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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
In Lebanon, a family’s memories are detonated along with their village
ARAMOUN, Lebanon, November 1 ------ Ayman Jaber’s memories are rooted in every corner of Mhaibib, the village in southern Lebanon he refers to as his “habibti,” the Arabic word for “beloved.” The root of the village’s name means “the lover” or “the beloved.” Reminiscing about his childhood sweetheart, the 45-year-old avionics technician talks about how the young pair would meet in a courtyard near his uncle’s house. “I used to wait for her there to see her,” Jaber recalls with a smile. “Half of the village knew about us.” The fond memory contrasts sharply with recent images of his hometown.
Mhaibib, perched on a hill close to the Israeli border, was leveled by a series of explosions on Oct. 16. The Israeli army released a video showing blasts ripping through the village in the Marjayoun province, razing dozens of homes to dust. The scene has been repeated in villages across southern Lebanon since Israel launched its invasion a month ago with the stated goal of pushing Hezbollah militants back from the border. On Oct. 26, massive explosions in and around Odaisseh sparked an earthquake alert in northern Israel.
Israel says it wants to destroy a massive network of Hezbollah tunnels in the border area. But for the people who have been displaced, the attacks are also destroying a lifetime of memories. Mhaibib had endured sporadic targeting since Hezbollah and Israeli forces began exchanging fire on Oct. 8 last year. Jaber was living in Aramoun, just south of Beirut, before the war, and the rest of his family evacuated from Mhaibib after the border skirmishes ignited. Some of them left their possessions behind and sought refuge in Syria. Jaber’s father and two sisters, Zeinab and Fatima, moved in with him. In the living room of their temporary home, the siblings sip Arabic coffee while their father chain-smokes. “My father breaks my heart. He is 70 years old, frail and has been waiting for over a year to return to Mhaibib,” Zeinab said. “He left his five cows there. He keeps asking, ‘Do you think they’re still alive?’” Mhaibib was a close-knit rural village, with about 70 historic stone homes lining its narrow streets. Families grew tobacco, wheat, mulukhiyah (jute mallow) and olives, planting them each spring and waking before dawn in the summer to harvest the crops.
The village was also known for an ancient shrine dedicated to Benjamin, the son of Jacob, an important figure in Judaism. In Islam, he is known as the prophet Benjamin Bin Yaacoub, believed to be the 12th son of prophet Yaacoub and the brother of prophet Yousef. The shrine was damaged in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, then renovated. Pictures show the shrine enclosed in a golden cage adorned with intricate Arabic inscriptions beside an old stone mosque crowned by a minaret that overlooked the village. The mosque and the shrine are now gone.
Hisham Younes, who runs the environmental organization Green Southerners, says generations of southerners admired Mhaibib for its one-or two-story stone homes, some built by Jaber’s grandfather and his friends. “Detonating an entire village is a form of collective punishment and war crime. What do they gain from destroying shrines, churches and old homes?” Younes asks. Abdelmoe’m Shucair, the mayor of neighboring Mays el Jabal, told the Associated Press that the last few dozen families living in Mhaibib fled before the Israeli destruction began, as had residents of surrounding villages. Jaber’s sisters attended school in Mays al-Jabal. That school was also destroyed in a series of massive explosions. After finishing her studies in Beirut, Zeinab worked in a pharmacy in the neighboring village of Blida. That pharmacy, too, is gone after the Israeli military detonated part of that village. Israeli forces even bulldozed their village cemetery where generations of family members are buried. “I don’t belong to any political group,” Zeinab says. “Why did my home, my life, have to be taken from me?” She says she can’t bring herself to watch the video of her village’s destruction. “When my brother played it, I ran from the room.”
To process what’s happening, Fatima says she closes her eyes and takes herself back to Mhaibib. She sees the sun setting, vividly painting the sky stretching over their family gatherings on the upstairs patio, framed by their mother’s flowers. The family painstakingly expanded their home over a decade. “It took us 10 years to add just one room,” Fatima said. “First, my dad laid the flooring, then the walls, the roof and the glass windows. My mom sold a year’s worth of homemade preserves to furnish it.” She paused. “And it was gone in an instant.” In the midst of war, Zeinab married quietly. Now she’s six months pregnant. She had hoped to be back in Mhaibib in time for the delivery. Her brother was born when Mhaibib and other villages in southern Lebanon were under Israeli occupation. Jaber remembers traveling from Beirut to Mhaibib, passing through Israeli checkpoints and a final crossing before entering the village. “There were security checks and interrogations. The process used to take a full or half a day,” he says.
And inside the village, they always felt like they were “under surveillance.” His family also fled the village during the war with Israel in 2006, and when they returned they found their homes vandalized but still standing. An uncle and a grandmother were among those killed in the 34-day conflict, but a loquat tree the matriarch had planted next to their home endured. This time, there is no home to return to and even the loquat tree is gone. Jaber worries Israel will again set up a permanent presence in southern Lebanon and that he won’t be able to reconstruct the home he built over the last six years for himself, his wife and their two sons. “When this war ends, we’ll go back,” Ayman says quietly. “We’ll pitch tents if we have to and stay until we rebuild our houses.”
Source: apnews.com
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Britain identifies its first case of new mpox variant
LONDON, United Kingdom, November 1 ------ Britain has detected its first case of new mpox variant clade Ib, the country's health security agency (UKHSA) said, adding that the risk to the population remained low.
The clade Ib variant is a new form of the virus that was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in August after an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to neighboring countries in Africa. The case, in a patient who had recently travelled to affected countries in Africa, was detected in London and the individual has been transferred to a specialist hospital, the UKHSA said. Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organizations, the UKHSA added.
There have been cases of mpox clade Ib reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India and Germany, as well as Congo. It is a different form of the virus from clade II, which spread globally in 2022, largely among men who have sex with men. Mpox is a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and while usually mild it can kill. Clade Ib is thought to cause more severe disease than clade II. Both forms can be transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact.
The UK authorities said they would not provide any more details about the patient, but added that the person's contacts were being followed up and would be offered testing and vaccination as needed, as well as further care if they test positive or have symptoms. According to the latest WHO figures, there have been more than 44,000 confirmed and suspected cases of mpox in Africa this year, and more than 1,000 deaths, largely in Congo.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MARITIME NEWS
Real Time Monitoring Unlocks Immediate Savings for Shipowners
November 1 ------ The pressure to meet decarbonization targets has never been higher for the shipping industry, which accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition to tightening regulations from bodies like the European Union and the International Maritime Organization, proving strong ESG performance is becoming vital for accessing capital and gaining stakeholder trust.
However, there is a growing gap between these increasingly stringent requirements and shipping companies' ability to keep up, leading to confusion, ambiguity, and unforeseen consequences. While daunting, this gap can be successfully bridged through emerging technology—such as the new active emissions monitoring system developed by Cyanergy, which will transform emissions tracking and reporting for the shipping industry.
The Complexity of Compliance
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) took early leadership in the decarbonization of the shipping industry. In 2018, it established a comprehensive decarbonization strategy with a goal of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2050. It also created the Carbon Intensity Index (CII) to track the progress of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to align the shipping industry with the global efforts to reduce climate change.
Around the same time, the European Union began rolling out the fourth phase of its Emission Trading System, which was applied to the maritime industry in 2024 and requires ships to purchase carbon allowances for their emissions when docking or traveling through EU ports. While the IMO and EU decarbonization efforts are well-meaning, the shipping industry is dealing with conflicting priorities in meeting these standards, including:
Administrative Burdens
Complying with new requirements creates an increased administrative burden, and many shipping companies are faced with limited financial and human resources. Companies must continuously monitor their CO2 emissions and submit regular emissions reports to the relevant authorities. This requires detailed record-keeping and compliance with specific reporting standards, and these reports must be verified by accredited third-party auditors. In addition, many companies must invest in specialized IT systems to manage emissions data, calculate allowances, and ensure compliance.
Inaccurate Measurements
A significant barrier in assessing the effectiveness of the IMO’s decarbonization strategies is the reliability of the data. Achieving emission reduction targets will require ongoing improvements, but these efforts are only as effective as the accuracy of the data they are based on. When baseline measurements or reported figures rely on assumptions or estimates, it raises the question: how can we be certain that we’re truly making progress? Shipping companies face penalties for non-compliance, which heightens the need for detailed and precise record-keeping.
Varied Methodologies
Another major challenge facing the shipping industry is the lack of a unified emissions accounting system to comply with the Well-to-Wake (WtW) approach. There is no globally accepted framework, and different organizations and regulatory bodies use varying definitions, methodologies, and reporting standards. In addition, there are fragmented approaches and regional differences in emission accounting requirements, making it difficult for global companies to adopt a single system for compliance. This results in patchwork compliance efforts that sometimes underreport or overreport actual emissions.
Future Visibility
The pricing of GHG emissions is complex and creates uncertainty for businesses and policymakers to forecast future carbon costs. The lack of visibility makes it difficult to make investment decisions in emissions reduction projects and clean technologies. Without a reliable emission baseline, it becomes challenging to measure the incremental benefits of new technologies, and difficult to discard any projects that may not be effective.
The Need for Reliable, Real-Time Data
Without accurate data, shipping companies cannot reliably assess whether their emissions reduction strategies are working and risk under-reporting or over-reporting their emissions. This poses significant financial, legal, and reputational risk. Assumptions and estimates, while useful, fail to provide the level of precision needed to make informed decisions about the effectiveness of decarbonization technologies and strategies. This is where technological innovations such as active emissions monitoring software become critical.
In response to these challenges, Cyanergy has developed a low-cost emissions monitoring system designed to help shipping companies measure, report, and verify their decarbonization efforts.
How Cyanergy’s System Transforms Emissions Monitoring
Cyanergy's system automates data collection, eliminating manual inputs and reducing the risk of inaccuracies. By centralizing this data, it becomes easily accessible to stakeholders, including operational personnel, auditors, and owners. The system measures the actual mass of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in real-time using stoichiometric calculations, ensuring precise data that complies with global and regional regulatory requirements, including the Well-to-Wake (WtW) approach.
This technology tracks multiple GHGs, allowing companies to streamline their emissions accounting processes, regardless of the region they operate in. The real-time data helps crews improve ship efficiency by identifying issues that may negatively impact CII ratings, enabling shipping companies to align operations with decarbonization goals over specific timeframes like journeys or financial reporting periods. Additionally, Cyanergy’s system integrates seamlessly with operational and financial systems, helping companies accurately calculate their carbon allowances and providing valuable forecasting tools. The system also mitigates the risk of technology investments by validating returns on new equipment or alternative fuels, ensuring that emissions reduction efforts are both effective and financially sound.
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Shipping
Decarbonizing the shipping industry is a monumental task, but with the right tools and data, it is achievable. Cyanergy's real-time emissions monitoring system offers shipping companies the insights they need to make informed decisions, reduce emissions, and stay ahead of regulatory requirements. By embracing technology and data-driven solutions, shipping companies can not only meet decarbonization targets, but also position themselves as leaders in global sustainability.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Panama Canal reaffirms commitment to a greener future
November 1 ------ The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has presented initiatives under development that would help ACP achieve the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral maritime route by 2050. At a recent forum in Panama, Panama Canal Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta reaffirmed the waterway’s carbon neutrality commitment and highlighted the green corridor initiative, which will encourage the use of alternative fuels and improve ship operational efficiency.
In addition, topics such as the national decarbonization strategy and investments in emission reduction projects were addressed. The forum emphasized the importance of collaboration between various actors to achieve more responsible and efficient maritime transport. “The transition to sustainable maritime transport is vital for the future of the Canal and the planet. We are committed to being leaders in sustainability and creating an attractive environment for the use of alternative fuels,” Espino de Marotta said, emphasizing the vision of the waterway as “a safe and reliable route to a greener future”.
In mid-October, the Panama Canal was also defined as “a key piece in global trade” during a forum in New York. Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales spoke about the achievements made in fiscal year 2024, which have optimized the reliability and sustainability of this maritime route.
Reducing vessel waiting times and water-saving mechanisms were the main improvements for FY2024 which was characterized by the lack of rain, impacting the canal’s operations. During FY2024, the waterway recorded 9,944 transits and 423 million CP/SUAB tons. Of the total transits, 7,084 were Panamax-sized vessels and the remaining 2,852 were Neopanamax vessels. Container, chemical and bulk carrier vessels led transits through the Panama Canal during FY2024.
Source: offshore-energy.biz
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Port of Seattle completes shore power project at all cruise berths
November 1 ------ The Port of Seattle has completed the shore power project at Pier 66, as part of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy goal of electrifying all Seattle cruise berths.
In June 2023, the Port of Seattle became the first port in the U.S. to independently require that 100% of all cruise vessels homeported in Seattle be shore power capable and utilize shore power by 2027, three years before the port’s previous goal of 2030.
Shore power means clean electricity can power cruise ships while they are docked in Seattle, improving air quality and reducing emissions for the community and across the Puget Sound region. According to the port, in the 2023 season, ships using shore power avoided emitting 2,700 metric tons of greenhouse gases and 0.75 metric tons of diesel particulate matter. On average, shore power enables each connected ship to reduce its diesel emissions by 80% and CO2 emissions by 66% while at berth, the Port of Seattle highlighted.
In 2021, the Seattle Port adopted near-term implementation plans to identify, prioritize, and focus resources on actions that help achieve their collective zero-emission vision. Thanks to a $44 million investment, all three of the port’s cruise berths are now equipped with shore power. The technology allows cruise ships to plug into the Seattle City Light grid and turn off their fuel-based engines, which is expected to result in a significant reduction in air emissions. Moreover, Seattle is one of the first cruise ports to offer shore power for simultaneous use at all its multiple berths.
“With the installation of shore power at Pier 66, I’m proud to say Seattle is one of the only ports globally able to simultaneously power three cruise ships with low-carbon electricity,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “Enabling three cruise ships to turn off their generators while at dock has the potential to eliminate three tons of particulates and 10,000 tons of greenhouse gases over a full cruise season, which benefits the climate, communities, and economy.”
“We especially thank the City of Seattle and Seattle City Light who are helping us electrify the working waterfront and create a more sustainable future for our region. Additionally, the Port thanks our partners in the cruise industry for the significant investments they are making in more sustainable ships and shoreside facilities that are critical to all of our environmental strategies,” added Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen P. Metruck.
“Electrifying Pier 66 delivers on City Light’s strategic vision to create a clean energy future for the region. We are proud be working with such amazing partners like the Port of Seattle to make shore power connections a reality for along Seattle’s bustling waterfront and ports,” commented Dawn Lindell, Seattle City Light General Manager and CEO. “By connecting ships into our clean, carbon-neutral power, we are reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines and improving air quality for the people who visit, work, and live in Seattle.”
Jayne Stevenson, State Climate Policy Manager for Pacific Environment, stated that ocean-going vessels, including cruise ships, are the leading maritime polluters in the Puget Sound area. She expressed support for the call for the state of Washington to implement a statewide shore power policy to reduce air pollution from all ocean-going vessels at the ports and to protect the health and well-being of portside communities.
Source: offshore-energy.biz
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
LGUs issue public reminder and guidelines for Undas 2024
MANILA, Philippines, November 1 ------ Several local government units (LGUs) have issued guidelines and reminders for the public during the observance of Undas 2024, which include cemetery schedules and prohibited items and activities while visiting their departed ones.
Muntinlupa City
• Libingang Panlungsod ng Muntinlupa is open from October 31 to November 1 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• No burial or cremation is allowed from October 31 to November 2. However, the LGU notes that such activities may be allowed depending on the necessity.
• Cleaning, painting or renovation of graves are allowed until October 28, Monday.
Caloocan City
• Cemetery schedule: October 30 to November 2, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cleaning of graves are allowed until October 29
Manila City (For Manila North and South Cemeteries)
• Manila North and South Cemeteries will be open from October 30 to November 3, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cleaning, repairs, and painting inside the cemetery are allowed until October 26, 2024
• No vendors allowed inside the cemeteries
• Children visiting cemeteries must obtain a TAG from Manila Department of Social Welfare “for easy identification if lost”
• Ambulances and doctors from Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will be on standby, with hospitals (Tondo, Sampaloc, Sta. Ana) ready for emergencies.
• Portalets will be places in different areas inside the cemetery
• Free e-trike rides available at the cemetery gates
Prohibited items and activities inside the cemeteries:
• Gambling
• Alcoholic beverages
• Flammable materials
• Firearms and sharp objects
• Cigarettes, vapes
• Videokes or sound systems
• Overnights
• Vendors
• Sharp objects
• Pets
• Tarpaulins of private or political groups
Source: inquirer.net
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PH, US, Japan vow cooperation to enhance cyber, digital resilience
MANILA, November 1 ------ The Philippines has agreed to collaborate with the United States and Japan to enhance the nation’s cyber and digital resilience. The three nations held the US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral cyber and digital dialogue on the sidelines of the 9th Singapore International Cyber Week, according to a statement released by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The trilateral dialogue was co-chaired by Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary for Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian Dy, US Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick, and Japan’s Deputy Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Information Technology Management Yukio Saita. “During the dialogue, officials discussed trilateral cooperation in cyberspace, including civilian cybersecurity capacity building, cybersecurity workforce development, maritime cybersecurity, and information sharing,” Miller said. “The United States, Japan, and the Philippines will continue to work together to enhance international cyberspace stability, data security and privacy, and cyber and digital capacity building in the region.”
He said the trilateral cooperation for integrating cybersecurity, sustainable development, and technology would enable the three nations’ economic growth and uplift the lives of their people. Miller said the Philippines, the US, and Japan also discussed cyber and digital capacity building and opportunities to enable the trusted flow of data across borders and continued efforts to advance the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum.
Established in 2022, the Global CBPR Forum is an initiative that builds on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CBPR system as a framework that supports a free flow of data and effective data protection and privacy. The dialogue was attended by officials of a wide range of agencies from the three countries.
In July, the Philippines and the US held their first cyber-digital policy dialogue to advance an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure information and communication technologies ecosystem to support the growth of the digital economy and strengthen resilience to cybersecurity threats.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Despite imports, rice retail price still high – group
MANILA, Philippines, November 1 ------ Despite being the world’s biggest rice importer, with at least 3.29 million metric tons imported, retail prices of the staple in the country remain high, rice watchdog group Bantay Bigas has bewailed. Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo cited the administration’s dependence on rice imports from countries including Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, India, China, Japan, Cambodia, Italy and Spain. “The importation under the Rice Liberalization Law by President Marcos directly undermines the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and his issuance of Executive Order No. 62, which lowers rice import tariffs from 35 to 15 percent,” Estavillo said.
Estavillo added that the importation is not a solution and did not benefit the consumers and also weakened the country’s self-sufficiency and food security. She said that the farmers are also affected by a drop in the farmgate price of palay because the National Food Authority fails to buy directly from the farmers, empowering the traders to dictate the price of the grain.
Based on monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Metro Manila markets, the retail price of imported regular milled rice is sold as high as P48 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, as high as P55 per kilo; imported premium rice, as high as P60 per kilo and imported special rice, as high as P65 per kilo. Estavillo said that a nationally coordinated farmers’ protest will be held today.
The retail price of tomatoes in Metro Manila markets further increased to P200 per kilo because of the devastation brought by the recent Super Typhoon Enteng, according to the DA. Three days ago, based on the DA’s price watch, the retail price of tomatoes reached as high as P180 per kilo. Prior to the devastation of Enteng, the retail price of tomatoes only ranged between P55 and P90 per kilo. Meanwhile, the retail price of chilis or siling labuyo has also increased to as high as P450 per kilo, ginger at P300 per kilo and bell pepper at P360 per kilo.
The retail price of round scad or galunggong, once considered the poor man’s fish, reached as high as P340 per kilo. On the other hand, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) yesterday gave assurance of enough supply of eggs amid the increase in the demand during the holidays. In a radio interview, PEBA president Francis Uyehara said that the farmgate price of eggs remains stable between P7 and P7.50 per kilo. “The retail price should only be P8 to P9 (per piece). Since last week of September, the farmgate price of eggs did not move but in retail, we observed continuous increase,” he said.
Based on monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, the retail price of medium-sized eggs ranged between P7.80 and P9 per piece. “We assure that the production (of eggs) continues to increase. What we cannot answer is the retail price as we don’t have the capacity to dictate the price. It is entirely dependent on the concept of supply and demand but we continue to increase our supply towards December,” he added. Meanwhile, the retail price of whole chicken ranged between P150 and P230 per kilo.
Source: philstar.com
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DFA, agencies’ MOU to combat spurious passport applications
MANILA, Philippines, November 1 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various government agencies to strengthen cooperation in combating fraudulent passport applications.
Officials from the DFA, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police, Philippine Center for Transnational Crime and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center signed the MOU for Interagency Cooperation and Collaboration on Operation Sentinel. The MOU would enable agencies to improve data sharing efficiency, develop interoperable systems, ensure prompt coordinated responses, and institute necessary checks and balances, according to DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo. Domingo added that the MOU is a powerful testament to a “strengthened, whole-of-government approach in tackling the issue of fraudulent passport applications and illegal acquisitions of passports by foreign nationals.”
The DFA recently canceled the Philippine passport of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, saying that it was acquired through fraudulent means after receiving certification from the NBI that the biometrics of Alice Leal Guo in the passport database match those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.
Source: philstar.com
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AFP recalibrates approach on WPS info strategy
November 1 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has stopped the weekly publication of the number of Chinese vessels being monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of a recalibrated approach in its information strategy on the WPS issue, a ranking military officer said.
Instead of publishing the number of Chinese vessels operating in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the AFP decided to give updates on the activities being done by the Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) to protect the country’s territorial integrity in the disputed waters, said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for WPS. From October 1 to 18, it was bared that the PN and (PAF) conducted 64 successful patrol missions to reinforce the security and sovereignty of the country’s waters. These operations include sealift missions, maritime patrols, a medical evacuation, and rotation and resupply (RORE) missions. “The Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces are recalibrating our approach when it comes to public affairs on the West Philippine Sea. Our emphasis is more on the activities conducted by the AFP,” Trinidad said.
He said the adjustment was made after Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced the institution of a new defense concept called the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). The CADC seeks to develop the country’s capability to protect and secure the entire Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and ensure that all the bounties of the natural resources within them will be freely reaped by the Filipinos. “The overall picture is that after the pronouncement by the Secretary of National Defense (SND) that we will be instituting a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, the AFP recalibrated its approach in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad explained. “I would say majority, if not all, of the strategic assets of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force are now geared towards protecting, securing, and monitoring all the way up to our exclusive economic zone, that includes the West Philippine Sea. So yes, there has been a dramatic increase in our activities in the West Philippine Sea after the pronouncement of the SND,” he explained.
In February this year, the Navy began publishing a weekly report on the number of Chinese vessels being monitored in the WPS when Trinidad was assigned to be the PN spokesperson for WPS issues. The data covers the number of People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy warships, China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs), and Chinese research and survey vessels (CRSVs) in 13 features within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ namely Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Island, Parola Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Panata Island, Patag Island, Rizal Reef, Sabina Shoal, Julian Felipe Reef, and Iroquois Reef. This was seen as part of the so-called transparency initiative of the government to expose the “illegal presence” of Chinese vessels in the Philippines’ EEZ.
However, on October 8, the PN limited the publication of its coverage to only three features: Ayungin Shoal where BRP Sierra Madre is being maintained by the Navy, Sabina Shoal which had been previously guarded by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Teresa Magbanua, and Bajo de Masinloc which has been filled with tension every now and then due to confrontations between Filipino fishermen and CCG ships. Meanwhile, Trinidad said that the PN still monitors the presence of Chinese vessels in the WPS. But he stated that the publication of the PN’s report about it will be made monthly instead of weekly “to give us a better assessment tool.” “We will still be reporting that but we are looking at having a longer period of coverage. Dati-rati (Before) it was weekly, we're trying to look at doing it on a monthly basis this time,” Trinidad said. “Mahirap kasi mag-assess kung daily or weekly (It’s harder to assess if it’s daily or weekly). We could look at trends if we expand the period of coverage,” he explained. “This time, we are looking at a better metrics, better assessment of tool to be able to look at trends of the illegal presence of the PLA Navy, the Coast Guard, and the maritime militia.”
Source: mb.com.ph
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PH, UK hold workshop on maritime security
November 1 ------ The Philippines and the United Kingdom convened a week-long workshop in Manila to ensure that previous discussions on maritime security turn into concrete actions. The workshop, a follow-up action from the 2nd Philippines-UK Maritime Dialogue in London in July 2024, was also aimed at strengthening the maritime security partnership and building upon the existing collaborations between the two countries.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Assistant Secretary Louis Alferez said in his remark that the workshop will help in efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ policy and institutional framework. It will help particularly towards helping “smoothen the whole-of-government coordination necessary for effective national responses and actions to maritime security challenges and concerns.”
The workshop’s participants collaborated through discussions, sharing information, and exchanging views on maritime security risks and challenges, and jointly exploring and developing collaborative and robust approaches to addressing critical maritime issues. “Leveraging the combined expertise of the Philippines and the UK, the participants considered the multi-faceted nature of maritime security, including the realm of maritime cybersecurity,” DFA said.
The workshop was conducted by the UK Department of Transportation (DfT) and the Maritime Domain Awareness Programme (MDAP). It featured a series of focused sessions delving into various aspects of maritime security strategies, approaches and methodologies, and cutting across and encompassing various sectors, from defense and law enforcement to livelihoods and humanitarian aid.
The workshop highlighted the shared value and commitment of the Philippines and the UK to the maintenance of the rules-based international order, and to reinforcing the primacy of the United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the Constitution of the Ocean.
Source: mb.com.ph
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IMF retains Philippines growth outlook for 2024, 2025
MANILA, Philippines, November 1 ------ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained its growth prospects for the Philippines for this year and next amid challenging private consumption expansion in the country.
Based on the World Economic Outlook (WEO) released yesterday, the Washington-based multilateral lender kept its gross domestic product (GDP) assumption for the Philippines at 5.8 percent. This was the same forecast the IMF gave the Philippines during the 2024 IMF Article IV consultation earlier this month. While this is an improvement from last year’s 5.5 percent expansion, it falls below the six to seven percent growth assumption set by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
The IMF said private consumption is going to grow slightly with less momentum. The sector’s growth during the first semester was lower than expected due to more expensive food prices. Private consumption rose by 4.6 percent in the second quarter, slower than the 5.5 percent growth in the same period last year. IMF’s growth forecast for the Philippines remains one of the highest in the region, next to Vietnam’s 6.1 percent. This year, the Philippines is expected to grow faster than Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and even China.
Likewise, the IMF retained its 6.1-percent GDP assumption for 2025, also way below the 6.5 to 7.5-percent target of the economic team. For inflation, the IMF also did not change its inflation forecast for the Philippines, which would ease to 3.3 percent this year and further to three percent in 2025. The latest data showed that the September inflation eased to an over four-year low of 1.9 percent, even falling below the expectation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The sharp reduction was primarily due to slower increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as transport and housing water, electricity, gas and other fuels. In its report, the IMF noted that the global battle against inflation has essentially been won, even though price pressures persist in some countries. However, the IMF also warned that downside risks to inflation are rising, specifically with the escalation in regional conflicts, monetary policy remaining tight for too long, growth slowdown in China and continued protectionist policies of some countries.
Source: philstar.com
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Cold weather arrives in Benguet as Christmas approaches
BAGUIO CITY, November 1 ------ As Christmas season nears, villagers in Benguet province are starting to experience temperature drops. According to Sata of the PAGASA Agromet Station at Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad, Benguet, the lowest temperature recorded was 17.3 degrees Celsius.
The PAGASA Benguet Radar Station in Mount Santo Tomas, Tuba, Benguet also recorded the lowest temperature at 14.7 degrees Celsius as of Tuesday. Last January 29, Benguet logged this year’s coldest at 9.7 degrees Celsius.
From October until March of the succeeding year, Benguet residents feel temperature drops giving bone-tingling chills in the highlands.
Source: philstar.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Kai Montinola eyes doing musicals abroad, fangirls over Lea Salonga
November 1 ------ After stepping out of the "Pinoy Big Brother" Gen 11 house as one of the Big 4 finalists, Kai Montinola is eyeing Broadway stages abroad—a dream she's held since she was just four years old. "I want to perform theater. Gusto ko musical play. I will get to know more local plays. But I am leaning towards going global. For example I want to be in 'Wicked' as Glinda," she explained in an interview.
The "Singing Gwapa ng Cebu" seeks to follow in the footsteps of award-winning artist Lea Salonga, whose talent made her fall in love with the craft and believe Filipinos can shine on the international stage. "I want to be like her," she admitted. "I love Disney. I love Disney princesses. I thought it would be hard to voice act kasi walang Pilipino sa industry. Tapos si Lea (Salonga) pala. I got inspired in a way— kaya pala! So she inspired me [that] it's possible," she added.
Montinola is determined to join the ranks of the country's pride, inspiring future generations to continue raising the bar. "Ngayon in this generation, ang dami representing people I want to be like that too. I am looking forward," she said.
According to the teen, her PBB stint fueled her drive to accomplish her mission, as the experience and her growing number of supporters reinforced her belief that "no dream is too big" or is "impossible." "Mas natuwa ako ng lumabas ako dahil nakita ko 'yung suporta, kung gaano kalakas ang taong bayan. I feel great. I had always been a fan of myself, [but] I did not expect other people will appreciate me, too," she reasoned.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Erik Santos launches 'The Greatest Hits' album
November 1 ------ Balladeer Erik Santos has released his latest album, "Erik Santos: The Greatest Hits," marking his first live album launch in over a decade.
Santos expressed his excitement about performing live again for a launch event, his first since 2011. "Sobra akong excited. Unang-una ito ang aking first album launch na live after so many years… Na-miss ko 'yung ganitong pa-presscon at may live performances," he shared.
The album holds special significance for Santos, who celebrated 20 years in the music industry last year with the "Milestone" concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, which also toured across America and Asia. "The Greatest Hits" album features live tracks from that concert, and is presented in a double vinyl format—a first in Santos' career. "First time ko magkakaroon ng vinyl album and first time ko din in 21 years na magkakaroon ako ng live album," he said, reflecting on his gratitude for the support of his Star Music, ASAP, ABS-CBN, and Cornerstone families.
As he looks back on his career, Santos is grateful for the opportunities he's had to work alongside some of his idols in the industry. "I'm so blessed na mabigyan ng pagkakataon to have collaborated with a lot of artists," he noted, listing icons like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Sharon Cuneta. "Ngayon, ang pinaka prayer ko nalang is to last long in the business… if people want me to stay siguro mga 20-30 years more, even 40 years more."
Aside from the album, Santos is set to release a new version of his hit song
Pagbigyan Muli" on November 8, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Arranged by renowned musical director Homer Flores and backed by the Philharmonic Orchestra, the refreshed version promises to bring a new dimension to the beloved ballad.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Disney+ sides with villains for the long break
November 1 ------ What better way to spend the long Halloween and All Souls break than by binging some of the scariest horror flicks available for streaming. But instead of simply listing down the must-watch horror films and series perfect for the scariest holiday of the year, Disney+ Philippines dives into the true stars of the season and spotlights the villains.
The Boogeyman (from "The Boogeyman," 2023). The Boogeyman lives in the shadows, feeding on fear and lurking where people least expect it. He manipulates the dark and exploits the terror in his victims. Beware!
The Butcher ("American Horror Stories:" S3 Ep.5-Ep.9). On her land, escape isn't possible. Her vengeful spirits close in and leave no room for mercy. Driven by centuries of rage, she swings with deadly precision, and in a blink of an eye, the bloodshed begins.
The House ("Minxiong Haunted House," 2022). There's nowhere to run or hide in the Minxiong Haunted House. Based on one of Taiwan's real-life haunted houses, staying longer in the Minxiong haunted house will slowly drive anyone mad.
The Le Domas family ("Ready or Not," 2019). The Le Domas family may just be the worst in-laws. Their version of hide and seek isn't just a game — it's a blood-soaked hunt, leaving no space for mercy.
Source: manilatimes.net
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SPORTS NEWS
Nadal to battle Djokovic one last time at Saudi exhibition
November 1 ------ Rafa Nadal will have one last chance to face old rival Novak Djokovic before the Spaniard calls time on his illustrious career with the pair set to meet at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. Nadal lost 6-3, 6-3 to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals to set up a third-place match against the Serb, who was beaten 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4 by Jannik Sinner.
World No. 1 Sinner will meet Alcaraz in the final at Riyadh where the winner will take home $6 million. “To have Novak in front of me, it’s like a nostalgic thing,” Nadal told reporters. “We’ve played each other a lot, so it’ll be fun to play each other again in this match.” The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who announced his retirement last week, has faced Djokovic in 60 matches — the most in men’s tennis — and has triumphed 29 times to the Serb’s 31.
The last time Nadal faced 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic was in the second round of the Paris Olympics, where he lost 6-1, 6-4. Nadal, who also teamed up with Alcaraz in the men’s doubles at the Games, could do so again at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga from November 19-24. “Emotionally, I’m sure I’ll be ready,” the 38-year-old said. “Physically and in terms of tennis level, there is a month left to prepare. If I don’t feel ready for the singles, I’ll be the first one to say [it] and let’s see if I can help in some way.”
Nadal said Alcaraz was doing well in his career and did not need much advice from him. “He has a great team, a great family,” he added. “He’s going to do very well with what he’s got. He’s learning all the time. “We can see he’s developing in every way. But of course I’ll be ready whenever he wants to call me.”
Source: rappler.com
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POC says Pinoy athletes have 'enough time' to prepare for 2025 SEA Games
MANILA, November 1 ------ The president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said Filipino athletes will have enough time to gear up for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted in Thailand in late 2025. "There's enough time and there are more than enough opportunities," POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said during the SEAG Council Federation meeting in Bangkok. "Coming off our Olympic success in Paris and with the growing enthusiasm of our national sports association to make their marks in the SEA Games, our national federations and athletes have enough time to prepare and contend in Thailand," he added.
The Philippines emerged as the best-performing Southeast Asian country in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris earlier this year, with two gold medals courtesy of Carlos Yulo and a bronze each from boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio. The 33rd SEA Games will open on December 9 and close on December 20, according to Tolentino. Three cities will serve as hosts: the capital of Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.
A total of 581 events are programmed for 50 sports and three demonstration sports including tug of war and ultimate. According to Tolentino, the goal is for Team Philippines to participate in as many sports as possible. "If possible, all sports," he said.
The Philippines finished as overall champion when it last hosted the biennial games in 2019, but finished fourth and fifth respectively in the last two editions in Vietnam (2022) and Cambodia 2023). Tolentino is encouraging national sports associations to religiously adopt the tried and tested template that produced the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, in Tokyo 2020 and double gold medalist, gymnast Carlos Yulo, in Paris 2024. "As they say, it takes a village, yes, it takes a village to produce champions," said Tolentino, referring to a squad of coaches—sport, nutrition, strength and conditioning and sports science, medicine and psychology—that helped Diaz-Naranjo and Yulo clinched their places in world sports history.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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100 basketball courts renovated to support Filipino grassroots players
MANILA, November 1 ------ Basketball courts all over the country received a fresh coat of paint as a part of a project that aims to support 200,000 grassroots players. Across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the courts were refurbished through the efforts of chocolate brand Milo and paint company Boysen, and this is for Barangay Liga, a project of the former to empower young basketball athletes to be their best in the sport.
The partnership was initiated last year in preparation for Barangay Liga, an initiative that will be done across 100 barangays in the Philippines. It aims to provide kids with a platform for skill development, build up their confidence, and strengthen sportsmanship through the help of basketball, a sport that has deep roots in the country. Aside from this, Barangay Liga also looks to become a venue where kids can learn the values that sports in general can impart, including discipline, grit, and teamwork.
The aforementioned companies aspire to support even more communities in their shared efforts to rally the nation through sports and build even more champions in sports and life.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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