Davis stops Garcia to remain unbeaten in marquee bout
Unbeaten Gervonta Davis handed Ryan Garcia the first defeat of his career on Saturday, stopping the Californian with a paralyzing body shot in the seventh round of their marquee fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis, who has won five world titles in three weight classes, added another highlight reel knockout to his collection as he improved to 29-0 with 27 knockouts. Garcia was making the running in the second round when Davis drilled him with a left overhand counterpunch to send him to the canvas. The knockout blow was blindingly fast as Davis took advantage of an advancing Garcia, landing another heavy left to Garcia's ribcage. After staggering back, Garcia steadied and attempted to square up before dropping to one knee -- unable to rise before referee Thomas Taylor counted to 10. "It was a good shot," Davis said. "I thought he was going to get up. I was looking at him, trying to tell him 'get up.' "And he just shook his head." There was no title on the line, nor any battle for dominance in the 135- or 140-pound classes. But the fight at a 136-pound catchweight, which headlined a pay-per-view card and drew an enthusiastic, celebrity-studded crowd to the T-Mobile Arena, lived up to the hype generated by the clash of unbeaten. "I am the face of boxing," said Davis, who had never headlined a pay-per-view card despite earning world titles at super-featherweight, lightweight and super-lightweight. "I just saw Rihanna perform at the Super Bowl and I was like that was going to be me one day, and here we are," he said. "It definitely matches the dream. But the job's never done til I retire. So I'm going to keep my head down, stay humble and continue to work." Garcia, meanwhile, will have to go back to the drawing board after falling to 23-1 with 19 knockouts. The 24-year-old's hand speed and punching power make him a formidable opponent, and his massive social media presence has made him a mainstream celebrity, but he has yet to earn a top-flight world title. After a testy build-up to the bout, Garcia was gracious in defeat, calling it "an honor" to be in the ring with Davis. "He just caught me with a good shot," Garcia said. "I just couldn't recover. Snuck under me and caught me good." He said he didn't want to elaborate, but when asked agreed he couldn't breathe. "I was going to get back up, but I just couldn't get up," he said. The post Davis stops Garcia to remain unbeaten in marquee bout appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Tank’ crushes Garcia
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Unbeaten Gervonta “Tank” Davis handed Ryan Garcia the first defeat of his career on Saturday, stopping the Californian with a paralyzing body shot in the seventh round of their marquee fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis, who has won five world titles in three weight classes, added another highlight reel knockout to his collection as he improved to 29-0 with 27 knockouts. Garcia was making the running in the second round when Davis drilled him with a left overhand counterpunch to send him to the canvas. The knockout blow was blindingly fast as Davis took advantage of an advancing Garcia, landing another heavy left to Garcia’s ribcage. After staggering back, Garcia steadied and attempted to square up before dropping to one knee — unable to rise before referee Thomas Taylor counted to 10. “It was a good shot,” Davis said. “I thought he was going to get up. I was looking at him, trying to tell him ‘get up.’” “And he just shook his head.” There was no title on the line, nor any battle for dominance in the 135- or 140-pound classes. But the fight at a 136-pound catchweight, which headlined a pay-per-view card and drew an enthusiastic, celebrity-studded crowd to the T-Mobile Arena, lived up to the hype generated by the clash of unbeatens. “I am the face of boxing,” said Davis, who had never headlined a pay-per-view card despite earning world titles at super-featherweight, lightweight and super-lightweight. “I just saw Rihanna perform at the Super Bowl and I was like that was going to be me one day, and here we are,” he said. “It definitely matches the dream. But the job’s never done til I retire. So I’m going to keep my head down, stay humble and continue to work.” Garcia, meanwhile, will have to go back to the drawing board after falling to 23-1 with 19 knockouts. The 24-year-old’s hand speed and punching power make him a formidable opponent, and his massive social media presence has made him a mainstream celebrity, but he has yet to earn a top-flight world title. After a testy build-up to the bout, Garcia was gracious in defeat, calling it “an honor” to be in the ring with Davis. “He just caught me with a good shot,” Garcia said. “I just couldn’t recover. Snuck under me and caught me good.” He said he didn’t want to elaborate, but when asked agreed he couldn’t breathe. “I was going to get back up, but I just couldn’t get up,” he said. The post ‘Tank’ crushes Garcia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pacquiao plots comeback
After an absence of 20 months, Manny Pacquiao returned to the site of his old playground to watch a major fight and raise speculations that he is on the cusp of staging a comeback at age 44. But Pacquiao told Daily Tribune yesterday that while he is missing boxing, a comeback seems to be unlikely at the moment since he has a commitment to fight an exhibition on 29 July in Japan. Asked whether a regular boxing bout could be next, Pacquiao was tight-lipped but didn’t close the door on such a possibility. “We’ll see,” said Pacquiao, who was at ringside when Gervonta “Tank” Davis demolished Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their high-profile showdown at the T-Mobile Arena. Pacquiao last fought in August 2021 and lost to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba and several weeks later, he announced his retirement. While watching the fight, boxing fans called out Pacquiao’s name and it brought back memories of his fighting days in Sin City that lasted for two decades. “The crowd’s reaction to his presence was terrific,” Sean Gibbons, who mans the Pacquiao’s owned MP Promotions said. “All the fans loved that Manny was here,” Gibbons said. Lawyer Tom Falgui, who joined the future Hall of Famer, said the audience applauded when “Manny and wife Jinkee were shown on the screen.” Pacquiao rubbed allows with former undisputed heavyweight king Mike Tyson and five-division titlist Sugar Ray Leonard and was interviewed on television and dropped by the dressing rooms of the main event fighters Davis and Garcia. Pacquiao will spend a few days in Los Angeles to bond with his son Jimuel, whom he had not seen since the Ugas fight, before leaving Tuesday night and arriving in Manila on Thursday morning. Still, don’t rule out a possible comeback that could take place sooner than later. “We are trying (to stage a fight),” Gibbons added. Even Falgui is on the same radar screen, stressing that there are plans for a return fight. “Keeping our fingers crossed.” The post Pacquiao plots comeback appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bornea stops Mexican boxer in 7th round of non-title bout in Mexico
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Filipino super flyweight top contender Jade “Hurricane” Bornea stopped Mexican journeyman Ivan Meneses Flores in the seventh round of their non-title bout in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico earlier today, August 19, 2022 (August 20, Manila Time). The 27-year-old Bornea improved his unbeaten record to 18 wins with 12 knockouts after Meneses […] The post Bornea stops Mexican boxer in 7th round of non-title bout in Mexico appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
On This Day: Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman to become WBA (Super) Welterweight World Champion
Today, even at 41-years of age, eight-division boxing world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao remains a sought-after target in boxing’s stacked welterweight division. It’s not because he’s an aging big name that’s over the hill. Rather, it’s because that even at his advanced age (in terms of boxing), Pacquiao remains one of the best in the world and is still a legend that anyone would love to have on their professional record. The attention that Pacquiao is getting now, is thanks largely in part to a performance he put a year ago wherein he stunned an erstwhile-undefeated champion in Keith “One Time” Thurman. The Lead Up Prior to getting matched up with Thurman, Pacquiao showed flashes that even in his 40s, he was still a force to be reckoned with. In January of 2019, Pacquiao returned to action and successfully defended his WBA (Regular) Welterweight World Championship against Adrien Broner in a one-sided unanimous decision. As impressive as that was, the quality of opponent that Broner was still gave people doubts as to if Pacquiao could compete with the best of the best in the division. By May of 2019, it was confirmed that up next for Pacquiao would be a shot at then-unbeaten Thurman, the reigning WBA (Super) Welterweight World Champion. Once the fight was announced, it didn’t take long for Thurman to unleash a barrage of trash talk aimed at the Pinoy icon. Thurman spoke about ending Pacquiao’s career and crucifying Pacquiao inside the ring, among other things. Pacquiao remained his usual, soft-spoken self, but the people around him confirmed that Thurman’s words did indeed light a fire under the sport’s only eight-division titleholder. Fight Night Heading into the bout, people believed that Thurman, who was a full-decade younger than Pacquiao, would likely outwork the Pinoy star and early on, it looked to be the case. That was until Pacquiao dropped Thurman in the opening round, which set the tone for the 12-round contest. The two top-tier welterweights battled back and forth in the succeeding rounds, before Pacquiao once again landed big, connecting on a body shot in the 10th round. After 12 rounds, Pacquiao walked away with a 113-114, 115-112, 115-112 split decision victory. The Aftermath Following Pacquiao’s stellar performance over Thurman, it was clear to many that while he may no longer be in his prime, he was still good enough to be among the elite. As such, names like Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr., Josh Taylor, and even Terence Crawford all want a piece of Pacman. After absorbing just the first loss of his career, Thurman is raring to run it back with Pacquiao and has, on multiple occasions, called for a rematch. .....»»
Comelec must come clean
More than ever, Commission on Elections officials need to come clean about the alleged fraudulent transmission of the May 2022 election results. Particularly so after the poll body’s chief again admitted last week that most of the election results were electronically transmitted using just one private internet protocol or IP address. After Chairman George Garcia’s admission before senators, opposition Senator Aquilino Pimentel III blurted out, “I’m in shock to find out that our entire election system (in 2022) was one large private network.” Similarly, Senator Imee Marcos, confronting Garcia, said, “So you are telling us that it’s true that the transmission of the results came from a single IP address? So that is true?” Like Ms. Marcos and Mr. Pimentel, most of us, too, need to inform ourselves about the brewing electoral integrity controversy, which has been floating around the Internet for some time. What Ms. Marcos and Pimentel were referring to had been alleged by former Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio. Garcia’s admission, in effect, confirmed Rio’s allegation that more than 20 million votes received from various vote-counting machines or VCMs in the 2022 polls had the same private IP address, 192.168.0.2. An IP address is a string of numbers assigned solely to each device so it can connect to the Internet. Significantly, the information about a single mysterious IP address used by VCM modems in 20,300 precincts in the (National Capital Region), and Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces only came to light a year after the polls. The mystery IP address surfaced when Rio and his group of digital forensic experts cross-checked what seemed to be “raw files” — which a Comelec insider uploaded on the Comelec website — against the “reception logs” provided by the Comelec. Immediately after the 2022 polls, Rio strongly expressed alarm about the extraordinarily speedy transmission of electoral results and urged the Comelec to release the “reception logs.” With the discovery of a single IP address used to transmit an over 20-million vote count, Rio and his group became ever more alarmed about the electoral exercise’s integrity. Comelec, however, insisted no law mandates different IP addresses for transmission. Comelec also said all the modems were brand new, purchased after thousands of modems were found defective. The poll body said the primary telecommunications company involved in transmitting results recommended that modems be 4G-capable instead of the 3G used in previous elections. This, even if it meant using only one IP address. Bolstering the Comelec’s contention, two private electoral watchdogs said there was nothing illegal and surprising about the use of a single personal IP address since it was common practice. Rio and his group, however, remain undeterred in their allegation that there was a single “fabricated source” for the electoral results, and they were unconvinced by the watchdogs’ explanation. So, the debate on IP address 192.168.0.2 continues, particularly on the technical issue of a “man-in-the-middle” hack attack. Technically, “a man-in-the-middle attack is a security breach where a hacker inserts himself between two parties and potentially alters the communication between the two.” Still, wherever these highly technical debates lead to, Rio and the electoral watchdogs are sure of one thing — Comelec must do more. Rio and his group are challenging Comelec to resolve all remaining doubts about the election by disclosing the actual transmission logs from the VCMs. They rightly point out that transmission logs are not the same as “reception logs,” which the Comelec made public last March. Like Rio and his group, the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections said that what Comelec claimed to be “transmission logs” were actually “reception logs.” Resolving the ongoing controversy, therefore, will only happen when the Comelec comes clean with accurate transmission logs. The post Comelec must come clean appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
USA overcomes tough Montenegro to stay perfect
Team USA survived a determined Montenegro squad, pulling away in the later stages of the final quarter to notch their fourth win, 85-73, and remain unbeaten in the FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday......»»
Chinese carmakers confront European industry at Munich show
Chinese manufacturers will be out in force at next week's IAA auto show, one of the industry's biggest, revving their new electric models on the turf of German carmakers, which have been lagging in the e-mobility race. Elon Musk's Tesla, usually a hold-out from such events, will also make an appearance at the show in Munich, joining the jostle to steal the spotlight from Europe's biggest brands. The industry fair, which opens Tuesday with a speech from Chancellor Olaf Scholz, comes with clouds gathering for the automotive sector in Europe and in particular, Germany. While suffocating supply chain problems have eased from the pandemic years, European auto giants are struggling to cope with increased energy costs in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year. Although sales in the European Union have steadily improved over the last 12 months, they remain around 20 percent below their pre-coronavirus levels as inflation and higher interest rates dampen appetite for new vehicles. At the same time, European manufacturers are facing increasingly stiff competition from Chinese carmakers which are touting their vehicles at far lower prices. Local upstarts have captured an increasingly large part of the prized Chinese market and are threatening to dominate the growing trade in electric vehicles. Chinese groups were starting "their assault on Europe with the IAA", said industry analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer from the Center Automotive Research in Germany. "The IAA 2023 maps out a new automobile world in Europe. Competition will be tougher. After the Chinese battery factories, their automobile makers are coming," he said, calling it a "turning point" for the industry. In all, 41 percent of exhibitors at the industry fair have their headquarters in China, including brands such as BYD and Leapmotor which will hope to steal the spotlight from German giants Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Contrary to the Asian onslaught, participation from other European makers is muted. Opel will be US-European conglomerate Stellantis's lone ambassador in Munich, while Renault is showcasing only its eponymous marque at the show. In contrast, Musk's Tesla was slowly falling in line with traditional manufacturers as "the brand that doesn't do marketing begins to do exactly that" with its first appearance at the IAA, said independent analyst Matthias Schmidt. - Petrol protest - Over the week, around 700,000 visitors are expected to attend the show, split between exhibition halls and the city center. The move away from combustion engines to electric vehicles -- and the bigger climate question -- will take center stage inside and outside the exhibition halls. As carmakers roll out their latest offerings, climate groups have vowed protests at the fair, including "civil disobedience" aimed at disrupting the IAA. The last edition of the show in 2021 was already troubled by small-scale protests. This time around, some 1,500 people are expected at a camp in a suburban Munich park promoting a "revolution in mobility". Car manufacturers were "destroying the lives of countless people worldwide with their growth imperative", one of the climate groups said ahead of the fair. Automotive groups have not helped their case recently by recording massive profits on the back of strong inflation. Manufacturers -- particularly those at the high end of the market -- have been able to benefit from rising prices to boost their margins. A growing climate consciousness movement is increasingly pitting environmental activists against carmakers. Mindful of society's changing views on automobiles, the IAA upped sticks from Frankfurt to Munich in 2021 and restyled itself as a festival for all forms of "mobility" -- bringing bikes and scooters into the fold. As well as cleaning up its image, the move was an attempt to reinvigorate traditional motor shows. The marquee events have struggled to attract manufacturers, who are doubtful that they create enough publicity to be worth the bother. In 2022, the Paris Motor Show saw visitor numbers dwindle, as it was cut in length from two weeks to one. Many big European names, such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Ferrari were absent from the French fair, to which Chinese carmakers like BYD by contrast turned up. The post Chinese carmakers confront European industry at Munich show appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dante, WBF champ, to fight in Japan in September
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The reigning World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International minimumweight champion Lito “Naruto” Dante will try his luck anew in Japan on September 12, 2023. This as the 33-year-old Dante of Sierra Bullones, Bohol will face an unbeaten Japanese prospect in Takeshi Ishii in an eight-rounder bout in a fight card promoted by The post Dante, WBF champ, to fight in Japan in September appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint
China said it would stop publishing data on its rising youth unemployment rate on Tuesday, as it released a raft of disappointing figures that stoked concerns over the state of the world's second largest economy. Shortly before the latest uninspiring indicators were published, the central bank cut a key interest rate in an effort to boost flagging growth. Tuesday's data added to a slew of disappointing figures in recent months reflecting a slump in China's post-Covid rebound, with joblessness among 16- to 24-year-olds hitting a record 21.3 percent in June. The country slipped into deflation for the first time in more than two years in July, due to waning consumption and flagging exports. The National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday said it would no longer release age-group-specific unemployment data starting this month, citing the need to "further improve and optimise labour force survey statistics". "Starting from this August, the release of urban unemployment rates for youth and other age groups across the country will be suspended," bureau spokesman Fu Linghui said at a press conference. Overall, unemployment rose to 5.3 percent in July compared with 5.2 percent in June, the NBS said. As indicators of an economic slowdown have piled up, many experts have called for a large-scale recovery plan to boost activity. But for the time being, authorities are sticking to targeted measures and declarations of support for the private sector -- with little in the way of tangible steps. Slowing retail sales Tuesday's announcement that youth unemployment data would be suspended came as Beijing released a series of weak economic indicators for July. Retail sales, a key gauge of consumption, grew 2.5 percent year-on-year in July, the NBS said, down from 3.1 percent in June and falling short of analyst expectations. Industrial production grew 3.7 percent in July from a year ago, down from 4.4 percent in June. The suspension of youth jobs data "may further weaken global investors' confidence in China", Ting Lu, China economist at Nomura, said in a note. Chinese social media users on Tuesday were skeptical of officials' explanation for the move, with the topic receiving over 140 million views and tens of thousands of comments on the Weibo platform. "Can you solve the problem by gagging and blindfolding yourself?" asked one Beijing-based user in a post liked by more than 3,000 people. Chinese leaders have sought to boost domestic consumption in recent weeks, with the State Council last month releasing a 20-point plan to encourage citizens to spend more in sectors including vehicles, tourism and home appliances. The country's top brass has warned that the economy faces "new difficulties and challenges" as well as "hidden dangers in key areas". The recent data suggests China may struggle to achieve a five percent growth target set for the year. The economy grew just 0.8 percent between the first and second quarters of 2023, according to official figures. Rate cut In a surprise move, the central bank on Tuesday cut the medium-term lending facility rate -- the interest for one-year loans to financial institutions -- from 2.65 percent to 2.5 percent. A lower MLF rate reduces commercial banks' financing costs, in turn encouraging them to lend more and potentially boosting domestic consumption. "We believe the Chinese economy is faced with an imminent downward spiral with the worst yet to come, and the rate cut this morning will be of limited help," Lu of Nomura said. The Consumer Price Index, the main gauge of inflation, fell 0.3 percent in July, the National Bureau of Statistics said last week. China slipped into deflation in July for the first time in more than two years, after a short period of deflation at the end of 2020 due largely to a collapse in the price of pork, the most widely consumed meat in the country. While cheaper goods may appear beneficial for purchasing power, falling prices pose a threat to the broader economy as consumers tend to postpone purchases in the hopes of further reductions. A lack of demand then forces companies to reduce production, freeze hiring or lay off workers, and agree to new discounts to sell off their stocks -- dampening profitability even as costs remain the same. The post China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Managers: Phl remains on track
Despite the lackluster 4.3 percent in the second quarter, growth this year is expected to reach the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent gross domestic product expansion, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “To do this, we will expedite the implementation of government programs and projects, to provide fiscal stimulus to increase the productive capacity of the public and private sectors and address the adverse recent impacts of typhoons.” Diokno added. Economic managers gathered in Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City to hold the Post-State of the Nation Economic Briefing that discussed the country’s economic situation and plans on 14 August. Diokno said in 2022, GDP increased 7.6 percent from 5.7 a year ago and a 9.5 percent contraction in 2020. Diokno said the economic team is determined to pick up government expenditure in the third and fourth quarters. Revenue collections remain robust from January to June as these totaled P1.9 trillion up 7.7 percent or P132.6 billion year-on-year which is also higher than the mid-year program by 2.7 percent. Hence, Diokno said they have already pipelined 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth P8.3 trillion of which 132 are located in Luzon that will address irrigation, water supply, flood management, agriculture, digital connectivity, physical connectivity, health, and power and energy. Diokno also highlighted some of the projects like the Laoag International Airport Development Project, the EDSA Greenways, the TPLEX Expressway Expansion Project, the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Ilocos Norte-Sur-Abra Irrigation Project, and the Naga Airport Development Project. “The Philippines is determined to be a world leader in the race to net zero and the Ilocos Region will be a strategic partner in this mission. Dubbed to be the renewable energy capital of South East Asia, Ilocos Norte is emerging to be a promising player in the clean energy arena. Being home to the first and largest wind farms in the country,” Diokno stressed. In his address, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., said from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, headline inflation slowed to 4.7 percent in July due to improving domestic food supply conditions and lower global oil prices. However, he also admitted that core inflation remains high at 6.7 percent although it has already started to decline due to the monetary tightening. The BSP has responded to inflation by aggressively raising its policy rate, as of today, the BSP has raised policy rates by 425 basis points. Prices reined in “The good news is that inflation expectations are still well anchored. The markets continue to believe that we will hit our target range by 2024 and stay there in 2025,” Remolona said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also gave an update on the use pf the budget for 2023. Pangandaman said at the end of July, the total amount of the national budget that has been released already is around 93 percent. “And we expect all our government agencies including all the cabinet members present here, to spend your budget so we can help grow the economy,” Pangandaman said. While for next year, the government budget will amount to 5.768 trillion and it is 21.7 percent of the GDP it has already been submitted to Congress last August 2 and the budget is expected to be passed earlier than expected. The National Economic Development Authority said it wanted to lower the poverty level to single digit. For Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, the government has effective regional development plans. In the Ilocos Regional Development Plan from 2023-2028, the NEDA expects the Ilocos region to have a 7 percent to 7.5 percent growth while lowering the poverty incidence by 7.3 percent. ‘Build, Better, More’ under BBM;s watch Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the “Build, Better, More” program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is very much aligned with the medium-term development plan for 2023 to 2028 and is consistent with the 8-point economic agenda of the president. Bonoan said that from July 2022 to May 2023, the DPWH has built, maintained, rehabilitated, widened, and upgraded 4,082 kilometer of roads, 497 bridges, built 2,103 flood control projects, 55 evacuation centers, 216 kms farm to market roads, 8 kilometers of farm to mill roads, 138 kilometers tourism roads, 18 kilometers of roads to seaports, railway stations, and airports, 4,038 classrooms, and 6,002 rainwater collector system. “Because of climate change, we have to address and be building and developing resilient and sustainable communities in the 18 major river basins in the country,” Bonoan said. Some of the major projects that the department would like to continue are converting the Daang Maharlika which is actually now Asian Highway 26 which starts in Laoag City and will go around Cagayan Valley and has extended all the way to Zamboanga City. Bonoan says that they want to convert this backbone of the national highway into seamless travel. “In other words, there should be no major stops along the way, along this Maharlika highway,” Bonoan said. Bonoan said they’re going to build 12 major bridges, and the first bridge is the Cavite-Bataan Interlink bridge with a span of more than 32 km. Should it be completed, this will be the second-longest bay bridge in the world. The department also plans to start the Luzon Spine Expressway which will run from Laoag City to Bicol, Bonoan says that this will be 1,073 kms more. As for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, major Department of Transportation projects like the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, Metro Manila Subway, EDSA Greenway Projects, EDSA Busway, MRT-3 Rehabilitation, LRT-1 Cavite, LRT-2 West Extension, MRT-7, and the modernization and capacity expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are proceeding. For the Department of Information and Communications Technology Ivan John Uy, there is already a cybersecurity plan for 2023 to 2028 which is a consolidated output of all the stakeholders in designing which includes the best practices all over the world. “We’ve ramped up in our cybercrime detection, we are busting cybercrime syndicates all over the country especially those that are dealing with scammers,” Uy said. Uy said agency is also enhancing cybersecurity status by designing courses to upgrade cybersecurity professionals. He admits that worldwide, there is a 3 million job vacancies on cyber security. DICT said by the end of the year, the department will have Two Terabits of capacity from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan all the way to Manila and we should expect very good Internet connectivity by the start of next year especially on the Luzon area. These structures also open opportunities to data centers and BPOs along the places mentioned which produces employment. DICT expects that foreign investment opportunities and interest in those areas will boom. The post Managers: Phl remains on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mystery in Dubai as mega-wheel stops turning
Two years ago, Dubai's skyscraper-studded skyline welcomed a Ferris wheel touted as the world's largest, but it mysteriously stopped turning just months after opening. The much-touted Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye) was designed as a tourist-luring landmark in the United Arab Emirates' glam hub, which is home to the world's tallest building. But now it stands idle for undisclosed reasons, its extravagant light fixtures the only parts seemingly still working. "Ain Dubai remains closed until further notice," says an official website for the attraction. "We continue to rigorously work on completing the enhancement works that have been taking place over the past months." The wheel was supposed to close for just a month but its reopening has since been postponed indefinitely. Those behind the project inaugurated in 2021 have failed to reply to inquiries. At restaurants, shops, and cafes built around the attraction, employees remain skeptical that the structure, which took around six years to build, will ever turn again. "Last year they promised us that in winter it will be open, even now, they are saying that in (the coming) winter it will be open again," said one employee at a nearby shop. "But we're not sure... it will," said the man who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal. 'Too slow' The Dubai Eye, built by a consortium of international companies, is located in Bluewaters -- a man-made island designed as a retail, residential, and entertainment hub. For more than a year, the main entrance to the attraction has remained closed and ticket booths abandoned. Only a slow trickle of tourists visit the site, snapping pictures of LED lights mounted on its exterior. "I asked a security guard here about it and he told me that it doesn't work," said Marwan Mohammad, an Egyptian tourist. "I asked him for the reason but he did not give me an answer," said the 33-year-old business consultant. In a city filled with record-breaking landmarks, the Dubai Eye stands at a height of 250 meters (825 feet), each of its legs the length of 15 London buses, according to Dubai's tourism department. Nearly twice as tall as the London Eye, it is the largest of its kind in the world. Its 48-passenger cabins, all of them air-conditioned, can carry around 1,750 passengers on a single ride. Ticket prices range between 100 dirhams (about $27) and 4,700 dirhams (about $1,280), with luxury passes and private cabins on offer. "The view was very beautiful from above," said Mohammad who experienced the 38-minute ride before it closed, adding however, that it moved "too slowly". 'Heavier than island' With no official explanation, rumors are rife about the Ferris wheel's apparent technical issues, especially among employees at Bluewaters. They all spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing repercussions from authorities or their employers. "This is a man-made island. I heard that (the wheel) is heavier than the island itself, that's why it is very dangerous," said a waiter at a nearby restaurant, adding that it had been noisy during its few months of operation. "Now... it's only for show, just for the lighting and that's it". The giant wheel, made of more steel than the Eiffel Tower, features prominently on the list of Dubai's top tourist attractions. They include the Dubai Frame monument and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Patrick Clawson, research director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said official silence on the Ferris wheel suggested a complicated problem. UAE authorities are generally "quick to provide information if they" have a solution, he said. But with the Dubai Eye, "whatever the problem, the authorities are not confident they have a solution," he told AFP. The post Mystery in Dubai as mega-wheel stops turning appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Empty seats, discarded shoes remain after Pakistan bomb kills 47
Blood-stained chairs, scattered ball bearings and shoes shed by the dead, wounded and panicked bore testimony Monday to the carnage caused by a suicide bombing at a Pakistan political event. At least 47 people were killed and more than 100 wounded on Sunday when a blast ripped through a gathering of Islamic Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F party members in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The marquee hoisted in the town of Khar lay mangled and charred the morning after the explosion, partly collapsed onto blood-soaked carpets with around 400 upended red chairs strewn about. "Upon arriving at the scene, I was confronted with a devastating sight," Khar resident Fazal Aman, 29, told AFP on Monday. "Lifeless bodies scattered on the ground while people cried out for help." Party paraphernalia, including hats and scarves in JUI-F's black-and-white branding, were abandoned and trampled into the dusty ground, some flecked with dried blood. The first funerals for the victims got underway on Monday, including for a pair of cousins aged 16 and 17 where young boys wept by coffins. "These two were very serious and down-to-earth individuals in our family," said 24-year-old shopkeeper Najeeb Ullah. "This is a great injustice on our land." Mound of sandals Remnants of human flesh and hair could be seen as far as 30 meters (100 feet) from a shattered stage, the apparent epicenter of the blast near Khar's main bazaar. Gulistan Khan, a 40-year-old farmer being treated at a nearby hospital, said he was in the third row when the bomb detonated as local JUI-F leaders arrived to crowds chanting slogans. "I was thrown backwards as if lifted off the ground," he said. "The blast was powerful. Flames coming out were very high so I couldn't see anything." A mound of about 40 sandals and shoes had been piled in the shade behind a cordon of yellow police tape as zebra-striped JUI-F flags fluttered in the breeze. Investigators in rubber gloves and facemasks picked through the scene on Monday morning, one using a trowel to scoop up a sample from a dark patch on the floor of the stage. The site was swarmed by security forces carrying assault rifles and surrounding roads were peppered with police checkpoints. Regional counter-terrorism deputy inspector general Sohail Khalid told AFP the bomber used around 40 kilograms (90 pounds) of explosives, bound up with ball bearings to cause maximum carnage. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but the local chapter of the Islamic State group has recently targeted JUI-F, a key government coalition partner led by a firebrand cleric. The post Empty seats, discarded shoes remain after Pakistan bomb kills 47 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Santiago earns decision win over Donaire for vacant WBC bantamweight title
Mexico's Alexandro Santiago earned a unanimous 12-round decision over former four-division champion Nonito Donaire on Saturday to claim the vacant World Boxing Council bantamweight world title. Santiago, 27, claimed the first world title of his career as he denied the 40-year-old "Filipino Flash," who was aiming to rebound from a brutal second-round knockout loss to Japan's Naoya Inoue 13 months ago. Donaire, who has held world titles at flyweight, bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight, kept it close in the early going and rocked Santiago with a left hook in the third round. But he couldn't match Santiago's pace as the fight progressed, the Mexican landing a barrage of convincing blows in the ninth round and quickly halting Donaire's momentum in the when the Philippines fighter came out looking to land a big blow. One judge scored the bout 115-113 and the other two saw it 116-112 for Santiago, who improved to 28-3 with five drawn and 14 knockouts. "It's been an honor to fight such a legend like Nonito Donaire," said Santiago, who was brought to tears in the ring as Donaire offered a congratulatory hug in the ring. Donaire fell to 42-8 with 28 knockouts and said he thought he had more go do in the ring. "Disappointed," he admitted, but added: "I feel good still. I love the sport so much." He said he and his wife, Rachel, who trains and manages him, will have a conversation to "see where we go from there. "But I know I felt good," he said. "There were just some things that didn't trigger." Was that because he's 40 years old, Donaire was asked. "I say 'Hell no' to that," he said. The fight at T-Mobile Arena was on the undercard of the highly anticipated welterweight world title unification bout between unbeaten Americans Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. bb/sev © Agence France-Presse The post Santiago earns decision win over Donaire for vacant WBC bantamweight title appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Naoya Inoue stops Stephen Fulton, wins world titles in his 4th weight class
TOKYO— Naoya Inoue became a world champion in his fourth weight class Tuesday night when he stopped Stephen Fulton in the eighth round to claim the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles. Inoue (25-0, 22 KOs) made an impressive debut at 122 pounds with a dominant performance against the previously unbeaten Fulton (21-1) at Ariake […] The post Naoya Inoue stops Stephen Fulton, wins world titles in his 4th weight class appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Addressing poverty, hunger toward inclusive econ recovery
As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos prepares to deliver his second State of the Nation Address today, I remain hopeful that this can be an opportunity to highlight concrete steps towards a path of full and inclusive economic recovery. I am optimistic that this platform where all branches of government come together to listen to the priorities of the President can strengthen our unity and commitment to uphold the administration’s eight-point Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which includes food security, supply chain management, energy costs, healthcare and social protection, infrastructure development, green economy, market competition, and entrepreneurship. As I always say, “Dapat po ay walang maiwan na Pilipino lalo na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Dapat po walang magutom. Importante po ang laman ng tiyan at trabaho po para sa bawat Pilipino (No Filipino should be left behind, especially our poor countrymen. No one should go hungry. Food and work are important for every Filipino).” Amidst the recent lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring food security for all Filipinos must remain a top priority of the Marcos Administration. It is in this light that I fully support President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program”, which was recently launched in Tondo, Manila. As one of the priority programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the FSP seeks to reduce involuntary hunger incidents among low-income households. We also respect the decision of President Marcos, Jr. in lifting the State of Public Health Emergency in our country. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy. With or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to our medical frontliners. As a legislator, I have authored and supported bills that aim to address the most urgent issues faced by our fellow Filipinos today. I have also spearheaded the enactment of several legislations that aim to bring healthcare services closer to those in need, especially at the grassroots. As we all know, health is wealth and must be prioritized to attain a productive citizenry. Among these is the Malasakit Centers Act which I principally authored and sponsored in the Senate and was enacted into law in 2019. These centers bring various government agencies under one roof to provide convenient access for indigent patients needing medical assistance. So far, 158 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide and have helped more than seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health. I have recently successfully sponsored the Regional Specialty Centers bill, which I am also a co-author, now awaiting the signature of the President. The bill aims to make available specialized medical facilities in various regions nationwide, benefitting particularly poor and impoverished Filipinos. For example, under the bill, services provided by the Philippine Heart Center, currently located in Quezon City, will also be available in regional DOH hospitals. The enactment of the measure will also include services for a broad range of specialties, including lung care, orthopedics, neonatal care, renal care, cancer care, and mental health, among others, making it a multi-year comprehensive nationwide healthcare improvement plan. Aside from these, we have also continuously supported the establishment of Super Health Centers in strategic locations around the country as a way to provide better access to basic medical services, especially at the grassroots. Through the collective efforts of DOH and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. Meanwhile, driven by my passion for public service, I continue to respond to the needs of our fellow citizens, particularly the poor, wherever they may be in the country in my capacity as a senator and public servant. On 18 July, we were in Bulacan to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the San Miguel Super Health Center. Alongside Congresswoman Lorna Silverio, Board Member Raul Marian, and Mayor Roderick Tiongson, we also provided aid to 1,000 impoverished individuals in the town. We then visited the town of Bustos to distribute assistance to 1,000 indigents, in collaboration with Mayor Iskul Juan’s office. I am delighted to announce that on 20 July, we held and witnessed the topping-off ceremony of the New Senate Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. This was presided over by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, fellow senators, and other officials. This will be the new home of the Senate once completed. My office continues to deliver aid this week to our fellow citizens facing various crises. We promptly responded to the needs of victims of separate fire incidents. In Brgy. Kasangyangan, Zamboanga City, we helped 419 victims; in Baganga, Davao Oriental, we assisted 299 victims; and in Maco and Laak, Davao de Oro, we aided three victims. We conducted a series of aid distributions in Batangas, bringing smiles to 300 residents of Batangas City in partnership with Board Members Lydia Lopez, Maria Louise Gamo Vale, and Jesus de Veyra; 100 in San Juan in partnership with BM Melvin Vidal; 100 in Lipa City in partnership with BM Aries Mendoza; and 100 in Rosario in partnership with BM Jonas Patrick Gozos. We did not neglect the people of Nueva Ecija, where I am considered an adopted son of the province, and managed to spread joy to 364 beneficiaries from Llanera in coordination with their municipal council, and 166 from the Science City of Muñoz, in collaboration with Mayor Baby Alvarez’s office. We also reached San Fernando City, Pampanga, where we were able to assist 16 indigents alongside Mayor Vilma Caluag. In Quezon City, together with Councilor Aiko Melendez, we were able to assist 163 displaced workers. We also supported 100 individuals in Biñan City, Laguna, in collaboration with Councilor Alvin Garcia. Millions of Filipinos require the support and protection of the government. As a legislator, I can only do so much. However, if each of us does our part, then we can be a powerful force that could help our fellow Filipinos break free from the cycle of poverty and hunger. The post Addressing poverty, hunger toward inclusive econ recovery appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBA star James returns to jersey No. 23 in Russell tribute
LeBron James will switch his jersey number from 6 to 23 for his 21st NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced. The move, confirmed Saturday night on social media by the Lakers, is a tribute to the late NBA legend Bill Russell, whose jersey No. 6 was retired last year after his death, James's agent Rich Paul told ESPN. Players who were wearing 6, like James, were allowed to continue wearing the number. James did so for the 2022-23 campaign in honor of Russell, an 11-time NBA champion and five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, but has decided to show his respect this season by picking another number. It's the fourth NBA number change for James, who returns to 23, which he wore to start his career and at stops throughout his two decades in the league. James wore 23 in high school and when he first played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. When he left the Cavs for the Miami Heat in 2010, he changed to 6 as the Heat had retired 23 as a tribute to NBA legend Michael Jordan. In 2014, when James returned to the Cavaliers, he switched back to 23 and kept that number until 2021, when he went back to 6 so new Lakers teammate Anthony Davis could have 23, a number Davis ultimately did not take. James, who was wearing 6 when he set the all-time NBA scoring record last season, announced on Wednesday that he would play in the NBA for a 21st season. The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP turns 39 in December and has said he would like to play in the NBA alongside his son Bronny James, who is set to be drafted next year. The post NBA star James returns to jersey No. 23 in Russell tribute appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NATO offers Ukraine long-term aid pending membership
Leaders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states will announce Wednesday a long-term aid plan for Ukraine pending its official membership with the Western military alliance. The Group of Seven’s economic and military assistance serves as reassurance for Ukraine that it will not be abandoned after NATO made clear in a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania that Kyiv’s bid to join the alliance still faced considerable obstacles. “There is still the need for Ukraine to take further democratic and security sector reforms,” lead White House advisor for European affairs Amanda Sloat told reporters in Vilnius. The United States and its allies have so far been pouring weaponry and economic aid into Ukraine on a temporary basis to help the pro-Western country fight off a Russian invasion launched in February last year. However, there remain questions over how much money the individual governments will agree to set aside for Ukraine and how successful they will be in ensuring that the aid survives domestic political change. “The expectation is that those will last for the long term,” Sloat said. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine will not end until the West stops trying to defeat Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Indonesian media on Wednesday. “It will continue until the West abandons its plans to maintain dominance and its obsession with inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through the hands of its puppet, Kyiv,” Lavrov said in an interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas ahead of meetings with his Southeast Asian counterparts in Jakarta this week. The post NATO offers Ukraine long-term aid pending membership appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Proud to be Party People
Ever met someone who’s the life of the party? The one who just lights up every room, or is always at the heart of the excitement? The ones who don’t just love parties — they are the party! Well, I found them and I’m proud to call them friends. I’ve been writing about Party People for some time now, and you’ve heard all about the fab outfits, endless chikkahan, dancing and free flowing spirits and fun! But don’t let the best dressed fool you—being Party People is more than just glamour. [caption id="attachment_150642" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Consul Helen Ong[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150647" align="aligncenter" width="525"] JOHNNY Litton[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150645" align="aligncenter" width="712"] BECKY Garcia[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150643" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NOEl Oñate[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150641" align="aligncenter" width="557"] NENE Leonor[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150651" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CHRIS Badiola[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150646" align="aligncenter" width="540"] CONNIE Guanzon Garcia[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150648" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LINDA Ley[/caption] [caption id="attachment_150650" align="aligncenter" width="525"] TIM Yap[/caption] And even when the music stops and the event ends, we have each other. Hate us or love us, we stick together and have a blast no matter what. Life’s complicated enough, so let’s turn it into a party whenever we can. Everyone’s invited! Cheers, Party People! The post Proud to be Party People appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Video of tourism slogan just a primer — Frasco
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco on Wednesday clarified that the video that was unveiled on Tuesday, coinciding with the launch of its new campaign "Love the Philippines", is just a primer and may be developed in the coming days or weeks. Frasco’s clarification was amid the disappointment of Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda for not including on the said video the majestic Mayon Volcano, the natural wonder representing his province, Albay. Salceda, in a statement on Wednesday, aired his displeasure to her friend Frasco for seemingly forgetting Mayon Volcano on the video of the tourism campaign. “I remain disappointed in my friend, Secretary Frasco, for the exclusion of Mayon Volcano in the new official tourism video of the Philippines. I am more disappointed in the response that I should not bring this issue up because, anyway, Mayon is included in the 50 major volcanoes and mountains represented (by a pixel!) in the official tourism logo and slogan,” the lawmaker said. Frasco was quick to answer, saying she recognizes their ties as allies and family friends for many years, extolling Salceda being a staunch ally for Philippine Tourism, “especially with his successes as the governor of Albay and we certainly honor and recognize the contributions of the province to the tourism portfolio of the country.” “The tourism video that has just been released by the Department of Tourism is only the beginning; for indeed, there is just so much to love about our country. So, I assure Congressman Joey Salceda that our effort to promote equally our destinations in the country will continue,” Frasco said. “This is just the beginning to give the world a flavor and a taste of the Philippines,” she added. Further, the Tourism secretary maintained that the Department is holding the "Philippine Experience: Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravan" in the Bicol Region, adding, “It would have been this July but given the circumstances in the region at the moment, tentatively it has been set for August and our regional offices have been in coordination with our local government units there.” The hurt Salceda said in his statement that he expressed his frustration because tourism is disproportionately more crucial in Albay, and Bicol at large. “This is how thousands of Albayano families make a living. It would not have cost much to include just a scene of Mayon, but it would have meant the world to Albay families relying on tourism for their bread and butter,” he said. Moreover, the lawmaker stressed that Albay has the only international airport in South Luzon—Bicol International Airport, which the government calls "the most scenic international gateway in the country." He said per capita, Albay is one of the country's most important tourist destinations, while pre-pandemic, it attracted 1.32 tourists per resident, while the top region, Central Visayas, attracts just 1.17, and the national average is 0.55. “Bicol's economy depends heavily on tourism, more so than the rest of the country. Last year, accommodation and food service (the most direct sector affected by tourism) was 1.93% of total regional GDP, while the national average was 1.80 percent,” he said. “Just to demonstrate how affirmative support from the national government can be a game-changer for tourism: When I was governor of Albay, we increased foreign tourist arrivals from 8,700 in 2006 to 374,000 in 2015. Total tourist arrivals swelled from 123,000 to 1.4 million over the same period,” Salceda underlined. On the other hand, he said, “Mayon deserves better than a pixel in the logo where you need strained eyes to see it. Mayon has been a national symbol and a national treasure (one of only three UNESCO-declared biosphere reserves in the country).” Watch the video here: The post Video of tourism slogan just a primer — Frasco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LeBron Nieto stars as Ateneo stays unbeaten in Pinoyliga cagefest
Rookie LeBron Nieto powered Ateneo to a 89-64 win over Guang Ming College to remain perfect in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Wednesday at the Enderun Colleges Gym......»»