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Celtics rout Spurs, keep streak going
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown added 24 to lead the NBA-best Boston Celtics over San Antonio 134-101 on Sunday, stretching their win streak to six games......»»
Jayson Tatum, Celtics ride big third quarter to club reeling Spurs
Boston top stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown power through with a strong second half as the No. 1 Celtics pummel the San Antonio Spurs by 33.....»»
How Pacman inspired Chocolate Factory’s motivational song feat. Gloc-9
Part of the vibrant local Pinoy reggae community is the collective Chocolate Factory, composed of Antonio Brown on vocals; Louie Domingo, bass; Boney Hipe, keys; Mark Ocampo, guitars; and Khay Regala, drums......»»
Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate
The alleged recruitment scam, facilitated by the Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, Alpha Assistenza SRL, has already reached the Senate. In filing proposed Senate Resolution No. 814, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the alleged recruitment activities conducted by the Alpha Assistenza SRL. In her resolution, Hontiveros detailed the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm which has preyed on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Italy, which was first exposed by the Daily Tribune. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino “victims” with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. She continued: “The Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s Chief Executive Officer and Immigration Consultant.” Hontiveros also said that the “complainants alleged that they had paid the company ‘large sums of money’ to facilitate their relatives’ travel to Italy for work.” “The State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all,” she said. “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas,” she added. ‘Aware’ Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the alleged recruitment scam that victimized at least 400 Filipinos both from the Philippines and Italy. In an interview with Daily Tribune, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza denied the alleged non-action of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan in the victim’s complaints against the supposed scam. “The DFA is aware of the reports,” Daza said. “The Philippine Consulate General in Milan is acting on the complaints.” Victims, who reached out to the Daily Tribune’s digital program, “Usapang OFW,” accused Consul General Elmer Cato of sitting on their complaints against Alpha Assistenza SRL. Daza said the number of victims of the alleged recruitment scam may be higher or lower than the previously reported 400 Filipinos. “The numbers are still being verified,” she said. In a recent interview over the Usapang OFW, the complainants, namely, Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis, said that the Alpha Assistenza, headed by its Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo de Vega also denied allegations that Cato had sat on the Filipino communities’ complaints. De Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Milan received a report on 31 August, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing. “They were interviewing victims and working on cases,” he said in a separate interview. Asked if the DFA is considering making Cato inhibited due to the accusations of the victims, De Vega said: “We are meeting him personally.” The DFA official also noted that they are coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Migrant Workers Office in Milan on how to proceed with the case. “The complaint is really to be filed with Italian authorities but our Consulate in Milan should assist them,” he said. The Daily Tribune has sought comments from the Italian Embassy in Manila but they had yet to respond as of press time. The post Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MTRCB chair Lala Sotto responds to criticisms of unfair treatment of It s Showtime
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairman Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio responded to accusations of unfair treatment after the board suspended "It's Showtime" for 12 airing days. .....»»
15 druggies nabbed over P623k shabu
Fifteen druggies who yielded P623,400 worth of shabu over the weekend were nabbed by operatives of the Quezon City Police District. QCPD Director P/Brig.Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the Masambong Police Station (PS 2) led by P/Lt.Col. Resty Damaso, arrested Michael Legria and Maricar Bacocanag at 9:10 p.m.of Friday, 18 August, infront of No. 14 Sta. Ana Street, Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City. Based on the report, a concerned citizen tipped off the illegal activities of the suspects which resulted in their immediate arrest. Confiscated from their possessions were 60 grams of shabu valued at P408,000 and the buy-bust money. The Batasan Police Station (PS 6) under P/Lt.Col. Paterno Domondon Jr. arrested Johari Bantayao at 5:35 p.m. on the same day at Isaiah corner F. Salvador Street, Jordan Plains Subdivision Gate 2, Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City. A buy-bust operation was conducted by PS 6 operatives in coordination with PDEA-NCR wherein a police officer acted as poseur buyer and bought P1,000 worth of shabu from the suspect and at the given pre-arranged signal, he was arrested. Seized from the suspect were 18 grams of shabu valued at P122,400, a cellular phone and the buy-bust money. Also, the Talipapa Police Station (PS 3) under P/Lt.Col. Morgan Aguilar arrested Ian Jomail and Carol Aquino at 6:30 p.m. along Quirino Highway, Barangay Unang Sigaw, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were one gram of shabu valued at P6,800, a black coin purse, a cellular phone and the buy-bust money. The Novaliches Police Station (PS 4) under P/Lt.Col.Jerry Castillo arrested Juan Luis Macaraeg at 11:45 p.m. at Masterkee Carwash along Quirino Highway, Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City. Confiscated from his possession were 1.5 grams of shabu valued at P10,200, a cellular phone and the buy-bust money. The Anonas Police Station (PS 9) under P/Lt.Col. Ferdinand Casiano, arrested Jay-ar Visayana and Ruby Salazar at 9:30 p.m. on the same day at Block 3, Lot 16, Pook Arboretum, Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were two grams of shabu valued at P13,600.00, brown coin purse, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. At 6:55 a.m. also Friday, along Cluster 5, Manunggal Street, Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City, the Galas Police Station (PS 11) under P/Lt.Col. Jake Barila arrested Jonjon de Guzman and Mark Benzon Santos. Confiscated from their possessions were two grams of shabu valued at P13,600, a coin purse, cellular phone and the buy-bust money. The Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station (PS 13) under P/Lt.Col. Leonie Ann dela Cruz arrested Jay Brazil Taneo at 8:30 p.m. at house number J-2, Lot 48, Road 6, Sitio Kumunoy, Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Confiscated from his possession were three grams of shabu valued at P20,400 and the buy-bust money. While the Holy Spirit Police Station (PS 14) under P/Lt.Col. May Genio arrested John Paul Pangilinan; Larry Panglinan; Regy Rael; and Macbot Paculanang at 1:15 a.m. of Saturday, 19 August at No. 91 Marcel Village, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were three grams of shabu valued at P24,400, coin purse and the buy-bust money. The suspects were charged for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Torre commended his operatives for their relentless efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs that resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of evidence. The post 15 druggies nabbed over P623k shabu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC cops nab 15 druggies; seize P623-K worth of shabu
Quezon City Police District operatives arrested 15 druggies, who yielded P623,400 worth of shabu, over the weekend. According to QCPD Director P/BGen. Nicolas Torre III, the Masambong Police Station (PS 2), led by P/LCol. Resty Damaso, nabbed first Michael Legria and Maricar Bacocanag at 9:10 p.m. on 18 August 2023 in front of a house at Sta. Ana St. in Brgy. San Antonio, Quezon City. Based on the report, a concerned citizen tipped off the illegal activities of the suspects which resulted in their immediate arrest. Confiscated from their possessions were 60 grams of shabu valued at P408,000 and the buy-bust money. Meanwhile, the Batasan Police Station (PS 6), under P/LCol. Paterno Domondon Jr., arrested Johari Bantayao at 5:35 p.m. on 18 August 2023 at Isaiah corner F. Salvador Sts., Jordan Plains Subdivision Gate 2 in Brgy. Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City in a buy-bust operation. Seized from the suspect were 18 grams of shabu valued at P122,400.00, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. Also, the Talipapa Police Station (PS 3) under P/LCol. Morgan Aguilar arrested Ian Jomail and Carol Aquino at 6:30 p.m. on 18 August 2023 along Quirino Highway in Brgy. Unang Sigaw, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were one gram of shabu valued at P6,800, a black coin purse, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. The Novaliches Police Station (PS 4), under P/LCol. Jerry Castillo, arrested Juan Luis Macaraeg at 11:45 p.m. on 18 August 2023 at Masterkee Carwash along Quirino Highway in Brgy. Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City. Confiscated from his possession were 1.5 gram of shabu valued at P10,200, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. The Anonas Police Station (PS 9), under P/LCol. Ferdinand Casiano, arrested Jay-ar Visayana and Ruby Salazar at 9:30 p.m. on 18 August 2023 at Pook Arboretum in Brgy. UP Campus, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were two grams of shabu valued at P13,600, a brown coin purse, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. At 6:55 a.m. on 18 August 2023 along Cluster 5, Manunggal St., in Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City, the Galas Police Station (PS 11), under P/LCol. Jake Barila, arrested Jonjon De Guzman and Mark Benzon Santos. Confiscated from their possessions were two grams of shabu valued at P13,600, a coin purse, a cellular phone, and the buy-bust money. The Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station (PS 13), under P/LCol. Leonie Ann Dela Cruz arrested Jay Brazil Taneo at 8:30 p.m. on 18 August 2023 at a house at Sitio Kumunoy in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Confiscated from his possession were three grams of shabu valued at P20,400 and the buy-bust money. While the Holy Spirit Police Station (PS 14) under P/LCol. May Genio nabbed John Paul Pangilinan, Larry Panglinan, Regy Rael, and Macbot Paculanang at 1:15 a.m. on 19 August 2023 at Marcel Village in Brgy. Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. Confiscated from their possessions were three grams of shabu valued at P24,400, a coin purse, and the buy-bust money. The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Torre commended his operatives for their relentless efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs that resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of evidence. “Asahan po ninyo na hindi kami magsasawa at mas lalo pa naming paiigtingin ang aming kampanya kontra iligal na droga,” he said. The post QC cops nab 15 druggies; seize P623-K worth of shabu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P18M shabu seized at Davao checkpoint
DAVAO CITY — Two men have been apprehended at a checkpoint for carrying more than a kilogram of illegal drugs worth an estimated P18.2 million in Barangay Sirawan, Toril in this city. Cresil Jay Lacia, 29, and Antonio Palacios Jr., 30, both residents of New Corella, Davao del Norte were suspected of sneaking in the illegal drugs last 25 June, Col. Darren Comia, commander of the Task Force Davao, said in a press briefing Monday. The confiscated drugs found inside the suspects' vehicle consisted of 20 sachets of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu inside the vehicle. The two came from Midsayap, North Cotabato, and were accompanied by two elderly and three children, whom Comia said were being used to lessen suspicion on them. Upon checking, Comia said police officers saw in plain view one small brown envelope with an exposed transparent plastic sachet containing the suspected shabu placed at the front passenger floor. Beside it, he said, were another two transparent cellophanes containing 19 pieces of small brown envelopes with heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu. “They noticed differences in their body language and were being asked about the content of the envelope. One of the suspects answered that it is a medicine used by one of their elderly companions. However, when the police officers asked the elderly as to the type of medicine, nobody answered,” he said. Comia added that the suspects are now detained at the Toril Police Station pending the conduct of inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act 9165 while the seized drugs were turn-over to Davao City Forensic Unit for examination and safekeeping. The post P18M shabu seized at Davao checkpoint appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immortalized
Had he been immortal, Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, would have turned 162 yesterday, 19 June 2023. But Rizal need not be god-like as envisaged by the cult-like organization that has appropriated his name. As the Austrian ethnographer, Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, so famously said: Rizal was the “greatest man the Malay race ever produced.” Despite dying 126 years ago at the tender age of 35, Rizal has been immortalized enough because of his writings and deeds. Without question, Rizal was a brilliant man, being a writer, poet, sculptor, and linguist, in addition to being a doctor. He was also a patriot who battled for Philippine independence from Spain, although some would contend he was more of a pacifist who sought mere assimilation. Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna in 1861, the seventh of 11 children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda, who were both well-educated and relatively rich as farmer-tenants of the landed friars from whom they leased land. Francisco and Teodora instilled a passion for learning and a strong sense of social justice in their children, especially Jose and his elder brother Paciano, who would later become a general of the revolutionary Katipunan. Rizal studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he excelled. He then studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas, where he considered himself a mediocre student, deciding to travel to Spain in 1882 to finish schooling and become a doctor. In Spain and during his visits to other European countries, Rizal would write several essays and his literary masterpieces, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterimo, thereby stoking the fires of rebellion in other heroes like Andres Bonifacio. Rizal was a firebrand in his discourses that when the Noli was released in 1887, mere possession of the book was made a crime by the Spanish authorities who jailed a UST student just for having a copy. Having formed the La Liga Filipina, acknowledged by some as the precursor and inspiration for the founding of the Katipunan, Rizal would be arrested, exiled to Dapitan and eventually tried and found guilty of treason by a kangaroo court. He was executed on 30 December 1896 after his trip to serve as a field doctor during Spain’s efforts to stem the Cuban revolution was cut short by accusations he was among the leaders of the revolution that broke out that year. Rizal’s death marked a watershed moment of the revolution, galvanizing more Filipinos to seek freedom by bearing arms and fighting the hated Spaniards. A fascinating and complex man Rizal was: A free thinker, a mason, and also a romantic lover. He was also a man of inconsistencies — both a fervent Catholic and a harsh opponent of the Catholic Church. He was a scientist who believed in the power of magic. While it’s difficult to put a finger on what kind of a man Rizal really was, undoubtedly, he was a product of his milieu. The Age of Enlightenment, the Romantic movement, and the ideas of the French Revolution all affected him, as much as he was angered by the corrupt and brutal Spanish colonial regime. Rizal’s life and actions continue to be important and relevant today. One only has to look at his works to see the unending struggle of Filipinos for justice and equality, if not against colonial masters, against homebred tyrants who continue to visit misfortunes on the country since the Spaniards left in 1898 and the Americans in 1946. As a national hero, considered the first among other heroes like Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini and Emilio Jacinto, Rizal had amply demonstrated how a single person could make a difference. Like everyone else, Rizal was a mere mortal. He was imperfect and made errors. He was, nonetheless, a remarkable man who made enormous contributions to the Philippines. At least on his birthday, like yesterday and every 30th of December to commemorate his martyrdom, Rizal deserves to be remembered and appreciated. True, Rizal had complicated and often tragic relationships with women, including one that nearly led to a fatal duel abroad with Antonio Luna over Nelly Boustead, and the last, with Josephine Bracken, who did not find favor with his family. Those relationships, however, reflect Rizal’s humanity and capacity for love. Rizal was a man who was enthusiastic about life and the people he cared about. Rizal left a legacy of love, optimism, and independence. He was a man who battled for his people’s rights and inspired them to fight for their own independence. The post Immortalized appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinoys among those evacuated as Sudan fighting enters 2nd week
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces said Sunday it had "coordinated with" American troops to evacuate Washington's embassy in the country, where fighting between the paramilitary group and the army entered a second week following a brief lull. More than 150 people from various nations had already reached the safety of Saudi Arabia in the first announced evacuation of civilians. Foreign countries have said they are preparing for the potential evacuation of thousands more of their nationals, even though Sudan's main airport remains closed. "The Rapid Support Forces Command has coordinated with the U.S Forces Mission consisting of 6 aircraft, for evacuating diplomats and their families on Sunday morning," said a tweet by the heavily armed paramilitary group. The RSF pledged "full cooperation with all diplomatic missions, and providing all necessary means of protection, and ensuring their safe return to their countries". The group previously said it was ready to "partially" open "all airports" in Sudan to evacuate foreign citizens. It was not possible to verify which airports the RSF controls. Fighting has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded, while survivors cope with shortages of electricity and food. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry announced the "safe arrival" of 91 of its citizens along with nationals from Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada and Burkina Faso. As the kingdom's naval forces transported the civilians, including diplomats and international officials, across the Red Sea from Port Sudan to Jeddah, fighting resumed in Sudan's capital Khartoum after a temporary truce saw gunfire momentarily die down on Friday, the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Eid is normally a major celebration for Sudanese marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This year it is marked by fear, grief and hunger. Earlier on Saturday, Sudan's army said its chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had received calls from leaders of multiple countries to "facilitate and guarantee safety for evacuating citizens and diplomatic missions". It noted that the evacuations were expected to begin "in the coming hours", adding that the US, Britain, France and China were planning to airlift their nationals out of Khartoum using military planes. Burhan told Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV that the army was in control of "all airports, except for Khartoum airport" and one in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. Urban warfare began on 15 April between forces loyal to Burhan and those of his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Daglo commands the RSF, which emerged from the Janjaweed fighters unleashed in Darfur by former strongman Omar al-Bashir, drawing accusations of war crimes. The former allies seized power in a 2021 coup but later fell out in a bitter power struggle. On Saturday morning, heavy gunfire, loud explosions and fighter jets were heard in many parts of the capital, according to witnesses. The army announced Friday agreement to a three-day ceasefire. Daglo said in a statement he had "discussed the current crisis" with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and was "focused on the humanitarian truce, safe passages, and protecting humanitarian workers". Five humanitarians, including four from UN-linked agencies, have so far been killed. Two 24-hour ceasefires announced earlier in the week were also ignored. In Khartoum, a city of five million people, the conflict has left terrified civilians sheltering inside their homes. Many have ventured out only to get urgent food supplies -- stocks of which are dwindling -- or to flee the city. While Khartoum has seen some of the fiercest battles, they have occurred across the country. Late Friday, the army accused the RSF of attacks in the capital's twin city of Omdurman where they released "a large number of inmates" from a prison, accusations the group denies. Battles have raged in Darfur, where Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the city of El Fasher said their medics had been "overwhelmed" by the number of patients with gunshot wounds, many of them children. More plans are being made to evacuate foreigners, with South Korea and Japan deploying forces to nearby countries, and the European Union weighing a similar move. The German ministers of defence and foreign affairs held a crisis meeting Saturday on a possible evacuation, after three military transport planes had to turn back Wednesday, according to German weekly Der Spiegel. The World Health Organization (WHO) said 413 people had been killed and 3,551 wounded in the fighting across Sudan, but the actual death toll is thought to be higher. More than two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states are now "out of service", and at least four hospitals in North Kordofan state were shelled, the doctors' union said. The World Food Programme said the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where one-third of the population needs aid. Burhan and Daglo's dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition after the military toppled Bashir in April 2019 following mass citizen protests. In October 2021, Burhan and Daglo joined forces to oust a civilian government installed after Bashir's downfall. Daglo now says the coup was a "mistake", while Burhan believes it was "necessary" to include more groups into politics. The post Pinoys among those evacuated as Sudan fighting enters 2nd week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts
Sudan's army and rival paramilitaries on Sunday began an hours-long humanitarian pause on the second day of urban battles that killed at least 56 civilians and three UN staff. The raging battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern. Neighbors Egypt and Chad closed their borders with Sudan. After the killing of the three World Food Programme workers, the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country. Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said. Violence erupted early Saturday after weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF. Each accused the other of starting the fight. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded. Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open a safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT. RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side. One hour into the agreed pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area. "The gunfire and explosions are incessant," said Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb. "The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon," said Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident. Daglo's RSF says they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport, and other strategic locations, but the army insists they are still in control. Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" but that it had been contained. On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets deserted except for soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes. Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to the hospital. 'Appalled' Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp. The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation". The UN says one-third of Sudan's population needs humanitarian aid. UN Special Representative Volker Perthes condemned the killings and said he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur". WFP said an aircraft managed by the organization "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport. "We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said. 'No negotiations' Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes. The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalize a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians". Similar appeals came from Britain, China, the European Union, and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue. After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission. But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender". The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia". There "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said. The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown. Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions in politics. Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests. The post Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Deadly fighting between army, paramilitaries in Sudan kills 27
Fighting in the Sudanese capital raged into the early hours of Sunday after a day of deadly battles between paramilitaries and the regular army that left at least 27 people dead and 170 wounded. Explosions and gunfire rang out on the deserted streets of Khartoum, according to witnesses, after the paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other vital facilities. The army denied the claims, and in a statement late Saturday, the Sudanese air force urged people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes against bases of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Fighter jets were earlier seen flying overhead. Windows rattled and apartment buildings shook in many parts of Khartoum during the clashes, according to AFP correspondents, with explosions heard early Sunday. The doctors' union said at least 27 people were killed including two at Khartoum airport and the rest in others parts of Sudan. Around 170 others were wounded in the clashes, it added in a statement early Sunday. Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia said one of its planes, with passengers and crew aboard waiting for departure, was "exposed to gunfire damage". Bakry, 24, who works in marketing, said Khartoum residents had "never seen anything like" this unrest, which left dark smoke hanging over the capital. "People were terrified and running back home. The streets emptied very quickly", said Bakry, who gave only a first name. Violence erupted after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of Daglo's RSF into the regular army. The integration was a key element of talks to finalize a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup. Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and discussed ways to de-escalate with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki. He also spoke with Burhan and Daglo urging them "to return to dialogue." The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation in Sudan. In a joint call, the Saudi and United Arab Emirates foreign ministers, along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasized "the importance of stopping the military escalation", the Saudi ministry said. Similar appeals came from the African and Arab regional blocs, the European Union, France, Italy, Russia and Iran. But in an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, who is also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender." He denied that RSF had started the fight, after Burhan in an earlier statement said he "was surprised by Rapid Support Forces attacking his home at 9:00 am". The army, on its Facebook page, declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group. The military said it carried out air strikes and destroyed two RSF bases in Khartoum. It said the airport and other bases remain under its "full control", and published a photograph of black smoke billowing from what it said was the RSF headquarters. The latest deaths, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations since the coup. RSF published on Twitter a video showing uniformed men which it claimed were "Egyptian soldiers who surrendered with Sudanese military" in Meroe, northern Sudan. Egypt's army confirmed "the presence of Egyptian forces" in Sudan for exercises, and said it was following the situation. Daglo told Sky News Arabia the Egyptians would not be harmed and would be returned home. Haggling between Daglo and Burhan has twice delayed the signing of an agreement with civilian factions setting out a roadmap for restoring the democratic transition disrupted by the 2021 coup. On Saturday, witnesses reported clashes around the state media building in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman. Others described clashes in the Darfur region and elsewhere. Chad, which borders Darfur, said it was closing its frontier, "faced with this troubling situation." The military's civilian interlocutors and ex-prime minister Abdalla Hamdok appealed for a ceasefire, a plea echoed by US ambassador John Godfrey who tweeted that he "woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting". Daglo has said the coup was a mistake that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests. Burhan, who rose through the ranks under Bashir's three-decade rule, maintained the coup was necessary to bring more groups into the political process. The post Deadly fighting between army, paramilitaries in Sudan kills 27 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tagle, papal nuncio to faithful: Join ‘Walk for Life’
Former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown urged the Catholic faithful to join the “Walk for Life” of the Catholic Church at 4 a.m. today......»»
Realign portion of NTF-ELCAC’s P16 B to help typhoon victims — Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday the government should realign a portion of the P16-billion anti-insurgency fund to relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities ravaged by super typhoon “Rolly.” Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Instead of funding a controversial program under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Hontiveros said the budget could go a long way in helping Filipinos recover from the calamity.“Ngayong panahon ng sakuna, ‘di hamak na mas kailangan ng mga kababayan natin sa Bicolandia at sa iba pang mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyo ang milyon-milyong pondo ng pamahalaan. (During this time of calamity, our people in the Bicol region and other provinces badly-hit by the typhoon need government funds),” Hontiveros said.“It is clear that the billions earmarked for NTF-ELCAC would be better spent on helping Filipinos battered by the typhoon get back on their feet,” the senator stressed.“Unahin nating bigyang-tulong at pondo ang mga nabiktima ng kalamidad, hindi ang mga ahensiya na puro pagre-redtag at pagkakalat ng fake news ang ginagawa. (Let’s prioritize helping victims of calamities by giving them funds, not agencies that do nothing but red tag people and just go about spreading fake news),” she reiterated.At the hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense, the lawmaker noted that NTF-ELCAC has been allocated a proposed budget of P19-billion for 2021. Of this amount, P16-billion has been earmarked for its Barangay Development Program. Hontiveros also pointed out that the budget for NTF-ELCAC is “questionably astronomic” compared to the proposed budgets of other key agencies particularly the Department of Housing Settlements and Urban Development which only has P632-million, Office of the Ombudsman with only P3.36-billion, Department of Budget & Management (DBM) with only P1.9-billion, and even the Department of Finance (DOF) which only has P17.46-billion.“We should not spend such an inordinate amount of time and money on an agency running after ordinary citizens using the communist bogeyman. This is on top of the NTF-ELCAC’s bad track record of spreading fake news and silencing critical and dissenting voices,” she said. Hontiveros earlier defended entertainment personalities and women’s rights groups from the red tagging activities of Lt. General Antonio Parlade, chief of the Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and NTF-ELCAC spokesperson. She said she cannot begin “to imagine the anguish and emotional toll this must have taken on these women who have been directly-hit by these accusations, as well as their families.”“I am certain that it has also caused a chilling effect on citizens who only want to weigh in on issues of national importance and hold the government to account for its failures to the people,” she stressed. “The issues of the communist insurgency are not new to me. My party Akbayan historically has called for human rights accountability of non-state actors, at kasama dito ang NPA. I will not hesitate to speak against the violations of the NPA,” she further said. .....»»
Westbrook scores 31 as Rockets get 120-116 win over Bucks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and the Houston Rockets used strong defense down the stretch for a 120-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. It was the 36th straight game with at least 20 points for Westbrook, who led Houston’s offense on a night James Harden scored 24. Houston tied an NBA record for most 3-point attempts in a regulation game with 61, making 21 of them, and forced 22 turnovers. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to have 15 games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a season in the last 50 years. Khris Middleton scored 27 points and Brook Lopez added 23 as the Bucks missed a chance to clinch the best record in the Eastern Conference. SPURS 108, GRIZZLIES 106 DeMar DeRozan made two free throws with a second to play, giving San Antonio a victory over Memphis that moved the Spurs into ninth place in the Western Conference. The Spurs built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, then needed a bunch of big plays down the stretch from DeRozan after the Grizzlies rallied. The final one came when he brought the ball down court after Jaren Jackson Jr. tied it for Memphis with a corner 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds to play. DeRozan pump-faked Dillon Brooks into the air and drew the foul, then knocked down the foul shots. Jackson missed a long 3 on the final possession. The Spurs are trying to qualify for the postseason for what would be an NBA-record 23rd consecutive season. They arrived at Walt Disney World in 12th place in the West, but after victories over Sacramento and Memphis are just two games behind the eighth-place Grizzlies. Dejounte Murray had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Derrick White added 16 points and DeRozan had 14. Morant finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Jackson scored 21 points. CELTICS 128, TRAIL BLAZERS 124 Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Jaylen Brown added 30 and Bostons built a big early lead before holding off Portland. Tatum, who added a career-high eight assists, rebounded from a terrible performance in a loss to Milwaukee on Friday when he scored just five points on 2-of-18 shooting. Damian Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists for Portland. Jusuf Nurkic added 30 points in his second official game back after breaking his leg in March 2019. SUNS 117, MAVERICKS 115 Devin Booker scored 30 points and Phoenix erased a double-digit deficit while the All-Star guard was on the bench with foul trouble, rallying to beat Dallas. The Suns have won both games in the restart after coming in with the worst record in the Western Conference. They’re still long shots for the playoffs, while the Mavericks clinched their first postseason berth since 2016 by virtue of Memphis’ loss to San Antonio earlier in the day. Luka Doncic had 40 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Mavericks. whose hopes of moving up from the seventh seed are fading with an 0-2 start in the eight-game seeding round. MAGIC 132, KINGS 116 Nikola Vucevic had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Aaron Gordon scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half and Orlando continued its strong restart with a victory over Sacramento. Terrence Ross added 25 points to help the Magic win a season-best fifth straight game going back to before the pandemic-forced shutdown in March.Orlando won the last three before the hiatus and beat Brooklyn, the team it is battling for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, to open the restart. De’Aaron Fox scored 13 points after a career-high 39 in the restart opener for the Kings, who have lost both games in the bubble as they try to get in position for a shot at the final playoff spot in the West. Harry Giles III led Sacramento with a career-high 23 points. NETS 118, WIZARDS 110 Caris LeVert scored 14 of his 34 points in the final seven minutes to help Brooklyn beat Washington. Joe Harris scored a season-high 27 points and Jarret Allen added 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Nets. They rebounded from a loss to Orlando in their first seeding game to move seven games ahead of ninth-place Washington in the Eastern Conference standings. Thomas Bryant had a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds, and Troy Brown Jr. added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Wizards......»»
Antonio Brown suspended 8 games by NFL
Antonio Brown suspended 8 games by NFL.....»»
Antetokounmpo, Bucks hold off Celtics in restart opener
By The Associated Press LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo converted a tiebreaking three-point play with 1:28 left on an overturned call that kept him in the game and helped the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 119-112 on Friday night. Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks’ first game in the restart. Milwaukee improved the NBA’s best record to 54-12 and moved within a victory of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year. Boston overcame a poor start to tie it at 107. Antetokounmpo was then called for a charging foul, appearing to negate his basket and giving him a sixth foul. The call was changed to a blocking foul on Boston’s Marcus Smart after review, and Antetokounmpo made the free throw to make it 110-107. Khris Middleton then knocked down a 3-pointer for a six-point advantage. Middleton added 18 points for the Bucks, who played without Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton while they work on their conditioning after testing positive for the coronavirus. Marvin Williams sat out with a strained left groin. Smart scored 23 points for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown had 22, but star forward Jayson Tatum had a nightmarish restart. He had five points on 2-for-18 shooting — though he actually only made one basket. Kemba Walker scored 16 points but played just 19 minutes as the Celtics look to keep the All-Star guard healthy after he’s been battling a sore knee. TRAIL BLAZERS 140, GRIZZLIES 135, OT CJ McCollum scored 33 points, teaming with Damian Lillard for 11 of Portland’s 16 in overtime, and the Trail Blazers pulled out a desperately needed victory to resume their season by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 140-135 on Friday. Lillard finished with 29 points and nine assists to help the Trail Blazers boost their hopes for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points as Portland moved within 2 1/2 games of the Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. McCollum started fast, scoring 19 points in the first half, and finished strong with two crucial 3-pointers in overtime. The first one to open the extra period gave Portland the lead for good, and he added six assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 33 points and rookie Ja Morant added 22 points and 11 assists for Memphis. Memphis rallied from a 13-point, third-quarter deficit to take an 11-point lead, then gave it away almost as quickly. When the Grizzlies recovered to take a 112-103 lead with 6:01 left in regulation, it appeared the Grizzlies might pad their lead in the standings. Instead, Anthony’s 3 with 37.5 seconds left tied it at 124 and Morant fell on a last-second fast break, sending the game to overtime. MAGIC 128, NETS 118 Evan Fournier scored 24 points, Nikola Vucevic had 22 and Orlando picked up where it left off before the NBA season was suspended, beating Brooklyn. Playing as the designated road team not far from their arena, the Magic looked right at home at Disney — whose name they wear as their jersey patch. They extended their winning streak to four and moved back ahead of the Nets into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn also won its last three before the stoppage, but the decimated team that returned is a shell of the one that beat the Lakers in Los Angeles in its final game. The Nets are missing Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince after they tested positive for the coronavirus. They are already playing without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who had season-ending surgery. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 24 points for the Nets. SPURS 129, KINGS 120 DeMar DeRozan scored 17 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to help San Antonio beat Sacramento. Before the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and assistant Becky Hammon stood for the national anthem while the remainder of the coaches and players for both teams knelt. DeRozan shot 10 of 13 and had 10 assists, and the Spurs shot 53.3% from the field. Derrick White matched a career high with 26 points in San Antonio’s first game of the restart. The Spurs needed to find offense because LaMarcus Aldridge, the team’s No. 2 scorer, had shoulder surgery in April and will not play in the restart. De’Aaron Fox scored a career-high 39 points for the Kings. SUNS 125, WIZARDS 112 Devin Booker scored 27 points, Deandre Ayton added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Phoenix beat Washington. Booker made all nine of his free throws and the Suns hit 30 of 32 from the line. They shot 52% from the field, with Ayton hitting two of three 3-pointers and going 11 of 14 overall. Rui Hachimura scored 21 points and Jerome Robinson added 20 for the Wizards on coach Scott Brooks’ 55th birthday......»»
Gregg Popovich: “Embarrassed as a white person”
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he’s “embarrassed as a white person” that George Floyd could die in such a “nonchalant” manner. The 71-year-old Popovich addressed Floyd’s death in a video released Saturday by the Spurs as part of the team's #SpursVoices social media series. Floyd was in handcuffs when a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe. Derek Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. “In a strange, counterintuitive sort of way, the best teaching moment of this recent tragedy, I think, was the look on the officer’s face,” Popovich said. “For white people to see how nonchalant, how casual, just how everyday-going-about-his job, so much so that he could just put his left hand in his pocket, wriggle his knee around a little bit to teach this person some sort of a lesson -- and that it was his right and his duty to do it, in his mind. ... “I think I’m just embarrassed as a white person to know that that can happen. To actually watch a lynching. We’ve all seen books, and you look in the books and you see black people hanging off of trees. ... But we just saw it again. I never thought I’d see that, with my own eyes, in real time. “It’s like the neighborhood where you know there’s a dangerous corner, and you know that something’s going to happen someday, and nobody does anything. And then a young kid gets killed and a stop sign goes up. Well, without getting too political, we’ve got a lot of stop signs that need to go up -- quickly -- because our country is in trouble. And the basic reason is race.” Popovich said white people must help lead the charge for change. “We have to do it. Black people have been shouldering this burden for 400 years,” Popovich said. “The only reason this nation has made the progress it has is because of the persistence, patience and effort of black people. The history of our nation from the very beginning in many ways was a lie, and we continue to this day, mostly black and brown people, to try to make that lie a truth so that it is no longer a lie. And those rights and privileges are enjoyed by people of color, just like we enjoy them. So it’s got to be us, in my opinion, that speak truth to power, and call it out, no matter what the consequences. We have to speak. We have to not let anything go.” Popovich has led the Spurs to five NBA titles and is a three-time coach of the year. He's set to coach the United States in the Tokyo Olympics. .....»»
PRO-Davao no idea of Quiboloy’s whereabouts
THE Police Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO-Davao) has responded to the accusations of Makabayan ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro that they are “clueless about the whereabouts of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy”......»»
Boxing trainer Domingo is confident Jerusalem will upset Shigeoka
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran boxing trainer, Michael Domingo of ZIP Sanman Boxing Team, is confident that his prized ward Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will make a repeat of the latter’s January 2023 world title victory in Japan. The Cebu-based Jerusalem will face the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight champion, Yudai Shigeoka, in Nagoya,.....»»