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Nestle, Danone see price hikes slowing after years of sharp increases
LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) -Two of the world’s top consumer goods companies, Danone and Nestle, said on Thursday they will slow price increases in 2024 after two years of hikes that prompted many shoppers to seek cheaper alternatives for basic goods like yoghurt and coffee. But Danone, which owns brands including Evian and Badoit waters and Activia.....»»
Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms
Indonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms in a new regulation, its trade minister said Wednesday, as Jakarta aims to rein in direct sales on major platforms it says are harming millions of small businesses. Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. Indonesia is one of the world's biggest markets for TikTok Shop and was the first to pilot the app's e-commerce arm. "Now, e-commerce cannot become social media. It is separated," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan told a news conference in the capital, Jakarta, adding that the trade regulation came into force on Tuesday. Hasan said social commerce platforms would have a week to comply with the new rule. "Any government would protect local small businesses," he said, describing the regulation as a way to ensure "equality in business competition". The regulation means social commerce companies are now "prohibited to facilitate payment transactions in its electronic system", according to the regulation document seen by AFP. "Social commerce can place ads like TV, but it mustn't be transactional. (They) can't open shop, can't directly sell," Hasan said, without mentioning TikTok by name. Companies that did not comply would be warned first and would finally have their license to do business in Indonesia revoked, he said. Laws in the archipelago nation did not cover direct transactions through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram before the new regulation. The new regulation is yet another setback for TikTok, which has faced intense scrutiny in the United States and other nations in recent months over users' data security and the company's alleged ties to Beijing. "Other countries are banning, we don't, we're regulating," Hasan said. Indonesia is now the first country in the region to act against the platform's growing popularity in social media commerce. The ministerial-level regulation -- an amendment to a trade regulation issued in 2020 -- did not need approval by lawmakers. TikTok Indonesia said the company was "deeply concerned" about the policy, which would impact millions of sellers and creators using TikTok Shop. "We respect local laws and regulations and will be pursuing a constructive path forward," it said in a statement. Meta -- which owns Facebook and Instagram -- did not respond to a request for comment. 'Markets are quiet' Hasan appeared to confirm the companies would have to choose between separate social media and e-commerce licences. "It's clear... there are no permits for social commerce. If (they) want social commerce, please, only for promotion and ads. If (they) want to sell, there are e-commerce (permits)." The regulation also sets a minimum price of $100 for certain foreign goods bought from Indonesian sellers on e-commerce platforms, according to the regulation document seen by AFP. Some offline sellers at the Tanah Abang market in Jakarta applauded the government's decision. "The government should... dare to innovate given the current situation, where markets are quiet like this," said Stevanie Ahua, a 60-year-old wholesale denim jeans seller. She said her revenue had dropped by 60 percent in recent months as buyers turned to online shops. Others such as 29-year-old cookie baker Panji Made Agung in Bali said he was disappointed by the ban. "For sellers like me, TikTok can be used for soft selling. We can become influencers and sellers at the same time," he said. Experts said the transaction ban would hit the coffers of social media platforms such as TikTok, which takes a commission from every sale. "They will definitely incur losses," said Tauhid Ahmad, executive director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. Indonesia's e-commerce market is dominated by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee and Lazada but TikTok Shop gained a significant market share since launching in 2021. Indonesia, with 125 million users, is TikTok's second-largest global market after the United States, according to company figures. TikTok's chief executive Shou Zi Chew visited Jakarta in June, pledging to pour billions of dollars into Southeast Asia in the years ahead. The post Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms
Indonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms in a new regulation, its trade minister said Wednesday, as Jakarta aims to rein in direct sales on major platforms it says are harming millions of small businesses. Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. "This trade regulation has been in force (since yesterday)," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan told a news conference in the capital Jakarta. He said social commerce platforms would have a week to comply with the new rule. "Any government would protect local small businesses," he said, saying the regulation was passed to ensure "equality in business competition". The regulation means social media firms will not be able to conduct direct transactions but only promote products on their platforms. "Social commerce can place ads like TV, but it mustn't be transactional. (They) can't open shop, can't directly sell," he said, without mentioning TikTok by name. Laws in the archipelago nation did not cover direct transactions through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram before the new regulation. The new regulation is yet another setback for TikTok, which has faced intense scrutiny in the United States and other nations in recent months over users' data security and the company's alleged ties to Beijing. "Other countries are banning, we don't, (we're) regulating," Hasan said. Indonesia is one of the world's biggest markets for TikTok Shop and was the first to pilot the app's e-commerce arm. But Indonesia is now the first country in the region to act against the platform's growing popularity in social media commerce. The ministerial-level regulation -- an amendment to a trade regulation issued in 2020 -- did not need approval by lawmakers. Chinese technology giant and TikTok owner ByteDance and TikTok Indonesia did not respond immediately to a request for comment Wednesday. But a TikTok Indonesia spokesperson told AFP on Monday the ban would harm as many as six million local sellers who market their products on the platform. Meta -- which owns Facebook and Instagram -- did not respond to a request for comment. 'Markets are quiet' How the ban will work exactly remains unclear but experts said it could mean social media firms would have to obtain a separate approval for their e-commerce arms. "It could be that their license will be rearranged," said Tauhid Ahmad, executive director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. Offline sellers at Tanah Abang market in Jakarta applauded the government's decision. "The government should... dare to innovate given the current situation, where markets are quiet like this," said Stevanie Ahua, a 60-year-old wholesale denim jeans seller. She said her revenue had dropped by 60 percent in recent months as buyers turned to online shops. Others like 29-year-old cookie baker Panji Made Agung in Bali said he was disappointed by the ban. "For sellers like me, TikTok can be used for soft selling. We can become influencers and sellers at the same time," he said. Indonesia's e-commerce market is dominated by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee and Lazada but TikTok Shop gained a significant market share since launching in 2021. Indonesia, with 125 million users, is TikTok's second-largest global market after the United States, according to company figures. TikTok's chief executive Shou Zi Chew visited Jakarta in June, pledging to pour billions of dollars into Southeast Asia in the coming years. The post Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Skating out of stress, to feel free
Since the first patent for a roller skate was awarded in 1819 to a certain M. Petibled of Paris, roller skating has gone through a lot of development before evolving into what we know it now as a recreational and competitive sport. While sports such as speed skating, hockey and figure skating have been institutionalized, recreational roller skating has had its time in the spotlight over the years. Then Covid-19 happened in early 2020, and roller skating became popular again as a solo activity. Its resurgence continues post-pandemic for fitness and just for fun. [caption id="attachment_175690" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Skating is good for fitness. | Photographs Courtesy of Chai Timbungco[/caption] Skating to destress Sesilya Rosario Timbungco, nicknamed Chai, started skating using inline skates (meaning the wheels are in a straight line) with her older cousins when she was around seven years old. Then she studied figure skating for two years, starting at age nine, before moving on to other things. In 2020, she picked up inlines again because “ironically, it was safer to be out on the streets because there were almost zero cars” at the height of community lockdowns and social restrictions. “What I like about skating is that it makes me feel good about myself,” she tells DAILY TRIBUNE in an online interview. “It’s also an outlet for me because it allows me to physically destress. From a technical standpoint, I like skating because of the diverse disciplines under its umbrella -- ice skating, dance skating, derby, quad hockey, speed, park, vert, etc.” The 31-year-old skater, who works as an insights community manager at a software company adds, “Skating is good for fitness because it involves the coordination of your entire body, even if it doesn’t seem like it. It’s all about balance, especially when learning your edges! Once you nail the basics, you pretty much won’t forget how to do it — just like riding a bike.” “It’s a good fitness option, but like with all other sports, make sure it is safe for you,” she points out. “Generally, skating is for everyone. But if you have balance issues, are pregnant or have bad hip mobility, it’s best to consult your doctor.” Chai makes it clear that skating is a sport, even if you do it recreationally or as a hobby. “So there will be maintenance expenses,” she says. “If you don’t get any upgrades and sticks with a decent pair, maintenance won’t be that expensive. A good entry-level pair costs around P5,000 to P8,000. There are many other factors to consider, but that’s the base price for entry-level skates.” These days, she usually skates at the basketball court at their home, though she really misses skating outdoors. She considers Bonifacio Global City as one of the friendlier spaces for skating. If she has to go to the rink, she says she only goes to Rolyo Sk8house at the Circuit Makati. Chai is also a co-founder of the Everywhere We Skate PH community on Facebook, whose goal is to “help raise awareness about local roller skating and make skating accessible in all ways, little ways, that we can,” while “bringing in roller skating brands into the local scene.” Chai’s tips in buying your first pair of skates: Measure your feet. Measure in inches and in centimeters. Never ever correlate shoe size with skate size. Skates have to be snug, but not tight. If you’re in between sizes, always choose the bigger size. There will be workarounds to a slightly loose boot, but it’s impossible for you to use skates that are too small Buy good brands, even if it means buying them second hand. That doesn’t mean branded is always good, nope. Make sure you research before buying anything! There are reputable brands that make nice skates that are good enough as second-hands. If that isn’t an option, make sure you buy skates that are within your current skill level. For example, buying an advanced boot is not the best for a beginner who doesn’t have proper foundation yet. Try them out at the rink first (if you can) before deciding on a big purchase like our own skates. Make sure you learn how to read wheel hardness (it’s not hard), as well as the other components of your skates. Other than looking up what to buy, also learn about maintenance and how to make normal adjustments to your skate. When skating for the first time, Chai recommends doing these steps: Bend your knees. “I can’t stress this enough, but bend your knees,” she says emphatically. “It’ll save you from potential nasty falls!” Wear gear. Avoid slopes. “It’s a common misconception that slopes are good for beginners because they’ll help you roll faster. That’s true, but that’s why it’s dangerous for someone who doesn’t know how to stop yet.” Feeling of freedom Roller skating was likewise a childhood hobby for Raqs Regalado, a 39-year-old event manager and costume designer. “But it was during the pandemic that I fell back into it,” she says in another online interview, “Because I found my old pair of skates (that I got at a Japanese thrift shop back in college) while we were trying to Marie Kondo our place during the first few weeks of the lockdown.” Post-pandemic, Raqs can usually be found skating at the Bike Playground or at other indoor rinks around the Metro, and for outdoor skating, at BGC. “What I like about it most is the feeling of freedom it gives me and the friends I’ve made in this hobby,” she points out. “It’s good for fitness because it activates muscles you never even knew existed. Like it’s a whole different muscle group working when you skate.” “There are cheap, generic ones but cheap skates also mean cheaper materials were used,” she adds. “Skates manufactured by bigger, skate-focused brands will always be more expensive than the generic ones, but I think of it as investing on the quality of skates you’re getting. Your safety depends on it.” Raqs truly believes that everybody can skate. “But I wouldn’t force it on someone who does not want to. You have to at least be interested to try it and eventually find happiness in it. Once you find joy in skating, that’s when you start wanting to learn more.” She has found her kindred spirits on Everywhere We Skate PH when it was founded in 2020: “Chai reached out to me and told me about the online skating community they’ve build. Of course, I instantly joined. There were only about 50 members that time. A few months in, and they asked me to be one of the group admins. Now, we have over 10,000 members. We welcome skaters of all levels and skate enthusiasts. Our main goal is to have a safe space for healthy exchanges of skate-related information.” Raqs’ tips in buying your first pair of skates: Assuming that you’ve already tried rental skates at the public rink, and you really liked it and want to get into skating, then start doing your research on the particular skates that have aesthetically caught your attention. Check for materials used, reviews and after-sales services. If you can also determine what type of skating you want to immerse yourself in (such as outdoor cruising, aggressive skating, artistic skating, etc.), that would also be very helpful in choosing your first pair of skates. If you’re skating for the first time, Raqs has these suggestions for you to do: Get safety gear. Watch video tutorials on how to fall safely because knowing how to do so can save you from serious injuries. Remember: You may fall a lot specially as a beginner, but don’t worry, it happens to all of us. The post Skating out of stress, to feel free appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint
China said it would stop publishing data on its rising youth unemployment rate on Tuesday, as it released a raft of disappointing figures that stoked concerns over the state of the world's second largest economy. Shortly before the latest uninspiring indicators were published, the central bank cut a key interest rate in an effort to boost flagging growth. Tuesday's data added to a slew of disappointing figures in recent months reflecting a slump in China's post-Covid rebound, with joblessness among 16- to 24-year-olds hitting a record 21.3 percent in June. The country slipped into deflation for the first time in more than two years in July, due to waning consumption and flagging exports. The National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday said it would no longer release age-group-specific unemployment data starting this month, citing the need to "further improve and optimise labour force survey statistics". "Starting from this August, the release of urban unemployment rates for youth and other age groups across the country will be suspended," bureau spokesman Fu Linghui said at a press conference. Overall, unemployment rose to 5.3 percent in July compared with 5.2 percent in June, the NBS said. As indicators of an economic slowdown have piled up, many experts have called for a large-scale recovery plan to boost activity. But for the time being, authorities are sticking to targeted measures and declarations of support for the private sector -- with little in the way of tangible steps. Slowing retail sales Tuesday's announcement that youth unemployment data would be suspended came as Beijing released a series of weak economic indicators for July. Retail sales, a key gauge of consumption, grew 2.5 percent year-on-year in July, the NBS said, down from 3.1 percent in June and falling short of analyst expectations. Industrial production grew 3.7 percent in July from a year ago, down from 4.4 percent in June. The suspension of youth jobs data "may further weaken global investors' confidence in China", Ting Lu, China economist at Nomura, said in a note. Chinese social media users on Tuesday were skeptical of officials' explanation for the move, with the topic receiving over 140 million views and tens of thousands of comments on the Weibo platform. "Can you solve the problem by gagging and blindfolding yourself?" asked one Beijing-based user in a post liked by more than 3,000 people. Chinese leaders have sought to boost domestic consumption in recent weeks, with the State Council last month releasing a 20-point plan to encourage citizens to spend more in sectors including vehicles, tourism and home appliances. The country's top brass has warned that the economy faces "new difficulties and challenges" as well as "hidden dangers in key areas". The recent data suggests China may struggle to achieve a five percent growth target set for the year. The economy grew just 0.8 percent between the first and second quarters of 2023, according to official figures. Rate cut In a surprise move, the central bank on Tuesday cut the medium-term lending facility rate -- the interest for one-year loans to financial institutions -- from 2.65 percent to 2.5 percent. A lower MLF rate reduces commercial banks' financing costs, in turn encouraging them to lend more and potentially boosting domestic consumption. "We believe the Chinese economy is faced with an imminent downward spiral with the worst yet to come, and the rate cut this morning will be of limited help," Lu of Nomura said. The Consumer Price Index, the main gauge of inflation, fell 0.3 percent in July, the National Bureau of Statistics said last week. China slipped into deflation in July for the first time in more than two years, after a short period of deflation at the end of 2020 due largely to a collapse in the price of pork, the most widely consumed meat in the country. While cheaper goods may appear beneficial for purchasing power, falling prices pose a threat to the broader economy as consumers tend to postpone purchases in the hopes of further reductions. A lack of demand then forces companies to reduce production, freeze hiring or lay off workers, and agree to new discounts to sell off their stocks -- dampening profitability even as costs remain the same. The post China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t seeks French groups’ aid
The government had sought the support of French businesses in the Philippines’ bid to renew the European Union Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus or EU-GSP+ perks. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said negotiation for the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement had resumed. Earlier, Pascual said the Philippines will renew its special incentive arrangement on the EU GSP+ for competitive advantage, as the EU GSP+ is set to expire in December 2023. The GSP allows duty-free exports for about 6,000 tariff items to the European Union, which enables cheaper entry of Philippine goods into the EU market. While for the EU FTA, the last second round of negotiations took place in February 2017, and no further negotiating rounds have been scheduled yet. Pascual sought the help of French trade groups during his roundtable meeting with MEDEF International, a leading network of entrepreneurs in France with over 95 percent of the businesses being SMEs. Ideal destination Pascual also took the chance to present the Philippines as an ideal investment destination with the aim of fostering potential partnerships and collaborations with French companies. Pascual acknowledged that MEDEF International is instrumental in strengthening trade and investment relations between the Philippines and France. “Recently, we witnessed the visit organized by MEDEF International for its members in the Philippines, where many of your companies participated. These developments indicate not only the interest and confidence of the French companies in the Philippines but also the strong relationship we enjoy at the business level,” Pascual said. Further, he emphasized that the Philippines is open for business and that the recent game-changing economic reforms such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises, amended Public Service Act, amended Foreign Investments Act, and the amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act are testaments to the country’s goal of attracting global players who can modernize our domestic industry and service sectors while diversifying and expanding exports. “With the reforms I highlighted, the Philippines has seen significant investments in various industries. Our Board of Investments recorded a 200 percent surge in foreign investments in 2021, totaling EUR 11 billion across 235 projects. From 2020 to 2022, the Philippines received a total Net Foreign Direct Investment Flow of $28 billion, with Europe accounting for a significant portion,” the Trade chief said. Likewise, he mentioned that the government has initiated the roll out of the Philippine Business Hub, a platform that aims to simplify business transactions through digital and online processes. “This initiative streamlines the registration of businesses, permit renewals, and other activities, making it easier and faster to conduct business in the Philippines,” he added. About 13 companies from various sectors such as finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and transportation attended the roundtable meeting and expressed a positive outlook toward the opportunities available in the Philippines for French businesses as presented by the delegation. The post Gov’t seeks French groups’ aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
15 dead in Iran after drinking bootleg booze: state media
Fifteen people died of alcohol poisoning in Iran after consuming bootleg booze, state media reported on Wednesday, as the number of similar deaths increases across the country. "So far, 15 people have died and 180 people have been poisoned and hospitalized," Hossein Fazeli Harikandi, the chief justice of Alborz province, where the poisonings took place, told state news agency IRNA. Most of those hospitalized had since been discharged, he said, but "some have gone blind", while others were undergoing dialysis after suffering kidney damage. Iran banned the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Ever since, smuggled and unregulated alcohol has proliferated on the black market, with methanol often added to drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. The authorities in Alborz province have arrested six people and seized more than 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of alcohol from a cosmetic factory before its distribution, Harikandi said. Iran's forensic institute said 644 people died after consuming "fake alcoholic beverages" in the year to March, a 30-percent increase on the previous 12-month period. In May 2022, eight people died in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas after drinking bootleg alcohol. At least 210 people died in Iran during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 after drinking bootleg alcohol, falsely believing it to be a remedy for the virus. The post 15 dead in Iran after drinking bootleg booze: state media appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stakeholders appeal for bike taxi fleet cap removal
Transport groups are urging regulators to scrap the limits on the number of motorcycle taxis legally allowed to operate amid a spike in demand for convenient and affordable transportation alternatives. In separate statements over the weekend, CitizenWatch Philippines, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3), and The Passenger Forum unilaterally pointed out that removing the limits will also provide a livelihood to more Filipinos. CitizenWatch Philippines Co-Convenor and former Quezon City representative lawyer Kit Belmonte noted that the shortage of transportation options has “resulted in the proliferation of illegal habal-habal, which are being patronized by desperate commuters.” “Because they are unregulated, the drivers of habal-habal do not have proper training and they do not have accident insurance,” Belmonte said. “No less than Senator Raffy Tulfo recommended legalizing habal-habal operations, and even asked MC taxi operators to help train habal-habal riders,” he added. Likewise, Belmonte contended that similar to other countries, removing the riders cap will encourage more players to participate and ensure competition for better delivery of services for commuters. Meanwhile, The Passenger Forum Convener Primo Morillo, said his group said, "It's about time to do away with the limit for motorcycle taxis as it impedes the potential of motorcycle taxis to serve commuters and provide a livelihood for riders.” “No other than the Philippine Competition Commission recommended the removal of the cap as it will lead to better commuter experience,” Morillo added. While there are no official government statistics on the number of habal-habal nationwide, they were initially estimated to have reached 200,000 in Metro Manila in 2020, during the height of the global health pandemic. Thus, the proliferation of habal-habal has compelled local government units like Cebu City to create an office to regulate their operations. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recently urged habal-habal operators, particularly in provinces, to join its pilot study for bike taxis so they can be regulated and trained. LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III previously said that safe and secure operations will “ultimately benefit the riding public.” The post Stakeholders appeal for bike taxi fleet cap removal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Where art thou, SDF?
Nothing much is heard of the Sugar Development Fund or SDF. Only a few perhaps, among them sugarcane farmers, are aware that there exists a program established to support the sugar industry in the country. Funded through a levy on sugar production with the proceeds used to support various initiatives aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the sugar industry, SDF was established in 2015 under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act. For all its noble intents and purposes, SIDA aims to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry under the management of the Sugar Regulatory Administration — the agency mandated to oversee the collection and allocation of funds under the SDF. At the height of the controversial Sugar Order 4, SRA directed on 9 August 2022 the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar in the guise of “filling the gap in production.” At that point, bleeding sugarcane farmers were restive. SDF was supposed to support them with a range of initiatives to improve their productivity and competitiveness. It suddenly brought to the fore the lack of research and development, infrastructure development, and support for small-scale farmers. The program, which was intended to provide funding for socialized credit programs for sugarcane farmers and the promotion of alternative crops that could be grown alongside sugarcane, has seemingly gone inutile. In truth, there have been concerns about the collection and allocation of funds under the SDF as some stakeholders called for more transparency in the decision-making process and greater involvement from industry stakeholders. Some have expressed concern that the funds may be used for projects that do not directly benefit the sugar industry or its stakeholders. Senator JV Ejercito, a strong advocate of SIDA and SDF, cannot be emphatic enough about the importance of the sugar industry to the Philippine economy, especially its significant contribution to employment and rural development. For years, the sugar industry has been plagued by several issues, including low productivity, low farmgate prices, high production costs, and stiff competition from cheaper imported sugar. Many of the more or less 62,000 sugar farmers in the country still use antiquated farming methods and lack access to modern technology and equipment, leading to low yields and high production costs, making it difficult for farmers to compete with imported sugar. Data shows that only 422,500 hectares out of the total land area of about 30 million hectares are planted to sugarcane. Despite the high demand for sugar, local farmers have been struggling to make ends meet due to the low prices for their crops, forcing many to abandon sugar farming. The Commission on Audit or CoA, in its 2020 report, found discrepancies in SRA’s utilization of the fund and the lack of supporting documents for some of the expenses charged against the fund. Some of the projects, the report said, were not implemented or completed, while some of the expenditures were not directly related to the development of the sugar industry. All told, the SDF is a crucial tool in addressing these challenges and ensuring a strong and sustainable sugar industry for the economic wellbeing and welfare of local farmers and their communities. With an SDF balance of around P2.5 billion as of February 2021, there is no reason to turn a blind eye to supporting various programs and projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of the sugar industry and the welfare of sugar farmers. The proper management and utilization of the SDF to maximize its potential and promote the consumption of locally produced sugar will make Philippine sugar as sweet as it should be. The post Where art thou, SDF? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two cents on self-lawyering
Just like substandard materials for a construction project or counterfeit medicine in treating an illness, sometimes cheaper alternatives prove to be costlier. The post Two cents on self-lawyering appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Archdiocese of Cebu has several options in case Misa de Gallo is prohibited
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Cebu has already prepared several alternatives in case the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will not allow the holding of Misa de Gallo or dawn masses starting December 16, 2020, in relation to the Christmas celebration. Msgr. Joseph Tan, the spokesperson of […] The post Archdiocese of Cebu has several options in case Misa de Gallo is prohibited appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Black Friday 2020: AirPods Pro Reach Lower Price Ever $ 169 [Updated]
Black Friday has closed this week, and one of the first major sales for the AirPod Pro is available at Walmart right now. You........»»
Filipino Ateneo student Jeff Dizon to face Team OG captain N0tail in 1v1 Dota 2 Competition
MANILA, Philippines – Following one month of intense competition, Zedrik “Jeff” Dizon was named this year’s Red Bull R1v1r Runes Champion! Regional qualifiers were held across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and gathered Dota 2 players around the country to compete in 1v1 matches. As the newly crowned Champion, Dizon is scheduled to face Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, team captain of 2-time The International 2019 Champions, Team OG, at Red Bull R1v1r Runes Civil War on Monday, July 20, 2020 on KuyaNic’s Facebook Page at 6:00 PM. Red Bull R1v1r Runes Philippines 2020 Red Bull R1v1r Runes takes places on a custom map built in the Dota 2 environment and pits players in a fast-paced 1-versus-1 mirror battle that rewards intuition and the ability to make quick decisions. The first player to achieve three kills or collects the first kill on an enemy T1 Tower wins the match. Ateneo De Manila University’s Zedrik “Jeff” Dizon made his tournament debut during the Luzon Qualifier. After finding little success early on with a battle-focused approach to gameplay, Dizon studied his opponents’ use of the push strategy. He devised alternatives using Meteor Hammer, an approach that led him to the National Finals against DSLU.Quanon. When everything was said and done, Dizon was crowned the 2020 R1v1r Runes Champion with a score of 4 – 0, and a set win of 100%. Ruler of the River As the 2020 Red Bull R1v1r Runes Champion, the young champion has the chance to establish himself as the rightful ruler of the river by facing Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, team captain of the 2-time The International 2019 Champions, OG, on a 1v1 mirror match. N0tail is one of the most recognizable figures in esports. After establishing himself in the international Dota 2 scene, Sundstein co-founded OG and would lead the team to 4 Major Dota Championships and back-to-back The International Championships. Now the question remains: Can Jeff score the ultimate upset and defeat OG Team Captain, N0tail, in a one-on-one competition? Find out at Red Bull R1v1r Runes Civil War on July 20th, 2020, at 6:00PM. Civil War features an under card with four matches consisting of local and international Dota 2 players. .....»»
Two senators press DepEd on blended learning
Two senators Friday pressed the Department of Education (DepEd) to finalize its plan for implementing the blended learning system it will adopt this school year 2020-2021. Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano said in separate statements DepEd must come up with a clear strategy on blended learning, a concept which presents alternatives […].....»»
Training on COA compliance for government institutions
To guide government institutions on their compliance with the Commission on Audit Circular 2020-006, the Center for Global Best Practices will be launching a two-session online training titled “COA Guidelines and Procedures for One-Time Cleansing of Property, Plant and Equipment Account Balances” on April 18 and 19, 2024 from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. via Zoom......»»
Trump predicts the end of U.S. democracy if he loses 2024 election
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump said on Saturday if he does not win November’s presidential election it will mean the likely end of American democracy. The Republican presidential candidate, speaking to supporters in Ohio, made the claim after repeating his baseless assertion that his 2020 election defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden was the result.....»»
4 PH medicinal herbs for gout, pain relief pass clinical trials
MANILA, Philippines — Back in the 1970s, the government had a dream of providing cheap medicines for Filipinos, especially the poor, who are often left out of health care. Dr. Cecilia Lazarte, director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine of UP Manila’s National Institutes of Health, stressed in 2020 the importance of research on the.....»»
Abra Mining investors turning up the heat on SEC and PSE to resolve unlisted shares issue
Shareholders of Abra Mining, together with stockbroker Victor Dominquez, are seeking a Congressional inquiry into “the alleged failure of the SEC and PSE to formalize charges against the executives of Abra Mining...” for their role AR’s sale of shares which were unlisted and unregistered during the “basura” (garbage) stock frenzy that heated up in late 2020 and overboiled in early 2021......»»
The pests that are toxic politics and rice tariffication
Duterte back in 2019 promised us of cheaper rice with his Rice Tariffication Law. The Marcos-Duterte Uni-Team in 2022 promised to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo. These promises clearly remained as promises......»»
Former NBA player Rashid Byrd sentenced to 90 years in prison for sexual assault
LOS ANGELES – Former NBA player Rashid Byrd has been sentenced to 90 years to life in state prison for a series of violent sexual assaults that occurred in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties from 2015 to 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced. Byrd, who has been in police custody since his arrest by.....»»