, One Legacy annual report series tells the story of BCDA and how its projects have impacted Filipinos before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The reports include human-interest stories anchored on corporate governance, business development, project management, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to communicate BCDA’s role as a catalyst of national growth and provider of economic opportunities for Filipinos. “We Win As One” (2019) featured New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “We Heal As One” (2020) focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the pandemic and lastly, “We Build As One” (2021) highlighted how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Clark International Airport terminal. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The post BCDA marks new milestone appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US guardsman to appear in court over Pentagon documents leak
A 21-year-old national guardsman was due to appear in court on Friday, authorities said, after he was arrested on suspicion of leaking a trove of sensitive US government secrets. Jack Teixeira, an employee of the US Air Force National Guard, was to make an initial appearance in a Massachusetts federal court, a district court official told AFP. His dramatic arrest was broadcast live on US TV networks Thursday following a week-long investigation into one of the most damaging leaks of classified information since the 2013 dump of National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden. US Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters Thursday that Teixeira had been arrested "in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information." News footage of the operation in the southern Massachusetts town of North Dighton showed the suspect dressed in red shorts and a T-shirt with his hands behind his head, backing slowly toward rifle-armed, camouflage-clad law enforcement personnel who took him into custody. Police in the small town in the northeastern state sought to reassure the community about the heavy law enforcement presence, saying in a statement that there was "no threat to public safety." The US National Guard Bureau said Teixeira had enlisted in September 2019 and was an IT and communications specialist who reached the rank of airman first class -- the third-lowest for enlisted air force personnel. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a statement praising the Justice Department and FBI "for their swift arrest in connection with this investigation." Austin added that he was ordering a "review of our intelligence access, accountability, and control procedures within the (Defense) Department to inform our efforts to prevent this kind of incident from happening again." Teixeira's arrest came a day after The Washington Post reported that hundreds of pages of documents had been posted on the social media platform Discord by a man who worked on a US military base. Top secret material According to The New York Times, a "trail of digital evidence" pointed to Teixeira as the leader of the private group on Discord, called Thug Shaker Central, where the documents surfaced. The embarrassing security breach has revealed US unease over the viability of a coming counteroffensive by Kyiv's forces against Russian troops as well as concerns about Ukrainian air defenses and pointed to US spying on allies including Israel and South Korea. President Joe Biden addressed the leak earlier on Thursday during his visit to Ireland, saying he was "concerned". US media reported that the Biden administration is seeking to beef up its monitoring of social media sites and chat rooms after intelligence agencies failed to spot the leaked documents online for weeks. The Pentagon has also "begun to limit who across the government receives its highly classified daily intelligence briefs," CNN reported on Thursday. The alleged leaker reportedly went by the nickname "OG" and regularly posted documents in the chat group in question for months. The group of around 24 people, including some from Russia and Ukraine, bonded over their "mutual love of guns, military gear, and God," and formed an "invitation-only clubhouse in 2020 on Discord," reported the Post -- which like the New York Times cited unidentified members of Thug Shaker Central. OG told the group members that he spent "some of his days inside a secure facility that prohibited cellphones and other electronic devices," the Post report said. He first wrote down the contents of classified documents to share with the group, but later began taking photos, telling other members not to share them, the newspaper reported. OG had a "dark view of the government," and "spoke of the United States, and particularly law enforcement and the intelligence community, as a sinister force that sought to suppress its citizens and keep them in the dark," the Post said, citing one of the group's members. A Discord spokesperson told AFP that user safety is a priority and that content violating its policies can result in people being banned, servers being shut down, and police alerted. "In regards to the apparent breach of classified material, we are cooperating with law enforcement," the spokesperson said. "As this remains an active investigation, we cannot provide further comment at this time." The post US guardsman to appear in court over Pentagon documents leak appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US airman arrested over Pentagon documents leak
FBI agents on Thursday arrested a 21-year-old national guardsman suspected of being behind a major leak of sensitive US government secrets -- including about the Ukraine war. Broadcast live on TV networks, the dramatic arrest was the culmination of a week-long investigation -- fuelled by frenzied media coverage -- into one of the most damaging leaks of classified information since the 2013 dump of National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden. Addressing a news briefing, US Attorney General Merrick Garland named the suspect as Jack Teixeira, an employee of the US Air Force National Guard and the reported leader of the online chat group where the document trove first emerged. Arrested "in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information," Teixeira was taken into custody without incident by FBI agents, Garland said. News footage of the operation, in the southern Massachusetts town of North Dighton, showed the suspect dressed in red shorts and a t-shirt with his hands behind his head, backing slowly toward rifle-armed, camouflage-clad law enforcement personnel who took him into custody. Police in the small town in the northeastern state sought to reassure the community about the heavy law enforcement presence, saying in a statement that there was "no threat to public safety." The US National Guard Bureau said Teixeira enlisted in September 2019 and is an IT and communications specialist who reached the rank of airman first class -- the third-lowest for enlisted air force personnel. He was expected to make an initial appearance in a Massachusetts federal court as early as Friday. The Pentagon has said the leak presents a "very serious" risk to US national security, and spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder on Thursday condemned it as a "deliberate criminal act." In response, the Defense Department is "examining and updating distribution lists, assessing how and where intelligence products are shared, and a variety of other steps," Ryder told journalists. Teixeira's arrest came a day after The Washington Post reported that hundreds of pages of documents had been posted on the social media platform Discord by a man who worked on a US military base. Top secret material According to The New York Times, a "trail of digital evidence" pointed to Teixeira as the leader of the private group on Discord, called Thug Shaker Central, where the documents surfaced. The embarrassing security breach -- which included top secret documents -- has revealed US unease over the viability of a coming counteroffensive by Kyiv's forces against Russian troops as well as concerns about Ukrainian air defenses and pointed to US spying on allies including Israel and South Korea. President Joe Biden addressed the leak earlier on Thursday during his visit to Ireland, saying he was "concerned" but that federal authorities were "getting close" to identifying the source of the leak. The alleged leaker reportedly went by the nickname "OG" and regularly posted documents in the chat group in question for months. The group of around 24 people, including some from Russia and Ukraine, bonded over their "mutual love of guns, military gear, and God," and formed an "invitation-only clubhouse in 2020 on Discord," reported the Post -- which like the Times cited unidentified members of Thug Shaker Central. OG told the group members that he spent "some of his days inside a secure facility that prohibited cellphones and other electronic devices," the Post report said. He first wrote down the contents of classified documents to share with the group, but later began taking photos, telling other members not to share them, the newspaper reported. OG had a "dark view of the government," and "spoke of the United States, and particularly law enforcement and the intelligence community, as a sinister force that sought to suppress its citizens and keep them in the dark," the Post said, citing one of the group's members. A Discord spokesperson told AFP that user safety is a priority, and that content violating its policies can result in people being banned, servers being shut down, and police alerted. "In regards to the apparent breach of classified material, we are cooperating with law enforcement," the spokesperson said. "As this remains an active investigation, we cannot provide further comment at this time." The post US airman arrested over Pentagon documents leak appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Infection control plan per school required for F2F class: DepEd
MANILA - The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday assured the public that schools are expected to have an infection control plan or strategy for the opening of in-person classes this month, considering the possible surge of cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).The DepEd m.....»»
Senior citizens of Talisay urged: Register for vaccination
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas is urging the senior citizens in the city to register for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. He said that while the roll-out for all medical frontliners belonging to priority class A1.1 to A1.7 had continued in the city through the Department of Health (DOH), […] The post Senior citizens of Talisay urged: Register for vaccination appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Workers make up 70% of 300 cases in Mandaue in January — EOC exec
MANDAUE CITY, CEBU, Philippines — Working class people or workers, whose ages are from 20 to 40 years old, make up 70 to 80 percent of the at least 300 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in January 2021 in Mandaue City. Lawyer Lizer Malate, head of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said that this […] The post Workers make up 70% of 300 cases in Mandaue in January — EOC exec appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
338 police personnel complete Public Safety Field Training Program
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Nov.22 (PIA) -- About 338 police personnel graduated Friday from the Public Safety Field Training Program.They belong to Class 2019-03 known as MATAGSILAK or M.....»»
Pinas, hihiram ng $300M pambili ng bakuna kontra COVID-19
Manila, Philippines – Hihiram ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ng $300 million para bumili ng bakuna laban sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sa public address ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Martes ng gabi ay sinabi nito na prayoridad ng pamahalaan na mabakunahan ang mga mahihirap at dedma naman sa mga nasa Class ABC. “[Finance Secretary […].....»»
Axelum expects to recover in H2
Axelum Resources Corp., the country’s largest fully integrated manufacturer and exporter of world-class premium coconut products, is looking at recovery in the second half of the year amid the negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic......»»
Minglanilla’s active cases down to 19 on Aug. 28
CEBU CITY, Philippines – With fewer cases reported in the past few days, the number of active cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Minglanilla town is now on a downward trend. As of Friday evening, August 28, local officials from this first-class municipality located approximately 20 kilometers south of Cebu City reported on […] The post Minglanilla’s active cases down to 19 on Aug. 28 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Government urged to allow use of Pinoy-made test kits
Senators belonging to the minority bloc urged the government to allow the use of Filipino-made, world-class coronavirus disease 2019 test kits, especially at a time when resources are scarce......»»
Baguio court issues warrant vs PMA cadets over Dormitorio fatal hazing case
A Baguio court issued a warrants of arrest against Philippine Military Academy cadets over the fatal hazing of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio in 2019......»»
Patriots owner s prostitution case heads to appellate court
By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors charging New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft with twice buying sex from massage parlor prostitutes will attempt to save their case this week by arguing to an appeals court that his rights weren't violated when police secretly video-recorded him in the act. Prosecutors will tell the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal during an online hearing Tuesday that a county judge erred when he invalidated the January 2019 search warrant allowing police to install secret cameras at Orchids of Asia spa as part of an alleged sex trafficking investigation. The judge said the warrant didn’t sufficiently protect the privacy of innocent customers who received legal massages, and he barred the videos’ use at trial as well as testimony about what they showed. If the ruling stands, it will deal a fatal blow to the prosecution's case. “Mr. Kraft's guilt is a virtual certainty” and he has no right to benefit from any possible mistakes police made involving innocent customers, Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey DeSousa wrote in court documents. Kraft's attorneys vehemently disagreed, arguing that if the three-justice panel allows the videos' use, “civil liberties cherished in Florida and beyond” will be endangered. “If the state wins this appeal, then everyone loses, not just the accused,” attorney Frank Shepherd wrote. “Government could run roughshod over privacy and constitutional rights while evading scrutiny.” The Jupiter police recordings led to misdemeanor charges against Kraft and two dozen other alleged Orchids of Asia customers. The spa owners and some employees are charged with prostitution-related felonies. Most cases are in limbo while the appeals are heard. If prosecutors can’t use the videos, they would almost certainly dismiss any misdemeanor charges awaiting trial. Some defendants took plea deals but Kraft refused. The felony cases could proceed, as those have other evidence besides the videos. Kraft, a 79-year-old widower and part-time Palm Beach resident, has pleaded not guilty but issued a public apology. He faces a possible one-year jail sentence if convicted, but would likely receive a fine, community service and other sanctions. Kraft, whom Forbes Magazine ranks as the 82nd richest American with a worth of almost $7 billion, is employing several high-priced attorneys to fight the charges. DeSousa submitted several arguments against Palm Beach County Judge Leonard Hanser's ruling. Among them: — The warrant is valid because police minimized any privacy invasion by having only three detectives monitor video. Any further minimization, such as recording only snippets of each massage, would have made the investigation impossible. — Kraft illegally paid for sex and is lawfully covered by the warrant, even if the justices determine police violated innocent customers' privacy rights. — If the warrant is invalid, the detectives relied on it “in good faith” and a sanction banning the video is too extreme. Shepherd submitted several counterarguments for Kraft. They include: — Detectives' privacy protection efforts were insufficient because they recorded seminude men and women receiving legal massages, making the Kraft recordings also illegal. — Police had enough evidence to charge the spa owners with felonies without recording, making the cameras “wholly gratuitous." — The evidence detectives presented to obtain the magistrate's warrant approval was “deliberately misleading,” negating any argument they acted in good faith. The justices won’t immediately rule after the hearing; decisions usually takes weeks. The losing side will likely appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, which could accept the case or let the justices’ ruling stand. Authorities say the Orchids of Asia investigation was part of a multicounty probe into possible sex trafficking by spa owners who they believe brought women from China and elsewhere to work as prostitutes. About 300 people were charged with various felonies and misdemeanors, but no trafficking charges were pursued — prosecutors say they received no cooperation from masseuses whom they suspect were trafficked. According to police, Kraft's chauffeur drove him to Orchids of Asia on the evening of Jan. 19, 2019, where detectives recorded him engaging in a sex act with two women and then paying an undetermined amount in cash. Investigators said Kraft returned the next morning and engaged in recorded sex acts with a woman before paying with a $100 bill and another bill. Hours later, Kraft was in Kansas City for the AFC Championship game, where his Patriots defeated the Chiefs. His team then won the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, the Patriots’ sixth NFL championship under his ownership. Prosecutors offered to drop the charges if Kraft entered a diversion program for first-time offenders. That would include an admission he would be found guilty if the case went to trial, a $5,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and attending a class on the dangers of prostitution and its connection to human trafficking. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday on the court's YouTube channel......»»
“Golovkin will hurt Manny” - former GGG trainer Abel Sanchez weighs in potential Pacquiao bout
As talks of a potential Manny Pacquiao-Gennady Golovkin mega-bout continue to pick up steam, people have weighed in on the matter including the likes of long-time Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach and former long-time Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing. Both Roach and Arum have been less than keen, so to speak on the possible bout that would require the Filipino eight-division boxing champion to go up to a weight class that he’s never been to before. Pacquiao, the reigning WBA (Super) Welterweight World Champion, went up to as high as junior middleweight back in 2010 but even then, was significantly smaller than his opponent Antonio Margarito. Golovkin, the reigning IBF and IBO Middleweight World Champion, has been a middleweight all his career, and was at one point held four middleweight world titles at once. The Kazakh’s only loss came to Canelo Alvarez. Now, even GGG’s former long-time trainer Abel Sanchez has shared his two cents on the rumoured superfight. In an exclusive interview with Phil Jay of World Boxing News, Sanchez, who parted ways with Golovkin back in early-2019 after nine years of working together, said that the size difference would be significant. “Manny Pacquiao is a small fighter. I believe he started as a flyweight, so the size difference would make a difference,” said Sanchez. Sanchez also referenced the bout with Margarito, but added that GGG is on a different level. “I see Manny having his moments early in the fight, but Gennadiy Golovkin is no Margarito.” “Golovkin will hurt Manny,” Sanchez stated. Sanchez did give Pacquiao his props, saying that even at 41, the Pinoy boxing icon remains as a serious force in the welterweight division. “Manny, even at his advanced age, is still a very good fighter. His hand speed and experience will be a problem for most welterweights in the world," he said. .....»»