Women community journalists bear brunt of intensifying media repression in PH
“Journalism is not a crime. Instead of targeting the messengers, the authorities should instead be investigating and dealing with the real perpetrators of violence, corruption and rights abuses.” The post Women community journalists bear brunt of intensifying media repression in PH appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Sarangani Writers League welcomes 11 new members, all women
ALABEL, Sarangani (MindaNews / 24 March) – The Sarangani Writers League (SWL) recently welcomed its new members, all of them women, for helping develop the literary community in the province of Sarangani. The new members successfully navigated the application process, fulfilled all requirements, and surpassed the evaluation criteria: Catherine R. Discorson, Mariele M. Gallego, and Eva […].....»»
Regine bet na bet gawing National Artist For Music, aprub kayo?
MGA ka-BANDERA, payag ba kayo sa panawagan ng mga fans na gawin nang National Artist for Music ang Asia’s Songbird na si Regine Velasquez? Ito ang isinusulong ngayon ng mga supporters at social media followers ng OPM legend at TV icon matapos niyang tanggapin ang kanyang award sa Billboard Philippines’ Women in Music. Talagang naging.....»»
Ulat Bulilit unravels trauma, HRVs among children
“Children failed to fully realize their rights because they also bear the brunt of economic problems faced by their parents — low wages, contractualization, joblessness." The post Ulat Bulilit unravels trauma, HRVs among children appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Fishers call for adequate support amid the El Niño drought
"Fishers also bear the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. During drought, fish usually swim deeper than usual to seek cooler temperatures, making fishing more difficult and costly as we have to spend extra time and fuel." The post Fishers call for adequate support amid the El Niño drought appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
‘The Bear’ stars win TV honors at Hollywood’s SAG awards
'I am so honored to be in this community,' Jeremy Allen White said as he accepted the award for best actor in a television comedy.....»»
What you need to know: Atin Ito’s Christmas convoy to West PH Sea
The project aims to honor the Filipinos who bear the brunt of China's intimidations in the West Philippine Sea and make a statement that ordinary Filipinos can sail freely sail through its own waters.....»»
Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police
Police in Maine said Saturday that the man who gunned down 18 people at a bar and a bowling alley and later committed suicide, suffered serious mental health issues, but was able to buy weapons legally because he had never been forcibly committed to treatment. The body of Robert Card, a 40-year-old army reservist, was discovered Friday night inside a tractor-trailer near a recycling center where he used to work, said Maine public safety commissioner Mike Sauschuck. Card had shot himself. Investigators are still struggling to determine Card's motive for carrying out Wednesday's massacre in the town of Lewiston. However, Sauschuck said that Card had reportedly been hearing voices and suffering from paranoia. "Clearly there's a mental health component to this," Sauschuck told reporters. Investigators found a "paper-style" note that Card had left to a loved one which contained a password to his phone and bank account information, Sauschuck said, adding that the note had the tone of a suicide letter. Card was found in possession of three weapons, one of them a long gun, all purchased legally because he had never been forcibly committed to a mental institution. Despite the apparently clear mental health issues and a reportedly recent psychiatric evaluation undergone by Card, "a background check is not going to ping that this individual was prohibited," Sauschuck added. The sigh of relief The discovery of Card's body ended a massive two-day manhunt, which had this quiet city of 38,000 people on lockdown, with businesses and schools closed and residents terrified. Sauschuck acknowledged the help Card's family had provided to the investigation, saying his relatives were among the first people to call the police and identify the suspect. "This family has been incredibly cooperative with us," he said. Lewiston finally breathed a sigh of relief with businesses beginning to open and people appearing on the streets Saturday. Several posters reading "Lewiston strong" were seen in the city. Shukri Abasheikh, 60, was finally able to reopen her halal grocery store after the lockdown. "This morning I'm so happy because the last two days, we were worried a lot and we were scared," Abasheikh told AFP. "My customers were calling me saying we don't have milk, we don't have anything, can you open and I said, 'I'm scared.'" Upon learning that Card was dead, Sheri Withers, 44, owner of a Lewiston art gallery, said she felt "a balance of relief and remembering how to breathe, but also just being sad because, you know, it was a human life." For now, residents are "just trying to rebuild the pieces, and getting on from here is gonna be the next step for our community," she added. A local resident named Danica, who was buying coffee at a drive-through, said she was happy Card was dead, but at the same time wished he had first been brought to justice. "I think he took the coward's way out of doing it by suicide," Danica, who declined to give her last name, told AFP. "I think he should be held accountable for his crimes." In a statement issued shortly after Card's body was discovered Friday night, President Joe Biden vowed to renew efforts to curb gun violence in the United States. "Americans should not have to live like this," Biden said. "I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic." Biden said the shooting brought "a tragic two days -- not just for Lewiston, Maine, but for our entire country." Authorities on Friday identified the victims, ranging from a husband and wife in their 70s to a 14-year-old boy killed alongside his father. This was one of the deadliest shootings in the United States since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people Mass shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. The post Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US police launch huge manhunt for shooter who killed at least 22
A massive manhunt was under way Thursday for a gunman who a local official said killed at least 22 people and wounded "many" more in mass shootings in the US state of Maine, the deadliest such incident this year. Police said Robert Card -- seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic weapon with an extended clip as he walked into a bowling alley in the town of Lewiston -- "should be considered armed and dangerous." Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve, CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources. Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN that law enforcement had "confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured", with local media reporting shootings had occurred at multiple locations. Swathes of Lewiston were locked down, with businesses urged to shutter and people ordered to shelter in place, as the scourge of horrifying gun violence once again ripped through an American community. Maine public safety official Mike Sauschuck said he was not prepared to give a death toll, calling it "a very fluid situation." He told reporters police were flooding the streets as they sought the gunman. "We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case, to locate Mr. Card," he told reporters. Rescue vehicles rushed in from around central Maine to tend to the wounded, city councilor McCarthy said, and the two Lewiston hospitals "have called in every off-duty staff member that they could to deal with this." President Joe Biden made calls -- stepping away from a state dinner honoring Australia's prime minister -- to Maine's governor, its two senators and a local congressman to offer federal support, the White House said. Early on Thursday, armed police were seen guarding the Central Maine Medical Center, where some of the wounded were being treated. Several Maine school boards and educational institutions, including Bates College, said they would not be holding classes on Thursday, according to statements. Multiple locations Police and rescuers reportedly arrived at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at about 7:15 pm local time (00:15 Thursday GMT) in response to an active shooter, and then received reports of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, according to the Sun Journal local newspaper. Police issued a number of photographs of 40-year-old Card at the bowling alley, where he appears calm and composed as he moves through the doorway with his rifle raised. "Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts," they said. Sauschuck said officers had located a "vehicle of interest" they had been looking for -- a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) -- in Lisbon, a town around eight miles (12 kilometers) from Lewiston, where residents had also been warned to stay off the streets. Card was not in the vehicle, reports said. Law enforcement "are investigating two active shooter events," the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department said on social media. "We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate. The suspect is still at large." Maine Governor Janet Mills said she was "aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston." CNN reported that at least 50 people were wounded in the incidents, citing multiple law enforcement sources, but said it was unclear how many of the injuries were the result of gunfire. It was unclear if initial reports of shots being fired at a third site, a Walmart distribution center, were accurate. My hometown Maine Congressman Jared Golden wrote on social media that "like all Mainers, I'm horrified by the events in Lewison tonight. This is my hometown." "Right now, all of us are looking to local law enforcement as they gain control of the situation and gather information. Our hearts break for those who are affected," he said. Distraught citizens flocked to local hospitals. "I'm just overwhelmed. I've been here trying to spread, you know, some kind of comfort, some kind of support," Cynthia Hunter, a local resident, told CBS affiliate WGME. The shooting is one of the deadliest since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing about 60 people. Gun violence is alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Wednesday's attack was the deadliest mass shooting in 2023 so far, according to the GVA's data. Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. Lewiston is the second most populous city in Maine located some 30 miles north of the largest city, Portland. The post US police launch huge manhunt for shooter who killed at least 22 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel aims to crush Hamas but vague on Gaza’s post-war future
Israel is determined to crush Hamas but has said little about what would replace its rule in Gaza after the war, with observers expecting Washington will play a decisive role. "One thing is clear: the Gaza Strip will not be ruled by Hamas once this war is over," Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy told AFP as Israel's military steps up strikes in preparation for a widely-expected ground offensive. In the wake of the 7 October attacks, when militants from the Palestinian Islamist movement began a deadly cross-border assault that has killed 1,400 people, Israel has laid out just one objective: "Destroying Hamas". Since then, it has embarked on a brutal retaliatory bombing campaign, which Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says has now killed more than 5,000 people. Despite four previous wars with Gaza's Hamas rulers -- in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021 -- Israel has never before threatened to completely overthrow the movement which rules this tiny territory of 2.4 million people. The territory, which has been languishing under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since Hamas took control in 2007, has since October 7 suffered a spiraling humanitarian crisis, largely deprived of water, food and other basic supplies and more than a million people displaced. Although Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, ending an occupation that began in 1967, the international community considers it responsible for the tiny territory's primary needs -- energy, food and medicine. 'Handing over the keys' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it a "do or die" war. And his government is hoping to end all responsibility for Gaza as part of a "new regional reality" it hopes will emerge after the war. After the current air strikes and action inside Gaza, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said a "third phase" would involve "the removal of Israel’s responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel". But no minister talks about Gaza's future government. And nobody has raised the possibility of a new Israeli occupation of the enclave, the military and financial burden of such an eventuality being too high to bear. "We are discussing possibilities with our partners," said government spokesman Levy. Israel wants to "hand over the keys" to a third party, a foreign ministry source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. According to Eitan Shamir, a former Israeli government security specialist and now director of Jerusalem's Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Washington will have a decisive say in Gaza's future. The US, he said, already has an "overview" role in Israel's action against Hamas. "The favourite option of the Americans and Israelis would be an international structure with Palestinian Authority, with Saudi funding, for example," Shamir told AFP, saying it could include US and European administrative help. Regional players silent US President Joe Biden has given Netanyahu strong support, visiting Israel last week and warning other regional players not to get involved while lining up almost $15 billion in military aid, even if he has warned Israel against letting its "rage" go too far. But Washington has also not been clear about how it sees Gaza's future. "Something needs to be found that ensures Hamas can't do this again but also doesn't reverse to an Israeli governance of Gaza which they do not want," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS television on Sunday. "There are different ideas out there about what could follow and all of that needs to be worked, even as Israel is dealing with the current threat." The Israeli foreign ministry source raised Egypt as a possible saviour, although Cairo has resisted decades of pressure to take a greater role. Egypt and Jordan are deeply concerned about the war unleashing a new flood of Palestinian refugees. No Arab or Muslim state has so far proposed an intervention. One option supported by Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid is for Mahmud Abbas' Palestinian Authority to take control. The authority already cooperates with Israel in running parts of the occupied West Bank, but the ageing Palestinian leader has faced growing criticism since the war began. But a report by the International Crisis Group said there was "little hope that the already deeply unpopular PA could return to Gaza on the back of an Israeli invasion and not be treated as an enemy. "Moreover, it is not clear that Israel would want the West Bank and Gaza under a single authority," the think tank said. The post Israel aims to crush Hamas but vague on Gaza’s post-war future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups
Israel warned humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip on Friday to evacuate a major hospital and five schools ahead of a potential strike, aid agencies said. The Al-Quds Hospital is in northern Gaza, which has borne the brunt of Israeli air raids since Hamas staged their biggest ever attacks on Israel on October 7. The Palestine Red Crescent launched an "urgent appeal" saying it had "received a threat from the occupying authorities to bombard Al-Quds Hospital". The Israeli warning "demanded" the hospital's evacuation, which would affect more than 400 patients and 12,000 displaced people who have sought "safe haven", the group said. "We call upon the international community to take immediate and urgent action to prevent another massacre similar to what occurred at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital," the statement added. A rocket attack on the Al-Ahli hospital killed hundreds of people, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. Hamas blamed Israeli jets, while Israel blamed misdirected fire by militants inside Gaza. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in parallel that Israel had told it to evacuate five schools "as fast as possible". All of the schools are in Gaza City, close to the hospital. "We did what we could to protest and reject this decision, but this means that from now these facilities are no longer safe," said an UNRWA statement, calling on thousands of people in and around the hospitals to flee. The Red Crescent said last Saturday that it had received a similar evacuation order for Al-Quds Hospital. Palestinian media said a rocket attack hit near the hospital on Wednesday. Gaza authorities say more than 4,100 people have been killed in Israeli raids since the Hamas attacks that left 1,400 people dead. The attacks were the worst suffered by Israel since its creation 75 years ago. The post Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alibaba announces surprise departure of ex-CEO
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has announced the surprise departure of former CEO Daniel Zhang, who had been set Monday to take charge of a key subsidiary as the firm undergoes a major restructuring. Hangzhou-based Alibaba is one of China's most prominent technology firms, with business operations spanning cloud computing, e-commerce, logistics, media and entertainment, and artificial intelligence. After years of turbulence in the Chinese tech sector, Alibaba in March announced the biggest restructuring in its history, dividing itself into six entities, with the goal of listing them on the stock exchange separately. CEO Daniel Zhang was due to take charge of the firm's new cloud computing branch, now a separate entity, on Monday. But two months after announcing his appointment, Alibaba said its ex-boss was no longer with the company. "The board of our Company expresses its deepest appreciation to Mr. Zhang for his contributions to Alibaba Group over the past 16 years," the company said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, where it is listed, late on Sunday. It gave no reason for his departure. Plans for a spin-off cloud computing firm would go ahead, Alibaba said, "under a separate management team to be appointed". The company announced in June that Zhang would be replaced by Joseph Tsai as chairman and Eddie Wu as CEO. The executive played a vital role in the company's success in the past decade, spearheading the now hugely popular Singles' Day shopping festival since its first edition in 2009. Shares in the firm sank nearly 3.5 percent Monday -- the first working day of its new reorganization into six distinct branches. In addition to e-commerce and cloud computing, Alibaba's reach stretches into everything from logistics to media, entertainment and artificial intelligence. But its vast size brought it into the crosshairs of Chinese regulators as Beijing sought to crack down on the tech sector. In 2020, Alibaba became the country's first tech giant to bear the brunt of increased oversight, when authorities called off what would have become one of the most valuable public listings in history -- valued at $34 billion -- for its former subsidiary Ant Group. Ant Group is the owner of Alipay, a mobile payment application widely used in China. One month after officials hit the brakes on its IPO, Alibaba was investigated for alleged anti-competitive practices, then issued a $2.8 billion fine. And in July authorities fined Ant Group nearly $1 billion for breaching banking regulations. The post Alibaba announces surprise departure of ex-CEO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cherchez la femme?
Look for the woman is what the phrase Cherchez la femme means in the French language. By a person’s statement, he or she attributes a certain action or incident to be caused by a woman. It presupposes a negative connotation, but to me it symbolizes the strength and power of a woman. Indeed, so much in this world can be recharged, repaired, corrected, healed if we give women the opportunity and the chance to make a great difference in the world. Women hold half of the sky so they should be given all the means and tools to make a difference. As mothers they carry the baby in their womb for nine months. That takes much sacrifice, inconvenience and risks to their health. But because women are strong in faith and character, they bear all the difficulties with a smile and bravura. Women are teachers. They are the first tutors of her children. Their early values are honed by the mother. Children do not take our words seriously. It is how we conduct ourselves that they absorb their first lessons in life. Women are healers. Because of their compassionate and caring nature, they can assuage the hurts caused by unkind words as they console their loved ones with a big hug, a warm bowl of soup and their sage advice as symbolized by Mother Teresa who will soon be canonized as a saint because of her humane and loving treatment of everyone. Women are strong warriors. The katipuneras proved their valor and fearless nature when they fought side by side with the men as proven by Gabriela Silang, wife of hero Diego Silang. Women are born singers as they lull their infants to sleep in their cradles. Women are marvelous cooks as they plan and cook the healthy food for their families without missing a step. Women are creative seamstresses as they sew the uniforms and clothes of their children growing up. Women are wonderful social human beings as they reach out to neighbors and the community as social workers and nurses. Women are good accountants as they can stretch their household budget like a rubber band with nary a complaint. Women are prayerful persons as they constantly pray for the safety, good health and well-being of the entire family. Women above all are the constant partners and faithful lovers to their husbands. So, we ask, what can women not do? Women can do anything you ask of them provided they are given the due respect, love and support they need to accomplish any task big or small. They are also great coaches who can mentor both young men and women to fulfill their dreams. They are possessed of noble intentions, fierce in their belief that if one needs to perform a task, they will be up to it. So, the question is asked, Cherchez la femme? Where is the woman? She can be found in all mothers, wives, doctors, nurses, teachers, cooks, OFWs, drivers, CEOs, presidents, artists, singers, ballet dancers, farmers, graphic designers, authors, nuns, debaters, makeup artists, parliamentarians, scientists, politicians, models, accountants, lawyers, students, bakers, NGO leaders, laundrywomen, caregivers, environment warriors, gardeners, streetsweepers etc. We could go on and on. What this proves is women can be anyone she aspires to be and for as long as she finds herself valued and needed; she will be there. All she needs is to be valued and loved. After all women are love personified. They will give of themselves for as long as they have life in them. Vive La Femme! In 1989, Bing Carreon was recognized as one of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS). In San Francisco, California, U.S.A., she was chosen as one of 100 Most Influential Global Filipinas for her books and advocacy work. As a social historian, she has written 46 coffee table books in the last 25 years found in select libraries around the world. For comments and suggestions please e-mail: bncmyob@gmail.com The post Cherchez la femme? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: SAVE YOUR LIFE THROUGH EARLY DETECTION
Tingling, stabbing pain, numbness or burning sensation in your hands and feet? It could be peripheral neuropathy, the most common type of diabetic neuropathy — and early diagnosis is key to avoid a life of disability. [caption id="attachment_178290" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Aalok Agrawal senior vice president of P&G Health in Asia. | photograph courtesy of P&G[/caption] Neuropathy is no joke. It is a condition wherein the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord — the peripheral nerves — are damaged or compressed. Infections, traumatic injuries, metabolic problems and inherited conditions are some of the underlying causes of PN. But the most common cause is diabetes. Unfortunately, a staggering 80 percent of patients with diabetic neuropathy were undiagnosed, as revealed by a 2020 study by Georgios Ponirakis et al. Since a patient’s PN symptoms may not seem too severe at its earliest stage, many continue about their daily lives without seeking medical attention. If the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy is not treated, a person may be at risk of developing a foot ulcer that becomes infected. Untreated, the ulcer can lead to gangrene, and in severe cases, the foot has to be amputated. This is why P&G Health continues to advocate awareness on peripheral neuropathy. Aalok Agrawal, the senior vice president of P&G Health in Asia, India, Africa and Middle East, sat down with DAILY TRIBUNE via video conference to emphasize the need for neuropathy awareness in the Philippines. “Peripheral neuropathy is a significant public health issue that I think needs a significant amount of more awareness from both healthcare practitioners, as well as from patients themselves. It can have a significant impact on both quality of life and serious complications,” he said. “And, to that end, you know, awareness remains very low. We think 80 percent of cases are untreated and undiagnosed. And our efforts, both on Neuropathy Awareness Week as well as World Diabetes Day, are to really bring out just how critical this public health issue is and to bring it up in its awareness. Because the most important thing for collective action here is the fact that this can be managed. This is something that we can diagnose early, and early diagnosis can help improve treatment outcomes, improve quality of life and prevent serious complications.” According to Agrawal, P&G Health’s efforts are tailored across all groups, including the marginalized sector. Hence, they utilize accessible language to better communicate neuropathy to everybody. “Our efforts are tailored across all groups. Our media, for example, is very much in Tagalog in some cases in Mindanao and Visayas, and we also tend to do more local language radio,” he explained. He also shared that P&G Health, apart from gathering global health experts to discuss neuropathy in medical forums and also partnering with media to spread knowledge on neuropathy, sees the importance of pharmacists in the war against PN. “So we have a lot of engagement with pharmacists as they are the frontliners in many cases — especially for marginalized groups that may not even reach out to doctors but they would just go to a pharmacist and say, ‘I have these symptoms; would you suggest something to me?’ And again, our effort has been to educate pharmacists consistently about these risk factors, about asking the right questions, and then about being able to give some sort of first-line therapy while also hopefully referring these patients to a doctor to be able to follow up on their treatment,” he explained. He also explained that demystifying neuropathy is not a one-time event, but is an ongoing effort on the part of P&G Health. “We go quite deep into the community. We’re trying to continue to expand our outreach. We try to make our materials as widely available on as many educational platforms as possible so that we can, again, reach out to doctors who may not be able to physically attend our forum. So, you know, but I think all of the different partners in the community and in the ecosystem will be what will help us create this awareness amongst all of these different groups of patients.” He also underscores the importance of not just seeking immediate medical treatment once you experience unusual sensations on your hands and feet, but also subscribing to a healthy lifestyle to prevent or combat PN. “Diet and exercise are so critical. We’ve got to help patients and consumers understand that a healthy diet with the right combination of fruits and vegetables, a balanced diet and nutrition and exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day are going to be super critical for us to really overcome and manage both diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. So, it really has to be a combination of lifestyle as well as some early diagnosis and treatment. I hope that we can raise that awareness together to help both the Philippines and Asian consumers in general, who are generally at high risk of diabetes. We want to make sure that the entire region can help combat this public health issue.” When asked about a person’s hesitancy in seeing a doctor for “mild” symptoms due to common reasons like health anxiety or stress over the financial costs of diagnostic tests and consultation, Agrawal gave this advice: “I think the most important thing to help manage both financially and as well from a mental reassurance standpoint is actually an early diagnosis, because, frankly, the costs of not diagnosing early are far greater. You may postpone it for a few months or a year, but then when you’re looking at these serious complications coming from peripheral neuropathy, or loss of sensation in the foot, which can become a foot ulcer and potentially lead to things like amputations and so on, that is a huge and almost unthinkable cost that anybody would have to bear,” he said. “Early diagnosis, I think, can have a very favorable outcome and, in fact, will give you reassurance as well. It can help take care of the symptoms, regenerate the nerves and prevent this from progressing further to the point where it might actually become unaffordable later to do that.” The post DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: SAVE YOUR LIFE THROUGH EARLY DETECTION appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crackdown vs ‘e-sabong’ intensified
The Police Regional Office in Mimaropa region has ordered its police commanders to intensify its war against operators of online cockfighting or e-sabong. PRO-4B director Brig. Gen. Joel Doria stressed on Sunday that the agency has an unwavering commitment to eradicate this illicit activity across the region as they respond to the call of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. The PRO-4B earlier solidified its stance against e-sabong, leaving no stones unturned in its pursuit of a region free of online cockfighting. “We stand united with SILG, resolute in our determination to crush the existence of e-sabong within our beloved nation,” Doria said. Building on their previous efforts, Doria said that the PRO-4B has employed a rigorous one-strike policy that holds unit commanders fully accountable for eradicating e-sabong in their respective jurisdictions. “We will not tolerate commanders who fail to prevent or address e-sabong activities within their jurisdictions. Immediate and decisive action will be taken, leaving no room for compromise or leniency,” Doria said. “Our objective is not simply to suppress e-sabong, but to completely eradicate it. The one-strike policy serves as a powerful reminder of the duty our unit commanders bear. Under their watch, there will be no tolerance for those who allow this illegal activity to thrive,” he added. Previously, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said they also continue to work with various government agencies, especially those whose mandate is concerned with information and communications technology, in running after online cockfighting operators. Acorda has ordered an “intensified crackdown” against illegal gambling, backed by the one-strike and no-take policy. Police, regional, provincial and district directors; chiefs of police stations and community precinct commanders; and other leaders of units who will be found inefficient or wanting in their efforts to eradicate and stop illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction shall be relieved of their post. They will also be charged administratively under the doctrine of command responsibility. Acorda’s latest directive comes after the PNP and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office forged an alliance to intensify the national campaign against all forms of illegal gambling. The specialized units will employ their expertise in gathering intelligence, conducting thorough investigations, and executing strategic interventions, fortifying the nation’s fight against illegal gambling. The post Crackdown vs ‘e-sabong’ intensified appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Authorities order evacuations ahead of super typhoon Egay
A super typhoon swept towards the northern Philippines on Tuesday, the country’s weather agency said, triggering evacuation orders for coastal communities expected to bear the brunt of the powerful storm. Super Typhoon "Egay" was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers an hour (115 miles per hour) as it headed towards a group of three lightly populated islands off the northern tip of the main island of Luzon, the agency said. The storm was expected to make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan islands or northeastern Cagayan province by Wednesday afternoon, the agency said in its latest bulletin at 0000 GMT. It would then sweep across to Taiwan and eastern China. The storm was expected to dump more than 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain on the islands and the northern portion of Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte provinces on Tuesday. Three of the five Babuyan islands are inhabited, with a population of around 20,000 people. Local disaster official Charles Castillejos said coastal communities on the islands had been ordered to leave their homes, while fishermen had been told to get their boats out of the water. "We sent the police to convince the hard-headed ones who refuse to evacuate," Castillejos told AFP. Storm surges of more than three meters (10 feet) could hit some low-lying areas, the weather agency warned. Heavy rain was expected across the mountainous northern provinces in the coming days, with landslides "highly likely", it added. The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 major storms each year that kill hundreds of people and keep vast regions in perpetual poverty. Scientists have warned that such storms, which also kill livestock and destroy key infrastructure, are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of climate change. The post Authorities order evacuations ahead of super typhoon Egay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Culture wars put American companies on the defensive
Boycotting a beer, attacking products celebrating the LGBTQ community, and criticizing shareholders for promoting diversity: In the face of growing criticism from conservatives, American companies are backtracking on progressive corporate initiatives. For Bud Light beer, it was a partnership with a transgender influencer that triggered the ire of right-wing consumers, and calls for a boycott. Typically, such a protest has little impact, but this time in-store sales have seen a slump, with Bud Light even losing its position as the best-selling beer in the United States to Modelo Especial in recent weeks, according to Bump Williams Consulting. Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bud Light's parent company, quickly launched a marketing counteroffensive with a more typically patriotic ad featuring American landscapes, followed on Wednesday by a campaign highlighting its employees. The Target discount retailer, for its part, chose to withdraw certain items marketed for Pride Month due to threats against employees. And at annual shareholder meetings, the number of resolutions opposing companies' inclusion of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria -- particularly on diversity -- has more than doubled in the past three years, according to the Sustainable Investment Institute (SII). - Reaction to Trump - While such resolutions usually garner very few votes, they are nevertheless having an impact. Larry Fink, the head of asset manager BlackRock, which has promoted sustainable investments in recent years, recently told a conference in Colorado that he has stopped using the term "ESG" because it has become too politicized. This new vigilance extends to the world of sport: after some players voiced reluctance over wearing rainbow symbols, the National Hockey League decided that teams should no longer wear special jerseys supporting LGBTQ rights because they had become a "distraction." "The tension of navigating between groups of people that think very, very differently has always been there," said Alison Taylor, a specialist in corporate ethics at New York University. But the situation has changed as political life has become increasingly polarized, she added. Corporations "got involved in controversial questions in 2017-2018, when there was a lot of organized resistance to Trump -- this seemed like a really good way to attract young people and generate shareholder value," she said. While the prospect of affecting real change on issues like abortion and gun control no longer seems possible in the political arena, young people have come to believe they can bring pressure to bear via business, according to Taylor. - Lobbyists at work - Unlike their elders, for whom political involvement boils down to the ballot box or party donations, younger people "are more inclined to bring their politics into how you invest, into how you shop, even into your office," said David Webber, a specialist in investor activism at Boston University. The sharp reactions to some company initiatives have been amplified by political leaders including Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, who targeted Disney over some of its progressive positions. And DeSantis is not alone. "Conservative organizations," financed in part by companies in the oil and gas sector, "started a campaign to pass legislation in different states to target ESG practices," Webber said. So far, the results have been mixed. "Some companies may, at least, back away from some of the rhetoric on ESG. But we've seen very little serious reallocation of assets," he said. Driven by customers, shareholders and employees, companies have no choice "but to be involved in some political issues," Daniel Korschun, a marketing specialist at Drexel University, told AFP. However, "people really start to react negatively when they feel like they're being pushed too far," as was the case in the Bud Light controversy, he added. "There's a very delicate balance between advocating and pushing too hard," he said. In response, "many managers are pulling back for the moment until they can figure out this new terrain that they're in," he added. jum-da/nro/tjj © Agence France-Presse The post Culture wars put American companies on the defensive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jeepney phaseout haphazard planning
In January 2018, during the Duterte period, the Department of Transportation tried to fast-track the jeepney phaseout plan, the so-called Transport Modernization Program or TMP, imposing deadlines to complete the phaseout by 2020. By November 2019, DOTr realized it was dreaming, and it finally dropped the plan. You cannot implement such a massive plan in so short a time. Not only was the time frame short, the plan was haphazardly done, with a lot of gaps. Either there was pressure from Malacañang or the DoTr was simply too gung-ho about it. At the time, there were about 300,000 jeepneys nationwide, on which a staggering 1.5 million, at an average of five persons per family, were dependent for their sustenance. Dislocating and rehabilitating such a huge number of drivers for new jobs would have been next to impossible, considering our high unemployment rate. This would have led to a social crisis inviting anarchy and unrest. We are not even talking about thousands of jeepney operators and dozens of affected downstream industries, such as jeepney manufacturers. The first to scream against the obsolescence of the jeepney and the pasaway (undisciplined) jeepney drivers were those who would benefit from the phaseout, namely, the oligarchs and powerful politicians who, in partnership, would take over the mass transport industry. Right now, they are drooling over the perceived windfall. They are planning secretly and organizing lobbies to influence PBBM and the government to implement mass transport modernization with their vested interests in mind. The pressure on PBBM will be so great and they will offer him a piece of the pie. The more he resists, the bigger the slice. The government will be forced to bear the brunt of mass transport modernization, allotting billions, so that the oligarchs and bureaucrats will spend less. Duterte’s TMP planned to replace current polluting jeepney engines with environment-friendly Euro-4 engines used in Europe. Back in 2019, one Euro-4 engine cost a staggering P1.6 million, beyond the reach of most operators. They would have drowned in debt or abandoned their businesses. Only the oligarchs-bureaucrats could afford this and so they would take over. Converting 300,000 jeepneys to Euro-4 would cost a dizzying P447 billion at 2019 prices. (Source: UPLB scientists interviewed). The Euro-4 is good for rich countries, not for poor countries with little capital. Its evolution was so rapid that Euro-1 to Euro-3 became ridiculously obsolete in so short a time. The Euro-4 is probably already obsolete today. The massive undertaking to convert 300,000 jeepneys may take 10 years, but only if the government borrows millions for the thousands of conversions nationwide. Also, imports may be available only in trickles, not considering that the Euro-4 is discontinued or rendered obsolete by newer versions. Let us assume the Euro series is replaced by better, cheaper technologies from China or even locally appropriate technologies. Present operators may need to get big loans. Only the oligarchs-bureaucrats will be ready to take over the mass transport system quickly. The fares of the modernized jeepneys and new hybrid mini-buses may easily reach four to six times the present rates. Commuters ultimately will bear the brunt of modernization. This does not even consider higher gas prices. Marginal commuters will be the ultimate victims. PBBM is in a dilemma. We are not ready for the massive changes and massive dislocations facing our mass transport system. We should have planned these expansions 10 to 20 years ago. PBBM will have to respond to the violent transport strikes brewing not with truncheons but with workable solutions that will address actual needs. He has very little time. PR and propaganda alone cannot contain the storm. The situation is not that hopeless, however. First, we must avoid quick-fix solutions in panic and come up with long-term solutions. Second, solutions should include funds to support our local inventors and manufacturers to avoid dependence on foreign technologies. Third, we must undertake intense research on alternatives to import-oriented modernizations. Removing the omnipresent jeepney completely is impossible for now. We can perhaps partly remove and partly improve the jeepney gradually. We can start by giving loans to operators to gradually replace their aging jeepneys. The key is to go slow. The age of cheap electric jeepneys may just be around the corner. We can perhaps ask Elon Musk or China to fund cheap e-jeepney engine factories here. Import the factories rather than the finished goods. We can retain local jeepney hybrid designs. That would be the perfect solution. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Jeepney phaseout haphazard planning appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nepal celebrates 70 years since first Everest summit
The sons of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa led celebrations in Nepal on Monday to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic first ascent of Everest. The scaling of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak on 29 May 1953 changed mountaineering forever and made the New Zealander and his Nepalese guide household names. "In a whole lot of ways, it was not just Ed Hillary and Tenzing Norgay that reached the summit of Mount Everest, it was all of humanity," Peter Hillary said at a school founded by his father in the remote village of Khumjung at 3,790 meters. "Suddenly, all of us could go," he said. And gone they have. In the past seven decades, more than 6,000 climbers have climbed the world's highest mountain, according to the Himalayan Database. It remains dangerous, with more than 300 losing their lives in the same period, including 12 this year. Five others are missing, putting 2023 on course to be a record deadly year. As well as supporting tourism, the rapid growth in the climbing industry has raised revenue for Nepal, which today charges foreigners an Everest permit fee of $11,000. Family members of both the climbers joined locals and officials at the school on Monday morning to inaugurate the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitors Centre, housed in the original building, which opened in 1961. Butter lamps were lit in front of a photograph of Hillary and Tenzing, and their sons, Peter Hillary and Jamling Norgay, cut a red ribbon to open the doors to the center. A renovated museum also opened in Tenzing Norgay's name in Namche Bazaar, the largest tourist hub in the trek to the Everest base camp. In Kathmandu, officials and hundreds from the mountaineering community joined a rally with celebratory banners. Top Nepali climbers, including the record holder for most Everest ascents Kami Rita Sherpa, were honored in a ceremony. Sanu Sherpa, the only person to climb the world’s 14 highest peaks twice, called on the government to support the Nepali guides, who bear huge risks to carry equipment and food, fix ropes and repair ladders. "The government has not done much for the Sherpa. I think it would be of great help and we would be happy if the government helps educate children of those climbers who died on mountains," Sherpa told AFP. The post Nepal celebrates 70 years since first Everest summit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bangladesh, Myanmar bear brunt of ‘Mocha’
Cyclone Mocha began to crash ashore at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Sunday, threatening to blow away bamboo and tarp houses in the hillside camps of nearly a million Rohingya refugees. Mocha, packing winds of 195 kph, hit between Cox’s Bazar hosting the camps and Sittwe in Myanmar, Bangladesh’s weather office said. Mohammad Sayed, 28, told Agence France-Presse from the Nayapara refugee camp that families are also scared as cyclone shelters are not strong enough to withstand powerful winds. Bangladeshi authorities moved 190,000 people in Cox’s Bazar and nearly 100,000 in Chittagong to safety, divisional commissioner Aminur Rahman told AFP late Saturday. Hundreds of people also fled Bangladesh’s Saint Martin’s island, a local resort area right in the storm’s path, with thousands more moving to cyclone shelters on the coral outcrop. Those left behind said they feared the storm’s approach. “We are in a panic because we don’t have enough cyclone shelters here,” Jahangir Sarwar, 23, a resident of the Saint Martin’s told AFP by phone. In Sittwe, around 3,000 people evacuated to higher grounds inland as meteorologists warned of a storm surge of up to 3.5 meters. A media account run by junta authorities in Rakhine showed what it said were trees downed over a road near Sittwe. “A house at the camp collapsed and the roof of a shelter built by UNHCR was blown away,” refugees in Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu camp requesting annonymity claimed. The rain and wind were felt in Myanmar’s commercial hub Yangon, around 500 kilometers away, residents said Sunday. Mocha is the most powerful storm to hit Bangladesh since Sidr, Azizur Rahman, the head of Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department, told AFP. Sidr hit Bangladesh’s southern coast in November 2007, killing more than 3,000 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. The post Bangladesh, Myanmar bear brunt of ‘Mocha’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Relocating the seat of BARMM
It was an idea long awaited. Past Moro leaders of note had toyed with it but it remained just that — an idea. It never saw the light of day nor was it transmuted into fiat. Until recently when the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM took the bull by the horns to legislate it into law. It was no mean feat considering the political dynamics of the region. The problem of selecting the seat of the autonomous government had been a long drawn-out issue. It was a problem of President E. Marcos Sr.’s version of the autonomous government down to the present BARMM. It was a ticklish issue because of the multi-tribal identities of the stakeholders who would be affected. Distance and easy accessibility to the seat of power were essential elements in the choice of venue. Unfortunately, the topography of the BARMM is not contiguous but separated by water. The residents are dichotomized into, for lack of a better term, the “mainlanders” for residents of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur and the “islanders” for residents of the so-called BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) islands. In fact, this geographical oddity was one of the main reasons the Marcos Sr. administration had to separate the autonomous government into Autonomous Government for Central Mindanao and another for Western Mindanao. The center of government of the former was Cotabato City, while for the latter it was Zamboanga City. Not that they could not co-exist harmoniously, after all, they were part of Ummah Islamiya or the Islamic community. But it was more for convenience and the practical reason for effective governance. With the BARMM replacing the defunct autonomous governments, Cotabato City became the de facto seat of government without any formal executive or legislative decree. The principal reason for this was the availability of government buildings and other infrastructure needed by the regional government. Since then, proposal after proposal were drawn up to search for a permanent administrative seat of the autonomous government. Until recently, when it was finally decided and legislated that it would be in the coastal town of Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. Some gadflies, however, raised their eyebrows. The selected venue, by accident or design, is the home base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which now dominates the leadership of the BARMM. Did this move bear the stamp of the consent of the “islander” residents of BARMM? This column fully agrees with the relocation site. The reason is not only because of its convenient accessibility to the Maranaws of Lanao del Sur but the decision was a product of study, planning, and consultation among stakeholders. Parang is a coastal town in the northern part of Mindanao which borders Lanao del Sur. It is traditionally a fishing community whose progress was propelled more by the logging industry because of its thick virgin rainforest. Its mountain ranges with huge forests were the reason why Camp Abubakar, the main military camp of the MILF, is nestled thereat. When this writer was the Speaker of the Regional Assembly of then President Marcos’ version of the autonomous government, we frequented the place because of its mini golf course constructed by the Philippine National Police within its regional center. There are negligible murmurs of displeasure over the BARMM decision. And these come from the unrepentant opposition who cannot see anything right in everything the BARMM does. They had even questioned the constitutionality of creating the BARMM. In this case, however, any discordant voices against the move are sure to be drowned out by the merits and popularity of the decision. There will always be naysayers and gadflies. But what counts is that due process as an essential element of a representative democratic government was observed. Meaning, the legislative protocol of consultation was observed giving everyone their “day in court.” What remains to be debated is: whether or not the town of Parang is ready for the challenge and the toll the transfer will exact upon the peace and social life of the residents. Whatever it lacks in terms of infrastructure will be filled in by the BARMM government. And we anticipate the transformation of the once laid-back town into a city. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Relocating the seat of BARMM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»