Azkals bare 26-man roster for FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Manila
Neil Etheridge, Mike Ott and Bienvenido Maranon will be headlining the 26-man roster of the Philippine Azkals in their first two matches of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home, the Philippine Football Federation said......»»
Establishing Hands on Manila vegetable gardens in public schools during COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic laid bare the fragility of global supply chains, leaving communities vulnerable......»»
Britain’s iconic red phone boxes get new lease of life
In a workshop packed with historic memorabilia, from rusty petrol pumps to vintage enamel signs, Carl Burge skillfully applied the finishing touches to the red British telephone box he was restoring. "They're iconic," said Burge, 54, who has been working on revitalising the tired, ageing phone kiosks for over 20 years. Emblematic of the UK worldwide, these sturdy red pillars first rolled out in the 1920s have endured everything from vandalism to the country's famously wet weather over the ensuing decades. "If you were to send a postcard with nothing written on there apart from a picture of a telephone box and send it anywhere in the world, chances are 95 percent of people will say: that's England," he added. The number of phone boxes in Britain peaked in the 1990s at around 100,000, though many were not the famous red designs. While less used now with the widespread use of mobile phones, around 20,000 working public payphones remain nationwide. Redundant red and other phone boxes are increasingly being adopted by local communities and converted into facilities such as mini libraries, visitor information stands and defibrillators. Some are even rented out by small businesses, like the tiramisu shop called "Walkmisu" in central London. Daniele Benedettini has set up shop inside two red boxes on the edge of Russell Square, selling the famous Italian dessert and coffee. "I think it was a really cool idea to use something really English traditional with something very Italian," Benedettini told AFP. 'Real gem' The cost of running a business from a phone box has also proved lower than opening a regular shop, he added. The 29-year-old, who rents the boxes from a private owner, said they were his first business before also opening a cafe nearby. The phone boxes have been renovated inside and fitted with shelves, a fridge and coffee machine but outside they remain largely the same, as they have stood for decades, apart from some posters on the windows. Burge said that restoring a telephone box takes an average of six weeks, starting with the "painstaking" process of stripping it down to the "bare bones". "You don't know what you are going to find under that paint. You might find a real gem," he added. Burge has seen many phone boxes come through his workshop in the town of King's Lynn, eastern England, and says they are often broken, missing glass from the window panes or their wooden doors are rotting. Once the box's cast-iron frame is stripped of all internal and external components, it is sandblasted to remove paint, rust and any other impurities. The next step is applying body filler and sanding out any imperfections in a laborious process that is done by hand and which can take several days to complete. Finally the telephone box is spray painted with the "Post Office Red" colour, laminated glass is installed and the door is fitted with a new hardwood outer frame. 'Enthusiasm' Burge, who worked in the motor trade for 20 years, turned his passion for collecting British memorabilia into a full-time business called "Remember When UK". He spotted his first phone box while driving past a property that was going on sale. He bought it off the owners, restored it and kept it in his front garden. Burge later sold the phone box but said he "missed it" and thought he would like to refurbish another one. One turned into many, and now Burge is working on restoring several telephone boxes at a time. Among them is an example of the famous K2, which was Britain's first red colour telephone box introduced in 1926 and designed by British architect Giles Gilbert Scott, who is also known for his work on London's Battersea Power Station and other public buildings. But even after two decades in the trade, Burge said he hasn't lost his passion for the work that he does. "I'm getting a little bit older now. Everything seems to be getting a little bit heavier. But I think my enthusiasm level is on par with where it was 22 years ago," he said. "If anything, it's probably more," he added. The post Britain’s iconic red phone boxes get new lease of life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Moonton, DOT bare M5 World Championships details
Moonton Games, in partnership with the country's Department of Tourism (DOT), has officially announced the venues and ticket information for the coming M5 World Championships happening in the country this December. .....»»
The Daily Guardian: NFL Power Rankings, Week 8 – Chiefs regain No. 1 spot; Ravens skyrocket into top five
Title: Patriots’ Hoyer Struggles in Recent Game, Raises Questions About Coaching Decision (Word count: 372) In a recent NFL matchup against the Chicago Bears, the.....»»
Museum to fix Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson waxwork after skin tone complaints
A French museum said Monday it is working urgently to fix a much-derided waxwork of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson after the US actor complained about its pale skin tone. Johnson, who is of Samoan and Black origin, took to Instagram this weekend to joke about the Grevin Museum's botched wax figure, which appeared to depict him with white skin, and bears only a vague likeness to his features. "For the record, I'm going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grevin Museum, in Paris, France, so we can work at 'updating' my wax figure here with some important details and improvements -- starting with my skin color," wrote Johnson, best known by his stage name The Rock. On Monday, the museum told AFP that staff were "reworking" the wax figure, and that an updated version would be reinstalled Tuesday morning. "They're going to work all night on it so that it's more in line with fans' expectations," Yves Delhommeau, the museum's director, said in a statement. "Crews will work through the night to ensure the likeness is more in keeping with the expectations of his fans. "We're also going to reconfigure the lighting because there was a lighting issue that was having the effect of lightening his skin." Johnson "will come see us later on to see if there are other modifications that need to be made." The figure of Johnson was unveiled on social media last week by the Grevin Museum, which draws nearly 800,000 visitors a year. But a photo intended to promote the new statue drew an outcry from Johnson's fans, ranging from bemusement to anger. One commenter said the figure looked like an "Eastern European plumber." "Why would you white wax (wash) him?" wrote another. Comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. released an online video mocking the statue, prompting Johnson to respond. Jefferson said in the video that The Rock was being made to look like former England soccer star David Beckham or "part of the Royal family." "I'm low-key offended," said Jefferson. In 2018, the museum drew similar mockery for an unflattering figure of French President Emmanuel Macron. Producing a Grevin sculpture takes six months and costs 50,000 to 60,000 euros ($60-70,000). The post Museum to fix Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson waxwork after skin tone complaints appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN chief urges ceasefire to end Gaza’s ‘godawful nightmare’
UN chief Antonio Guterres pleaded Saturday for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in the war between Israel and Hamas militants that has devastated much of Gaza, demanding "action to end this godawful nightmare". Addressing a Cairo summit that ultimately proved fruitless, according to Arab diplomats, Guterres said the Palestinian enclave of 2.4 million people was living through "a humanitarian catastrophe" with thousands dead and more than a million displaced. The latest bloodshed began on October 7 when Hamas militants killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, and took more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israel has hit back with a relentless bombing campaign, killing more than 4,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, and cut off supplies of water, electricity, fuel and food. According to Arab diplomats who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, the meeting in Cairo failed to reach an agreement, with Western representatives seeking "a clear condemnation placing responsibility for the escalation on Hamas", which Arab leaders refused. The Western officials also wanted to call for the release of those held by Hamas. Egypt's presidency instead released a statement -- drafted with the approval of Arab attendees, the diplomats said -- saying the war had laid bare "a defect in the values of the international community". World leaders have long "sought to manage the conflict, and not end it permanently, by proposing temporary solutions and palliatives that do not live up to even the lowest aspirations of a suffering people", the statement read. In response, Israel bemoaned the lack of a condemnation of what it called "Islamic terror" that endangered the region and entire world. "It is unfortunate that even when faced with those horrific atrocities, there were some who had difficulty condemning terrorism or acknowledging the danger," a foreign ministry statement said. "Israel will do what it has to do and expects the international community to recognise the righteous battle." 'Global silence' In the opening session, Guterres had said "the grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long" after "56 years of occupation with no end in sight" but stressed that "nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorised Israeli civilians". He then stressed that "those abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people". In the meeting which also included the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Italy, Jordan's King Abdullah II called for "an immediate end to the war on Gaza" and condemned what he labelled "global silence" on Palestinian death and suffering. "The message the Arab world is hearing is loud and clear: Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives," he charged. "The application of international law is optional. And human rights have boundaries -- they stop at borders, they stop at races, and they stop at religions." The summit came on the day a first convoy of aid trucks rumbled into southern Gaza, which Guterres said needed to be rapidly scaled up, with "much more" help sent through. The UN has said that about 100 trucks per day are needed to meet worsening needs in Gaza. The Palestinians need "a continuous delivery of aid to Gaza at the scale that is needed", the UN chief told the Cairo "Summit for Peace". 'We will not leave' Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi argued that the "only solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "justice" and said that "Palestinians must realise their legitimate rights to self-determination" and have "an independent state on their land". Abbas stressed his demand for a two-state solution and an "end to Israel's occupation" and rejected what he has warned could be a "second Nakba" -- a reference to the more than 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their lands during the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. "We will not leave," he repeated three times at the end of his speech. Cairo and Amman have repeatedly rejected calls for large numbers of refugees to enter Egypt from Gaza, warning that the "forced displacement" would lead to the "eradication of the Palestinian cause". Egypt and Jordan were the first Arab states to normalise relations with Israel, in 1979 and 1994 respectively, and have since been key mediators between Israeli and Palestinian officials. Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan urged for the current conflict to become, "rather than a regional conflagration, a breeding ground for a just and lasting peace". He also condemned "unconditional military aid to Israel which only serves to maintain the occupation", while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan condemned the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire after a US veto. The post UN chief urges ceasefire to end Gaza’s ‘godawful nightmare’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Principled peace
Self-defense is essential for a nation’s survival, which was what the United States veto of the United Nations resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses” in Israel’s campaign against Hamas was all about. Based on a formula that Brazil and Russia drafted, the resolution was meant to allow aid delivery to the war zone, mainly in northern Gaza. Under United Nations rules, a “no” vote by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council stops action on any proposal. The body’s permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Russia had proposed two amendments to the UN resolution seeking a ceasefire that the SC rejected. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia’s proposal came with its warning that anyone who did not support Russia’s draft resolution “bears responsibility for what happens.” Coming from Russia, the call for moral responsibility in Israel’s war against terror was somewhat off, considering its ongoing campaign to occupy Ukraine. In delivering the veto, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the “resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defense.” “Israel has the inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield noted that the Security Council had reaffirmed the right in previous resolutions on terrorist attacks. “This resolution should have done the same,” she said. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country abstained from voting on the resolution as the text needed to clarify Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. She pointed out that the resolution also ignored that extremist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. “They (Hamas) have embedded themselves in civilian communities and made the Palestinian people their victims too,” she said. She reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, to rescue hostages, and to strengthen its security in the long term while calling on Israel “to take all feasible precautions” to avoid harming Palestinian civilians. The argument of the UK is the source of the dilemma in the current conflict — saving civilians but with the responsibility falling solely on the shoulders of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist organization, is not bound by, therefore is not expected to follow, UN resolutions. Directing Israel to implement a ceasefire, even momentarily, puts it at a disadvantage since Hamas and its terror allies will continue to fire their rockets while consolidating their forces. War indeed brings horrors that should not happen in a civilized world. Human frailty is brought to the fore by the greed and ambition of the terror organization, stripped of religious embellishment. Hamas wants to drive out the Israelis and establish a kingdom to rule over the Palestinians. A spokesperson of the Israeli Defense Forces said resolute action is necessary against Hamas to end its reign of terror and prevent the recurrence of its recent attack on civilians. The surprise assault on 7 October resulted in the slaughter of 1,400 mostly civilian Israelis. Israel then declared war on Hamas, which rules the Palestinian government, vowing to hold it accountable for the massacre. Hamas uses treachery and guile, digging bunkers and underground communities in civilian areas to evade the Israeli forces. The terror group uses the propaganda mill to elicit tacit support from countries with anti-Israel sentiments. It uses the Israeli airstrikes on its facilities that cause civilian casualties as leverage to get the Israeli operations to stop. The UN, as the organization relied on to keep the peace in the region, has failed to provide a fair and rational solution to the conflict. The post Principled peace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipinas bare 29-member Australia camp roster; Miclat back for Olympic qualifiers
The Philippine women’s national football team announced a 29-member squad for the Filipinas’ camp in Australia ahead of the 2nd round of Olympic qualifiers in Perth later this month......»»
Dolphins Acquire Claypool from Bears; Armstead Placed on IR – The Daily Guardian
Title: Miami Dolphins Strengthen Receiving Corps with Trade for Chase Claypool Miami, FL – In a surprising move, the Miami Dolphins have acquired wide receiver.....»»
More choices for food and shopping at SM Supermalls in the East
The SM Supermalls in the East are buzzing with excitement as they welcome new food and shopping stops in their malls. These fresh additions now cater to the diverse retail and dining needs of shoppers, whether they live in or visit the East. Dine and give in to cravings with family and friends at Kuya J Restaurant at the lower ground level; authentic Japanese cuisine at Botejyu at the upper level, and juicy roasted-chicken meals at Chooks at the second level of SM Center Angono. Much-needed beauty and relaxation breaks are right next to Angono residents’ doorsteps with Gintell Rest N’ Go massage and Lay Bare waxing salon at the mall’s second level. [caption id="attachment_193392" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Botejyu solves that craving for authentic Japanese cuisine located at the upper ground level of SM Center Angono[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193393" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Roasted chicken goodness from the newly-opened Chooks at SM Center Angono[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193395" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Hair-free, silky skin is always achieved at Lay Bare Waxing Salon at SM Center Angono[/caption] Shopping after a nice sweat out playing badminton is now possible as SM Cherry Antipolo opened the first-ever badminton courts in SM Supermalls. Located at the mall’s second level, the SM Cherry Badminton Courts are composed of seven (7) full-sized Badminton courts, a fully-equipped, well-lighted sports facility that ensures optimal playing experience among enthusiasts. Also, the iconic family restaurant Shakey’s opened at the ground level of SM Cherry Antipolo. Healthy desserts and refreshments are also up for grabs from Koomi and Buko ni Juan. Upcoming tenants at SM Cherry Antipolo include Alberto Shoes, Anta, Pickup Coffee, GIB Restaurant, Rollers Skates Hub, Nephromed, IActive, and Christ’s Commission Fellowship. [caption id="attachment_193396" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SM Cherry Badminton Courts, the first-ever badminton facility in SM Supermalls, is now open at 2nd level of SM Cherry Antipolo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193397" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Family-favorite pizza place Shakey’s is now open at SM Cherry Antipolo[/caption] SM City Masinag recently opened two (2) tech tenants at its Cyberzone – Laycom and Techfinity, catering to the varied gadget needs (and wants) of shoppers. Miguelito’s Ice Cream and Czaczacza Café also opened with a cozy nook for diners to enjoy their delicious desserts. Bibliophiles can now enjoy thrift books at Biblio located on the 2nd level near Cinema. Dentacare, Metro Wanderer Travel Services, Denz Candee Floss, and Santino’s Supreme Slice Pizza are also set to open soon. [caption id="attachment_193398" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Biblio is a happy place for book lovers located on the 2nd level of SM City Masinag[/caption] Havaianas, Sunnies Studios, and Bluelite have recently set up shop at SM City San Mateo, providing an exciting shopping destination not only for San Mateo, Rizal residents but also for those in nearby communities. Additionally, KyuKyuRamen99 and Taste of Czaczacza are now welcoming customers to savor their delectable specialties. [caption id="attachment_193399" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ice cream, sundaes, and cold desserts are aplenty at Miguelitos Ice Cream in SM City Masinag[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193400" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Trendy and trusty Havaianas flip flops are now available at their store in SM City San Mateo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193401" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Czaczacza Café is now open at SM City Masinag, Lower Ground Level[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193402" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Polly by S8 Concept District at SM Cherry Antipolo brings together products from small businesses in one shop – from trinkets, dinnerware, clothes, stationery, and a lot more[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193403" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Affordable yet delicious ramen is now available at Kyukyu Ramen 99 at SM City San Mateo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193404" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Homey café plus delicious desserts at Czaczacza Café in SM City San Mateo[/caption] The post More choices for food and shopping at SM Supermalls in the East appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Republican hardliners oust US House speaker in historic vote
Kevin McCarthy was axed Tuesday as speaker of the US House of Representatives in a brutal, historic rebellion by far-right Republicans furious at his cooperation with Democrats. The maneuver laid bare the chaotic levels of infighting among Republicans heading to the 2024 presidential election almost certainly led by Donald Trump, who is making history of his own as the first former or serving president to be the target of multiple criminal indictments. The first ouster of a speaker in the House's 234-year history was supported by only a handful of right-wing Republican hardliners. However, the House was almost evenly divided and with Democrats joining eight rebel Republicans rather than riding to McCarthy's rescue, he had no way to survive. The 58-year-old former entrepreneur -- who did not comment as he left the chamber -- had sparked fury among conservatives when he passed a bipartisan stopgap funding measure at the weekend backed by the White House to avert a government shutdown. Florida conservative Matt Gaetz, who forced the removal vote, gambled that he could oust McCarthy with just a few Republicans, helped by Democrats loath to bail out a speaker who only recently opened a highly politicized impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Republicans were warned by their leadership about plunging the party "into chaos" but Gaetz, who has repeatedly complained about McCarthy failing to honor agreements made with conservatives, retorted: "Chaos is Speaker McCarthy." "The reason Kevin McCarthy went down today is because nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy," he added after the vote. "Kevin McCarthy has made multiple contradictory promises, and when they all came due, he lost." Democrats, too, had no love for McCarthy, pointing to his decision to renege on a deal with Biden on spending limits agreed earlier this year in high-stakes talks over the federal budget. Biden issued a statement through his press secretary after McCarthy's overthrow urging the House to quickly choose a replacement, arguing that the urgent challenges facing the country "will not wait." 'Pigsty of incompetence' The New Democrat Coalition, a bloc of pro-business Democratic lawmakers, described McCarthy as "simply not trustworthy." And Congressional Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal, a leading leftist, vowed to let Republicans "wallow in their pigsty of incompetence" rather than rescue McCarthy. The tussle came just days after the House and Senate passed a measure to avert a costly government shutdown -- both with big bipartisan majorities -- by extending federal funding through mid-November. Conservatives were furious, seeing their chances dashed by forcing massive budget cuts. They accused McCarthy of a flip-flop, saying he'd promised an end to hastily prepared stopgap legislation, hammered out with the support of the opposition, and a return to budgeting through the committee process. The writing was on the wall after Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraged his members to oust McCarthy. Every Democrat then joined 11 rebel Republicans to reject a preliminary motion that would have blocked the final ouster vote. With McCarthy out, a temporary speaker put the House into recess until a permanent replacement is elected. Republicans will gather at 6:30 pm (2230 GMT) to discuss putting up a candidate for a vote to be the new speaker -- and it is not out of the question that McCarthy could be nominated for a return to the role he just lost. It took 15 rounds of balloting for the Californian to win the gavel in January, but the fight demonstrated that he has the support of most of the party, and he could try to persuade the rank-and-file to rally behind him once more. Alternatively, he may bow out. This could set up a showdown among his lieutenants -- most likely House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. But Republican hopefuls may shy from taking on what looks like a poisoned chalice in which the hard-right faction will continue to exercise control from the sidelines. Trump -- who is facing 91 felony indictments and was in court Tuesday in New York as a defendant in a civil fraud trial -- berated Republicans on his social media platform for "always fighting among themselves." Tellingly, though, he offered no support for McCarthy. The post Republican hardliners oust US House speaker in historic vote appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift spotted as rumored beau Kelce’s Chiefs play NY Jets
Taylor Swift has remained mum on her rumored relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce, but the pop superstar was on hand again Sunday as Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs took on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium outside the Big Apple. The 33-year-old "Lavender Haze" singer was spotted, clad in crystal-studded denim shorts and a long-sleeved black shirt, entering the building with actors Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman. She was soon ensconced in a luxury suite, with one social media poster getting a cellphone video of her playfully sticking out her tongue as she was filmed. InStyle reported Swift had been seen dining in New York with Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the night before the game. Swift sparked a fan frenzy -- among NFL watchers and her own legion of "Swifties" -- when she attended the Chiefs' home game against the Chicago Bears last weekend, sitting in a luxury box alongside Kelce's mother, Donna. The 12-time Grammy winner, sporting a red and white Chiefs jacket, was treated to a 41-10 Chiefs romp and cheered wildly when Kelce, a two-time Super Bowl winner and one of the top tight ends in the league, caught a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kelce himself said in his New Heights podcast on Wednesday that he "sure as hell enjoyed" the weekend. "Shout out to Taylor for pulling up. That was pretty ballsy," said Kelce, who was cagey about the exact nature of their relationship. "I know I brought all this attention to me," the podcast regular said. "I want to respect both of our lives." Swift's interest, however, has made Kelce the focus of a whole new set of fans. After a report Tuesday citing merchandise company Fanatics that his jersey sales had climbed more than 400 percent, Kelce said: "Sounds like the Swifties are also part of Chiefs Kingdom." The NFL, no strangers to celebrity spectacle, was quick to the buzz brought by Swift, posting plenty of pictures of Swift and friends as they enjoyed the Chiefs-Jets Game, which occupied the coveted "Sunday Night Football" slot. Broadcaster NBC was also on the bandwagon, airing a Swift-themed ad for the game that used Swift's hit song "Welcome to New York." Fans posting on social media platform X were poking fun at NBC early in the game for the numerous shots of Swift and friends watching the game. The post Taylor Swift spotted as rumored beau Kelce’s Chiefs play NY Jets appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alpha 400
After months of getting the runaround from investigators, government agencies, and other media outlets that could not comprehend the gravity of the bog they had found themselves mired in, they flocked to DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Usapang OFW, mostly from the province of Batangas. They are the so-called Alpha 400, a group of about 200 job-seekers to Italy, and their counterpart Filipino sponsors in that country who claimed they were duped out of their money by the couple Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, co-CEOs of an “immigration consultancy” firm. Some said they were forced to sell farmland and other properties to pay 3,000 to 5,000 euros in consultancy fees. That’s as heartless as it gets, taking money from people who have less in life and whose only fault, if it could be called that, was to dream of improving their standing in life, albeit without doing the necessary due diligence, which set them up as “victims” of the alleged scam. The “ties that bind,” to borrow TRIBUNE’s recent headline about the purported massive recruitment racket, were that the sponsors in Italy and the job-seekers, whose visa applications were denied by the Italian Embassy in Manila on account of the bogus “nulla osta” or work permits provided them by Alpha Assistenza, only wanted decent-paying jobs in Italy and to be together. Most of the sponsors and job-seekers were related or were friends, including nine from one clan alone who paid Alpha Assistenza 21,000 euros (roughly P1,259,434) in placement fees exacted by a company that had no business recruiting because it was registered neither in the Philippines nor Italy. Jeffrey Villalon, Alpha Assistenza’s marketing manager on paper who cobbled together its clickbait website that redirected visa queries to chat groups moderated by Respicio, came to TRIBUNE one night to disassociate himself from Respicio, saying he was a victim like the others. He said Respicio promised to bring him back to Italy at no cost so he could be with his two children. “There are two sets of victims here,” Villalon told this writer, “the sponsors and the job-seekers they endorsed to Alpha.” The sponsors, he said, may have jeopardized their own stay in Italy as the Italian police and prosecutors are now investigating the matter. He explained that the sponsors might be held liable for endorsing job-seekers who were, unknown to them, provided fake nulla osta by Alpha Assistenza. If his name “had not been dragged into the mud” for setting up the website and being given by Respicio that grand “marketing manager” title, Villalon said, he would find funny the ribbing he has gotten from friends who said he had worked in Italy in the past only to fall for this scam. Decades back, Villalon said he paid roughly P1 million to be able to work in Italy. Thus, he thought the fees being collected by Alpha Assistenza were reasonable if the firm successfully facilitated the entry and work in Italy of job-seekers. As it turned out, he said, the fees collected were at a price point within the financial reach of either the sponsors or the job-seekers. Alpha Assistenza went “cheap” because it wanted volume — better to have many applicants than a few who could pay the P1 million charged in the past. Maybe it was money for nothing for the consultants whom the Italian Embassy dubbed “predators,” but it was money from the blood, sweat, and tears of the victims. The Italian Embassy said the victims may not be totally faultless as it asked whether “all those who were allegedly defrauded had acted with integrity and in an unquestionable manner.” Further, it said, “Regrettably, the attempt to find an alternative route that would allow them to obtain what they wished for by circumventing the system bears the risk of being exposed to such scams.” It then pointed out that a quick internet search could have helped the victims see the many red flags apparent in Alpha Assistenza’s modus operandi. In a nutshell, the caveat here of the embassy is that those who choose to sup with the devil risk getting burned. The post Alpha 400 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Video games give sports stars second life
The post-retirement careers of the biggest sports stars can be fascinating to watch -- Viagra ads, property ventures, crypto projects -- but one option is becoming a sure-fire winner: put your face on the cover of a video game. And death is no barrier for this particular career, with two popular games this year choosing sports legends who are no longer with us. LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident in 2020, graces the cover of "NBA 2K24". And two of the world's greatest footballers from bygone eras -- Pele and Johan Cruyff -- get posthumous respect with their figures emblazoned on "FC 24" from EA Sports. They are joined on the cover of the EA game by a galaxy of still-living stars of the more recent past -- Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho -- and present -- Erling Haaland and Alexia Putellas. French legend Zidane told AFP in June that many young children now knew him largely through his appearance in the EA's game, formerly known as "FIFA". "Kids aged eight to 10 don't know me, unless their dads have told them about what I did back in the day," said the World Cup winner. "It's more through PlayStation, so it's kind of funny. I'm used to it." Marketing nostalgia The ties between video game publishers and sports stars go deep, particularly in the United States. The leading video game series on American football bears the name of a former player, John Madden, who retired in 1978 to become a sports commentator. Julien Pillot, an economist specializing in cultural industries, told AFP the endorsement of bona fide legends was clearly a powerful marketing tool. And the often huge cost of getting their endorsement, he said, was "more than offset" by the sales they generate -- both of the games themselves and the ubiquitous in-game "cards" required to unlock additional content. Gaming firms were playing on the "intergenerational aspect" and adding "a touch of nostalgia", said Pillot. It's a feature that executives are not shy about highlighting. "My seven-year-old only really knows who Pele is because of his amazing rating on FC," David Jackson, vice-president of the EA Sports FC brand, told AFP. He said the game had allowed fans to feel a little bit of the magic of playing with stars from earlier generations. And it works both ways, according to some of the stars involved -- even those who don't rate as highly as Pele. "People of a certain generation know me by what I've done on the pitch," said World Cup winner Robert Pires at the launch party for the EA game in Paris. But a 12-year-old boy told Pires recently he had only learnt who the French star was through playing the game. "I asked him: 'Am I good?'" said Pires. "He told me: 'You're good, but you're slow.'" The post Video games give sports stars second life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift turns out for Chiefs game stoking Kelce romance rumors
Pop star Taylor Swift added fuel to the rumors around her possible relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce when she was seen watching him in action alongside the Super Bowl winner's mother on Sunday. Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs' home game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday and was seen in the Kelce family box with the tight end's mother, Donna. The 12-time Grammy award-winning singer was filmed wearing a red and white Chiefs jacket and cheering alongside Donna Kelce -- who gained nationwide attention when both her sons featured in last season's Super Bowl. Travis Kelce won his second Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs in February while older sibling Jason ended up on the losing side with the Philadelphia Eagles. Travis Kelce said this week on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show that he had invited Swift to attend a game. "I threw it out there. I threw the ball in her court. You know, I told her, 'I've seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit,'" he said. "We'll see what happens in the near future," added the 33-year-old Kelce, who is widely considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history. The post Taylor Swift turns out for Chiefs game stoking Kelce romance rumors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solar panels go into service near North Pole
Norway has installed solar panels in its Svalbard archipelago, a region plunged in round-the-clock darkness all winter, in a pilot project that could help remote Arctic communities transition to green energy. Neatly lined up in six rows in a field, 360 solar panels will on Thursday begin providing electricity to an old shipping radio station, Isfjord Radio, now converted into a base camp for tourists. The windswept archipelago -- also known as Spitsbergen -- is located some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from the North Pole and is accessible only by boat or helicopter, weather-permitting. "It's what we believe to be the world's northernmost ground-mounted PV (photovoltaic) system," Mons Ole Sellevold, renewable energies technical adviser at state-owned energy group Store Norske, told AFP. "It's the first time anyone has done it at this scale in the Arctic," he said, his rifle slung over his shoulder in case polar bears turn up, a not uncommon occurrence at these latitudes. Another 100 solar panels are positioned on the roof of the radio station -- which has until now run on diesel generators -- and should cover about half of the site's electricity needs and cut its CO2 emissions. In summer, the region is bathed in an abundance of sunlight, with a "midnight sun" that never sets. The solar panels also benefit from the "albedo" effect, the reflective power of snow and ice, as well as low temperatures that improve their efficiency. Conversely, in winter, the region is plunged in total darkness from early October until mid-February, which makes it impossible for Isfjord Radio to completely give up fossil fuels. Store Norske is therefore also considering other alternatives, such as wind farms, to further the station's green transition. - 'Test site' - The move is motivated by environmental considerations as well as economic factors, with diesel costly to buy and transport, while solar panels are also easy to maintain and do not break down, Sellevold said. The aim is also to use the installation as a pilot project to see if the technology can be used by some 1,500 other sites or communities in the Arctic that are not hooked up to traditional electricity grids and also need to transition to green energy, he said. "We want to make Isfjord Radio a test site to ... get an Arctic-proven technology that we can afterwards take to other locations like this," he said. According to a study published last year, the Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet over the past 40 years, causing ice to melt faster and disrupting ecosystems. This has affected both local populations and the rest of the world, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events. vk-phy/ef/po/lth © Agence France-Presse The post Solar panels go into service near North Pole appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides
An apparently hungry black bear forced a brief shutdown of some attractions at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida until it was captured, officials said. Local television station Fox 35 said more than a dozen popular rides at the Orlando theme park were closed after the bear was sighted in a tree, including the "Haunted Mansion" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." "During the fall, bears are more active as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter," Lisa Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said in a statement. "This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food." Thompson said that "in most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own. "But given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest." Walt Disney World is one of the largest tourist attractions in the world, drawing tens of millions of visitors each year. The post Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tigresses bare fangs vs Altas
Santo Tomas thwarted the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-12, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21, to kick off the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on a high note yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan......»»
Asian execs bare progress roadmap
Revitalizing traditional Asian companies to adopt to the digitalization wave is the biggest challenge faced by top regional executives. Asian business leaders plotted yesterday the precarious path of the region’s economy through their individual organizations in the annual Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore. Sabin M. Aboitiz, president and CEO, Aboitiz Group said: “We are transforming a 100-year-old company to a 25-year-old athlete.” “Thinking as a startup but not forgetting our legacies,” was how he described the transformation of the Aboitiz group. “And at the heart and soul of everything is people,” he indicated. Known for his passion for people and innovation, he is currently leading the Aboitiz Group on a “Great Transformation” towards becoming the first techglomerate in the country. The Aboitiz Group is one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with interests in energy, banking, food, real estate, infrastructure, construction, technologies, data science and artificial intelligence. True industrialist Outside the Aboitiz Group, Sabin holds positions in various business and socio-civic organizations including Lead Strategic Convener of the Private Sector Advisory Council to the government, co-chairperson of the Sustainable Growth Working Group in the APEC Business Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Philippines Board of Trustees, and Steward of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. According to Forbes, Sabin’s creative and resourceful approach to employee engagement has earned him the Philippine Quill Award of Excellence for Communication Management, and his commitment to sustainability has led the Aboitiz Group to the frontlines of renewable energy in the country. In its 21st year, the annual conference convened CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders to discuss key issues of global concern and to build new partnerships, according to Forbes. The business bible said it takes boldness and vision to pilot an enterprise as the global business scene is transformed by new realities. Valuable perspective “The view from the top provides some perspective, but the rest of the crew must be motivated to embrace change as well,” it added. “Leadership is about appreciating the perspective of all your stakeholders, and I think that’s what politics teaches you,” according to Binod K. Chaudhary, chairperson of CG Corp. Global, said during the Captains Courageous session. The post Asian execs bare progress roadmap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»