India shuts down internet services
For authorities, internet shutdowns have "become the first tool in their toolkit," said Indian online civil liberties activist Mishi Choudhary. Of the 187 internet shutdowns it recorded worldwide last year, 84 were in India, the "most of any country for the fifth consecutive year," it said. Human Rights Watch argues internet shutdowns "disproportionately hurt" the poorest, who depend on the government's online social support systems. "Internet access is vital for realizing economic security," Access Now said. "Your primary defense against misinformation is fact verification and fact checking," said Singh, from the Delhi-based Internet Freedom Foundation.
Source:Manila Times
November 24, 2023 16:34 UTC
Japan inflation up 2.9% as energy subsidies reduced
Japan inflation up 2.9% as energy subsidies reducedMount Fuji (back L), Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters (12,389 feet), is silhouetted during sunset behind the highrise buildings of the Shinjuku area in downtown Tokyo on November 20, 2023. TOKYO, Japan — Japanese consumer inflation was up 2.9% year-on-year in October as the government reduced subsidies for electricity and gas bills, government data showed Friday. Stripping out fresh food and energy, Japan's prices rose 4.0%, data published by the internal affairs ministry showed. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has been providing subsidies for gasoline since January 2022 and electricity and gas since the beginning of this year. Japan, like other economies around the world, has seen prices rise on the back of the Ukraine war, while a weaker yen has also made imports more expensive.
Source:Philippine Star
November 24, 2023 16:30 UTC
Taking leadership in advancing quality education
The Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI)’s transformative impact on education extends far beyond constructing physical structures. SBFI’s flagship project is “Build a School, Build a Nation” which addresses critical educational issues in the country starting with classroom construction. Through collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government, the classrooms’ impact is not just quantitative but qualitative. Aside from building classrooms, SBFI also collaborated with international partners and local institutions in the “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building” program to provide a strategic and impactful approach to enhancing education. From a school principal to an Education Program Supervisor at DepEd, her journey illustrates the holistic approach SBFI takes in transforming education.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 24, 2023 06:00 UTC
House lawmakers file climate accountability bill
MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers filed a bill that seeks to establish a legal framework to address loss and damage from climate change impacts, and hold those responsible for driving the crisis accountable. “Without a legal framework to address loss and damage from climate change impacts, corporations will continue to defend and promote their unbridled burning of fossil fuels,” House Bill 9609 read. The collected penalty will be directed to the Climate Change Reparations Fund. Any real party in interest or survivors of climate change may seek redress for harm caused by non-compliance of business entities. Climate reparationsThe bill also aims to establish the Climate Change Reparations Fund for the financing of the claims approved by the Climate Change Reparations Board.
Source:Philippine Star
November 24, 2023 00:52 UTC
'Don't embarrass our justice system:' Sara speaks up for father as House discusses ICC drug war probe
'Don't embarrass our justice system:' Sara speaks up for father as House discusses ICC drug war probeMANILA, Philippines — Slighting from recent House calls urging cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), Vice President Sara Duterte has spoken up in defense of her father and argued that local courts can resolve drug war cases without the help of the ICC. In her statement, Sara said that the lower chamber must “respect” Marcos’ previous stance of not supporting ICC’s probe. RELATED: Resumption of ICC 'war on drug' probe revives hope for justice – lawyers of victims’ kin | Victims' families, groups hail ICC decision to proceed with 'drug war' probe“Given this clear standpoint, we urge the House to respect the position of the President, who is the chief architect of our foreign policy,” Sara said. It's their "desperation, born out of a lack of timely justice ... that leads to a breakdown of trust" in democratic institutions, Duterte said. Remulla also mentioned his plan to discuss the issue with the executive secretary to clarify whether there is a plan to rejoin the ICC.
Source:Philippine Star
November 24, 2023 00:39 UTC
Bongbong Marcos orders flooded Northern Samar’s rehabilitation
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to repair infrastructure damaged by continuous flooding in Samar Island. “The public works – as soon as the public works [are] able to enter, do the necessary repairs so that bigger vehicles can enter,” he instructed DPWH. “Let’s work with those who are in the evacuation centers – pati na ‘yung mga nasa bahay pa (including those who are still in homes),” Marcos told the Department of Social Welfare and Development. In addition to this, Marcos also told government agencies and local government units to make potable water available, since water filtration systems are still down due to the floods. Samar Island has been hammered by continuous rains caused by a low-pressure area and a shear line that dump heavy rains.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 23, 2023 22:18 UTC
Philippine residential fire kills 4 kids
(Photo: newsinfo.inquirer.net)Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines’ authorities said four children, including an 11-month-old boy, died and two others were injured in a fire that occurred at a residential area in Cebu city in the central region on November 23. The fire broke out at 5:51am (local time) and was stamped out after 20 minutes. According to witnesses, the fire hit a house while the victims were sleeping on the second floor. The incident also injured two adults and burned down at least seven houses in the residential area. The cause of the fire is being investigated./.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 23, 2023 21:12 UTC
WATCH: Zubiri, Romualdez hold press conference at parliamentarians' forum
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri answer questions from the media at a press conference of the 31st Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. The two discussed tackling the resolutions to respect the 1982 UNCLOS and following international rules-based order, transnational crime, and other resolutionsVIDEO BY RED MENDOZA
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2023 16:56 UTC
OPEC+ defers meet; oil prices drop
VIENNA: International oil prices fell Wednesday after a key ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies was pushed back from Sunday to November 30. The Vienna-based organization announced the postponement of the OPEC+ alliance gathering in a brief statement, without providing any explanation. With oil prices plummeting below $80 per barrel since peaking in September, analysts expect further production cuts by the alliance. End of Saudi cutsRussian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Wednesday sounded a different note, saying that "current oil prices objectively reflect the current situation." Oil prices are far from the levels near $140 a barrel reached after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2023 16:40 UTC
Suzuki Grand Autofestival runs at SM MoA in November
The Suzuki Grand Auto Festival, scheduled from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26, 2023, holds great anticipation. Join the Suzuki Grand Autofestival to explore the latest models, participate in engaging activities, and take advantage of discounts and affordable car plans. More than showcasing Suzuki's offerings, the Suzuki Grand Auto Festival serves as an ideal platform for first-time buyers and car enthusiasts seeking to upgrade their current vehicles to Suzuki's latest models. Additionally, attendees can express their thoughts for Suzuki Philippines on the Suzuki Sign Up Wall. For more information, check out any authorized Suzuki Auto dealerships nationwide or visit http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/.
Source:Manila Times
November 23, 2023 16:26 UTC
Cash utilization stuck at 94%
Cash utilization stuck at 94%MANILA, Philippines — The government slightly increased its releases of cash allocations, but spending usage of state agencies did not budge as of end-October, according to the Department of Budget and Management. DBM data showed that notices of cash allocation (NCAs) rose by just a percentage to P3.6 trillion as of end-October from P3.56 trillion a year ago. Despite the increase, government agencies recorded the same utilization rate as last year at 94 percent. Line departments, on the other hand, registered the same 10-month utilization rate at 92 percent or P2.46 trillion for the NCAs they received as of end-October. Among the agencies, only the Commission on Audit recorded a 100 percent utilization rate.
Source:Philippine Star
November 23, 2023 13:13 UTC
EU Council backs Philippines' GSP+ extension, says DTI chief
EU Council backs Philippines' GSP+ extension, says DTI chiefA crane stacks shipping containers of Philippine products for export at the international container port in Manila on Sept. 11, 2012. MANILA, Philippines — The European Union and the European Council is supportive of a four-year extension on the eligibility of the Philippines in the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (EU GSP+) trade mechanism, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said on Wednesday. This was also confirmed by EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron in an ambush interview with reporters. However, the EU has been met with criticisms by human rights groups like the Human Rights Watch, saying that the council has tolerated the human rights abuses under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. In February 2022, the EU Parliament considered removing some trade privileges of the Philippines if the alleged human rights abuses under Duterte were not addressed at that time.
Source:Philippine Star
November 23, 2023 03:54 UTC
Sustainable digital transformation for finance leaders
THE digital revolution has ushered in a wave of innovations that are reshaping the financial sector globally. From blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to advanced analytics and cloud computing, technologies are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also providing new avenues for strategic decision-making. Finance leaders must embrace this digital imperative, recognizing it as an opportunity to drive sustainable growth, improve risk management and enhance customer experiences. This is where finance leaders, may it be a chief financial officer or a finance manager, take on an active role in ensuring sustainability in digital transformation efforts in organizations.
Source:Manila Times
November 22, 2023 22:25 UTC
Still baffled when to use 'can' or 'could' and 'will' or 'would'?
These two modals convey the idea of ability, possibility, permission, or potential to perform an action or do a task—"can" is the present-tense form, and "could" the past-tense form. Use "can" to convey possibility: "The team can win if its members are more disciplined." To convey habitual or customary action: "After breaking up with her fiancé, Joanna would get angry over trivial things." More commonly, the modal "shall" is used in formal written directives and records of corporate proceedings, as in "All workers shall be responsible for the upkeep of their respective work areas." * * *Read this essay and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "Still baffled when to use 'can' or 'could' and 'will' or 'would'?
Source:Manila Times
November 22, 2023 22:13 UTC
75
75On Nov. 25, 2023, I turn 75. I am a product of public elementary and high schools when state education was the best in Asia. While many publications closed shop and lost their moorings, BizNewsAsia instead grew in strength, thanks to my business friends. For this reason, I thank my business friends who have been with me, no matter the state of the economic and political weather. His PLDT-Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is No.
Source:Philippine Star
November 22, 2023 20:27 UTC