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Harvey Weinstein, studios face class action suit over alleged sexual misconduct

LOS ANGELES — An actress filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against Harvey Weinstein, claiming she and other women had been subjected to a variety of brutal sex attacks by the disgraced Hollywood producer.

The suit, filed by “Jane Doe 1 and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” says the movie mogul assaulted the California actress as she auditioned for a role with Miramax, the studio cofounded by Weinstein and his brother Bob.

Damages being sought exceed $5 million, which could be tripled under federal racketeering accusations made in the lawsuit. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) targets ongoing patterns of criminal conduct. The 1970 law has been used to target Mafia bosses, professional sports leagues, anti-abortion activists, and Catholic dioceses accused of covering up sexual abuse by priests, among many others.

Weinstein and the companies are accused in the suit of violating federal racketeering laws, assault, civil battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. The companies are also accused of negligent supervision. “During her audition, Jane Doe 1 was assaulted by Weinstein, threatened, falsely imprisoned, and suffered emotional and physical distress, and was injured in her property or livelihood as a result of Weinstein’s actions,” the suit alleges, without giving a date for the incident.

“Weinstein told Jane Doe 1 that if she refused his advances and his requests, he would ruin her, and he ultimately withdrew the offer he had given her for a part because she would not accede to his advances.”

The complainant’s lawyers appealed to other victims to join the action against the producer, The Weinstein Company, and Miramax, now owned by the Qatari beIN Media Group, arguing that “hundreds of other female actors like her” have found themselves on his casting couch.

“Under the guise of meetings ostensibly to help further class members’ careers or hire them for roles, Weinstein isolated (the) plaintiff and the class members in an attempt to engage in unwanted sexual conduct that took many forms: flashing, groping, fondling, battering, sexual assault, attempted rape and/or completed rape,” the lawsuit states.

A lawyer and a spokeswoman for Weinstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nor did two representatives of the Weinstein Co.

A spokeswoman for Miramax referred comment to the Walt Disney Co, which owned Miramax when Weinstein was the head of the studio. Disney, which bought Miramax in 1993, did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations. Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by Weinstein. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

‘MASSIVE STRENGTH’
It adds that victims who wanted careers in film or television “understood that Weinstein was a powerful force in the production world” and acted under duress and the threat of being blacklisted if they rejected him or complained.

The actress is the latest of more than 100 women who have come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct, ranging from harassment to rape, with high-profile accusers including stars Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The action follows a lawsuit filed against Weinstein and The Weinstein Company in Los Angeles on Tuesday by a single unidentified actress represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred.

The woman says she met the now infamous mogul at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills in late 2015 to discuss being cast in the Netflix series Marco Polo.

Once there, however, Weinstein told the woman he wanted to masturbate in front of her and when she said “no” he proceeded to grasp her wrist with one hand and masturbate with the other, the suit alleges.

In the spring of the following year, Weinstein is alleged to have contacted her again as if nothing had happened, giving her the impression she had been cast in Marco Polo.

He invited her to meet him again at the Montage Hotel to celebrate and she agreed, according to the woman’s account.

During the meeting, he excused himself and returned in a bathrobe, but when she said she didn’t want to do anything sexual, he dragged her into the bedroom where he used his “massive strength and weight to force himself on her,” the suit alleges.

BATTERY
The woman said she fled the room as soon as she could break free.

The actress is seeking compensation and damages, claiming sexual battery, assault and negligence.

Weinstein’s representatives denied the latest allegations, as with all the other accusations of non-consensual sexual contact he has faced in recent weeks.

Meanwhile US actor Terry Crews publicly named high-powered agent Adam Venit as the man he claims groped him at a party last year and said he would “not be shamed” by the alleged assault.

“Back in February 2016, I was assaulted by Adam Venit, who is head of the motion picture department at William Morris Endeavor, one of the biggest agencies in the world, period,” Crews, 49, told ABC’s Good Morning America.

“He’s connected to probably everyone I know in the business… I did not know this man. I have never had a conversation with him, ever.”

Venit has represented a host of stars, from Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy to Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.

WME said in a statement to ABC News it had suspended Venit to look into the claims by Crews, a star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. — AFP/Reuters

Peru beats New Zealand 2-0 to capture last World Cup berth

LIMA — Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos scored as Peru defeated New Zealand to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1982 on Wednesday, sealing the last ticket to Russia with a 2-0 win.

Farfan struck in the 27th minute and Ramos scored in the 65th to give “Los Incas” their fifth overall World Cup finals appearance and the first in 35 years.

The second-leg match at Lima’s Estadio Nacional was the decider after New Zealand and Peru played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Oceania-South America playoff on Saturday at Wellington.

New Zealand, ranked 122nd in the world, was seeking a third World Cup finals berth after appearances in 1982 and 2010.

Peru attacked the “All-Whites” from the start, Incas defender Luis Advincula slamming a left-footed shot off the crossbar in the third minute to delight a full-throated crowd in the packed stadium.

The opening goal came after Christian Cueva raced down the left wing and flicked a pinpoint center pass with the outside of his right foot to Farfan.

The 33-year-old forward for Lokomotiv Moscow blasted a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area past New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and into the back of the net.

In celebrating the goal, Farfan covered his head with the jersey of suspended Peru teammate Paolo Guerrero, unavailable after failing a doping test last month.

Farfan had another chance in the 42nd minute when Marinovic surrendered a rebound chance, but the sprawled Kiwi made a left-hand save from point blank range and finally clutched the ball to end the threat.

New Zealand’s Kip Colvey gave the Kiwis a dangerous chance in the 50th minute with a centering pass from the right wing to second-half substitute Chris Wood, but the English Premier League striker for Burnley saw his header from six meters denied by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Still vulnerable to a New Zealand away goal, Peru’s insurance policy came off the foot of Ramos after a corner kick glanced off Farfan’s head.

The ball struck Kiwi defender Winston Reid to land in front of Ramos, who fired it into the goal. — AFP

Ancajas out to gain more prominence in third title defense

ONE of the more “low-key” Filipino world boxing champions today, Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas looks to gain more worldwide prominence as he makes his third defense of his International Boxing Federation world junior bantamweight title this weekend in Belfast, Ireland.

To take on hometown bet Jamie “Irish Gatti” Conlan on Nov. 18 at the SSE Arena, the 25-year-old Ancajas is out to make it three straight successful defenses of the title he won last year while showcasing his abilities as a champion fighter to more people and areas.

“This is an important fight for me like my previous ones. But this time I want to showcase more what I can do as a fighter as far as my skills and mind-set,” said the Panabo City native in an interview with local sportswriters in the run-up to his fight this weekend.

“I’m going for an impressive win,” added Mr. Ancajas.

Entering the contest, Mr. Ancajas, who has not lost since 2012, is fresh from his conquest of Japanese challenger Teiru Kinoshita in their title fight in July in Brisbane, Australia.

In said fight, Mr. Ancajas (27-1-1) stopped his opponent in the seventh round by way of technical knockout from a solid body blow.

It is something that the Filipino champion hopes to take cue from as he battles unbeaten Conlan (19-0) at the latter’s home turf at that.

“I know against Conlan I’m going to have a tough fight, more so because the crowd will be behind him,” said Mr. Ancajas.

“But fighting in enemy territory is no different to me. I just have to stick with my game plan and follow my coaches’ instructions. I need to stay focused and be aggressive,” he said.

Mr. Ancajas became world champion on Sept. 3, 2016 after beating Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo for the IBF World Junior Bantamweight crown.

He made first title defense on Jan. 29, defeating Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico before salvaging Filipino pride in July as part of the Manny Pacquiao versus Jeff Horn clash. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

VACC lawyers file sedition complaint vs Trillanes

LAWYERS OF the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) yesterday filed a complaint against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV for allegedly committing the crimes of inciting to sedition, conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat, and graft.

“It is respectfully prayed of the honorable investigating office/s to conduct a preliminary investigation and after proper proceedings, find probable cause to indict Antonio F. Trillanes IV and other personalities (John Does,/Jane Does) who may have conspired with him, in the commission of the crimes of inciting to sedition (several counts), conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat and violation of Sec. 3 (e ), R.A. No. 3019,” reads part of the 15-page complaint filed on Nov. 16 before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s office.

The anti-crime and corruption lawyers pointed out that Mr. Trillanes uttered seditious words in his privilege speech before the Senate last Oct. 3, making it appear that President Rodrigo R. Duterte had bank transactions from 2006 to 2015 totaling to P2 billion.

Mr. Trillanes emphasized in his speech that the President had deposited P50 million at least 13 times in one bank account, saying: “Pag tinotal mo, ‘yon pa lang P700 million, aabot na.”

Mr. Trillanes, a staunch critic of the President, added that in another bank account of Mr. Duterte, he discovered at least 20 deposits of P40 million to P50 million each.

The senator also claimed that Mr. Duterte bought in one day P80 million worth of insurance for his four children.”

VACC also argued that Mr. Trillanes committed conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat when he stated in his privilege speech: “So ito ngayon sagot. Kung makikita ’to ng mga sundalo, M60 machine gun ang gagamatin sa ’yo. Marami-rami ito, maubos magazine kung P40 million hinahanap mo, Mr. Duterte (So here’s the answer now. If the soldiers could see this, they will use an M60 machine gun on you. These are many. The magazines will be emptied if you’re looking for P40 million, Mr. Duterte).”

“Moreover, he caused undue injury to President Duterte, including the Government in violation of Sec. 3( e), R.A. No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, through evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, when he irresponsibly and recklessly and continuously accused sans evidence, the President of keeping over P2 billion in his bank accounts an/or has amassed ill-gotten wealth.”

Section 3e of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, states: “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”

Sought for comment, Mr. Trillanes said in a text message to reporters: “These Duterte minions are doing all sorts of harassment against me in the hope that they would be able to divert my attention. Sorry, but I remain focused on finding ways to continue to expose Duterte’s murders, corruption and secret bank accounts; as well as Polong’s BoC (Bureau of Customs) smuggling and involvement in the 6.4b peso shabu shipment.”

Polong is one of Mr. Duterte’s sons, Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

Singapore suspends trade relations with North Korea

SINGAPORE — Singapore has suspended trade relations with North Korea, the latest of Pyongyang’s major trade partners to cut commercial ties under toughening UN sanctions over its weapons program, a customs notice obtained on Thursday showed.

The move comes about two months after the United States imposed North Korea-related sanctions on a number of firms and individuals, including two entities based in Singapore.

“Singapore will prohibit all commercially traded goods from, or to, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the city-state’s customs said in the notice sent to traders and declaring agents last Tuesday, referring to the country by its official name.

The suspension would take effect from Nov. 8, Fauziah A. Sani, head of trade strategy and security for the director-general of customs, said in the notice.

Repeated breach of the new prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to S$200,000 ($147,340.50) or four times the value of the goods traded, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, it added.

Singapore is North Korea’s seventh largest trading partner. The Philippines, Pyongyang’s fifth biggest trading partner, suspended trade with North Korea in September to comply with a UN resolution.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has escalated as North Korea’s young leader, Kim Jong Un, has stepped up the development of weapons in defiance of UN sanctions.

North Korea has tested a series of missiles this year, including one that flew over Japan, and conducted its sixth and biggest nuclear test in September.

Pyongyang maintains a diplomatic presence in Singapore, with an embassy in its financial district.

In September, Singapore issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to North Korea, where it does not have diplomatic representation.

In an interview with National Public Radio in May, Singapore’s minister of foreign affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, had said the country was not ready to cut all diplomatic ties with North Korea.

In January last year, Singapore-based Chinpo Shipping Company (Private) Ltd was fined S$180,000 for facilitating a shipment of arms to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions. — Reuters

Gag show marks its 22nd year with musical special

TWENTY-TWO years ago, Bubble Gang first aired on GMA Network — a sketch gag show inspired by Tropang Trumpo airing on what was then ABC-5, from which Michael V (Beethoven del Valle Bunagan in real life) and former Bubble Gang member Ogie Alcasid came. The show is now widely considered as the longest running gag show in Philippine TV history.

While the cast members have changed through the years and segments have come and gone, Mr. Bunagan (who now serves as the show’s creative director) said the secret to the show’s longevity was “dedication to work” and being in touch with the changes in society.

“Society benefits from our jokes and we benefit from society. It’s a good relationship,” Mr. Bunagan said during a press conference on Nov. 13, adding their jokes are taken from what’s happening in society.

As Bubble Gang celebrates its anniversary, it will do so by doing something they have never done before: a musical.

“First of all, we didn’t know what to do. We thought about [doing a musical] because we haven’t done it yet,” he said in the vernacular before saying that the idea came to him after seeing one of his children join a musical production in Ateneo.

“And then the success of Rak of Aegis also inspired me to come up with something like this. I thought we can use this for Bubble Gang and I hoped it might work,” he explained.

While PETA’s musical Rak of Aegis used songs of the rock band Aegis to tell a comic story about a perpetually flooded community, the Bubble Gang special, titled Parokya Bente Dos: A Laugh Story, will use the music of yet another popular Filipino rock band, Parokya ni Edgar.

The two-part special, which will air on Nov. 17 and 24, will tell the story of Buloy (Michael V), a die-hard fan who has build his dreams around an actress Birdie Aguila (Kim Domingo), and the countless adventures he has to go through in order to become Ms. Aguila’s leading man on and off the screen.

The special will be helmed by stage director and actor Rem Zamora. Also working on the special are music director and playwright Vince de Jesus, musical arranger Myke Salomon, and choreographer Dan Cabrera.

Because they have never done anything like this before, Mr. Bunagan said: “melding the two — gag show and a musical” was part of the challenge but he assured that the audience will be “delightfully surprised.”

“It took us three months of rehearsals to prepare for this,” he said.

Though he did not name which songs will be featured in the musical, 10 songs from the band were chosen including “Buloy” which is the name of Mr. Bunagan’s character.

“The rehearsals taught us discipline so we felt we really were theater artists and we enjoy every rehearsal. I can’t speak for them (the showrunners) but we saw how it tested their patience because we’re a rowdy bunch, and it’s something you’ll see in the show,” said cast member Valeen Montenegro.

Parokya Bente Dos: A Laugh Story will air on Nov. 17 and 24 after My Korean Jagiya on GMA Telebabad. — Z.B. Chua

Lucio Co’s Cosco Capital posts flat earnings

COSCO CAPITAL, Inc. reported flat earnings in the third quarter, as sales and expenses grew at the same pace.

In a regulatory filing, the retail holding firm of tycoon Lucio L. Co said its net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company stood at P1.21 billion for the July to September period, versus P1.22 billion during the same period a year ago.

Third quarter revenues increased by an annual 14% to P35.7 billion, while cost of goods and services likewise went up 14% to P29.7 billion.

For the nine-month period, Cosco Capital said its net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company rose by 5.6% to P3.42 billion, on the back of a 12% growth in revenues to P101.86 billion.

The company attributed the higher revenues to the sustained organic growth from its grocery retail unit, acquisition of new commercial real estate assets, and improved revenue contribution from liquor and wine distribution segments.

More than half or 58% of profits came from Puregold Price Club, Inc. and S&R Membership Shopping Club, followed by the commercial real estate segment with 23% and the liquor distribution with 12%. Its specialty retailing segment, which includes Liquigaz Philippines Corporation and Office Warehouse, Inc. made up 12% of Cosco’s profit.

Its grocery retail business under Puregold and S&R saw a 7% increase in net income to P3.89 billion for the nine-month period, driven by its 11% rise in net sales to P87.56 billion. However, cost of sales also went up by 11% to P73.11 billion during the same period.

“New stores put up in 2016 were fully operating in 2017, increasing consolidated net sales in addition to robust like-for-like stores sales growth and revenue contributions from new organic stores,” Cosco Capital said.

The company opened a total of 17 new Puregold stores, 1 new S&R membership club and 8 new S&R New York Style quick service restaurants during the January to September period.

For the commercial real estate segment, Cosco said its consolidated net income contribution went up 3% to P801 million during the first nine months of the year.

The liquor distribution business contributed P413.5 million in net income, 9% up from a year ago, despite lower revenues from its Fundador brandy category after Emperador, Inc.’s takeover of Bodegas Fundador.

Under its specialty retail segment, Liquigaz Philippines generated P391.4 million in earnings during the nine-month period, 27% more than the previous year. This was due to a 34% rise in revenues to P9 billion “mainly driven by increase in sales volume and the gradual recovery in global LPG prices during the period.”

Office Warehouse posted P58.7 million in income for the nine-month period, 7% up from a year ago, as it added nine new stores.

“We are pleased with our financial and operational results for the first 9 months of the year. Our subsidiaries are continuously generating positive returns. We remain optimistic that 2017 will be a banner year for Cosco Capital on the back of a strong economy and robust consumption of the Filipino household,” Cosco Capital President Leonardo B. Dayao was quoted as saying in a statement.

On Thursday, shares in Cosco Capital went up 0.38% to P8 apiece, while Puregold shares rose 1.85% to P49.50 each.

MCBL: Cars Unlimited races to 6th win in row

CARS UNLIMITED-FEU NRMF is on a roll and seems unstoppable in the Marikina City Basketball League (MCBL).

The Morayta-based dribblers had just added erstwhile leader NLEX-SCTEX to their growing list of victims in their latest win — an 88-87 squeaker against the Road Warriors just recently at the Marikina Sports Center.

Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF relied on import Dionte Ferguson, who delivered key baskets in towing the team to its sixth straight win.

Mr. Ferguson split his charities with no time left to carry Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF to its sixth win in as many games. After missing his last two free throws, the import cashed in one, a marginal basket to cap a thrilling ending.

He missed a bonus charity while completing a dunk plus a foul on Ernest Reyes to level the score at 87-all.

Both teams went unproductive in their next offensive plays until Mr. Ferguson fished a foul from ex-pro Jeckster Apinan as the buzzer sounded. The Cars Unlimited-FEU NRMF reinforcement missed his first charity shot, then sank the second one for the final tally.

Mr. Ferguson led the way for his squad with a monstrous performance of 15 points on top of 20 rebounds. He was having a field day inside the shaded lane in the absence of Cameroonian import of NLEX-SCTEX Ola Adeogun, who served a one game suspension after incurring a flagrant foul penalty 2 in the team’s last outing against R. Lapid’s/Tito Rex.

Without Mr. Adeogun, the Road Warriors didn’t have the inside presence needed to match up against Mr. Ferguson, but they still got enough firepower to compete against their rivals led by ex-PBA player Byron Villarias.

Mr. Villarias, cousin of second overall PBA rookie pick Kiefer Ravena, scattered 21 points followed by Apinan’s 20. — Rey Joble

Stone Temple Pilots back, with singer found by audition

NEW YORK — Grunge rockers Stone Temple Pilots are back with a new frontman, chosen in an audition of 15,000 applicants after their previous two singers died.

The band with heavy guitar and dark introspection were a leading force in the grunge scene of the 1990s, led by the voice of Scott Weiland, who died of an overdose in 2015 on his tour bus.

The troubled Weiland had already been replaced before his death by Chester Bennington, the frontman of Linkin Park. Bennington left Stone Temple Pilots amicably and earlier this year killed himself.

Stone Temple Pilots marked their rebirth on Wednesday with the release of the song “Meadow” and said to expect an album in 2018.

The fast-paced guitar track features the voice of Jeff Gutt, the 41-year-old singer from the defunct California nu-metal band Dry Cell who had returned to his native Michigan.

Stone Temple Pilots had put out a call for a new singer and received around 15,000 submissions but Gutt was invited to audition after bassist Robert DeLeo was introduced to him while playing in Michigan.

Gutt told Rolling Stone that he had considered Weiland a model as a singer since first hearing the Stone Temple Pilots’ debut album Core in 1992, when the new frontman was a teenager.

“So walking in on that first day, it was crazy. I mean, you have dreams about things like this,” he told the magazine.

Guitarist Dean DeLeo, who is the bassist’s brother, told Rolling Stone that Gutt was well-equipped to sing the parts of Weiland and also to take the band forward musically.

“He has that baritone, and he’s also able to get into that tenor world. He’s a real singer,” DeLeo said.

Gutt found a television audience on the US version of talent show The X Factor, performing a deep metal-voiced rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” — AFP

Davao City pushes for more urban gardeners

By Carmencita A. Carillo
Correspondent

DAVAO CITY — Urban gardener Maxay S. Atog, Jr. has only 30 square meters (sqm) of space for vegetables and herbs in his 180-sqm home, but it brings in extra income for his household.

“You do not need a large area to start with urban gardening because you can plant vegetables at the front, back or sides of your residential area,” Mr. Atog said in an interview.

He is an official of the Association of Davao Organic Advocates (ADOA) and is a regular seller at the organic market set up at the Rizal Park every Thursday and Friday.

ADOA currently has around 20 members who all practice organic and urban gardening.

“I started urban gardening in 2008 at the same time we started Gulayan sa Barangay,” Mr. Atog said, referring to a nationwide program promoting backyard farming at the community level.

At that time, he was a kagawad in Barangay Angliongto, which won the Gulayan sa Barangay award for three consecutive years and is now considered a hall of famer.

His primary crop is lettuce, considered a high-value vegetable that sells for P150 a kilo. He harvests and sells five to ten kilos a week, apart from the herbs, which he said has been in high demand.

Mr. Atog said organic gardening also contributes to the city’s waste management.

“I use compost for my fertilizer,” which he processes in his garage using the household’s biodegradable waste.

The crops are also fertilized by the waste material he gathers from his small tilapia and catfish pond, which he himself dug up and lined with plastic.

The City Agriculturist Office (CAO) is aiming to have more residents like Mr. Atog through its Urban Container Gardening (UCG) program.

CAO Chief Leo Brian D. Leuterio said it is possible to produce food even in a small area, concrete even, as demonstrated in the UCG model garden located at the city hall annex rooftop.

The rooftop, which has a rain collector for watering the crops, has an array of vegetables, including water spinach, pechay, cucumber, okra, and tomatoes, as well as herbs like basil, turmeric, lettuce, legumes, and fennel.

“Davao has an ongoing community-based urban organic agriculture program, although it has not yet been properly launched,” Mr. Leuterio said.

CAO has identified two barangays, Cabantian and Aplaya, where model nurseries will be set up.

Mr. Leuterio said these barangays already have existing nurseries, which are now being enhanced to serve as prototypes for urban sustainable agriculture.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has announced plans to develop a government-owned property in Malagos, a highland area in the city, into an Organic Farm and Agriculture Training Center to help develop small- to medium-scale farms in the city.

In the meantime, residents can get inspiration from the UCG rooftop garden and attend scheduled trainings offered by CAO.

China says ‘dual suspension’ proposal still best for N. Korea

BEIJING — China said on Thursday a “dual suspension” proposal to handle North Korea was still the best option, after US President Donald J. Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement.

North Korea’s rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons and missiles has fueled a surge in regional tension and UN-led sanctions appear to have failed to bite deeply enough to change its behavior.

China and Russia have proposed that the United States and South Korea stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programs.

China formally calls the idea the “dual suspension” proposal.

Speaking on his return from Asia on Wednesday, Mr. Trump said he and Mr. Xi had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement, but it was not clear if he was referring to the “dual suspension” idea, which China’s foreign minister announced in March.

Asked how China understood Mr. Trump’s remarks, and if he agreed with Mr. Trump’s characterization of what Mr. Trump said he agreed with Mr. Xi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said only through talks that addressed all sides legitimate security concerns could there be a peaceful resolution.

“We believe that the ‘dual suspension’ proposal is the most feasible, fair and sensible plan in the present situation,” Mr. Geng told a daily news briefing.

“Not only can it relieve the present tense situation, it can also resolve all parties most pressing security concerns, and provide an opportunity and create conditions to resume talks, and find a breakthrough point to get out of trouble,” he added.

The “dual suspension” is just a first step and not the end point, Mr. Geng said.

“We hope that all sides can conscientiously treat and proactively consider China’s proposal, and at the same time we welcome relevant parties to put forward proposals that can benefit the promotion of a peaceful resolution for the peninsula nuclear issue.”

North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to protect itself from what it sees as US aggression. It sees US-South Korean military exercises as preparations for invasion.

South Korea and the United States, which has about 28,000 troops in South Korea, say their exercises are “defensive in nature.” — Reuters

Strong sales boost Pilipinas Shell’s bottom line for July to Sept.

PILIPINAS SHELL Petroleum Corp. grew its net income by 89% in the third quarter, driven by higher retail sales.

In a regulatory filing, Pilipinas Shell said it booked a P2.44-billion net profit during the July to September period, from the P1.29 billion a year ago.

It recorded a 17% rise in net sales to P41.19 billion in the third quarter, while cost of sales increased 15% to P34.43 billion. Income from operations likewise went up 70% to P3.53 billion.

For the nine-month period, Pilipinas Shell said net profit reached P6.63 billion, up 4.2% from P6.36 billion a year ago. Net sales grew 22% to P123.43 billion from P101.14 billion, while income from operations reached P10.17 billion, up 6.6% from P9.54 billion.

The improvement came “notwithstanding two months of planned refinery maintenance shutdown and slightly lower inventory holding gains as earnings were bolstered by retail business growth, high V-Power penetration and robust refinery performance,” Pilipinas Shell said.

“This earnings performance translates to 20% return on average capital employed, demonstrating the company’s ability to effectively utilize capital to generate superior returns,” the company told the stock exchange.

Retail network sales volumes grew by 5% compared to the past year because of the sustained higher uptake of its V-Power fuel product and the expansion of its retail footprint. To date, Pilipinas Shell has 1,014 retail stations around the country.

Its non-fuel retailing business captured the growth in convenience retailing, posting double-digit growth even as the recently opened Select stores are still maturing, the company said.

“We continue to enhance customer experience as we innovate our offering and launch various customer-delight activities. We have opened our latest format of Shell Select in our Magallanes station to include Deli2Go(s) and various food and beverage co-locators. With our initiatives, we hope to make the lives of our customers Go Well every day,” said Cesar G. Romero, Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive officer.

Pilipinas Shell’s lube bay and co-locator segment also expanded as 38 lube bays opened and 30 new co-locators came in this year. Both registered double-digit growth, the company said.

With the planned preventive maintenance work on the refinery completed in the second quarter, the company said it was able to capture strong refining margins in the third quarter.

On Thursday, shares in Pilipinas Shell rose by 0.25% to P61.15 each. — Victor V. Saulon

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