Caindec: Busay accident driver aware that brake was broken
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – The driver of the minidump truck which hit a motorcycle on Sunday killing all four passengers on board, was aware that the brake of the vehicle he was driving was broken. This was what the Land Transportation Office Central Visayas (LTO-7) found out in its separate investigation on the vehicular accident […] The post Caindec: Busay accident driver aware that brake was broken appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
EDITORIAL — Irresponsible driving
As travel increases this Holy Week, motorists are expressing concern about a road accident this month that penalized an innocent driver. Video footage showed a Toyota Innova traversing the northbound lane of the Skyway Stage 3 on March 10 when a motorcycle moving beyond the speed limit counter-flowed, colliding head-on with the Innova......»»
2 dead, 15 injured in car crash in Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed and 15 others injured after a passenger jeepney's brake failed, causing it to hit several vehicles in the Philippines' Laguna province, south of Manila, police said Saturday. The accident occurred past 5 p.m. local time on Friday in Nagcarlan town while the jeepney was negotiating a descending road, police said. The wayward.....»»
2 dead, 15 injured in car crash in Philippines
MANILA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed and 15 others injured after a passenger jeepney's brake failed, causing it to hit several vehicles in the Philippines' Laguna province, south of Manila, police said Saturday. The accident occurred past 5 p.m. local time on Friday in Nagcarlan town while the jeepney was negotiating a descending road, police said. The wayward.....»»
Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle
The Rolling Stones burst back to life on Friday with "Hackney Diamonds", their first album in 18 years, featuring megastar cameos from Elton John, Lady Gaga and even their old rival, Paul McCartney. Now in their seventh decade of making music together, the legendary British band is back with their 24th studio album. McCartney joins in for the first time, playing bass on the punky "Bite My Head Off". Back in their 1960s heyday, much was made of the rivalry between the Stones and the Beatles, but it was always more marketing than reality, with John Lennon singing on the Stones' "We Love You" in 1967. "Paul and I have always been friends," Stones frontman Mick Jagger, 80, told France 2 this week. McCartney's appearance was something of an accident, Keith Richards told Guitar Player magazine. "He happened to be around and dropped by," Richards said. "I don't even think he intended to play bass on a track, but once he was in there, I just said, 'Come on, you're in. You ain't leaving till you play.'" While McCartney and Elton John's contributions are somewhat hard to pick out, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder make more of an impact on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven", a blues-y ballad in the vein of classics such as "You Can't Always Get What You Want". 'Hackneyed duds' Reviews have been mostly polite rather than gushing. The Guardian gave it four stars, saying: "If this is the end, they're going out with a bang", while the LA Times called it "surprisingly spry, sparked by the deathless riffs". There has indeed been plenty of hype ahead of the release, with some saying it is their best piece of work since "Some Girls" in 1978. But others were deeply unimpressed by the sleek production from Andrew Watt, used to working with popstars like Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa. "Hackney Diamonds" is old London slang for "broken glass", but was used as a pun by Pitchfork, who called the album "a bunch of hackneyed duds, polished until the character has disappeared." No one is pretending it comes close to the legendary run between 1968 and 1972 that saw the release of "Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." in quick succession. Nor does it head in any new directions. "The group seemed to concede years ago that, with such a legendary discography, new albums and attempts at new styles are almost superfluous," wrote Variety. "(But) if there's a better way to end the Rolling Stones 60-plus-year recording career, it's hard to imagine what it could be," it added. The post Rolling Stones return with a little help from a Beatle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release
The Daily Tribune recently published the opinion entitled “Releasing Fukushima water amid protests?” by Mr. Bernie V. Lopez, which worsens the misperception of Japan’s discharge plan. Therefore, I would like to provide explanations based on scientific evidence and facts as well as Japan’s efforts to take the measure in the most accountable and transparent manner. First of all, the water to be discharged is NOT “nuclear wastewater”.” It is “ALPS (advanced liquid processing system) treated water,” which has been sufficiently purified until the concentration of radioactive materials other than tritium is below the regulatory standard and then is further diluted before it is discharged. Tritium is a radioactive material that exists in nature, and can be found in rainwater and also in our bodies, but does not accumulate in the body. The reason for the discharge of ALPS-treated water is not a fear of the dangers of storing large amounts of nuclear wastewater but to restore life in Fukushima and achieve reconstruction. The Subcommittee on Handling ALPS Treated Water considered five options: geosphere injection, discharge into the sea, vapor release, hydrogen release, and underground burial. Of those methods, discharge into the sea was determined to be the best from a risk management perspective, because it has a proven track record in domestic and international nuclear facilities and is easy to monitor. Discharge of ALPS-treated water is an issue that cannot be postponed to construct new facilities to safely proceed with the decommissioning work, which will be more fully underway in the future. On 4 July 2023, The International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, the world’s authority on nuclear-related issues, published the Comprehensive Report on the Safety Review of the ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which presents the findings of a nearly two-year review conducted by the IAEA and independent international experts based on scientific evidence. The report states that Japan’s plans to discharge the ALPS-treated water into the sea and associated activities are consistent with relevant international safety standards, and the discharge will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. On 24 August 2023, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, or FDNPS, initiated the discharge of ALPS-treated water to promote the reconstruction of Fukushima. Since the start of the discharge, it has been confirmed that the concentration of nuclides including tritium in seawater and marine products is far below the standards, which indicates that the discharge is safe as planned. Specifically, Japan is implementing three types of monitoring (monitoring of treated water in tanks, real-time monitoring of a wide range of nuclides, mainly tritium) with the involvement of the IAEA. If a problem is detected during this monitoring process such as detecting radioactivity levels exceeding standards, appropriate measures will be taken, including immediate suspension of the discharge. In more detail, we will manage the annual discharge volume of tritium so it will not exceed 22 trillion Bq, which is equivalent to the target discharge management value for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station before the accident. It is worth noting that other countries also discharge tritium into the sea in compliance with their domestic laws and regulations; for instance, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association website, China, discharging 112 trillion Bequerel, or Bq, from Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant , 102 trillion Bq from Ningde NPP, 90 trillion Bq from Hongyanhe NPP in 2021. The amount of tritium in the ALPS-treated water is far smaller than the amount of tritium discharged from many nuclear power plants and other facilities in other countries. Consultations with stakeholders Furthermore, the aforementioned article states that “Japan planned the release unilaterally — no transparency, no consensus. They never made an effort for international awareness and inspection.” However, the fact is that Japan has provided information and has engaged in consultations with the interested parties including both international and domestic ones in a transparent manner based on scientific evidence, with an emphasis on providing sufficient data. In addition, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized that every possible measure would be taken to ensure the safety of discharge and that any emission that would harm the health of citizens or the marine environment would not occur. He also explained Japan’s efforts regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water at ASEAN-related Summit Meetings in Jakarta on September 6 and 7 and the G20 New Delhi Summit on September 9 and 10, which led to a wider and deeper understanding of our approach. The positive recognition and support in the international community for Japan’s efforts and its commitments are currently spreading. Many countries including the U.S., Australia, and NZ officially welcomed the IAEA’s Comprehensive Report, and also Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) acknowledged Japan’s efforts. Recently, on the margin of the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meetings, H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia expressed his understanding of Japan’s position. In addition, on the margin of the G20 New Delhi Summit, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye said that he is aware of Japan’s sincere efforts, and H.E. Mr. Mark RUTTE, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed his full support to Japan’s approach. Therefore, the author’s claim that Japan had “no transparency, no consensus” is inaccurate. As the author correctly stated, “Secrecy will be Japan’s enemy” and Japan has been and will prioritize our transparency. At the end of the day, all the questions should be left to scientists and experts on nuclear issues, to draw a conclusion that can stand the test of scientific evidence and facts. Having gone through unprecedented hardships since the Great East Japan Earthquake, we remain committed to facing the most difficult challenges with complete transparency in close collaboration with the IAEA. After the start of discharge into the sea, Japan will continue to conduct three types of monitoring in a multilayered manner with the involvement of the IAEA. We hope to gain the understanding and support of the international community. The government of Japan will continue to provide the necessary information transparently based on the conclusion of the comprehensive report and will continue efforts to gain further understanding from the international community, while scientifically refuting politically motivated opinions. The post Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’
“They’re dreaming,” former president Rodrigo Duterte said as he broke his silence over the claims that the Philippines, during his administration, promised to remove the Philippine Navy’s commissioned vessel BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a recent episode of his program 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa’ over the SMNI News Channel earlier this week, Duterte bluntly denied giving out “an inch of territory” to China during his term. “I did not discuss anything about territory. For one, what is there on the map is ours. We are not claiming an area over what is really legally ours. So, that Sierra Madre—is claimed by the Philippines as ours (in) that area—so let it just remain there,” he said. Duterte agreed that setting up the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin symbolizes the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS. “Maybe, as a symbolic thing, to put a notice on everybody na atin ‘yan (that it is ours), which is good. Kung ako ang tanungin mo, prangkahan ko lang either kung sino ang nakikinig dyan (If you would ask me, I will tell you frankly, to whoever is listening now)—whether its a foreign country or the government)” he said. “Kung ako magdala ako ng maraming barko sa navy na sira-sira butasan ko 'yan dun. Iwan ko. Ilayo ko pa na parang buffer zone (If I were to ask, I would bring many decommissioned and broken navy ships in there. I will leave them there. I will even scatter them as a buffer zone) so that there can be no issue about. I said I would not give an inch that is owned by my country,” Duterte stressed. Duterte emphasized that defending the country’s territory should be spared from being a good friend to China. “Iba yung mag-kaibigan tayo, iba yung teritoryo ko. Ang liit-liit na nga natin tapos kukunan pa nila. Hindi na maganda yan,” he said. Earlier, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo categorically denied that she made promises to China or any other country. "First, I never made such a promise to China or any other country. Second, I never authorized any government officials to make such a promise. Third, I only became aware of such claims recently, when the matter surfaced in public discussions," she said. China insists that Ayungin Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, is part of its territory. But the Philippines maintains its sovereignty over the shoal as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral ruling. The post Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA holding aircraft emergency exercise
The Manila International Airport Authority is set to test its readiness to respond to an aircraft crash incident during the Crash Rescue Exercise 2023 to be held today, 4 August within the airside premises of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Airport authorities from ICAO member countries are expected to undertake a full-scale airport emergency drill every two years, followed by a smaller tabletop drill the following year. These are carried out to make sure that airport administrations are aware of the most recent suggestions made in the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices manuals. This year’s crash rescue exercise will also gauge how well the current policies and practices outlined in the 8th edition of the MIAA Airport Emergency Plan adhere to the standards of the ICAO-SARPS. Both the ICAO-SARPS and the MIAA-AEP specify organizational relationships and lines of authority between first and secondary responders as well as support groups, and they also outline how all operations should be coordinated in the event of an airport emergency. These two documents also outline who is responsible for what in terms of carrying out particular responses to emergency situations at airports, for both organizations and individuals. The MIAA Rescue, Firefighting and Medical Units are the first to arrive at an emergency on the airport at NAIA. MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said that this year’s exercise is another first in the history of the MIAA because they will also simulate the management and handling of relatives of victims of the aircraft accident, something that has never been done before. While rated as a Category IX airport, MIAA’s current rescue and firefighting capability is Category X compliant, making it ready to respond to an airport emergency involving an Airbus A380. The acting airport chief added that with the support of highly skilled fire and rescue personnel, a medical team that is well-trained and experienced in aviation medicine, a fleet of modern firefighting and medical vehicles, pneumatic aircraft lifting systems, and various other rescue equipment, the MIAA Emergency Services department is at par with its counterparts in the region. Co assured the public that during the CREX event there will be no flight disruptions and normal operations will continue smoothly during the conduct of the exercise. The post MIAA holding aircraft emergency exercise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
23 dead, six missing as boat capsizes in Philippine lake
A small passenger boat capsized in a lake near the Philippine capital on Thursday, killing 23 people on board and leaving six missing, rescuers said. The accident happened in the early afternoon at Laguna lake, near Manila, hours after Typhoon Doksuri had swept out of the northern Philippines. "Some survivors begged us to rescue those trapped beneath the boat," resident Monica de la Cruz, who watched the rescue effort off the municipality of Binangonan, told AFP. "They were crying and some of them were injured." Cruz said the accident took place following a "sudden gust of wind, big waves and rain", with locals initially too afraid to assist, fearing they would be "dragged down as well". The wooden outrigger "encountered strong winds prompting all passengers to panic" and move to one side of the vessel, the coast guard said in a statement. "The boat had clearance to sail," coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo told reporters, downplaying speculation the typhoon had caused the accident. The passenger boat was making its regular run from a Binangonan port to the island of Talim in the middle of the lake, municipality rescue official Kenneth Cirados told AFP. Rescuers retrieved 23 bodies from the water and there were 40 survivors, he said. Six people remained missing with the search set to resume Friday. By nightfall, rescuers had righted the boat and dragged it close to shore, where its yellow hull sat in shallow water. A broken motorcycle cargo and soiled pieces of tarp were draped over it. "The boat sank in front of us while on its way home to the island," said Binangonan resident Frederic Sison, who had been standing at the Kalinawan port when the incident happened. Video footage of the rescue shared by the coast guard showed a man standing on the hull of the boat that was lying on its side, shouting "There are so many people here", as small outrigger boats circled trying to help. Another clip showed two rescuers leaning from the side of a boat to pluck a person who appeared to be unconscious from the calm waters. Mobile phone footage taken by Sison and shared with AFP showed anxious people standing on the shore watching the boats take part in the frantic rescue effort. In the video, a young boatman said he saved four people including a disabled person and a girl. A woman could be seen doing chest compressions on one of several victims laid out on the concrete pier, as men lifted more motionless people out of small boats. Boats, including wooden outriggers and passenger ferries that provide transport between islands, had been ordered to shore in Luzon and central islands earlier in the week due to gale warnings as the typhoon intensified the southwest monsoon. The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has a poor maritime safety record, with scores dying in mishaps at sea each year, usually aboard wooden-hulled outriggers used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another. The post 23 dead, six missing as boat capsizes in Philippine lake appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Faulty, defective accessories lead to road accidents—LTO
7,451 motorists were apprehended for various violation of traffic laws in the first half of 2023, the Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region (LTO-NCR) reported over the weekend. Of this numbers, LTO-NCR Regional Director Roque I. Verzosa III said. 837 individuals were found to be operating motor vehicles with faulty accessories, devices, equipment, and parts, violating the provisions of Republic Act 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Thus Verzosa issued a safety advisory, urging motorists to exercise caution and refrain from driving motor vehicles with defective accessories to mitigate the risk of accidents. According to Verzosa, driving motor vehicles with faulty or malfunctioning components can pose several dangers, including: malfunctioning of headlights, taillights, or turn signals can impair visibility, reducing other drivers' ability to see your vehicle's movements and increasing the likelihood of accidents. Faulty brake systems or worn-out brake pads can hinder your ability to stop the vehicle efficiently, resulting in longer stopping distances and an increased risk of collisions. Defective steering mechanisms or suspension components can diminish your control over the vehicle, heightening the chances of accidents, particularly during maneuvers like turning or sudden lane changes. Defective airbags, seat belts, or child safety restraints may not provide adequate protection in the event of an accident, significantly increasing the risk of injuries or fatalities for occupants. Malfunctioning wiring or electrical components can give rise to electrical malfunctions, such as fires or electrical shorts, can lead to vehicle breakdowns or accidents on the road. Malfunctioning accessories such as horns, wipers, or emergency lights can impede your ability to effectively communicate or respond in emergency situations, potentially endangering yourself and others. "It is crucial to address any defective accessory promptly by repairing or replacing it to ensure your safety and the safety of passengers and other road users," Verzosa said. The LTO-NCR chief said that based on their data, another 1,055 motorists were apprehended by personnel from the Regional Law Enforcement Unit (RLEU) and the District Law Enforcement Teams (DLET) for violating other provisions of Republic Act 4136. The majority of these motorists, according to Verzosa, were issued tickets for various violations such as failure to carry OR/CR while driving a motor vehicle (154); unregistered motor vehicle (131); disregarding traffic signs (122); unauthorized mv modification (100); reckless driving (95); driver wearing slippers (81); obstruction (44); failure to provide canvass cover to cargos or freight of trucks (39); driving without a valid driver's license (34); failure to attach motor vehicle license plates (28); no CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience) carried (23); allowing passengers on top or cover of a motor vehicle (18); motor vehicles operating with unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts (17); pick and drop passenger (16); breach of franchise (15); excess passenger (14); Illegal terminal (13); motor vehicle operating with improper accessories, devices, equipment, parts (12); driving without valid certificate of public convenience (11); improper attachment of mv license plates (10); no authorization to use improvised plate (10); unregistered topload (9); and disregarding traffic officer (9). Verzosa said other motorists were apprehended due to violations of R.A. 875O (failure to wear the prescribed seat belt device and failure to require the front passenger to wear a seatbelt device); and R. A. 10054 (failure to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet and failure to require the back rider to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet). He said a total of 881 motorists were apprehended for failure to wear the prescribed seat belt device, which falls under R.A. 8750. On the other hand, another 343 motorists were also apprehended for failing to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet under R.A. 10054. The post Faulty, defective accessories lead to road accidents—LTO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fixing a broken tourism campaign
It’s really unfortunate that the country’s tourism campaign, instead of gaining love, had to suffer a loss after several fact-checking media outlets found out that the advertising agency, DDB Philippines, which created the launch video for the “Love the Philippines” campaign, had “cheated,” using stock photos and videos from other countries and represented them as being known tourist spots in our country. It was found that the DDB Philippines-produced “Love the Philippines” video merely used stock photos and footage taken from apps as analyzed by the fact-check team of Agence France-Presse. Shots of the rice terraces to showcase the communities in Banaue and Benguet, for example, were stock footage of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. An aerial shot of sand dunes, which is a feature of the Ilocos, was identified as being in Cumboco, Brazil, while a guy driving a buggy over the sand dunes was an image of the dunes in the United Arab Emirates. DDB Philippines has since apologized, calling it an “unfortunate oversight”. The Department of Tourism, for its part, has canceled its tourism campaign contract with the ad agency, citing violations of the latter’s obligation under the terms of the contract. To be frank, I don’t think the mere cancellation of the contract with DDB Philippines will suffice to gloss over the mess the ad firm caused for the country and the tourism sector, both locally and internationally. We have to be aware of the damage and the opportunity loss this debacle has caused to our tourism sector and, conceivably, our economic growth. Travel and tourism, because of their strong linkages to other sectors, are an integral part of a country’s economy. This is specifically true for the Philippines where our growth comes primarily from services and consumption. The tourism industry stimulates growth in the accommodations sector. With strong tourist arrivals, investments in hotels, resorts, vacation houses and rentals, also grow. This leads to the creation of jobs in the construction and hospitality sectors, and also increases demand for local food, souvenirs and handicraft. Growth in the tourism sector also generates growth in the transportation and communications sectors. Tourism requires transportation services, such as airlines, ships and boats, taxis, rental cars and public transport. These in turn promote infrastructure development in airports, seaports, roads and highways. Economic models have shown us that tourism revenues increase government revenues and household income, generate employment opportunities, and therefore lead to economic growth. The vibrancy of our tourism should come naturally to us the way we Filipinos pride ourselves in being one of the most hospitable cultures in the world. Moreover, the tourism sector should be one of our strongest industries considering that it is services and consumption driven. Yet, we have continually failed to capitalize on this and we have remained a laggard compared to our ASEAN counterparts like Thailand and Malaysia. Thailand has been running its “Amazing Thailand” tourism campaign since 1999 and it is one of the most successful campaigns in the world. It simply features striking visuals of Thailand’s beaches, temples, and food. In 2019, before the pandemic, tourist arrivals in Thailand almost reached 40 million while the Philippines generated barely 10 percent of that, or less than 4 million. We truly must rethink our tourism strategy and align it with strategies that work for other ASEAN nations with which our country shares geographical and cultural features. As for the “Love the Philippines” campaign, I am not so confident that it is still salvageable given the taint of misrepresentation and bad faith. The post Fixing a broken tourism campaign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prigozhin Circus comes to town
There are those who rise to the occasion in high-stakes geopolitics, displaying strategic brilliance and unwavering determination. Then there are those, such as Yevgeny Prigozhin and his longtime friend Vladimir Putin, who stumble through their power plays like bumbling neighborhood bullies caught off guard. The recent “mutiny” of Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group against Putin is a farce, a feeble attempt to save face as Russia and Wagner crumble under the weight of their failed war against Ukraine. To be honest, expecting Prigozhin, the opportunistic chameleon, to lead a genuine revolt against his fellow mobster Putin would be naivete. Prigozhin, who was once known for his culinary skills, has ditched his caterer’s hat in favor of a toy soldier’s beret, believing himself to be a military strategist. Nonetheless, his track record on the sidelines of previous and current Putin wars reveals nothing but incompetence and self-interest. That “mutiny” is nothing more than Prigozhin running away from Ukraine with his tail tucked between his legs. And the funny thing is that Putin lapped it all up from his former quasi-butler. While Prigozhin’s threat to depose Putin was clearly a bluff, the fact that Putin overreacted and declared virtual martial law in Russia indicates that the once-astute leader has lost touch with reality. Ukraine, under President Volodymyr Zelensky, has dealt Putin and his cronies one crushing defeat after another on the battlefield. Putin’s vulnerability is exposed, and his overreaction reveals a panic within the Kremlin’s walls. Everything considered, the Putin-Prigozhin intramural only serves to highlight the absurdity of these two clowns and vindicates the countries that are supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, including NATO and European Union members. They’ve recognized the bluster and bravado of these neighborhood bullies and have wisely chosen to provide Ukraine with weapons, training, and other assistance. For students of history, the recent events in Russia bring to mind Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Churchill delivered that statement on 1 October 1939 on the radio on whether then-Soviet Russia would join World War 2, which had just broken out. The UK Prime Minister was, of course, referring to the Soviet Union’s unpredictable and often contradictory foreign policy, while suggesting that the Soviet Union’s actions were ultimately motivated by its own national interests, rather than by any ideological or moral principles. Churchill would be proven right, as the Soviet Union would only join the last global war on 22 June 1941 — only after Nazi Germany invaded and used the Molotov-Ribbentrop non-aggression pact between them to wipe the Führer’s backside. But enough digression. The riddle has been solved with Putin and Prigozhin: They’re simply jokesters, stumbling and fumbling their way through their own follies. It’s no surprise that the rest of the world is simultaneously amused and perplexed by their antics. Prigozhin’s dramatic exit from Russia without being charged adds another twist to this tragicomedy. His forces took control of a key army headquarters, threatened the capital, and then abruptly reversed course to purportedly avoid bloodshed in Moscow. Residents were cheering and chanting “Wagner! Wagner!” outside the military headquarters they had captured, demonstrating the absurdity of the situation. While publicly remaining neutral, the United States and its allies are acutely aware of the potential consequences of this Barnum and Bailey show. President Joe Biden’s meetings with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom highlight concerns that Putin’s grip on the nuclear-armed country is slipping. Russia’s foreign ministry, on the other hand, had issued a stern warning to the US and its allies, claiming that the rebellion plays into the hands of Russia’s external enemies. Whatever. Amid all this, Ukraine is reveling in the chaos that has engulfed its long-time adversary amid this political theater. According to President Zelensky’s aide, Prigozhin humiliated Putin and demonstrated that, in Russia, “there is no longer a monopoly on violence.” Ukraine is now seeing a golden opportunity to ratchet up its counter-offensive against Russian invaders, buoyed by the vulnerabilities exposed within the Russian regime. Zelensky had been mocked as a B-movie actor playing the role of a President. Okay, that’s a matter of opinion. There’s no debate, though, of Putin and his “frenemy” Prigozhin being pathetic comedians whose jokes are flat and are on them. Still, we’re all captive audiences in this Putin-Prigozhin sitcom. The post Prigozhin Circus comes to town appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fire hits Binondo building
A fire broke out in a commercial building in Binondo, Manila on Saturday morning. The blaze started at 10:30 a.m. on the 5th floor of the PAM building, located at Claro M. Recto, corner Sto. Cristo Street. The Bureau of Fire Protection reached second alarm, and was put under control by 11:45 a.m. and declared out by 12:27 p.m. There were no reported casualties, but the fire caused an estimated damage of P480,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, arson investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was caused by an electrical fault or by a cooking accident. The fire has caused the closure of the PAM building for the time being, with the owners working to assess the damage and make repairs. Residents of Binondo and other parts of Metro Manila were urged to be vigilant and to take steps to prevent fires. The BFP handed some tips on how to prevent fires, including keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, and installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Building owners were encouraged to have a fire escape plan and to practice it regularly. “Be aware of the fire risks in your area and take steps to mitigate them,” the bureau said. The post Fire hits Binondo building appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beijing hospital fire death toll rises to 29
Chinese authorities said on Wednesday they had detained a dozen people over a hospital fire in Beijing that left at least 29 dead and forced desperate survivors to jump out of windows to escape. The blaze, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon at the Changfeng Hospital in China's capital, killed mostly patients, and left scores of other people injured. Dramatic footage posted to social media showed people clinging to ropes and jumping from the building, while others perched on external air conditioning units in a desperate bid to shelter from the flames. The Fengtai district's deputy mayor expressed his "deep condolences" over the deaths of the 16 women and 13 men killed in the inferno, the deadliest in Beijing in over two decades. "We feel deep remorse and guilt," Li Zongrong told journalists as he announced the toll at a press conference on Wednesday. "I hereby express our deep condolences for the victims, and express our sincere respects to the victims' families, the injured and their relatives, and apologise to the people of the whole city," he said. Twelve people, including the hospital's director, have been detained in connection with the fire, said Sun Haitao from Beijing's public security bureau, adding that representatives from a company renovating the facility were among those being held. A preliminary probe revealed the blaze had been caused by "sparks generated during the internal renovation and construction of the inpatient department of the hospital", according to Zhao Yang from the city fire brigade. The sparks "ignited the volatile elements of the flammable paint on the site", Zhao said. 39 hospitalized State broadcaster CCTV reported that out of the dead, 26 were patients at the hospital, two were hospital staff and one was a patient's family member. State-run People's Daily reported that as of Wednesday morning 39 people were being treated in hospital with injuries, and another three had been discharged. Top city officials visited the hospital shortly after the fire, which broke out at around 1 pm on Tuesday and was extinguished half an hour later. Beijing party secretary Yin Li vowed to "quickly identify the cause of the accident and hold the relevant responsible persons accountable", according to the Beijing Daily. AFP journalists on Wednesday saw dozens of people outside the entrance to the hospital, where a large number of police officers were stationed. Some of the hospital's windows appeared blackened and at least one was broken. The facade of one of the hospital buildings was completely blackened by soot. AFP journalists saw people who appeared to be investigators taking photos from inside the blackened building, with the interior visibly damaged by the flames. Many family members lost contact with patients in the aftermath of the disaster, the China Youth Daily said in a separate report on Wednesday, adding that many of them were elderly people with mobility problems. A police officer on the scene on Wednesday told AFP the city "will probably make the appropriate arrangements" to take care of victims' relatives. The hospital is located in the capital's western urban area, about 25 minutes by car from Tiananmen Square. Deadly fires are common in China due to weak safety standards and lax enforcement. Tuesday's tragedy was the deadliest in the Chinese capital since a June 2002 fire at an internet cafe killed 25 students. Ten people died in an apartment block blaze in northwestern Xinjiang in November, sparking protests against Covid-19 lockdowns blamed for hindering rescue efforts. And 38 people were killed in a fire at a factory in central China, also in November, with authorities blaming workers for illegal welding. The post Beijing hospital fire death toll rises to 29 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kapuso star David Licauco shares how his life changed after car accident
Kapuso star David Licauco recently disclosed that he initially had no plans of joining the entertainment business. In a conversation with Karen Davila, the actor explained that his initial goal was to become a professional basketball player. “But I failed to become a professional basketball player,” rued Licauco, who instead ventured into showbiz. “Super unexpected kasi ‘yung showbiz kasi di naman ako lumaking crush ng bayan. I don’t know, it just really happened.” The Pambansang Ginoo shared that he started out as a model before becoming an actor. He was strolling along the beach of Boracay when an agent approached him and asked him if he wanted to become a model. The actor also revealed that the car accident he had with his friends had forced him to put off his dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. He narrated that they were on their way home from Tagaytay when a gas tanker hit their car. “I was in the passenger seat beside the driver, parang miracle siya,” he said. “Di ba ‘yung parking boy nasa side ng driver lagi pero, for some reason, parang miracle na lang na nandun siya sa side ko. Sabi niya: ‘Sir, seat belt lang po ha.’ Parang nakatulog ako kasi I was really sleepy.” Unfortunately, Licauco’s closest buddy — who was driving the car — passed away. “He was my best friend. He was my neighbor and we grew up together. We played basketball together,” he said. For a time, Licauco felt that he was the one responsible for what had happened to them. “Medyo sinisi ko rin ‘yung sarili ko. What if I didn’t fall asleep? What if sinamahan ko ‘yung driver… na parang pwede na siyang maiwasan kung mas naging aware ako, mas naging wise ako in that situation,” Licauco shared. Later on, he came to realize that he had no control over the things around him. “Mas minahal ko sarili ko. Mas minahal ko ‘yung friends ko and family because you’ll never know,” said Licauco, who also realized the importance of appreciating life. He also admitted that he now sees himself as an inspiration to the youth, to the fans and to his family and friends. Licauco is one of the stars of Maria Clara at Ibarra, a GMA Network drama that is currently available on Netflix. The post Kapuso star David Licauco shares how his life changed after car accident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jeremy Renner suffered 30 plus broken bones in snow plow accident
The "Avengers" star spent more than two weeks in the hospital after the giant 14,000-lb (six-ton) vehicle rolled onto him as he was clearing a driveway......»»
South Korea’s Halloween crowd surge: What we know
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is investigating the exact cause of a deadly crowd surge that killed 154 people at a Halloween event, as public outrage grows over perceived policing and crowd control failures. A man offers a flower at a joint memorial altar for victims of the deadly Halloween crowd surge, in Naksopyeong, near the district of Itaewon in Seoul on October 31, 2022. ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP What went wrong and why did so many people die at the first post-pandemic Halloween party in Seoul’s popular Itaewon nightlife district? Here is what we know: What’s going on? The government promised a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the exact causes of the deadly crush in Itaewon, and police said Monday they had launched a task force and started the probe. They’ve deployed forensic experts, seized footage from 50 security cameras in the area, and interviewed scores of witnesses, victims, and workers at nearby stores, according to a senior police officer. How did it happen? Typically, a gathering of over 1,000 people has to submit “safety management plans” to the government in advance for review by police and fire departments. But in the case of the Itaewon Halloween festivities, there is no designated event organiser — individual bars, clubs and restaurants simply hold their own events and people flock to the area. Just weeks before, a “Global Village Festival” was safely staged in the exact same streets — but it was an organised event sponsored by local authorities. As a result, it had “effective crowd control with many police officers and district office staff in charge”, said Kim Min-kyu, who runs a currency exchange shop near the site of the accident and saw both events. Police have admitted to lapses in their real-time management of the event. “Police officers on the scene didn’t detect a sudden surge in the crowd,” Hong Ki-hyun, chief of the National Police Agency’s Public Order Management Bureau, told local reporters. Why was it so bad? Experts say the crowd crush could have been prevented with proper preparation, But they admit things have gotten more difficult after years of pandemic-related lockdowns. “Everywhere in the world event organisers are struggling with the post-Covid crowd,” said Eric Kant, a crowd safety specialist who runs the Phase01 Crowd Management. “A lot of visitors are new with partying, they are indeed very excited, and maybe do not understand risks very much,” he added. Key risk factors for crowd surges are “unrestricted entry” of people into a small space, and “no ticket sales” which means organisers have no exact estimate of demand, experts say — all of which happened at Itaewon. “This is a recipe for disaster in mass gatherings,” crowd safety expert Milad Haghani of the University of New South Wales told AFP. Even for the Halloween event — a public gathering with no tickets — authorities could have been actively managing the situation to prevent overcrowding. “On the day, this would mean monitoring the numbers, at the very least,” said John Drury, an expert on crowd psychology at the University of Sussex. “It would also mean a public information campaign beforehand to discourage such large numbers attending.” He warned that psychology studies show people actually seek out “objectively dangerous levels of density” at events, and organisers need to be aware of this risk. Who is to blame? So far, no one has been held accountable, even as public anger flares at the government and police for their apparent lack of oversight. Top-ranking officials have brushed off questions about taking responsibility, saying the priority is currently on helping the victims and dealing with the aftermath of the accident. Much local criticism has focused on the police — but experts say they are not necessarily at fault. “We should remember that the primary role of the police is generally not crowd management,” said Martyn Amos, a professor at Northumbria University who works on crowd simulation. “It’s possible to manage an event largely using stewards, with the police there to ensure public order and to deal with criminal activity,” he told AFP. What happens next? The government is under immense pressure to resolve this quickly — and properly. The opposition Democratic Party has already slammed the government’s handling of the event, and will likely push for resignations once the national mourning period ends on November 5. The Itaewon crush could deal another blow to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s popularity ratings — already at record lows. There is also a possibility that the disaster, if mishandled, could become a major political liability for the government. In 2014 then president Park Geun-hye was in power during the sinking of the Sewol ferry in which 304 people — mostly school children — died. She was widely criticised for her handling of the incident. The issue lingered over her presidency until she was impeached three years later over a corruption scandal......»»
Concolacion VM recovering from ‘dance floor accident’
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Consolacion Vice Mayor Teresa Alegado is now well and recovering from her broken arm. Mayor Joannes Alegado issued the clarification to correct misinformation on vice mayor’s health and the accident on Saturday night, May 22, that caused her condition. “Klarohon ko lang nga ang akong inahan na slide sa dangub nga […] The post Concolacion VM recovering from ‘dance floor accident’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Borbon road accident injures 5
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A mother from Sogod town in northern Cebu planned a beach outing her four children and a friend on a Saturday morning, April 10. But they instead landed in the hospital for the treatment of their bruises after the driver of a delivery van lost control of his brake and hit […] The post Borbon road accident injures 5 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
2 riders die in freak SRP accident, another injured in Busay crash
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two riders, one a bicyclist the other a motorcyclist died in a freak early morning accident at the South Road Properties in Cebu City on Friday, February 12, 2021, According to the Mambaling Police Station, the motorcycle driver identified as Jason Inot, 34, was traversing at high speed toward Talisay Proper […] The post 2 riders die in freak SRP accident, another injured in Busay crash appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Video: Koala causes a car accident on the Australian highway and turns into a virus
The serial collision, in which six cars took part, occurred when drivers brake and maneuvered so as not to run over the animal that was.....»»