US, China may go to War in 2025: US General
An internal memo from the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command head, General Mike Minihan, has warned that the US and China are at risk of going to war in two years, according to a report by NBC News. The general told officers under his command to prepare, including through target practice, in case of conflict. […].....»»
PH records $10.36M sales from CAEXPO 2023
The Philippines has recorded sales of $10.36 million from the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in China. The sales were generated by 15 participating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fresh durian proving to be the most lucrative product. The Philippines' participation in CAEXPO is part of its longstanding relationship with China, which is expected to reach import activities valued at over $5 trillion in the next five years. The country joined 42 other nations at the expo, with 644 exhibitors from ASEAN and 738 from non-ASEAN countries. The successful sales performance of durian exhibitors highlights the growing global demand for the local variety. The Philippine exhibitors that contributed to the sales include both food and non-food companies. The expo also provided networking opportunities and learning experiences for participants, with various engagements and investment forums conducted. The next CAEXPO is scheduled for September 2024, and the Philippines will be the Country of Honor in 2025......»»
India holds trial run for manned orbital mission
India on Saturday successfully launched the first unmanned trial run of its upcoming crewed orbital mission, in the latest milestone for its spacefaring ambitions. The Gaganyaan (“Skycraft”) mission is slated to send three astronauts into Earth’s orbit in 2025, an important yardstick of the Indian Space Research Organization’s technical capabilities. Saturday’s rocket tested the emergency escape system of its crew module, which separated from the thruster and made a soft sea landing about 10 minutes after the launch. “I am very happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the mission,” ISRO chief S. Somanath said afterwards. The lift-off was postponed for two hours after bad weather and a glitch in the engine. ISRO will conduct a series of 20 major tests, including carrying a robot to outer space, before the final manned mission takes place in 2025. Gaganyaan is the first mission of its kind for India and comes with an estimated price tag of $1.08 billion, according to ISRO. India plans to send astronauts beyond the reaches of Earth’s atmosphere for three days before they are brought safely back with a soft landing in Indian territorial waters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to send a man to the Moon by 2040 following a year of triumphs for India’s space program. In August, India became the fourth nation to land an unmanned craft on the Moon after Russia, the United States and China. The following month, India launched a probe to observe the outermost layers of the Sun from solar orbit. India’s space program has grown considerably in size and momentum since it first sent a probe to orbit the Moon in 2008, and it has steadily matched the achievements of established spacefaring powers at a fraction of their cost. India also plans a joint mission with Japan to send another probe to the Moon by 2025 and an orbital mission to Venus within the next two years. Experts say India can keep costs low by copying and adapting existing technology, and thanks to an abundance of highly skilled engineers who earn a fraction of their foreign counterparts’ wages. The post India holds trial run for manned orbital mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine
NOW Telecom Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde has elevated its appeal to the Supreme Court or SC to settle the alleged P2.6 billion in spectrum regulatory fees or SRF and associated charges it allegedly owes the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC. The company, through a 22-page comment dated 1 September 2023 filed before the SC, pointed out that the regulatory fees and penalties imposed were "erroneous" and needed to be recomputed. NOW Telecom is disputing the NTC's calculation, which was based on the total capital stock of P13.57 billion instead of the subscribed and paid-up capital of P1.39 billion. The company pointed out that the additional paid-in capital of P12.17 billion should be excluded from the computation. Thus, it requested the High Court to order NTC to recompute the SRF and base it solely on its capital stock of P1.39 billion and set aside the regulator's letters assessments dated 5 July 2025, and 23 December 2005. Additionally, the company also asked the SC to delete the imposition of any penalty and interest. “We are confident that this SRF issue will be finally resolved. NOW Telecom continues to appeal to the Marcos administration to (maintain) a level playing field, for NOW to compete head-on with China Telecom/DITO and Huawei-equipped SMART and GLOBE,” Velarde said in a press statement on Tuesday. NOW Telecom also contended that the NTC's reference to a COA letter was flawed due to discrepancies. The COA letter claims over P3 billion in unresolved receivables that spanned 14 years. "The crucial COA Letter was conspicuously absent from NTC's official documents, replaced by correspondence with the Office of the Solicitor General, casting doubts on the authenticity of the claim," it added. NOW Telecom additionally said that "the staggering amount imposed by the NTC as penalties and interest does not align with the purpose of the law." "As the term itself implies, the amount of the SRF collected is supposed to be commensurate to, and is simply intended to reimburse the NTC for the costs it incurs in supervising and regulating the telecommunications industry," the company said, adding that the SRF is not a tax or a revenue-raising measure. Last June, it can be recalled that the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC fined NOW Corp. and Velarde P1 million each for allegedly “misleading disclosures” about the P2.6-billion unpaid obligation of affiliate company NOW Telecom to the government. In a seven-page order dated 15 June 2023, the SEC affirmed that NOW Corp. and Velarde were administratively liable for violating the Securities Regulation Code or SRC for disclosing misleading information to the public. The disclosure in question was the one posted on 10 November 2021, which stated that NOW Corp. was unaware of the details surrounding the motions filed by the NTC with the SC. The SEC pointed out that as one of the concurrent key officials of both NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom, Velarde is “considered to have ipso facto participated in the transactions” relating to the unpaid SRF and SUF liability of NOW Telecom. The post NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia plans Bali light rail to ease congestion
Indonesia plans to start building a light rail transit system on the popular resort island of Bali next year to ease roadway congestion from the airport, a senior minister has said. Tourist-dependent Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors annually and the beach-dotted island's narrow roads have been clogged with traffic jams since its reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said Thursday the light rail transit (LRT) system would be built underground and connect the island's international airport to popular tourist areas Canggu and Seminyak. "LRT (in Bali) will be underground so traffic at Bali's airport... in 2025-2026 can be managed," he said in the capital Jakarta, according to local media reports. He said the airport is expected to receive 24 million visitors annually by that time. "If it's not being done, then in 2026 we can be stuck three hours at the airport," he told reporters. The project, ordered by President Joko Widodo, had courted investment interest in Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing, he said. "There are South Korea, Japan and China. We will take those who allow transfer of technology, fast and affordable," he said when asked who could help fund the project. Bar some exceptions, buildings in Bali cannot be constructed over 15 meters (50 feet) in height, according to local laws. A LRT was recently opened in Jakarta that Widodo said would help ease congestion in the megalopolis and lessen pollution. Next week a Chinese-funded high-speed rail from Jakarta to the Javan city of Bandung will also launch. In another planned move next year, Bali will impose a 150,000 rupiah ($10) tax on tourists to fund cultural preservation as the island tries to capitalize on its popularity and protect its tropical allure. The post Indonesia plans Bali light rail to ease congestion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Uganda seeks Chinese funding for oil pipeline project
Uganda is in the final stages of negotiations with Chinese financiers to help fund a controversial pipeline project after some Western partners pulled out, a senior official said Wednesday. "We are having final discussions with our Chinese partners to provide about half of the finances required for the construction of the EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline)," Irene Bateebe, permanent secretary at the energy ministry, told AFP. "We should be concluding the arrangements with the Chinese financiers this coming month (October)," she added. French energy giant TotalEnergies is leading a multi-billion dollar project to develop Ugandan oilfields and ship the crude through a 1,445-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline to a port in Tanzania. But the scheme has come under fire from human rights groups and environmental campaigners who say it will harm fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of local people. The government has vowed to plough ahead despite the opposition, and TotalEnergies says those displaced by the project have been fairly compensated and measures have been taken to protect the environment. "This is a critical project for Uganda," Bateebe said. "Some of our international partners from Europe were forced to pull out from financing this project and as a country, we sourced for other friendly partners to finance the balance of the financing and we are on course." She said Uganda was speaking to two Chinese financiers, the Export-Import Bank of China and Sinosure. TotalEnergies has a 62 percent stake in the pipeline, with Ugandan and Tanzanian state-owned oil companies holding 15 percent each and China National Offshore Oil Corporation eight percent. The pipeline is part of a $10 billion project to develop oilfields in Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda and export the crude to international markets via the Indian Ocean port of Tanga in Tanzania. The lake lies atop an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude, of which about 1.4 billion barrels are currently considered recoverable. Uganda's first oil is expected to flow in 2025 -- almost two decades after the reserves were discovered -- and the project has been hailed by President Yoweri Museveni as an economic boon for the landlocked country where many live in poverty. The post Uganda seeks Chinese funding for oil pipeline project appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASEAN summit ‘productive’, biz meetings net $22M investment pledges: Marcos
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit demonstrated the commitment of countries in the region to regional cooperation and multilateralism. In his latest YouTube vlog on Thursday, Marcos said that the summit was a productive one, and that he was able to promote and highlight key interests of ASEAN. He said these interests include food and energy security, security, migrant workers protection, climate change, and digital transformation. "I was able to participate in 12-leaders level meetings, including with Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States and the United Nations," Marcos said. "In these meetings, I promoted and highlighted key interests of ASEAN, such as food and energy, security, migrant workers protection, climate change and digital transformation --- issues that are of strategic importance to the Philippines," he added. Marcos also said that he had a productive meeting with the President of the World Bank Group, where they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable development. On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos met with top executives of select Indonesian companies who are looking at the Philippines to expand their presence further. He said that these meetings resulted in $22 million in investment commitments in areas crucial for the Philippines' economic recovery efforts, such as agriculture and the digital economy. Marcos also witnessed the signing of the Philippine-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which he said would strengthen the Philippines' bilateral trade and investment relations with South Korea. "The FTA will generate jobs and contribute to the Philippine value proposition as an ideal regional hub for smart, sustainable investment," Marcos said. Marcos reiterated that the Philippines will chair the ASEAN in 2026 instead of 2027. He said that the Philippines stepped up to this role to ensure the continuity of its progress towards a people-oriented, people-centered, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN community. He also thanked and congratulated Indonesian President Joko Widodo for "his very able stewardship" as chair of ASEAN this year and for making ASEAN as important as it ever has been. "I also thank them for the very warm hospitality of the Philippine delegation, And I look forward to able leadership of Lao PDR when they host the ASEAN in 2025," he said. The post ASEAN summit ‘productive’, biz meetings net $22M investment pledges: Marcos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoC reveries
An aversion to table the West Philippine Sea conflict and speeding up the progress of the Code of Conduct, or CoC, between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and China is very evident in the ongoing Summit in Indonesia. The maritime conflict is not even on the official agenda and will be tackled only through optional bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the yearly assembly, which is all under the wishes of China. ASEAN, thus, is pushing itself into irrelevance by acceding to the wishes of China and its cohorts in the regional bloc like Cambodia. Despite its existence as an Economic Community since its inception, with full integration envisioned in 2025, much of its aspirations, including being a cohesive body to advance the interests of its members, remain a pipe dream. The CoC would have been a stellar achievement, but it was described as a moving goal post for more than two decades. In the ongoing ASEAN meeting, all that host Indonesia was able to commit to was a three-year deadline to finalize a CoC. Another set of guidelines is, thus, expected after the Jakarta assembly instead of a pact that will bind all the claimants in the maritime conflict. The guidelines, moreover, will have to be endorsed by regional leaders during the ASEAN-China Summit that is scheduled later. The Philippines is not confident about a substantial progress in the CoC despite its being the most urgent matter to maintain stability in the region. An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said the outcome of talks on the long-delayed CoC will be limited “to mere reporting of past discussions.” “At most, there will be a report on what happened during the last meeting in the Philippines of the joint working group on the CoC,” which hardly equates to progress. During the third round of CoC talks in Manila from 22 to 24 August, discussions were stuck on the contentious issues of whether or not the CoC would be “legally binding.” China has historically resisted a legally binding CoC, the reason for the existence of the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DoC. In 2019, Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated his optimism that a CoC would be completed within three years, or by 2022. It is now 2023. He also announced that China supported a CoC that had “binding force” and was “an upgraded and strengthened version” of the DoC. The discussions then came to a head due to the different perspectives among those at the negotiating table, which are the same obstacles blocking the resolution of the maritime rift. China has refused to recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration award that the Philippines and other claimant countries use as a basis for their position in the DoC negotiations. In not recognizing the arbitral ruling and insisting on its historical basis for the territorial claims, China and ASEAN are not on the same page in the negotiations, meaning that hopes for an agreement are futile. Like what happened in the local context when the Communist Party of the Philippines sued for negotiations with the government and used it to consolidate its forces, China uses the CoC discussions as a delaying tactic to fortify its position. Its recent release of the 10-dash line, which was a rewriting of its territorial boundaries again based on historical data, proves China is not about to change its position. According to reports on the Summit, China will only support a legally binding code when its historical version prevails. Another term that China wants included in the negotiations is barring countries outside the region from interfering. It also wants economic activities at sea, including oil and gas development, “to be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region.” China also wants the CoC signatories not to “hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection.” The untenable conditions appear designed to prevent the CoC from ever coming into being. The post CoC reveries appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tesla, Chinese EV brands jostle for limelight at German fair
One of the world's biggest auto shows opens in Munich on Monday, with Tesla ending a 10-year absence to jostle for the spotlight with Chinese rivals as the race for electric dominance heats up. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will officially inaugurate the IAA mobility show, held in Germany every two years, on Tuesday. But Monday's press preview will already give carmakers a chance to show off some of the new models that will be hitting the road soon. The industry-wide shift towards electric vehicles will be front and center at this week's fair, with Chinese carmakers out in force as they eye the European market. US electric car pioneer Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, will return to the IAA for the first time since 2013 and is expected to unveil a revamped version of its mass-market Model 3. That Tesla, usually a holdout at such events, is coming to Munich shows it is taking the growing competition seriously, said Jan Burgard from the Berylls automotive consulting group. "The electric car market with its many new players will be divvied up over the next few years and people want to know: who is offering what?" Burgard told the Handelsblatt financial daily. Having captured an increasingly large part of the prized Chinese market, Chinese upstarts are now hoping to win over European customers with cheaper electric cars. Chinese manufacturers are starting "their assault on Europe with the IAA", said industry analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer from the Center Automotive Research in Germany. Muted European presence Chinese groups benefit from lower production costs, allowing them to offer cut-throat prices at a time when entry-level EVs are still a rarity, said industry expert Eric Kirstetter from the Roland Berger consulting firm. "The only thing they don't have is brand credibility," Kirstetter said. "They will create their brand universe by stepping up their marketing investments more than others, including through trade fairs," he added. In all, 41 percent of exhibitors at the industry fair have their headquarters in China, including brands such as BYD and Leapmotor. Contrary to the Asian onslaught, participation from European carmakers at the IAA will be muted. Germany's homegrown champions Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be joined by Renault from France, but the 14-brand Stellantis Group will only be represented by Opel. BMW presented its "Neue Klasse" (New Class) generation of electric cars in Munich on Saturday, a series of six vehicles that will be manufactured from 2025. BMW and fellow European carmakers are investing heavily in the switch towards zero-emission driving as the European Union aims to end the sale of polluting engines by 2035. The historic transition however comes at a challenging time. While the supply chain problems caused by the pandemic years have eased, surging energy prices in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine and a weaker global economy are weighing on European manufacturers. Although car 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 appetites for new vehicles. Some 700,000 visitors are expected to attend this week's IAA. Climate groups have vowed to stage protests during the fair, including acts of "civil disobedience" aimed at disrupting the IAA. The post Tesla, Chinese EV brands jostle for limelight at German fair appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From the moon to the sun: India readies next space mission
India's space agency takes aim at another milestone Saturday with the launch of a probe to study the Sun, a week after its successful unmanned landing on the Moon. Aditya-L1 will carry scientific instruments to observe the Sun's outermost layers, blasting off at 11:50 am (0620 GMT) for its four-month journey. The United States and the European Space Agency have sent numerous probes to the center of the solar system, beginning with NASA's Pioneer program in the 1960s. But if successful, the latest mission from the Indian Space Research Organisation will be the first by any Asian nation to be placed in solar orbit. "It's a challenging mission for India," astrophysicist Somak Raychaudhury told broadcaster NDTV on Friday. Raychaudhury said the mission probe would study coronal mass ejections, a periodic phenomenon that sees huge discharges of plasma and magnetic energy from the Sun's atmosphere. These bursts are so powerful they can reach the Earth and potentially disrupt the operations of satellites. Aditya will help predict the phenomenon "and alert everybody so that satellites can shut down their power", he said. "It will also help us understand how these things happen, and in the future, we might not need a warning system out there." Aditya -- the name of the Hindu Sun deity -- will travel 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) to reach its destination. It is traveling on the ISRO-designed, 320-tonne PSLV XL rocket that has been a mainstay of the Indian space program, powering earlier launches to the Moon and Mars. The mission also aims to shed light on the dynamics of several other solar phenomena by imaging and measuring particles in the Sun's upper atmosphere. Budget program India has been steadily matching the achievements of established spacefaring powers at a fraction of their cost. The South Asian nation has a comparatively low-budget space program, but one that has grown considerably in size and momentum since it first sent a probe to orbit the Moon in 2008. Experts say India can keep costs low by copying and adapting existing technology, and thanks to an abundance of highly skilled engineers who earn a fraction of their foreign counterparts' wages. Last month's successful landing on the lunar surface -- a feat previously achieved only by Russia, the United States, and China -- cost less than $75 million. The touchdown was widely celebrated by the public, with prayer rituals to wish for the mission's success and schoolchildren following its final descent from live broadcasts in classrooms. India became the first Asian nation to put a craft into orbit around Mars in 2014 and is slated to launch a three-day crewed mission into the Earth's orbit by next year. It also plans a joint mission with Japan to send another probe to the Moon by 2025 and an orbital mission to Venus within the next two years. The post From the moon to the sun: India readies next space mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DD unit’s overseas expansion on high gear
Homegrown Hotel 101 has cranked up its expansion overseas through its landmark developments overseas including one in Japan. Parent DoubleDragon is targeting to list its subsidiary Hotel 101 Global at NASDAQ (US Stock Exchange). Eventually, Hotel 101 Global is expected to derive over 95 percent of its revenues outside of the Philippines. The first three overseas Hotel101 projects will be in Niseko Hokkaido, Japan; Madrid, Spain and California, USA. At Hokkaido, Japan, 26 August 2023, was a Filipino moment as the Mang Inasal founder and DoubleDragon Corp. chairperson Edgar Injap Sia II and Jollibee founder and DoubleDragon Corp. co-chairperson Tony Tan Caktiong met with Niseko Mayor Kenya Katayama and Kutchan Hokkaido Mayor Kazushi Monji. They led the groundbreaking of the 1.17-hectare property of Hotel 101 and started construction of the 482-room Hotel 101-Niseko project. Hotel 101 is the first Filipino hotel chain to expand overseas. The contractor of Hotel 101-Niseko is Iwata Chizaki Inc., one of the largest contractors in Japan, and the same contractor which built the Chitose International Airport in Saporro, Hokkaido Japan. The Niseko hotel project in Hokkaido, Japan is one of Hotel 101’s first three overseas projects, with the other two to be in Madrid, Spain and California USA. Niseko Hokkaido Japan is a world-class premier ski destination that remains popular year-round from its picturesque landscapes to its natural hot springs. The Singapore-registered Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd. is the worldwide expansion subsidiary of DoubleDragon. These first three overseas sites will serve as bridge projects to jumpstart the transition of Hotel101 to transcend beyond these first three countries and become a global brand with a truly unique business concept that can be planted in over 100 countries. 25 countries by 2025 Target near term expansion roadmap for Hotel101 Global is to be in these first 25 countries by 2026, namely: Philippines, Japan, Spain, USA, United Kingdom, UAE, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, Germany, France and China. DoubleDragon has accumulated a completed recurring income portfolio of over 1.2 million square meters in diversified hard assets in office leasing with its Jollibee Tower, DD Meridian Park complex, its string of CityMall community centers, CentralHub industrial warehouse complexes, its string of Hotel 101 projects in the Philippines and overseas. As of 30 June 2023, DoubleDragon’s total equity stands at P81.64 billion and total cash position stands at P6.54 billion. DoubleDragon has recently been upgraded to the highest PhilRatings PRS Triple A Credit Rating. The post DD unit’s overseas expansion on high gear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Education Division of Makati City forged an agreement to partner in providing students in select schools in the city with lectures on anti-smoking and anti-vaping. The memorandum of understanding, signed during the Brigada Eskwela 2023 Division Kick-Off held in Makati High School, seeks to implement a smoke-free and healthy environment among public schools. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said one of the keys towards a smoke-free and healthy environment in the school is to educate and capacitate the learners. “We will teach the students the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as second-hand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms,” said Artes during the MoU signing rites. The MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office will facilitate the anti-smoking lectures on the dangers of smoking and vaping to one’s health. An orientation on anti-littering will also be provided aimed at informing students on the effects of throwing small litters that may cause clogging of waterways leading to flooding. Likewise, the students will undergo a course on Basic First Aid and Disaster Management for incidents of fire, flooding and earthquake. The agency will capacitate the students on training that will enhance their skills in using the website as a platform for educating young people on the effects of smoking and vaping to a person’s health. “The MMDA believes that one of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities in identifying problems brought about by smoking and vaping, seeking for feasible solutions and tapping into existing resources,” Artes added. DepEd Makati, for its part, is responsible for securing the health and wellness of students, thus enjoining the MMDA to serve as a major partner in its campaign for a healthy and smoke-free environment. Schools to be given lectures are: Makati High School, San Isidro National High School, San Antonio National High School, Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School, Bangkal High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino High School, Makati Science High School, Pitogo High School, Tibagan High School and Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School. The discussions, which will be done either online or face-to-face, will have a maximum of 50 students per session, per school. It will be a mix of junior and senior high school students. The project will be a continuing program and is set to end in June 2025. Also present in the MOU signing are Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, officials from DepEd Makati, and their private partners such as China Bank Savings, and Young Men’s Christian Association. The post MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
One giant step: Moon race hots up
Russia's plan to launch its lunar lander on Friday is the latest in an international push to return to the Moon that includes the world's top powers but also new players. Technology, science and politics are all essential factors in the Moon race. Here is the latest: China's great leap China is pursuing plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base there. The world's second-largest economy has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program in a push to catch up with the United States and Russia. China was the third country to put humans in orbit in 2003 and Tiangong is the crown jewel of its space program, which has also landed rovers on Mars and the Moon. The unmanned Chang'e-4 rocket landed on the far side of the Moon in 2019, with another robot mission to the near side raising the Chinese flag there in 2020. That moonshot brought rock and soil samples back to Earth, the first time that has been done in more than four decades. NASA's Artemis NASA's Artemis 3 mission is set to return humans to the Moon in 2025 including its first woman and first non-white astronaut. Under the Artemis program, NASA is planning a series of missions of increasing complexity to return to the Moon and build a sustained presence in order to develop and test technologies for an eventual journey to Mars. The first, Artemis 1, flew an uncrewed spacecraft around the Moon in 2022. Artemis 2, planned for November 2024, will do the same with crew on board. NASA sees the Moon as a pit stop for missions to Mars and has done a deal with Finnish mobile firm Nokia to set up a 4G network there. However, NASA said this week that the Artemis 3 mission may not land humans on the Moon, depending on whether certain key elements, including the landing system developed by SpaceX, were ready. Elon Musk's firm won the contract for a landing system based on a version of its prototype Starship rocket, which remains far from ready. An orbital test flight of the uncrewed Starship ended in a dramatic explosion in April. Russia's Luna Russia's launch of Luna-25 on Friday will be its first to the Moon since 1976 and marks the beginning of Moscow's new lunar project. President Vladimir Putin is looking to strengthen space cooperation with China after ties with the West broke down following the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. New players Recent technological progress has reduced the cost of missions and opened the way for new players in the public and private sector to get involved. India's latest space mission Chandrayaan-3 entered the Moon's orbit in August ahead of the country's second attempted lunar landing later this month. But getting to the Moon is not an easy task. Israeli non-profit SpaceIL launched its Beresheet lunar lander in 2019, but it crashed. And in April this year Japan's ispace was the latest company to try, and fail, at the historic bid to put a private lunar lander on the Moon. Two other US companies, Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, are set to try later in the year. The post One giant step: Moon race hots up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Guess who?
It is amusing, if not vexing, to see some high officials and members of the deliberative body competing with each other to call attention to themselves. They blabber inane remarks to the exasperation and vexation of the public. A few of them boxed in into any controversy that catches national intention and inflicts us with what obviously appears to be nonsensical, unthinking, and intelligent narratives, forgetting that they look ridiculous and comical in the process. A few others sponsor resolutions on matters not within their turf and expertise. They express their opinions without studying the subject matter and foist theories and ideas exposing their intellectual barrenness. They inject their unstudied take on foreign policy. They try very hard to upstage the Chief Executive in matters of foreign policy, particularly on the issue of our foreign relations with China and the United States. They also have the gumption to teach the President what to do about the enforcement of the arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines rendered by the Permanent Arbitration Court vis-a-vis the conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea, by giving him options on what to undertake either to enforce the favorable ruling or to rally the other countries to support the Philippines in putting to a halt the Chinese unlawful incursions to the former’s territory. They also input their pretended nationalism on the issue of human rights violations and the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. At least two of them contradict the President on many occasions in the matter of the ICC jurisdiction. Despite being called out on the nitwittery of their action they foolishly cling to it. Others initiate and pursue investigations on almost anything that fancies them or that will give them the opportunity to put them in the limelight for a free media mileage. A few numbers eyeing re-election in 2025 have started campaigning by advertising themselves in media outlets under the guise of asking the public to support a particular government program, introducing themselves completely with an accompanying campaign jingle heralding their names. Others use different tact, they shamelessly use their offices and positions and travel around the country using taxpayers’ money under the guise of official work but actually have slowly established a network of local government officials, for a shot at high national positions. Still others, do it brazenly, committing treasonous acts by plunging the dagger at the backs of their unsuspecting potential rivals for power. There are those, of course, who always make it a point to be on the side of the President in every official and social event that the latter attends, to make it appear they are close to him. They are always in praise of the principal in whatever he does, making themselves more popish than the Pope. Those whose exposure to the fourth estate brought them to where they are now, bring their pomposity and grandstanding in their official activities, acting as if they are still in their talk and public service shows. They browbeat and insult invited guests during inquiries believing their antics appeal to the peanut galleries. They strain themselves showing that they are smart and even scold cerebral academicians only to retreat and hide behind a growl while shifting to another topic in an attempt to camouflage their ignorance. There are also former government men who, in their desire to return to power and influence, the source of their ill-gotten wealth, ingratiate themselves to the present dispensation by publicly siding with the official pronouncements coming from the side of the Pasig River, always praising their bogus credentials. Finally, those who have managed to shockingly get appointments, delude themselves into believing that they were placed there because they deserved to be there, when in reality, it’s a political accommodation to pay off for their asinine pretended loyalty, using gutter language and indecency to get the support of the political followers of the presidential candidate. They have been unmasked as undeserving of the professions they used to belong to. Yes, you guess it right, they are the people being referred to in this article. The post Guess who? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition
Cebu Pacific, the Gokongwei-led budget airline, said Friday it will be receiving more aircraft deliveries this year to ramp up its operations to cater to the growing travel demand. The company welcomed its ninth aircraft delivery, a brand-new Airbus A321neo (New Engine Option), at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. The new aircraft operated using a blended sustainable aviation fuel or SAF on its flight. “This aircraft delivery allows us to increase our operational resilience while continuing to provide safe, reliable, and affordable air travel to our passengers,” said Alex Reyes, CEB chief strategy officer. New-generation fuel-efficient aircraft “Our ongoing re-fleeting with new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft and our continued use of sustainable aviation fuel will also help our decarbonization efforts in making the aviation industry more sustainable,” Reyes added. CEB is scheduled to receive 21 aircraft deliveries this year — of these, 17 are New Engine Options or NEOs, while four are Current Engine Options or CEOs on short-term leases. The airline aims to shift to a more fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028. It also aims to utilize SAF by launching green routes by 2025 and using SAF for its entire network by 2030. SAF cuts 80% carbon emission SAF is a drop-in fuel with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance. The use of SAF results in up to 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle. Last month, CEB also received a brand new A320neo aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin, China, powered by SAF with a blend of 41 percent. CEB became the first low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate SAF into its operations when it took delivery of its third A330NEO in May last year. The post Airbus A321neo is CEB’s fleet newest addition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke challenge (2)
As time passes, the country risks becoming a doormat in terms of ensuring an ample supply of electricity at an economical cost, which are the benefits being realized by its neighbors through nuclear energy. There are 445 nuclear reactors in the world that are currently in operation and another 57 are under construction. A total of 30 countries are involved in nuclear energy production, including the US, France, China, Japan and Russia, according to the National Academy of Science and Technology, which is the authority on nuclear energy in the absence of a regulator. The global capacity of nuclear power, however, has progressively decreased due to changes in Western government policies and the shutdown of reactors in Japan, Germany and the US. Still, there was an increase in global nuclear generation by 1.4 percent in 2016 largely attributed to China’s 23-percent rise. Nuclear power’s share in the total generation mix fell to 11 percent in 2015 but still corresponds to nearly a third of the world’s low-carbon electricity production. In the ASEAN, the primary demand for energy grew by 70 percent between 2000 and 2016. Three-fourths of the region’s energy production is based on fossil fuels. Vietnam is intent on expanding nuclear power generation as manifested by its agreement with Russia and Japan to build two plants. Thailand, on the other hand, has not pursued its nuclear program since 2014, while Indonesia will open to nuclear energy after 2025. The Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation states that the country will wait until 2030 for a similar facility of its own. Recently, the House special committee on nuclear energy adopted a resolution calling on the Department of Energy to create a Nuclear Energy Division. Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco, the panel chairperson, adopted House Resolution 387, which is in line with the objective of incorporating nuclear power into the energy mix. The proposed DoE division would be in charge of developing the framework for utilizing and managing nuclear energy in the country. It should also further advance the plan to utilize nuclear energy to combat the rising prices and the lack of electricity supply. In his first State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said it was “time to re-examine” the country’s strategy toward building nuclear power plants. “We must build new power plants. We must take advantage of all the best technology that is now available, especially in the area of renewable energy,” he said. An additional capacity of 43.765 megawatts or an additional 73 high-capacity power plants will be needed by 2040. Its continued dependence on imported fossil fuels makes the country vulnerable to world energy price volatilities. By comparison, the cost of generating nuclear energy is less sensitive to fuel price hikes due to the larger component contributed by its capital cost, thus making nuclear plants an important baseload power generation source as demonstrated in many countries. The government’s international commitment to bring down greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent will bank on the nuclear energy initiative since renewable energy is not delivering the benefits as promised. Coupled with strong programs on carbonless energy production, considerable greenhouse gas reductions can expectedly be achieved. As the country heavily relies on fossil-based fuels, energy from nuclear fuel is seen as a viable solution to mitigate the effects of climate change. Global energy demand is predicted to increase by 2030 and so with the carbon emission. For several urgent reasons, economic growth and the ecological balance included, the imperative is for the DoE to defy its detractors and step up to embrace nuclear power as a source of electricity. The post Nuke challenge (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SoNA 2023
Sophomore year is when familiarity has seeped in, and we get to know the people and terrain better. We gain momentum and confidence in the things we must do. On another note, we also learn about people’s strengths and previously hidden weaknesses. Personalities become more colored, and metrics will show actual performance when compared against campaign promises. The administration of President Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. will be of a different tune this time around. In 2022, the State of the Nation Address was filled with campaign promises and action plans that lay down the blueprint for the next six years. Just like any first SoNA of a new president, the atmosphere was jovial and enthusing. Second SoNAs are made right after the appointment of certain Cabinet members who lost in the previous election, and when presidential priorities are more evident. What makes sophomore SoNAs unique is that it is when the Administration is still new and with less political intentions in mind, if that is possible. Remember, the next elections are scheduled in 2025, thus, making next year’s 2024 SoNA the last one before the Administration’s senatorial bets are officially announced. Mid-year elections are crucial to sustaining the momentum of President Marcos Jr., and we can think of several of his loyal political soldiers who will be running for the Senate in 2025. The period from 2023 to 2024 is when the real work of government officials is felt, as they say — pure governmental service. Thereafter, 2024 to 2025 should be for election mode or the campaign season for the senatorial bets and all locally elected officials. All but the two highest positions and twelve senatorial seats will be up for grabs in 2025. The mood in the second half of the Administration will depend on the outcome of 2025. Surely, the banner announcement in Monday’s SoNA will be the newly signed Maharlika Investment Fund, which is the first sovereign wealth fund of the Philippines. This is a sophisticated financial instrument that should be a challenge for the Administration to explain to the common folk. Further, it can be explained, but would it be comprehended given that Filipinos tend to give their attention to short-term benefits, such as 4Ps and ayuda or aid? The Maharlika Investment Corporation or MIC, which will manage the sovereign fund, should make monthly reports that would be informative and easy to comprehend by Filipinos. The “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign of the Administration will be launched during the SoNA, hopefully eclipsing the “Love the Philippines” fiasco of Secretary Cristina Frasco of the DoT. Bagong Pilipinas comes with its own logo and probably a jingle, the same one used in the campaign of President Marcos Jr. The infrastructure slogan of the Administration, “Build, Better, More” or BBM, will have accomplishments to boast of. NEDA, the other day, approved three projects, the largest of which is the P170 billion NAIA Rehabilitation, thereby shunning the proposal of the private consortium, the Manila International Airport Consortium, consisting of several of the country’s billionaires, that was valued at P267 billion. The decision of the President to side with the proposal of the government, instead of the businessmen who were seemingly close to him having been part of the delegations in his earlier state visits and trips abroad, should be respected and applauded. Geopolitics will play a role in the recent ICC decision to continue its probe into the alleged drug killings and the surprise visit of former President Rodrigo Duterte to Xi Jinping in China. We will eagerly anticipate what President Marcos Jr. will have to say about them. The SoNA always elicits curiosity and excitement, and the 2023 SONA should be no different. The post SoNA 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Friends with benefits
The Philippines and Argentina reaffirmed their enduring friendship during the 5th Bilateral Consultation Meeting held in Manila earlier this year, the first in-person meeting since the start of the pandemic. DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and her Argentine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Foreign Policy Claudio Javier Rozencwaig, chaired and led their respective delegations to the meeting. [caption id="attachment_155214" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Undersecretaries Lazaro and Rozencwaig.[/caption] The two sides held robust discussions on an agenda that included bilateral trade relations, regional and global developments, exchanges in the maritime sphere, as well as cooperation in the agricultural, scientific and cultural fields. Undersecretaries Lazaro and Rozencwaig underscored the importance of elevating bilateral relations by embracing a more diverse, forward-looking cooperation agenda. Included here is Argentina’s willingness to share its considerable expertise in agricultural technology and experience in nuclear energy, being the first Latin American country to develop its own commercial nuclear energy reactor in the 1970s. For its part, the Philippine side gave a broad briefing on the various incentives given to foreign companies looking to establish an investment presence in the country’s economic zones. At least two Argentine companies already have operations in the Philippines. A highlight of the BCM was the signing of two important agreements—a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Space Agency and the Argentine National Commission on Space Activities on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; and the renewal of an agreement on cultural cooperation. PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano signed the MoU on behalf of the Philippines, while Lazaro initialed the exchange of notes on the renewal of the agreement on cultural cooperation, in the presence of NCCA Chair Victorino Mapa Manalo. The two sides also took the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues such as developments in the South China Sea and the Antarctic region, as well as relations between the United States and China. They spoke about the importance of the multilateral sphere and areas of possible cooperation in terms of the Philippines’ and Argentina’s respective candidatures in the UN system. Lazaro sought Argentina’s support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028. Rozencwaig touched on Argentina’s presidency of Mercosur. Other members of the Philippine delegation to the meeting included high-level representatives from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and the Department of Agriculture. The BCM is an important platform for discussing issues of common concern, finding ways to enhance existing cooperation, and charting the course for future engagements. This particular meeting comes at a time when both the Philippines and Argentina prepare to celebrate 75 years of formal diplomatic relations in August this year. The next BCM is expected to be held in Buenos Aires in 2025. During his visit to Manila, Rozencwaig also delivered a presentation (“Argentina and the Philippines in the Current International Context”) under the prestigious Mabini Dialogue format of the DFA-Foreign Service Institute. Professor Aries Arugay, Chair of the UP-Diliman Political Science Department, served as reactor for the lecture. The post Friends with benefits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ELECTRIFIED MOBILITY
As the world continues to shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly modes of transport, Kia Philippines is not one to be left behind. The recent transition of leadership from Manny Aligada to new chief operating officer Brian Buendia marks a new era for the company, one that is heavily focused on the adoption of electric vehicles and the transformation of the automotive landscape in the Philippines. Buendia inherits a brand that is poised for growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Kia Philippines aims to enhance the customer and ownership experience by bringing the company's corporate identity and culture to the fore. Buendia's vision is to strengthen Kia's industry rankings through the introduction of new and exciting models in relevant segments and expand the growing dealership network. In Buendia's own words: "We will build upon these accolades to further steer Kia Philippines to greater success. And we will not achieve this without your utmost support." This statement reflects his commitment to driving the brand forward and his recognition of the crucial role of stakeholders in this journey. Buendia also has his sights set on establishing Kia as a major player in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. This is through their EV6 and the up and coming new energy vehicles. Kia Philippines, under Buendia's leadership, is already a major player in the local industry as well as in the region. The company has become one of the fastest-growing car brands locally and has been recognized by Kia Asia Pacific for achieving the highest growth rate in the region and being the number one independent dealer in retail sales in 2022. Seeing it as crucial to the brand’s growth, the team behind Kia Philippines plans to expand its dealer network to 50 dealerships nationwide by 2025, with each dealership offering the same experience and brand design. As important, efforts to improve customer experience, including face-to-face training for all frontliners and three levels of skill certification for technicians and service advisors, as well as improvements in parts availability and after-sales service, are on top of the list for the team. The latter item has currently been improved, with a fivefold increase in parts inventory and a partnership with Ayala-owned Entrego to improve delivery times to dealerships. The company's commitment to electrified mobility is also evident in its ambitious plans. Kia Global has announced its goal to produce 2 million EVs by 2030. This includes the introduction of 2 new EVs every year, culminating in a total of 15 EVs by 2027. Kia Philippines, together with parent company Ayala Corporation, is also working on building an entire EV ecosystem. This includes efforts in financing, infrastructure and software integration. As Buendia noted, Kia Philippines is not just focusing on the vehicles themselves but also on the technology that powers them. The company's global EV strategy includes a focus on connectivity, performance, autonomous driving and design. Kia sees the potential for EV adoption in the Philippines, with sales dependent on markets like China, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. According to AC Motors President, Toti Zara, the transition to EVs in the Philippines is seen as inevitable, with efforts being made to bust myths about EVs related to safety, range and cost. With recent developments like exemptions from import duties and excise tax, the cost of EVs is expected to achieve parity with internal combustion engine vehicles, according to Zara. The brand also announced that they are to introduce one battery-electric vehicle, one new-energy hybrid vehicle, and two more internal combustion engine vehicles this year. The transition of leadership at Kia Philippines signifies a new era for the company. With Buendia at the helm, the company is poised to drive the brand to the top spot in the Philippine market. The company's commitment to electrified mobility, coupled with its plans for dealer network expansion and improved customer experience, paints a promising future for Kia Philippines. As Buendia confidently stated, "Kia Philippines is already a major player in the local industry as well as in the region." With such a clear vision and strategic plan, there's no doubt that Kia Philippines is on the road to success. The post ELECTRIFIED MOBILITY appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU, U.S. set AI code of conduct
The European Union and the United States said Wednesday that they would soon release a voluntary code of conduct on artificial intelligence to mitigate risks posed by the technology. In a joint statement released by the White House and the European Commission, the two sides called AI a “transformative technology with great promise for our people, offering opportunities to increase prosperity and equity.” “But in order to seize the opportunities it presents, we must mitigate its risks,” it said. Both political and technology industry leaders are concerned of AI’s potentially wide-ranging effects on privacy and other civil liberties. Technology leaders, including Sam Altman, whose firm OpenAI created the popular AI-powered ChatGPT bot, warned in a joint statement Tuesday that AI could put the world at risk without regulation. EU and US experts would work on “cooperation on AI standards and tools for trustworthy AI and risk management.” European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager added that a draft of the code of conduct would be put forward “within weeks.” The EU has been moving forward on the world’s first regulations on AI, which would ban biometric surveillance and ensure human control of the technologies, though the rules would not enter into force before 2025 at the earliest. China has also discussed regulations but Western powers fear that Beijing, with its growing prowess in the field and willingness to export to fellow authoritarian countries, could effectively set global standards. The post EU, U.S. set AI code of conduct appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Plastic pollution: Treaty talks get into the nitty-gritty
Countries grappling with the "immense" task of ending plastic pollution began a new round of talks in Paris on Monday, amid protests and warnings of the urgency to act. Representatives of 175 nations with divergent ambitions met at the UNESCO headquarters with the aim of making progress towards reaching by next year a historic agreement covering the entire plastics life cycle. As the talks opened, the head of the negotiations, Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velazquez of Peru, said the challenge was "immense, as we are all aware here, but it is not insurmountable". "The world's eyes are on us," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron urged participating nations to put an end to a "globalized and unsustainable" production model, where richer countries export plastic waste to poorer ones. "Plastic pollution is a time-bomb and at the same time already a scourge today," he said in a video message, adding that the materials, based on fossil fuels, posed a risk to global warming goals as well as to biodiversity and human health. He said the priorities of the negotiations should be first to reduce the production of plastics and to ban "as soon as possible" the most polluting products like single-use plastics. The stakes are high, given that annual plastics production has more than doubled in 20 years to 460 million tonnes, and is on track to triple within four decades. Two-thirds of this output is discarded after being used once or a few times, and winds up as waste. Less than 10 percent is recycled, while more than a fifth is dumped or burned illegally. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the influence of industry lobbying on the talks, with protests outside the venue on Monday carrying signs saying "Kick industry out". "What do we want? Global plastic treaty! When do we want it? Now!" protesters chanted. In nature, microplastics have been found in ice near the North Pole and in fish navigating the deepest recesses of the oceans. In humans, microscopic bits of plastic have been detected in blood, breast milk, and placentas. Plastic also contributes to global warming, accounting for 3.4 percent of global emissions in 2019, according to the OECD. Gushing pollution In February 2022, nations agreed in principle on the need for a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution around the world, setting an ambitious 2024 deadline to reach an agreement. Policy actions to be debated during the talks include a global ban on single-use plastic items, and production caps on new plastic production. Delegates in Paris have to narrow down what elements should be included in the eventual draft treaty text, though technical debates had already slowed down the schedule on Monday. Environmental groups are concerned the treaty may not include targets to reduce overall plastic production. Reduction of plastic use and production is part of a plan by the High Ambition Coalition of some 50 nations led by Rwanda and Norway and including the European Union, Canada, Chile, and –- as of a few days ago -- Japan. But many countries are reluctant to aim for absolute cuts in production, insisting that recycling and improved waste management are the answer. These include China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC countries, all of which have large petrochemical industries. The head of the UN Environment Programme, Inger Andersen, told the delegates that a throwaway plastic culture was "gushing pollution galore, choking our ecosystems, warming the climate, damaging our health" and that the most vulnerable were the hardest hit. To applause, she added: "We cannot recycle our way out of this mess". Sprint The Paris meeting, which runs to June 2, is the second of five sessions in the process. One more meeting will be held this year and two in 2024 before the treaty is set to be adopted by the middle of 2025, said Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, executive secretary of the negotiating committee, adding that it would be a "sprint". Organizers said limited space at the venue was causing the access limitations, adding that there were some 612 organizations listed to attend in total, with around 40 linked to the business. Campaigners kept the pressure on over-access to the venue during the day. Tweeting a picture of a group of around three dozen campaigners, the Center for International Environmental Law called for greater public participation in the process. "We will not be silenced!" said CIEL's Jane Patton, adding that fewer than a third of those pictured had been allowed into the venue. The post Plastic pollution: Treaty talks get into the nitty-gritty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»