DUBAI — Iran condemned new European Union (EU) and British sanctions on Tehran and denied providing ballistic missiles to Russia, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, said in a post on X on Tuesday.
The European Union agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on seven people and seven organizations, including airline Iran Air, for their links to Iranian transfers of ballistic missiles to Russia.
The listings also include Saha Airlines and Mahan Air and Iran’s Deputy Defence Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari.
At the same time, Britain added nine new designations under its Iran sanctions regime.
Last month, the United States, citing intelligence it said had been shared with allies, said Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran for its war in Ukraine.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson denied on Tuesday his country provided ballistic missiles to Russia.
“Some European countries and the UK have unfortunately claimed without evidence that Iran has militarily intervened in this conflict which is totally refuted,” Mr. Baghaei said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr. Baghaei condemned the fresh sanctions saying that imposing new sanctions by the European Union and the UK on Iranian individuals and entities goes against international law.
Also facing sanctions under the EU move are prominent officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and the managing directors of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries and Aerospace Industries Organization.
The sanctions include an asset freeze and a travel ban to the European Union. — Reuters
STOCKHOLM — Three U.S.-based academics won the 2024 Nobel economics prize on Monday for research that explored the aftermath of colonization to understand why global inequality persists today, especially in countries dogged by corruption and dictatorship.
Simon Johnson and James Robinson, both British-American, and Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu were commended for their work on “how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.
“Reducing the vast differences in income between countries is one of our time’s greatest challenges,” said Jakob Svensson, Chair of the Committee for the Prize in Economic Sciences.
“They have identified the historical roots of the weak institutional environments that characterize many low-income countries today,” he told a press conference.
The award came a day after a World Bank report showed that the world’s 26 poorest countries – home to 40% of its most poverty-stricken people – are more in debt than at any time since 2006, highlighting a major reversal in the fight against poverty.
The prestigious award, formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, is the final prize to be given out this year and is worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million).
Acemoglu told reporters in Athens that data gathered by pro-democracy groups showed that public institutions and rule of law in many parts of the world were currently being weakened.
“Authoritarian growth is often more unstable and doesn’t generally lead to very rapid and original innovation,” he said, referring to China as “a bit of a challenge”.
Johnson told Reuters by telephone that established institutions in the United States were under stress, notably due to Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge he lost the 2020 election.
“I think that’s the biggest concern that I see in the industrialized world,” he said, adding the Nov. 5 presidential election was “a serious stress test” for U.S. democracy.
Acemoglu and Johnson work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while Robinson is at the University of Chicago, where he spoke at a press conference on Monday and referred to his co-laureates as his “best friends.”
“I’m not someone who thinks that economists have a kind of cure for everything, or they have some silver bullet,” he said. “Ideas are important in terms of giving people levers or giving people ways to think about the problems in their society.”
He said all humans have the same aspirations and a shared history but have nonetheless “built very different societies in different parts of the world.”
“The first thing is to think about a question that’s relevant to those people, to their context and to their aspirations,” he said of his research.
‘REVERSAL OF FORTUNE’ The laureates’ research showed how European colonization had dramatic but divergent impacts across the world, depending on whether the colonizer focused on extraction of resources or the setting up of long-term institutions for the benefit of European migrants.
This, they found, resulted in a “reversal of fortune” where former colonies that were once rich become poor, while some poorer countries – where institutions were often set up – were in the end able to garner some generalized prosperity through them.
Another finding covered how “dangerous” it was to colonize an area: the higher mortality among the colonizers, the lower today’s current output per capita, a measure of prosperity.
The economics award is not one of the original prizes for science, literature and peace created in the will of dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel and first awarded in 1901, but a later addition established and funded by Sweden’s central bank in 1968.
Past winners include a host of influential thinkers such as Milton Friedman, John Nash – played by actor Russell Crowe in the 2001 film “A Beautiful Mind” – and, more recently, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Research into inequality has featured strongly in recent awards. Last year, Harvard economic historian Claudia Goldin won the prize for her work highlighting the causes of wage and labor market inequality between men and women.
In 2019, economists Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer won the award for work on fighting poverty.
The economics prize has been dominated by U.S. academics since its inception, while U.S.-based researchers also tend to account for a large portion of winners in the scientific fields for which 2024 laureates were announced last week.
That crop of prizes began with U.S. scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun winning the prize for medicine on Monday and concluded with Japan’s Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki who campaigned for the abolition of nuclear weapons landing the award for peace on Friday. — Reuters
MANILA – The Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries said a “Chinese maritime militia” boat deliberately sideswiped one of its two vessels that were conducting a routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Thitu island in the South China Sea last Friday.
The vessel had sustained dents in its starboard bow, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said in a statement issued late on Monday.
China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads over a succession of confrontations near disputed features in the South China, with Manila accusing China’s coast guard of aggression and Beijing furious over what it calls repeated provocations and territorial incursions.
The Philippines has also accused China of maintaining a maritime militia to bolster its presence in the South China Sea. Beijing has maintained they are civilian ships.
Video shared by the bureau showed the Chinese boat with bow number 00108 approaching its vessel, BRP Datu Cabaylo, moving in close proximity before it collided with it.
“Despite the incident, the BFAR vessel maintained its position and was able to continue with its… mission,” the fisheries bureau said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Philippine-occupied Thitu, and rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague that Beijing’s expansive claims had no basis under international law. The case was brought to the court by the Philippines.
Last week’s maritime run-in comes in the wake of a regional summit of Southeast Asian leaders where Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea to be fast tracked. — Reuters
SYDNEY – Growth across the Pacific Islands is expected to slow to 3.6% this year, down from 5.8% in 2023, as a post-pandemic rebound fades and Fiji, contributing half of the region’s output, slowed significantly, the World Bank said on Tuesday.
A long-term slowdown was caused by weaker investment, increasing climate risks, and structural challenges, a report said. Without immediate action to ramp up investment, Pacific Island nations may struggle to reduce poverty and generate new economic opportunities, it added.
The Washington-based global lender said investment had shrunk on average across Pacific Island countries in seven out of the past 15 years.
In a “troubling outlook”, investment growth in 11 Pacific Island countries is expected to be around 1% annually this decade, significantly lower than the 4.2% average growth from 2000 to 2019, the report said.
Natural disasters cost an average 1.5% of gross domestic product per year, and many Pacific Island countries struggle to manage economic shocks after disasters such as cyclones, and are locked into a cycle of “construction, destruction, and repair”, the report said.
While several smaller Pacific Island countries reliant on tourism saw growth, as tourists from Australia and New Zealand returned, Fiji’s growth is expected to slow to 3% in 2024.
Fiji’s public debt, at 79% of GDP in 2024, is among the region’s highest and one-third higher than pre-pandemic levels.
In Vanuatu, the liquidation of national airline Air Vanuatu hit tourism, causing a significant economic shock and growth to slow to 0.9%.
Vanuatu has experienced 10 years of shrinking investment, the World Bank said.
As well as investment in sustainable tourism and agriculture, the region needs investment in ports, inter-island shipping, and digital connectivity, it said.
Despite having some of the largest maritime zones in the world, Pacific Islands have been unable to fully capitalise on sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology, it said.
The cost of internet connectivity is relatively high and speeds are poor, compared to the rest of the world, said World Bank senior economist Dana Vorisek.
“Digital connectivity really has to be addressed,” she told a media briefing in Suva.
Reforms to payment systems and more digital payment services are needed to boost the impact of remittances sent back home to families by offshore workers, officials said. – Reuters
SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS apologizes on an Instagram video after the release of hotel surveillance video that appeared to show him attacking his ex-girlfriend. — INSTAGRAM.COM/DIDDY
Sean “Diddy” Combs was confronted with six new sexual abuse lawsuits on Monday, including one accusing the rap mogul of assaulting a minor.
The civil lawsuits were filed a month after Mr. Combs was criminally charged for what prosecutors describe as a long-running scheme of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Mr. Combs has denied wrongdoing in other civil cases against him and pleaded not guilty in his criminal case.
“In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone – adult or minor, man or woman,” Mr. Combs’ lawyers said in a statement Monday.
The lawsuits were filed in New York federal court by anonymous plaintiffs, including one man who accuses Mr. Combs of assaulting him when he was a minor.
“For decades, Sean Combs abused, molested, raped, assaulted, threatened and coerced women, men and minors for sexual gratification, to assert dominance, and to conceal his abhorrent conduct,” said one of the lawsuits, filed by a John Doe plaintiff.
The plaintiff alleged that during a party at Mr. Combs’ Hamptons mansion in 1998, the rapper directed him to drop his pants and then fondled his genitals. He said he was 16 years old at the time.
Mr. Combs was arrested in September and charged with three felony counts for racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty on Sept. 17.
A judge denied Mr. Combs’ request for bail on Oct. 10 and set a trial date of May 5, 2025.
The lawsuits on Monday were filed by Houston-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has said he is representing 120 people who accuse Mr. Combs of abuse.
The Buzbee Law Firm said in a statement that it plans to file additional lawsuits against Mr. Combs in the coming weeks. – Reuters
GUATAVITA, Colombia/PALUGUILLO, Ecuador – Rural communities in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador are fighting to protect fragile high-altitude wetlands that regulate the area’s water cycles, as sharp water and energy rationing hit both nations.
Colombia and Ecuador — both largely dependent on hydroelectric dams for energy — have been battered by a strong El Nino weather pattern that has caused drought conditions, which scientists say were further exacerbated by climate change and damaging human activity.
Grassroots activists in the two countries, aided by international advocacy groups like Conservation International, have been working to protect the high-altitude wetlands, called paramos, and save water, especially through efforts to restore native plants.
Most of the world’s paramos – which regulate the water cycle by absorbing and slowly releasing rain – are found in the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
“Deforestation in the Amazon, combined with variations that are being caused by climate change and the degradation of the soils is what has caused water dynamics to change,” said Patricia Bejarano, director of the sustainable high mountain landscapes program run by Conservation International’s Colombian chapter.
The crisis comes as Colombia prepares to host the United Nations’ conference on biodiversity in the city of Cali at the end of October.
The paramos illustrate how protecting nature is vital to fighting climate change, as well as protecting water and ensuring the future of agriculture.
Drought has led to rotating water rationing in Bogota, Colombia’s capital of almost 10 million people, while Ecuador’s energy grid has been pushed to the brink, prompting power cuts to conserve water in dams.
Colombia suspended electricity exports to its neighbor to shore up its own power reserves.
Thirteen members of El Tablon, a rural community on the outskirts of Quito, work in a nursery in Paluguillo paramo to rear paper trees, a species of polylepis, which are then replanted.
“They’re plants native to the paramo that help us conserve water,” said Diana Sopalo, 29, who has been working for four years in the Fund for Protecting Water (FONAG) nursery, set up by international advocacy group The Nature Conservancy.
A WATER FACTORY
Paper trees, with their large surface area, are great for capturing and storing water, Sopalo said, adding that during dry season the species begins to slowly release water into the earth where it rejoins the water cycle.
The nursery, led by women, has planted 40,000 trees and is growing another 100,000.
“It’s a water factory,” Sopalo said.
Quito depends on water from the paramos, said FONAG’s Paola Fuentes, a water analysis specialist.
“The water originates in this area and conserving these paramos, these wetlands, is essential for the low areas in the city,” Fuentes said.
Some 26 rangers work to protect and monitor the region for FONAG.
“If the paramos weren’t being managed, we would simply have much less water than we have now,” said Galo Medina, Ecuador lead for The Nature Conservancy.
In Colombia’s Guatavita, local activists and regional authorities are developing plans for Vista Hermosa de Monquentiva, a protected area within the Chingaza paramo, including expanding its borders.
Protecting the park and its species — including plants like frailejones, or espeletia, famed for their ability to conserve water — is vitally important for keeping drinking water and hydroelectric reservoirs full, said Doris Ramos, 52, who works on environmental issues for the Guatavita mayor’s office.
The park, once used for cattle farming, has been a protected area since 2018 and precious frailejones and other species have slowly grown on the land.
“While we are restoring this ecosystem, it brings great potential for water, flora and fauna. It is also vulnerable to all the consequences of climate change,” she said. – Reuters
CHICKENS walk on top of rubble, at the site of Israeli strikes on houses, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 10, 2023. — REUTERS
WASHINGTON – The Arab American Political Action Committee said on Monday it will not endorse Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican former President Donald Trump citing what it called their “blind support” for Israel in wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Nov. 5 U.S. elections will mark the first time AAPAC has chosen not to endorse a candidate since the group’s 1998 inception. It usually endorses Democrats.
Polls show the race between Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump as tight. Arab and Muslim Americans overwhelmingly backed President Joe Biden in 2020 but have been vocal opponents of U.S. support for Israel, which has eroded their backing of Democrats.
Mr. Trump has historically had low approval from that community due to past statements and his policy of a travel ban targeting Muslim-majority nations when he was in office. Like Ms. Harris and Mr. Biden, Mr. Trump has also been a vocal supporter of Israel.
Analysts said Ms. Harris’ chances could be hurt if Arab and Muslim Americans did not vote or voted for a third party. Many from those communities have lost relatives in Gaza and Lebanon and have urged supporters to not vote for Trump or Harris. Some like advocacy group Emgage Action have backed Harris, citing Trump as a bigger threat.
“Both candidates have endorsed genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon,” AAPAC said in a statement. “We simply cannot give our votes to either Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who blindly support the criminal Israeli government.”
Israel has denied genocide allegations at the World Court and said it is defending itself after an Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian Hamas militants that it estimated killed about 1,200 people and in which around 250 were taken hostage.
Israel’s assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 people, the local health ministry said, while displacing nearly its entire population and causing a hunger crisis. In Lebanon, where Israel said it is targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, the death toll is over 2,000, the Lebanese government said. – Reuters
US Vice-President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump are seen in a combination of file photographs. — REUTERS FILE PHOTO
ERIE, Pennsylvania – Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Monday slammed Donald Trump for his ominous comments about “the enemy within” the United States and threat to deploy the military domestically, in a renewed effort to paint her Republican opponent as a threat to democracy.
In a rare move at her own campaign rally in the political swing state Pennsylvania, the U.S. vice president showed a clip of Trump, the former president, telling his supporters “those people are more dangerous – the enemy from within – than Russia.”
Ms. Harris, 59, has recently pressed Mr. Trump to release his health records, as she has, and knocked him for meandering tangents and focus on fictional characters such as Hannibal Lecter.
“A second Trump term would be a huge risk for America, and dangerous. Donald Trump is increasingly unstable and unhinged,” Ms. Harris told the Erie crowd after playing the clip.
She went on to say that Mr. Trump poses a danger because he believes those who do not agree with him are the enemy.
Mr. Trump in recent rally speeches has hinted about facing “an enemy from within,” more dangerous than a foreign adversary. His campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.
In an interview on Sunday on the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures,” host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if he was expecting “chaos” on Election Day, and he appeared to suggest the military could be deployed against citizens.
“I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within,” Mr. Trump said. “We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics.”
He added: “It should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen.”
Mr. Trump would not be able to give orders to either National Guard or active-duty military units on Election Day on Nov. 5 because he is not president.
Ms. Harris’ trip to Pennsylvania on Monday is her 10th to the battleground state since becoming the Democratic candidate in July. The state’s 19 electoral college votes will be pivotal to the election outcome.
She kicked off her trip to Erie with a stop at a Black-owned coffee shop for a sit-down discussion with Black men. Her campaign is concerned about slipping support from Black voters.
Ms. Harris unveiled new policy proposals aimed at Black men on Monday that include forgivable small business loans and access to a new legal recreational marijuana industry.
The Harris campaign and Democrats – including former President Barack Obama – have expressed deep concern about whether Black men will turn out in numbers seen in past elections and whether they will support Ms. Harris or Mr. Trump.
Over a quarter of young Black men say they would support Trump in the election race, according to a September poll by the NAACP, the nation’s largest civil rights organization. President Joe Biden got about 80% of the Black male vote in 2020.
The new slate of policy proposals is part of Ms. Harris’ effort to make a direct pitch at Black men and make them a more central part of her campaign during the final stretch. Reuters was first to report the plan.
The new policies include 1 million loans that are fully forgivable of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs in underserved communities, and a promise to legalize recreational marijuana and help ensure Black entrepreneurs have access to the new industry.
Other Ms. Harris proposals include boosting access to the cryptocurrency industry for Black Americans and launching a national health equity initiative focused on Black men that addresses diseases like sickle cell anemia, which disproportionately affects the community.
If elected, Harris would be the second Black president and first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent in the office.
The policy rollout came a day before Ms. Harris is expected to be interviewed by Charlamagne tha God, a comedian and author whose nationally syndicated radio show is popular with Black millennials. – Reuters
CHINESE AND TAIWANESE flags are seen in this illustration, Aug. 6, 2022. — REUTERS
China said on Monday it would punish and sanction Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and lawmaker Puma Shen for alleged criminal and pro-Taiwan independence activities.
In a statement, the Taiwan Affairs Office said the “Black Bear Academy” that both men were associated with was seeking to incite separatism that would endanger cross-strait ties.
Mr. Tsao is one of Taiwan’s richest men who pledged two years ago to provide millions to two civilian defense training programs, including the Black Bear Academy. Mr. Shen, a lawmaker with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), helps run Black Bear Academy training.
The State Council-level Taiwan Affairs Office said it would include Mr. Tsao and Mr. Shen on a list of “Taiwan independence” diehards and impose sanctions on them and the academy.
The move comes as China on Monday launched fresh military drills around the democratically governed island that China claims as its own. Beijing said the drills were a warning against “separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces” while denouncing Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te of the DPP.
“This is one of China’s many acts of intimidation against Taiwan, including economic coercion, military threats…,” a DPP spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.
“These irrational acts will only further hurt the feelings of the Taiwanese people and damage cross-strait relations.”
Mr. Tsao and Mr. Shen would be barred from traveling to China, Hong Kong and Macau, the statement added, while all affiliated enterprises and businesses linked to the pair would not be allowed to “seek profit” in China.
“The Black Bear Academy with the support of the DPP authorities and external interference forces, has brazenly cultivated violent Taiwan independence elements and openly engaged in “Taiwan independence” separatist activities under the guise of lectures, training, outdoor drills,” the statement read, citing spokesman Chen Binhua.
Mr. Shen, speaking to reporters, described this as a provocation from China, rather than the other way round, and said it reflected Beijing’s great sensitivity towards any civilian defense initiatives in Taiwan.
“They will definitely use the threat of (economic) sanctions to conduct further grey zone warfare against Taiwan,” he said.
The Black Bear Academy, also known as the Kuma Academy, said in a statement the moves are “nothing more than politically motivated attempts to undermine our mission and silence those who support Taiwan’s right to self-determination and democratic values.”
Mr. Tsao is the founder and former chairman of chip maker United Microelectronics Corp 2303.TW, and has said he hoped his programs would help train millions of “civilian warriors” through a mix of survival, military and counter surveillance and technology courses.
Mr. Tsao, in a lengthy Facebook post on Monday, denounced China’s Communist Party, saying the country was on the verge of economic collapse and is being “besieged” by the United States, Europe and Japan.
“They understand that using force against Taiwan will lead to consequences they can hardly bear,” he added.
UMC declined comment, saying that Mr. Tsao had retired a decade ago and no longer had any connection with the company. – Reuters
The complete lineup for the upcoming 2025 Puregold CinePanalo has now been finalized, with the announcement of the 25 student films to be showcased at the festival under the short film category. The promising young filmmakers will each receive a P150,000 production grant.
Finalists were selected from the hundreds of initial applicants to the contest. While the finalists come from various schools nationwide, two dominate the current lineup. Polytechnic University of the Philippines holds the record, with six students selected for the festival. The University of the Philippines Diliman followed close behind, with five representatives making it into the festival, and an additional two from UP Visayas were also selected.
The complete list of selected student finalists includes:
Abrigonda, Adelbert — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Balance, Jr., Allan M. — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Cruz, Angel Allizon — University of Santo Tomas
Dala, Carlos — University of the Philippines Diliman
Dolim, Roniño — University of Eastern Philippines
Flores, Kenneth — Far Eastern University
Fresnido, Austine Rae R. — FAITH Colleges
Gamale, Clyde Cuizon — University of the Philippines Diliman
Herrera, Bjorn M. — Central Philippine University
Javier, Maria Eleanor P. — University of the Philippines Visayas
Malaya, Mae — University of the Philippines Diliman
Malit, Ira Corinne Esquerra — University of Caloocan City
Mendoza, Naiah Nicole — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Molacruz, Vhan Marco B. — Colegio de San Juan Letran
Morales, Jadrien — University of the Philippines Diliman
Narciso, Regene — Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
Pardo, Alexie Nicole — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Rebaño, Kieth Earl B. — University of the Philippines Visayas
Rimorin, John Lester — University of the Philippines Diliman
Sales, Jose Andy — University of San Carlos
Sanchez, Mark Joseph — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Soriano, Aubrey — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Tan, Jasper — Far Eastern University
Tejero, Johannes — University of San Carlos
Verdejo, Sean Rafael A. — National University Laguna
“Puregold CinePanalo aims to champion the future visionaries of Philippine cinema,” said Puregold President Vincent Co. “We are here to provide a platform and support for these talented young artists, and we look forward to sharing their panalo stories with the public.”
On top of the twenty-five finalists, Puregold also released a list of five honorable mentions. If any selected finalists cannot proceed with the competition, their place in the festival will be granted to one of the honorable mentions instead.
The five honorable mentions include:
Arroyo, Victoriano L. — University of the Philippines Visayas
Baulo, Jamal M. — Mindanao State University
Delos Reyes, Donnie C. — University of the Philippines Visayas
Llera, Vannece — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Serad, Abdul Hakhem R. — Mindanao State University
“The student short film category was highly competitive this year,” said Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “With so many exceptional entries from across the country, we’re proud to highlight our honorable mentions. We’re confident these student filmmakers will be ready to step up and shine at the festival should the opportunity arise.”
Ms. Hayagan-Piedad also acts as one of the festival directors for the Puregold CinePanalo. She also was part of the Selection Committee that put together the festival lineup. Joining her on the Selection Committee were fellow festival director Chris Cahilig, award-winning director Kurt Soberano, screenplay writer Jinkee Laurel, and representatives of Republic Creative Creations, Inc. Sonny Bautista and Lyle Gonzales.
The 25 student shorts will be screened alongside eight feature films at the festival proper at Gateway Cinemas from March 14 to 25, 2025.
For the latest updates on promos and events, subscribe to Puregold’s YouTube channel, follow @puregold.shopping on Facebook, and check out @puregold_ph on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
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PayMongo, a leading financial technology platform for Filipino entrepreneurs, has recently partnered with Boost Capital, a leader in digital technology solutions, to streamline merchant onboarding, lower barriers to financial services, and reinforce PayMongo’s position as a top player in the Philippines’ fintech space.
“Together, we’re taking a big step towards improving the onboarding experience for Filipino merchants, making it easier for small businesses to access the financial services they need to grow and succeed,” said PayMongo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jojo Malolos regarding the partnership.
Mr. Malolos emphasized that at the core of this collaboration is Boost Capital’s advanced, AI-powered chat technology, which seamlessly integrates into PayMongo’s ecosystem.
“This chat-based platform allows merchants to sign up through familiar channels like Facebook Messenger — without the need to download an app or learn new technology,” Mr. Malolos said. “For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this eliminates the traditional barriers of complicated paperwork, lengthy verification processes, and unfamiliar tools.”
One merchant, Maria L., a restaurant owner, shared her experience with the onboarding system: “This was so much easier than any of my US bank experiences. I signed up and submitted my documents through a quick chat on my phone. It was fast and hassle-free.”
“We’ve listened to merchants who find the onboarding process overwhelming, and through this partnership, we’re providing a solution that simplifies it,” the PayMongo CEO said, highlighting that merchants can easily onboard through a quick chat, upload documents using their smartphone, and be approved in record time.
Enhanced financial access for Filipino entrepreneurs
Meanwhile, PayMongo Co-Founder and Chairperson Luis Sia explained that the partnership with Boost Capital reinforces PayMongo’s mission to make financial services more accessible to a wider range of businesses, from startups to established enterprises.
“By simplifying the onboarding process, more SMEs can now access essential financial tools that help them scale their operations and drive growth,” Mr. Sia said.
“Boost Capital’s technology, integrated with PayMongo, simplifies digital transactions through intuitive chat and web-based interfaces, removing traditional barriers to financial entry,” he added.
Mr. Sia said that the collaboration allows SMEs to navigate the financial system easily, allowing them to focus on their core business without the usual friction of accessing financial services.
Mr. Sia then pointed out that PayMongo is a leading financial infrastructure platform in the Philippines, offering businesses a comprehensive suite of digital financial services to boost their revenue.
“Our services include payment processing, business wallets, and flexible capital solutions, all designed to simplify financial operations for SMEs. PayMongo is dedicated to empowering Filipino businesses by making financial services more accessible, secure, and user-friendly,” he said.
First-to-Market Innovation in Merchant Signup
Boost Capital CEO Gordon Peters explained the company’s role in assisting entrepreneurs, particularly in streamlining the onboarding process within the financial services sector.
“By integrating Boost Capital’s chat-driven, AI-powered technology, PayMongo allows merchants to complete their onboarding process in just minutes — anytime, anywhere. This streamlined, fully automated solution accelerates onboarding while ensuring compliance and security at every step,” Mr. Peters said.
“With this innovative approach, PayMongo is the first among its competitors in the financial space to offer a chat-based onboarding experience, setting a new standard for ease and accessibility,” Mr. Peters added.
Mr. Peters emphasized that Boost Capital is at the forefront of technology solutions that revolutionize how businesses digitally onboard and manage customer interactions. It provides financial service providers with white-labeled onboarding systems for loans, savings, merchant acquisition, and insurance.
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More than 900 cybersecurity professionals gathered for the second season of the ISOGx Cybersecurity Solution Pitch & Exhibition on Oct. 2, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center Aura. Hosted by the Information Security Officers Group (ISOG) under the theme “Cyber Resilience is the Key,” the event equipped attendees with cutting-edge information and practical tools in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
The event, inspired by the TEDx format, featured concise, impactful presentations designed to engage and inform. “Our first season was a resounding success, attracting hundreds of security experts. This year, we’ve returned with more relevant content to help our community stay ahead,” said ISOG President Archie Tolentino.
The keynote speaker, Senator Mark Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, emphasized the importance of legislative efforts to arm the country’s digital systems in order to augment cybersecurity and consumer protection. “As your senator, I have particular focus on arming our digital market by enacting bills and laws that address the evolving challenges and trends in cyberspace,” he said. Senator Villar co-authored and sponsored the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), a landmark legislation designed to implement robust safeguards that protect both consumers and financial institutions from deceptive scams and online fraud.
During the plenary session, hosted by Christine Jacob-Sandejas, attendees were treated to dynamic presentations from industry experts on topics like ransomware resilience, fortifying digital supply chains, proactive cyber defense, and more. The event featured an impressive lineup of industry experts, including Arnie S. Alvarez, Chief Technology Officer of Huawei; Atty. Jon O. Bello, Partner at Medialdea Bello and Suarez Law Offices who represented NM Network Manager Sales, Inc.; William Phuah, Sangfor’s Security Services Team Leader; and Jayesh Panicker, Global Solutions Engineer at Sophos, who shared their expertise, along with Benjo Aganon, Sales Director at F5; and Nick Low, Solution Engineer at Cisco; Fredric Lance Ong, Systems Engineer at Fortinet; and Dalton Tan, Vice-President for Asia-Pacific & Middle East at Eclypsium, also gave engaging presentations, while Jessica Bernardo, Senior Pre-sales Consultant; and Alex Hudelot, CEO of Theos Cyber, brought valuable insights. Victor Bides, Cybersecurity Consultant at Check Point; Rob Dooley, General Manager for Asia-Pacific at Rapid7; and Cyril Villanueva, Forcepoint’s Security Consultant, were among the notable presenters. Other key speakers included Michael Gioia, Solutions Engineer for APAC at Pentera; David Bochsler, KnowBe4’s Vice-President of Sales for Asia-Pacific and Japan; Han Yang Lau, Senior Manager of Solutions Architects for APAC at SecurityScorecard; and Derek Lok, Director at Yubico Asia. Jobert David, Head of Technical Solutions at Palo Alto Networks Philippines; Charles Repain, Transformation Architect at Zscaler; Mic Mandapat, Presales Manager at Exclusive Networks who represented Vectra; Patrick Reyes, Solutions Engineer at Netskope, and Ivan Lo, Channel Lead, ASEAN for Tehtris, also played critical roles in the event’s success.
Later in the event, participants joined breakout sessions that provided an in-depth exploration of key cybersecurity topics. Through sessions led by industry experts representing Gold, Silver, Special Exhibitor event sponsors, attendees gained practical insights and solutions to current cyber threats. Speakers were Marlon Gino-gino, Senior Engineer at Tenable; Philip Alvic Cagunot, Systems Engineer at Fortinet; Cristofer Quek, Regional Sales Manager, APAC at Gatewatcher; Katherine Rose Fernandez, Country Sales Manager at Cyble; Edwin Koh, Regional Sales Director, SEA at Edgio; Nhorgeelen R. Narra, Country Manager at Blancco; Jennifer Tan, Country Manager at Gigamon; Joel Tian, Sales Engineer, APAC at XM Cyber; Apol Salud, Country Manager at Arista Networks; Jonathan Pascual, Territory Sales Manager at Cloudflare Philippines; and Ajay Kumar, Practice Lead, APAC at Trellix Cyber Operation.
A standout highlight of the event was the LEGO-themed displays, which infused creativity and fun while fostering collaboration among participants. This playful yet strategic approach inspired delegates to think outside the box, sparking innovation in problem-solving. To heighten the excitement, the event featured networking tea breaks, raffle prizes, and fellowship, creating a lively atmosphere where cybersecurity professionals could network, learn, and enjoy a memorable experience together.
“While ISOGx’s format is dynamic and engaging, combining both information and entertainment, its core purpose remains steadfast — to equip our members with the latest tools and knowledge to effectively counter the ever-evolving cyber threats we face,” said ISOG Vice-President Chito Jacinto.
Institutional alliances played a crucial role in the success of the event, with the support of key government agencies such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas through the office of Fintech Innovation and Policy Research Group, National Privacy Commission through Public Information and Assistance Division (PIAD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the office of the Spokesperson and AFP Radio, and the Philippine Navy’s Naval Reserve Center, National Capital Region(NRCen-NCR) through the Naval Forces Reserve-NCR.
The event organized by XMS was sponsored by leading global technology companies, showcasing a robust commitment to cybersecurity. Titanium Sponsors included Huawei, NM Network Manager Sales Inc., Cisco through Trends, Sophos through WSI, Sangfor through WSI, F5 through Westcon, Fortinet through Netsec and VST-ECS, Eclypsium through Netsec and MDI, TrendMicro through CTLink and VST-ECS, Theos Cyber, Check Point, and Rapid7. Platinum Sponsors featured Forcepoint, Pentera, KnowBe4, SecurityScorecard through WSI, Palo Alto through Trends and Westcon, Yubico through WSI, Vectra through Exclusive Networks, Netskope through Exclusive Networks, and Zscaler through Westcon, as well as Tehtris. Gold Sponsors included Tenable through Westcon, Cyble through Exclusive Networks, Gatewatcher through Wallix and Bizsecure, Fortinet through Netsec, and Edgio through WSI. Silver Sponsors comprised Blancco, Gigamon through Westcon, Arista through Exclusive Networks, and XM Cyber, while special exhibitors included Cloudflare through Exclusive Networks and Trellix. Supported by media partners BusinessWorld, Digi PH, and Back End News, ISOGx Season 2 reinforced its commitment to enhancing cybersecurity resilience in the Philippines.
For more details about ISOG, visit its official website at www.isog-org.ph and socials at LinkedIn: ISOG (Information Security Officers Group), Facebook: ISOGPH, YouTube Channel: ISOG SUMMIT.
ISOGx overview:
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